How Cult Leaders Use Fear and Faith to Manipulate and Control People with Paul Cooke

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In this episode of the Mindful Movement Podcast, host Les Raymond sits down with Paul Cooke, a former member of the controversial religious group The Children of God. Paul shares his deeply personal journey and how he left Brown University in search of truth, got drawn into the cult, and spent nearly a decade following its radical teachings.

Paul unpacks the psychological grip of cults, the suppression of independent thought, and the difficult process of reclaiming personal identity after years of indoctrination. His reflections on faith, critical thinking, and resilience offer valuable insights for anyone questioning belief systems or seeking personal freedom.

Expect to Learn:

• What led Paul to join The Children of God and how he became fully immersed.
• How cults manipulate through control, fear, and isolation.
• The moment Paul realized he needed to escape, and how he did it.
• The psychological challenges of leaving a high-control group.
• The importance of free thinking and questioning belief systems.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

[00:00] What Defines a Cult? – The key signs of manipulation and control

[02:13] Paul’s Early Years – A search for meaning leads to a radical decision

[09:35] Joining the Children of God – The moment that changed his life

[19:51] Life Inside the Cult – Daily routines, rules, and the role of literature

[33:54] Cracks in the Foundation – Questioning the leader and the first doubts

[42:32] The Turning Point – Jonestown, propaganda, and waking up

[49:03] Escaping and Rebuilding – The emotional toll of leaving

[56:14] What is True Freedom? – Faith, belief, and critical thinking

[01:12:02] Final Reflections – Lessons from Paul’s journey

Connect with Paul Cooke:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cooke-7a6805a/ 
• Website: https://pauldavidcooke.com/ 
• Twitter: https://x.com/PaulDavidCooke/ 

Follow Les Raymond on Social:

• Mindful Movement Website: https://www.themindfulmovement.com/ 

Resources Mentioned for Mindful Movement

Find more engaging content from the Mindful Movement team on these YouTube channels:

• @TheMindfulMovement 
• @TheMindfulMovementinMotion 
• @TheMindfulMovementKids 

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