Blog - Nicola Ranson

Cultiverse Poem Performed at the igotout.org Story Jam in St. Louis, 2023

November 12, 2023 by Nicola Ranson

In October, I was thrilled to be on-stage at the igotout.org and Tears of Eden Story Slam at the Improv Shop in St. Louis Missouri where I performed my poem, “My Journey Through the Cultiverse”, a ten-minute synopsis of my memoir, A Slice of Orange. Mine was the opening act in the company of such … Read more

Narcissistic Abuse: Conflict, Attachment and the Tribal Brain

July 12, 2023 by Nicola Ranson

Brook Olsen of the High Conflict Podcast invited me for a conversation on Conflict, Attachment, and the Tribal Brain – keys to understanding the patterns of narcissistic abuse. This podcast comes in two parts: the first episode lays out the big picture and the second explains how these concepts can be useful. (Spoiler alert – … Read more

Belonging is What the Eucalyptus Offers for Healing in my New Book, “Plant Talk – When the Tree Hugs You Back”

March 23, 2023 by Nicola Ranson

Belonging is a core need. I have found this to be true in my research on healing (as well as in cult recovery) and of course, in life. I didn’t know that the Eucalyptus would agree. But when I asked it about healing, it replied with a heart-warming offer: “What you really long for is … Read more

PLEASE STAY! An Urgent Message to Someone Contemplating Suicide

November 19, 2022 by Nicola Ranson

If you are right on the edge and in danger of suicide don’t read further. Instead, call 911 or the national suicide prevention hotline: 988 . If you are outside the US call your emergency number – that’s what they are there for and this is an emergency. There are people out there ready to … Read more

Ulcerative Colitis Changed My Life

September 11, 2022 by Nicola Ranson

Ulcerative colitis did change my life. But perhaps not in the way the doctor meant. “When I was fifteen, my doctor told me, ‘You can’t be like other people. You will never live a normal life.’ I refused to accept this grim prediction. No. That would not be my future.” This is an excerpt from … Read more

Toxic Relationships – support for recognizing narcissistic abuse and tips for getting out

August 15, 2022 by Nicola Ranson

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE PODCAST: Toxic relationships can be a nightmare to disengage from – and the trauma is so harmful to the children. Brook Olsen’s work focuses on helping people disengage, and in Episode 201 of the High Conflict Coparenting podcast, he interviews me for any tips I have to contribute. In our conversation I address the cult of one-on-one and how viewing narcissistic abuse through the lens of cult dynamics can shed light on both recognizing toxic relationships, and getting out of them.

A Slice of Orange will be published in 2023!

May 14, 2022 by Nicola Ranson

Oh happy day! My memoir, A Slice of Orange, about my experience with the Rajneesh cult, will be published in 2023 by TouchPoint Press. Here I am signing my book contract. Someone told me, “Oh that happened fast.” I almost fell out of my chair I was so shocked that I had given the impression … Read more

The Challenge and Reward of Accepting Help

January 30, 2022 by Nicola Ranson

Yesterday was a rough day – which was transformed when I ACCEPTED two offers of support. It was not even the errands themselves (though they were both delicious and useful) as much as the wonderful feeling that people care enough to do these big little things – which brought a wave of gratitude that lasted … Read more

PLANT TALK – The Ficus advocates good company and safe surroundings as the recipe for healing

January 16, 2022 by Nicola Ranson

Sometimes these messages from the trees are a bit obscure. I get the piece about safety and good company – but what is this ficus trying to say about healing? Perhaps it is normalizing pain and looking at the bigger picture. Yes, that’s what trees have to offer: a taller perspective. But I need more … Read more

Ways to Get a Shift in Perspective for the New Year

January 9, 2022 by Nicola Ranson

My Word Bath for the New Year shares two ways to get a shift in perspective – well, three if you count the rearview mirror! I learned in psychotherapy that peripheral vision can often give me more accurate information than staring at someone head-on. It softens the focus so that I can see – and … Read more