Blown for Good: Scientology Exposed
Marc Headley worked at Scientology’s secret desert compound, which houses all Scientology management, for 15 years. The 500-acre property is located deep in the California desert. The local townspeople were told lectures and films were made there. But is that all that was happening? It is the location of a multi-million dollar home for L. Ron Hubbard, built two decades after his death. It is the home of Scientology’s current leader, David Miscavige. So what really happens at the Int Base? Are the stories on the internet true? How does Scientology conduct management of its day-to-day operations? Could stories of armed guards, weapons, staff beatings, and razor wire fences be true? If so, how could a facility like this exist in modern-day America? Hundreds of staff tried to escape over the years. Some succeeded but were never seen or heard of again, and most failed. Why were people kept here? What really went on at the headquarters of Scientology? This is the story of what happened behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology.
Episodes
We catch up with our community after a busy summer filled with family adventures, travel, and major progress with the Aftermath Foundation. Our oldest son graduated high school in May, our middle son is now a junior, and our youngest just started middle school – milestones that feel particularly meaningful given our own disrupted educations in Scientology.
• Sharing photos from our summer travel including Por...
Marc and Claire Headley host an impromptu Q&A session addressing audience questions about their experiences in Scientology's Sea Organization and life after leaving the cult.
• Marc shares the infamous "Theta Potato" story about Scientologists using "postulates" to disable a parking enforcement officer's vehicle
• Claire reveals she was removed from her position and put i...
Four former high-ranking Scientology members reveal the complex, troubling story of Marty Rathbun – once David Miscavige's right-hand man who later became one of Scientology's most significant defectors before mysteriously returning to defend the organization.
• Marty Rathbun served as Inspector General of RTC and David Miscavige's primary enforcer despite escaping the Sea Org multiple times
Marc and Claire Headley expose the systematic financial scams Scientology perpetrates against its own members, revealing internal secrets from their combined 28 years at Scientology's International Headquarters.
• The "Bridge to Total Freedom" prominently displays OT levels 9-15, but these levels don't actually exist
• L. Ron Hubbard died after only completing materials up to OT8, yet ...
Scientology infiltrates government by creating seemingly benign front groups and securing official proclamations that hide their connection to the controversial organization.
• Operation Snow White was Scientology's 1970s program to infiltrate government offices and remove damaging information about the organization
• 12 Scientology officials, including L. Ron Hubbard's wife, were imprisoned fol...
Claire Headley and Ian Rafalko delve into the disturbing similarities between the hit show Severance and their experiences in Scientology, highlighting how the series captures cult dynamics with eerie accuracy.
• The "innie" versus "outie" identity parallels the cult versus pre-cult personality split
• Corporate control structures in Severance mirror Scientology's hierarchical aut...
Mike Rinder and Marc Headley dive into the current state of Scientology's Office of Special Affairs (OSA), revealing how the once-powerful intelligence arm is now struggling to keep up with mounting challenges and criticisms.
• OSA is Scientology's spy wing, previously known as the Guardian's Office which perpetrated the largest infiltration of the US government in history
• Many Guardian&a...
The Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation's billboard campaign is creating pathways to freedom for those trapped in Scientology, with 10 billboards placed strategically near Scientology buildings throughout Los Angeles.
• Billboards provide a crucial contact method for Sea Org members who have no phones, internet access, or resources
• Board members raised funds to maintain 10 billboards for a full ...
Marc Headley, Mike Rinder, Claire Headley, and Christie Collbran discuss the upcoming Scientology IAS event at Saint Hill Manor in the UK, offering insider knowledge about the extravagant production and likely appearance of David Miscavige.
• Construction of a massive $300K+ tent at Saint Hill Manor indicates David Miscavige will attend the IAS event after four years of absence
• Discussion of the over-th...
Marc and Claire Headley reveal Scientology's Office of Special Affairs has renewed their harassment campaign by sending defamatory letters to Marc's business clients, attempting to damage his professional reputation with a 20-year-old photo.
• STAND League (Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination) sent nearly identical letters to those from February 2023
• The letter features a photo...
Former high-ranking Scientology executives reveal the true origins and deceptive practices of the International Association of Scientologists, exposing how David Miscavige maintains control through intimidation, manipulation, and fabricated success stories.
• IAS was created to shield money from IRS scrutiny through offshore accounts in Cyprus, not as a "war chest" for defending Scientology
• We...
The inner workings of Scientology's intricate information collection system reveal how members' private confessions become public entertainment for staff and executives.
• Information collected through auditing sessions, ethics interviews, written confessions (O/Ws), and knowledge reports
• Personal information stored in multiple folder types: PC folders, ethics folders, personnel folders, stude...
We explore the financial secrets of Scientology, revealing how David Miscavige lives in luxury while Sea Org members survive on $46 weekly, and examining the organization's complex money flow system designed to enrich leadership while keeping members financially trapped.
• The secret word "Xenu" proves we aren't affiliated with Scientology since true Scientologists cannot mention this term...
A team of ex-Scientologists has launched 20 strategic billboards across Los Angeles offering help to Sea Org members trying to leave Scientology, following last year's attempt when Scientology quickly shut down a single billboard.
• Billboards feature three designs with memorable phone number 888-300-2002
• Strategic placement ensures Sea Org members will see them on bus routes, near facilities
•...
The Aftermath crew comes together for a fundraiser in support of the Aftermath Foundation, raising over $15,000 in just one hour to help people escape Scientology and rebuild their lives. The foundation has expanded its services beyond financial aid to include educational assistance, mental health support, and career mentorship.
• Updates on Serge, whose story has led to reconnections with family and friends ...
We uncover how Scientology is systematically erasing evidence of David Miscavige's control structure, including the recent removal of "Matters of RTC Concern" from their official websites after decades of existence.
• The RTC "triangle" on Scientology org boards has been quietly removed, eliminating visual evidence of how David Miscavige can bypass all command channels
• Scientolo...
Former Sea Org members share their experiences of becoming parents after leaving Scientology, exploring the challenges of starting families without educational backgrounds or parental models to follow. They discuss how disconnection from their own parents impacted their approach to parenting and how they've built successful lives despite the organization's efforts to hinder them.
• Marc and Claire H...
Marc and Claire explore the uncanny similarities between the Apple TV show Severance and their experiences in Scientology's Sea Organization, revealing how the show's creators may have studied cult dynamics to create the fictional Lumon Industries.
• "Lumon is the Sea Org" - the workplace depicted in Severance mirrors Sea Org life with shocking accuracy
• Disconnection policies in Scie...
Marc and Claire celebrate approaching 40,000 subscribers while revealing their new "Little Davey Doll" figurine mocking Scientology leader David Miscavige, with all proceeds supporting the Aftermath Foundation that helps former members rebuild their lives.
• Revealing the upcoming "Little Davey Doll" (aka "Troll of the Hole") that will be available in October in the SP Shop
•...
Tony Ortega and Claire Headley examine a newly revealed Scientology document that exposes the church's step-by-step process for declaring enemies and using confidential information against them.
• The document is a checklist for writing Suppressive Person declares, confirming what ex-members have claimed for decades
• Scientology regularly violates its own confidentiality policies, using personal con...
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.