By Heidi Hutchinson
In my opinion, Barbara Bouchey is in denial. I hope it helps her with everyone else, for me to say so.
She’s getting better than when I first met her in 2011, but even this past summer, we were still arguing over whether or not Keith could be a genius despite cheating on the only IQ test he apparently ever took.
We also argued over whether or not she was “love bombed” — Barbara then vehemently denied being so — after she casually described the cruelest “love-bombing” experiences I’ve ever heard of, including those excuses the harem made about why she wasn’t allowed in the accounting office for her own sake, because of her own “issues,” etc.
Denial can be a very strange, defensive, inflexible, delusional, sometimes hysterically self-protective state.
What looks like a blatant lie or inconsistency could be “honest,” utter self-deception. What looks like a bully — by her taking over a conversation — could be someone desperately shutting out truth or other realities they can’t yet face.
It’s said you don’t know what anyone’s been through until you walk a mile in their moccasins. Pray you never have to tread where Barbara and many NX victims have been with the psychological torment Raniere, Salzman and their minions inflicted.
Barbara could try to understand how scary the prospect of NX continuing on in any way, shape or form is to other victims — those less in denial — for her part. But that would mean accepting the horrendous reality of what NX is and ever was: a sex & money girl trap schemed by a filthy, thieving, power-mongering, misogynist pedophile and nothing more. Ever.
Frank Parlato 
Janine Morrison 
J.J. O'Hara 
Richard Luthmann 
Marie White 
Paul Serran
Please leave a comment: Your opinion is important to us!
Ron L Hubbard copied Alistair Crowley, who created the OTO, a satanic child rape and murder cult, based on Freemasonry.
Scientology is a CIA mind control cult.
No doubt this one is as well, the CIA runs the biggest child trafficking business in the world.
These are facts, look them up.
Read up on the CIA and MKULTRA mind control
nice article Heidi. 5 cookie rating.
It’s interesting to learn how so many women who sought out help from Keith for something they thought they were lacking, and by spending tons of their hard-earned money on this, they could possibly enrich their lives by learning more about themselves? Sounds pretty easy, huh? Little did they know at the time, Keith was far more damaged than they ever were. Question: Do we equally blame the enablers who supported Keith’s actions?
That’s how the law works. Enablers and leaders are treated essentially the same, all of them broke laws. The leaders and those who broke more laws are treated more harshly than those who didn’t lead and didn’t break as many laws, so it doesn’t matter what “we” think, it’s already defined by the law. The law “pre-thinks” what “we” think, so we don’t get caught up in the emotions of the moment. It’s called an eye for an eye.
It’s got to be hard to admit that you were hoodwinked into this whole scheme for years, devoting time, money and effort to what was essentially a fraud. The realization would be beyond painful.
It’s also hard to admit that someone who purported to love you with all his heart did not care one iota about you, or anyone else for that matter.
I agree that KAR is and was all about himself and his selfish desires. He just needed the right “platform” from which to launch his machinations. CBI didn’t work for very long, so he came up with ESP/NXIVM of whatever the hell. If he could have achieved his goals through a hot dog stand, he would have tried it.
Just speculation, of course!
You’re right, Orangecounty
I agree. It must be very hard to come to terms with spending nine years with someone and realising it meant nothing then to be hit with all the lawsuits and for him to be out to completely destroy you for years after not to mention all the crazy shit on top of that. I don’t agree with her view of nxivm doing good but I can completely understand why she believes this and why she would want to believe this. I mean something good had to come out of the nine years of living a lie right? And the subsequent lawsuit onslaught. I do think for some people, until they are ready to face things which will be painful, will convince themselves just to lessen the blow until they, hopefully, face the reality head on but it has to be in their own time. I can’t criticise them for that, it must be painful.
Yes, Natashka, imagine how terribly, bitterly painful living with that realization.
The good of Barbara’s role and sacrifice of those 9 years, IMO, was what she did to shake NX loose and help bring it down, ultimately. And she brings such tremendous value sharing her truth in her recovery even as Barb makes her own discoveries — as the horribly hidden pieces of the puzzle emerge.
It is of value, I agree and that might be therapeutic for Barbara. I hope it gives courage to others to talk and, if one person resonates with what she says and it helps them to move forward in their own way, that’s immense. We have all made mistakes and it takes guts to speak about it publicly. We have to find our own path and do what is in our best interests not what the internet thinks is acceptable or not acceptable. Hope you are ok, Barbara!
Barb didn’t do nearly enough, and the others involved didn’t either. Mainly, they didn’t work together and publicly, to put pressure on the media, politicians, and law enforcement. That’s why it took so long to take NXIVM down.
Didn’t she try though? The corruption was deep. She was being pursued relentlessly and sued until bankrupt so couldn’t defend herself let alone bring the whole lot down. She went through a lot and deserves some credit. It’s easy to say she could have/should have but in reality she was up against it. You have to acknowledge that at least Scott!
True, Orange. I think Henry Kissinger — some disgusting old fool who always had hot chicks hanging on him — said “power is an aphrodisiac.”
If being a “hot dog” meister (lol) conveyed more of a power illusion than being, say, “genius Vanguard,” KAR would have sworn he invented pigs.
…Just all about serving KAR’s abnormal, destructive pedo sex and other psycho misogynistic maliciousness he found so endlessly satisfying in his delusion of superior omniscience!
Hard for anyone to swallow the fact they were — however knowingly or not — made a part of something so devious and hellacious.
In a way, it’s poetic justice that nowadays KAR finds so very little satisfying. A glutton while free, he’s a glutton imprisoned – lining up for the prison’s lowest quality food and drink. No sex, no luxuries, no free will. That is at least some form of justice.
Heidi – that was the best article I’ve read in a long time. Very well said.
Excellent opinion piece Heidi. I agree with what you’ve said and do wish and Bouchey well in her continued recovery.
What “good” came from NXIVM that couldn’t have been obtained from somewhere else? Raniere, and even L. Ron Hubbard, never made any real valid claims that weren’t already published. For example, the basic Scientology stuff is just regurgitated from Psychology 101 with the added whacky Hubbard claims of past lives, which is essentially a variation of reincarnation, which Hubbard then takes credit for. I suspect Raniere did the same thing, as proven by his numerous patent claims that were nothing more than obvious and frivolous things that he attempted to take credit.
Any person who was ever involved with these organizations and experienced any benefit could likely have received that same benefit from another source without all the negative consequences had they just been able to step away and discern a little more objectively.
On the nose, Jarhead. First thing they rob you of is that “objective discernment” you mention — if there is such a thing to begin with, really. But ultimately wiping out any other thought influence and subjecting all to KAR’s “superior” judgement is the objective.
Few understand how intense, sublime and permanent this mental conditioning can be. To the point the only right from wrong or bad from good is what the leader dictates.
I always enjoy your point of view Heidi I loved your article
Heidi, thanks for reinforcing my stating when the balance sheet is added up, NXIVM tech needs to go. Salvage nothing.
Then again, Leah Remini and Tory Mahoo are of the opinion there is some good in Scuentology.
There is no NXIVM “tech,” it’s all taken, combined, and twisted from other nutty programs.
Duh!
Scott, I said that on this blog many times.
And your point was? Hmmm?
G,
Scott has no critical thinking skills of course he is going to plagiarize you.
I have to agree with Heidi on this one.
At times, Barbara appears as wishy-washy in defense of Keith and NXIVM. She needs to come to grips with and realize that Keith is a horrible, horrible person.
At times, Barbara remembers Keith and flashes her doe eyes. Even though she was a target of Keith’s vicious attacks. And even though she was put through the ringer, it sounds disingenuous when she reminisces about the good times with Keith.
Barb, please stop lionizing your time with this monster. Liberate yourself once and for all. Come back to the folds of reality.
Raniere is out of the picture. I feel sorry for the guy she wants to marry and have sex with.
Ever since the torture of her session with what’s her name (the one booted from the Today show), I have always been under the impression she is waiting for Raniere to come make her his one and only.
Then again, Nancy is telling people she has done good, and Raniere is telling people he is getting out.
They are all delusional.
The prison sentences will fix all of that delusion.
For B.B. 💖
The pot calling the kettle black. A screwed up Mormon telling someone from another disfunctional upbringing that she’s screwed up. I’ve seen it all now. LOL
Scott Johnson,
The guy that signed on to an all ready existent class action lawsuit and believes he his a hero. Scott you are a nobody. Your claim to fame is running a website that has 6 hits. LOL
Who are you? Scott you go around commenting on other people’s blogs. Congratulations, that’s quite an accomplishment. Scott Johnson can take shots at women. Why are you so angry at women?
Scott, what’s going on with that Freddie Mercury mustache?
What’s up with that comment you made about Keith Raniere being so hot that inmates in prison, in your own words, want to “f*ck his a$$”………
……Wow, Scott, that was quite the statement. I bet no other straight guys on the Frankreport thought of that angle. LOL
Scott, all of your anger at women makes so much sense now.
You are a closeted man. It’s okay Scott.
There is a large community of people just like you.
I am sure with your Freddie Mercury mustache you will fit right in.
I bet Frank Parlato will still let you comment on his website after you come out.
I bet even NutJob will give you a virtual hug…..
I bet you’re too scared to come on my radio show, because I’ll make you look like the fool you are! LOL
Scott,
If I went on your radio show, no one would know it because no one listens to your show.
I will go on your radio(podcast) show after Frank Parlato goes on your show. LOL
Uh oh, niceguy. There is no deleting your FR tweets. I promise I will listen when you do the show.
Frank was already on the show. It is held on Saturdays at 8:30 pm Eastern time, the phone number to call is 347-237-4097. Provide the last 4 digits of the telephone number you’re calling from so we can tie you into the call. Call at 8:15 and wait on the line. Unless you’re scar-wed, of course. LOL
NutJob,
Frank Parlato went in the Scott Johnson show?
My my “little bird’s”, understanding is that Scott has asked Frank twice about appearing on his show.
Your little bird brain failed you. Again. LOL
LOL.
Niceguy just repeated Scott’s name 8 times in a single post, which is not only creepy but downright stalker-like.
Oh well, at least he got over his addiction to saying “Bangkok/Scott” in combination, over and over, in the same post. 🙂
He often fixates on certain people and loves to repeat their names, for reasons I have yet to understand.
He’s also fond of making lots of short posts — sometimes replying to himself multiple times in the same thread — often naming the object of his fixation over and over, with no coherent reason for doing so.
I think his sugar mama (the attorney and breadwinner of his family) needs to spend more time at home with him —- so he doesn’t become so lonely that he needs to fixate on certain members over and over. 🙂
He either fixates on Scott, Bangkok and Burke OR he puckers up his lips and proceeds to kiss the asses of Heidi, Frank or Claviger.
This guy is a real piece of work. He’s a psychologist’s DREAM client. They could study his warped mind for years and probably find all kinds of weird shit floating around in there. lol.
Bangkok(Scott Johnson),
As long as you attack and malign innocent people, I will be right there to remind you of what a worthless loser you are.
I am no more obsessed with you as you are obsessed with attacking innocent people.
Scott, if your are so interested with helping people, why do you attack the innocent?
Scott, why do you comment on how many times Barbara slept with Raniere?
Scott, are you secretly jealous of Barbara?
Scott, you did state the following:
“Oh, Raniere’s “charisma” definitely has an effect on the prison populace, they want to f*ck him in the a$$.”
Sounds like someone has the hots for Vanguard…….
LOL
Barbara,
If you think this well written article by Heidi is unfair wait until the “court of public” opinion weighs in, on your defense of Nxivm doing some good.
Tens of thousands of people on social networks in addition to the media are going to jump on you for your defense of “Nxivm doing some good.”
Barbara can you please wait until the trial is over to defend the “good Nxivm did”?
Please for your own sake. I do not want to see your reputation obliterated after you have been through so much and fought so hard for so long.
I agree with Barb that NXIVM did some good. It had to, or it wouldn’t have lasted as long as it did. All MLMs work like this, you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.
For once I agree with Heidi Hutchinson.
Barb does seem like a nice person overall, but I have to agree with Heidi that Barb suffers from strong ‘denial’.
For instance, Barb has convinced herself (and honestly expects us to believe) that she didn’t know Keith was ’emotionally’ involved with other harem members. LOL.
However, I believe that Barb chose to overlook Keith’s many emotional relationships (with other harem members) because she HONESTLY THOUGHT that she was Keith’s Queen Bee forever —- and that he’d never trade her in for a ‘newer model’ as she got older. That was the fairy tale she told herself.
But as she advanced in age and it became apparent that Keith would rather fuck younger harem members in their 20’s — I truly believe that’s when Barb decided to leave NXIVM and break up with Keith.
I truly believe that she left Keith (and NXIVM) out of anger and/or jealously after having been reduced from Queen Bee status to granny harem member status (just like Karen U, Nancy and the other women from his 1990’s harem).
The only difference is that the other granny members didn’t mind him preferring younger girls, whereas Barb did mind.
It’s just my opinion of course, but I think it’s very logical.
I think Barb’s upbringing was so screwed up that she had no reasonable foundation for her outlook. So when Raniere came along, she was ripe for the picking.
Scott I think your upbringing “was screwed up”.
Scott you are the pot calling the kettle black. Scott what your foundation? Seriously Scott you are not grounded in reality whatsoever.
Would you like to talk about that on my radio show? LOL
You’re right, Heidi.
Read Catherine Oxenberg’s book “Captive” where she describes all the NXIVM women lining up to be French Kissed by Raniere.
NXIVM. Come for the self-help classes. Stay for the Ten Day Long Orgies.
Can you and Heidi prove that Barb witnessed all of the things that happened in NXIVM?
Can you and Heidi prove that Barb witnessed all of the things that happened in NXIVM?
A picture is worth a thousand words.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtlvvZOBODG/
From my e book copy of “Captive” by Catherine Oxenberg.
One blonde in particular reached him first, threw her arms around him, hugged him full body, and kissed him on the lips like a lover. I’d noticed her when we first arrived but didn’t know who she was. Someone whispered, “That’s the actress from Smallville,” but I’d never seen the TV show, so I didn’t recognize her —her name was Allison Mack. After he finished kissing Allison, he tended to the others. One by one, he gave each a tight, extended hug and a kiss on the lips—long, lingering, deep kisses, with plenty of penetrating eye gazing. It was bizarrely intimate.
Just as bizarre was what wasn’t happening. Here was Casper—a hunky Hollywood celebrity in a gym in suburban Albany, New York—with dozens of female groupies in the room, and none of them gave him a single glance. Not one! I had never seen this happen before; he might as well have been invisible. Keith had a Svengali hold on people that eclipsed everything and everyone else.
Now Vanguard headed toward me. Casper watched from the other side of the gym, eyeing us like a hawk. Keith came up close, too close—I could smell his bad BO—and fixed his Casanova stare on me. That’s when I saw . . . this Don Juan was cross-eyed! He leaned in, lips puckered, and I put up my hand like a crossing guard that tells kids: Do Not Cross This Line. As if I was going to let a stranger who’d just French-kissed the entire cheerleading squad and thought women were “entitled, overemotional, self-serving, weak-willed, and indulgent” kiss me? Never going to happen, my friend. I stuck out my hand.
Are you convinced now, Scott?
I’m not convinced at all. That had nothing to do with Barb, and most of it happened after Barb left.
Scott,
“Can you prove”, Scott no one has to prove anything to you. You are just a loser.
You fell for an MLM and stayed for years. What’s your excuse?
Scott, in your own words your feel no remorse for harming innocent people. You are the definition of low life.
Who are you to judge anyone?
You are a loser. Your not even a nice loser. LOL
I feel no remorse for picking on a little loser like you. You are a tool. You like to think you are a some kind of avenger and want people to believe your fighting against MLM’s. The reality is quite different. You comment( write) more on this website in a week than you write in a year on your own website.
Scott, how do you explain the discrepancy between the comments on this site and the contribution you make to your own website? LOL
You can not explain. Scott you like to pretend you have accomplished something because in real life you are just a loser.
I never said I had no remorse for people who were scammed by Amway because of my efforts. I can explain everything on the radio show you’re too scared to be on. I’ll just do it by myself. LOL
Scott,
You stated something along lines of you have no remorse because you believed it was a legitimate business.
Are you now claiming to have remorse?
Scott, you flip flop like a politician.
Probably because you lack a spine.
Scott,
What do “Barb”, and Heidi have to prove to you?
Scott you are a nobody.
I didn’t ask Barb or Heidi to prove anything. I asked Mr. Shadow. LOL
Lol. I’m a proud, lucky owner of an inscribed, autographed copy of “Captive” — Catherine Oxenberg’s captivating account of nearly losing her daughter to NX but ultimately winning the battle to free India and bring her captors to justice! Those real-life windows into what Catherine witnessed first-hand, do say so much about the cult, in hindsight.
I’m sorry, Heidi, but I do not buy such a pretentious account from Catherine Oxenberg’s. She asks-if this was the image that Keith had on that occasion as she left her own daughter in this cult in the first place.