May we always honor the memories of those lost on this day, 9/11 and may we never forget. If we can only do one thing today in memory, it would be enough for us to stop, pause, and hold in our hearts a moment of prayer for the lives lost. Another meaningful way to carry their legacy forward is through service. Many incredible organizations continue this work; here are just a few:
911day.org/about-911-day/ 9/11 Day is a nonprofit organization founded by David Paine and Jay Winuk to transform September 11 into a National Day of Service and kindness-organizing volunteer projects, education efforts, and acts of compassion-to honor those lost, support responders and survivors, and revive unity.
the911promise.org/ The 9.11 Promise is a nonprofit that honors the sacrifice and heroism of first responders and military service members affected by September 11 by hosting endurance events and awarding scholarships to their children.
voicescenter.org/ Voices Center for Resilience provides long-term support and resources for 9/11 survivors, responders, and victims’ families, helping them heal and build resilience through peer groups, workshops, mental wellness programs, and community connections.
There are many touching memorials that are also worth visiting and supporting. Scroll pics to learn more. ~The Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, VA ~The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA ~The Survivor Tree in New York City
When I look back at this class picture of me at P.S. 200 in Bensonhurst, I can promise you one thing: I wasn’t thinking about what the teachers were going through. At that age, I was more worried about my hair, clearly. I have, however, come to appreciate just how much teachers do, often without the resources they need. That’s why I’ve supported @donorschooseorg throughout the years. In honor of back-to-school season, I want to continue that support and encourage others to join in, if you haven’t already. It's an incredible organization that helps teachers get the supplies their classrooms often lack, so kids can focus on being kids and get the tools they need. If you are able to, I encourage you to check out the @donorschooseorg projects I’ve highlighted in the links below or browse the site to choose a class to support. Even the smallest contribution can make a huge difference. Thank you!
I always feel a little torn posting on a day like today.
I never quite know what to say to truly acknowledge the brave Americans who lost their lives serving our country.
Their sacrifice is impossible to put into words.
They never came home because they chose to serve something bigger than themselves.
Every single one of them left behind people who loved them and whom they loved back: families, friends, entire communities…they carry their loss every day.
To our Gold Star families, you have our deepest gratitude.
Today would have been Mike Rinder’s 70th birthday. And even though it’s been 95 days since he passed away, it still feels like it happened just yesterday. My heartbreak has only deepened as I miss him in my life.
I always told Mike how much he meant to me, but as I was traveling to Florida to see him for what ended up being the last time, I sent this note to him.
I’m posting this note because I want to keep Mike’s memory alive and for people to understand what an incredible man he was, far beyond the amazing work he did to combat Scientology.
Dear Mikey,
I’ve been sitting here trying to find the words, but how do I express something so enormous? My therapist asked me if there was anything I wanted to say to you, and the answer is yes—there’s so much I always wanted to say. Yet, even as I try, it’s hard to put my feelings into words because saying it out loud feels too much like goodbye. And I am not ready to say goodbye.
Mike you mean everything to me. I can’t even begin to describe the place you hold in my heart. The other day, my mother said, “Mike is like a father to you, isn’t he?” At first, I didn’t know how to respond because we’re close in age, lol , But when I really thought about it, I realized she was right. You’ve been the father I never had, the one man I could look up to, trust without question, and know would always be there for me. You are there for me in ways, no man has ever been, you have been my strength and you truly are my hero, and I never realized how I worked to make you proud of me, something I never achieved with my father.
You’ve also been so much more. You’ve been my brother, my protector, my safe harbor in life’s storms. You’ve been my friend in ways I didn’t even know were possible. The kind of friend who loves unconditionally, who stands by me no matter what, who lifts me up even when I can’t see a way forward.
Without you by my side, I couldn’t do any of it.
Mike, you saved my life. Truly, you did. You were the first person I turned to when I thought about leaving Scientology, and without you, I don’t think I ever could have done it. You gave me courage when I had none. You gave me hope when I felt lost. You gave me strength when I was at my weakest. You didn’t just save me, you saved my family. And you saved my Sofia from a life of torture and abuse.
You’ve helped so many people, many of whom you’ll never even know. Your kindness, your wisdom, your strength , your humor, your Australian-ness, your heart-you’ve changed the world for the better, and you have changed me forever.
I can’t imagine my world without you in it, without you to lean on, to call, to annoy the shit out of you with my stupid questions about how to take the evil that is Scientology out of the world… The thought of losing you shatters me in ways I can’t even begin to describe.
A piece of my heart will break, and it will never fully heal. Never.
There is no one like you, Mike. No one who could ever fill the space you have in my life and in my heart.
I never knew a man like you before, and I know I never will again. You are one of a kind, and the bond we share is something I’ll carry with me forever. I don’t have the words to tell you how much I love you, but please know it’s a love that is as deep as it is enduring.
A bench has been dedicated in Mike Rinder’s honor—a place for families to connect, to reflect, and to remember those they love.
Mike’s greatest wish was to end Scientology’s cruel disconnection policy, to help families find their way back to each other.
This bench is meant to be a space where people can sit, think, and, hopefully, reconnect with loved ones.
Whether you live in Clearwater or are just visiting, I hope this spot brings comfort and reflection.
Christie Collbran Rinder (Mike’s wife), Claire Headley, and I chose the perfect spot—a place where people can pause and honor the ones they’ve lost or those they still hope to reunite with.
In loving memory of my dear friend and brother, and a friend to so many—my Mikey.
A heartfelt thank-you to the City of Clearwater, FL, for helping make this possible.
In early January, I was on a plane to Florida with Claire Headley to see our friend Mike Rinder in what ended up being his final days.
I brought up an idea: Would the board of the Aftermath Foundation consider renaming the organization in Mike’s honor?
The Aftermath Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of helping those who want to leave Scientology and the Sea Org but lack a system of support they can rely on while getting on their feet in the outside world.
The Aftermath Foundation was inspired by our A&E documentary series and those who were brave enough to tell us their stories, but the truth is, without Mike’s position in Scientology and his fearless fight to expose them after he escaped, there would have been no Aftermath series—no movement like this at all.
Many of our courageous contributors asked to share their stories largely due to Mike’s position in Scientology and his unwavering courage.
Before I could even finish my thought, Claire said tearfully, “Yes, let me take it to the board.” Within 24 hours, the board unanimously agreed. The Aftermath Foundation is now named the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation.
I had hoped Claire and I would be able to tell Mike about this together—I had naively and wholeheartedly believed he was going to pull through.
It’s been nearly two months since Mike’s passing, and if I am being completely honest and vulnerable, I haven’t been able to get over this loss. I’ve only left the house four times in a month, and I still can’t find peace with my reality without him.
I hope you all had a chance to read Mike’s final post on his blog and honor him by continuing to do the work he dedicated his life to, in whatever way you can.
I have linked to Mike’s final post at the end of this post.
Please keep Mike’s memory alive and honor his legacy by continuing the fight. We all miss Mike very much, and my world just feels off its axis. But we will keep working to expose Scientology and David Miscavige for what they are, and we will do it in Mike’s name.
Thank you to the board of the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation for bringing Mike’s name into your important legacy, and thank you, in particular, to all those who help grant recipients get back on their feet after they make the brave decision to escape from Scientology.
I also want to personally thank all of you who made a contribution to the college fund of Mike and Christie’s son Jack. Raising money for that fund was one of Mike’s final wishes.
Finally, please take a moment to learn more about the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation—click here: bit.ly/41mUFbX
On Sunday, we lost a giant, and I lost a man who was more than a friend—he was my family.
It’s impossible to imagine the last 13 years of my life without Mike Rinder. He was my anchor, my trusted partner, and my closest confidant. The thought of moving forward without him feels unbearable.
When I left Scientology, Mike was one of the first people I turned to. From that moment, he became my lifeline. Together, we embarked on an incredible journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Fair Game. But Mike was so much more than my partner in this fight—he was my brother, my father, my best friend… in every way that mattered.
Mike saved my life and the life of my daughter. He stood by me through battles that felt insurmountable, giving me strength when I had none left. I owe him a debt I could never repay.
I haven’t yet come to terms with the reality that I can’t call him, text him, or hear his voice anymore. I am shattered in ways I never thought possible, overwhelmed by the weight of this loss. I have cried endlessly and can’t seem to move from my bed since coming home from being with him and his grieving family.
I’ll have so much more to say about Mike and the legacy he leaves behind—words that will attempt to honor his immeasurable contribution to this world, to my life, and to the lives of countless others.
But for now, I want to honor his memory by fulfilling one of his last wishes: encouraging support for his son Jack’s college fund.
In his post-Scientology life, Mike was a man transformed. He worked tirelessly to right the wrongs of his past and beyond. He owed no one anything. Mike was offered a lot of money to stay silent about Scientology’s criminal activities, and he refused and did the work. There was not one call that Mike didn’t take, not one person Mike didn’t try to help, despite the many heartbreaks he endured from those who needed him. Mike also became an incredible husband and an attentive, loving father to Jack and his stepson Shane.
One of the many heartbreaks Mike suffered was the absence of his older children, Taryn and Benjamin, who disconnected from him due to Scientology’s cruel policies after he courageously escaped its abuse.
Mike adored Jack, who is just 12 years old. He was consumed with knowing he wouldn’t be there to see Jack grow into adulthood.
If you’re able, I hope you’ll join me in contributing to Jack’s college fund, ensuring that Mike’s dreams for his son can still come true.
Please keep Mike’s brave and devoted wife, Christie, their son Jack, and Mike’s stepson Shane in your thoughts and prayers. They’ve lost a husband and father whose love knew no bounds, and I’ve lost someone whose presence in my life was irreplaceable.
My Mikey, I will miss you every day, and I just don’t know how to do it without you.
Homes For Our Troops is a great organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.
A celebrity auction to benefit Homes For Our Troops has some great lots to bid on, from private lunches with some of your favorite TV and movie stars to one-on-one Zoom calls with some of your favorite celebrities and ticket-and-meet-and-greet packages.
The auction ends tomorrow, so get your bids in now to help these brave vets!
Leah Remini
Leah Remini
May we always honor the memories of those lost on this day, 9/11 and may we never forget. If we can only do one thing today in memory, it would be enough for us to stop, pause, and hold in our hearts a moment of prayer for the lives lost. Another meaningful way to carry their legacy forward is through service. Many incredible organizations continue this work; here are just a few:
911day.org/about-911-day/
9/11 Day is a nonprofit organization founded by David Paine and Jay Winuk to transform September 11 into a National Day of Service and kindness-organizing volunteer projects, education efforts, and acts of compassion-to honor those lost, support responders and survivors, and revive unity.
the911promise.org/
The 9.11 Promise is a nonprofit that honors the sacrifice and heroism of first responders and military service members affected by September 11 by hosting endurance events and awarding scholarships to their children.
voicescenter.org/
Voices Center for Resilience provides long-term support and resources for 9/11 survivors, responders, and victims’ families, helping them heal and build resilience through peer groups, workshops, mental wellness programs, and community connections.
There are many touching memorials that are also worth visiting and supporting. Scroll pics to learn more.
~The Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, VA
~The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA
~The Survivor Tree in New York City
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 366
View 14 replies
Leah Remini
When I look back at this class picture of me at P.S. 200 in Bensonhurst, I can promise you one thing: I wasn’t thinking about what the teachers were going through. At that age, I was more worried about my hair, clearly. I have, however, come to appreciate just how much teachers do, often without the resources they need. That’s why I’ve supported @donorschooseorg throughout the years. In honor of back-to-school season, I want to continue that support and encourage others to join in, if you haven’t already. It's an incredible organization that helps teachers get the supplies their classrooms often lack, so kids can focus on being kids and get the tools they need. If you are able to, I encourage you to check out the @donorschooseorg projects I’ve highlighted in the links below or browse the site to choose a class to support. Even the smallest contribution can make a huge difference. Thank you!
www.donorschoose.org/project/autism-classroom-esse…
www.donorschoose.org/project/back-to-school-essent…
www.donorschoose.org/project/weighted-vests-for-fi…
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 493
View 27 replies
Leah Remini
I always feel a little torn posting on a day like today.
I never quite know what to say to truly acknowledge the brave Americans who lost their lives serving our country.
Their sacrifice is impossible to put into words.
They never came home because they chose to serve something bigger than themselves.
Every single one of them left behind people who loved them and whom they loved back: families, friends, entire communities…they carry their loss every day.
To our Gold Star families, you have our deepest gratitude.
We say thank you. We remember. We honor them.
5 months ago | [YT] | 1,344
View 55 replies
Leah Remini
Today would have been Mike Rinder’s 70th birthday. And even though it’s been 95 days since he passed away, it still feels like it happened just yesterday. My heartbreak has only deepened as I miss him in my life.
I always told Mike how much he meant to me, but as I was traveling to Florida to see him for what ended up being the last time, I sent this note to him.
I’m posting this note because I want to keep Mike’s memory alive and for people to understand what an incredible man he was, far beyond the amazing work he did to combat Scientology.
Dear Mikey,
I’ve been sitting here trying to find the words, but how do I express something so enormous? My therapist asked me if there was anything I wanted to say to you, and the answer is yes—there’s so much I always wanted to say. Yet, even as I try, it’s hard to put my feelings into words because saying it out loud feels too much like goodbye. And I am not ready to say goodbye.
Mike you mean everything to me. I can’t even begin to describe the place you hold in my heart. The other day, my mother said, “Mike is like a father to you, isn’t he?” At first, I didn’t know how to respond because we’re close in age, lol , But when I really thought about it, I realized she was right. You’ve been the father I never had, the one man I could look up to, trust without question, and know would always be there for me. You are there for me in ways, no man has ever been, you have been my strength and you truly are my hero, and I never realized how I worked to make you proud of me, something I never achieved with my father.
You’ve also been so much more. You’ve been my brother, my protector, my safe harbor in life’s storms. You’ve been my friend in ways I didn’t even know were possible. The kind of friend who loves unconditionally, who stands by me no matter what, who lifts me up even when I can’t see a way forward.
Without you by my side, I couldn’t do any of it.
Mike, you saved my life. Truly, you did. You were the first person I turned to when I thought about leaving Scientology, and without you, I don’t think I ever could have done it. You gave me courage when I had none. You gave me hope when I felt lost. You gave me strength when I was at my weakest. You didn’t just save me, you saved my family. And you saved my Sofia from a life of torture and abuse.
You’ve helped so many people, many of whom you’ll never even know. Your kindness, your wisdom, your strength , your humor, your Australian-ness, your heart-you’ve changed the world for the better, and you have changed me forever.
I can’t imagine my world without you in it, without you to lean on, to call, to annoy the shit out of you with my stupid questions about how to take the evil that is Scientology out of the world… The thought of losing you shatters me in ways I can’t even begin to describe.
A piece of my heart will break, and it will never fully heal. Never.
There is no one like you, Mike. No one who could ever fill the space you have in my life and in my heart.
I never knew a man like you before, and I know I never will again. You are one of a kind, and the bond we share is something I’ll carry with me forever. I don’t have the words to tell you how much I love you, but please know it’s a love that is as deep as it is enduring.
You are my rock, my guide, my friend, my family.
I love you, my Mikey and I always will.
Your friend always
Leah
6 months ago | [YT] | 3,368
View 259 replies
Leah Remini
A bench has been dedicated in Mike Rinder’s honor—a place for families to connect, to reflect, and to remember those they love.
Mike’s greatest wish was to end Scientology’s cruel disconnection policy, to help families find their way back to each other.
This bench is meant to be a space where people can sit, think, and, hopefully, reconnect with loved ones.
Whether you live in Clearwater or are just visiting, I hope this spot brings comfort and reflection.
Christie Collbran Rinder (Mike’s wife), Claire Headley, and I chose the perfect spot—a place where people can pause and honor the ones they’ve lost or those they still hope to reunite with.
In loving memory of my dear friend and brother, and a friend to so many—my Mikey.
A heartfelt thank-you to the City of Clearwater, FL, for helping make this possible.
7 months ago | [YT] | 2,900
View 145 replies
Leah Remini
In early January, I was on a plane to Florida with Claire Headley to see our friend Mike Rinder in what ended up being his final days.
I brought up an idea: Would the board of the Aftermath Foundation consider renaming the organization in Mike’s honor?
The Aftermath Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of helping those who want to leave Scientology and the Sea Org but lack a system of support they can rely on while getting on their feet in the outside world.
The Aftermath Foundation was inspired by our A&E documentary series and those who were brave enough to tell us their stories, but the truth is, without Mike’s position in Scientology and his fearless fight to expose them after he escaped, there would have been no Aftermath series—no movement like this at all.
Many of our courageous contributors asked to share their stories largely due to Mike’s position in Scientology and his unwavering courage.
Before I could even finish my thought, Claire said tearfully, “Yes, let me take it to the board.” Within 24 hours, the board unanimously agreed. The Aftermath Foundation is now named the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation.
I had hoped Claire and I would be able to tell Mike about this together—I had naively and wholeheartedly believed he was going to pull through.
It’s been nearly two months since Mike’s passing, and if I am being completely honest and vulnerable, I haven’t been able to get over this loss. I’ve only left the house four times in a month, and I still can’t find peace with my reality without him.
I hope you all had a chance to read Mike’s final post on his blog and honor him by continuing to do the work he dedicated his life to, in whatever way you can.
I have linked to Mike’s final post at the end of this post.
Please keep Mike’s memory alive and honor his legacy by continuing the fight. We all miss Mike very much, and my world just feels off its axis. But we will keep working to expose Scientology and David Miscavige for what they are, and we will do it in Mike’s name.
Thank you to the board of the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation for bringing Mike’s name into your important legacy, and thank you, in particular, to all those who help grant recipients get back on their feet after they make the brave decision to escape from Scientology.
I also want to personally thank all of you who made a contribution to the college fund of Mike and Christie’s son Jack. Raising money for that fund was one of Mike’s final wishes.
Finally, please take a moment to learn more about the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation—click here: bit.ly/41mUFbX
(Mike’s final blog post: bit.ly/414g9ci)
8 months ago | [YT] | 2,232
View 169 replies
Leah Remini
Last week, I said I would have much more to say about my brother Mike Rinder.
I’ve written down some of my thoughts about Mikey in this piece linked below.
I am overcome with grief.
My piece on Mikey: bit.ly/4hbGfjZ
9 months ago | [YT] | 2,988
View 216 replies
Leah Remini
On Sunday, we lost a giant, and I lost a man who was more than a friend—he was my family.
It’s impossible to imagine the last 13 years of my life without Mike Rinder. He was my anchor, my trusted partner, and my closest confidant. The thought of moving forward without him feels unbearable.
When I left Scientology, Mike was one of the first people I turned to. From that moment, he became my lifeline. Together, we embarked on an incredible journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Fair Game. But Mike was so much more than my partner in this fight—he was my brother, my father, my best friend… in every way that mattered.
Mike saved my life and the life of my daughter. He stood by me through battles that felt insurmountable, giving me strength when I had none left. I owe him a debt I could never repay.
I haven’t yet come to terms with the reality that I can’t call him, text him, or hear his voice anymore. I am shattered in ways I never thought possible, overwhelmed by the weight of this loss. I have cried endlessly and can’t seem to move from my bed since coming home from being with him and his grieving family.
I’ll have so much more to say about Mike and the legacy he leaves behind—words that will attempt to honor his immeasurable contribution to this world, to my life, and to the lives of countless others.
But for now, I want to honor his memory by fulfilling one of his last wishes: encouraging support for his son Jack’s college fund.
In his post-Scientology life, Mike was a man transformed. He worked tirelessly to right the wrongs of his past and beyond. He owed no one anything. Mike was offered a lot of money to stay silent about Scientology’s criminal activities, and he refused and did the work. There was not one call that Mike didn’t take, not one person Mike didn’t try to help, despite the many heartbreaks he endured from those who needed him. Mike also became an incredible husband and an attentive, loving father to Jack and his stepson Shane.
One of the many heartbreaks Mike suffered was the absence of his older children, Taryn and Benjamin, who disconnected from him due to Scientology’s cruel policies after he courageously escaped its abuse.
Mike adored Jack, who is just 12 years old. He was consumed with knowing he wouldn’t be there to see Jack grow into adulthood.
If you’re able, I hope you’ll join me in contributing to Jack’s college fund, ensuring that Mike’s dreams for his son can still come true.
Click Here To Contribute: bit.ly/40945pE
Please keep Mike’s brave and devoted wife, Christie, their son Jack, and Mike’s stepson Shane in your thoughts and prayers. They’ve lost a husband and father whose love knew no bounds, and I’ve lost someone whose presence in my life was irreplaceable.
My Mikey, I will miss you every day, and I just don’t know how to do it without you.
9 months ago | [YT] | 5,415
View 644 replies
Leah Remini
I’m furious that no one told me about these sooner! youtube.com/shorts/a-w6YMdgDw...
11 months ago | [YT] | 30
View 3 replies
Leah Remini
Homes For Our Troops is a great organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.
A celebrity auction to benefit Homes For Our Troops has some great lots to bid on, from private lunches with some of your favorite TV and movie stars to one-on-one Zoom calls with some of your favorite celebrities and ticket-and-meet-and-greet packages.
The auction ends tomorrow, so get your bids in now to help these brave vets!
Bid Here: bit.ly/3ZgJlgu
11 months ago | [YT] | 520
View 23 replies
Load more