IndoctriNation

In this compelling episode, Rachel introduces Dr. John Hunter, a South African researcher and lecturer, to explore the psychological and neurobiological impacts of Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGATs). Dr. Hunter offers a unique perspective on how LGATs can trigger manic-like episodes and psychosis. Rachel and Dr. Hunter discuss the psychological and social dynamics within LGATs, including the...

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 bonus episode, Rachel delves into the multifaceted nature of loss and grief, offering a deeper understanding of the various types they may encounter. Rachel discusses how former cult members often feel displaced in traditional grief...

In this enlightening episode, Rachel continues her conversation with Dan Shaw, an esteemed psychotherapist renowned for his work on traumatic narcissism and cult recovery. Building on their previous discussion, Dan delves deeper into the concept of traumatic narcissism, sharing insights from his groundbreaking books, "Traumatic Relational Systems of Subjugation" and "Traumatic Narcissi...

In this captivating episode, Rachel Bernstein welcomes back Dan Shaw, a distinguished psychotherapist and expert in psychoanalysis specializing in narcissistic abuse and cult survivor recovery. Dan shares his transformative journey from being an actor and missionary to leaving a cultic organization in 1994 and becoming a mental health professional. His extensive training and personal experiences h...

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 survivor...

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 Coerci...

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 t...

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 t...

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 r...

Kendra Lee Bryan is a 2-time cult survivor and host of the popular (CULT)ure Shock Show on YouTube. Kendra describes herself as an investigative humorist who casts a snarky spotlight on cults, crime, and crooked culture through a piercing lens of levity. Her humor, intelligence and passion for cult education are driven by her own cultic experiences and make her an excellent host. In this episode,...

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination Rachel dives deep into the concept of DARVO - Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender - a term that sheds light on the manipulative tactics often used by abusers to deflect blame and undermine their victims. In this enlightening bonus ep...

R. Scott Okamoto is a fourth-generation Japanese American author, musician, and college professor from Pasadena, California. Scott is the host of the Chapel Probation podcast and the author of the new book, "Asian American Apostate: Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University." His work provides a wry and ironic insight into how America's evangelical schools encoura...

Named as one of the "top 10 religion newsmakers" of 2022 today’s guest, Christa Brown has persisted for two decades in working to peel back the truth about clergy sex abuse and coverups in the nation's largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention. She was one of the first to go public with substantiated child molestation allegations against a Baptist minister, along...

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 solo Bonus episode, Rachel delves into the pervasive issue of victim blaming within various contexts, including new-age thinking, large group awareness training, the self-help movement, religious organizations, and abusive relations...

Aimee Byrd is an author, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. She has written several books including Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and Sexual Reformation. Her latest work, The Hope In Our Scars peels back the Christian church’s underlying and pervasive theology of power, to face the shame that lurks there. Having trodden her own path of disillusionment, Aimee invites the reader to f...

Elle Hardy is an Australian-born journalist mostly based in New Orleans. She has covered stories from every continent on earth, from North Korea to the backwoods of Alabama. Her writing credits include The Guardian, The Times, GQ, Vice, and more. Elle also appeared alongside Rachel, in the documentary Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed, which uncovered the scandals of the “hip celebrity church”. Elle...

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 bonus episode, Rachel delves into the complexities of life after leaving a cultic group or controlling relationship. She discusses the common challenges faced by survivors as they navigate their newfound freedom and the potential ne...

Annie Dawid is an award-winning author and professor who teaches creative writing at University College, of Denver. She is a professor of English and Director of Creative Writing at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. Her latest novel PARADISE UNDONE: A NOVEL OF JONESTOWN is a historical fiction of the infamous tragedy that took place in Guyana 45 years ago, it is a sensitive account of 4 p...

Joel Looper is an adjunct professor at Baylor University and the author of the new book, Another Gospel: Christian Nationalism and the Crisis of Evangelical Identity in which he offers his fellow evangelicals a unique theological argument for resisting Christian nationalism. Using church history, Scriptural reasoning, and even analysis of Russian Christian nationalism. The book argues that another...

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 solo bonus episode, Rachel shares her insights into the disturbing world of the 7M TikTok cult popularized in the recent Netflix documentary "Dancing For The Devil" Led by Robert Shin, this group has exploited young dancers, manipulate...

Daniel Schricker is a composer and writer based in Adelaide, Australia. He completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Adelaide, being awarded a PhD in 2020. In addition to his doctoral research in music composition, his academic interests include cults and fringe religious organizations. Some of his recent writings explore the theological and psychological aspects of hig...

Returning guests, Stacie Stukin and Phillip Deslippe are joining the show once again to speak about their newest investigative piece on the troublesome boarding schools of the 3HO community. Stacie Stukin is an arts and culture journalist from Los Angeles. She was a contributing editor at Yoga Journal and has also written about yoga for the Los Angeles Times and Time Magazine. Over the years, she’...

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 continuation from a previous bonus episode, Rachel explains how mantras and repetitive meditations can both heal and harm. She shares her insights by exploring the work of Elizabeth Clare Prophet and the Church Universal and Triumphant who is...

Natalie Hoffman is the author of Is it Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A Christian Woman's Guide to Hidden Emotional and Spiritual Abuse and her recent memoir All the Scary Little Gods. Natalie is also the host of the Flying Free podcast. She is a mother, grandmother, educator, and passionate advocate for women of faith in abusive homes and churches. Through the Flying Free Sister...

Ryan George spent the first 20 years of his life in a cult, attending a series of Independent Fundamental Baptist churches including one where his dad was the pastor, whose word was the ultimate authority. It wasn’t until Ryan was confronted with the truth that his father was a serial sexual abuser hiding his sins behind Bible verses, that Ryan realized his faith was built on a foundation of lies....