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. 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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

For this week's bonus episode, Patreon supporters can access Rachel's recent video lecture from the International Cultic Studies Conference. In this lecture, Rachel explains how fear can impact the decision-making process in members of high-control groups. This subject is for anyone including those who have gotten involved in a cult, in a controlling relationship, in multi-level marketing, in a corporation that demands all your time and devotion, or in any situation where you feel it would not be safe to say "No". Manipulators are extremely good at making sure we go along with their wishes and that we agree to do what they want us to do and what they tell us to do. They get us to ignore all of our doubts and concerns and questions and even get us to a point of feeling fear about saying "No" so we don't get labeled "difficult" or as the troublemaker. We don't want to risk making the controller upset by putting our foot down and not immediately agreeing to something. You can access the video by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination You can find a PDF outline of this lecture at: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/pdf.html

Sarah Patch is a clinical counselor in Columbus, Ohio who has devoted the past few years of her career to educating herself and others on authoritarian abuse and cult involvement. Sarah cares deeply about raising awareness of the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of controlling behavior so that people can live more authentic and joyful lives. Sarah was both a participant and victim of authoritarian control while in a Christian cult where she spent most of her life. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can help individuals break down their walls of cognitive dissonance and find freedom. Throughout this revealing conversation, Sarah shares insights from her experience under the control of Xenos, now known as Dwell Church. She goes on to discuss with Rachel her own work as a counselor, explaining how her time in a high-control religious group informed the work she does today. Together the two colleagues explain the mechanisms of control that are commonly used in cultic organizations. Before You Go: Rachel addresses the concept of P.I.M.O. (Physically In, Mentally Out) explaining the complex stages of recovering from cultic abuse, and how they can manifest in the minds of survivors. You can find more info about Sarah's work at https://www.sarahpatchcounseling.com/ 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!

Guinevere Turner is a writer, director, and actor who has been working in film and TV since her 1994 debut film Go Fish, which she wrote, produced, and starred in. She teamed up with director Mary Harron to write the films American Psycho, The Notorious Bettie Page, and the 2019 film Charlie Says. She can be seen in film roles that include The Watermelon Woman, Chasing Amy, American Psycho, and The L Word. Guinevere has taught screenwriting at Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia University, the University of Georgia, UCLA, and NYU. Her recently released immersive, and spell-binding memoir "When The World Didn't End" tells the story of her childhood growing up with the infamous Lyman Family cult—and the complicated and unexpected pain of leaving the only home she’d ever known. In this very forthright conversation, Guinevere shares her reflections on her childhood as a member of the Lyman Family cult, explaining how her isolation since birth made it difficult for her to recognize the exploitation she experienced in the moment. Together Rachel and Guinevere go on to share their thoughts on the healing process and point out how perspectives change and become more complex over time. Before You Go: Rachel explains how manipulative leaders create a false perception of deficiency in their followers in order to keep them distracted from their empty messages of spiritual growth. You can find Guinevere's book at your local independent bookstore or on her website: https://www.guinevereturner.com/ You can read her piece in The New Yorker here: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/06/my-childhood-in-a-cult 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!

This week Rachel delves into the intricate world of cult recovery with Dr. Gillie Jenkinson, a UK-accredited psychotherapist specializing in cult studies. Dr. Jenkinson’s journey is not just professional but deeply personal, having spent seven years in a Bible-based cult in the 1970s. Her experience and extensive research culminate in her acclaimed book, "Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive Cultic and Spiritual Abuse." Dr. Jenkinson’s story is one of resilience and dedication. After leaving the cult, she grappled with the remnants of the cult mindset for 14 years. It wasn’t until she received exit counseling and pursued a career in psychotherapy that she began to understand and heal from her experiences. This personal journey has profoundly shaped her professional approach, making her insights invaluable for anyone affected by cultic abuse. One of the highlights of our conversation is Dr. Jenkinson’s discussion about her book, "Walking Free." This workbook is a practical guide for recovery and growth, based on her doctoral research and nearly three decades of experience. It addresses the psychological impact of cultic abuse and provides tools for healing. The book is not only a resource for survivors but also for therapists who work with them. For information about Dr. Jenkinson's work visit her website at: www.hopevalleycounselling.com Find more info about the DeCult Conference here: www.decult.net 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.

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Returning guest, Mark Turi discovered Scientology while on vacation in Los Angeles, just a month after graduating college in May 2005, Two years later, he joined the staff at the Church of Scientology in Berlin, Germany. While in Berlin, Mark worked for Scientology for over 90 hours a week, earning very little money. He left Berlin in February 2008 when he was transferred to the Church of Scientology in San Francisco, where he worked until May 2008. Since leaving Scientology Mark has been regularly sharing about his experience online in the hopes that his story can help young people, especially recent college graduates, be more aware of predatory organizations like The Church of Scientology. He has continued to pursue his education and is currently enrolled in a Master's program in Budapest, Hungary where he now resides. Mark is a historian focusing on Nationalism, Language, and Jewish Culture in Late Modern Europe. In this follow-up conversation, Mark shares further details about his time as a staff member of Scientology, this time he focuses on the aftermath explaining how he managed the anger and resentment that remained after his exodus. Together Rachel and Mark unpack the complex post-cult healing process and share their respective insights on the dangers of "black & white" thinking. Thanks to all of our Patron supporters for making this episode possible!!

Mark Turi discovered Scientology while on vacation in Los Angeles, just a month after graduating college in May 2005, Two years later, he joined the staff at the Church of Scientology in Berlin, Germany. While in Berlin, Mark worked for Scientology for over 90 hours a week, earning very little money. He left Berlin in February 2008 when he was transferred to the Church of Scientology in San Francisco, where he worked until May of 2008. Since leaving Scientology Mark has been regularly sharing about his experience online in the hopes that his story can help young people, especially recent college graduates, be more aware of predatory organizations like The Church of Scientology. He has continued to pursue his education and is currently enrolled in a Master's program in Budapest, Hungary where he now resides. Mark is a historian focusing on Nationalism, Language, and Jewish Culture in Late Modern Europe. In this insightful conversation, Mark details the deceptive ways in which he was lured into joining the Scientology staff and what he believes made him vulnerable to their duplicitous tactics. Throughout the discussion, Rachel and Mark break down the ways in which Scientology exploits its staff members and explain how the controlling culture of the organization keeps its employees obedient. Before You Go: Rachel weighs in on the Scientology concept of Human Emotional Reaction (H.E.R.) explaining how it manifests and the manipulative intentions behind it. 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!

Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking survivor and activist who advocates worldwide for girls and women to live free from gender-based violence. Her Ph.D. is in Applied Linguistics, and she researches how language manipulates vulnerable populations. Tamara attended Columbia University for an MFA and has been honored with residencies/fellowships in places such as Bread Loaf, Iowa Writers' Workshop, Sewanee, Ragdale, Cave Canem, VONA, and VCCA. She's published in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, Salon, The Independent, Food 52, Parents, and Thrillist. She’s currently hard at work on her debut memoir, Child Bride: My Marriage at 12. She's traveled to nearly 80 countries, mostly alone and backpacking, and is a polyglot, having studied more than six languages. She is an empty-nesting mama to two sons in their mid-20s and a grandmamma to two feisty but adorable pups, a Boston Terrier and Australian Shepherd. When she isn't writing and reading, you'll find her road cycling, running, and playing Pickleball. In this revealing and heartfelt conversation, Tamara opens up about being raised mostly in her father's high-control religious commune, and the confusing dichotomy of living partly with her secular and liberal mother. Throughout the discussion, Rachel offers insights on the negative impacts of burdening children with adult responsibility and sacrificing their education for the sake of religious devotion. Before you go: Rachel explains why it's important to take note of changing or inconsistent rules in high control groups, pointing out the often illegitimate derivation of their authority. Find more about Tamara and her work here: https://tamaramc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaramcphd/ 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: http://www.patreon.com/indoctrination Andrew Pledger is a content creator, activist, and writer who uses social media to share his story and inspire others. He is a religious trauma survivor who was homeschooled K-12 and raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult (Independent Fundamental Baptist movement). He brings awareness to spiritual and religious abuse. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and experiencing religious trauma has inspired him to pursue psychology to help survivors. After being homeschooled, he found his way to Bob Jones University. He attended the fundamentalist Christian college for over three years until he was expelled in his last semester for sharing his story and denouncing fundamentalist teachings. Andrew comes on the show to share his experiences of the level of control and mental abuse he experienced at Bob Jones University. He has a limited podcast premiering soon called "Surviving Bob Jones University: A Christian Cult." This podcast explores the school's history, the psychology of fundamentalism, the criteria for cults, and survivors' experiences. Andrew opens up to Rachel about his complicated relationship with his 2nd generation IFB parents, he compares the high-control culture he grew up within his family with the complete authoritarian control of Bob Jones University. Together Andrew and Rachel discuss the psychological impacts on adolescents living under the constant surveillance and harsh judgment of fundamentalism. Find "Surviving BJU" and all of Andrew's other work here: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links/ Thanks to all of our Patron supporters for making this episode possible!!

Alexandra Stein, Ph.D. is a writer and educator specializing in the social psychology of ideological extremism and other dangerous social relationships. She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Sussex. Dr. Stein offers programs and materials to help people understand how to identify and protect themselves and others from recruitment into cultic or extremist groups. She also studies and teaches about positive social relationships: "small d" democracy, inclusivity, and healthy social and personal networks that can oppose these dangerous relationships. In this information-dense conversation, Alexandra discusses her experiences as a former member of a supposedly left-wing political cult explaining how her confusion after leaving became the catalyst for her groundbreaking research into cultic dynamics. Dr. stein cites the work of Robert Jay Lifton and Janja Lalich as instrumental to her initial understanding of how she ended up under the control of an authoritarian and violent cult leader. Before You Go: Rachel offers her insights on how being involved with high-control groups or relationships can greatly impact someone's attachment style and negatively affect their ability to have healthy relationships. You can find more about Dr. Stein's work at: https://www.alexandrastein.com/ 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!

Pamela Jackson is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, and creative nonfiction writer. She specializes in therapy for adult women who have estranged or difficult relationships with their mothers. After leaving the ICOC cult, Pamela attempted to repair her relationship with her mother, one of the main reasons she was vulnerable to the love bombing and manipulation of ICOC. The mother-daughter conversations ultimately failed but also became the inspiration to her private practice, supporting women to re-parent themselves. Pamela has just completed her first memoir about the journey of mothering while unmothered, some of her client’s stories, and how leaving the cult eventually led her to find a Mother within. Pamela earned a Bachelor's from The New School, a Masters's degree in Fine Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, and a Masters’s degree in Social Work from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. She is a co-parent to her bold, joyful daughter. In this intimate conversation, Pamela opens up about her time as a follower of the ICOC and how it relates to her complex relationship with her mother. Pamela goes on to explain how she navigated her mothers' narcissistic tendencies and found identity as an artist despite the complicated entanglements that shaped her upbringing. Before You Go: Rachel explains how the appeal of a structured life can keep followers trapped in high-control groups, but also prime them for abusive relationships. Find more about Pamela and her work here: https://www.allomothering.org Follow Pamela on Social Media: Instagram: pamela.s.jackson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamelasjackson Medium: https://medium.com/@pamelasjackson 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Returning guest, Marissa Hackett was born in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. At the time of her birth, her parents were involved with a group called the Foundation of Human Understanding, a right-wing cult led by Roy Masters. When Marissa was 11 years old, she moved with her family to Southern Oregon, where Roy moved the headquarters of the group and opened the only school Marissa attended in her childhood, Brighton Academy. As a black family, this experience created unique challenges for Marissa as she navigated life. Today, Marissa lives in Seattle and identifies as a fierce progressive. She's a proud auntie, sister, daughter, niece, godmother, and friend. She shares a life with her partner and husband, Aaron. Marissa absolutely loves music and being in nature. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington where she is a grad student in Couples and Family Therapy at Antioch University. In this follow-up conversation, Marissa provides updates on her familial relationships and healing journey since sharing her story for the first time. She offers insights on how she's been able to successfully reconcile a relationship with her father while maintaining her perspective on the damaging experiences she suffered as a child. Find Marissa's blog on Substack here: marissahackett.substack.com/ Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!

Dr. Laura Anderson is a therapist, trauma resolution, and recovery coach, writer, educator, and creator who specializes in complex trauma with a focus on domestic violence, sexualized violence, and religious trauma. She holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine with her research focusing on the experience of living in a healing body after sexual trauma. Laura has a small private practice in Nashville, TN, and is the founder and director of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery, an online coaching company where she and the other practitioners work with clients who have experienced high demand/high control religions, adverse religious experiences, cults, and religious trauma. In 2019, Laura co-founded the Religious Trauma Institute with the goal of providing trauma-informed resources, consultation, and training to clinicians and other helping professionals who work with religious trauma survivors. Laura’s first book, “When Religion Hurts: Reclaiming Your Life After Religious Trauma”, is being released by Brazos Press in Fall 2023. She lives with her dog, Phoebe, in Middle Tennessee. In this highly informative and revealing conversation. Dr. Anderson shares with Rachel her personal experience and professional insights from the specialized work she does with survivors of religious trauma. The two colleagues discuss the most effective modalities for religious trauma recovery and outline some important nuances that often get overlooked on the path to healing. Before you go: Rachel offers some common traits to look out for in high-control religious groups to assess whether or not the leader's intentions are healthy. You can find more about Dr. Andreson and her work at: https://drlauraeanderson.com/ All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

Kayla is a YouTube creator and launched her channel Keya's World back in 2021 to discuss toxic positivity, hustle culture, self-help, spirituality, scams, and everything in between. Kayla started her career in the broadcast & digital journalism industry and still uses her research and storytelling skills while creating her content. Kayla is a former personal development fan who thought the industry was the key to finding success in her life. However, Kayla experienced firsthand how the self-help and wellness industry can be full of manipulation, clever marketing, and red flags. Now she is on a mission to help expose some of the tactics that can lead well-meaning "seekers" astray. Kayla opens up to Rachel about her experience in the personal development and wellness community, explaining how her involvement with alternative forms of counseling led her to uncover a world fraught with deception and fraud. She explains how her own bad experience became the catalyst for the important and often hilarious work she does now, combining her skills in journalism and media production with her knowledge of the inner workings of this problematic industry. Before You Go: Rachel shares from her own perspective as an LMFT, how both the unregulated as well as regulated counseling industries don't always provide the consumer protection they should and how to be aware of red flags when seeking help. Make sure to subscribe to Kayla's wonderful YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/keyasworld Follow Kayla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keyasworldyt/?hl=en All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Returning guest Christa Lester‐Pitsch is a survivor of an offshoot of the infamous cult known as The Way. She was born into and escaped the high‐control religious group, River Road Fellowship at the age of 23. Christa’s main goal in sharing her story is to help people who might find themselves in similar situations as the one she was in. She runs an Instagram page called The Survivor Experience with the hope that others going through similar situations of escaping control and abuse can know that they are not alone. Despite this experience being a big part of her past, and despite her desire to share it, Christa believes that it is one of the less interesting things about her today, Christa is an artist, a musician, and a mom to a spunky little boy. She resides in Bellingham, Washington with her husband Lucas, her son Mason, and their miniature labradoodle, Shiloh. In this follow-up conversation with Rachel, Christa continues her story of survival, explaining the details of her exit from River Road Fellowship and highlighting the difficult experiences of leaving behind all that she has ever known in pursuit of freedom from the all-encompassing control she lived under for her entire life. Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!

Scott Homan was raised in the north woods of Wisconsin and found his voice through music and film. His documentary, Witness Underground, highlights the struggles and triumphs of a music community influenced by a cult. Scott shares his journey from being raised in a restrictive environment to discovering the power of self-expression and creativity as a path to healing. Rachel and Scott delve into the emotional and psychological impact of shunning, the manipulation tactics used by cults, and the importance of finding one’s identity outside of a controlling group. Scott also discusses his experiences in Vietnam, his work with Banana Island Films, and his upcoming participation in the DeCult Conference in New Zealand. For more information about the Decult Conference, visit: www.decult.net For more info on Scott's film "Witness Underground" go to: https://www.witnessunderground.com 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.

CONTENT WARNING: Child Sexual Abuse Christa Lester‐Pitsch is a survivor of an offshoot of the infamous cult known as The Way. She was born into and escaped the high‐control religious group, River Road Fellowship at the age of 23. Christa’s main goal in sharing her story is to help people who might find themselves in similar situations as the one she was in. She runs an Instagram page called The Survivor Experience with the hope that others going through similar situations of escaping control and abuse can know that they are not alone. Despite this experience being a big part of her past, and despite her desire to share it, Christa believes that it is one of the less interesting things about her today, Christa is an artist, a musician, and a mom to a spunky little boy. She resides in Bellingham, Washington with her husband Lucas, her son Mason, and their miniature labradoodle, Shiloh. Christa shares with Rachel the intimate emotional details of her life growing up under the authoritarian control of River Road Fellowship, where she struggled to find the autonomy and freedom other kids often take for granted. She explains her thought process as she began to plan her eventual escape and the complications that arose with her familial relationships in the process of gaining her independence as a young woman. Before You Go: Rachel reflects on the desperate measures members of high-control groups have to take in order to simply survive and maintain their rights and autonomy in the face of oppressive control. Follow Christa on IG: @thesurvivorexperience All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

Zachary Heinzerling is an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning director based in New York City. His latest docu-series entitled “Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult of Sarah Lawrence" about Larry Ray and his victims, premiered February 9th, 2023 on Hulu. The New York Times praised it as “a true-crime-coup,” The New Yorker called it "a remarkable work, advancing the prestige true-crime genre’s slow but steady reorientation toward centering victims" In this fascinating look behind the scenes of Heinzerling's critically acclaimed series on the cult of Larry Ray, Zach emphasizes the important insights he learned from Rachel in the conversations he had with her throughout the filmmaking process. Together they discuss the ethics of documenting survivor stories and the importance of creating not only an accurate depiction of the tragic events but an honest narrative that teaches the audience about the red flags that we're missed and why they were so hard to recognize. Before You Go: Rachel offers her insights on the sensitive nature of interviewing survivors of cultic abuse or coercive control in media or counseling and offers advice on how to tell survivor-led stories ethically and with conscious intentionality. Follow Zach on IG and Twitter: @haryheinz All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this very special bonus episode exclusively for our Patreon supporters, Rachel reflects on the recent 30th anniversary of the horrific massacre on April 19th, of the infamous compound belonging to the religious cult known as the Branch Davidians, Rachel shares her unique insights on what so often goes wrong in police raids and how the horrible outcomes in Waco can potentially be avoided. She offers insights from her own personal experiences working with survivors of government raids on isolated religious communes such as the raid of Warren Jeffs FLDS compound and the tragic Waco siege on the compound of David Koresh, where she worked alongside social workers offering support to survivors and family members. Listen to Rachel's interview on KLRD's Texas Wants To Know program on the Waco Siege here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-happened-30-years-ago-in-waco/id1633332210?i=1000609617938 Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!

Brian Rush McDonald grew up in southern Alabama in the early 1970s, where he eventually gave up his dream of working as a professional musician to become what at the time was called a "Jesus freak". During his high school years, however, he unwittingly found himself involved in fundamentalist Christianity. Though he was troubled by his faith's teaching that the lost were damned to hell, he attended Bob Jones University where he was engulfed in the harsh doctrine and rigid views of fundamentalism. He was then ordained and began a life in the ministry, eventually having three children with his high school sweetheart. He went with his family to Taiwan where they were missionaries for seven years, immersing themselves in the culture and learning the Mandarin Language. But he continued to struggle with his faith's teachings, especially the fate of non-believers. When he returned to the U.S. he was a pastor for many years, all the while quietly wrestling with the harsh dogma of his chosen religion. He pursued graduate studies at The College of William & Mary, eventually earning a Ph.D. and gaining a deeper understanding of human development, particularly with regard to religious belief. Finally, after 30 years of preaching, McDonald walked away from the pulpit to pursue a different path. His recent book, The Long Surrender is a riveting memoir about losing religion to find freedom. Dr. McDonald has taught at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University as an adjunct professor of counseling and is now a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia where he resides with his wife Kathy and plays trombone in several local bands, Brian shares with Rachel insights he gained throughout his years as a devoted, but questioning Christian fundamentalist in the Southern Baptist church. He explains the uncomfortable feelings that he held throughout his time as both a minister and evangelist as he grappled with the hypocrisy of the racism and homophobia he encountered in the church culture and theology. Together Rachel and Brian unpack the similar callings of pastoral care and therapeutic counseling helping professionals share. Before You Go: Rachel addresses the problematic nature of religious evangelizing, sharing her own personal experiences as an example of the often arrogant and presumptuous acts of those attempting to convert people. All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

Rachael and Molly are the hosts of the podcast Cheers to Leaving, where they share their journey of deconstruction from evangelicalism. The podcast has been a platform for Rachael and Molly to explore their thoughts and feelings about religion and spirituality, as well as connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Rachael is a deconstruction advocate, from Kansas City, Missouri, who was raised in a house church where she was surrounded by religious teachings her entire life. It wasn't until her 20s, while taking college classes, that she started questioning her faith, God, and the afterlife. Molly is a trauma-informed, licensed massage therapist who was raised Southern Baptist on the mission field in Mexico City, Mexico. After returning to the United States, Molly stopped attending church and found herself slowly deconstructing. Even though she no longer identifies as a Christian or a religious person, Molly holds a profound respect for the sacred and religious. Co-hosting Cheers to Leaving has been pivotal in her healing process and she hopes her listeners are able to find community and healing through the podcast and the community it offers. You can listen to Cheers to Leaving, including their upcoming episode with me which airs tomorrow April 20th on all podcast platforms. You can also connect with Rachael and Molly on Instagram by following @cheerstoleaving. In this special two-part crossover episode, the hosts of the Cheers To Leaving podcast, Molly and Rachael discuss the experiences that led them to leave their Christian Fundamentalist faiths and start deconstructing the theological contradictions they noticed during their time in the church. Throughout the conversation, they discuss the need for affirmation and acceptance when questioning faith and explain how the "ex-vangelical" community embraced them. Before You Go: Rachel offers advice on how to know when a high-control relationship is not a reciprocal one and explains how generosity and a giving nature should be mutual and equal in a healthy relationship with a partner or organization. All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Daniella Mestyanek Young is the author of UNCULTURED: A Memoir of Cults, War and Belonging which The New York Times calls “A painful and propulsive memoir delivered in the honest tones of a woman who didn’t always think she’d live to tell her story” She was born a third-generation member of the infamous Children of God religious cult and grew up being trafficked around the world, before escaping that life and moving to America at age 15. She put herself through high school and graduated as college valedictorian before commissioning into the US Army as an intelligence officer, where she really started to think about group behavior…and started to see it everywhere. Daniella deployed twice to Afghanistan and became a member of one of the Army’s first Female Engagement teams an experiment that put women into deliberate ground combat for the first time in Army history, and eventually led to the repeal of the sexist combat ban and the gender desegregation of the entire US military. She is a proud daughter of the 101st, (the unit portrayed in the Band of Brothers miniseries) Daniella is a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award presented by President Obama and holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from the Harvard Extension School where she focused her research on group behavior, social norms, culture, extremism, leadership demagoguery, and cults. She returns to the show to update us on what's happened since the release of her memoir Uncultured and offers a look into the topics of her next book tentatively titled "The Culting of America". Daniella and Rachel go on to discuss the parallels between military and cult indoctrination, pointing out the commonalities that exist in a variety of high-control groups. You can find out more about Daniella and her work here: https://www.uncultureyourself.com/ Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!

Kathleen Oh is a Coach, writer, and safe drug use advocate and educator specializing in psychedelic integration. Her primary focus has become understanding her responsibility in anti-racist, capitalist, and colonial systems of oppression, especially in New Age Spirituality, Self-Help, and Wellness Coaching. She has been in and around areas of mental health work for 25 years, working in private practice since 2007. Her niche clients are online business owners, entrepreneurs, and medical and legal professionals. She has lost close friends and relationships with her community members to controversial conspiracy groups. In this very honest and forthright conversation, Kathleen shares about her experience in the coaching industry explaining how she came to notice the lack of guardrails in the training and practices of this unregulated trade. Kathleen opens up about her personal beliefs and relationships and how they related to her work as a coach and ultimately led her to make changes to become a safer practitioner. Before You Go: Rachel offers a few examples from her personal experiences that highlight the importance of safeguards and transparency in any type of counseling industry. You can find out more about Kathleen and her work at: https://coachkathleenoh.com/ You can request an appointment with Kathleen by sending an email to: info@lalichcenter.org All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

In recognition of the recent one-year anniversary of the tragic Russian Invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, we wanted to share with our entire audience a very special bonus episode that was previously only available to our Patreon supporters. Last year we recorded this episode with Ukrainian journalist Olga Yurkova, who we spoke with from Ukraine while the initial brutal assaults were still being felt across the now war-torn country. In this episode, Rachel also shared a few of her own reflections as someone who has a family history in Ukraine. We hope this episode will give you the opportunity to reflect on both the devastating outcomes that can result from indoctrination, propaganda, and groupthink on such a mass level, as well as the courageous resilience of the human spirit and the awe-inspiring bravery of survivorship of those still resisting tyrannical systems of control. Olga Yurkova is a Ukrainian journalist and co-founder of StopFake.org, an independent Ukrainian organization that trains an international cohort of fact-checkers in an effort to curb propaganda and misinformation in the media. She spoke with us last July about her work fighting Russian propaganda campaigns in Ukraine with her projects Forbidden Facts and StopFake.org. Since then Vladimir Putin's violent invasion has ravaged the Ukrainian landscape displacing millions of people and causing thousands of civilian casualties in just a few months' time. Since internet connectivity is often unstable and services such as Zoom and Skype are currently inaccessible in Ukraine, we were only able to connect with Olga via cell phone. We are so grateful for her strength and insistence on continuing to inform people in real time of Russia's dangerous disinformation campaign even in the grips of wartime chaos. Olga spoke with us two weeks ago from the relative safety of central Ukraine. Watch Olga's Ted Talk here: www.ted.com/speakers/olga_yurkova Listen to our previous episode from July 2021 with Olga here: https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/weapons-of-information-wolga-yurkova You can support Olga's work fighting Russian disinformation at StopFake here: www.stopfake.org/en/donate-en/ Olga suggests donating to these organizations that directly support Ukrainian people on the ground: Voices of Children is a charity that focuses on helping children recover from the psychological trauma of war: voices.org.ua/en/ Come Back Alive is one of the most accountable and trustworthy charities working for the military in Ukraine since 2014. The charity has been providing the military with auxiliary equipment, specialized software, drones, personal body protection, training, and other supplies: savelife.in.ua/en/donate/ Hospitallers is a volunteer paramedic organization, that helps the wounded on the battlefield, evacuates the wounded to the hospitals, helps in the rehabilitation process, and transfers the deceased to the burial site in Ukraine. Their current focus is on supplying medicines that are in shortage: www.edvantis.com/blog/how-to-help-ukraine/ The Kyiv Independent, a Ukraine-based English-language newspaper: www.gofundme.com/f/kyivindependent-launch HelpUkraine.center is a volunteer hub for humanitarian and medical aid for Ukraine. It accepts medical supplies, food, and hygiene products for babies and moms. It also accepts donations for purchasing medications and other necessary humanitarian products in Europe: helpukraine.center/#donate. Sergiy Prytula’s foundations. Sergiy Prytula is a Ukrainian TV presenter and public figure. Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2014, he has been volunteering to provide military aid to Ukrainian Armed Forces and humanitarian and financial assistance to children with cancer: prytulafoundation.org/en You can gain access to all of our bonus episodes by becoming a supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Vanessa Reiser is a mother, entrepreneur, life coach, advocate, and a ground-breaking psychotherapist specializing in narcissistic abuse using Therapist Self-Disclosure (TSD); a form of therapy where therapist statements are shared that reveals something personal about the therapist when an opportunity to create validation exists. Ms. Reiser graduated from the University of Southern California with a focus on Community Organizing but soon realized that clients responded to her counseling techniques. Vanessa is dynamic and colorful in her engagements. This, coupled with her clinical expertise, is where her magic is. For many years, thousands of people have enjoyed the warmth, humor, and transformational power of her clinical and life-coaching skills. Her private practice is thriving and grows stronger every day. Vanessa is also a founder of The Rockland County Pride Center and a Board Member of The Center for Safety and Change. Her focus on helping the disenfranchised is a mission that she works tirelessly toward, especially when it is related to women’s issues. Ms. Reiser recently ran the entire state of New York in a wedding dress to raise awareness for narcissistic abuse and made international headlines. Her days are spent supporting those traumatized by this insidious form of domestic violence. She is featured in the upcoming film by Marc Vicente “Empathy Not Included” and has a forthcoming book with Serendipity Literary Agency Find out more about Vanessa's work here: www.tellatherapist.net Thanks to our supporters for making this episode possible!

Tim Elliott is a senior writer at Good Weekend, the Saturday magazine for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, where he has won two Kennedy Awards and been nominated for a Walkley. His work has also appeared in London's The Financial Times, The Sunday Times, and The Australian. He has won multiple awards, including Best Feature at the Australian Magazine Awards and from the Australian Society of Magazine Editors. A 2014 Good Weekend story by Tim about his father’s suicide generated one of the largest reader responses in the history of The Sydney Morning Herald and led to his book, Farewell to the Father, in 2016. His first book, The Bolivian Times, is an account of six months he spent working on an English-language newspaper in South America. His latest project is a nine-part true crime podcast called Inside the Tribe, about a Christian fundamentalist sect called the Twelve Tribes. Tim shares his insights from having completed a comprehensive investigation into the worldwide Christian fundamentalist group the Twelve Tribes. He relays to Rachel the inherent dangers in this sect's patriarchal teachings toward women, their fraudulent financial practices, and their horrific neglect and abuse of young children. Before You Go: Rachel explains the long-term damage that can be caused to those raised in high-control groups that discourage development of the self or any forms of individualism. If you have any tips or comments in regard to Tim's podcast or the group it covers feel free to email him at: insidethetribepod@gmail.com Follow Tim on social media: Twitter: @TimElliottSMH Instagram: @timelliottsmh Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.elliott.927 Listen to Inside The Tribe here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/inside-the-tribe/id1533629268 All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

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 Have you ever felt like someone was manipulating you, making you question your own reality? If so, you might have experienced DARVO - Denial, Attack, Reverse Victim, and Offender. Abusers use this manipulative tactic to deny their wrongdoing, attack the victim's character, and reverse the roles of victim and offender. In this Patreon bonus episode, a continuation from pt.1, Rachel dives deeper into this concept, providing real-life examples and practical advice on how to cope with it. Thank you for your continued support as a subscriber and supporter of the show. Your partnership is invaluable, and we are pleased to offer you these bonus episodes as a token of our appreciation. 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 Share Your Feedback With Us Here: forms.gle/tz8eQwZorVNWWyQq6 Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.

Kate Amber is the founder of End Coercive Control USA, an organization that helps survivors, leaders, advocates, attorneys, therapists & other professionals in domestic abuse, extremist groups, human trafficking, cults, and organizations detect and prevent coercive control. She is a domestic violence, domestic abuse, and coercive control expert certified in the Psychology of Coercive Control by the University of Salford. In addition, she is certified in Executive Leadership in Violence & Abuse Prevention by the University of Pennsylvania at The Ortner Center. Kate consults, trains, and offers expert witness testimony in cases that involve domestic violence, domestic abuse, coercive control, and child abuse. Kate is also the creator of The PsychoSocial Quicksand Model of Coercive Control which she continues to develop, using evidence-based research, simplifying the complex and nuanced nature of the malevolent strategy of coercive control, allowing organizations and communities to detect, intervene in, and prevent coercive control wherever it may arise. In this highly informative and moving discussion, Kate relates to Rachel the personal experiences that led to her current work with ECCUSA. together they point out the many problematic issues surrounding domestic abuse and coercive control currently plaguing the justice system in the U.S. and abroad. Before You Go: Rachel explains how people can get caught in repetitive cycles of exploitation and points out the ways one may recognize and break free of them. You can find out more about Kate's work here: https://endcoercivecontrolusa.com/ All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Rachel offers her expert guidance and insights on how anyone can ensure they are working with a safe therapist, psychologist, counselor, or coach etc. She points out useful diagnostic tools for patients to assess the validity of the techniques used in sessions and explains specific red flags to be aware of when seeking help. These insights are useful for the general public when seeking mental health care but also hold unique importance for those who have left high control groups. Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!

Nikieta Lambert and Asha Glenn are former members of the International Churches of Christ. Both having grown up with narcissistic mothers, they've been gaslit, shamed, and silenced their whole lives by the people closest to them, while thriving academically and professionally, a true paradox. They're now making it their mission to speak out against psychological, emotional, and spiritual abuse in the hopes of providing a safe space for others to speak out about their own experiences and learn what it means to claim their power and autonomy. Nikieta and Asha share with Rachel their experiences as long-time members of the International Churches of Christ. They discuss how the church misused Christian theology in order to restrict the autonomy of their members and asset control over all aspects of their lives. They go on to discuss how their shared experience of being raised by narcissistic mothers helped to prime them to be seduced by the love bombing ICOC uses as a recruitment tool and hindered their ability to recognize the abusive nature of its theology. Before You Go: Rachel offers tips on how to recognize when a controlling parent, partner, or high-control group attempts to define who you are as a person in order to create a false narrative of dependency thereby removing one's own autonomy. You can learn more about Nikieta and her work at: http://www.nikietalambert.com You can find Nikieta and Asha's series on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@nikietalambert Follow Nikieta on TikTok: @nikietalambert Follow Nikieta on Instagram: @nikietalambert You can purchase Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: 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!

Marissa Hackett was born in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. At the time of her birth, her parents were involved with a group called the Foundation of Human Understanding, a right-wing cult led by Roy Masters. When Marissa was 11 years old, she moved with her family to Southern Oregon, where Roy moved the headquarters of the group and opened the only school Marissa attended in her childhood, Brighton Academy. As a black family, this experience created unique challenges for Marissa as she navigated life. Today, Marissa lives in Seattle and identifies as a fierce progressive. She's a proud auntie, sister, daughter, niece, godmother, and friend. She shares a life with her partner and husband, Aaron. Marissa absolutely loves music and being in nature. She currently resides in Seattle, Washington where she is a grad student in Couples and Family Therapy at Antioch University. In this emotional discussion, Marissa speaks publicly for the first time about growing up as a young black woman in a patriarchal right-wing cult in rural Oregon. She explains to Rachel the lasting impacts of her constant struggle to fit in and the difficulties in finding true community. They discuss why the current political landscape of right-wing rhetoric is so triggering for Marissa and how her time in the group actually helped to shape her own progressive politics. Before You Go: Rachel points out the hypocrisy inherent in the restrictive rules that are often imposed on only one gender in high control religious groups. Find Marissa's blog on Substack here: https://marissahackett.substack.com/ You can purchase Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: 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!

Daniel Barban Levin and Felicia Rosario are survivors of the now infamous coercive control group led by Larry Ray, who is now serving a 60-year prison sentence. Their stories are both heavily featured in the new Hulu documentary STOLEN YOUTH: INSIDE THE CULT AT SARAH LAWRENCE The film which is available now for streaming offers striking first-hand interviews with con man Larry Ray’s victims and incorporates personal audio tapes and video recordings to tell the story of his grim 10-year influence over a group of young people. The series follows the story from the cult’s origins in 2010 on the Sarah Lawrence campus until its recent demise when the last members find their own paths to survival. In this emotionally revealing continuation of their discussion with Rachel from last week, Daniel and Rosario look back at their experiences in disbelief and continue their analysis with a newfound perspective having shaken the psychological spell they were put under by the master manipulator and sociopath that controlled their friend group. Throughout the conversation, Rachel offers her insights into the common traps that people can unknowingly fall into when they have the misfortune of encountering predatory narcissists like Larry Ray. Before You Go: Rachel addresses the false dilemmas that manipulative controllers create in order to conceal their malicious intent disguising it as benign or even savior-like. You can stream STOLEN YOUTH: INSIDE THE CULT AT SARAH LAWRENCE now on Hulu. Watch the trailer here: youtu.be/p81Zit72Yao Daniel's book SLONIM WOODS 9 is available everywhere now. More info can be found here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/634501/slonim-woods-9-by-daniel-barban-levin/ You can purchase Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: 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!

In the first half of this very special two-part episode. Rachel speaks with author Daniel Barban Levin who had previously come on the show to discuss his excellent memoir SLONIM WOODS 9, about his experience getting into, surviving, and getting out of the now infamous coercive control group that began at Sarah Lawrence College. Joining Daniel this time will be Felicia Rosario who is also a survivor of the group's master manipulator Larry Ray, who thankfully is now serving a jail sentence of 60 years for his many awful abuses. Felicia who is a Harvard and Columbia Graduate was pulled into Larry's cult through her brother Santos who had briefly dated Larry's, Daughter Talia. Both Rosario and Daniel are featured in the new Hulu documentary STOLEN YOUTH: INSIDE THE CULT AT SARAH LAWRENCE The film's director Zachary Heinzerling had reached out to Rachel and her colleague Dan Shaw in the early stages of production to get a better sense of how to ethically portray this story from a perspective that was respectful of the survivors and not re-traumatize them in the process, they had met regularly for some time and his work can now finally be seen by the public as to provide the audience with a nuanced understanding of how anyone can get sucked into a manipulative, high control group. The film which is available now for streaming offers striking first-hand interviews with con man Larry Ray’s victims and incorporates personal audio tapes and video recordings to tell the story of his grim 10-year influence over a group of young people. The series follows the story from the cult’s origins in 2010 on the Sarah Lawrence campus until its recent demise when the last members find their own paths to survival. Throughout this cathartic and engaging conversation, Daniel and Felicia both begin to unpack the trauma of their experiences with Larry. With Rachel's encouragement, they provide insights into the new perspective they've gained after telling their stories through the film, reassessing what happened with a new distance from the abuse they finally broke free of. Before You Go: Rachel explains the sociopathic mindstate of people like Larry who manipulate people in the most extreme ways seemingly just as a sort of sport. Rachel goes on to point out why it can often be difficult for followers to recognize these toxic traits in leaders. You can stream STOLEN YOUTH: INSIDE THE CULT AT SARAH LAWRENCE now on Hulu. Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/p81Zit72Yao Daniel's book SLONIM WOODS 9 is available everywhere now. More info can be found here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/634501/slonim-woods-9-by-daniel-barban-levin/ You can purchase Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Patrick Ryan is a graduate of Maharishi International University and a former Associate teacher of Transcendental Meditation who has been a cult intervention specialist thought reform consultant and exit counselor since leaving TM in 1984. Mr. Ryan is the founder and former head of TM-EX, the organization of ex-members of Transcendental Meditation. He was the editor of AFF News, a news publication for former cult members from 1995-1998. Pat has contributed to the Cult Observer, AFF’s book, “Recovery From Cults”, and is co-author of "Ethical Standards for Thought Reform Consultants," Mr. Ryan established ICSA's online resources and also facilitated ICSA workshops for ex-members and families where he has lectured extensively on cult-related issues, covering a wide range of topics including; hypnosis, trance-induction techniques, communicating with cult members, cult intervention assessment, as well as thought reform consultation and more. Mr. Ryan received the AFF Achievement Award, The Leo J. Ryan "Distinguished Service Award" and a Lifetime Achievement Award from ICSA. He currently resides in Philadelphia, PA where he runs Cult News 101 and works as the co-founder of Intervention 101 with his longtime co-worker Joe Kelly. Pat shares his perspective on hypnosis and suggestibility through his experiences in TM. He describes how being hypnotized by the influential Dr. Margaret Singer helped him to realize the vulnerability of the human mind. Thanks so much to our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!

CONTENT WARNING: Child Abuse & Sex Trafficking Isami Daehn is a subject matter expert on anti-human trafficking and child safety. She grew up in Japan and was raised by professional con artists under the guise of “missionaries." Her home was an unsafe place for children, as her mother became her sex trafficker at the age of 9. Since leaving her abusive home as an adult, her mission has been to become a voice for the exploited and abused within religious settings and educate leadership on the subjects of anti-human trafficking and child safety. Isami has a B.S. degree in interdisciplinary studies (Graphic Design/Communications+Psychology), has completed professional training in global and domestic anti-human trafficking, has an active ICF coaching certification, and has appeared on multiple shows/podcasts internationally and within the United States. Her story of resilience has allowed her to connect with thousands of survivors across the globe. She currently resides in Las Vegas, NV, with her husband. Isami shares with Rachel the childhood traumas she endured as a sex trafficking victim at the hands of her mother and the dangerous church community of the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist movement. Throughout the conversation, Rachel outlines the common practices of isolated church communities that lack the structure and accountability measures necessary to keep their followers safe in instances of abuse. Together Isami and Rachel emphasize the difficulties survivors face when coming forward and how abusers rely on these obstacles to protect themselves from the consequences of their horrific actions, which too often go unpunished. Before You Go: Rachel details the psychological impediments that prevent children from speaking out against their abusers and explains how abuse in isolated religious communities inherently makes it more difficult for survivors to come forward. You can find more about Isami's story and work at: https://www.isamidaehn.com/ You can purchase Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: 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!

Meg Appelgate is the CEO of Unsilenced, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop institutional child abuse by empowering self-advocates to promote lasting social change. The organization envisions a world where youth are free from institutionalization and the voices of young people are respected in the development of their own mental, emotional, and physical well-being. At the age of 15, Meg was abducted by two strangers in the middle of the night from her California home and was told that “she was coming with them”. 8 hours later she found herself at a lockdown treatment facility in Boise, Idaho. Then, 6 months later, she found herself in an additional behavioral modification program in northern Montana where she spent the next 3 years. After graduating college, with a degree in psychology, completely oblivious to the abuse she had experienced, Meg spent the next 17 years dedicating her life to serving on various non-profit boards to help them with board development and recruitment and expanding their programs to further their impact. It wasn’t until she was well into her non-profit career that she woke up to the abuse and brainwashing that plagued her childhood and the effect it had on her entire adulthood. It was then that she became determined to pair her love of giving back and helping those in need, with her dedication to empowering other survivors of institutional abuse. Meg brings to Unsilenced an extensive background in non-profit management, board development, and fund development. She is actively involved with and serves on the Board of Directors at Laura’s House and The Shea Center. When she doesn’t find herself fully immersed in new ideas for fundraising and development, Meg loves traveling to see new places with her husband and 4 children. In this candid and revealing conversation Meg shares with Rachel the harrowing experiences of her adolescence that inspired the work she does today. Throughout the discussion, Rachel relates to Meg the insights she's gained from her years working with people who've been negatively impacted after encountering dangerously unprofessional practitioners in the therapy field. Before You Go: Rachel reiterates how silencing whistleblowers allows abuse to continue and exemplifies why communication is a fundamental human need by explaining the genesis of the obscure Chinese language of Nushu. You can find more info about Meg's organization at: https://www.unsilenced.org/ Follow Meg on Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/megappelgate IG: https://www.instagram.com/megappelgate/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megappelgate You can purchase Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Patrick Ryan is a graduate of Maharishi International University and a former Associate teacher of Transcendental Meditation who has been a cult intervention specialist thought reform consultant and exit counselor since leaving TM in 1984. Mr. Ryan is the founder and former head of TM-EX, the organization of ex-members of Transcendental Meditation. He was the editor of AFF News, a news publication for former cult members from 1995-1998. Pat has contributed to the Cult Observer, AFF’s book, “Recovery From Cults”, and is co-author of "Ethical Standards for Thought Reform Consultants," Mr. Ryan established ICSA's online resources and also facilitated ICSA workshops for ex-members and families where he has lectured extensively on cult-related issues, covering a wide range of topics including; hypnosis, trance-induction techniques, communicating with cult members, cult intervention assessment, as well as thought reform consultation and more. Mr. Ryan received the AFF Achievement Award, The Leo J. Ryan "Distinguished Service Award" and a Lifetime Achievement Award from ICSA. He currently resides in Philadelphia, PA where he runs Cult News 101 and works as the co-founder of Intervention 101 with his longtime co-worker Joe Kelly. In this conversation between two longtime friends and colleagues, Pat recalls how he first met Rachel and how her invitation to him to speak at The Jewish Federation's cult clinic helped outline the intervention practices he uses to this day. Pat goes on to share his experiences at Maharishi University explaining the deceptive practices of the Transcendental Meditation teacher's courses and the theological tricks they employ to keep followers from questioning their teachings. Thanks so much to our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!

For over 20 years, Anne Peterson devoted herself to Landmark, the training and development company she believed was transforming lives. She even helped launch the public reemergence of the guru behind the organization, Werner Erhard. But ultimately, Anne faced a reckoning. The organization and Erhard were corroding the message that initially sparked her passion. After years of rationalizing away red flags, the harm beneath the surface became undeniable. Anne now focuses on helping others navigate personal development without exploitation. Drawing from her experiences to provide guidance on recognizing manipulation, her new book Is This a Cult? Confronting the Line Between Transformation and Exploitation is an inspiring tale of rebuilding integrity in the shadow of charismatic leaders and offers hope to all who wonder whether their quest for growth has a dark side. Rachel and Anne delve into Anne's personal journey with Landmark, the emotional complexities of its abuse, and the importance of mental health support for former LGAT members. Throughout the conversation, Anne sheds light on the history of Landmark and its leader from her insider vantage point. Learn more about Anne and her work at: www.isthisacultbook.com Info About Anne's Recovery Group Facilitated by Rachel here: https://ilumn8.life/op/lgat-recovery-group/ Follow Anne on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annelpeterson/ 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.

Steven Hassan, Ph.D. is a mental health professional and expert in undue influence tactics used by authoritarian leaders and destructive cults. His expertise includes harmful influence in cases of destructive religious and political cults, human trafficking, extremist and terrorist groups, one-on-one relationships, families, parental alienation, mini-cults, therapy and self-improvement groups, professional and institutional abuse, corporate and multi-level marketing programs, and harmful belief systems. He is the author of four books including Combating Cult Mind Control, Freedom of Mind, and The Cult of Trump. He is a translated author with books in 10 languages. His online video courses are Understanding Cults: The Basics and Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course for Clinicians. Dr. Hassan is the Founding Director of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center, which provides training, consulting, and support to individuals who are struggling to leave or recover from a cult and to families and organizations that are concerned about cult behaviors. He developed the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control to identify control tactics and the Influence Continuum Model to discern ethical from unethical influence. Dr. Hassan began helping people affected by undue influence after he was deprogrammed from the Moon cult in 1976 at age 22. His 45-plus years of experience give him a unique perspective on the damaging effects of undue influence and exploitation by destructive cults. He is a frequently requested speaker and media interviewee. Dr. Hassan holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Cambridge College and a Doctorate in Organizational Development and Change from Fielding Graduate University School of Leadership Studies. Longtime colleagues Steven and Rachel, compare notes on what they have learned from their respective careers as mental health professionals specializing in cult education and recovery. Steve explains how his academic modeling aims to help policymakers better understand undue influence in order to prevent and prosecute the criminal actions of cult leaders. Rachel relays her experiences working with survivors of high control groups and how they relate to the behavior models created by Steve as well as pioneers such as Robert Lifton, and Margaret Singer. Together Rachel and Dr. Hassan discuss the need for the mental health industry to have a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the vulnerabilities and needs of cult survivors. Before You Go: Rachel examines Steve's idea of developing "pods of trust" as a support system to protect against undue influence. She goes on to explain ways to ensure the trustworthiness of people in your circle. More info on Steve's courses including, Basics and Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course for Clinicians here: https://freedomofmind.com/understanding-cults-a-foundational-course-for-clinicians/ Find All of Steve's books including Combating Cult Mind Control and Freedom of Mind here: https://freedomofmind.com/books/ Find Steve's podcast The Influence Continuum here: https://freedomofmind.com/podcast-3/ You can purchase Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: 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!

Today's guests Joyce Short and Nina Lucas represent the organization known as The Consent Awareness Network, which is fighting for sexual abuse survivors by codifying consent in our penal codes as a freely given, knowledgeable, and informed agreement. Joyce is the founder and Chief Executive of the Consent Awareness Network, she's also an author, and a TEDx Talk Presenter. Joyce has been an expert witness and the architect of several legislative bills that can radically change how consent is dealt with by our justice system. She’s been featured on Nightline, CBS News, and The New York Times, as well as being quoted in books and journals, including “The Moment” by Andrea Constand. Joyce has been honored as a 'Woman of Distinction" by the NY State Assembly. Nina serves as Chief of Staff and a Consent Outreach Ambassador for The Consent Awareness Network and is also a member of Never Alone Advocacy, which was founded to fight back against abuse of power in the military. As a classically trained singer, Nina's secret superpower is opera and she is dedicated to applying her robust voice to inform, educate and empower wherever she can in all efforts to codify consent. In this highly informative and revelatory discussion, Joyce and Nina outline the messy and ineffective history of consent and sexual assault laws in the U.S. through the lens of their own personal experiences with the failures of our current justice system. They explain how legally defining consent will ultimately help create a more just outcome for survivors of sexual abuse. Throughout the conversation, Rachel points out the ways that our current laws specifically prevent cult survivors from seeking justice and accountability for their perpetrators. Before You Go: Rachel explains the impediments to common sense consent laws, noting how ineffective they are when taking into account the body's natural inclination to freeze up in the face of traumatic situations. More Info on CAN here: www.consentawareness.net Joyce's TEDx TALK: https://bit.ly/DefineConsent Joyce's Book: http://bit.ly/YourConsentE Follow Joyce on IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourconsent/?hl=en Follow Nina on IG: https://www.instagram.com/standfirmvoice/?hl=en SIGN THE PETITION HERE: http://bit.ly/BillPetition CONTACT CAN: bit.ly/ConsentAmbassador #FGKIA #CodifyConsent You can purchase Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: 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!

This is just a preview of our exclusive Patreon bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a supporter at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this first episode of our new Patreon exclusive tribute series, we are covering the highly knowledgeable, and often hilarious James Randi. James Randi was a Canadian-American stage magician, author, and scientific skeptic who extensively challenged paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. He was the co-founder of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation. Randi began his career as a magician under the stage name The Amazing Randi and later chose to devote most of his time to investigating paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims, which he collectively called "woo-woo" He wrote about paranormal phenomena, skepticism, and the history of magic. He was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, famously exposing fraudulent faith healer Peter Popoff. Before Randi's retirement, his foundation sponsored the One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge, which offered a prize of one million US dollars to eligible applicants who could demonstrate evidence of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power or event under test conditions agreed to by both parties. James was a kind and brilliant man, who sadly passed away in 2020 but his impact still looms large and we are excited to share some of our thoughts on him as well as some of his ideas in his own words in this episode. Find more info on Randi and his foundation at: https://web.randi.org/