Camilla Bredal Pedersen
@camillabp.bsky.social
Beginner's mind in midlife. Intrigued by normalcy and knowledge after twenty years in a famous new-age community/cult. Politics student, partner, bonus parent, dog mama. Viscerally alert to groupthink and invisible power hierarchies. Scotland/Norway. 🏳️🌈
Among the steady stream of horrifying global news, this quietly validating and impactful piece of cult research kinda made my day. internationalculticstudies.org/research-hig...
The unique characteristics of post-cult PTSD and suggested therapeutic approaches ICSA Today - ICSA
An evidence-informed look at how cult trauma can produce a distinct form of Complex PTSD—and what therapists should do differently to avoid retraumatization and support recovery.
internationalculticstudies.org
January 28, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Among the steady stream of horrifying global news, this quietly validating and impactful piece of cult research kinda made my day. internationalculticstudies.org/research-hig...
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
Mark Carney is right: it's time to take down the signs.
I'm moved to see Mark Carney take his inspiration from Václav Havel in his superb speech at Davos. Well worth reading the entire speech:
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Read Mark Carney's full speech on middle powers navigating a rapidly changing world | CBC News
Read the full text of Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech about a shakeup of the global order and role of middle powers at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
www.cbc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Mark Carney is right: it's time to take down the signs.
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
I feel vindicated for having made all my students read “The Power of the Powerless” all these years. . .
www.vaclavhavel.cz/en/index/vid...
www.vaclavhavel.cz/en/index/vid...
Vaclav Havel Library
The Václav Havel Library functions as a centre for the documentation and research of modern Czech history, with an emphasis on promoting the ideas of VH.
www.vaclavhavel.cz
January 22, 2026 at 12:37 AM
I feel vindicated for having made all my students read “The Power of the Powerless” all these years. . .
www.vaclavhavel.cz/en/index/vid...
www.vaclavhavel.cz/en/index/vid...
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
It may not have the hot clang of the Book of Revelation, but when the Danes are selling your bonds it has not been a good day.
January 20, 2026 at 11:42 PM
It may not have the hot clang of the Book of Revelation, but when the Danes are selling your bonds it has not been a good day.
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
Staying informed on current affairs can be overwhelming and depressing.
Do it anyway.
Do it anyway.
January 19, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Staying informed on current affairs can be overwhelming and depressing.
Do it anyway.
Do it anyway.
Following the news on a daily basis, and the greater authoritarian shift that forms its context has until now been a mostly cognitive experience for me. Today, however, that shifted into a more visceral sense of threat and fear. As always, Anne Applebaum’s perspective is a sanity-anchoring read.
January 19, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Following the news on a daily basis, and the greater authoritarian shift that forms its context has until now been a mostly cognitive experience for me. Today, however, that shifted into a more visceral sense of threat and fear. As always, Anne Applebaum’s perspective is a sanity-anchoring read.
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
It’s old-fashioned to defend mainstream journalism these days but some of the most reliable reporting from people actually on the ground will be the AP and Reuters the next 24 hours. Your Substack journalist writing takes will be using frontline reporting from them.
January 3, 2026 at 8:09 AM
It’s old-fashioned to defend mainstream journalism these days but some of the most reliable reporting from people actually on the ground will be the AP and Reuters the next 24 hours. Your Substack journalist writing takes will be using frontline reporting from them.
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
I found this very satisfying:
“We do need support, but nobody’s playing the cards given by America. Nobody gives a flying fuck about JD Vance’s opinion.”-- Artem Chapeye
@ljohnson.bsky.social
“We do need support, but nobody’s playing the cards given by America. Nobody gives a flying fuck about JD Vance’s opinion.”-- Artem Chapeye
@ljohnson.bsky.social
The Ukrainian Anarchist Pacifist Writer Putin Drove to Take Up Arms
Artem Chapeye once spent his time translating Gandhi and Chomsky and getting published in The New Yorker. Then, in 2022, he joined the army.
newrepublic.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I found this very satisfying:
“We do need support, but nobody’s playing the cards given by America. Nobody gives a flying fuck about JD Vance’s opinion.”-- Artem Chapeye
@ljohnson.bsky.social
“We do need support, but nobody’s playing the cards given by America. Nobody gives a flying fuck about JD Vance’s opinion.”-- Artem Chapeye
@ljohnson.bsky.social
Well this will be a treat!
This English language version just arrived at my door and I can see myself shifting plans for this evening. 🤭🤓
#booksky #reading #politics #internationalrelations #NATO #jensstoltenberg
This English language version just arrived at my door and I can see myself shifting plans for this evening. 🤭🤓
#booksky #reading #politics #internationalrelations #NATO #jensstoltenberg
October 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Well this will be a treat!
This English language version just arrived at my door and I can see myself shifting plans for this evening. 🤭🤓
#booksky #reading #politics #internationalrelations #NATO #jensstoltenberg
This English language version just arrived at my door and I can see myself shifting plans for this evening. 🤭🤓
#booksky #reading #politics #internationalrelations #NATO #jensstoltenberg
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
I mer enn ti år har Kongsberg Gruppens kunde videresolgt avansert undervannsteknologi fra Norge og Vesten til Russland. Teknologien benyttes til militære installasjoner langs sjøbunnen i Barentshavet.
Norsk teknologi kan ha bidratt til å beskytte Putins atomvåpen
Hvordan kunne det norske utstyret fra Kongsberg Gruppen ende opp her?
www.nrk.no
October 23, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I mer enn ti år har Kongsberg Gruppens kunde videresolgt avansert undervannsteknologi fra Norge og Vesten til Russland. Teknologien benyttes til militære installasjoner langs sjøbunnen i Barentshavet.
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
A local councillor was just asking me if I'm planning to install a heat pump. Dunno, are they planning to let us continue living here for the duration of the payback period? They're so blind to what this 'debate' does at a community level.
October 21, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A local councillor was just asking me if I'm planning to install a heat pump. Dunno, are they planning to let us continue living here for the duration of the payback period? They're so blind to what this 'debate' does at a community level.
The entire response is unnerving, serving only to further normalise chilling ideals such as “cultural cohesion”.
“We welcome those who come to this country, legally, and give more than they take. We believe the right to stay here must not be automatic, but that those who play their part should be able to earn that right."
October 21, 2025 at 10:50 AM
The entire response is unnerving, serving only to further normalise chilling ideals such as “cultural cohesion”.
While I appreciate the sonic design of this programme, I’m finding myself in a familiar place of exasperation. Here is another philosophical exploration of the Findhorn Community’s magical origin story, evoking hippie era nostalgia and existential wonder, while missing the more relevant human story.
7:15pm,TODAY on @BBCRadio4
Illuminated, The Findhorn Garden
Sound designer Jonathan Webb listens out for audio evidence of fairies, fauns and nature spirits at the Findhorn settlement on the north east coast of Scotland.
#FolkloreSunday
Illuminated, The Findhorn Garden
Sound designer Jonathan Webb listens out for audio evidence of fairies, fauns and nature spirits at the Findhorn settlement on the north east coast of Scotland.
#FolkloreSunday
BBC Radio 4 - Illuminated, The Findhorn Garden
In search of sonic transmissions from the nature spirit realm.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 3:09 AM
While I appreciate the sonic design of this programme, I’m finding myself in a familiar place of exasperation. Here is another philosophical exploration of the Findhorn Community’s magical origin story, evoking hippie era nostalgia and existential wonder, while missing the more relevant human story.
Un-British now.
I’m going to assume she is aware of how loaded and irresponsible that rhetoric is, especially when spoken on behalf of a sitting government.
🚨🚩😳
I’m going to assume she is aware of how loaded and irresponsible that rhetoric is, especially when spoken on behalf of a sitting government.
🚨🚩😳
Home secretary says pro-Palestine protests in wake of Manchester attack are ‘un-British’
Home secretary says pro-Palestine protests in wake of Manchester attack are ‘un-British’
Shabana Mahmood calls for demonstrators to ‘take a step back’ and call off planned protests after Thursday’s deadly attack
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Un-British now.
I’m going to assume she is aware of how loaded and irresponsible that rhetoric is, especially when spoken on behalf of a sitting government.
🚨🚩😳
I’m going to assume she is aware of how loaded and irresponsible that rhetoric is, especially when spoken on behalf of a sitting government.
🚨🚩😳
I haven't posted here in a while due to the surprising and debilitating onset of what appears to be M.E/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or possibly Long Covid.
Tips and advice from anyone with experience of navigating the NHS and other UK resources are welcome.
#chronicfatiguesyndrome #ME/CFS #longcovid
Tips and advice from anyone with experience of navigating the NHS and other UK resources are welcome.
#chronicfatiguesyndrome #ME/CFS #longcovid
July 11, 2025 at 2:01 AM
I haven't posted here in a while due to the surprising and debilitating onset of what appears to be M.E/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or possibly Long Covid.
Tips and advice from anyone with experience of navigating the NHS and other UK resources are welcome.
#chronicfatiguesyndrome #ME/CFS #longcovid
Tips and advice from anyone with experience of navigating the NHS and other UK resources are welcome.
#chronicfatiguesyndrome #ME/CFS #longcovid
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
UK people! We need your signature on this petition to amend the coercive control legislation to include group coercion, such as happens in cults. Please share widely.
thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/petition/?fb...
thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/petition/?fb...
July 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
UK people! We need your signature on this petition to amend the coercive control legislation to include group coercion, such as happens in cults. Please share widely.
thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/petition/?fb...
thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/petition/?fb...
Existing coercive control legislation offers protection to victims of domestic and intimate partner abuse. And, as a former cult member, I am acutely aware of the (psychological, sexual, economic) coercive control that still goes unchecked within a vast number of cultlike groups.
#groupcoercion #UK
#groupcoercion #UK
UK people! We need your signature on this petition to amend the coercive control legislation to include group coercion, such as happens in cults. Please share widely.
thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/petition/?fb...
thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/petition/?fb...
July 11, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Existing coercive control legislation offers protection to victims of domestic and intimate partner abuse. And, as a former cult member, I am acutely aware of the (psychological, sexual, economic) coercive control that still goes unchecked within a vast number of cultlike groups.
#groupcoercion #UK
#groupcoercion #UK
Sad news about a brilliant author.
Edmund White, novelist and great chronicler of gay life, dies aged 85
Edmund White, novelist and great chronicler of gay life, dies aged 85
The American essayist, playwrightauthor of books including A Boy’s Own Story and The Married Man, has died
www.theguardian.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Sad news about a brilliant author.
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
Important Observer article on Scientology harassment tactics. The same tactics have been used by Lighthouse International Group towards myself, @catrinnye.bsky.social and many others. This must be stopped. The UK police must step up. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
‘I’ve been getting 100 messages a day’: Church of Scientology accused of intimidating UK critics
Campaigners face online attacks, claims of criminality and complaints to employers. The Church says it’s the victim
www.theguardian.com
March 23, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Important Observer article on Scientology harassment tactics. The same tactics have been used by Lighthouse International Group towards myself, @catrinnye.bsky.social and many others. This must be stopped. The UK police must step up. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Congratulations, @apostatealex.bsky.social on bringing about today's excellent exposure! May much-needed action to stop Scientology's well-documented abuses now follow.
#cults #abusivepractices #legislativechange #coercivecontrol
#cults #abusivepractices #legislativechange #coercivecontrol
Nothing new here: Scientology is a hate group (bit.ly/DestructiveCult)
‘I’ve been getting 100 messages a day’: Church of Scientology accused of intimidating UK critics
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
#hategroups #scientology #cults #religion #religionnewsblog
‘I’ve been getting 100 messages a day’: Church of Scientology accused of intimidating UK critics
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
#hategroups #scientology #cults #religion #religionnewsblog
‘I’ve been getting 100 messages a day’: Church of Scientology accused of intimidating UK critics
Campaigners face online attacks, claims of criminality and complaints to employers. The Church says it’s the victim
www.theguardian.com
March 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Congratulations, @apostatealex.bsky.social on bringing about today's excellent exposure! May much-needed action to stop Scientology's well-documented abuses now follow.
#cults #abusivepractices #legislativechange #coercivecontrol
#cults #abusivepractices #legislativechange #coercivecontrol
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
@ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
Your explanation of what a dictator and dictatorship is with real world examples is amazing.
Your explanation of what a dictator and dictatorship is with real world examples is amazing.
History Professor Answers Dictator Questions | Tech Support | WIRED
YouTube video by WIRED
youtu.be
March 19, 2025 at 11:43 AM
@ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
Your explanation of what a dictator and dictatorship is with real world examples is amazing.
Your explanation of what a dictator and dictatorship is with real world examples is amazing.
Reposted by Camilla Bredal Pedersen
Eastern Europeans have a long record of deposing corrupt autocrats through peaceful protest. Let's see if the Serbs succeed for the second time in 25 years.
❗️The capital of 🇷🇸Serbia now. About 500,000 people took to the streets to protest against the current President Vučić and his government
March 15, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Eastern Europeans have a long record of deposing corrupt autocrats through peaceful protest. Let's see if the Serbs succeed for the second time in 25 years.
“Wellness Wild West” and predatory cult leaders are a match enabled by lack of industry regulation.
And this is also an example of why we should consider amending existing coercive control legislation to also include group-settings.
#cult #wellness #uk
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
And this is also an example of why we should consider amending existing coercive control legislation to also include group-settings.
#cult #wellness #uk
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The disturbing case of a Tantric yoga guru and his followers
Under the guise of spiritual leadership, Gregorian Bivolaru allegedly exploited hundreds of people through an international network of yoga camps and retreats. Now he’s awaiting trial, accused of kidn...
www.theguardian.com
March 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
“Wellness Wild West” and predatory cult leaders are a match enabled by lack of industry regulation.
And this is also an example of why we should consider amending existing coercive control legislation to also include group-settings.
#cult #wellness #uk
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
And this is also an example of why we should consider amending existing coercive control legislation to also include group-settings.
#cult #wellness #uk
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...