TONY ORTEGA

Tony Ortega is a journalist who was formerly the editor of The Village Voice. He’s written about Scientology since 1995, and in May 2015 released a book about Scientology’s harassment of Paulette Cooper titled ‘The Unbreakable Miss Lovely.

He now runs The Underground Bunker and is looking forward to hosting this year’s Howdycon.

“Howdy said it was crazy to meet up with people you know from the Internet. And how right he was! I only wish Captain Howdy was here to tell us we were crazy to do this thing again!”

CLAIRE HEADLEY

Claire Headley was born and raised in Scientology and spent 30 years in the organization. She served as a high-ranking executive at the church’s International base before escaping shortly after her husband, Marc, in 2005.

In 2023, Claire testified as an Expert Witness on Scientology in the Danny Masterson trial. She is the current president of the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping people leave Scientology.

ALEX BARNES-ROSS

Previously a staff member at the Church of Scientology London, Alexander Barnes-Ross now speaks out against the organisation’s abusive practices in the UK. He serves as Editor of Scientology Business and host of the Apostate Alex channel on Youtube.

Since 2023, his activism has received international press attention (The Times, The Guardian, Daily Mail, The Observer, BBC News, RadarOnline, Newsweek, The Sun). Through his work with the Family Survival Trust and the National Working Group on Spiritual and Ritual Abuse, Alex also campaigns for the legislative change needed for survivors to seek justice in the UK.

PATTY MOHER

Patty’s career in Scientology spanned over 27 years. She joined the Boston Guardian’s Office in 1979, running Scientology’s ‘social reform’ front groups in New England for a time until leaving in 1981 to start a family. She escaped the subsequent purges and abolition of the GO. She was eventually re-recruited as an OSA volunteer in the 1980s.

She began with ‘overt data collection’ against Scientology’s enemies (for instance, using public records to obtain information on them), then graduated to covert activity such as infiltration and stealing trash from those deemed enemies of Scientology.

PHIL JONES

Having spent nearly 40 years in Scientology, Phil Jones left the organization over a decade ago. He’s now out and working as Executive Director of The Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation. The foundation’s purpose is to help those who escape Scientology get back on their feet outside of the cult. 

Phil and his wife still have two grown children trapped in Scientology and have made numerous attempts to contact them, without success. Phil and his wife’s home is always open and will welcome them whenever they decide to break free of Scientology.

In the meantime, Phil works to help those who do leave Scientology and need some help doing so. He can also be found at times, throwing in his two cents about the world of Scientology, on the Underground Bunker’s Group Therapy weekly podcast.

CHRIS SHELTON

Chris Shelton is a writer, educator, and former Scientologist who has spent over a decade studying cult psychology, coercive control, and ideological extremism.

Through his podcast, interviews, and public education work, he helps people understand how manipulation works — and how recovery is possible.