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Exploring more of the fascinating intersection of Faith / Religion, Human Nature, Politics, and beyond
CTP (S3E106) Patriot's Popcorn: An American Carol and Our Cultural Amnesia
We explore why celebrating American freedom shouldn't be limited to the Fourth of July and the importance of remembering our constitutional rights year-round. This episode features reflections on patriotism, holiday traditions, and recommendations for media that reinforces constitutional values.
• Introduction to upcoming reprise episodes about freedom and rights beyond July 4th celebrations
• Discussion of holiday traditions including watching "An American Carol" – a film about attempts to cancel Independence Day
• Reflection on how many Americans have reduced holidays to three-day weekends rather than occasions for meaningful remembrance
• Introduction of ROAR (Restore Our American Republic) as a call for citizen engagement
• Thoughts on balancing American sovereignty with unavoidable global interconnectedness

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CTP (S3EJunSpecial8) Escaping Cult Control
Exploring more of the world of fascinating Guests, Health, Human Nature, Music / Movies, Mysterious, Politics, Social Issues, and much more
See buzzsprout Transcript for fuller/extended Show Notes (inc. related links) and Transcript Bonus
Transcript Bonus: TheLibertyBeacon "Music, TV, and yes more Movies"
Our conversation with documentary filmmaker Scott Holman delves into the intersection of creativity, religious control systems, and the healing power of artistic expression after escaping cult environments.
• Born and raised in northern Wisconsin, Scott began his creative journey as a musician in the 1990s
• Studied photography and film in Minneapolis before focusing on documentary filmmaking
• Created "Witness Underground," documenting artists who escaped Jehovah's Witnesses and processed trauma through music
• Explains the BITE model (Behavior, Information, Thought, Emotion control) used by cults to manipulate members
• Discusses "bounded choice" - the illusion of freedom within predetermined options set by group leaders
• Shares personal experience with religious control as his parents joined Jehovah's Witnesses during his childhood
• Highlights financial incentives that corrupt religious organizations (JWs generate billions annually from literature sales)
• Emphasizes the distinction between genuine faith and harmful controlling systems
• Advocates for using art as therapy to process trauma after leaving high-control groups
• Premiered "Witness Underground" at nine film festivals including the DeCult conference in New Zealand
Watch "Witness Underground" on Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, Tubi TV, or at witnessunderground.com.

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CTP (S3EJunSpecial7) Faith, Freedom, and Finding Your Voice
Exploring more of the world of fascinating Guests, Health, Human Nature, Music / Movies, Mysterious, Politics, Social Issues, and much more
Xavier, an 18-year-old from Chicago with a Catholic background, shares his journey of political awakening and how COVID restrictions sparked his curiosity about government control and personal freedoms.
• Born and raised in Chicago with a Catholic upbringing that shaped his early worldview
• COVID vaccine mandates and restrictions became a turning point in his political awareness
• Growing up in left-leaning Chicago initially influenced his political perspectives until he began his own research
• The concept of "bread and circus" – how governments use distractions to maintain control over populations
• Social media functioning as modern society's biggest distraction and tool for speech control
• Cancel culture and how those who preach tolerance are often the least tolerant
• Educational experiences that seemed more focused on indoctrination than critical thinking
• The importance of debate and open dialogue versus insult-based arguments
• How younger generations are becoming more inquisitive about power structures and government control

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