Meet my hero

Robert Jay Lifton is 98 years old and he’s planning his next book. When he published his first one,  Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (1961), he was unaware of its relevance for cult survivors, but it became a seminal book on coercive persuasion and ideological extremism. 20 books and 63 years later, he’s not done. His current project centers on “the attraction of factual reality” because, as he recently told Dr. Steve Hassan, “Facts Matter!”. 

Their interview was rich with content and included sweet reverie between a cult survivor and his mentor of nearly 50 years. I give a deep bow of respect and gratitude to this enduring relationship. You can listen here. 

Dr Lifton kindly refers to Hassan as a "witnessing professional" - a term he introduced in his 1993 book The Protean Self. A witnessing professional engages with trauma survivors and takes an active role in acknowledging and addressing their suffering in ethical and empathetic ways. Although I believe this book is the first time he used the term, Lifton also wrote about the moral responsibilities of professionals - especially in situations where human dignity is at risk - in one of his most powerful books The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide. (1986)

Although Dr Lifton’s early reference centered on professionals active in the context of war, genocide, and authoritarian regimes, today he includes those who, like Dr Hassan, focus their work on survivors of cultic abuse. 

In my own lane of working with writers, I have witnessed story after cultic story and supported the weaving of written words to express trauma, betrayal and psychological manipulation. In my wildest dreams, I picture myself sitting beside Dr. Lifton talking about the power of the written word. I imagine blurting “Words Matter!” and his unruly white hair bobbing in agreement. 

Because they do matter. YOUR words. How do you give space for them today? 

I’d love to hear.