IndoctriNation

IndoctriNation

Welcome to IndoctriNation: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control.

Episodes

June 4, 2025 79 mins

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 employ...

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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 cont...

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May 28, 2025 80 mins

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 t...

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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, t...

Mark as Played

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 ...

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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 ob...

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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 experience...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

Mark as Played

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 ...

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April 16, 2025 82 mins

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 g...

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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 ...

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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 th...

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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 ...

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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 Scie...

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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 exp...

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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, a...

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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 delv...

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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...

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