The SEEK Safely podcast is the official voice of the nonprofit organization SEEK Safely Inc, which advocates for ethics and accountability in the self-help industry, and empowers seekers to have safe and effective self-improvement journeys. Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle peel back the layers of the largely unregulated, multi-billion dollar self-help industry, discussing the patterns of exploitation and deception that pervade the industry and allow self-help gurus to thrive at the expense of their customers and followers. Along the way we’ll have discussions with people who care as much as we do about the self-help industry being held accountable for the promises it makes–and we lay out our vision of a world in which seekers are respected and protected.
From Kirby Jam 2023: SEEK Safely’s Legislative Effort to Pass Self-help Consumer Protection Legislation
This episode is a throw-back to our annual fundraiser, Kirby Jam, in October 2023. We had live-streamed on a different topic each night, and on this night, Monday, October 16th, we discussed our effort to pass self-help consumer protection legislation. Dr. Glenn, Jean, and SEEK Founder Ginny Brown talk about why we feel the legislation is necessary, what our effort has looked like, and the bill that we are hoping will make it to the floor in the New York State Legislature in 2024. (And please give us a bit of grace for extraneous noises, etc, as what you are hearing was live-recorded!)To Read: About Elizabeth Holmes of TheranosAbout SEEK’s Consumer Protection BillTo Listen To:SEEK’s Kirby Jam first night broadcastS2E2 Glenn and Jean Spoil 'The Secret' on the SEEK Safely PodcastLearn more about SEEK Safely on our websiteFollow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookFollow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookRead the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny BrownDonate to support SEEK’s missionTo Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org
2/19/2024 • 51 minutes, 18 seconds
Self-help Books that Arent's Self-help Books with Guest Dr. Christine Whelan
Our resident self-help geeks, Dr. Doyle and Dr. Christine Whelan, along with Jean, talk about self-help books that aren’t self-help books—that is, books that were not written to be self-help books but have been adopted into self-help culture, or society at large, as self-helpy how-to life manuals. Some are about other aspects of mental health and wellness, some are memoir or autobiography, some are straight-up fiction, but somehow they either took on a self-help life of their own, or have been readily adopted by the self-help industry, or launched the author into the self-helpisphere. The rest of the notes are just links. So. Many. Links. To Read: The Bible by God(?)Atlas Shrugged by Ayn RandThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. CoveyAutobiography of Benjamin FranklinHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegieThe Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent PealeThe Power of Purpose by Richard J. LeiderSelf-esteem by Nathaniel BrandenThe Greatest Salesman in the World by Og BrandinoThe Alchemist by Paul CoelhoTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeSapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah HarariGuns, Germs, and Steel by Jared DiamondEat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth GilbertThe Art of the Deal by Tony Schwartz and Donald TrumpI’m Ok; You’re Ok by Thomas HarrisThe Meditations by Marcus AureliusThe Art of War by Sun TzuThe Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli Get the links to the rest of the books we mention on our website...
2/5/2024 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 34 seconds
Healthy, Less Self-helpy New Year's Resolutions
Did you set a New Year’s resolution that is already floundering? Have you been inundated by self-help/wellness/woo-woo New Yearsy stuff, too? Or maybe peri-menopause supplements… The self-help industry loves a New Year’s resolution, so Jean and Glenn talk all about resolutions–their own takes and advice for resolutions, red flags to watch for in scammy self-help world, and some thoughts on how to approach this interesting, sometimes inspiring, sometimes overwhelming, time of year! Also Mentioned in this Episode -To Read: Jean’s Blog www.theselfstyledlife.comGlenn’s Blog www.useyourdamnskills.comTo Listen To:Glenn on the GutWizdom podcastTo Help you Move Your Body: Mommastrong (the fitness program Jean mentions)Learn more about SEEK Safely on our websiteFollow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookFollow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookRead the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny BrownAlso, please let us know where the burr goes!
1/15/2024 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 44 seconds
BINGO! We’ve got another Self-help Cult with Twin Flames Universe
Glenn and Jean tackle the cosmic matchmaking self-help group/cult, Twin Flames Universe. Much has already been written and said about this fascinating/terrifying group. But on the SEEK Safely Podcast, the focus is on what this Twin Flames phenomenon says about self-help, and what it illuminates about why and how people get into self-help groups that turn out to be cults. Also Mentioned in this Episode: To Read: Unlimited Power by Tony RobbinsMen are From Mars, Women are From Venus by John GrayThe 5 Love Languages by Gary ChapmanTo Watch: Escaping Twin Flames Docuseries on NetfliXDesperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe Docuseries on PrimeTo Listen To:A Little Bit Culty Episode with Alice Hines about Twin Flames UniverseA Little Bit Culty Episode with Kelly Griffin about Twin Flames UniverseLearn more about SEEK Safely on our websiteFollow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookFollow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookRead the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny Brown
1/1/2024 • 54 minutes, 6 seconds
Taking on the 'Giant Within' Self-help: Tony Robbins (PART 2)
This is the continuation of the first episode of the 3rd season! It picks up where the first episode left off, deep into Tony Robbins’ assent into self-help superstardom. Tony Robbins was Dr. Glenn’s first stop in the wide world of self-help, and in many ways, he is arguably one of the best known and most successful self-help personalities ever. He put the modern self-help industry on the trajectory of providing The Answer to Everything in your life–a “kitchen sink” approach, as Dr. Glenn calls it. Tony went from the best-selling book model, to stadium events, to QVC, to expensive retreats, to appearances at other people’s events, to endorsements, to… flirting with anti-vax and gender essentialism stuff? In diving into the story of Tony Robbins, we consider where self-help has been, where it is today, and (maybe) where it’s going from here. Also Mentioned in this Episode: Dr. Christine WhelanTo Read: Tony Robbins Wikipedia PageUnlimited Power by Tony RobbinsThink and Grow Rich by Napoleon HillAwaken the Giant Within by Tony RobbinsBuzzfeed investigation into misconduct allegationsThe Program by Toni NataleFit For Life by Harvey and Marilyn DiamondBehind Tony Robbins’ Dangerous Approach to the Pandemic by Zoe Schiffer for The VergeTo Watch: Sarah Edmonson’s TedX Talk on Cult Literacy and Seeking SafelyThe Problem with Tony Robbins (Part 1) by Münecat on YouTube“I Am Not Your Guru” docu-series on NetflixTo Listen To:SEEK Safely on A Little Bit CultyUnleash the Power WIthin Tony Robbins audio series“I Am… I Said” by Neil DiamondSEEK Safely Episode on the ManosphereLearn more about SEEK Safely on our websiteFollow SEEK on Insta
12/18/2023 • 39 minutes, 59 seconds
Taking on the 'Giant Within' Self-help: Tony Robbins
Jean and Glenn kick off the third season of the SEEK Safely Podcast, diving right in with a chat about Dr. Glenn’s favourite self-help author, Tony Robbins. Robbins has been one of the biggest names in self-help for decades. His success has inspired numerous other would-be gurus and has shifted the self-help industry in many ways. His career tells a story about the evolution of self-help, from the tape-series model to stadium events to guest appearances... anywhere. This is part 1 of 2. Watch for Part 2 on December 18th.Also Mentioned in this Episode: Dr. Christine WhelanTo Read: Tony Robbins Wikipedia PageUnlimited Power by Tony RobbinsThink and Grow Rich by Napoleon HillAwaken the Giant WIthin by Tony RobbinsBuzzfeed investigation into misconduct allegationsThe Program by Toni NataleFit For Life by Harvey and Marilyn DiamondTo Watch: Sarah Edmonson’s TedX Talk on Cult Literacy and Seeking SafelyThe Problem with Tony Robbins (Part 1) by Münecat on YouTube“I Am Not Your Guru” docu-series on NetflixTo Listen To:SEEK Safely on A Little Bit CultyUnleash the Power WIthin Tony Robbins audio series“I Am… I Said” by Neil Diamond***Learn more about SEEK Safely on our websiteFollow SEEK on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookFollow Dr. Glenn on Instagram, Twitter, and FacebookRead the memoir “This Sweet Life: how we lived after Kirby died” by Jean and her mom, Ginny BrownDonate to support SEEK’s missionTo Contact SEEK email info@seeksafely.org
