After a seven year hiatus, critics of Scientology have announced their annual Howdycon gathering is set to return this September in support of the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation.
Howdycon was started by Underground Bunker journalist Tony Ortega in 2016 and offered Scientology watchers the opportunity to meet the activists, critics and ex-Scientologists leading the way in calls for ending the church’s abusive practices.
Events took place in Cleveland (2016), Denver (2017), Chicago (2018) and Los Angeles (2019) before taking a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Howdycon is now set to return on 18th – 20th September 2026 in New London, Connecticut with a number of guest speakers already announced including:
Tony Ortega, 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.
Claire Headley, born and raised in Scientology and spent 30 years in the organisation. 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, former Scientology London staffer and now an activist speaking 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, whose 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, who left Scientology after 40 years. 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.
and Chris Shelton, 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.
The event is proudly brought to you by The Underground Bunker and us here at Scientology Business, with all proceeds going towards the Aftermath Foundation.
Howdycon 2026 will kick off on Friday 18th September with welcome drinks and registration. The following day, attendees will gather at a nearby venue to hear a variety of survivor stories and panel discussions and departures are set for Sunday 20th September. A full agenda will be announced in due course, but tickets are on sale now and already selling fast.
The event has an extremely limited capacity, so those looking to attend are advised to book sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. A group discount is also available at a nearby hotel.
Speaking to Scientology Business, Tony Ortega said “I write about a lot of hardworking people who have taken great risks to expose the abuses of Scientology. I created HowdyCon simply as a way for these people to get together in a social setting to show our respect and support for each other. It’s gratifying that Patty, Phil, and Alex have taken it upon themselves to bring back this tradition.”
Tickets are available at howdycon2026.com.
