This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this insightful continuation of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode, Rachel dives deeper into the phenomenon of "cult hopping," exploring the intricate patterns that lead individuals from one controlling group to another. She discusses the emotional rollercoaster many experience as they navigate various high-control environments, qu...
Jun 27, 2025•6 min
In this captivating episode, Rachel sits down with Claire Hoffman, journalist and author of the memoir Greetings from Utopia Park, to explore the enigmatic life of Aimee Semple McPherson, a pioneering female evangelist whose influence still resonates today. Claire delves into McPherson's rise to fame, her charismatic preaching style, and the scandal surrounding her mysterious disappearance in 1926 Los Angeles, which captivated the nation. Rachel and Claire discuss the complexities of power and b...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In the latest episode, Rachel continues her enlightening dialogue with Jon Atak, a prominent expert on authoritarian cults. This episode serves as a critical reminder of the psychological tactics that leaders employ to manipulate their followers, often leading them to act against their own interests. The conversation kicks off with Rachel and Jon discussing the nature of leadership and the subtle ways in which individuals can be led astray. Atak, who has dedicated his career to understanding cul...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 11 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this insightful bonus episode, Rachel dives into the phenomenon of "cult hopping," a term used to describe the pattern of individuals moving from one high-control environment to another, often without recognizing the similarities between them. She explores how past experiences in cults can lead to subconscious behaviors that draw in...
Jun 13, 2025•5 min
In this thought-provoking episode, Rachel welcomes back Jonathan Hirsch, an award-winning podcast producer and founder of Neon Hum Media, to discuss his powerful journey growing up in a cult led by Franklin Jones. Jonathan shares his experiences of navigating the complexities of being raised in a high-control environment, and the emotional turmoil that comes with caring for a parent who was both a figure of authority and a source of conflict. As Jonathan reflects on his childhood, he delves into...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 7 min
In this powerful episode, Rachel reconnects with Ukrainian journalist and co-founder of stopfake.org, Dr. Olga Yurkova, who has been at the forefront of combating Russian propaganda and misinformation. Following their previous conversations, Olga provides an update on the devastating impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has led to immense suffering and displacement. She shares her insights on the psychological tactics employed by propagandists, highlighting the emotional manipulation tria...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 20 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this engaging follow-up to part one, Rachel continues her exploration of apocalyptic thinking, delving deeper into the psychological foundations that contribute to this mindset. Building on the previous episode, she discusses how fear of the unknown and the need for control can drive individuals toward apocalyptic beliefs, providing...
May 30, 2025•6 min
In this compelling episode, Rachel speaks with Michelle Moffitt, a licensed therapist and the author of "Cracked Open: A Journey to a Resilient and Independent Mindset, who specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety, identity struggles, and the impact of religious trauma. Michelle shares her personal journey of escaping a high-control religious system, shedding light on the psychological and emotional challenges that often accompany such a significant life change. With her expertise in ...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 20 min
In this enlightening episode, Rachel engages in a deep conversation with Rebecca Lemov, a historian of science at Harvard University, whose research focuses on brainwashing, mind control, and hyper persuasion. As they explore the malleability of truth and identity, Rebecca shares her journey from anthropology to the history of science, where her fascination with brainwashing began during her dissertation at UC Berkeley. Together, they discuss the complexities of self-concept, especially for thos...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 20 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this thought-provoking bonus episode, Rachel dives into the complex world of apocalyptic thinking, exploring its historical roots and psychological implications. This first part of a two-part series examines how apocalyptic beliefs have persisted through time, often gaining traction during periods of societal unrest and uncerta...
May 16, 2025•6 min
In this thought-provoking episode, Rachel engages in a captivating conversation with Michael Yoder, a writer and composer from Victoria, British Columbia. Michael shares his personal journey through the Landmark Forum, a self-help program that he initially found appealing but soon discovered to be rife with manipulative tactics and coercive practices. As he recounts his experiences, Michael reveals the unsettling similarities he observed between Landmark and other high-control groups, including ...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 22 min
In this powerful conclusion to Rachel's conversation with Cara Cordoni, the complexities of navigating high-control environments are brought to light. Cara, a seasoned leadership coach and survivor of multiple cult experiences, shares her harrowing journey through the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) and the manipulative tactics employed within such groups. Picking up from the previous episode, Cara details her experiences with coercive practices that blur the lines of consent and pers...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 24 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this enlightening continuation of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode, Rachel delves deeper into the intricate and often misrepresented topic of consent, particularly within high-control groups and cults. Picking up from the first part, Rachel emphasizes the critical distinction between genuine consent and the coercive situations tha...
May 02, 2025•6 min
In this compelling episode, Rachel engages in a deep and revealing conversation with Cara Cordoni, a certified leadership coach and survivor of multiple cult experiences. This is part one of their two-part discussion, where Cara shares her journey through the labyrinth of cults, from her early encounters with a charismatic individual in San Francisco to her experiences with organized religions and large group awareness trainings. As Cara recounts her story, she reflects on the psychological mani...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 15 min
I originally released this episode as a Patreon exclusive, but I'm making this episode available to all listeners due to its timely relevance to current events. As our nation experiences unprecedented political turbulence, understanding how to process the constant flow of information becomes more important than ever. In Chaos and Control part 1, I tackle the overwhelming phenomenon of information overload - a challenge that has become increasingly critical in our fast-paced and chaotic world. I ...
Apr 23, 2025•25 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this thought-provoking bonus episode, Rachel dives deep into the complex and often misunderstood topic of consent. With a powerful exploration of how consent can be manipulated, she highlights the crucial differences between genuine consent and compliance born out of fear, obligation, or guilt. Drawing on insights from the Consent Awa...
Apr 18, 2025•5 min
In this gripping episode, Rachel welcomes Beth Granger, a courageous survivor of a Christian cult. Beth shares her harrowing journey from being raised in a controlling environment to her eventual escape at the age of 31. Now a teacher, wife, and mother, Beth has dedicated her life to helping others heal from the long-term impacts of religious trauma. Beth's memoir, "Born and Razed," chronicles her experiences growing up in Grenville Christian College, a cult masquerading as a school. She recount...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 23 min
In the latest episode, Rachel had the privilege of speaking once again with Jon Atack, a renowned expert on authoritarian cult groups and the author of several influential books, including "Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky." Jon has spent decades studying the psychological mechanisms that underpin cult behavior, and his insights are both enlightening and chilling. One of the most striking aspects of the conversation was John's exploration of the history of Scientology and its founder,...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 8 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this thought-provoking bonus episode, Rachel addresses the often-overlooked topic of moral injury experienced by ex-cult members. She delves into the psychological, social, and spiritual distress that arises when individuals witness or partake in actions that clash with their core moral beliefs, a painful reality for many who have left cu...
Apr 04, 2025•6 min
In this powerful continuation of Rachel's conversation with Pamela Nickel Williams, the two delve deeper into Pamela's traumatic experiences growing up in Scientology and the complex dynamics of her family relationships. Pamela shares her painful journey of reconciling her childhood memories, including the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, and the psychological struggles faced by her mother, who battled mental health issues exacerbated by the church. As Pamela reflects on her...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 28 min
In this compelling episode, Rachel Bernstein sits down with Pamela Nickel Williams, a former member of Scientology and an accomplished educator, to explore her harrowing journey from childhood within the church to becoming a survivor and advocate. Pamela was born into Scientology, with parents who were early followers and worked closely with L. Ron Hubbard. As she recounts her experiences, Pamela reveals the profound impact of Scientology on her family dynamics, including the abuse she suffered ...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 34 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this insightful bonus episode, Rachel delves into the critical topic of resisting cultic thinking. She begins by defining cultic thinking and its impact on individual identity, highlighting the social power dynamics that exist between leaders and followers. Through this exploration, Rachel emphasizes how cultic environments disrupt auth...
Mar 21, 2025•6 min
In this enlightening episode, Rachel engages with Dr. Peter Salerno, a licensed psychotherapist and trauma-informed educator, to discuss the complex dynamics of pathological relationship abuse and the psychological impact of cultic environments. Drawing from his extensive experience and personal journey, Dr. Salerno sheds light on the characteristics of disordered personalities, particularly focusing on narcissism and sociopathy, and how these traits manifest in abusive relationships. Dr. Salern...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 34 min
In this thought-provoking episode, Rachel welcomes Javier Leiva, a true crime podcaster and storyteller, to explore the intricate world of con artists and cult leaders. With his extensive background in journalism, Javier shares his insights into the psychology of deception and manipulation, drawing from his experiences with notorious fraudsters and his personal encounters with cults as documented in his podcast "Pretend" Javier delves into the motivations behind con artists' actions, revealing h...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 26 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In part two of this insightful Patreon exclusive bonus episode, Rachel dives deeper into the pervasive issue of information overload and its impact on our mental well-being. Building on the previous discussion, she examines how this phenomenon is often utilized as a tool for manipulation, particularly within cultic environments. Rachel h...
Mar 07, 2025•6 min
In this captivating episode, Rachel welcomes Sarito Carroll, a former member of the Rajneesh movement, to share her deeply personal journey from childhood within a cult to finding her voice and healing in the outside world. Sarito recounts her experiences growing up in the ashram of Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, detailing the complexities of being a second-generation member and the challenges she faced as a young girl navigating a world filled with both spiritual celebration and dark secrets. As Sarito...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 20 min
In this heartfelt episode, Rachel sits down with Claire Headley, a former high-ranking executive in the Church of Scientology, to discuss her journey of healing and recovery after leaving the organization. Claire shares her experiences growing up in Scientology, the emotional toll of disconnection from family, and the challenges of navigating life transitions after escaping the cult. Claire reflects on the unique struggles faced by those born into cultic systems and how the indoctrination impact...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 26 min
This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this timely bonus episode, Rachel addresses the overwhelming phenomenon of information overload, a topic that resonates deeply in today's fast-paced and chaotic world. Rachel explores how constant streams of negative information can lead to mental exhaustion and a breakdown of critical thinking, particularly in the context of cultic systems and t...
Feb 21, 2025•9 min
In this compelling episode, Rachel welcomes back Anne Peterson, a former leader in the Landmark education movement who has dedicated her life to understanding the complexities of personal development and its potential for exploitation. After two decades of involvement with Landmark, Ann experienced a profound reckoning that led her to question the very foundations of the organization she once believed in. Her latest book, Is This a Cult? Confronting the Line Between Transformation and Exploitati...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 21 min
In this powerful episode, Rachel welcomes Detective Mike Weber, a dedicated law enforcement professional with 40 years of experience, who now specializes in crimes against children. They discuss the complex and often misunderstood issue of Munchausen by proxy. Detective Weber has investigated over 50 medical child abuse cases, achieving 13 convictions, and is co-author of the upcoming book, The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy which sheds light on the psychological ...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 10 min
