Blog - Nicola Ranson

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

The Cult Vault Podcast #138 features Nicola Ranson’s memoir, “A Slice of Orange” and explores what led her to guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh – and beyond

December 3, 2021 by Nicola Ranson

The Cult Vault podcast episode 138 is on “A Slice of Orange” – my memoir about my time with guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in India and Oregon, and my life leading up to that and beyond. I was thrilled to be interviewed by someone so willing to explore the nuances of the book – and … Read more

HOPE

October 22, 2021 by Nicola Ranson

Twice this past week someone gave me Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese” poem that begins: “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body Love what it loves.” That “only” … Read more

Cult recovery involves dismantling belief systems

October 6, 2021 by Nicola Ranson

The collapse of a belief system is hell at the time – but eventually I found it an enormous gift. Of course another one moves in fast to replace it, but just for a moment there is a pause when we get to see outside the bubble that each of us lives in.

Plant Talk Example of Resilience and Toughness

October 6, 2021 by Nicola Ranson

Who said flowers would always be flowery? That was my expectation when I chatted to Statice about healing – but she showed determination and grit. Healing isn’t all soft and soothing.