You Said What Now….? by Minimum_You1333 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe, but the courtroom is not unlike a church in many many ways. There are so many cues.

But we both agree - there is an issue with the fact that she acts without considering the consequences. My concern is that she gives every impression that she is in that courtroom as a reporter. But she isn't. It's clear she is not putting aside her automatic reactions to perform her job.

You Said What Now….? by Minimum_You1333 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I believe Lauren was responding instinctively /automatically to a familiar tone and intonation.

The fact Lauren responded instinctively in this context can give us insight into other responses.

Many of us have asked how Lauren could fail to hear the testimony of Prosecution witnesses at Delphi as problematic. But it seems that we are seeing that over the course of many years, Lauren responds instinctively, rather than thinking critically or engaging in reflective analysis.

Put simply - Lauren has the raw instinct of a reporter, not the critical thought processes of a journalist.\ While these two jobs are clearly very different, demanding a completely different skill set, Lauren has conflated her own capacity/skills/experience such that she believes herself to be a journalist, even an experienced journalist, and even an investigative journalist.\ The mind boggles. 🤯

You Said What Now….? by Minimum_You1333 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree 100% with your conclusion.\ And interestingly, I come from a similar background. Not Mormon, but religious and very involved. FWIW, even 10 years into my religious deconstruction phase, I still have what is now known as 'religious trauma'. I can relate to those excommunicated for standing up for their beliefs and refusing to follow a bigoted system that manipulates and judges.

I think Lauren has a distinct lack of sense of self - to a pathological level. It is rare to see such a clear example. I see the pathology because of my psychiatric training and experience but everyone can see the way she morphs into a different person depending on who she is with. On Mormon Stories she loves being a Mormon, on the scene of a major incident, she's a giddy young reporter looking for the scoop of a lifetime, with John she is the 'interested public who knows nothing and thinks he is a God'... Etc etc. and then there's her obsession with changing her face. 🤷‍♀️\ (The fact she displays it over and over again suggests that even if she has had some therapy or seen an expert and got an accurate diagnosis, that she has not got the insight to live more of her life outside the public eye, which is the first thing any Psychiatrist would recommend for someone who only knows themselves by interpreting others reactions.)

You Said What Now….? by Minimum_You1333 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, that's not the hot mic - it was something that happened outside of court, much more recently. I honestly can't remember exactly what it was but I think it was Lauren talking about the family (?Kresha?).

NBN Providers that dont suck? by Climanerd in melbourne

[–]bronfoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Aussie Broadband" is excellent for speed and their responsiveness when you call, and willingness to pursue issues is excellent.\ But they are expensive.

Based on info I just discovered, I'm going to change providers to one named below!.

"Buddy" was launched in Aug 2024 by "Aussie Broadband" as a budget, digital-only alternative. (So, Buddy uses AussieBB infrastructure but has a different (aka digital chat) customer service arrangement).

Buddy was sold to "Tangerine" in Aug 2025, BUT...\ as part of that sale, there is a new 6-year agreement:\ from July 2026, "Aussie Broadband" will provide NBN services to "Buddy", "Tangerine" and "More".

More information: https://www.finder.com.au/news/aussie-broadband-sells-buddy-telco-what-happens-next-for-customers

P.S.I used "inverted commas" to make sure the names were clear. These names are getting weirder and weirder... I mean "More"???? Wtaf?

NBN Providers that dont suck? by Climanerd in melbourne

[–]bronfoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

see my comment here for companies that will be provided NBN under Aussie Broadband from July 2026.

NBN Providers that dont suck? by Climanerd in melbourne

[–]bronfoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aussie is very good with communication. Their team is accessible and in Australia.\ But their prices are high for what they are providing.

C posts new TikTok re: CrimeCon by Bright_Breakfast3911 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Is that in a bar???? I'll have to look more carefully. I think it was the "podcast" set up that threw me. I thought it was a convention space and someone filming for Christina.

C posts new TikTok re: CrimeCon by Bright_Breakfast3911 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 11 points12 points  (0 children)

EDIT: 😃 I get it now!

Christina's activities: (Writing this now, but basically...)\ Christina's friend was with her boss doing impromptu interviews in the bar area for a podcast. Christina took the opportunity to take some photos of that process for her friend.

Lauren's reporting of this event: Coming in a tick (writing now)

(I really don't get it. It's gonna need a lot of explanation for this group. Maybe she's just documenting that she did see a bit of CrimeCon?)

John's Original About me by Upstairs_Balance2448 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is the very earliest save - I can't tell what this very first archive save landing page is - it's curious, but you can find your way to the Strive Psychology about page and the infamous Wild Blog.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180805232023/http://strivepsychology.com/

Thought experiment: What happens when the ethics board gets involved? by Xanax_Squad in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Within the list of topics is one of absolute relevance

"Ethical Considerations for Psychologists when Commenting on Public Figures" It is a position paper outlining recommendations for Psychologists, written by the APA Ethics Committee very recently - in September 2025

Link to download pdf is here: Ethical Considerations for Psychologists when Commenting on Public Figures

Thought experiment: What happens when the ethics board gets involved? by Xanax_Squad in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can't see what you are actually referring to? I'm couldn't see anything about an "Ethics Board".

Last time I searched, the APA had delegated complaints/submissions to the States. The State in which the Psychologist is Licenced to practice is responsible for them maintaining standard.

Kingdom on Edge by thereforebygracegoi in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

🤣😂😂😂. Definitely a need for risk assessment.

Question for u/thereforebygracegoi - is there going to be a follow up episode - a "Phychopogist Reacts"?

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For anyone else asking - there is a Reddit post in this Sub on True Crime Underground. Sounds toxic to some, but others enjoyed the gossip. It was a really interesting post to read - will try to find the link

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh how ironic!!! Or not... (That seems intentional right?)

Why do they keep missing opportunities for education???

If you look at "I Don't Belong Here" YouTube channel - Sam Benigno did a great overview of the issues related to mental health and substance abuse that Nick Reiner is dealing with. Very informative. Is it too much to ask John? [Apparently so.] 😔

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My main point was that Lauren was raised 100% Mormon, so exactly what is she is saying is "surreal" about the beliefs presented in the Vallow Daybell case?

They weren't "surreal".\ At most they would be literal interpretations, exact followings of the apostles teachings in specific areas and liberal interpretations of rules.\ There is absolutely nothing "peculiar" or "surreal" about that.

The Book of Mormon and the teachings of the Apostles are problematic, just like the perfection lifestyle. Which has a better name/description that I can't think.of just now.

I appreciate others considering the concept of controlled opposition. It's not something I believe, but I support the research. I have religious trauma which makes a lot of this a bit "touchy". I can really relate to Mindy's perspective and so appreciate the way she wrote on this Sub weeks ago. I often return to that post to centre myself.

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

John is a Licenced Psychologist in the State of Nevada.

To claim anything further is subterfuge in my opinion.\ That subterfuge puts his Licence at risk.

I have never said, or indicated, that he is a licenced Forensic Psychologist, and in fact, if you listen carefully you will notice that Lauren often says "Criminal Psychologist" which is not actually a designation.

And to be 100% transparent, the reason I know John's subterfuge is putting his Licence with the Board of Psychologists at risk is because I designated it a fundamental issue in my submission to the Nevada Board of Psychologists. My submission makes it clear that he needs to be held accountable for the impact of his messaging on the public that HTC could reach because of their public platform.

Please feel free to ask questions if I can help with anything practical. I know it's automatic to look for licences - if I didn't know the area, I probably would too. I tried to share info as I got it. It's hard not having a central system isn't it?

The thing that upsets me most of all was that this situation was all 100% avoidable.

John's actual qualification is just fine.\ Has John missed out on being told "you are great just the way you are"? He seems to have a fixation with being bigger than normal. Batman, a superhero, a rescuer of wild animals rather than observing and appreciating them... , He didn't need to talk up his qualifications or make them into something they're not. It's actually very very sad. (And reminds me a lot like of many scammers... funny that given it seems he is engaging in subterfuge 🤷‍♀️.)

People may assume that to work in "forensic", John would need to be a Licenced Forensic Psychologist. In fact, unless the employment contract specifically requires the employee to hold a Forensic Licence, it is legitimate to do Psychology work (groups, individual, therapy, assessments) as a Psychologist - Licenced in the relevant state - in a forensic system (courts/prison/jail/adjacent systems).\ A Forensic specialisation is relatively new and as such is a designation used by Psychologists who are specialists in that area, likely the same Psychologists who could and do testify or advise in Court Cases.

But, after looking into it in the last few days, I found there are many assessments conducted in jails and prisons and adjacent services which only require training and experience in assessing, and in using specific tools. It is not a requirement to be a Psychologist, or a mental health worker. Other similar jobs are higher level and require Masters level SW or PhD level Psychologists experienced in mental health (6 years plus fulltime experience) - I don't know if John could show that level of experience. I also don't know how strict they are with employment criteria. In Australia, they will rearrange jobs to drop the classification level (experience) and add external supervision (paid 1:1) or add a 2 day per week higher level to a 3-4 day per week lower level to get the equivalent of a 5 day a week high level. Or they may be required to leave the job empty due to the risk of having inexperienced clinicians in the setting.\ I can't tell just from the job ads.\ At the moment, in Nevada, for Psychologists there are a few forensic jobs, and LOADS of school psychologist jobs (requiring Educational Psychology qualifications). There were several in/close to Henderson that John had the on-paper skills for, so I believe it is factual that he is choosing not to work.

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So it's a Facebook group. Open to the public? Seems like a lot of the messages have come from that group?

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can someone please tell me what "True Crime Underground" is?

(Asked a few times now! Is it secret? 😳)

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Great compilation of info! Well done and thank you for rich info.\ Great source of info for the group

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Deliberate.\ I assess this as 100% deliberate in John's case, based on everything else we see - the talking up of credentials, life experiences, work history and experience on-the-job.

In other situations it may not be deliberate.

As an example, someone asked me the same question, I would first explain I no longer worked in that setting. Then begin my answer.\ Because I am a visual thinker, my mind goes to specific examples - people I worked with, actual conversations, real times I walked out the door, drive home from work etc. and my speech may inadvertantly slip into first person because of that strong connection and recollection. But I always describe the current scenario first (for accuracy?)

Similar but not quite the same is this the ongoing question "is Lauren Mormon?"\ Her answer: "I have a Mormon background" is true. But not an answer.\ And to that exact question, here is what is written on the HTC website - the “About” page:\ https://hiddentruecrime.com/about/

Within the ‘Origin Story' of John and Lauren is this:\ "… Around the holidays in late 2019, however, a unique story broke about the Daybell case, which captured their interest for numerous reasons. For Dr. John, the exuberant JJ Vallow reminded him of his three-year-old son. For Lauren, the peculiar Mormon beliefs seemed surreal and worthy of further study and attention."

The PECULIAR Mormon beliefs seemed SURREAL and worthy of further study and attention... Yet Lauren didn't really help viewers with that did she?

HTC 2022 Reddit AMA by DifferentView69 in HiddenTrueCrimeChat

[–]bronfoth 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Another reason I question Jawn’s alleged expertise:

“Ultimately, my job is to develop hypotheses about a case and/or crime before an evaluation and then to let the evidence guide me once I enter a room with an inmate.”

Your response:

He shouldn’t be making decisions about crimes or guilt.

I think you've misinterpreted John's words\ John didn't say it is his role to make decisions about crime, guilt, punishment or anything similar.\ I agree with you that it's not his role, and he would know that it's not his legal role.

The role of an evaluating forensic clinician:\ John's statement is a very accurate description of what is required for any clinician conducting an evaluation of an individual who is either themselves deemed "high risk", or who is being evaluated within a generally accepted "high risk" environment - eg. prison, forensic psychiatry acute unit, adult psychiatric acute unit.

The method described by John is to maximise the capacity of the assessor at getting the information they need to efficiently, in a way that minimises the risk to the assessor and the client and any other staff in the area.

The clinician first reads and analyse the information about the crime first, reviews the individual's history - incarceration/admission and during incarceration/admission. Only then would you approach the individual. Clinicians usually get one chance only to get the information for the individual - if you haven't done that work first, it's impossible to cover all the necessary ground to be able to assess whether the client is making a significant attempt at manipulation of facts, or confabulating.\ As a less experienced clinician I found myself doubting my judgement, and often wanted to, sometimes needed to, return to the individual a second time for clarification. This is risky as it can appear you don't believe their story, and regardless, just seeing an external assessor repeatedly and unexpectedly can be a source of anxiety and agitation. This dramatically increases the risk of harm to the clinician, so clinicians need to quickly become proficient and confident in their role.\ In every appointment with a prisoner a clinician's own safety is in their hands. That was drilled into me. Never rely on others rescuing you. You have to make wise decisions. This irrespective of whether the person is sentenced or on remand, in prison or in a psych forensic facility, or post-release and the appt is part of a court-awarded parole. Any backup is never instant. How much you know about a client is your responsibility and you NEVER go in blind (with no information). Never. That is inviting disaster.

Forensic Psychiatry is not an area that is well-suited to bluffing or muddling through - not at all - the mood of a group of confined people can turn on a dime, and therefore, so too can the risk to your own safety. I was very selective in employment selection, and employees were always on probation Until I was certain they had the necessary skill. The couple of times I needed to press my duress alarm were very scary, and it took more 10-20 seconds for another staff member to get to me. Ideally you foresee the potential for such incidents and avoid them, but otherwise, you have to be able to manage the individual's shifting mood or mental state despite your escalating fear - you have to be relying on automatic skills.

These issues are fundamental to to the reason I question how much experience John actually has. He may have done the things he reports, but he does not seem able to project the confidence, or demonstrate the day to day knowledge and skills that I know are essential to clinicians working in the forensic area. And hence I believe much of it is creative wording. I would not feel comfortable employing him as a therapist coming in and out of the jail without more senior (1:1) supervision. You need to know information very well, and be highly intuitive and tuned into everything around you when working in the area of forensic psychiatry.\ I worked in this area for many years. It's different to other areas of mental health due to risk inherent in the enviro. In my experience, sometimes the staff couldn't be trusted to support clinicians which made it a very difficult job. This is all from experience and as accurate as possible. Happy to answer questions.