Interview Episode: ICSA with Carol Merchasin

Special Guest: Carol Merchasin

Carol Merchasin is President of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). She is an attorney, investigator, and advocate whose work focuses on coercive control, abuse, and exploitation in religious, spiritual, and institutional settings. She is formerly Of Counsel at McAllister Olivarius where she was head of the legal practice group that worked on matters involving sexual misconduct and abuse in faith-based and spiritual communities.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Carol Merchasin is President of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). Drawing on decades of experience in law, investigations, and survivor advocacy, Carol has led inquiries into allegations of misconduct within prominent spiritual and religious organisations and has worked extensively with survivors of coercive control and abuse. Through her legal practice, public education efforts, and leadership at ICSA, she has become a leading voice on cultic abuse, human trafficking, labor exploitation, and the protection of vulnerable individuals within high-control environments.

If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via internationalculticstudies.org).

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 iasp.info.

EPISODE LINKS

International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) — official website
ICSA Conference 2026 — 1-4 July, San Diego USA

EPISODE DETAILS

June 22nd, 2026

53 mins

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