CW: This episode contains reference to sexual abuse, sex trafficking, sex with minors, and prostitution.

This man was a friend and funder of George's in the early days. He bought the two properties on which the "school" operated and stayed there for some time.

Later, he bought a 1500 acre property in Northern CA that had been a resort in the early 20th century. Harbin Hot Springs became a successful retreat center offering New Age events and workshops.

One former employee reports experiences of sexual abuse by Hartley (who became ISHVARA) and others.

WHAT's WRONG WITH HARBIN HOT SPRINGS?

After completing the episode, I learned that Robert Hartley is still alive at 92, still being celebrated as Ishvara, and still resides at Harbin Hot Springs!

Early in the history of Summerlane, when the school was still in upstate New York, a tragic death occurred. A boy named Howie Mehlsack died after being thrown or pushed into a freezing lake.

While we may never know exactly what happened, and while anyone responsible for the death or the coverup is long gone, we have several accounts of the events, and even George's own interpretation. I will get into all of this, and we will be hearing from Stephen again.

George von Hilshiemer claimed to be an ordained minister. For a time, he even called himself a Unitarian minister. He was not!

In this episode, I go through his spurious claims and the ways he used the authority often granted to clergy to serve his own ends.

I also talk about a few cases of clergy misconduct in my own denomination. We are probably the least likely of all faith traditions to harbor pedophiles... and, when it happens, we don't cover it up, or protect the abusers as the Catholic church and other institutions have done.

Here are links to the cases I mention:

RON ROBINSON

DAVID KOHLMEIER

Here's a link to one story about my stepbrother:

ROGER TEES Dismissed

Photo of ROGER TEES

A brutal murder, dubbed a "Satanic Cult Killing" by the press, occurred in Daytona Beach, FL in April of 1973. Ross Michael Cochran, a student at Green Valley School, who had been set to testify against the school and von Hilsheimer when he was tortured and killed. In this episode, I discuss the possibility that George was at least peripherally involved.

Much more about the "cult," the murder, the victim, and those accused, can be found in this podcast. I recommend it!

WASTELAND: ROACH HAVEN

And here's another podcast by the same creator, if you love punk music, the history of music, or just want to learn more about it!

I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT

Shout out to Michael for helping me with this episode.

In this episode I cover SOME of the reasons people do not tell about abuse, how abusers get away with it, and discuss rape culture as it exists today and how the assurance of silence of victims allows it.

TW: Discussions of rape and child sexual abuse.

RAPE CULTURE

What to Expect if You Report

HELP FOR SURVIVORS

SEX ABUSE HOTLINE

TEXT HELP to 64673

OMG! I neglected to say that William Steig who was a Reichean and cartoonist ALSO CREATED SHREK!

And I did not fully describe the orgone accumulator as it was not used on Ellen or in the cases I mention.

GREAT article by Christopher Hitchens

CONTENT WARNING!

There are some detailed and particularly disturbing accounts of child sexual abuse.

In this episode I discuss the REICHEAN therapy philosophy in relation to Private Lessons.

Who was Wilhelm Reich?

What damage was done by Reicheans?

Who was Dr. Sobey and how did he harm Ellen?

And what is the difference between trauma (Episode 15) and terror trauma and their effects upon victims.

SOURCES: (I read directly from a few of these.)

Breaking The Silence

Shrek in the Orgone Box

Victor Sobey

Wilhelm Reich (BBC)

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble read aloud

Here will be an exploration, in her words, of Ellen's feelings about her own father, and general insights and reflections on how the "father" relationship can affect future choices. George Von Hilsheimer was considered a "father figure" by many, including Billy Burroughs and women who still wish him Happy Birthday on facebook. What does that tell us about loyalty and about our own fathers?

GVH Obituary

TW: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse and trauma. Please consider this before you listen.

Here are some resources:

TRAUMA overview

PTSD

ACES test

REACH OUT for survivors

SA TRAUMA HOTLINE: 1 800 656 HELP