IndoctriNation

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews journalist Harrison Hill about his debut book, “The Oracle’s Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult.” Hill shares how he connected to survivor Sarah Green through his brother in Brooklyn and how the book centers on Sarah’s escape from the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps, a religious cult founded in California. He situates the cult within American religious ...

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 the continuation of this Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein explains that staying busy can suppress, but not heal, painful emotions and stresses the importance of learning to honor feelings without fear. The focus is reclaiming agenc...

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews Sean Prophet, whose parents founded the Church Universal and Triumphant. Sean describes feeling like an outsider in public school, the group’s rigid us‑vs‑them hierarchy, and being pulled into a tightly controlled cult school. They discuss how cults use hypnotic repetition, aphorisms, thought‑stopping clichés, and emotional loyalty to override critical thinking, drawing parallels t...

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein speaks with Luke Allen, a survivor of the River Road Fellowship group in Minnesota. Luke recounts his experiences growing up in this high-control group from 1996 to about 2015, emphasizing the psychological impact and the manipulation tactics used by the leader, Victor, who is now imprisoned for his crimes. Luke discusses the emotional challenges and the journey of writing his memoir 'Cul...

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 Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein explains why people who leave cults or other high-control groups often stay stuck in fight-or-flight, along with freeze and fawn responses, even after they are physically out. Rachel describes ...

In this episode, Rachel interviews Theophila Pratt, a Gloriavale survivor now based in Auckland, New Zealand, nearly 10 years out and working as an occupational therapist with youth. Born into Gloriavale as “Honey Faithful,” Theo describes a highly controlled life of constant surveillance, strict dress rules, relentless labor from age five, long sermons, and routine public shaming, alongside family hardship. At 18, Theo refus...

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews Elise Heerde, a certified coach and mental health practitioner specializing in religious trauma, cult recovery, and coercive control. Elise recounts being raised in fundamentalist Pentecostalism with fear-based teachings about hell and the rapture, leading to anxiety, depression, and insomnia. While on staff at a high-control Pentecostal megachurch, she sought pastoral care and exp...

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 Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein covers black-and-white (all-or-nothing) thinking and how cults and controlling partners reinforce it through us-vs-them fear, loyalty demands, and discouraging questions. The episode covers how...

In this episode, John Collins, founder of the William Branham Historical Research and the 'Leaving the Message' YouTube channel, shares his personal journey of escaping the cult of William Branham. Raised within the cult, where his grandfather was a leading figure, John dives into his awakening from deep-seated indoctrination that began due to a series of personal traumas. He details his extensive research on the origins of...

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein speaks with Susan Bookheimer, a distinguished UCLA professor and neuropsychologist with over 40 years of expertise in brain imaging and human brain development. The discussion delves into the profound impact of trauma on the brain, particularly focusing on the reward system and the amygdala. They explore how neglect and various forms of abuse alter brain structures and functions, the signific...

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 the continuation of this Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein discusses the importance of self-talk and its impact on mental well-being. The episode covers techniques to regulate the nervous system, externalize the internalized critic,...

In this episode, Camille Lewis, an assistant professor of Communication Studies at Furman University, discusses her latest book, 'Klandamentalism.’ Camille, who spent 15 years researching the book, uncovers the deep connections between Bob Jones University and white supremacist ideology, including ties to the Ku Klux Klan. The conversation spans Lewis's personal journey through fundamentalist Christianity, her academi...

In this episode, Dr. Lucas Wilson shares his personal journey and academic exploration of Holocaust studies and conversion therapy. He discusses his experiences growing up, his struggle with faith and sexuality, and his in-depth research on the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Dr. Wilson also provides a detailed account of his time at Liberty University, his attempts to change his sexual orientation through conversio...

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 Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein addresses the pervasive issue of negative self-talk among cult survivors. She explains how cults and controlling relationships instill an internal critic in members, leading to persistent self-...

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein sits down with Matthew Facciani, a researcher at the University of Notre Dame whose work focuses on misinformation, media literacy, social networks, and political polarization. Matthew discusses the reasons why people fall for misinformation, how identities and networks influence our belief systems, and the importance of critical media literacy. He also shares insights from his new book, '...

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein sits down with cult expert Steven Hassan for a personal and eye‑opening conversation about how cults work, why people get drawn into them, and how those same dynamics show up in today’s political and social landscape. Steven opens up about his own recruitment into the Moonies, the difficult process of leaving, and how that experience shaped his decades of work helping people understand and br...

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 Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein discusses the potential dangers of relying too heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) as a digital guru. She talks about how AI can manipulate psychological vulnerabilities, leading to identit...

In this episode, host Rachel Bernstein talks with Davis Carbo, the creator of the Unbiased Series and an expert in cognitive biases. Carbo shares his journey toward understanding the human mind and discusses various cognitive biases that influence decision-making and perception. They touch on concepts such as the framing effect, halo and horn effect, the illusion of control, and the bandwagon effect, highlighting their releva...

In this re-release episode, Rachel introduces Pamela Jackson, a licensed clinical social worker, creative nonfiction writer, and mother. Pamela delves into her past involvement with the International Church of Christ (ICOC), the impact of her mother's narcissism, and the death of her father. She shares her journey of trying to mend her relationship with her mother through structured conversations, her subsequent realizati...