It has been three weeks since the airing of Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War and I couldn’t imagine how much of an impact it would have on all of us. I think it’s safe to assume that everyone was forced to face their experience and reflect, regardless if one is in the “TM […]
The Shiny Happy People Aftermath Read More »
A visitor shared her takeaways from her experiences with GE and ATF in the early 90s. While she didn’t attend the HA, she did work at a church that espoused a lot of the same beliefs. These are the values that came to mind when she watched Shiny Happy People season 2. Us versus them
Guest Post: Teen Mania Unspoken Values Read More »
Man, episode 2 is a brutal one! So many triggers and back to back. I wish the editing team were a little nicer to us survivors! But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about triggers, they can be absolutely random. One of the first times I got triggered was while I was watching Avatar the
Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War ep3 – Live Reaction Read More »
The first episode got me hyped but the next-episode teaser had clips that made me nervous. To me, episode 1 is more just history and exposition. I relate to a lot of the discussion but this was more educational than therapeutic since ATF and GE were always highlights. The teaser suggested to me that the
Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War ep2 – Live Reaction Read More »
Hoo boy! Here we go. I am ecstatic that this documentary is out! I have been antsy leading up to the release date. Part of me was happy but another part of me was anxious and I just wasn’t sure what to expect. The trailer suggested to me that I would see lots of older
Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War ep1 – Live Reaction Read More »
My wife and I watched all 3 episodes of Shiny Happy people. I think this gif best summarizes the first episode. I was hoping to post last night after binging all 3 episodes and provide some slight raw reaction. I was also hoping to do some kind of live blog post that I would constantly
Holy…. Mother…. of God… Read More »
Today’s the day that Shiny Happy People season 2 airs today. A number of us alumni are doing a watch party, thank the gods that we have the internet to do such. I decided to “pregame” by rewatching Mind Over Mania before the party starts and thought it’d be interesting to try and almost live
Revisiting the MSNBC Exposé after 14 years Read More »
The documentary has been out for quite a few hours now but I haven’t watched it yet (waiting for this evening). What I am seeing quite the jump in page visits in the analytics already. I figured that it may be good to have a post welcoming the influx of visitors. So first, here’s what
Welcome, Newcomers! Read More »
The last documentary shook the Teen Mania world in a significant way. It was a turning point in my own life, including helping me with my severe depression. What will this new documentary have in store? Check out my predictions here.
My Predictions of the Documentary Blowout Read More »
If you haven’t been keeping up, Amazon Prime Video has a docuseries on the Duggar Family (brought into the public spotlight thanks to TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting). Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets showcases the Institute in Basic Life Principles and its horrendous teachings and practices, how opens families like the Duggars to abuse,
Shiny Happy People Season 2 Read More »
After Ron Luce accused World Magazine of making false statements in their last article, World Magazine has responded by releasing a scathing report by independent auditors. Of particular note, in the wake of the original article, Board member and former intern, Nathan Moody, resigned his position. The auditors report can be found here and is full of sound advice
World Magazine Follow Up: Teen Mania Turmoil Continues Read More »
World Magazine just published an in depth report on some of the circumstances that have led to Teen Mania’s foreclosure. The entire article is fascinating and covers both things mentioned here as well as some new facts. One item that was news to me: for the past two years, Ron Luce has used the Dallas marathon
World Magazine Reports on Teen Mania’s Unethical Use of Donations Read More »
Fox News Los Angeles recently did a story on ESOAL. It was originally slated to run in tandem with the Southern California ATF, but that event was cancelled. The producers interviewed me as well as two other recovering alumni for the piece. I had hoped it would cover the Honor Academy in general, but they
Teen Mania in the News Read More »
A few alumni have blogged their reactions to the MSNBC documentary “Mind Over Mania.” Lots of good thoughts worth checking out: 1) Ache and Love by Carrie Dickson7 2) Why I Don’t Wear the Ring by Brooke Gale 3) My Teen Mania Experience by Kimberly Warne
Alumni Reactions on the Web Read More »
This is an open thread for comments on tonight’s show. If you are sensitive and easily triggered, I recommend avoiding this thread.
Comments on the Show: Debate and Discussion Read More »
This thread is for comments on the MSNBC show and is only open to alumni who consider themselves to be recovering from their Teen Mania experience. This thread will be strictly moderated. Anything triggering, judgmental, etc. will be immediately deleted. This is a safe space for the hurt and wounded.
Comments on the Show: Recovering Alumni ONLY Read More »
This Sunday night at 10pm/9pm Central MSNBC will air the premiere of their new show, “Mind Over Mania” which documents the lives and struggles of Honor Academy survivors. Earlier this year, cameras followed myself and several other alumni as we attended a weekend cult recovery workshop led by Doug and Wendy Duncan. The Duncans are
MSNBC Airs Documentary on Honor Academy Abuses Read More »
MSNBC is working with a production company to create a documentary program about cults. They are currently looking for interview subjects. At least one of the filmmakers, Vasco Lucas Nunes, has already worked on the cult documentary, Join Us. Here is what they are looking for: “We are producers partnered with a major news outlet, and
MSNBC Cult Documentary Read More »
KLTV just ran a story on the ESOAL Oversight Committee. Unfortunately, they did not mention that the majority of the people on this committee already have ties to Teen Mania and its senior leadership, as I discussed here. Jamie Holder, Deputy Superintendent of Lindale Schools, has withdrawn from the committee for personal reasons. UPDATE: There
ESOAL Oversight Committee: Update & News Story Read More »
