IndoctriNation

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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Pat Ryan On Hypnosis Feb 17, 2023

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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!
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Familial Trafficking w/Isami Daehn Feb 15, 2023

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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!
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Unsilenced w/Meg Appelgate Feb 08, 2023

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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!
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: The Theological Tricks of TM w/Pat Ryan Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

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!
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Detecting Deception w/Steven Hassan, Ph.D. Feb 01, 2023

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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!
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Codifying Consent w/Joyce Short & Nina Lucas Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

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!
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: A Tribute To James Randi Jan 20, 2023

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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/
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Opening The Cult Vault w/Kacey Jan 18, 2023

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Kacey is the host and creator of The Cult Vault, an award-nominated long-form interview-based podcast focusing on the true testimonies of cult survivors. Kacey began her podcast during the COVID-19 lockdown, which coincided with her maternity leave. At first, it was intended to be focused on researching cult cases from history and presenting them to those who might be interested in listening. But as survivors began reaching out she realized her platform had turned into something more - a place for stories to be told and for Kacey and her listeners to learn about cult dynamics from those who have most closely experienced them. In this exciting crossover episode, the two podcast hosts compare and contrast their experiences of publicly interviewing cult survivors from dozens of different groups. Kacey offers personal insights on her work, explaining the importance of embracing the learning curve inherent when diving into the world of cults head first, while Rachel details her preferred methodology in therapeutic settings for her clients as well as when conducting interventions with the families of those ensnared in dangerous high-control groups or relationships. Before You Go: Rachel emphasizes the importance of allyship in the cult survivor community from people not impacted personally, explaining how it strengthens the movement and creates meaningful bonds among supporters and survivors alike. You can find more about Kacey's podcast The Cult Vault here: https://www.cultvaultpodcast.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: https://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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Currency & Coercive Control w/ Tracy Coenen Jan 11, 2023

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Tracy Coenen has been investigating fraud for more than 25 years, but she didn’t always want to be a forensic accountant. She went to Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI to get a criminology degree. A class on financial crime investigations reminded her how much she loved Encyclopedia Brown books as a kid. She continued her criminology degree but added accounting and economics courses so she could sit for the CPA exam. Today, Tracy is finding money in cases of corporate fraud, high-net-worth divorce, and other financial shenanigans. She's the founder of pinktruth.com which provides information-sharing about the truth of multi-level marketing companies that prey upon women. The focus is mostly on Mary Kay Cosmetics but also covers other pyramid schemes and MLMs. Tracy is also the creator of The Divorce Money Guide, which has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Business Journal, and many more major media outlets. In this unique and important conversation, Tracy explains how her personal experience as a Mary Kay consultant led her to uncover the fraudulent practices of multi-level marketing groups and brought her to a career in forensic accounting. Rachel discusses with Tracy the similarities inherent in survivors of high-control groups and personal relationships with regard to lack of transparency and manipulative financial practices, Together Rachel and Tracy offer ways for people to protect themselves from financial abuse in both relationships and business ventures. Before You Go: Rachel addresses the misleading financial terminology and framing that manipulative groups and even partners may use to obscure malicious intent regarding financial control. Find out more about Tracy's work here: https://www.fraudcoach.com/divorcemoneyguide Find out more about Mary Kay here: https://www.pinktruth.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: https://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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One Taste of Freedom w/ Ruwan Meepagala Jan 04, 2023

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Ruwan Meepagala is a podcaster and coach. In his early twenties, he became involved in the matriarchal cult, known as One Taste, which was recently covered in the Netflix documentary Orgasm Inc. Ruwan describes his time with the group as one of the most formative experiences of his life, giving him a crash course in some of the darker parts of human nature. The memoir of his years in the cult, along with his other writing and podcasts can be found at: https://ruwando.substack.com/ In this revealing and insightful discussion, Ruwan opens up to Rachel about his time in One Taste outlining the more dangerous aspects of the high-control group, while maintaining the positive aspects of empowerment and self-confidence he experienced. He goes on to share how the group's leader Nicole Daedone, who is still under investigation by the FBI conducted her "orgasmic meditation" business. Throughout the conversation, Rachel points out the cognitive dissonance may cult survivors feel as they struggle to hang on to the helpful practices or ideas they learned in an otherwise destructive group. Before You Go: Rachel expands on the seemingly counter-intuitive notion of survivors holding on to certain positive aspects learned from their time in high control groups. She offers up tools for figuring out what ideas to abandon and what lessons to remember. Watch the trailer for Orgasm Inc. here: https://youtu.be/11DiQzSLfmo Find more about Ruwan's story here: https://ruwando.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: https://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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