IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes:

Learning to Feel Again w/ Katharina Meredith, ex-Licthoase - S5E5pt3 Feb 24, 2020

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Katharina Meredith grew up quickly from the age of 10-20 in a New Age cult. After leaving, marrying and becoming pregnant, she experienced debilitating post-partum depression. Katharina knew she needed to address her very understandable Post Traumatic Stress, and was able to lessen her intrusive thoughts by validating her own emotions and allowing herself to feel. The intense pressure she had learned to put on herself was something she had to leave behind in order to be the kind of parent she wanted to be. Stay tuned, Before You Go: How does a person address and answer the question about what they are here for after having been told what their purpose is by others for most of their lives?
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My Conscience on Survival Mode w/ Katharina Meredith, ex-Lichtoase - S5E5pt2 Feb 17, 2020

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CW: Abuse against minors Katharina Meredith grew up in a New Age cult from age 10 years old until 20. This week in the second part of her episode, she moves forward into what she experienced as a teen. Girls in the group were partnered with adults and taught to hide any disgust or dislike that they felt. Every day was a battle with normal emotional responses because, with the school of thought, it was a ‘weakness’ they needed to put aside to be like gods. She protected herself by always operating on “I’m fine.” Pushing away any emotions or trauma was how she survived. When Katharina wanted to have children, she went to therapy and counseling to help her accept and transform her reactions to be more productive. She is now a PhD student focusing on subjects like Community Psychology and Extremism. Katharina Meredith helped to further develop and eventually spearhead the non-profit "Stronger After" which was started by Rachel Bernstein, Lee Marsh, and Frances Peters: https://www.stronger-after.org/ Stay tuned, Before You Go: Survivors sometimes defensively retreat when they finally begin to feel comfortable and vulnerable again. Years of daily stress or repressing emotions to survive can have continuous physiological effects even long after leaving an abusive relationship.
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The Experiment w/ Katharina Meredith ex-Lichtoase (Light Oasis) cult - S5E5pt1 Feb 09, 2020

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CW: Abuse against children Katharina Meredith is a PhD student studying subjects like Community Psychology and Extremism after spending her childhood in a cult called Lichtoase. The New Age beliefs of Lichotase (translated to Light Oasis) were modeled off of Ramtha's school and adapted into workshops across Germany and Austria. Eventually, the group formed communes where children were raised separately from their parents by caretakers who never cared for children themselves. Katharina's parents joined the cult when she was 10 years old. After leaving the cult 17 years ago, she has helped to further develop and eventually spearhead the non-profit Stronger After which was started by Rachel Bernstein, Lee Marsh, and Frances Peters. Learn more on about this program at: Stronger-After.org Stay tuned, Before You Go: Peer pressure. Where is the social tension really coming from?
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No Match For A Mother's Love w/ Cyndy Rudd - S5E4pt1 Feb 02, 2020

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Today’s guest is Cyndy Rudd. She works as a receptionist and says she is best described as an “ordinary person with an extraordinary story”. Eleven years ago she found herself in a crisis...needing to get herself and her family away from a severely abusive, controlling church. Cyndy's children were convinced to stay with the pastor to avoid college and eventually straying away from the church. Though he was skillful in lies and manipulations the pastor came to learn that he was no match for a mother's love! Please listen and be inspired by a mother who was willing to break her own heart to free herself and her children. Hear the inside story from her daughter, Sarabeth, in part 2: https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/sarabeth Stay tuned, Before You Go: You may not always have the option to look around you and find strength, but you have to keep up persistent hope. Rachel recognizes Cyndy and all who have tried to save their children or loved ones from destructive people despite being made into the villain.
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Never Defend, Always Attack w/ Sands Hall - S5E1pt2 Jan 29, 2020

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Continuing her conversation, Sands Hall gives her perspective on Scientology's defense mechanism: "never defend, always attack". Hall is a playwright and the author of "Reclaiming my Decade Lost in Scientology". Hear what brought Sands into Scientology in the first part: https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/sands-hall Creating a hive-mind supremacy is how authoritarian groups exert their power and control. Without critically thinking about biases when they're offered as a simple explanation, people can adopt really ugly attitudes towards 'outsiders'. When a new idea challenges a psychologically manipulated world view, intentionally or unintentionally, there are many roadblocks to reaching a common ground. If someone believes deeply in the 'ends', they could find themselves justifying the 'means'-- even if those actions are not normally within one's character. Sands shares how the Scientology Doubt Formula prevented her from questioning the doctrine of the group. She also describes the unique physiological reflex she experienced as a Scientologist seeking outside information for the first time. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel shares the origins of the terms "black PR" and Scientology's "dead agents". She also opens up about the harassment she has faced along with so many others. You can find Sands Hall's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Flunk-Start-Reclaiming-Decade-Scientology-ebook/dp/B071P44P9R
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Let God Decide the Demons - Hannah Watkins, ex-Move of God - S5E3pt2 Jan 18, 2020

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Hannah Watkins continues her story of how she gradually created distance from a life written for her by a rigid interpretation of scripture. She spent her first 18 years in a popular Baptist sect known as 'the Move' of God. The group, led by Sam Fife, became popular in the late ’60s when Sam evangelized himself as a prophet. Luckily, Hannah’s experience was not physically invasive, but all the same damaging to her emotionally. After physically leaving the group, there were still several years spent shaking off a residue of spiritual guilt. In the time since Hannah has left, she has learned to value the sense of family and community she was raised in while also seeing how dangerous extreme adherence can be. She has become an advocate against restrictive religious beliefs and for awareness of their effects, especially on young women. Stay tuned, Before You Go: How do you find the positive side of being ostracized for something beyond your control? When you're singled out because of someone else's bias, it can seem that you've lost everything. Rachel reminds listeners that it's actually the other way around! You can find out more about the exorcisms used by Sam Fife and The Move in this Investigation Discovery episode: https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/people-magazine-investigates-cults/full-episodes/the-movement-of-god Patreon subscribers have access to more written accounts collected from a forum of survivors of The Move.
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Lost in 'the Move' w/ Hannah Watkins - S5E3pt1 Jan 12, 2020

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Hannah Watkins was born into ‘the Move’ of God and spent her first 18 years in the organization. Led by Sam Fife, the group separated itself as a branch of the Baptist Church in the late 60’s. Luckily, Hannah’s experience was not physically invasive, but all the same, damaging to her emotionally with extreme doses of spiritual guilt. Most members were drawn in by the group’s return to a simple homesteading lifestyle where they could focus on reaching ‘holiness’. All members, male and female, were encouraged to speak freely about their sins and how they feel. However, when the women in her commune came together to preserve a tradition they valued they were rebuked for having a voice. In the time since Hannah has left, she has learned to value the sense of family and community she was raised in while also seeing how dangerous extreme adherence can be. She has moved away from these restrictive religious beliefs and advocates awareness of their effects, especially for young girls. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel talks about how misogyny and victim-blaming contribute to one another-- and solutions for creating an environment where abuse can be addressed productively.
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Connection and Compassion w/ Rabbi Ed Feinstein - S5E2 Jan 03, 2020

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Senior Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California serves on the faculty of the Ziegler Rabbinical School of the American Jewish University. This week he sits down to talk with Rachel about what it means to be a modern spiritual leader. There are many positive sides to religion and spiritual organizations. Ethics and the need for a place to belong are a part of every human experience. Cults and destructive groups take advantage of a person's emotional needs and psyche rather than cultivating them. They also discuss the violence that continues to rise as cultural borders of the world sphere meet. Check out his book, "The Chutzpah Imperative: Empowering Today's Jews for a Life that Matters": https://www.amazon.com/Chutzpah-Imperative-Empowering-Todays-Matters-dp-1683363523/dp/1683363523/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid= Stay tuned, Before You Go: Scientific studies show that humans are born with only two fears. Find out what they are and how they can transform throughout your life. IndoctriNation is starting its fifth season and the New Year by announcing a call-in episode! This show will focus on beginning a new chapter in your life. What motivated you to leave a damaging situation and what has helped you as you follow a new path? You can also ask Rachel any questions you may have that might help you along your journey. Call and leave Rachel a voicemail, at: 1-(818)-907-0036 or send an email at: indoctrinationshow@gmail.com
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Taking Back Time w/ Sands Hall, ex-Scientologist - S5E1 Dec 29, 2019

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Today we begin a new year! For many, this is a much needed fresh start. Sands Hall, playwright and author of "Reclaiming my Decade Lost in Scientology" talks about how to take back what can seem like lost years. A common phrase among many survivors of abusive organizations is "I can't believe how many years I did that". Most people don't believe that they could slowly be indoctrinated to believe in things that are contradictory to their character. When a person leaves a manipulative group, they have to learn to trust themselves and face their learned fears, especially when speaking out against an abuser. Sands's fears came true, but she and her story stood strong-- when Scientology attempted to remove her book from Amazon. You can find her book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Flunk-Start-Reclaiming-Decade-Scientology-ebook/dp/B071P44P9R Stay tuned, Before You Go: People often forget how their minds can be changed; little by little. Rachel explains Sands Hall's phrase "screwing on the viewfinder", used to describe the way one's worldview can be altered in microscopic increments. IndoctriNation is starting its fifth season and the New Year by announcing another call-in episode! This show will focus on beginning a new chapter in your life. What motivated you to leave a damaging situation and what has helped you as you follow a new path? You can also ask Rachel any questions you may have that might help you along your journey. Call and leave Rachel a voicemail, at: 1-(818)-907-0036 or send an email at: indoctrinationshow@gmail.com
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The Reason for the Season w/ Aziza Hasan, Muslim-Jewish coalition - S4E16 Dec 22, 2019

Show notes

How do you give the gift of peace? Aziza Hasan is the Executive Director of a program called NewGround, a Muslim-Jewish partnership for change. Rachel and Aziza converse about reaching beyond tolerance to find mutual empathy and understanding. Aziza has served on President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and was recognized as a leader by the Executive Service Corps. She is an experienced mediator and talented at transforming interfaith conflicts on a personal level. Imagine a place where Jews and Muslims sleep and pray side by side, are invited to speak their truth, and form connections where there once was a phobia. Those who have taken part in NewGround programs leave with a diversified sense of community and knowledge that can bring peace to their neighborhood. Watch the "Two Faiths One Prayer" video, a prayer experience that arose from the program. This was a joint project where both groups prayed together in public spaces all across Los Angeles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWP1nvy5C_U Stay tuned, Before You Go: How do we learn to forgive each other after conflict and fear? Rachel shares a story of a xenophobic attack where she witnessed bystanders stand together and become allies. IndoctriNation is ending its fourth season and starting the New Year by announcing another call-in episode! This show will focus on beginning a new chapter in your life. What motivated you to leave a damaging situation and what has helped you as you follow a new path? You can also ask Rachel any questions you may have that might help you along your journey. Call and leave Rachel a voicemail, at: 1-(818)-907-0036 or send an email at: indoctrinationshow@gmail.com
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