Thinking Agenda LLC, is the umbrella company for many of our projects that are about cults, undue influence and critical thinking. Founded by Debra Van Neste and Dr Cathleen Mann, pictured above, who passed away in November, 2020. Please read our tribute and more about Dr Mann HERE.
We are located in Orlando, Florida. After the success of our cult education journal titled "Ethics and The Modern Guru" we decided it was time to branch out and invest to be a company, that can offer genuine engagement, education, and advocacy. For now, we invite you to our social media platforms, so you can get to know us better. If you are interested in writing for us and having your articles on several of our platforms, contact us at admin@thinking-agenda.com. Thank-you for your interest. Debra Van Neste |
Debra Van Neste was a survivor of a cult in her teens (Jesus People USA) and a trauma survivor with an abusive Swami in a small sect. She started out publishing a free newsletter, exposing Gurus and then she launched her own educational journal on cults. Published thru Amazon, called “Ethics and The Modern Guru” she then founded, “Thinking Agenda” as a legally registered LLC, a cult education resource center, with Dr Cathleen Mann. Her title is Founder and CFO. Debra still works full time for over 20 years, in healthcare. She is dedicated to working with top professionals and ethical educational organizations. She was mentored by Dr Cathleen Mann for 6 years, to research cults, the law and undue influence. She now serves as a consultant on cults, and an expert witness. 
Steven Van Neste, accepts the role of Director of Thinking Agenda LLC and assists as an Expert and Researcher in cult-related cases. He is currently working on a book on cults and a separate book on the MIND model of cults.
Steven Van Neste is a Belgian born researcher whose initial field of interest was philosophy, but over the years has moved almost exclusively into psychology, neuroscience, and cults. He is very interested in the dynamics between self and other, as well as the intersection of self and society. Central to his approach is the overvaluation of consciousness paired with an undervaluation of the unconscious, which he sees as one of the main reasons for mental distress, as well as playing a large factor in interpersonal issues and why we fall prey to cults and undue influence. His approach is rooted in viewing the mind as something biological. His other great field of interest is sleep and dreams. Aside from his research, he is also an artist (mainly in the abstract expressionist tradition), as well as being an avid long-distance runner. His goal is to become a licensed Psychologist. |
