Cleared Hot Podcast Episode 281 - Aaron Smith Levin
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 кві 2023
- Aaron is a former long-time Scientologist, including as a Sea Org member and trainer of Scientology auditors, Vice President of the Aftermath Foundation, and since 2015 has been educating the public about Scientology and exposing abuses within the organization through his UA-cam channel “Growing Up In Scientology.”
Aftermath Foundation:
theaftermathfoundation.org/
The Speed of War Comic Series: www.thespeedofwar.com/
Sign up for the new G14 newsletter here: www.clearedhotpodcast.com/exc...
Check out the newest Cleared Hot Gear here: shop.clearedhotpodcast.com/ - Розваги
It was a pleasure coming out and doing this podcast with you. Let’s do it again sometime!
Great job A-Aron
@Abe Froman hi Abe. Looks like 62 And cloudy. Looks like it's raining in main parts of the country today.
Man Aaron, seeing your sisters in law and MIL give their “account” of your character seems like they are robots just reading a script. No emotion just robotic spewing of what they are told. Sorry you have to go through this and I don’t want to give the website traction or views but since you mentioned I wanted to check it out
@@tusharin1984 AA-ron has a ton of those hate sites. He is a legend.
WOW this was fantastic Aaron!!!! Need to tell everybody tomorrow in live chat....get some more likes on this bad boy eh bro @clearwaterchad9037
Who else is here from Aaron's channel @growingupinscientology?
Im from A-arons channel😊
me too
(raising hand enthusiastically)!!! Hi Goldie!
I’m here. Answering some ridiculous comments.
@@Katherine_Olson 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Hi OSA! Hope you enjoyed watching.
What is OSA?
@@tianna1116 OSA it’s like the police of Scientology. The head of shenanigans. they’re the ones in charge of fair game. They watch all of the creators that talk about Scientology and report back to Davy Baby, sometimes send PIs after them or make videos on them. Scientologist are good people. they think they’re saving the world, yet Scientology is a cult so we try to say hi to the people and let them know if they leave, they will be taken care of.
Office of special affairs it’s the part of Scientology that spy on SPs
@@tianna1116office of special affairs. It's essentially the spy department of scientology. It's their job to deal with detractors and enemies of scientology. They are referred to as the "dirty tricks department". They have framed people for crimes, turned people's loved ones and friends and business associates against them by spreading lies. The also relentlessly harass people via private detectives and operatives being put in people's lives to feed info back to scientology. Their job as defined by L. Ron Hubbard is to "destroy utterly" any enemies of scientology.
@@tianna1116Office of Special Affairs
Aaron is always “chin up” and smiles…. then the tears.
As deep as these wounds are his vulnerability in grieving the loss of family bonds reveals an even deeper strength. His radical devotion to revealing truth is inspiring. Keep going and growing, Aaron!
Beautifully said.
Well said, I have a lot of respect for Aaron for showing his true vulnerabilities.
@@vegan3650can you explain what you’re saying? I’m lost
@@vegan3650 …oh ok? Still have no clue what you’re talking about but I suspect you’re trolling or something
I’ll tell you what. The moment where you see the man cry, You immediately know his fight comes from the way they made him and his wife pick their marriage and the disconnection attempts. Aaron has been relentless.
And he chose his Mother over disconnection as well. Ig takes a lot of courage to take an open stand against Scientology in my opinion, especially with there being the "fair game process" that Scientology uses against there ex-membors that speak out against them publicly and at least two members of the press allegedly I suppose I have to say
@Joey it's what he cried over on Lex Fridmans show too. It's going right into my heart every time.
@@joannegrieco8523 Scientology openly declares war on the family.
@@powersv2 Scientology IS a family.
@@JeffCaplan313 Sure, the kind of disgruntled family that attracts each other. What kind of family encourages divorce and abortions? Scientology I guess .
Could listen to Aaron all day long
Don't think aron is the best spoke person rather mike or marc
You can. There's a gazillion amount of videos on his UA-cam channel. 😊
@@charisma-hornum-fries I already watch every single one of them haha 💁♂️😂
@Erdna Trelhak I wasn't sure if you knew. But your reaction is great 😅 BTW, i had an Erdna in Mt mother's family I Denmark. Most spell it Erna here though 😊
@@charisma-hornum-fries i'm afraid to say that "Erdna" is not my real name..
But at least now I know that it's actually a valid danish name haha.. didn't know that before💁♂️😅
What I see each time Aaron tells this part of his experience is that Aaron is always deeply moved by the fact that his wife chose him over Scientology. I am glad for them both that they stayed together and loyal to each other. Very good for their children too. So admirable.
Yeah, however they aren’t together anymore.
Thank you for having Aaron on to share his story and experience with the cult of Scientology! 💗 The IRS seriously need to revoke this cult’s tax exempt status.
I am sort of four revoking, all tax exempt status of any religious organization
Scientology is too powerful for the government to do anything. They're just like any powerful criminal organization like the Mexican drug cartels, the mafia and our government, for that matter.
It’s coming.
Aaron has a “nervous laugh”. Many of us do. Lex took this as a lack of seriousness. This interview is much better. Kudos to the interviewer.
@Paula Brown....that's interesting, after following Aaron for so long I've never thought he has or ever picked up on a nervous laugh. I see him cracking himself up.....I do that. My sister has a nervous laugh ....good or bad news she laughs...social situations are so awkward to witness. When I told her our father died, she laughed and continued too through his memorial service when greeting people. Another reason I think Aaron's laugh is genuine is b/c of his strong emotional side. Everyone deals with trauma differently, but even after all this time, he still can't get through that story without breaking down. Again, something I can relate too. It's incredibly weird for me to read a comment I've seen and have it roll over and over again in my head, and then actually reach out for clarification. Help, I'm confused. Thanks, oh and hi OSA.
@@tellmemorethx Sounds like a good coping mechanism. Because if you ain't laughing, your crying.
@@commodoresixfour7478 Oh so true !!!
I nervous laugh all the time. It's a coping strategy that isnt always voluntary. I love AARon and his levity either way.
@@wasabiwarabi I hope people are laughing at my funeral, when the time comes. Like that guy that made a pre recorded message play in his coffin during his burial, "let me out, I'm not dead yet"!
A-Aron snuck into my feed a while back and whilst I have no interest in the SCIENTOLOGY bullsh t, I find him honest, engaging and so interesting.
He really is an expert on the subject and creates a narrative that's easy to follow.
Nice job getting this one together, I'm looking forward to this.
I loved this. Thank you Andy and Michael for inviting our favorite SP.
My heart goes out to Aaron, 💔 it's so heartbreaking what Scientology does to families!!
The intentional pain created for Kids (and dogs) by disconnection is disgusting. I will never understand how people can do that.
Same thing waste country American and European countries but that's your best acivmente lol respect all then I respect your
Damn, I know it’s painful for Aaron to talk about his wife’s disconnection from her family but at the same time it’s so good see that CoS didn’t destroy his empathy. Because they really really try to.
According to them empathy is a weakness. Heinous, heinous cult.
The hallmark of a Narcissistic institution. Narcissism's characteristic lack of empathy strikes me as the most frightening element of the Disorder. That just kicks the gate open to doing ANYTHING! And The Narcissistic do...anything.
@@sunnyadams5842 Exactly.
It's okay to cry. It's healing 🤧😅
The hallmark of narcissism and psychopathy right there
I have no connection to scientology but I can't get enough of A-Aron, Marc and Claire Headley, Mike Rinder, and the growing SP community. I feel love and admiration for these people! And I suspect that I'll be watching this podcast too. Great interview.
Until I learn different, Im only watching Aaron. Those others hijacked his charity, ousted Aaron, so they can be in power.
I've been watching Aaron's channel since 2017. I've seen the Aftermath literally a million times. Listening to Aaron's story never gets easier for me. I'll forever be in awe of his and his wife's strength.
I learned far more from this podcast with Aaron than Lex's podcast. Aaron's sense of humor covers a great deal of pain...like most of us perhaps.
Amen!
1:04:00
Aaron: I live in Clearwater.
Andy: Which is an interesting move in and of itself.
Aaron: Why should I leave? They can leave.
Hell yeah, A-Aron. Give 'em both barrels brother.
If I were you....I'd run outta that insane area! Maybe you still need to be physically & emotionally connected to them? That's how it looks... anyway.!😢
any "advertising" Aaron is doing sure as hell doesn't make me want to join. He makes them look like the nutjobs they are. @@KATIELAUGHTON
Someone I knew who has 3 degrees, psychology/ psychiatry/counselling. A retired university lecturer and features in radio programmes (in his 70’s) -meaning a very experienced, worldly wise man , told me anyone can be fooled. This was after I came out of a 13 year relationship that made me very ill and I slowly came to realise that the man I married was not the person he really was. That the slow insidious abuse was not my fault. Any religion that tells you who you can and cannot see. Any religion that says people that aren’t in that religion are “less than” , or in some cases should be killed(and there is a religion whose extremists say this) are just cults , and cults are heinous. There is a new cult at the moment that a lot of educated people are in, the woke cult, one belief of that cult says men can be women and should be able to take over women’s rights by entering their safe spaces, eradicating women’s words and women’s sports, awards and statistics. Thankfully some people are waking up now. I guess the world is just full of cults😢. It’s all about control.
And guess what no one on the planet is Really in control.😊😮
@@sudenims5235Yes, yes, yes. That IS a cult.
This was great, Andy is very empathetic and gave Aaron much more space to tell his story. 💚
I loved him for telling Aaron he had all the time in the world, and didn't rush him.
Fantastic interview with Aaron. There is so much more to learn on his channel Growing Up In Scientology. Would also recommend Blown For Good with Marc and Claire Headley. Mike Rinder also now has a channel and also Amy Scooby. By viewing each of these you get a great overall picture of Scientology as these sea Org members had various positions and responsibilities within the sea Org. Their stories of their experiences, mistreatments and eventual escape from Scientology will give a fantastic overview of how they were trapped in this cult for so long, and the mind games and manipulation used by David Miscavage to exert his control over these wonderful people, who were brought into Scientology as children, and the abuses they endured.
Don't forget "Dazed but not confused", Chris Shelton, and "Apostate Alex".
@Charisma Hornum-Fries
Exactly! Actually, it's "Dazed but Not Confuzed", but Doug has some GREAT videos explaining HOW the brainwashing begins and WHY it works so, so fast. Great info.
@@charisma-hornum-fries Agreed and so many more now too!
Aaron, all your subscribers support you. We know being vulnerable is hard for you, because the pain you and you family have been through is unbelievable. Know that your vulnerability is a strength you have. Never be ashamed or fearful that you appear as anything but strong and committed to saving people and families.
I've never heard of this pod. I adore A A Ron. I hope to adore this pod, as well!
While it's typically focused on the military side of the house, Andy does a great job having people on with interesting life stories from various backgrounds, enjoy the ride!
Another interview with AARon I thoroughly enjoyed. 😊😊😊
It's so hard to watch the part about Heather's family, even though I know the story. It hurts A-a-ron so much.
It hurts every time I hear it, for sure.
And I agree with him that the grandparents do not get a pass for being that obedient to the abusive organization. They could have at least kept their mouths shut about occasionally seeing their grandkids.
OMG. Yeah. I get misty every time he tells it. You can tell it hurt him deeply, not only for himself, but especially for his wife and kids.
What a load of turd that the family is so traumatized by the cult that they buy into it. But as I guess that Big Brother Scientology is thought police to the point that no one talks about real things it’s not surprising that the fabricated family overtakes the reality of the intellectual and emotional structure of family.
That’s an explanation. Family grow up now and leave Baby Dave and his toy town.
This is a very sensitively executed and skillful interview with Aaron. And it honors Aaron, who is a remarkable individual and good man. You have a gift for interviewing. Subscribed!
We all know Scientology destroys families , we love Aaron because he is a real person and he shows the painful part of leaving the cult of Scientology, he’s sad for his wife and kids, we only wish the best for The Smith-Levin family 💙💜💜💜💜
A-Aron's on a mission. And when someone like A-Aron decides to do that, you'd better watch the hell out. He's unstoppable and unflappable. (And yes, I'm using "flap" b/c of COS.)
Loved this podcast more than lex’s! This felt so much better and the vibe was just all around better ❤❤❤
Aaron, i wouldn't worry too much about getting emotional, youre not the only one to shed a tear during these interviews.
Thanks for having Aaron on the podcast. I have watched him for quite a while but he doesn't talk much about his own story on his own channel so it's great that in this format he opens up a little.
The most eye opening part was when he explained the kind of decisions you have to make in this organization. How totally out of this world to have to make a choice between which grandkids you’re going to keep. It was light hearted and somewhat jovial till you see the toll Scientology can demand and the chaos it can create in a family. Totally changed the importance of this interview. It’s a shame that I’m had to see a man breakdown to recognize what Scientology can be. Sounded like a miserable existence and although he said he tried to look back and take the positive out it, I didn’t see any.
Andy is a legend , trying not to break his balls for tears
Showed up for Aaron, loved the interview so subscribed 🕊💌
I thought I'd be safer the 2nd time round but nope! 1:44:27 Just listening & Aarons got me crying in the supermarket. We love you man!
Thank you Andy. And Michael. This is some heavy shit. His episode on Lex’s show is one I’ve watched a few times and I’d love to shake this guys hand and give him a big ole bro hug.
I’m at the pause where he’s trying to hold it together. Heavy shit man. Heavy shit
@@bethotoole6569 I can't watch it without crying too. So many horrible stories from CoS survivors that break my heart.
@@wasabiwarabi
Me too 👍👍
Me, either, @warabi. Just breaks the heart.
This is one of the best Cleared Hot episodes that I’ve ever listened to.
How did I not see this sooner?! Always here for our A A Ron :)
This one is tearing me up, Aaron. I've followed you since you started. I saw your interview with Lex. But this one is beyond the pale.
He told Lex most of the things he's talking about here but Lex's interview was edited to an hour I believe so a lot was lost.
Great job, Aaron. 😊
Very informative! Much more open and light hearted than the Lex podcast. Aaron's story is never easy to hear. I can't imagine how hard it is to talk about. It takes a real man to show his emotions. Especially on such a huge platform. Thank you for allowing the chance for someone to be completely open and unfiltered about their experience. The transparency is very refreshing.
Best surprise ever seeing these 2 on one podcast! 😅
This interview was "HOT". I totally love how well this interview went and how you allowed your guest to speak and go deep. Aaron is a real trooper and highly respected for not hiding a thing and speaking out, fighting back, and helping others still caught in the cult escape. Your interview held my attention and gives me hope. True freedom of speech and the best interview I have seen in a long time,. You are fearless and your podcast rocks!! Thank you for such a great interview and a great guest. SUBSCRIBED
Very interesting so far because Aaron is excellent at conversation. Great flow.
So glad you had Aaron on; I love Aaron! I hope you get a chance to interview some other Scientologists too; they are all so interesting and informative of this dangerous cult!
Love Aaron and his channel!!
I am an OT 8 and watching Aaron describe the OT level's that I did, well it is hard to breathe. Best interview job to you both.
Are you still in?
@@tianna1116 NO NO ,he is out. NO scientologists are allowed to watch and/or is too brainwashed to even give it a chance OR they make the excuse that Andy is HUGE liar!!!
@@tianna1116 If he/ she ere they would never eber listen to this!!!!
Do you feel different in any way? (From OT 1)
It continues to get better by the days, not even weeks!
A-Aron! We’re so happy for you, Mike, Marc and Claire.
Spytology is watching this as well! 🤣😆😂
A A ron is enjoying himself cursing left and right !!! It was so refreshing to see him in the other side of the microphone and be himself while talking about his life experiences in the CULT of Scientology
Dangit I can't even do a thing anymore, I had a dream last night and that weren't a good one
Fuck Davey, but fuck everyting thatll happen pretty quickly
Aaron is the real deal. Love this guy.
This was amazing! Great job Aaron!!
Bless your beautiful, courageous, vulnerable, empathic heart, A-a Ron. Cry a river. We shall carry you across.
Oh fuck yeah. I heard this dude on Lex, this is the perfect podcast for him
Thanks for doing this interview. Aaron brings a certain humanity to the topic of Scientology.
Please continue looking into this cult. I’d love to see you interview Mike Rinder and Marc and Claire Headley. In fact having them all together would be a riot but I could see that getting out of control pretty fast :)
It’s a tough subject but you both made it understandable!!
Whilst this "religion" has disturbing practices, the most insidious is the disconnect policy. To separate parents and children is just evil. That alone should be the reason people steer clear of them.
Very emotional account. Aaron is emotionallying healthy that he can access his real reactions to the crap that they dealt.
Damn this is some heavy stuff. I hope Aaron and his family can mend and find peace after all of the bullshit that the cult of scientology put them through.
Man I really felt for Aaron talking about the impact on his wife after he was declared a suppressive person
AAron. It's okay to cry. Especially about trauma.
Look what they have done to Lisa Presley and her children. And they really took advantage of her mother. They ruin lives and families
Awesome interview gentleman. Andy thank you for your service to our country. ❤️
I cry EVERYTIME Aaron cries, I’m so so sorry dude
I'm here from Aaron's channel Growing up with Scientology.
Ditto! GREAT interview - am 1hr, 42minutes in, but will have to finish later...it's nearly 3 ayem. 😅
I loved this episode so much, I went online and bought Black Rifle coffee for the first time. Keep it up, Andy... I appreciate how you inform us of different topics in a respectable manner. And the laughs are great.
I'm thinking Hubbard, at one time, went to a psychologist and was told her was "crazy" and so at that time decided "psychology" was a no-no.
not far off, ive heard** that he presented his theories to the psychology world, and they looked at him and said "yea, that's nonsense" and then they became public enemy #1. maybe a combo of the two lol.
**im not 100% sure this is accurate, but it's something i remember hearing about
I've actually done work for Golden Era Productions in Gilman springs. Repaired some heavy equipment for their production side of things a while back. When delivering parts, you don't get to even get on the grounds. You have to do everything outside the gates. Strange place, especially their property near Lake Arrowhead.
That’s where ( it is believed) that they have Shelly hidden away.
@@bethotoole6569 No, it's not. There's another, even more secret base.
Thank you for having A Aron on
Thank you for not editing the interview. Been a supporter of Aaron for awhile now & could listen to him talk for hours. Love lex but this was definitely a more enjoyable interview....listening for the 2nd time now! Need to get Mike Rinder on and I think Mark Headley telling his story would make for a super fun back and forth
Two weeks after airing, I just watched/listened to this podcast. I follow many of the SPTV folks. My interest started with Leah Remini's Aftermath show, then I found Aaron's UA-cam channel. The deep hurt that Aaron feels for his wife, kids, and in-law, is still raw. Any group that encourages people to leave their loved ones is evil! Scientology is imploding and they don't even realize it or care. I hope Aaron and his wife do some counseling to talk through these deep wounds.
The BEST! I have been watching Aaron for a while with “Growing Up in Scientology” and when he said he had been on this podcast and it was not edited, I was immediately here for the authenticity of the interview! So very impressed and this is what real conversation should be imo. When I see the heavy editing (Lex and others) I leave it because it loses focus of our genuine humanity and becomes post production narrative. Thank you for being so supportive of Aaron and his efforts in trying to mask his emotions and you allowing him space to be and to feel his feelings without being judged. Just excellent! ❤
As a Mariner, I would like to point out that Hubbard was NOT a Master of seagoing vessels. He was put in charge of little puny vessels during his time in the Navy, of which he was relieved both times due to various egregious errors, some of them actually super funny, such as chasing a non existing enemy submarine for days near San Diego or conducting some sort of combat operations in Mexican waters.
The dude couldn’t row a boat, let alone be the Master of a ship.
I believe the idiot also bombed Mexico by mistake! 😲
The Aftermatv Foundation sounds like a real lifesaver for those escaping from this mess. Thanks for using your experiences to help people to start over.
I’m from Texas. 7th or 8th generation. (We lost count)
I never knew Scientology existed until the South Park episode.
I still have never met a Scientologist.
I don’t want to.
Andy it was a Nice interview with Aaron and he looks great in his gray shirt!! Can’t wait until you have Marc and Mike and Claire on
It's actually his normal black shirt! It's the bright lighting in this studio!
Great interview! I found your page because A Aron did this interview with you.
This was fascinating, thank you! I feel for Aaron and his wife and family. WHhat horrible sacrifices ta make.
We had a sector of our church break off and hold an extra set of beliefs, shun family that weren't "in the light" to the point where members couldn't attend parent funerals etc. I was stunned at the intelligent people who went with this break off group so I empathise.
A Aron is awesome! Great attitude! And so sweet and feels deep the hurt this organization has hurt his family. May God bless him with a reunion of his family soon. ❤️✝️
Tysm for helping ppl leave this monstrosity. You're brave and strong and making the world better . I'm a life long atheist and anti religion person due to what I saw around me. You give me hope for healing the damaged ppl and society. Verbal hugs from afar.
Andy: "I don't want to make fun of anybody for their beliefs."
Andy two minutes later: "That's some crazy shit!"
HAHAHA gotta love it!
Thank you so much for doing this. Scientology made a mess out of my family in the late sixties and seventies. I joined the Sea Org when I was a junior in high school with my parents blessing with the guarantee that I could Finnish school but of course that was a lie. I went through some horrific stuff at the Advanced Org in L.A. and ended up escaping out of a high window
in the basement and never went back. It was one horror story after another. I’m 68 now and they still manage to track me down where ever I go. I could tell you some stories 😳
Do tell.
@@TobeornottooB do you have a day or two? It’s way to much to put down in a comment
@@sueowens1129 I do, I will listen. I just can't always respond immediately, but, I will respond. Much appreciated.
I know it's been a while since you left this comment, but I'd still love to hear whatever you are up to or have time to share 💐
@@lydiaj7492 thanks for your interest but I’m pretty busy right now working ten hour shifts at work and tired afterwards. It would have to be when I take some time off.
You have to love Aaron. He is articulate, funny, knows his stuff. And after all this time he still deeply feels the loss (for himself and others!) that Scientology forced on him. Hugs to Aaron and his family, and even his in-laws who seemed to have made the wrong choice.
The duo I didnt know i needed. A-Aron in Flathead, perfect time of the year to stop by. Great episode!
You are a smart guy, Aaron! I am so sorry for your wife and family. Thank you for sharing your story.
So effortless listening to this convo that I didn't realise it was 3 hrs long!
"a parachute appeared out of nowhere" is a beautiful way to explain waking up & finding support all around you. i love a-a ron & his mission to help all those fooled by religions. keep fighting the good fight!
Wow. Tears to my eyes with this one. New sub. Thank u👋🏼
Nice job Andy. Big fan of both you and A-A-ron.
The best I've seen you, A Aron! Thank you!
That was excellent (I should have been studying instead, but hey, this was much better in every way). I'm here from Growing up in Scientology & just subbed here.
Great conversation! To have a bus load of gallows humor is a great surviving tool. I'm going to joke and laugh until I break. I love that Aaron laughs about the craziness (but he's serious when necessary) and I love that the interviewer understands what it is. You just have to be able to laugh even when shit hits the fan and you don't really know how you'll get out on the other side. And often that's exactly how you survive.
Great interview Andy!
This has been both fascinating and sad. You two gentlemen really work well together.
I adore A-Aron. He’s an absolute jewel. ✌️
If anyone ever questions Aarons heart, you just need to watch the part when I hold back the tears when asked about his wife and the disconnect. That is the window into his core, right there. It hits you in the feels, every time.
Here from SPTV ❤
This has to be one of my favorite interviews with A-A-Ron! And trust me, I have seen them all!! Thank you all for time and effort!!!
I’m a BIG fan of AArons’ “Growing Up In Scientology”!
He’s right…the more you tell your story…ALL OF IT…the less power it has over you. This was a fantastically compelling interview…stellar. Aaron, good to see you speaking on the depraved way they forced people to walk away from your family. Thank you for sharing it.
Awesome interview!
This is exactly what I needed this morning! 😂
Much love mutha stumpfers!
Aaron seriously is a great person being ABLE to communicate so well the dysfunction of scientology
Aaron sent me here. Great interview. New Subscriber