The Bad Cadet: Growing Up in the Church of Scientology's Sea Organization
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- At age six, Katherine Spallino is separated from her parents and sent to train for her future in the Church of Scientology’s clergy-the Sea Organization. Naively happy at first, she thinks it’s a fun adventure to live in a Scientology-owned dorm room in Los Angeles with thirteen other girls, rarely seeing her parents and never going to a normal school. She’s committed to her Scientology studies and her life’s purpose of clearing the planet.
Later, Katherine is sent to live at a secluded ranch with other young prospective Sea Org members, called cadets, where she studies Scientology and does manual labor-weeding fields, digging trenches, and working in the galley. The indoctrination escalates, and her family slips even farther into the background. But as she enters her teenage years, a host of new, more immediate concerns emerge, along with fantasies of what else life has to offer. Should she commit herself to the church, or reject everything she’s ever known for a chance at a different life?
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Chapter Markers
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:45 Katherine was born in a Scientrology building with no SSN
00:06:48 At a young age, Katherine saw L Ron Hubbard as a God
00:09:52 Confimation bias when it comes to having super powers
00:11:16 Did Katherine know she was growing up differently?
00:13:01 At 8 Katherine was determined to be a great Scientologist
00:15:18 Katherine joins a bootcamp for youth who want to become Sea Org members
00:18:47 The jobs Katherine had to do as a SeaOrg member
00:22:00 Incentivized to write knowledge reports (snitch on each other)
00:26:09 The youth ran themselves, which is how they were kept in line
00:29:05 Scientology getting around labor laws
00:31:27 Katherine gets shamed for only being able afford 1 pair of underwear
00:35:08 Did Katherine have non-scientologist extended family?
00:36:15 Racism was so bad, she thought she was a completely different race as a kid
00:43:29 Some medical care was provided among neglect
00:48:12 What made Katherine want to leave the Sea Org
00:53:19 High school shock- not like the movies
00:55:07 How she ended up back in LA with other ex-cadets
00:56:44 Why Katherine was declared a suppressive person
01:03:06 How she started writing "The Bad Cadet"
01:08:50 Katherine tries to reconnect with family after being cut off
01:12:28 How Katherine's family treats her today
01:17:59 How Katherine is doing now
01:18:28 Linda, Listen
Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara
*Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.*
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What is being described here is human slavery and extremely serious child abuse. Anytime an organization separates children from their families, this is a red flag, too.
Yes it is! Read Mike Rinder's book
Treating children like adults rather than helping them learn how to be an adult often leads to abuse.
@merulaamethyst2248precisely!!
Actually it is inherently abusive to not recognize that a child is a child. And to give them the grace that childhood deserves is essential to their well-being.
It IS abuse.
@@MK-HoganABSOLUTELY!!!
Total steals their childhood 😢
Holy smokes 1 hour ago this was just posted and I just woke up! My boyfriend said “in this sense Scientology is not only a cult, but a mega scam.”
I was also a Cadet. I actually was in the Cadet Org with Katherine’s older sister. I was one of the older Cadets that renovated the PAC Cadet Ranch.
❤❤❤ hope you'll tell your story when you're ready
@@annafromitaly I’m trying to get an interview. Hopefully soon. It’s been hard getting someone. Everyone is very busy. I’m sure it will happen eventually
@@ambervanasse147Have you tried Aaron Smith Levin or Natalie Webster?
@@ambervanasse147 I'm sorry you are having trouble with setting it up. It seems that things are kind of getting out of control. I hope that when do it it will feel healing
@@kje21 Aaron is very busy and I don’t want to bother him. Natalie is going through so much with her husband. I don’t want to add stress in her life. Love them both though. Possibly might be interviewed by Mark and Janice on peeling the onion. We will see.
I’ll never understand how parents just hand over their kids to someone else to raise! Katherine, thank you for being brave and speaking out! Much love to you! 🩷🩷🩷
The part about Will Smith and the braids killed me 😂 I don't think we can call it appropriation if you're genuinely convinced (and told by others) that this is your ethnicity, but WOW that's so crazy
She is lovely and not bitter. She seems well grounded and an incredible woman. So glad she has a family of her own.❤
BEEN SPEAKING OUT ABOUT SCIENTOLOGIES ABUSE SINCE 1995.
Have you interviewed somewhere? I'd love to hear your story.
I wonder if there's any way you can get an interview with Cults to Consciousness?
Shalise!
OP only if you feel you can, we'd love to hear from you, either way Love to you for Healing!
Part of the Naughty Never ins!! Thank you Shelise for once again bringing awareness to this disgusting child trafficking cult.
Naughty never in might be my new favorite label 😂😈
@@CultstoConsciousnessIt’s from Natalie Webber’s channel Scientology Life After a Cult it’s one of her membership levels. You should have her on she’s a 3rd or 2nd gen (depends if you count grandpa dad) who got out also a really lovely person who keeps us all up to date on what’s going on with Scientology and protesting and stuff.
@@CultstoConsciousness not understood
Break the silence. Break the cycle.
🧡 Katherine's upbringing in $ci is absolutely heart-wrenching, yet how she has overcome it & gained strength in speaking her truth is absolutely beautiful & inspiring to watch. Thanks for interviewing her, Shelise. Wishing you continued strength & healing, Katherine.
Thank you @PawsForAndrea!
The weird British/Navy/60s slang that has been incorporated as core vocabulary is just wild. "Wog" was originally British derogatory term for black and south east Asian people.
Term is still used for sailors who haven't crossed the equator at sea. A Pollywog or Wog will become a shellback after going through the crossing the line ceremony.
Yup. Terrible insults always
Growing up in Scientology is a great channel. He says some children are forced to be auditors, forced to interview adults about their sex lives 🤢
I can get behind believing that your child is reincarnated, they still HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR LIFE! Insanity.
As a mom of teenage boys, they are still learning.
Katherine your resiliency is admirable, and your positivity is contagious.
Katherine, from one happy rebel to another, I’m so happy you are living your happy rebellious life under your terms! ❤
Thank you! Love that you are a rebel too!
Thank You Ladies! I loved this. One of best friends is in Clearwater and is helping Aaron with the protests down there. She has a small RUclips channel Feral Cheryl ~ her father was one of the early Seaorg members and personally worked with and knew LRH ~ her story is fascinating also in a different way because Her father disconnected with her and her mother when she was a baby and the trauma that ensued in her life because of that path is sad. Interestingly, several years ago she moved in with her father who was elderly and suffering from dementia to care for him. It was really hard on her. He was conditioned for so many years to show no love or even appreciate what she was doing for him. He passed away last week. I'm so proud of Cheryl. I feel like caring for him helped her heal
Oh wow! Very interesting. Thanks for sharing
Cheryl is a gem❤
As a mom I just can't imagine not being with my child or seeing them grow up. Scientology is so messed up and it is great that more and more people are coming out and telling the world how horrible it is and how is abuses children and pulls families apart. I also can't imagine either my in laws, my dad or my late mom involved in my daughter's life. Before my mom suddenly passed last fall she loved spending time with her grandchildren and so does my dad. My in laws spend a lot of time with my daughter and used to with their other grandchildren before they all became adults with their own lives.
Her experiences with seeing him as a God, had powers, had to go to a museum of him, reminds me alot of the documentaries I've watched about north Korea. How they treat the great leader, even down to museums praising him. Chilling!
A lot of politicians and religious leaders are treated this way, it's scary. Not just open dictatorships like North Korea
@@nickywalyou’re absolutely right. I even see it here in the US.
@@tinkercat8268 I'm Irish but I've never forgotten being told you wouldn't like it if I criticised your leaders would you??? By an American. Girl it's the national pastime, one belonging to a right wing party that calls queer people predators just got arrested for SA charges, go for it
North Korea is exactly how ex scientologist refer to the organization.
So true
Another fantastic interview Shelise 🙏🏽 Thank you for all you do to support and advocate for survivors 💖
❤️❤️❤️
Orphanage meets Navy meets prison. Sounds a lot like "Lord of the Flies."
Yes😮😮
LOVE Katherine!! She knows what she’s talking about.
Thanks @ohnoNora! Always appreciate your support!
Awwwww, 😢 I hardly know what to say. I cannot fathom all of the beautiful children with tender hearts being destroyed by this horrific cult! I'm sorry for all you suffered, Katherine. I hope your life is wonderfully happy and fulfilling now! ❤
Thank you! It is! ☺
@@Thebadcadet ❤️
Shelise.. thank you for continuing to give voices to survivors.
Thank you for your support! ❤️
I've heard about scientology and thought I knew what they were about but this is mind blowing. I had no idea they controlled children like this. It's abhorrent that this is still going on in 2024. I hope everyone who gets out gets the help they need, I'm praying for everyone.
Liked. Shared. Commented. Up the algorithm!!
You’re so fast!!🙌❤️
Thrifty's ice cream! I grew up in California as well. I thought it was neat how they used a cylindrical scoop. So if you got the Neapolitan, you got all the flavors in a nice long cylinder.
Katherine, I think that you turned out amazing. You basically raised yourself and you did an excellent job. Wishing you a bright future.
Thank you!
Katherine you were never meant to be there in scientology. Your personality & positivity shine through even after all you've experienced. Well done 👏 ❤
Thank you!
Super impressed with Katherine's resilience. She's undoubtedly right that her naturally positive disposition is helpful, however very impressive none the less and I don't doubt there's plenty of grief to process around her family and disconnection. However lovely to hear her positive outlook. Thank you ❤
Sounds like you tried to make the best of your situation, but you deserved so much better and I’m so sorry for your upbringing..
I’m so glad you’re living your best life now!
Thank you!
A Wog is a navy term for those sailors that have not crossed the equator at sea. You could say a wog is an inexperienced sailor. Once they go through the crossing the line ceremony (cross the equator) they become a shellback.
Hubbard definitely leaned on the Navy for a lot of his language. 🙄
Important video.
if they are tax exempt whey are they recouping taxes from the "volunteers", paid staff are not volunteers
Hubbard was a freak so is Cruise and Travolta.
Boosting the algorithm while we wait!!!
Excited to dive deeper into scientology, thank you so much *Katherine* for coming on today!!! 😸
I just want to give her a huge hug. I cant wait to listen to her book! Sending you so much ❤
I am so glad that you are empowering the ex scientology community. We are all SPTV community. We will get them shut down!
#PowerToSurvivors
#Kidscannotconsent
What an excellent interview. Im on chapter 6 of the audiobook and enjoying taking it slow and thoughtful. My daughter #3 Sandy was born just a few weeks ahead of you that same year 1985.
She’s still having a rough time of it but at least she did leave the SO. Her dad lives in the same apartment as your mom and dad.
Perhaps your dad can at least get a cell phone and your all can trade photos.
Elderly get fully free phones now if they ask at one to the booths in many shopping squares.
Wow! I admire her outlook towards life. ❤
It's "Lord of the Flies". 😳
And also the Stasi.
It's so sad and scary.
Thank you for telling this story. Her positive outlook resonates with me because I tend to be the same way, but I appreciate when she compared her parenting style to the lack of parenting she received. It is 100% possible to find peace with what happened to you while choosing to never duplicate the events. Hooray for Katherine's survival and bravery to shine light.
Hi Shelise so glad you interviewed Katherine an upstanding, special lady. 🙂🙂
Love the cover of that book!
Thanks! My husband designed the cover!
What a fabulous interview ❤
Katherine, you are a fabulous person. I love that the abuse and neglect could not quench your spark. I'm a survivor of a fairly under represented form of abuse, childhood was pretty rough, ended up on the street at 15. I'm also an inherently joyful person. There were bright moments in my childhood, despite being in the grip of a sadist the whole time. I like to remember those bright times. I also like to remember myself then, because despite what was done to me, I remained innocent, wondering and loving. It's not what happened to me, I am defined by what I did with it. How I moved towards health. That's how I see all survivors, I see the willingness to be raw and vulnerable, which is how we got out with our joy intact.
I'm now learning how to anger at what happened to me without getting stuck in that emotion. It's a good thing to do, to explore the feelings that come with childhood abandonment, let them come up and be like, I'm so mad that this happened. I hope you find the right moment to feel the feels from then, because it does all kind of barf out later in life when our hormones change again in peri-menopause. I'm 9 years older than you. I want to warn people about the second teenagehood that people with uteri go through, because I didn't know it all comes back.
I didn't know that the freeze response covered a bunch of feelings, to me it seemed that it obliterated it all, so boy was I surprised to find all of that there, inside me, needing to be felt as defrosting accelerates. I'm enjoying the loss, grief and anger all being back, though, just kind of sorting and processing in a gentle way and it's really lovely. Perhaps you already know this, but being unmothered myself, I just have to share in case other survivors don't know. Like you, I didn't get to know my own body, for me because of medical abuse. I didn't know stuff everyone else seemed to have the memo on.
Your point of view on surviving an abusive and neglected childhood is totally correct. You are right, that childhood of yours is what it is. My life, as hard as it's been, is my life. I love myself and my life story. No one could take my joy away and you held on to yours, too, and that's so powerful.
I love that you were a bad cadet. I love that you are obviously a great mother. Your kids get to be with a healthy survivor mom. This whole podcast is amazing and of course I'll get the audiobook.
What a wonderful comment. Thank you for sharing and giving your support as well ❤️
@@CultstoConsciousness You and your guests are affirming me in my own childhood experiences. I'm very grateful!
Thank you! I appreciate your words of advice. I love that you are holding onto your joy and love yourself despite everything you've gone through. You deserve it!
@@Thebadcadet
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I appreciate you.
All the best to you and your family.
🙂🐿🌈❤️
Love your book Katherine, listened to it in one sitting, as always love this channel too❤❤❤❤
Yay, thank you!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed!
Amazing story, thank you for sharing your experiences, especially in the face of an organisation as vicious as Scientology. It cannot be easy but it will help others learn the truth and that is so important. I truly hope your family get out one day. Xx
Thank you!
I read/listened to her book already and it is so great! I enjoyed her storytelling and the voice of her writing. I can't wait for the next book!
Thank you!
Katherine book is so good! It gives a very unique look into the world of Scientology
Thanks! @sharonminer9350
I find it funny that, they claim kids are reborn adults... yet they still send them to school and have age restrictions with certain things. Just seems like an excuse to be a lax parent.
Great point
The walking dead of scientology. 😂
I remember an account written by a woman who was in charge of the children who were born after the rule that Sea Org people can't have kids.
According to her, things are even worse than you described. The kids were treated as if they had committed a crime by being born. They were basically wherehoused and denied education and medical attention. The sanitation, clothing was awful. Absolutely no kindness or affection, but also not direct cruelty, just the basic care and some kids who were ill didn't make it. I don't know how they handled the deaths. This woman finally left after she seriously broke her leg and was expected to stay in bed and take it easy for awhile but her supervisor expected her to go back to work with a cast with the kids the morning after the accident. She was denied pain meds. As a person who has broken my leg twice, I know what this is like -horrible. Not to mention she couldn't care for the kids properly.
She left and is looking into the mistreatment of these kids. Im sorry I can't remember her name.
Catherine your story is amazing. I believe that Scientology chose for your parents to disconnect from you. When you’ve gone so long in Scientology Ways it’s very difficult to change.
On finding the bright side in a crappy situation, I recommend reading Epictetus. He was born a slave and remained so for many years, but he always relished the occasional pleasant moments and used this ideal to be stronger when he should've been week. He started the philosophy of Stoicism. VADM James Bond Stockdale, the senior member in the Hanoi Hilton, leaned on Epictetus and stoicism to suffer through more than 7 years as a POW. Seems like Katherine is a good Stoic.
I’m always so shocked at how anyone would voluntarily signed up for this craziness. Why would any of this behavior seem ok or normal?
I think it’s a slow burn. It gets crazier the longer you’re in it
Many, including Katherine, we're born into cults. They don't know anything else.
Those who join voluntarily are often going through a vulnerable time in their lives. This is from what former scientologists say.
I hope we can show understanding and compassion for what they've been through and their strength in leaving.
I wonder if she contacts of org, explaining that if they want to no longer be responsible for her parents, she will come and get them, taking her elderly parents off their hands. At least they'd all have a few years of happiness and togetherness. (Ex-jw here; so I understand more than I wished I did.)
Unfortunately, the org would not even relay that message to my parents, nor would they agree to leave. They will not associate me anymore as I am considered a Supressive Person.
@Thebadcadet I'm so sorry, Katherine. 💚
Wordsmith!? "Freeloaders Debt"
Wow...just Wow
from a self proclaimed lover of words.
Hubbard and Joseph Smith, you'd think they were dystopian YA authors
I appreciated hearing your story. Thank you. 💎🕊️
Thanks for sharing your story
It's scary to me how people will deny the evidence before their eyes, looking at a child, and seeing an adult, in spite of clearly seeing a child in front of them.
Excellent interview thank you both 👏❤.
Fabulous interview! I’ll never get rid of the zombie/scientologist analogy. 😅 1:04:28
I'm reading the same scenario in Jenna Miscavage's book. How did this go on undetected?
Wait. What? No. As soon as there is a positive lice check, you treat it which includes special shampoo, combing through etcetera. My daughter kept picking them up at school until I started putting a few drops of tea tree oil in her shampoo.
Just had to buy the book ❤
It’s so awful what the adults in that group chose to subject you all to as children. And as a person who is estranged from a parent for other reasons I feel such empathy for you on your kids not getting to have any kind of relationship with your parents. My story is different but the heartache of it rhymes ❤
BTW I have a graphic I made when I was nursing my son after someone told me it was unchristian to nurse him in a sling, wearing a flap top nursing shirt in Kroger. I looked at her and said “Jesus was a breastfed baby” went home and found a painting of Mary obviously nursing a toddler Christ and surrounded it with slogans.
Like every painting of Mary and baby Jesus ever pretty much isn't her nursing him
It’s on my TikTok now.
Edit: and my community page here but I’m working with an iPhone and don’t know how to make it public. Meh.
you should interview RelatableReese. she was staff not seaorg. the story of how her father disconnected from her is heart wrenching. then got outed last year by Aaron Smith-Levine (there are no hard feelings, she says he saved her and her son's life by outing them, Aaron still feels guilty though) and her father-in-law disconnected from her son and didn't even have the decency to say good bye. her son called him and he lied saying they will speak again and never did.
Just loved this interview it so much better than a Scientologist interviewing her Wonderful job & read her book loved it can't wait for her next one much love to both 🧡🧡🧡
Happy you enjoyed it!
Thank you!
My heart breaks for all you went through, and continue to go through Katherine. It's unspeakable and horrendous! My hope is that with your story others can see that it's possible to get away from a toxic, brainwashing situation and create a meaningful life, one filled with hope and love, as you've so courageously proved. All the best! ❤
I think it’s funny that Scientology calls its members “parishioners”. I didn’t realize the “church” of Scientology broke itself up into parishes
They don't. I just use that word so people know who I am talking about. They call the people who uses Scientology services "Public." Sorry if that was confusing!
One pair of underwear? What do you wear while they are in the wash?! 😮 "You're not black... YOU'RE PUERTO RICAN¡" 😂 Just like Carlton Banks from fresh Prince of Bel-Air, with your favorite actor Will Smith¡😂
I love catherines way of speaking and explaining things her book is very good
I enjoyed this video and so proud of your guest. Hope she gets to have a relationship with her parents and siblings that are still in the cult.
Really enjoyed this interview!
Sorry I'm not trying to trivialise this awful story, but the idea of goosebumps and 10 things I hate about you being part of the breaking point is funny. It's always interesting to see what wakes people up
The term "wog" is also Australian slang for foreigner, it isn't really used much anymore because it is thought to be offensive and but knowing this, it's weird thinking how the guy who "came up with" the term clearly thinks everyone else is the foreigner.
Katherine is amazing. Her book is fantastic too.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Amazing story! I just ordered your book.
Thank you!
I was reminded of North Corea, too! It’s a ‚shunning-witchcraft-Harry Potter-North Corea-Blend‘!!!
Well done, great interview, love her personality!
Claire was 1 step down from DM. I’m sure she had no problem writing people up!
Cash or credit card is straight out of the Happy Gilmore Meestah Meestah scene
Love the shirt!
Thank you for sharing your story with us! So brave! You are so strong!
I love the book's cover
I wonder how many Tom Cruise movies they have to sit through.
Actually the term "wog" is also a derogatory term for Greeks and Italians
Try to avoid the aftermath foundation.. they have committed horrible crimes they are trying to cover for each other... just be really leery of that whole thing until air is clear.
SO happy you had this conversation with the Baddest Cadet, Katherine!!!
Shes phenomenal 🔥😍
So happy she is bravely sharing her life witb us. Her biok is a MUST read!!!! I loved it!! 🫶💛
Thank you @degradeddaughter !!! ❤❤❤
Yes !
It's illegal to give someone under 18 a debt.
This is my semi educated guess on how they got away with paying taxes for child laborers. Firstly the IRS doesn’t have an age criteria for paying taxes. Therefore if you earn money regardless of age you are supposed to pay taxes. Certain jobs like newspaper carrier (this one may vary by state and may be higher now than it was in the 80’s & 90’s) and babysitter are legal for typically 11 and up to do as long as the job is completed during non-school hours. Now we know these are not the jobs cadets were doing and the jobs cadets were doing are absolutely illegal but I’m guessing they misreported how they were earning the small amount of $ they were earning. We also know they were doing these jobs during school hours and were not really earning an education but cos still uses loopholes like homeschooling or applied scholastic schools to skirt those legal requirements
You need to have Natalie Webber from the channel Scientology- Life After A Cult on
You are going to need the SPTV logo in the corner pretty soon 😁❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Scientology continues to baffle me
"the zombies of scientology" 😂😂😂😂
Despicable
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
For Katherine
I'm having trouble loading the video from the Linda Listen.
Catherine Zeta Jones is Welsh. Not Puerto Rican.
Oh man - its embarrassing to say that I had no idea! I watched Mask of Zorro when I was young so assumed she was Hispanic.
Yes! Cash or credit card- almost like the Walking Dead.