Is This a Cult?

Confronting the Line between Transformation and Exploitation

When “Transformation” Turns Toxic

After nearly twenty years inside a popular self-help organization, Anne Peterson finally confronted the big lie behind the transformative work she believed in. What she had taught as empowerment, it turned out, was also being used to exploit.

In this raw and gritty memoir, Anne unpacks her heartbreaking journey from starry-eyed idealist to disillusioned leader. She grapples with picking up the pieces after the leaders she trusted betrayed her. Most importantly, Anne shares hard-won lessons on spotting and stopping spiritual abuse in high-control groups.

In Is This a Cult?, you’ll discover:

• Anne’s path from transformed student to inner circle leader – and the red flags she ignored
• How exhaustion, threats, and violence behind closed doors corroded communities built on making a difference
• The moments Anne could no longer rationalize away harm being done in the name of progress
• Tools Anne used to resist exploitation when livelihood and reputation are bound up in a leader’s image
• Ways to separate valuable teachings from the flawed structures and the people who distort them
• How to foster ethical practices in personal growth after being scarred by spiritual abuse

Is This a Cult? offers hope to all who wonder whether their quest for growth has a dark side. If you’ve ever questioned leaders you once believed in, you’ll find insight in Anne’s inspiring tale of rebuilding integrity in the shadow of charismatic leaders.

AI voice is Baaaad

Anne Peterson is uniquely positioned to blow this whistle, and if you’re a Landmark graduate, especially if you’ve been in leadership, you should hear this story and join the discussion. Or, rather, read it. The AI voice is truly terrible.

ai voice is AWFUL!!! Resist!!!!

i hate the ai voice
amazon can afford to pay voice actors!
the content is prettty good
landmark is awful