WTF is on my Mind?!
Author, Speaker, Whistleblower and award-winning Director Mark Vicente was behind the sleeper hit “What The Bleep Do We Know?!” Several books have been written about the film’s remarkable grassroots marketing campaign, which led to its unprecedented success.
Mark was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1965. Taking his first photograph at age four, he quickly discovered his passion for being behind the camera. After attending film and drama school in South Africa, he began working his way up the ranks of the camera department, from Assistant to Operator to Cinematographer. His first big break came as Director of Photography on the musical “SARAFINA,” starring Whoopi Goldberg. In 1992, he set his sights on Hollywood and relocated to Los Angeles to shoot his first studio picture for Disney; “FATHERHOOD,” starring Patrick Swayze and Halle Berry. At the age of 26, he became one of the youngest cinematographers to shoot a big-budget studio picture.
Over the next few decades, he went on to shoot an additional 14 feature films and numerous documentaries, music videos and commercials. Mark soon found there were in him, untold stories he desperately wanted to express as a Director. He was driven by the conviction that tales of greatness, nobility and introspection could be exciting and financially successful.
Perhaps because of the very obvious race and class iniquities in South Africa, he found himself propelled to question certain fundamental assumptions at a very young age. Beliefs about human behavior, cosmology, religion, existentialism and mysticism. Along the way, he stumbled into a few situations where leaders with malignant pathologies (masquerading as saintly philosophers) spoke the talk of self-improvement but did untold damage to their followers... and him.
Looking back, he can now say he has been in at least two cults. His last foray into personal growth and his defection from NXIVM was chronicled in the HBO series “The Vow”. Mark and a few plucky whistleblowers exposed the criminal activities of the organization, resulting in multiple arrests and indictments. He doesn’t consider himself a cult expert, but by his own admission, “I’m an expert in being screwed over, waking up, and knowing how to spot them.” He’s got a pretty salty approach to most things and is fascinated by the myriad patterns in the human psychodynamic that create the best and the worst in civilization.
Join Mark as he unpacks a whole range of topics to do with: Psychology, Consciousness, Morality, Narcissistic Abuse, Spirituality, Cults, Propaganda, Science, Filmmaking, and Philosophy.You never quite know what you’re going to get, as it really does depend on… WTF is on his mind?!
WTF is on my Mind?!
Say Everything or Say Nothing? The Dilemma of Free Expression w/ Africa Brooke
In this deeply insightful and unfiltered conversation, I speak with return guest Africa Brooke. Africa is a writer, speaker, and thought leader known for her work on self-censorship, self-sabotage, and personal transformation. The discussion explores the tension between speaking one’s truth and navigating societal pressures, tribalism, and ideological conformity. Africa and I challenge listeners to reflect on their beliefs, fears, and the cost of authenticity in today’s world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with the tension between personal expression and societal expectations. If you've ever felt stifled, censored, or conflicted about speaking your truth, this conversation will give you the tools and reflections to navigate it with greater confidence.
Previous WTF podcast episode with Africa: Brave Expression in the Age of Intolerance
My appearance on Africa's podcast "Beyond the Self" Releasing Cult Like thinking & Rigid Identities w/ Mark Vicente
https://africabrooke.com/
Africa's Book: The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in The Age of Intolerance
An open letter: why I'm leaving the cult of wokeness by Africa Brooke
Key Topics Discussed
- The Power & Cost of Speaking Out
- Mark shares his journey as a whistleblower and observer of cult-like behaviors across societal structures.
- Africa discusses self-censorship and how people suppress their true thoughts out of fear of social rejection.
- Navigating Identity & Ideological Tribes
- Why people are pressured to "pick a side" and the dangers of binary thinking.
- Africa’s perspective on her book The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in the Age of Intolerance and the importance of embracing nuance.
- Personal Freedom vs. Social Acceptance
- Mark explores his past struggles with needing external validation for his beliefs.
- How childhood experiences shape our willingness to express ourselves fully.
- The Role of Specificity in Truth-Telling
- The challenge of being specific in criticism without triggering ideological resistance.
- Discussing controversial figures and how society justifies actions based on perceived "good vs. evil" narratives.
- Tribalism & Cognitive Dissonance
- Why humans instinctively form groups and resist opposing viewpoints.
- How past societal and political manipulations have exploited this human tendency.
The views and opinions expressed on WTF is on my Mind?! do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast or Mark Vicente. Any content provided by guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything.
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