C13Originals | Team Downey
Audacy Podcasts | Team Downey
S2|E2: The Seed
S2|E2: The Seed
S2|E2: The Seed
Wednesday 30th October 2024
Explore the origins of The Seed rehab centre, its charismatic founder Art Barker, and the controversial methods that shaped modern addiction treatment.
Explicit
50 minutes
Informative
Eye-opening
Compassionate
Raw
Honest
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C13Originals | Team Downey
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Categories:
Recovery Reimagined
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Stigma & Social Perspectives
Relationships & Community
Community & Support Networks
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Get the buttons here!The Origins of The Seed: A Radical Rehab's Dark Legacy
Episode Overview
- Art Barker's unconventional rehab methods drew in hundreds but masked a darker side.
- Intense group therapy sessions known as 'raps' were a cornerstone of The Seed.
- Personal anecdotes reveal the emotional and physical challenges faced by participants.
- The Seed laid the groundwork for other controversial programmes like Straight Incorporated.
- Raises important questions about the ethics and effectiveness of radical rehabilitation methods.
You're not an invalid, right? We're not going to lead you through getting straight. You're going to get straight by yourself, on your own.
In this episode of 'The Sunshine Place,' we journey back to the origins of The Seed, a Florida-based rehab centre founded by Art Barker. Barker, a former alcoholic and stand-up comedian, transformed his life and then set out to transform others. He turned packed warehouses into places of intense group therapy sessions known as 'raps,' where teenagers and their desperate parents sought help.
Barker's unconventional methods and charismatic leadership drew in hundreds, but they also masked a darker side of the programme. Through personal anecdotes from Craig, who was sent to The Seed at age 14, we get a vivid picture of the emotional and physical challenges faced by those who entered the programme. Craig recounts the confrontational therapy sessions and the sense of powerlessness he felt as he watched his sister be verbally attacked by the group.
The episode doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of The Seed, contrasting its advertised success with the often traumatic experiences of its participants. This episode is a compelling look at how The Seed laid the groundwork for other controversial programmes like Straight Incorporated, and it raises important questions about the ethics and effectiveness of such radical rehabilitation methods. If you're interested in the history of addiction treatment and the stories behind these infamous programmes, this episode is a must-listen.