As a cult-watcher I’ve seen this before. Former members who feel they were abused and then speak out about their experiences are accused of just wallowing in their feelings of victimization. How convenient. The cult gets to abuse people, and any former member who speaks out about this, who feels angry about this, is…

But International, et al. were given the opportunity to comment. They declined. Your criticisms might be valid if he or Shana had been interviewed and were misrepresented. Even in this comment section, people from SSM have been asked for specifics about what SSM has done for them. You’re the only one who’s answered…

So Anika was never in as deep as she is making it appear and did not go into the backroom sessions she is saying are untrue...because, maybe, she was smarter (at that point.)

So you hated it until you became emotionally vulnerable prey due to a traumatic personal experience? Still sounds kind of culty to me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yes, because knowing the bare minimum about cults is so creepy- do you also call people who know the most basic facts about aids or rape creepy? I mean, how creepy is it to know so,e basic facts about dangerous but common things in order to know how to avoid/protect yourself from it? Soo creepy.

Former SSM participant here. I can tell you that shit is CRAY! We would have small group sessions where “International” would ask us to explicitly detail our experiences masturbating (alone and with partners) and offer us feedback... I left very shortly after that.

As a cult specialist that has been qualified and accepted as a court expert witness in 10 states including United States Federal Court concerning controversial groups and movements, IMO Superstar Machine and International Scherick seem to fit well within the parameters of what can be seen as a destructive cult. There…

They sure are. The Superstar Machine.

And you sound like someone who needs to see a therapist, I say this from a really sincere place, go talk to someone who’s an accredited therapist and get an unbiased opinion of your situation. If its not a cult and your doing great there should be no issue. I wish you luck kiddo.

Yeah this is scientology 101. I highly recommend a book on critical thinking for all the members. If you are going to go in for a scam about empowering women at least go with a female guru.

As a mid-20 something, I can honestly say the only time I would expect someone talk like this is if they were a) from Clueless, or b) someone who had learned everything they knew about women from bad 80s/90s media. Hm... Makes her want to vom, indeed.

No, they make you pay almost right away. And at a Unitarian Church, you are never made to pay anything, ever. Nor are you ever asked to shun people who do not agree with Unitarian belief. And the list goes on and on.

Nope, that’s when you’re at a Jane Austen Society event (whole different thing.)

In our second phone call, Kuhn-Siegel responded: “Are members free to text? That question is not that interesting to me. I feel like it puts me in a defensive posture, and I don’t feel like I have anything to defend really.”