Histories
These are the experiences of myself and others with RJ Testerman and his organizations, the Welcomed Consensus and Free the Need.
KQED: Is a San Francisco ‘Sex Cult’ Subjecting People to Abuse?
Rather than enlightenment, however, nearly a dozen ex-members, students and other affiliates have come forward to tell KQED about a consistent pattern of psychological and sexual abuse at the hands of the Welcomed Consensus, and its leader Robert “RJ” Testerman, over the past three decades.
A Madrone Cult Story
This is Nat’s full journal of her time at The Ranch, A Madrone Cult Story – with pictures. It’s long but worth the read. She does a good job 0f describing the subtle messaging and red flags she encountered along the way and how it affected her. Below is an excerpt and her conclusion after
Recruiting for The Welcomed Consensus
The following events took place from 1998 to 2001, after Dennis and I moved out of The Welcomed Consensus house on Joost Avenue in San Francisco. We had left because I was unwilling to participate in yet another Touch and Look course. RJ told me I had to leave, but after everything that had happened
Jordan and Arden’s Visit to Madrone Ranch and Gardens in Yreka CA
We spent four days at “The Ranch” as Workaway volunteers in 2023 before realizing the true nature of the ranch and quickly fleeing. We were not indoctrinated, we were not members, and we are relatively unscathed. But we are the lucky ones. It’s now our mission to prevent any other unsuspecting farmstay-seeking volunteers from stumbling
- Published in Histories
Allyson’s Story
*Please read with caution, graphic violence is described. In 1998, when I was 26 years old, I met The Welcomed Consensus. I was involved with them until 2000. In 2019, I received a call from a producer who wanted to do an HBO documentary on OneTaste, a company that teaches courses similar to The Welcomed
- Published in Histories
Welcomed Consensus Student Comment
A student of the Welcomed Consensus posted a comment about her experience. Vulnerability = chum in the water for this group of practiced predators.
- Published in Histories
The Welcomed Consensus: The Commodification of Abuse
After leaving America for Europe in November of 1989, I came back to visit a few times. During my first visit, the rift between RJ and me was mostly healed.
- Published in Histories
Back in the Fold
In 1988 I was 23 years old. After Kevin and I broke up I moved back to Redwood City. There was a brief stint at my parents’ house, but we started where we had left off – in the shitter.
- Published in Histories
Something Wild
I was 24 and my friend Steve invited me to a party. Then he hedged and said it wasn’t exactly a party, but more of an event. He went on to explain that the event consisted of playing social games.
- Published in Histories