IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes:

A Passion for Saving People w/ Lucas Catton, ex-President of Narconon - S5E11pt2 May 27, 2020

Show notes

Scientology famously takes its members' best talents and passions and tries to make the most of them. For Lucas Catton, that came in the form of his recruitment as a program manager-- and his presidency of Scientology's front group rehabilitation facility. Narconon, located at the old Chilocco reservation in Oklahoma, is not just an isolated facility. The program is promoted in schools across the country as a teen rehabilitation program. Many were unaware that several of Narconon's credentials were fabricated, including Lucas. He tells us what led him to devote himself to this program, and walks us through his transformative experience. Lucas's latest passion project is the development of the Opioid Independence Program through Advanced Recovery Resources: http://advancedrecoveryresources.com/opioid-independence/ and his second book, "Reconnection", is available now: https://www.amazon.com/Reconnection-memoir-Lucas-Catton/dp/0578633108 Before You Go: Rachel explains the power of showing others that you value them. Empowerment can also be used to trick people into sabotaging themselves.
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The 'Gateway Group' w/ Lucas Catton ex-Narconon President - S5E11pt1 May 20, 2020

Show notes

Lucas Catton is a former Scientologist who got recruited through their Narconon Rehabilitation Program at a place formerly known as Chilocco in Oklahoma. Lucas was appointed President of that Narconon program, through which he met some of Scientology's heavy hitters including the leader David Miscavige. He had no connections to Scientology before he was sent to their facility which incorporated Scientology philosophy as the basis of their drug treatment techniques. Check out his book, Reconnection, about rebuilding his life after disconnecting Scientology: amazon.com/Reconnection-memoir-Lucas-Catton-ebook/dp/B083N76KR5 Stay tuned, Before You Go: The story of a girl who was mistakenly treated for learning disabilities and a lesson in diagnosing an issue before fully understanding the symptoms. Rachel also addresses some of the feedback she received from last week's episode on conspiracy theories.
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Down the Rabbit Hole: Conspiracy Theories w/ Kelly Weill, Daily Beast reporter - S5E10 May 13, 2020

Show notes

Kelly Weill is a reporter at The Daily Beast where she covers disinformation, the far right, and internet culture. She is currently at work on a book about the Flat Earth movement, forthcoming from Algonquin Books. Conspiratorial health movements and Coronavirus misinformation can contain seemingly sound arguments, because they ground themselves in real experiences. Conspiracy theories use sexism and social status to monger fear into hateful internet mobs-- as seen with QAnon and Gamergate which Kelly has covered. She reports that most conspiracy pages have lured many into an extreme belief through more moderate subjects. Some flat-earthers have been referencing anti-semitic materials or scapegoating people of color without factual correlation. Check out Kelly's article about Flat Earth: https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-the-flat-earth-conference-where-the-worlds-oldest-conspiracy-theory-is-hot-again Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel defines 'conspiracy theories' and how they rely on providing the answer to an unknown question or enemy. She warns of some to watch out for. Read about a successful miracle cure whose solution contained bleach -- covered by Kelly Weill: https://www.thedailybeast.com/alan-keyes-is-helping-sell-a-toxic-bleach-cure-miracle-mineral-solution-to-the-vulnerable-and-desperate
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It's A Trap! w/ Roisin Kearney, Director of "Run" - S5E9pt2 May 06, 2020

Show notes

In part 2 of our interview with Irish filmmaker Roisin Kearney, we cover a lot of ground and she also talks about how shocked she was to discover such high levels of both women AND men experiencing domestic violence in the US - 1 in 7 men, and 1 in 4 women. Watch the trailer for "Run" here: https://documentfilms.com/our-work/run Its next screening will be at The Flying Broom International Film Festival [flyingbroom.org] in association with @DublinFeministFilmFestival online between May 7-14. It is nearly impossible to determine the amount of psychological damage this causes to both men and women. Roisin truly hopes that her film "Run" evokes an awakening for those who can then recognize mental manipulation within their own families and communities. The protagonist is a well-educated woman whose information was micromanaged by her controlling partner, whom she trusted. It can happen to anyone. Roisin also shows that if you want to intervene or offer support, it's best for the conversation to start with compassion rather than blame. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel talks about Parental Alienation syndrome, how it gets set up by a manipulative and vindictive parent against the other parent and how children get caught up in its web. Rachel also wrote a popular children's book called "Now I Know: Kids Talking to Kids About Divorce", told from the perspective of young people who have experienced divorce and how they express to their parents about not wanting to be caught in the middle: https://www.amazon.com/now-i-know-rachel-bernstein/dp/1620867893/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=utf8&qid=1450373350&sr=1-4&keywords=rachel+bernstein
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We Have To See It To Believe It? w/ Roisin Kearney, Director of "Run" - S5E9pt1 Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Roisin Kearney is an Irish filmmaker from Dublin, Ireland whose most recent film sheds light on the issue of domestic violence. "Run", co-directed and written by Carolyn Grace Cassidy, explores the subtleties to being a victim of a controlling person. Her film highlights the signs of coercive control & emotional abuse after Ireland has taken a huge step and recognized these actions as criminal. Roisin gives us vivid verbal previews of her characters and discusses the scenarios that have served as the archetype. She shares her influences for bringing this project to life. One of these reasons is that 1 in 5 women in Ireland - and 1 in 4 women in the United States - is a victim of domestic abuse. View the trailer for Roisin Kearney's short film, "Run": https://documentfilms.com/our-work/run Its next screening will be at The Flying Broom International Film Festival [flyingbroom.org] in association with @DublinFeministFilmFestival online between May 7-14. You can find the latest statistics and resources here from NCADV: https://ncadv.org/statistics Stay tuned, Before You Go: Why is it so difficult to monitor the issue of domestic violence? Rachel shares how we can look out for those who may be in need of someone to listen.
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A Secret & Sacred Reunion w/ Sarabeth Kapusta and Cyndy Rudd - S5E4pt3 Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

When Sarabeth felt ready to leave her Bible-based cult, one of the first things she wanted to do was talk to her mom, Cyndy. Today we finish the three-part episode by reminiscing on their first secret reunion, and their long journey of rebuilding their connection. Sarabeth's abusive pastor painted all types of female independence as a sin. Cyndy was demonized for choosing to get a divorce. The restrictions put on her made it even more important for Sarabeth to reach out to her mother. The two arranged to meet in ultimate rebellion at a Women's Conference and began their journey of reconnection. It was several more years before Sarabeth finally left the cult a year ago. She attributes her mind for critical thinking to her love of literature, which Cyndy found much pride in fostering with her homeschooled daughters. One is still inside the cult. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Some groups are giving COVID-19 more credit than it is due -- claiming that it's a punishment sent by God or even actively targeting people who 'deserve' it. Rachel breaks down the purpose and effect of placing blame on unfounded sources of tragedy.
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Ashamed of Being a Woman w/ Sarabeth Kapusta, survivor - S5E4pt2 Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

Earlier in the season, Rachel spoke with Cyndy Rudd: a mother who fought to free her daughter from not one, but two cultic situations. This week we hear the inside story from her daughter, Sarabeth. Sarabeth grew up in a cult for 25 years before falling into another group masquerading as a Baptist church. In both groups, members were not allowed to question authority because that would be challenging God's word. Her faith in scripture was used to convince her to move in with several other young women and live above the pastor's garage. Sarabeth also talks about a phenomenon she has experienced in both groups idealizing submissive women: the requirement to grow up and support the men by being a stay-at-home daughter. With the mind of an attorney and educator, she was able, in retrospect, to decode her manipulator and realize that both cults were using scripture out of context to create fear and control. Stay tuned, Before You Go: How cult leaders and narcissists warp your intentions and turn your true character and innocent nature into something seen as sinister. Rachel opens up about one of her own experiences. Next week mother and daughter sit down together to have a conversation they've never had before. Listen to Cyndy's story, "No Match for a Mother's Love": https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/cyndy
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The Empathetic Intervention w/ Joe Szimhart - S5E8 Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Joe Szimhart found his path to cultic studies through his art community in Santa Fe and the Agni Yoga Society. Here he met Margaret Singer of the anti-cult movement as well as the notorious mystic theosophist Madame Blavatsky. Helena (Madame) Blavatsky was known for openly plagiarizing existing gnostic theories as the doctrine for the Church Universal Triumphant cultic group. Joe helps us cite her sources and talks about the developing study of extreme belief groups over the past forty years. As someone who has been involved in many successful interventions, he encourages those seeking to intervene to try and understand why the person chose to join this group specifically. Often the situation has less to do with the actual belief system, and more to do with what the group has to offer its members. Rachel and Joe also discuss the wave of mysticism and astrology in Millenials and his most recent research as a cult interventionist and consultant. You can order Joe Szimhart's latest book, "Santa Fe, Bill Tate, and Me" out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Fe-Bill-Tate-interventionist/dp/1676003886 Stay tuned, Before You Go: The show ends with Rachel's thoughts about fearing the end of the world. Groups can use fear from apocalyptic prophecies to hold its members hostage.
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The Worst Insult to Actual Religion w/ Jamie DeWolf - S5E6pt2 Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

CW: violence & terrorism Artist & activist Jamie DeWolf returns for part two of his interview to discuss how cult mechanics have been used to manipulate spirituality across history. Bouncing off of Rachel with his knowledge of cultic groups, Jamie invites us to contemplate the origins and purpose of malignant intolerance toward outsiders. The adrenaline released when fighting a common ‘enemy’ is an effective ingredient in bonding a congregation. Hateful language generated for outsiders keeps the people inside from leaving their places as pawns. Jamie DeWolf shares the twisted history of Scientology’s formation— and predictions of its decline in the future. He opens up about how his relationship to L Ron Hubbard has shaped him as a person and performer. Before You Go: Why are narcissists usually good storytellers? It benefits them to control the narrative and create a conflict for their followers to rally against.
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Catnip for Cult Leaders, w/ Jamie DeWolf - S5E6pt1 Mar 05, 2020

Show notes

Jamie DeWolf, performer and activist, updates us on his most recent projects and discusses how pride plays a role in being susceptible to a cult. When he was last on the show he opened up about his great-grandfather L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzohjqHlJAY&t=2s This week with Rachel he talks more broadly about cult leaders and how they are so successful. One of these tactics is the creation of a vague common enemy. Polarizing the population creates a power dynamic that empowers faithful members into manipulating each other. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel explains the title, "Catnip for Cult Leaders", and the addiction that narcissists have to the people they are able to pull into their manipulative vortex.
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