The Smallville star who joined a sex cult: best podcasts of the week

Smallville star Allison Mack's journey from fame to NXIVM sex cult controversy has sparked debate over whether she should be given a platform. A new CBC podcast series delves into the complexities of her case, questioning whether Mack was a victim, perpetrator, or somewhere in between.

On one hand, Mack's involvement with the cult could raise concerns about her credibility as a guest on a podcast. On the other hand, Natalie Robehmed's nuanced exploration of Mack's experiences offers an opportunity to shed light on a disturbing and fascinating aspect of human psychology.

Meanwhile, a charming new Hat Trick series explores the offbeat world of Antarctic medicine, where doctors face unique challenges in the frozen landscape. Dr Rachel Varnam shares her own story as a doctor in Antarctica, offering an immersive account of life during the pandemic.

Another intriguing podcast series takes listeners on a journey through true stories of survival and horror. The Robertson family's ill-fated decision to sell their farm and sail into the unknown is both captivating and disturbing.

Comedian Mary Houlihan has made a name for herself with her sharp wit and incisive commentary on contemporary issues. Her new podcast tackles topics like the growing conservative movement and comedians who perpetuate it, offering an unapologetic and disarmingly excellent take on the world we live in.

In another fascinating series, The Conversation explores Jane Austen's lesser-known aspect: her love of gossip. From Bath bun shops to Lyme Regis, Anna Walker digs into the author's life, uncovering secrets about Austen's tastes and habits that were previously unknown.

I'm not sure if Allison Mack should be given a platform right now , considering her past involvement with NXIVM . On the other hand, it could be an opportunity for her to share her story and help others who might be going through similar experiences . It's like when you think someone has done something wrong, but they're still human, right? You can't just write them off entirely .

I do love that there are more interesting podcasts out there , like the Hat Trick series on Antarctic medicine or Mary Houlihan's take on conservative comedians . Those kinds of shows make you think about stuff in a different way and maybe challenge your own views . And who doesn't love gossip? Jane Austen's lesser-known side is actually pretty fascinating, even if it's not exactly what I'd call "gossip" .

I don't know if Allison Mack should get a platform tho she was part of that cult but at the same time her story is wild lol her podcast series on CBC might be interesting tho maybe it'll make people think about what's real and what's not I've been listening to this Hat Trick series btw it's so cool how do doctors even survive in Antarctica

Wow! This podcast lineup sounds soooo interesting... I mean who wouldn't want to dive into all these true stories? The one about the Robertson family is like, totally captivating... survival horror stuff right there!

Umm, I don't think it's a bad idea for Allison Mack to get a platform , considering she's already spoken out about her experiences. I mean, if Natalie Robehmed is doing her own research, maybe it could lead to some interesting conversations about the complexities of human psychology and how cults work . It's all about balance, right? We don't want to just villainize someone without hearing their side of the story . And on a completely different note, have you seen Mary Houlihan's podcast? She's hilarious and always gets me thinking .

It's quite thought-provoking to ponder whether Allison Mack should be afforded a platform after her involvement with NXIVM . On one hand, her actions within the cult do raise concerns about her credibility, whereas on the other, a thoughtful exploration of her case, such as the CBC podcast series, could provide valuable insight into the complexities of human psychology, shedding light on the blurred lines between victimhood and complicity.

its crazy how our perception of someone can change just because they're linked to a cult . Allison Mack was literally a teen star who got sucked into something super twisted & dark, but that doesnt mean shes not worth listening 2 or learning from her experiences. the key is to approach it with empathy & nuance, not just judgment. i think its awesome that CBC is tackling this stuff head-on & creating spaces for ppl to share their stories

I gotta say, Allison Mack's case is super complex... Like, can we just acknowledge that her involvement with NXIVM was a huge red flag? But at the same time, Natalie Robehmed's podcast series is actually really good at nuancing our understanding of what happened. It's not just about whether she was a victim or perpetrator – it's about how our perceptions of these things can be so black-and-white when they're really more grey in reality.

And you know what's also super interesting? How comedians like Mary Houlihan use their platform to tackle topics that need addressing. Like, we shouldn't be afraid to have tough conversations – even if it makes us uncomfortable!

I feel kinda conflicted about Allison Mack, you know? I think she was pretty messed up for joining that cult in the first place, but at the same time, she does seem like someone who got caught up in something really bad and might not have been entirely aware of what was going on. Maybe we should just try to get a better understanding of what happened rather than jumping to conclusions? And I'm def intrigued by that Mary Houlihan podcast - her sharp wit always cracks me up .

I'm not sure why people think Allison Mack deserves a platform just because she made some questionable choices in the past... I mean, we all screw up at some point, right? And maybe she learned from her mistakes, maybe she didn't. But forcing her into this role just to "shed light" on what happened might come across as a bit exploitative... and let's be real, it's a super sensitive topic.

On the other hand, I do think it's cool that there are more podcasts exploring these kinds of stories – it's like we're all finally getting some decent conversation going about the weirdness of human psychology . And that Hat Trick series about Antarctic medicine? Mind. Blown.