Carli McConkey was a 21-year-old university graduate when she decided to attend the Mind Body Spirit Festival in Sydney, and came across the stand for Life Integration Programmes. The course they offered sounded like exactly what she needed to get her life on track and realise her potential. Little did she know that this encounter was the start of a 13-year ordeal that would see her estranged from her family, under continued financial stress, a victim and perpetrator of physical assault, working untold hours of unpaid labour, and eventually, medically sterilised.Special Guest: Carli McConkey.CW: references to manipulative behaviours, and physical abuse, including of minors. A small amount of coarse language. Please consider whether you would like to listen on this basis. Content is not suitable for children.The opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the makers of Let's Talk About Sects.Full research sources listed on each episode page at www.ltaspod.com.If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via www.cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via www.icsahome.com).If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website at www.iasp.info.Links:The Cult Effect — by Carli McConkeyCarli McConkey's websiteCult Leaders and Ballet Dancers: The Strange Rock School Lawsuit — by Victor Fiorillo, Philadelphia Magazine, 30 June 2014Natasha Lakaev's evidence 'deliberately untrue', says judge — by Michael Bachelard, The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 October 2014Alleged cult leader to settle defamation claims out of court — by Chris Calcino, Byron Shire News, 11 October 2014Ex-alleged cult members 'sleep well' with court case over — APN Newsdesk, The Northern Star, 11 October 2014LAKAEV v. THE ROCK SCHOOL FOR DANCE EDUCATION et al — PacerMonitor record of libel, assault, slander case – plaintiff's claims dismissed with prejudice 24 November 2014105 Hunter Street, Burringbar — Omaroo property history, sold on 29 November 2016 for $882,0009354/11 LAKAEV -V- THE AGE COMPANY LIMITED & others — Supreme Court of Queensland case file summaryWhy the Secrecy — Footage shot by LIP member... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.