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May 7, 2025 84 mins

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 personal agency.


Throughout their discussion, Rachel and Cara unpack the psychological impact of being pushed into uncomfortable situations under the guise of personal growth. Cara reflects on her initial excitement about ISTA's promises of sexual and spiritual liberation, only to find herself entangled in a web of emotional manipulation and boundary violations. They delve into the dangerous dynamics of groupthink, the pressure to conform, and the insidious normalization of harmful practices that can lead to profound emotional distress.


As they explore the aftermath of these experiences, Cara emphasizes the importance of community support and the need for accountability within such organizations. She shares her work with 3SC, which aims to collect harm reports and advocate for safer practices in spiritual spaces. This episode serves as a crucial reminder of the resilience required to reclaim one's voice and agency after experiencing manipulation and coercion.


For anyone seeking to understand the nuances of consent, personal agency, and the potential dangers of high-control groups, this episode offers invaluable insights and a call to action for greater awareness and advocacy.


Listen To Cara's First Episode Here:

https://www.podpage.com/indoctrination/cult-hopping-chronicles-pt-1-a-journey-through-control-and-liberation-with-cara-cardoni/


Read the New Yorker Magazine Article on ISTA here:

⁠https://www.thecut.com/article/the-neo-tantric-sex-group-that-promised-to-change.html⁠


You can learn more about Cara's advocacy work at the 3SC community here:

⁠http://3sc.community/⁠


Learn more about Cara's leadership coaching and support groups at:

⁠https://www.caracordonicoaching.com/⁠


Connect with us on social media:

⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠


Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠


Your support is crucial! Join us on Patreon at:

⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠


Indoctrination is edited by The Podcast Consultant:

⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about

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