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Harry Rob Bruner is an actor, screenwriter and the founder of Creative Exit Coaching. He grew up in his aunt's eastern religious cult, Sri Chinmoy, and wrote and performed a solo show about this experience called ‘Nephew of the Universe’. Through Creative Exit Coaching Harry now helps others disentangle from destructive beliefs, reclaim their voice, and tell their own stories.
Episode presenting partner:
Harry Rob Bruner was brought into Sri Chinmoy as a child, joining the organisation run by Chinmoy Kumar Ghose at the age of 12. Chinmoy claimed he lifted weights totalling 7063¾ pounds (or over 3,200kg) with one arm on 30 January 1987. He also faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct with female devotees. Chinmoy died in 2007, and you can find him referred to as a “20th-century Indian spiritual leader” as recently the New York Times crossword of 10 December 2025. The wording of this clue may contrast with the views of some former followers who see him rather as a cult leader.
Creative Exit Coaing — Harry's work assisting survivors to reclaim their creativity after leaving a high-control group
I Was in a Cult. Leaving Wasn’t the Hardest Part — by Harry Rob Bruner, Medium, 16 August 2025
The Media’s Love Affair With Alleged Sex Criminal Sri Chinmoy — by Edwin Lyngar, Salon, 9 May 2014
New York Times Crossword — 10 December 2025
Hosted and Produced by Sarah Steel
Music by Joe Gould
December 17th, 2025
1 hr 04 mins 57 secs