Episode
L. Ron Hubbard: Sleeping with Bandits, Hunting with Pygmies And So On
- Podcast
- Decoding the Gurus
- Published
- May 31, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 8671
- Processing state
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Summary
The Decoders wrap up cult season by dissecting a titan of the cult scene, the founder of Scientology, Lafayette Ronald Hubbard or L. Ron for short. A prolific science fiction author, L. Ron founded an alternative self-help movement and then developed it into his cosmic self-help 'religion' of Scientology. Scientology has now been the subject of multiple documentaries and even a fairly detailed South Park parody episode, so it feels like many are aware of the general 'deal' of Scientology. But how about L. Rob Hubbard as a guru... how many people have actually taken the time to sit down and just hear the guy out? Here at DTG HQ, we are all about the good-faith deep dives, so we decided to devote some time to analysing a 1966 Rhodesian TV interview with L. Ron Hubbard, in which a friendly Scientologist interviewer (not identified as such) politely tees up Hubbard to explain Scientology. So join us to find out how L. Ron invented a “workable science,” a “religion of religions,” and a self-help machine that raises IQ, fixes life problems, and proves life after death. By modern standards L. Ron can seem a bit quaint, but because of that, he serves as a useful primer in the core techniques of Guru manipulation, including narcissistic invented biographies, disdain for materialism, a persecution complex, flattery of followers, and anti-establishment disparagement. All of the classics are on display! So get ready to wake up to your true potential, process your engrams, and so forth. Links Source Material Interview: Interview with L. Ron Hubbard in Zimbabwe Behind the Bastards: L. Ron Hubbard Series Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief (Documentary) My Scientology Movie: Louie Theroux