(2021 Update: This post is one of ~80 found in the drafts folder and wasn’t archived by the Wayback Machine. I have only added the “What’s Your Story” to make a more clickbait title and added links in the post. I have also added my story after the line break) I’ve done several posts on […]
The Ultimate ESOAL Thread: What’s Your Story? Read More ยป
So an interesting happenstance occurred the summer of 2021. This blog was somewhat resurrected in June (before being more completely brought back by the end of July). A week after this blog got Lazarus’d, and totally unrelated, the fantastic Belief It or Not podcast released an episode on Teen Mania.
Belief It or Not Podcast covers Teen Mania Read More ยป
July 12, 2012 Teen Mania Annouces ESOAL (PEARL) Suspended Indefinitely 7/12/2012 Recovering Alumni 40 comments In a surprising turn of events today, Honor Academy leadership announced that the abusive ESOAL/PEARL event will be suspended indefinitely because the secular media is portraying it negatively. Not because hundreds of people have been injured, some near fatally. Not
Teen Mania Annouces ESOAL (PEARL) Suspended Indefinitely Read More ยป
After each of the previous media stories done on Teen Mania, we’ve seen them lie both to the reporters and to the public at large. So it was no surprise that it happened again with the most recent story from the Fox Los Angeles story. This time, the lies come courtesy of Teen Mania’s Communication Consultant, Cindy
Teen Mania Lies to the Media Again… But This One Is a WHOPPER! Read More ยป
As usual, Teen Mania continues its doublespeak. On one hand, they insist that ESOAL/PEARL is optional and you can quit at any time without condemnation. On the other hand, they say that anyone who rings out is a quitter (remember Ron’s comment in the MSNBC documentary?) In 2011, they also posted signs on the ESOAL/PEARL
The Pressure of ESOAL/PEARL Read More ยป
Several parents visited the Teen Mania campus to watch or participate in the ESOAL/PEARL event. Heath Stoner interviewed this parent, who participated with his daughter. This man is well-spoken and believable. After watching his interview, even I want to believe him! He seems very reasonable and calmly assures us that there is no brainwashing going
What About Parents Who Approve of ESOAL/PEARL? Read More ยป
PEARL is based on ESOAL 2006-2010. This testimony comes from ESOAL 2007: (2021 update: links have since broke) Since ESOAL ended, I have been having problems with my legs. I was cut up a lot during ESOAL. Well now I have these scabs and cuts that aren’t healing to well. I have been cleaning them
Another ESOAL Testimony Read More ยป
I know I shouldn’t be surprised by the way Teen Mania continues to lie and mislead the public about its activities. Now that the vow of silence has been broken, they are scared to death that the truth about the Honor Academy, and specifically ESOAL/PEARL will come to light, so they are waging an all
Teen Mania’s Lies and Propaganda Read More ยป
This week the Honor Academy interns will start the event known as the PEARL (physical, emotional and relational learning). In past years, this even was known as ESOAL (emotionally stretching opportunity of a lifetime). Because of a spate of bad press and many damning ESOAL videos being posted to YouTube, Teen Mania made minor changes
PEARL 2011 (Formerly ESOAL) Read More ยป
This story was sent to me by a very recent intern. Since Dave Hasz says that the PEARL LTE will be based off the ESOAL LTE of the last 3-4 years, I think it is worthwhile to examine eyewitness accounts from that time period. If you have a story to share, please email me at
ESOAL/PEARL LTE: 2009 Read More ยป
Today, Dave Hasz announced “big” changes to ESOAL. It will now be called the PEARL LTE, the Physical, Emotional and Relational Learning Event. Lest you assume that this means substantial changes to ESOAL, please note he says they will “retire with honor the name ESOAL.” So, first off they are giving honor to ESOAL. FULL
Honor Academy Announces ESOAL 2.0 Read More ยป
In the past few days, we’ve seen some heinous treatment of interns including facilitators and staff members that terrorized a girl with a cockroach, watched idly as a guy has a panic attack, and Heath Stoner taunts interns as he literally endangers their lives. In the first few seconds of this short clip, you’ll see
ESOAL: Do Facilitators Enjoy Harassing Interns? Read More ยป
Today’s video features the incredibly dangerous “vacation” hosted by none other than Heath Stoner. Of course, before he coerces them into this very dangerous activity, he first states that ESOAL is optional and you can quit at any time. He even goes so far as to say you should never get mad at the facilitators
ESOAL: Heath Stoner Endangers Interns Read More ยป
You may remember Lauren’s story from ESOAL 2003. She was put in a coffin that contained mice and cockroaches. Apparently, Teen Mania was very fond of using cockroaches that year. In this video, at least 4-5 facilitators crowd around a girl, put a large cockroach on her head and then demand she get in a
ESOAL: Girl Terrorized with Cockroach Read More ยป
The only way I can describe the footage you are going to see over the next 3 days is that these interns are literally being terrorized. Over and over, David Hasz claims that the most extreme elements of ESOAL happened because of rogue facilitators stepping out of bounds and that they have put measures in
Honor Academy’s ESOAL: Disturbing Footage Read More ยป
Every day this week, we are going to look at some disturbing footage from ESOAL (the event based on Navy Seals hell week). In an attempt to instill humility and rid interns of the “fear of man,” some male interns are required to wear very feminine dresses and headbands throughout ESOAL. But that alone is
Gender Confusion at ESOAL Read More ยป
Teen Mania says that ESOAL is an optional, voluntary event. They claim that interns are not required to participate nor are they forced to endure the event longer than they want to. They can ring out at anytime. In my cult recovery group, we have a saying for that, “Its voluntary, if you volunteer.” In this post,
Honor Academy: ESOAL is NOT Optional Read More ยป
Katie Luce teaches a women’s class at the Honor Academy called Risen. Some wonderful people inside Teen Mania have provided me with the audio and PowerPoints from some of her messages during the fall semester of 2010. Katie often likes to talk about God’s power and desire to give us physical healing. During that sermon
Katie Luce on ESOAL Read More ยป
At this point, I just needed to get off campus and clear my head so I called RA (I had already talked with her on the phone several times previously). She picked me up and I spent the weekend at her house (Labor Day). I was thinking about leaving the HA but I had mixed
Hannah’s Story: Part 2 Read More ยป
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 ยป
(2021 Update: The receipts for everyone has since fallen away. I tried to update links, but the Wayback Machine archived only so many websites.) After the recent ESOAL expose on KLTV, Teen Mania announced that they would assemble “an independent committee of experts that will evaluate every aspect of this retreat.” As announced last week,
Teen Mania’s ESOAL “Oversight” Committee Read More ยป
I think its kind of presumptous for Teen Mania to assume that ESOAL – “Emotionally Stretching Opportunity of a Lifetime” is beneficial to everyone. What about people who have already been through an emotionally “stretching” experience of a lifetime? Broken Homes Sexual Abuse Gang Rape Abortions Jail time Accidentally killing someone else Cutting Suicide attempts
(2021 Update: The original link, hastories.com, has since broken.) As a result of the recent news footage, Teen Mania made an announcement regarding the future of ESOAL. Here is an excerpt. I have already set in motion the assembly of an independent committee of experts that will evaluate every aspect of this retreat. This committee will
Investigating ESOAL? Read More ยป
Here is the final installment in the 3 part series KLTV did on ESOAL. My Thoughts: Clearly, rolling the hill until the point of vomiting is NOT something that Teen Mania leadership regrets. They have done it every year for the past decade. Dave Hasz emailed the reporter to say that cat food has never
Honor Academy’s ESOAL In the News, pt. 3 Read More ยป
Moderator’s Note: “Sydney” sent this story in last night. While she prefers to remain anonymous, its important to know that her story is recent and occurred sometime in the last 3 years. In my intern year, the turning point for me, the thing that I think cemented the feeling I had that something wasn’t right,
Sydney’s Story: ESOAL Read More ยป
