In this revealing episode, Rachel sits down with Erik Rojas, a former program leader and senior staff member at Landmark Worldwide, the infamous large group awareness training organization. Erik shares his journey within Landmark, detailing the intense pressures and abusive practices he witnessed and experienced.
Erik explains how his commitment and drive were exploited, leading him to work grueling hours with little pay while being subjected to physical and psychological abuse by his superiors. His story serves as a cautionary tale for those seeking transformation through large-group awareness training, highlighting the need for critical awareness and self-care.
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Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast
Patreon: www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Webinars & Lectures: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos
Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.
BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Synanon's Dark History
Friday, November 15, 2024 • Duration 05:14
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at:
www.patreon.com/indoctrination
In this insightful episode, Rachel delves into the controversial history of Synanon, a group founded in 1958 by Charles Diedrich Sr. Originally established as an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous, Synanon devolved into a notorious organization known for its aggressive "attack therapy" and coercive control tactics.
Rachel explores the group's transformation from a rehabilitation center into a cult-like entity, marked by violence, manipulation, and psychological abuse.
Connect with Us on Social Media:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/_indoctrination
Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast
Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast
Patreon: www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Webinars & Lectures: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos
Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.
BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Navigating Assertiveness As A Cult Survivor
Friday, October 4, 2024 • Duration 05:31
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at:
www.patreon.com/indoctrination
In this exclusive Patreon bonus episode, Rachel explores the nuanced topic of assertiveness, a vital skill for cult survivors.
She discusses the challenges faced by cult survivors in reclaiming their voice and setting healthy boundaries.
Many survivors struggle with programmed compliance, fear of punishment, difficulty identifying personal needs, and trust issues. These barriers can make it difficult to develop assertiveness, yet it is crucial for rebuilding self-esteem, establishing boundaries, and fostering healthier relationships.
Thanks to our supporters on Patreon for making this episode possible!!
Connect with Us on Social Media:
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/_indoctrination
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft
Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.
Brothers Broken w/Geoff Levin
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 • Duration 01:11:44
Geoff Levin is a professional musician and former Scientologist who grew up in San Jose, CA. In 1962 at the age of 16, he started his musical life and embraced the burgeoning folk scene in the San Francisco Bay Area where he played stand-up bass with Jerry Garcia in the bluegrass group The Black Mountain Boys. In 1964 he formed the rock band PEOPLE! who were quickly signed to Capitol Records where they released the hit song "I Love You". By 1968 Geoff was recruited into Scientology where he was a devout follower until 2012.
After his involvement in Scientology led to the dissolution of his band, Geoff began composing music for film and TV working with large technology companies like Apple and Microsoft. Today Geoff is a multi-faceted film composer who has scored over 50 full-length films, with an impressive range of TV credits from Game of Thrones to Parks & Recreation and many more.
His incredible story is the subject of the upcoming documentary "Brothers Broken: The Power of Music, The Curse of Scientology" which spotlights the acclaimed music careers of Geoff and his brother and how their potential success was compromised by joining Scientology which also nearly destroyed their lives.
In this revealing conversation, Geoff describes the Bay Area music scene of the sixties, explaining how Scientology lurked in the darker corners of the spiritual revolution of the youth movement. He explains how his childhood feelings of isolation, created a vulnerability that led to his eventual recruitment into Scientology.
Before You Go: Rachel points out how high control groups are constantly moving the "finish line" over and over knowing they can never provide the solutions or goals they promised followers at the time of recruitment.
You can find more info about Geoff's film at:
www.facebook.com/BrothersBrokenMovie
All of Rachel's free informational PDF documents are available here:
www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/pdf.html
All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here:
www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html
To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit:
www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
www.paypal.me/indoctrination
Connect with us on Social Media:
Twitter:
twitter.com/_indoctrination
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast
Tik Tok:
www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft
You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: From Landmark to One Taste w/ Priscilla Eyles
Friday, August 4, 2023 • Duration 07:26
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can hear the episode in its entirety by becoming a member at:
www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Returning guest, Priscilla Eyles is a Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion trainer and facilitator from London. They are an advocate, and speaker passionate about raising awareness around the issues that Neurodivergent people face, specifically those of multiple marginalized identities. Alongside normalizing conversations around vulnerabilities to cult abuse, career, and intergenerational trauma. Priscilla is a bi-racial, neurodivergent queer person who survived eight years in two cults and has worked in many toxic workplaces with cult-like dynamics.
Priscilla is also a trustee for Camden Disability Action and has a special interest in effective and holistic therapeutic frameworks and trauma-informed approaches, they recently completed a foundation certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling at the Minster Centre. Their first published book chapter will be out later this year in the forthcoming "Birdsong From Inobservable Worlds, an anthology on Psychiatry and Race", edited by mental health activist Dolly Sen.
In this second conversation with Priscilla, she continues her story explaining how she quickly jumped from Landmark to One Taste, the infamous "orgasmic meditation" cult whose leader was recently indicted on forced labor charges.
You can reach out to Priscilla on social media or via her email at:
priscillaeyles@gmail .com
Twitter: PriscillaEyles
IG: CulturalLiasons
Check out their music as “Dandy Lion” here:
dandylionuk.bandcamp.com/album/be-perfect
Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!
Leaving Landmark w/Priscilla Eyles
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 • Duration 01:04:24
Priscilla Eyles is a Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion trainer and facilitator from London. They are an advocate, and speaker passionate about raising awareness around the issues that Neurodivergent people face, specifically those of multiple marginalized identities. Alongside normalizing conversations around vulnerabilities to cult abuse, career, and intergenerational trauma. Priscilla is a bi-racial, neurodivergent queer person who survived eight years in two cults and has worked in many toxic workplaces with cult-like dynamics.
Priscilla is also a trustee for Camden Disability Action and has a special interest in effective and holistic therapeutic frameworks and trauma-informed approaches, they recently completed a foundation certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling at the Minster Centre. Their first published book chapter will be out later this year in the forthcoming "Birdsong From Inobservable Worlds, an anthology on Psychiatry and Race", edited by mental health activist Dolly Sen.
In this compelling conversation, Priscilla begins to reveal her complex story of multiple cultic experiences. Together, Rachel and Priscilla analyze the role of identity within high-control groups and explain how vulnerability is exploited within "large group awareness trainings" such as Landmark.
Before You Go: Rachel shares her insights on how emotional trauma can manifest physically in the body, explaining how these effects can be amplified in cultic groups.
You can reach out to Priscilla on social media or via her email at:
priscillaeyles@gmail .com
Twitter: PriscillaEyles
IG: CulturalLiasons
Check out their music as “Dandy Lion” here:
dandylionuk.bandcamp.com/album/be-perfect
The music featured in this episode is by The Wholesome you can find more info on them here:
https://m.facebook.com/the.wholesome.music
Their new album "Alive Tonight" is available here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3bLCWfMp9gSqtY7Usiise7?si=3ZDRHZUgQFSCbNl6fDv5bw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A3bLCWfMp9gSqtY7Usiise7
All of Rachel's free informational PDF documents are available here:
www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/pdf.html
All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here:
www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html
To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit:
www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
www.paypal.me/indoctrination
Connect with us on Social Media:
Twitter:
twitter.com/_indoctrination
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast
Tik Tok:
www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft
You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
The Language Of Control w/Sue Winter
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 • Duration 01:13:57
Sue Winter is a modern linguist who holds two graduate degrees, one from the University of London, and another from UWE Bristol. She taught for over 44 years in a variety of settings in both mainstream and specialist teams for vulnerable young people. Sue has multiple cultic experiences from religious to corporate to interpersonal, including both parental and spousal abuse. She became involved in Fruitful Vine Ministries, an Australian charismatic group, led by a female apostle prophet. After leaving that group she unknowingly “cult hopped” volunteering for a UK-based commercial hiking company which she only recently realized was employing many cult-like practices. She is now an E.S.O.L examiner and a group leader for a U.S. not-for-profit organization. Sue has a passion for language and speaks French, Spanish, German, Catalan, and Arabic.
In this complex and engaging discussion, Sue opens up to Rachel about the plethora of cultic experiences she endured throughout her lifetime. Together they draw connections between the various high-control situations she found herself in. Rahel and Sue go on to point out the commonalities of Sue's experiences, pointing out the similarity in the methods of control.
Before You Go: Rachel examines the resilience of those who survive multiple cult experiences and offers her insights on how to stay conscious of the potential to "Cult Hop"
All of Rachel's free informational PDF documents are available here:
www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/pdf.html
All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here:
www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html
To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit:
www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
www.paypal.me/indoctrination
Connect with us on Social Media:
Twitter:
twitter.com/_indoctrination
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast
Tik Tok:
www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft
You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Finding A Way To Heal w/Em Thomas
Friday, July 21, 2023 • Duration 08:05
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can hear the episode in its entirety by becoming a member at:
https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Returning guest, Em Thomas was born and raised in the dogmatic Christian cult The Way International. The daughter of a Way Corps graduate and WOW ambassador, Em attended a fellowship in her home three nights per week, monthly branch meetings with other leadership families, and prolonged stays semi-annually at TWI headquarters. Em’s family was labeled “Mark and Avoid” (excommunicated) in 1998, after which they attended fellowship within a splinter group until 2000 when Em was 15 years old.
Em has two main goals for sharing her story: to connect with other survivors of cultic abuse, especially second or third-generation survivors of The Way International, and to bring attention to this once well-known organization that is still operating and doing harm to its members today. She hopes that by telling her truth, she can bring hope to folks who are still finding their way out.
In this follow-up conversation, Em details the rampant homophobia of the church's leaders and shares her long and complex journey to recovery after leaving the cult as a teenager. She points out the long-lasting psychological impacts that affected her life and relationships long after being physically out of the grips of the church. Together Rachel and Em discuss how being deprived of bodily autonomy as a child can lead to entering into dangerous relationships as an adult.
Em can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/markandavoid/
You can contact her via email at: iammarkandavoid@gmail.com
Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!
Mark & Avoid w/ Em Thomas
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 • Duration 01:13:50
Em Thomas was born and raised in the dogmatic Christian cult The Way International. The daughter of a Way Corps graduate and WOW ambassador, Em attended a fellowship in her home three nights per week, monthly branch meetings with other leadership families, and prolonged stays semi-annually at TWI headquarters. Em’s family was labeled “Mark and Avoid” (excommunicated) in 1998, after which they attended fellowship within a splinter group until 2000 when Em was 15 years old.
Em has two main goals for sharing her story: to connect with other survivors of cultic abuse, especially second or third-generation survivors of The Way International, and to bring attention to this once well-known organization that is still operating and doing harm to its members today. She hopes that by telling her truth, she can bring hope to folks who are still finding their way out.
In this revealing conversation, Em shares publicly for the very first time her story of abuse, homophobia, and coercive control as a member of The Way International. She explains to Rachel how she struggled with her identity and sexuality growing up in the very unsafe, and predatory environment of the church and how that experience primed her for abusive relationships and self-harm as a teenager. Together Rachel and Em analyze the harmful dogma of the church, its fraudulent and plagiarized teachings, and the abusive culture of control, secrecy, and excommunication.
Before You Go: Rachel addresses the importance of fortifying bodily autonomy in young children and explains how high-control organizations often intentionally work to erase the natural boundaries of self-determination and physical sovereignty to assert total control over their followers and weaken resistance to abuse.
Em can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/markandavoid/
You can contact her via email at: iammarkandavoid@gmail.com
All of Rachel's free informational PDF documents are available here:
https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/pdf.html
All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here:
www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html
To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit:
www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
www.paypal.me/indoctrination
Connect with us on Social Media:
Twitter:
twitter.com/_indoctrination
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast
Tik Tok:
www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft
You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
Criminality in Cults w/Chris Shelton, MSc
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 • Duration 01:20:27
Chris Shelton is a former cult member who escaped from a lifetime of indoctrination and abuse, started a YouTube channel to educate the public about coercive or cultic control, undue influence, and brainwashing, has written a book on the subject of Scientology and why that group is a destructive, high-control group and has spoken at the Secular Hub many times on these topics. He hosts a weekly podcast, a call-in show, and a Q&A, has been featured on the Emmy-award-winning Scientology and the Aftermath television documentary series, and has appeared on a number of media platforms discussing cultic influence.
In this revelatory and cathartic conversation, longtime colleagues and friends Chris and Rachel discuss some of the lurid details of Scientology's actions with regard to the recent conviction of Danny Masterson. Chris offers his personal insights as a former Scientologist on the malicious intent behind the vicious and criminal tactics of intimidation the group is infamous for employing against its detractors.
Before You Go: Rachel shares details about her own experiences of harassment from the Church of Scientology and their minions, explaining the systematic ways in which the group attempts to intimidate anyone they see as a threat to their power.
You can find out more about Chris and his work at:
www.mncriticalthinking.com
Watch Rachel's appearances on Chris's Podcast "Sensibly Speaking" here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGrPM1Pg2h705KqJ9DRi3HKkWqqZAA6Hs
All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here:
www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html
To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit:
www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
www.paypal.me/indoctrination
Connect with us on Social Media:
Twitter:
twitter.com/_indoctrination
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast
Tik Tok:
www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft
You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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