IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes:

The Anatomy Of A Cult Member w/Jon Atack Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

Jon Atack is a leading expert on authoritarian cult groups as well as a best-selling author. He has worked with hundreds of former members and has lectured and written extensively in a career spanning four decades. Jon wrote the book, “Scientology: The Cult of Greed” as a simple introduction to the subject, while his influential book, “Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky” is the only comprehensive history of the bizarre group known as Scientology. Through his popular YouTube channel and podcast, simply titled, “Jon Atack and Friends”, he endeavors to make complex psychological ideas accessible. His scholarship has been supported by many academics from varying fields of study. Jon’s book “Opening Our Minds” shows how cultic behaviors are established throughout society and sheds light on the methods used in pseudo-religions, therapy and commercial cults, terrorism, gangs, grooming, hazing, and modern slavery. He also shows that these methods succeed because of failures in our education system. In his spare time, Jon hybridizes tomatoes, plays drums, and paints. In this information-dense and engaging discussion between longtime colleagues and friends, Rachel and Jon delve deep into the hearts and minds of people trapped in high-control groups. Throughout the conversation, they touch on both the sociological and psychological factors that drive people into destructive groups and offer insights on the healing process for those who escape. Before You Go: Rachel explains how simply recontextualizing the language of cult leaders can help reveal the absurdity of their words, even to the most indoctrinated followers. You can find all of Jon's work on his website: https://jonatack.co.uk/ You can listen to Alan Schlaifer's new song "Waiting for the Rain" on your favorite streaming service or on Spotify by clicking the link below: https://open.spotify.com/track/2OEt1VGFRYIpIkU5yHgzBd?si=250f04b8f66f4a0f 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: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctrination Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Rachel on Tension Between Former Members Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can listen to the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this special bonus episode, Rachel explains how cult survivors are often uniquely primed to be involved with contentious in-fighting within the ex-member communities they participate in. She advises what safeguards and protocols should be implemented in support groups run by former members. Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!!
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God, Sex, and Rich People w/ Mattie Jo Cowsert Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

Mattie Jo Cowsert was a pastor’s kid and proud purity ring-wearer before she moved to New York City and experienced an unexpected worldview and identity implosion. When the marriage equality act passed in 2015, Mattie Jo decided to share how the queer community was one of the catalysts for questioning everything she’d been taught, in her first publicly released blog post entitled: God and the Gays. This was the start of her popular blog, God, Sex & Rich People. Before terms like “deconstruction”, “purity culture” or “Ex-vangelical” became hashtags all over the internet, God, Sex & Rich People exposed the sometimes painful, sometimes hilarious realities of a young female Ex-evangelical navigating the diversity of the Big Apple, working for the 1%, and trying to have good sex without hating herself. Since then, Mattie Jo has developed a pilot for a series based on her blog which recently premiered at the Omaha Film Festival. Her forthcoming book is titled: "God, Sex, & Rich People: A Recovering Evangelical Testimony " In this candid and vulnerable conversation Mattie Jo opens up to Rachel about her experiences growing up in purity culture, outlining the damaging theology of Christian Patriarchy. Throughout the discussion Mattie Jo and Rachel upack the systematic and insidious mechanisms of control inherent in the common practices of conservative ideologies. Before You Go: Rachel explains how people leaving high control groups often miss out on the available resources and advocacy organizations in the broader community. You can find more info on Mattie Jo and her work at: https://www.mattiejocowsert.com/ 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: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctrination Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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UNLOCKED BONUS EPISODE: On Twin Flames Universe Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

In this special bonus episode, Rachel shares her thoughts on the "Twin Flames Universe" cult and its leaders Jeff and Shaleia. After becoming aware of this strange online-based group around 2019 she received several disturbing reports to her therapy practice by former and current members and their concerned families. Throughout this talk, Rachel outlines the many red flags and dangerous ideologies of the group explaining how harmful their ideas can be for devotees. She goes on to analyze how the group's survivors have been perceived by the media and offers a more insightful perspective on how they should be represented in a more sensitive and accurate light. Watch the trailer for Escaping Twin Flames here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VePkIq4_q2k Watch the trailer for Desperately Seeking Soulmate here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nt-zr-R6cw Listen to Rachel's interview with Wonderey's Twin Flames podcast here: youtu.be/pL2mWHAPJbQ?si=ZA7t0xXAplsW3f8r This is an unlocked bonus episode, you can hear all 50+ of our bonus episodes by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Members can also access our first 50 episodes exclusively on Patreon: www.patreon.com/collection/106532 Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!
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UNLOCKED BONUS EPISODE: Freedom Through Expression w/ Jolie Holland Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

Jolie Holland is a world-renowned Los Angeles-based artist who has forged a timeless, captivating musical legacy mining the depths of her, at times harrowing, life experiences. Her fearless creative choices are rooted in honesty and presence. She is a co-founder of the musical trio The Be Good Tanyas and has been featured on Bob Dylan's "Theme Time Radio Hour" Jolie was raised as a fourth-generation Jehovah's Witness, and her music inherently carries emotional themes inextricable from her cult experience. These concepts of cult dynamics are subtly woven throughout her newly released album Haunted Mountain, including on the mesmerizing title track, a duet with Buck Meek, guitarist for the band Big Thief. In this very special episode, Jolie breaks down the emotional themes of her new record and explains how the cultic dynamics she sees in the world inform her perspective and work. She outlines the patriarchal and harmful teachings she experienced herself being raised as a Jehovah's Witness, and how the aftereffects permeate her creative expression. Haunted Mountain is available now on all streaming platforms and on CD & vinyl at: www.joliehollandmusic.com This is an unlocked bonus episode, you can hear all 50+ of our bonus episodes by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination Members can also access our first 50 episodes exclusively on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/collection/106532 Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Recognizing Religious Control w/Nikieta Lambert and Asha Glenn Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can listen to the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Returning guests, 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. In this follow-up conversation, Nikieta and Asha explain in detail how the ICOC leaders manipulate Biblical scripture to maintain complete control over their congregants in every aspect of their lives from romantic and familial relationships to financial and career decisions. You can learn more about Nikieta and her work at: www.nikietalambert.com You can find Nikieta and Asha's series on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/@nikietalambert Thanks to all of our supporters for making this episode possible!!
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The Source Family Commune w/ Wendy Baker Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Wendy Baker is a former member of the infamous Los Angeles-based cult The Source Family, a commune that began in the 1960s by Jim Baker AKA Father Yod. The group was funded mainly by The Source restaurant a vegetarian cafe popular with celebrities such as John Lennon and Marlon Brando. Wendy is the author of the award-winning memoir "My Name Was Mushroom: My Life as a Teenage Runaway in The Source Family Commune", She is now a successful entrepreneur running a Malibu, CA insurance agency alongside her wonderful employees, and her husband of 45 years, Bart Baker, the son of The Source Family Leader Jim Baker. In her spare time, Wendy volunteers at the Women's and Children's Shelter in Oxnard, California. She's passionate about helping women tell their stories and is especially excited to help teenage mothers succeed in life after navigating her own struggles as a 16-year-old mother herself. In this fascinating conversation, Wendy describes a day in the life for a follower of the Source family cult run by Father Yod. She details her short but impactful journey in the commune as a teenage mother offering a uniquely intimate perspective of its leader. Before You Go: Rachel outlines the importance of noticing when a group leader exhibits hypocritical or contradictory behavior. Wendy's memoir is available now on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Was-Mushroom-Teenage/dp/0996055266 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: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctrination Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Cargo Cults w/ Lamont Lindstrom Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Lamont Lindstrom is an Emeritus Professor and former Chair of Anthropology, at the University of Tulsa, where he also served as Associate Dean of the Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences. Lindstrom has taught courses in sociolinguistics and anthropology at Rhodes College, Memphis, the University of Papua New Guinea, and UC Berkeley. Lamont has long-term research interests in Vanuatu and other Melanesian countries and has written several books on these subjects, his latest book “Tanna Times: Islanders in the World” was published in 2021. He is also the author of the fascinating book about the phenomenon of Cargo Cults entitled, “Cargo Cult: Strange Stories of Desire from Melanesia and Beyond” Professor Lindstrom has had many visiting fellowships throughout his academic career including at the East-West Center in Honolulu, The Center for Pacific Islands Studies at The University of Hawaii, and The MacMillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at Canterbury University. In this fascinating and educational conversation, Professor Lindstrom explains some of the common misconceptions of "Cargo Cults" and describes the cultural landscape of Pacific island communities throughout the 20th century up until today. Throughout the discussion, Rachel points out the commonalities and differences between "Cargo Cults" and modern religious movements through an anthropological lens provided by Lamont. Before You Go: Rachel explains the inherent vulnerability of isolated communities that seek meaning in nearly everything and warns of the dangers of magical thinking. You can download Lamont's book "Tanna Times" for free here: https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/42982 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: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctrination Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Leaving "The Family" w/Perry Bulwer Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can listen to the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Returning guest, Perry Bulwer was Born in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, where he joined the Children of God after dropping out of high school at age 16. He then spent the next two decades living in Children Of God communes across the world. In 1991, at the age of 36, he was finally able to escape the cult. Perry now advocates for second-generation cult survivors, and continues to shed light on the Children of God, a/k/a "The Family". He is the author of the new memoir "Misguided: My Jesus Freak Life In a Doomsday Cult", A unique first-hand account of a life spent in the Children of God, the millenarian doomsday cult under the sway of the charismatic leader, David Berg. In this important follow-up conversation, Perry details his long and difficult healing journey after leaving the group explaining the arduous process of obtaining quality mental health care. Perry goes on to explain how his advocacy for second-generation members became a part of his own healing process. Follow Perry on Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094395042799 You can find out more about Perry and his work here: https://perry-bulwer.blogspot.com/ Check out Perry's blog on Religious based child abuse here: https://religiouschildabuse.blogspot.com/p/books-about-children-of-god-aka-family.html
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Why Don't You Say Something w/Eva Collins Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

Eva Collins is a content creator and online business consultant with over 20 years of experience in the spiritual and personal development world and 8 years in the online business and coaching industry. She has 750 hours of yoga teacher training, along with certifications in Reiki and health coaching. Over the years, during her entrepreneurship journey, she started learning from and working for some big names in the online business industry, and during the pandemic, she slowly began to realize that she’d found herself caught up in an online business cult— even though she’d never met most of these people or the teacher in person. After waking up to the manipulation, abuse, and shady practices she had seen, she quit everything. She quit her online coaching business and started working at a nursing home doing bedside care. She created the Instagram account called “why don't you say something” to call out manipulation and empower people to speak up, sharing people’s stories and experiences anonymously. One of the things that fueled her to see the truth and share it, was her previous experience in the One Taste Cult in New York City, 10 years ago. She saw through it then, spoke up about it, and helped others break free from the group, hosting them at her house when they’d decided to leave. Today, Eva is passionate about helping people recover from spiritual abuse and navigate the online business world without falling for the same traps. She’s on a mission to promote authenticity, honesty, and ethical practices in both the spiritual and marketing realms. In this insightful conversation, Eva details her experience getting wrapped up in the often shady world of online coaching, throughout the discussion, she points out some of the important red flags to watch out for when encountering "professionals" in this new and growing industry. Rachel points out the parallels of coaching influencers with that of cult leaders or high-control online groups and gurus. Before You Go: Rachel explains how grounding the true helping professions can be for its practitioners and explains why you should be wary of new terminology used to imply licensure or legitimacy where it is not earned or warranted. You can find more info about Eva and her work at: https://www.whydontyousaysomething.com/ Be sure to follow her excellent Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/whydontyousaysomething/ 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: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctrination Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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