IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes:

Radical Research w/ Mark Potok Jan 05, 2022

Show notes

Mark Potok is an internationally renowned expert on the American radical right who, for 20 years, helped lead the legendary Southern Poverty Law Center in exposing hate groups, right-wing terrorism, and the rapidly increasing infiltration of extremist ideas into the political mainstream. In that role, Potok faced numerous death threats from white supremacists and constant vilification by leaders of the far-right media — a remarkable measure of just how effective his work was. Potok has been described in one book on social justice activists as having “a reputation as the preeminent editorial commentator who follows the American radical right.” In 2018, a year after leaving SPLC, he joined the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right as a Senior Fellow. As the director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project and, later, Senior Fellow at the SPLC and Editor in Chief of its award-winning Intelligence Report investigative magazine, Potok was a key spokesman for the SPLC, a civil rights organization based in Alabama. He has testified before the U.S. Senate, the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, the Helsinki Commission, and in other key venues. In this first half of their two-part conversation, Mark shares with Rachel insights from his decades of work exposing dangerous extremist groups on the far right and beyond. Together they survey the current political landscape and offer expertise from their respective fields of study. Mark and Rachel both provide analysis relating to political movements of the past and look ahead to the worrisome political climate on the horizon. They go on to compare notes on the cultic tendencies of hate groups and far-right terrorist cells. Before You Go: Rachel reiterates the importance of learning from the lessons of history in order to seek out fundamental truths but notes taking action as equally important. Reminding us that even advanced civilizations are vulnerable to the folly of human nature. For more info on Mark's work visit: https://markpotok.net/ For more info on SPLC visit: https://www.splcenter.org/ For more info on CARR visit: https://www.radicalrightanalysis.com/ Here’s a link to Mark's booklet on conversion therapy, “Quacks: ‘Conversion Therapists,’ the Anti-LGBT Right, and the Demonization of Homosexuality”: https://www.splcenter.org/20160525/quacks-conversion-therapists-anti-lgbt-right-and-demonization-homosexuality Hear Rachel's thought on the U.S. Capitol insurrection: https://youtu.be/9srCmRMoXnQ Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 or review on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Comrade Cover-Up w/ Jacob Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

Jacob is a socialist community organizer living in Philadelphia. He helps run the Community Action Relief Project (CARP), a mutual aid organization committed to sharing resources and redistributing wealth throughout the Kensington neighborhood and broader Philadelphia. In addition to hosting political reading groups and building relationships with neighborhood groups for CARP, his creative pursuits include poetry, comedy, and ASMR videos. Jacob joined Rachel not to denounce or advocate for any broad political ideology but to warn potential recruits to the specific group he was involved with (PSL) by sharing his own personal experience. In this second part of Rachel's two-part conversation with Jacob, he shares the experience that led him to see clearly the group's manipulative and cult-like tactics of control. Jacob details how the PSL's national leadership conspired to cover up the sexual assault of his friend by an influential member of the organization. Throughout Jacob's story, Rachel compares the manipulations and reactionary defensiveness of PSL to that of cults who take aggressive and retaliatory action towards all accusers and critics. Before You Go: Rachel examines the fraudulent nature of internal investigations within high control groups by relating a personal story about dealing with a disingenuous property manager. She advises how to see through the theater of begrudging leaders feigning attempts at problem resolution. Learn more about Jacob's experience and the experiences of many other former PSL members here: medium.com/@jacobscb/documenta…ior-in-6afa65b8072e Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel…ein/dp/1620867893 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter Terry Horne! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Sharp Edged Party Line w/ Jacob Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

Jacob is a socialist community organizer living in Philadelphia. He helps run the Community Action Relief Project (CARP), a mutual aid organization committed to sharing resources and redistributing wealth throughout the Kensington neighborhood and broader Philadelphia. In addition to hosting political reading groups and building relationships with neighborhood groups for CARP, his creative pursuits include poetry, comedy, and ASMR videos. Jacob joined Rachel not to denounce or advocate for any broad political ideology but to warn potential recruits to the specific group he was involved with (PSL) by sharing his own personal experience. In this first part of Rachel's two-part conversation with Jacob, he explains how he first got involved with The Party for Socialism and Liberation, a high control group in the world of political organizing. Jacob breaks down some of the cult-like tactics of control that were commonplace in his branch. Rachel offers her insights into the groups' use of manipulative language and pressure to overachieve to the point of exhaustion. They discuss in detail the restrictive nature of the organization, as well as its intolerance of dissent both in public and private. Before You Go: Rachel emphasizes the point Jacob made about questioning why so many people involved with his group left on bad terms. She explains how you can examine the nature of an organization by noting its reaction to your dissenting opinions or refusal of demands. Learn more about Jacob's experience and the experiences of many other former PSL members here: https://medium.com/@jacobscb/documentation-of-corruption-institutional-bigotry-and-high-control-group-cult-like-behavior-in-6afa65b8072e Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter Charlotte! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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A Gospel of Neglect w/Anna Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

Anna grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family as part of the Quiverfull movement. She and her 6 siblings were not allowed to attend school and were very isolated from the outside world. Everything about her childhood was strictly controlled, from the clothes she wore to the media she had access to. She was expected to teach herself from primarily religious texts as well as teaching and caring for the younger children. Her future was laid out for her as a submissive wife and mother to many children. She left at 19 with help from family. Starting life in a very unfamiliar world with little education was daunting but also thrilling. 7 years later she's still sifting through memories, she makes videos on TikTok (@spookypatootie) recounting her experiences and has found that many other folks grew up in similar circumstances. Many kids are undoubtedly still in that situation and Anna hopes she can raise awareness and play a part in helping others. In this second half of Anna's conversation with Rachel, she reflects on the erosion of the relationship with her mother and explains how her homophobic beliefs became the catalyst for Anna's departure from home and the Quiverfull movement. Anna shares some of the many difficulties she experienced trying to find her way in a world she was inherently ill-equipped to navigate. Throughout the discussion, Rachel points out some of the common struggles of those who were not raised with the basic life skills the general population takes for granted. Before You Go: Rachel offers some advice on defining "normalcy" for people leaving restrictive groups for the first time and explains how others can be an invaluable resource to those struggling to thrive in an unfamiliar world. Find Anna's amazing work on TIK TOK here: https://www.tiktok.com/@spookypatootie? Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter Bill Lyerly! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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A Quiver Full of Trauma w/ Anna Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of Sexual Assault Anna grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family as part of the Quiverfull movement. She and her 6 siblings were not allowed to attend school and were very isolated from the outside world. Everything about her childhood was strictly controlled, from the clothes she wore to the media she had access to. She was expected to teach herself from primarily religious texts as well as teaching and caring for the younger children. Her future was laid out for her as a submissive wife and mother to many children. She left at 19 with help from family. Starting life in a very unfamiliar world with little education was daunting but also thrilling. 7 years later she's still sifting through memories, she makes videos on TikTok (spookypatootie) recounting her experiences and has found that many other folks grew up in similar circumstances. Many kids are undoubtedly still in that situation and Anna hopes she can raise awareness and play a part in helping others. Anna provides some background on the Christian movement Quiverfull, a theological position held by some conservative Christian couples who belong to Evangelical denominations that see large families as blessings from God. She explains some of the neglectful practices her parents employed led by their extreme interpretation of biblical texts. Anna shares with Rachel some of her deepest vulnerabilities from childhood and how she struggled to deal with them as an adult. Throughout the conversation, Rachel points out some of the commonalities in adults who have experienced religious-based parental neglect as children. Before You Go: Rachel addresses the struggle that children who grow up isolated by religion experience trying to fit in with peers. She explains how simply extending a gesture of friendship can be revelatory to those children who are inherently ostracized because of their parent's religious beliefs. Find Anna's amazing work on TIK TOK here: https://www.tiktok.com/@spookypatootie Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter "BadBibleStiches"! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Multi-Level Manipulation w/ Roberta Blevins Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Returning this week is Roberta Blevins, a former "Hun", who left the MLM world in 2017 and began publicly educating and speaking out against it. In her time in MLM, she was involved as a consultant for 3; It Works!, LuLaRoe and Modere, and a customer of many. Since leaving MLM, she has educated herself on the systemic structure of the business model, the psychological manipulation, the seedy underbelly, and governmental ties, the cult indoctrination, and the history of Multi-Level Marketing. She educates daily on TikTok, and podcasts in her "free time", talking to the survivors and victims of these commercial cults, disguised as the quickest route to the American Dream. In this second part of their two-part conversation, Rachel begins by sharing how she lost a friendship to an MLM, while Roberta goes on to describe the moment that prompted her to finally leave the MLM world. Roberta details a day in the life of a "hun" and how she ultimately extricated herself from the pyramid. She also discussed her transition into "hun" advocacy and anti-MLM activism through both education and humor. Before You Go: Rachel addresses the guilt that ex-members of high control groups often feel after leaving the group. She provides insight into the self-loathing that can accompany the admission of predatory behavior in ex-members. Listen to Roberta's podcast "Life After MLM" here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life…lm/id1553784236 Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=now+i+know+rachel+bernstein&qid=1638298566&sr=8-1 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporters Robert Andre and "Teahaze" and to Hollie Hire and Katherine Matheson for increasing their support! We couldn't do it without you! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Toxic Boss Babe Culture w/ Roberta Blevins Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

This week's guest, Roberta Blevins is a former "Hun", who left the MLM world in 2017 and began publicly educating and speaking out against it. In her time in MLM, she was involved as a consultant for 3; It Works!, LuLaRoe and Modere, and a customer of many. Since leaving MLM, she has educated herself on the systemic structure of the business model, the psychological manipulation, the seedy underbelly, and governmental ties, the cult indoctrination, and the history of Multi-Level Marketing. She educates daily on TikTok, and podcasts in her "free time", talking to the survivors and victims of these commercial cults, disguised as the quickest route to the American Dream. In this first part of their two-part conversation, Roberta explains to Rachel how she works to end the stigma of failure in the MLM industry, which she explains is designed for failure. Together they unpack the tactics of the now infamous MLM, LuLaRoe, that Roberta says signifies a commercial cult. Roberta shares her emotional journey as she transitions from "hun" to anti-MLM activist providing a detailed analysis of the schemes used in this deceptive and dangerous industry. Before You Go: Rachel expands on the concept of the sunk cost fallacy and points out some of the many examples where it can be found, offering insights for walking away from deceptive traps. Listen to Roberta's podcast "Life After MLM" here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-mlm/id1553784236 Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=now+i+know+rachel+bernstein&qid=1637717066&sr=8-1 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter "to change"! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Trust Me w/ Lola Blanc & Meagan Elizabeth Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

Lola Blanc is a singer/songwriter, filmmaker, actress, and cult survivor. Her single “Angry Too” has over 20 million streams on Spotify, and as a songwriter, Blanc has also written for other artists including Britney Spears. Blanc’s work as a filmmaker has been spotlighted by BILLBOARD, FANGORIA, FUNNY OR DIE, and the prestigious short film channel OMELETO. Much of her work is inspired by her childhood practicing Mormonism, where she and her mother fell prey to a charismatic “prophet,” who turned out to be a cult leader. Meagan Elizabeth is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actress from Los Angeles who has performed at the legendary Laugh Factory. She was raised in a high control Christian group known as the Two by Twos, an international, home-based new religious movement that has its origins in Ireland at the end of the 19th century. Among members, the church is typically referred to as "The Truth" or "The Way" Together, Lola & Meagan co-host a podcast called Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and the Abuse of Power, where they share their experiences and fight the stigma cult survivors are often exposed to. On the show, they have interviewed survivors of groups like NXIVM, the Manson Family, Heaven’s Gate, the Children of God, and many more. In this week's conversation, Lola and Meagan share with Rachel their experiences growing up in cults noting the similarities in the control mechanisms used as well as the after-effects that come to light with distance from the group. Together they unravel the patriarchal structure of both groups and explain the work it took for them to overcome this sexist conditioning. Lola and Meagan go on to provide insights on what gave them the courage to leave and discuss how it's felt to share their personal tragedy in public as a means to fight the stigma and loneliness of other survivors. Before You Go: Rachel explains how cults take advantage of followers through the use of confession and relates it to Robert J Lifton's criteria for thought reform. She explains how to share wisely, but also withhold wisely. Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=rachel+bernstein&qid=1637051476&s=books&sr=1-2 Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter "A" and to "Free From RF" and Katherine Matheson for increasing their pledges! We really appreciate you! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Covert Emotional Sadism w/ Thomas Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Returning this week is Thomas who grew up in Denmark with a covert narcissist mother who kept him socially isolated, emotionally abused him, and manipulated his sense of reality. For most of his life, he didn’t realize that anything was wrong, because of the covert nature of the emotional abuse, control, and gaslighting he was exposed to. A year ago he started to get a better grasp of his own reality and slowly began to understand what had really happened. Thomas is back on the show hoping to help others better recognize signs of covert abuse and control. Thomas continues his conversation with Rachel by explaining what it was like when he first left home, fleeing his narcissistic mother for the first time. He shares with us his inner dialogue as he begins to find true trust and love when he first meets his wife Thomas goes on to explain how his wife helped him unmask the covert narcissistic tendencies of his mother. Throughout the conversation, Rachel helps Thomas unpack the manipulation and emotional neglect he experienced as a child. Before You Go: Rachel gives advice to people who have experienced emotional sadism and addresses the fear and trepidation that can hinder their growth as a result. She notes that their perpetrators often lack the ability to have regrets or even re-examine their actions. Check out Rachel's Youtube videos on narcissism here: https://youtu.be/KHdMYbkrQ-0 https://youtu.be/-OWudR86JjU https://youtu.be/jtrEVDdZ7kc Thanks to our newest Patreon supporters Ilya Reyter and Alex P! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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Future Faking w/Thomas Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

Our guest this week, Thomas, is from Denmark, and grew up alone with a covert narcissist mother who kept him socially isolated, emotionally abused him, and manipulated his sense of reality. For most of his life, he didn’t realize that anything was wrong, because of the covert nature of the emotional abuse, control, and gaslighting he was exposed to. A year ago he started to get a better grasp of his own reality and slowly began to understand what had really happened. Thomas is on the show hoping that his story can help others better recognize signs of covert abuse and control. Thomas explains to Rachel how, in retrospect he came to understand the emotional neglect and covert narcissism he experienced as a child. Rachel provides her insights on the manipulative parenting techniques of Thomas's mother and explains how they relate to those of cult leaders. Together, they unpack some of the most impactful moments in Thomas's childhood development and the emotional reverberations that followed. Before You Go: Rachel further examines the idea of future faking and breaks down how manipulators offer their victims a fraudulent promise or false hope in order to keep them distracted and under control. Check out Rachel's Youtube videos on narcissism here: https://youtu.be/KHdMYbkrQ-0 https://youtu.be/-OWudR86JjU https://youtu.be/jtrEVDdZ7kc Thanks to all of our amazing Patreon supporters! We couldn't do it without you! To help support the show monthly and sign up for cool Indoctrination shirts and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Want 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 review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!
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