
"Prisons of Specialness" with Cult Mediation Specialist, Patrick Ryan
conversations along the way
This was quite a lengthy conversation with Cult Mediation Specialist, Patrick Ryan. I had planned this conversation to go a little differently, but Pat’s approach of sharing his own story of a unique worldview he held for 8 years of his early adulthood, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the mind of someone engaged in a cultic relationship with a group. Pat describes in some detail how, at the young age of 17, he became enamored with an all-consuming new way of life from how he was raised, and how this experience ended up inspiring his life’s work of over 40 years now. Pat Ryan helps families with members who’ve adopted different worldviews to stay connected.
Here’s the promised link to the conversation Pat had with Lisa Marchiano in 2020 that has informed my approach with my own trans-identified daughter, and that inspired me to reach out and invite Pat onto the podcast. You can find Pat’s contact info at this website: https://cultmediation.com/about/
Pat has also agreed to come back and do a workshop for members of the new SMP Community Center. More information about March’s Grand Opening coming soon!
"Prisons of Specialness" with Cult Mediation Specialist, Patrick Ryan
One year into this drama, I am now discovering The Stoic Mom Project. I think this is surely where I need to place my energies now. This interview made me think about the opportunity for the dads. So much of what I’ve read is that while the moms are getting the PhD in gender studies, the dads remain silent. This is certainly the case in our home. Maybe that gives them the capacity to start out by being neutral and curious. Not that us moms can’t get there, but it’s not where many of us started. This new approach will take some time, practice and maybe some backpedaling. Great interview!
“They know it it’s not a belief, it’s a knowing” boy that one really hit me. There’s no talking anyone out of knowing. It has to come from them. The comparisons to falling in love easily resonated with me