Synanon

Kathryn Robb and I continue speaking with highly knowledgeable survivor/advocates, Chelsea Maldonado and Amanda Simmons who educate us on the so-called ‘troubled teen’ industry, an under-regulated system of residential youth treatment facilities that use behavior modification and abusive tactics on minors. Last week, Chelsea told us her story. This week, it’s Amanda’s turn. Show Notes Donate to CHILD USAdvocacy and… Read More »Episode 34: The ‘Troubled Teen’ Industry (Continued)

Our guests on this episode are survivor/advocates, Chelsea Maldonado and Amanda Simmons who educate us on the so-called ‘troubled teen’ industry: a system of residential youth treatment facilities & programs. Many of these facilities operate more like prisons where children as young as nine are routinely abused in an extreme system of behavior modification, prevented from telling their parents what’s… Read More »Episode 33: The ‘Troubled Teen’ Industry with Survivors Chelsea Maldonado and Amanda Simmons, Part 1

Andrew Pledger is 22 years old and on a mission to spread the word about religious trauma after being raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult. He has a gripping story to tell about coming to terms with the harm his family’s religion caused him and the extra layers of shame and fear he carried due to his LGBTQ+ status. He’ll… Read More »Episode 32: Andrew Pledger: Recovering from A Christian Cult