IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes:

There's a Body Count to Magical Thinking w/ Kernan Coleman, critical thinking activist - S4E10 Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

Kernan Coleman became an activist and critical thinking advocate after losing loved ones who denied the existence of HIV though they were effected. He shares his encounters with celebrities and their belief systems, and how growing up agnostic affected his skepticism as he navigated the world of entertainment. Kernan brings a vivid language to his perspective on anti-vax culture, and discusses other uses of mysticism that can cloud critical thinking and cause people to act on myths. He advises everyone to steer themselves away from 'grief vampires' that offer false but convenient information to people who have suffered a loss and are searching for answers. Kernan's evolution from 'science geek kid', to credulous new ager, to becoming an advocate for critical thinking and scientific skepticism- is a work in progress. Rachel gives an update on Alan and Dee from storytelling episode, 'Home Invasion'. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel lists some of the 'new agery' myths that can be used to play to the needs of followers to an organization or individual.
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Agitation & Acceleration w/ Stephen Kent, sociologist - S4E9pt2 Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

Stephen Kent is currently a professor of religious studies and sociology of religion at the University of Alberta in Canada. He continues with Rachel, voicing his perspective on several current political topics. The conversation picks up in discussing the current protests in Hong Kong, and how religious alignment can play a role in developing a biased infrastructure. They were able to converse on a large range of topics including the current global environmental movement, misinformation through private organizations, and the potential effects of alt-right views on the US. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel has some announcements about her upcoming episodes, including a one-on-one informational storytelling episode, similar to 'Home Invasion'. https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/episode-16-home-invasion Rachel adds her final two cents to the topics discussed, and shares a personal story about the effects of bias as an automated response to change.
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Cult Techniques Spilling into Politics w/ Stephen Kent, sociologist - S4E9pt1 Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

Stephen Kent is currently a professor of religious studies and sociology of religion at the University of Alberta in Canada. He shares the knowledge he's acquired over more than thirty years as an academic. Stephen attended University of Maryland in the early seventies and witnessed his campus respond to the Cambodian invasion in protest. Oddly, by the time he came to graduate, he began to notice an increasing popularity of Maharishis, gurus, and cults. These observations inspired Stephen to continue his studies in graduate school with a major in Hinduism and a minor in Gnosticism. Rachel and Stephen's discussion expresses concern for the effects of incentivized academics that are incorporated into cults. Media, marketing, and politicians help to legitimize groups and leaders-- but what are the consequences when they become biased? Stay tuned, Before You Go: While developing an 'inner circle' can be a good source of support, it can be important to have your ideas challenged. Rachel talks about how narcissists rely on the formation of these circles, and often put their followers' reputation on the line rather than their own.
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Starting from Scratch w/ Stacey Aviva Flint, ex-ICOC - S4E8pt1 Sep 16, 2019

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Stacey Aviva Flint was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a spiritual seeker from a young age though her family wasn't tied to a religion. She was approached by a pseudo-Christian cult known as the International Churches of Christ at age 16. The ICOC was run by a man named Kip McKean, and is not affiliated with the mainline Church of Christ. Rachel has memories of the Boston Movement from the 80's, when she attended Boston University. Passing up scholarships and other big dreams, Stacey became a leader in their Nairobi, Kenya and Cleveland, Ohio branches. Emotional and psychological control in this group orchestrated friendships and marriages, alienation from family, financial exploitation, and loss of individual identity. When she started a family with her husband, Stacey realized she was expected to use many strict techniques on her children (withholding food, ignoring their cries, and physical discipline). With the discovery of an international outcry from its members describing years of abuse, Stacey chose to start making her own decisions. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel highlights some signs of dangerous control, and then sends a shout out to someone working hard to end a group's hold on him. Part 2 Coming Soon: Hear more about Stacey's time on a mission for the group in Africa. It is powerful and intense, troubling and very surprising- definitely tune in!
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Pulling Back the Curtain w/ Claudine, ex-Mormon - S4E7pt2 Sep 10, 2019

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When Claudine began to feel that she no longer believed the teachings, she realized that part of Mormon testimony was to avoid "anti-Mormon" literature. Passing up their guilt, Claudine and her husband uncovered original documents and their church's history. Rachel helps Claudine unpack this and other techniques including attributing critical thinking to sin or negative energy. The church has also made several changes to homophobic policies and demanding practices to accommodate its members, which the two discuss. Ultimately Claudine's family chose to leave the Latter Day Saints feeling that there was a lack of transparency and intense social pressures built into their testimonies. Stay tuned, Before You Go: The FLDS, or Former Latter Day Saints, are a cultic offshoot of Mormonism made popular by Warren Jeffs. Rachel shares her story of being asked to come to Texas and offer assistance after the raid on the FLDS compound was carried out, and offers her feedback on how the survivors were helped to assimilate in society. View a copy of the letter Rachel received from the commissioner's office in Texas as a Patreon subscriber! Visit Claudine's website, for post Mormon mental health resources: https://www.postmormonmentalhealth.com/
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Consistency is Key w/ Claudine, ex-Mormon - S4E7pt1 Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

After her grandmother passed away, Claudine found peace in her new reality through her faith in Mormonism. Her oldest son, Ian, didn't find the same comfort and began distancing himself from her. When Claudine finally got him to open up, the two went on a journey to better understand their doctrine. Active in the church for 27 years after growing up without associating with a denomination, the sudden loss left Claudine searching for answers. She attended a Mormon funeral and later when missionaries came to her door, she related to the way they processed loss. Claudine's faith was put to the ultimate test when Ian became depressed. Together they began researching areas of the church's history that they had not fully examined before. Eventually they left Mormonism over several contradictory "translation issues" and discrepancies between the teachings on polygamy and the way that it was practiced. Stay tuned, Before You Go: What could be a problem with a belief system that offers itself as the only sanctuary? Rachel reminds us that people tend to hide important parts of themselves in order to remain part of a community.
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Manufacturing Drama w/ Megan, Chicago theater co. - S4E6pt2 Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

CW: physical & sexual abuse Left without help from her family and friends, Megan had only her workplace to depend on. In part two, Rachel and Megan talk about how her financial and emotional dependence was taken advantage of by a couple running a popular Chicago theater company. Simultaneously targeted at home and work, Megan found the courage to leave behind an abusive husband and eventually her employers, offering false promises of refuge. Jeremy, the director, and his wife demonstrated obsessive behavior and dangled Megan's income and physical safety as leverage for her to continue her work in company operations. She tried several times to quit the company, but the owners would stalk and harass her. After her escape and the timely Me Too movement, Megan was able to join forces with five other survivors and many witnesses to bring attention to the actions of Jeremy and his wife. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel dives into 'breaking points'. What is it that causes someone to realize it is time to leave? Read more about Dream theater company here: https://www.clydefitchreport.com/2018/02/menekseoglu-dream-theatre/
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An Abusive Act w/ Megan, Chicago theater co. - S4E6pt1 Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

CW: Domestic and sexual violence Megan spent ten years in Chicago's off-Loop DIY theatre scene as an actor, playwright, costume designer and choreographer. Rachel and Megan speak candidly about the lack of safeguards in the entertainment industry while walking through how she was pitted against other actresses by an invasive director. Jeremy, the director, urged his actors to form a deep kinship with the characters he wrote for the troop's performances. Many of these profound characters struggled with abuse, and were written based on the traumas of the company members themselves. Megan found herself constantly pitted against other actresses to compete for the role of "both the girlfriend and the star". Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel provides examples of ways manipulators get you to disclose private information so they can use it against you later. Today Megan performs as a dancer and student of circus and aerial arts. She is a fierce advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, particularly those in the LGBTQ community and the performing arts. Read about Megan's performances here: "thoroughly captivating and heartbreakingly sincere," - Hollywood Fringe https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/2148?review_id=11269&tab=reviews "flawless," - Chicago Reader https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/anna-in-the-darkness/Event?oid=7822992 "a quietly powerful tour de force” - New City Stage https://www.newcitystage.com/2012/10/19/review-anna-in-the-darknessdream-theatre-company/
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Betrayal and Power w/ Nitai Joseph, former Hare Krishna - S4E5 Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Nitai Joseph was a part of a Hare Krishna offshoot sect called Audarya, led by Swami Tripurari in California. He currently studies the power of coercive control across contexts, and has found a scholarly way to understand his experience. Nitai currently works at nonprofits serving victims of coercive subjugation. Through his studies, he has been able to more fully understand cult dynamics. He speaks about threat responses, and how they can grow to be maladaptive even after the threat has been removed, if left unaddressed. The long term effects of betrayal trauma are discussed, as well as how to empower yourself to fully see the reality of your situation. Nitai assisted the leader of the cult and had knowledge of the cult's operations, which led him to part with his position. The cult's crimes included human trafficking, illegal contracting, and racketeering. Nitai started his studies at Columbia University and now studies at the University of Salford. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel emphasizes the importance of taking the time to understand and treat your trauma so you don't go through life protecting yourself rather than connecting with life and fully connecting with others.
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Moon & Machine w/ Teddy Hose - S4E4pt2 Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

Teddy Hose is a motion graphics artist and writer who grew up in the Unification Church, also known as the “Moonies”. He expands on the militaristic themes of the church, including gun violence and physical abuse. While its membership and businesses run worldwide, the Unification Church doctrine bases itself on parental abandonment, paranoia around sex and the outside world, and prioritizing loyalty toward the super wealthy and violent Moon family. Teddy provides shocking details about the Moonies and their problematic history, while also explaining why the cult was appealing to his parents and others. Teddy now lives in San Francisco as an artist and writer. His cult experience and research have become a topic in his stand up comedy, cartooning, and editorials. Teddy has also spoken on the topic in Vice, The Huffington Post, and A&E's Cults and Extreme Belief.
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