A Secretive Bible Cult Has Infiltrated Conservative Politics

Join us LIVE for an in-depth conversation about the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, and allegations of covert political campaigning, right-wing political connections, and cult dynamics like shunning and abuse. Dr. Steven Hassan speaks with former members Cheryl Bawtinheimer and Richard Marsh to expose the inner workings of this high-control religious group through the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control. Dr. Steven Hassan, author of The Cult of Trump and creator of the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control, will be joined by Cheryl Bawtinheimer, a whistleblower who was raised within the PBCC cult, and now host of Get A Life Podcast: Ex-Cult Conversations, and Richard Marsh, a former PBCC member who investigates the church’s business networks, political connections, and alleged abuses. Together, they will examine how the PBCC controls members’ lives, what happens to those who leave, and how the organization’s influence has extended into politics and business. You won't want to miss this; they're more influential than you ever imagined. Using a BITE Model breakdown, Steve, Cheryl, and Richard will examine how the PBCC controls members’ Behavior, Information, Thoughts, and Emotions. They will connect Dr. Steve's model to former members’ accounts and leaders' statements on isolation, surveillance, restrictions on relationships and education, and shunning after leaving the group. The conversation comes amid growing scrutiny of the PBCC’s political activities in Australia. Investigative reporting has raised questions about the church’s involvement in the 2025 federal election, while Australia’s parliamentary inquiry into the election has examined the role of third-party campaigners and concerns about conduct at polling places. Together, they’ll explore critical questions, including: What is the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, and how does it differ from other Plymouth Brethren groups? How does the BITE Model explain the PBCC’s methods of authoritarian control? How does the church’s doctrine of separation affect members’ education, relationships, access to information, and everyday lives? What happens when members leave, challenge leadership, or speak publicly about their experiences? What have former members reported about abuse, institutional accountability, and efforts to silence critics? What do investigative reports reveal about the PBCC’s political campaigning and connections to powerful business and political figures? Why has the church’s involvement in Australian elections attracted parliamentary scrutiny? How can understanding coercive control and undue influence help people recognize and recover from high-control groups? 🔗 To watch Bruce Hales and Gareth Hales' testimony in front of Australian Parliament: https://www.youtube.com/live/a68zMpjs...] 🎙️ Listen to Cheryl and Richard on Get A Life Podcast: Ex-Cult Conversations:    / @getalifepodcast   📅 Time: Friday, October 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET | 11:00 AM PT 🔴 Join us LIVE! Bring your questions for Dr. Steven Hassan, Cheryl Bawtinheimer, and Richard Marsh. Subscribe to Dr. Steven Hassan’s channel for more conversations about cults, brainwashing, mind control, authoritarian influence, and recovery from coercive groups. #PBCC #PlymouthBrethrenChristianChurch #ExclusiveBrethren #StevenHassan #DrStevenHassan #BITEModel #CultAwareness #HighControlGroups #CoerciveControl #Brainwashing #MindControl #CultRecovery #GetALifePodcast #ReligiousAbuse #AustraliaPolitics #PoliticalInfluence #AuthoritarianControl