IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes:

Deer Tribe Medicine Society w/Heidi Thompson Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

Heidi Thompson was born into the Seventh-Day Adventist apocalyptic religion. She escaped at age 19 to attend college at the University of North Texas where she completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. While in graduate school, she learned about a spiritual organization called the Rudra Center for Enlightened Awareness. She began attending their sweat lodges, meditation, and shamanic psychology classes. She soon became part of the inner circle and was eventually introduced to its parent organization called the Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society. After her recruitment into the Deer Tribe, Heidi became actively involved in their sacred sexuality workshops called ‘Quodoushka.’ Quodoushka claims to teach people that sex is “natural, sacred and beautiful.” Heidi was told these workshops would help her heal from sexual trauma. However, while attending these workshops, she was manipulated into doing many perverse and corrupt sexual activities she did not want to do. These experiences left her deeply traumatized. In early 2022, Heidi decided to speak out to the community about her experiences. Immediately, former participants began writing to her about their own stories of sexual exploitation and manipulation at these Quodoushka sex workshops and other Deer Tribe events. She hopes that by speaking out publicly, it will help others avoid and walk away from destructive high-control groups. Today, she is recovering and rebuilding her life with her husband. In this revealing and courageous conversation, Heidi shares her story of religious and sexual trauma for the very first time, explaining to Rachel the generational family dysfunction that primed her for seeking healing in a faux Native American organization, which turned out to be an abusive sex cult. Heidi succinctly articulates the complex emotional turmoil of her familial relationships as well as her yearning for healthy spiritual practice. Before You Go: Rachel cautions against ascribing meaning to the often nebulous phrases of spiritual leaders' which can actually be bereft of any true depth when closely examined with critical thinking. Heidi’s social handles and website: www.instagram.com/theheidithompson/ www.linkedin.com/in/theheidithompson/ Deer Tribe and affiliate organization links: dtmms.org/ www.amaracharles.com/ www.quodoushka.org/ rudracenter.org You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Stephanie Ellis, Marianne Fox, Stacey Bellows, Dr. Jo Eckler, Travis Bouwer, Julia C, Tom Harper, Ginger Sorbara, Dao Tindukasiri, Emily Adele Fletcher, Marie-Claude Hébert, Jessica, Maria, Matt Faucher, and, Juliana Zhou !! 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 You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: On Scientology Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

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 In this very special bonus episode, we revisit some of the material we've covered with regard to one of the most notorious cults of all time...Scientology. We've released over 20 episodes on Scientology and spoken to some of the most important activists working to expose this criminal organization, including Tony Ortega, Claire Headley, Tory Christman, and many more who like Rachel have all been a target of their brutal "fair game" harassment policy. In this episode, we aim to provide a concentrated look into the deeper and often more personal details we've uncovered over the years. So, we will revisit some of those emotionally revealing and humanizing stories in an attempt to further educate the public about this "church" which operates more like the mafia.
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In My Father's Footsteps, Following Rajneesh w/Sam Jahara Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

Sam Jahara is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and Tavistock certified Executive Coach with a private practice in Brighton, South-East England. She became a psychotherapist as a result of coming to terms with several aspects of her upbringing, mainly linked with cultural identity as well as being raised by parents who were involved in a cult. Sam grew up primarily in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but moved around a lot because of her parent’s involvement with their guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (later renamed Osho). From age 6 she lived in communes dotted across Europe, including the UK, and life was chaotic and unsettling. After leaving the cult in her late 20s, she spent many years trying to make sense of her profound experiences of lack of belonging and a sense of identity, stemming from being both an immigrant and an ex-cult member. As with many cults, children are usually seen as objects, a hindrance, or treated as little adults. Abuse and neglect are common through the encouragement of separation of parents and children. Now in her late 40s, she is still making sense of some of these experiences and using her training and knowledge to continue to understand cults, cult leaders, and what makes people follow them. In this insightful conversation, the two therapists examine the impact that neglectful parents can have on the development of children through the lens of Sam's own perspective of being raised in an Osho commune as a young child. Together, Rachel and Sam go on to discuss the cultural identity issues that are often present in people who were raised in cults and how it relates also to those who had unstable living conditions as children. Sam offers a thoughtful analysis of her parents' motives in joining Osho's cultic community and opens up about the emotional complexities inherent in her relationships with her family today. Before You Go: Rachel further examines her concept of a spiritual placebo, explaining it can decieve followers into sacrificing the power of their own autonomy and makes them vulnerable to dependence on a guru figure. Links: https://www.brightonandhovepsychotherapy.com https://www.instagram.com/brightonhovepsychotherapy/ https://twitter.com/brightonpsych https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYz7Fl2DxxATFLmN-RFRIsQ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samjahara/ You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Eike, Kate Davison, Ingjerd Langnes, Carrie Jacobson, Katherine Walsh, Samantha Gee, Michael Call, Aleka, Emanuele Monica, Michele Yaddaw, Kateland Harte, Berit Anderson, SarahJane, Dawn Haltom, Jennifer Wright, Emma Buchbinder, and, Claire Pittman! 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 You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Hell Fear Trauma w/ Andrew Jasko Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

Andrew Jasko is a Princeton Seminary-educated former minister, who has a Master's Degree in Divinity, and in Counseling Psychology. Andrew had to leave his religious faith and community because of the severe psychological trauma he experienced. After spending years healing his trauma and helping hundreds of people transform their lives, he founded his organization Life After Dogma to continue his expertise in healing religious trauma, where Andrew’s clients hire him to assist them in healing and finding a healthy, authentic spiritual or secular connection that suits them. Andrew shares his theological knowledge with Rachel helping her to understand the biblical origin of Christo-fascism and how it connects to today's right-wing-leaning Christianity. Together they discuss the nuances of counseling people suffering from religious trauma and the difficulties in finding healthier forms of spiritual connection. Before You Go: Rachel explains why people who put their faith in the teachings of holy books should examine the interpretations they are given especially when they are presented as infallible or when the group preaches religious superiority. Schedule a session with Andrew: https://innerfreedomsession.as.me Andrew's website: https://www.lifeafterdogma.org Andrew's Facebook Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/religioustrauma You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Kate Davison, Ingjerd Langnes, Carrie Jacobson, Katherine Walsh, Samantha Gee, Michael Call, Aleka, Emanuele Monica, Michele Yaddaw, Kateland Harte, Berit Anderson, SarahJane, Dawn Haltom, Jennifer Wright, Emma Buchbinder, and, Claire Pittman! 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 You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: A Brief History of Hate w/Rabbi Ed Feinstein Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

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 In this very special bonus episode, Rachel speaks with her beloved friend and longtime Rabbi, Ed Feinstein. Rabbi Ed Feinstein serves the Valley Beth Shalom community as a teacher and visionary leader. He serves on the faculty of the Ziegler Rabbinical School of the American Jewish University, the Wexner Heritage Program, and the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem and lectures widely across the United States. He is the author of several books, including Tough Questions Jews Ask – A Young Adult’s Guide to Building a Jewish Life, (Jewish Lights, 2003), which was chosen for the American Library Association’s Top Ten Books on Religion for Young Readers and a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. An engaging lecturer and storyteller, Rabbi Feinstein unites the ancient Jewish love of ideas with the warmth of Jewish humor. He takes this opportunity to discuss with Rachel the circumstances that allow the ideologies of violent hate groups to fester and the societal indoctrination that entraps so many people within its hateful grips. Thanks to our Patrons for making this episode possible!
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A Safety Guide For Gentle Souls w/Esther Friedman Aug 31, 2022

Show notes

Esther Friedman is a licensed mental health counselor, expressive art therapist, songwriter, performer, author, and ex-cult member. In 2006, a cult took advantage of her uncertainty, open-mindedness & open-heartedness. It perpetrated what she now calls Cultic Identity Theft. In 2011, she left and found her voice by embracing, honoring, and protecting those core traits. She says that telling her story through writing saved her sanity. Those vulnerabilities are now her strengths. Esther shares her journey of involvement in a secretive group that she knew simply as "School" but which has been known by many names, most popularly Odyssey Study Group. She explains how a seemingly innocuous and coincidental meeting in a grocery store was actually a premeditated plan of recruitment by this high-control and deceptive group. Along the way Esther and Rachel exchange insights, they've gained from treating clients who have recently left high control groups. Before You Go: Rachel explains how ex-members of high control groups have a right to feel anger and how that intensity can be used as a positive motivator toward healing and self-reliance. Find more about Esther and her work here: https://www.gsrhealingarts.com/ You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters!! 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 You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Isolated in India w/Rachel Manija Brown Aug 24, 2022

Show notes

Rachel Manija Brown's parents moved her to an ashram in India when she was seven years old to worship the guru Meher Baba. Rachel stayed there until she was twelve, but never considered herself a follower of him. She wrote a memoir about the experience, All the Fishes Come Home to Roost. Her mother still lives at the ashram. Rachel has an MA in clinical psychology, worked as a trauma therapist (AMFT), and currently works as a life coach. She also writes professionally under her own name, Lia Silver, and as one of a group of writers who share the pen name, Zoe Chant. Rachel Brown joins Ms. Bernstein to share the traumas of her childhood in India in hopes that it might offer solace and hope to others who relate to her experiences. Together the two Rachels unpack the complex emotional journey of Ms. Brown's formative years and the difficulties that followed, the two therapists then broaden the conversation, comparing their treatment techniques for those suffering from complex post-traumatic stress. Before You Go: Rachel expands on the concept of toxic positivity that Ms. Brown described from her time in the ashram, outlining the common cliches and pointing out its inherent dangers. More info on Rachel's Counseling work here: https://www.rachelmbrown.com/ More info on Rachel's books here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/175143.Rachel_Manija_Brown You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Kim, Janet Imp, Tori Parham, Matthew Krueger, Jennifer Loidolt, Tamsin McDonnell, Ann Gentry, Latechia Hogue, Alishia L'Heureux, MR J G GARDEN, Elaine L Garcelon, Amanda Davis, Arianna, Eliza, Jill Epps, Kim Tilley, Stefanie Schroeder, Shauna, Patricia Glica, Jill Carnay, Simrat Khalsa,and, Heidi Meyer! 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 You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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BONUS EPISODE PREVIEW: Rachel Bernstein Speaks Up w/Andrew Pledger Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

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 In this very special bonus episode, Andrew Pledger turns the tables and interviews Rachel, getting her to open up about her own religious background, her motivation for entering the cult education world as well as lessons she's learned from her work as a cult interventionist for the past 30 years. Andrew is well suited for this task as he recently began his own journey as a podcast host on"Speaking Up with Andrew Pledger" a show offering a platform for people to share their stories of religious trauma. You can find out more about Andrew and listen to "Speaking Up" here: https://liinks.co/4ndrewpledger Register for Rachel's new webinar series Living In Freedom here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html
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Escaping Xenos w/Emma Buchbinder Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

Emma Buchbinder was raised in the high-control religious group Xenos Christian Fellowship, based in Columbus, Ohio. In 2020, Xenos changed its name to Dwell Community Church following years of negative press, and accusations of abuse and cult activity. Emma entered into leadership roles at Xenos/Dwell at age 16 and simultaneously moved into one of the communal-style housing arrangements called a “ministry house”, in which she remained for 10 years until she left. Emma both experienced and implemented various forms of behavioral, emotional, and spiritual abuse. Since leaving Xenos/Dwell at the end of 2020, Emma has experienced immense difficulty transitioning into the real world for the first time as she learns to navigate the complexities of developing healthy friendships, setting boundaries, listening to her intuition, and valuing rest. She is also still navigating how to interact with loved ones still involved in Xenos/Dwell. Emma hopes that her story will give others the courage to share their own experiences and create awareness that these forms of abuse can and do happen to your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Emma joins Rachel to share the emotional turmoil she experienced throughout her life as a member of Xenos Christian Fellowship, and explains the fear and isolation of leaving behind the family and support systems she had known her whole life. Throughout the conversation, Rachel offers insights from her experience in working with people leaving high control religious organizations providing context for the confusing feelings and difficult decisions Emma reckoned with as she left the controversial and damaging group behind. Before You Go: Rachel points out how high control groups often test the faith of their followers by pushing them to do things that go against their own conscience and explains the feelings of moral superiority that often accompany insular religious groups. Follow the links below for more info on Xenos and support for ex-members: https://www.dwellchurchcolumbusisacult.com/ www.xenosisacult.com https://leavingdwell.com Xenos/Dwell Survivors Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/343161603178121 You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Kim, Janet Imp, Tori Parham, Matthew Krueger, Jennifer Loidolt, Tamsin McDonnell, Ann Gentry, Latechia Hogue, Alishia L'Heureux, MR J G GARDEN, Elaine L Garcelon, Amanda Davis, Arianna, Eliza, Jill Epps, Kim Tilley, Stefanie Schroeder, Shauna, Patricia Glica, Jill Carnay, Simrat Khalsa,and, Heidi Meyer! 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 You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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From TTI to LMFT w/Julianne Bull Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

Julianne Bull is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist living in Los Angeles. She holds a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California and has been a practicing therapist for about seven years. She currently utilizes DBT work with adolescents, as well as being a Certified Animal Assisted Therapy Professional. At age 14, Julianne was sent away for a year to two Troubled Teen Industry programs, the experiences which inspired her to become a therapist for teens and use her work to fight against this damaging and dangerous industry Julianne joins Rachel to discuss her harrowing experience as a teenager at two different teen treatment facilities where she suffered neglect and abuse that caused her trauma for many years to come. Julianne explains to Rachel how finally seeing a legitimate therapist inspired her to pursue the profession herself, pointing out how her time in grips of the troubled teen industry informs the way she works with teens in her own practice. Before You Go: Rachel reflects on how what Julianne described as her "stubbornness" was actually a strength that ultimately helped her survive and offers advice to parents struggling with difficult teens. Find more about Julianne's practice here: https://www.juliannebull.com/ You can sign up for Rachel's webinar series LIVING IN FREEDOM here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Jamie Gunning, Brett Jellen, Gabrielle Coleman, Danielle Hirokane, Jena Higdon, Rebecca Sigel, Cecilia, The New Inquiry, Kymberley Alberts Sauer, Kristen King, Elizabeth Wolfington, Ryan Pence, Amanda Smith, Julia Colmenero-Skeaff, Niamh McGee, Jo A Gardner and, Amber Berger 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 You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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