Karen Pressley is in Los Angeles to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her decision to leave the Church of Scientology, and she’s visiting other escapees, including her good friend Spanky Taylor. Spanky, of course, appeared in the 2015 HBO documentary ‘Going Clear,’ and she’s a longtime friend to the Underground Bunker.
Anyone who manages to leave this extremely destructive dehumanizing organization is a hero 🥰. And those that have put their own lives at risk to speak out and support those leaving are the heros’ heros.
And Tony, what you’ve done personally for me is getting the news out about all the abuses thus I never feel alone even thou I left my husband of 24 years and have 2 children scientology coxed into shunning me 10 years ago.
It hasn’t made it easy but it’s made it understandable. Along with education and having persons like Chris Shelton and Jon Atack to help get the indoctrination and groved in thought patterns out of my mind mostly like Karen says - by education of the rest of society some day I’ll recover enough to also be successful.
But maybe just getting out is enough of success. After all, all I ever wanted in the end was a cabin in the mountains where I could spend time with Mother Nature and grandchildren. I’m nearly there 🥳
Love this conversation and learning more than I ever wanted to about SCI, haha. It behooves me why people continue to join and those who continue practicing a so-called religion don't leave. It's a shame law enforcement have not been involved until NOW! I feel Leah's lawsuit is going to bring a crashing halt to SCI and expose everything.
Devastating material so worthy to listen to, thankyou so much for this podcast.
Do you think it possible that MINIMALLY the Los Angeles city, or someone, puts in telephone booths near ALL Scientology facilities, so that anyone can at least get to a phone booth and call 911!
I remember this crossing my mind, when I was on the RPF in PAC. I wondered where the nearest phone booth was, so I could go to it and call 911. (In the scenario that I decided to run out the door, escape out of the RPF, and get to police. Because there used to be phone booths in the Horseshoe Entrance to the complex, but they were removed!!!! So I had to think WHERE was the nearest phone booth, for running to, to call 911)
Phone booths, with spaces for little signs, like having The Aftermath Foundation phone number there, and for sure, instructions:
a) Call 911
b) Phone Number of the Aftermath Foundation
Maybe The Aftermath Foundation could even sponser a phone booth near the Complex, with the above.
---------------------------------
Maybe also a weekly Van with a sign on the side, to drive around the Complex, the sign saying:
"Escape the Cult Transport: Free connection to the Aftermath Foundation. Restart your life."
And have the van park for a set number of hours near Hollywood and Vine, and then escapees just need to get to Hollywood and Vine and the van.
Excellent podcast episode. I’ve heard both ladies’ stories but never heard their tales of observing the abuse of the children in the cult. I could hear the pain and guilt they feel in not having reported such abuse to external authorities. I pray both Karen and Spanky will come to some peace over their decisions. Shedding light on the abuse now is cathartic.
Congratulations Karen!
Anyone who manages to leave this extremely destructive dehumanizing organization is a hero 🥰. And those that have put their own lives at risk to speak out and support those leaving are the heros’ heros.
And Tony, what you’ve done personally for me is getting the news out about all the abuses thus I never feel alone even thou I left my husband of 24 years and have 2 children scientology coxed into shunning me 10 years ago.
It hasn’t made it easy but it’s made it understandable. Along with education and having persons like Chris Shelton and Jon Atack to help get the indoctrination and groved in thought patterns out of my mind mostly like Karen says - by education of the rest of society some day I’ll recover enough to also be successful.
But maybe just getting out is enough of success. After all, all I ever wanted in the end was a cabin in the mountains where I could spend time with Mother Nature and grandchildren. I’m nearly there 🥳
You guys rock!! Thank you! Don't stop. Spanky, Karen and Tony. ❤️❤️❤️
Love this conversation and learning more than I ever wanted to about SCI, haha. It behooves me why people continue to join and those who continue practicing a so-called religion don't leave. It's a shame law enforcement have not been involved until NOW! I feel Leah's lawsuit is going to bring a crashing halt to SCI and expose everything.
Devastating material so worthy to listen to, thankyou so much for this podcast.
Do you think it possible that MINIMALLY the Los Angeles city, or someone, puts in telephone booths near ALL Scientology facilities, so that anyone can at least get to a phone booth and call 911!
I remember this crossing my mind, when I was on the RPF in PAC. I wondered where the nearest phone booth was, so I could go to it and call 911. (In the scenario that I decided to run out the door, escape out of the RPF, and get to police. Because there used to be phone booths in the Horseshoe Entrance to the complex, but they were removed!!!! So I had to think WHERE was the nearest phone booth, for running to, to call 911)
Phone booths, with spaces for little signs, like having The Aftermath Foundation phone number there, and for sure, instructions:
a) Call 911
b) Phone Number of the Aftermath Foundation
Maybe The Aftermath Foundation could even sponser a phone booth near the Complex, with the above.
---------------------------------
Maybe also a weekly Van with a sign on the side, to drive around the Complex, the sign saying:
"Escape the Cult Transport: Free connection to the Aftermath Foundation. Restart your life."
And have the van park for a set number of hours near Hollywood and Vine, and then escapees just need to get to Hollywood and Vine and the van.
ESCAPE THE CULT VAN
Weekly Hours, will wait at
Hollywood and Vine.
(Police escort as needed)
What great ideas 😀😀
Excellent podcast episode. I’ve heard both ladies’ stories but never heard their tales of observing the abuse of the children in the cult. I could hear the pain and guilt they feel in not having reported such abuse to external authorities. I pray both Karen and Spanky will come to some peace over their decisions. Shedding light on the abuse now is cathartic.