Palaver and podcasts
Kia ora friends and readers,
I’m still coming down from a book festival high. The Byron Writers Festival in August was held on the beautiful homeland of the Arakwai people (Bundjalung Nation) at the showgrounds in Bangalow, and the green room there was literally that: coffee tables outside under the trees by the river and fruit bats hanging above us making the loveliest sounds. Australian indigenous poets and presenters were the stars of many sessions. So culturally rich, so politically important, and so overdue.
(middle photo by Petra Mingneau)
The last weeks were all about WORD Christchurch where Lilia Tarawa (“Daughter of Glorivale”) and Byron Clark (“Fear”) joined me on a panel with chair Guyon Espiner. We had a full house – and spontaneous applause when the recent Gloriavale women’s employment court case came up. Could have covered so much more!
FROM WELLINGTON TO LYTTELTON
If you’ve heard of my workshop How Not To Start a Cult that I’ve test-run at four summer festivals, now’s your last chance this year to catch it in person and cult-proof yourself. I’m heading to Pōneke Wellington this week to give this interactive talk on Sunday 10th September, assisted by my brother-in-arms Ben Preston. If you’re not on Facebook, you can still get your ticket here (they’re only $20).
On Tuesday 12th September, Susie Ferguson from RNZ will interview me at Unity Books: a free lunchtime event (quite different from the Sunday forum). Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing some of you there, before, or after!
Not long from there to the one and only show that can’t be matched in terms of star power and special location: I’m talking about our local friend and funtastic comedian Shay Horay. If you haven’t met Keith Preene, you haven’t lived, mate (or at least not in Aotearoa New Zealand…). Am absolutely stoked to be the guest at his next Palaver in Lyttelton at LAF on Saturday, 7th October. Save the date. Go Shay!
POWERFUL PODCASTS
To wrap up the shameless self-promotion (and because some of you asked): Here’s a list of the cult and psychology podcasts I’ve been on. Each time I was blown away by the passion and in-depth knowledge of the hosts, some of them renowned cult experts. One got me to read from Cult Trip (Jennifer French) and one read out parts he liked (Jon Atack – yes, that’s his real name, not a mission statement).
- The Cult Vault with Kacey (part 1, 2 & 3)
- On the Edge with Andrew Gold
- Jon Atack, family and friends with Jon Atack
- Talk Beliefs with Mark Torrender
- Project Hope with Jennifer French (part 1, 2 & 3)
- Cult Hackers with Stephen Mather
- How to live with Dr. Julia Wahl
- Get Woke Wellington with Harita and Aisling
- Good Weekend Talks with Greg Callahan
- Daily Wisdom Words with Neel Trivedi
- Lets Talk About Sects with Sarah Steel
- Conspirituality with Matthew Remski
One more episode to come next week: Cult Chat, the new homegrown podcast which I plugged in my Cult Radio story for the Listener. Thanks, ladies, for having me as your first guest – love your work!
I’ve also been on some fascinating German podcasts:
- Holy Sheep Neuseeland with Jenny Jakobeit
- Viele Wege führen nach OM with Roland Heep (part 1 & 2)
- Lvstprinzip with Theresa Lachner
And while I have your attention, German friends: The only place where you can buy my book over there is at the taz shop in Berlin, at my favourite fiercely independent newspaper. Either in person (Friedrichstraße 21 – they have a lovely café too) or from their online shop.
What to read:
Sarah Steele, Australian host of the above-mentioned podcast “Let’s Talk About Sects” (what a great title!) has written an outstanding book that covers many cults down under and unpacks the dynamics in high-demand groups. In Do As I Say, she states that “cults are a feminist issue” – a line I’ve since borrowed from her a lot. I highly recommend this nuanced and informative deep dive by a fellow cult journalist.
Wishing you all a great week and month,
Anke
PS – If you missed my previous newsletters, you can still read them here – and feel free to forward them to others. Please join our Facebook group Culty Conversations NZ for more discussion and awareness.