IndoctriNation

IndoctriNation

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

Episodes

July 16, 2025 76 mins

In this enlightening episode, Rachel welcomes back Dr. Peter Salerno, a trauma specialist and award-winning author, for a deep dive into the complexities of narcissism and its manifestations in both children and adults. Building on their previous conversation, they explore the intricacies of identifying narcissistic traits at a young age and the implications of these behaviors on personal development and relationships.

Dr. Salerno s...

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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 eye-opening bonus episode, we dive into the alarming world of online cults and their insidious methods of targeting vulnerable children. As the digital age evolves, so do the tactics of manipulation and control, making it crucial for parents and g...

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In this powerful episode, Rachel welcomes Jessi Hersey, a courageous author and cult survivor, to share her transformative journey from the Twin Flames Universe cult. Jessi opens up about her experiences within the group, detailing the emotional manipulation and love bombing that initially drew her in, only to later reveal the toxic underbelly of the organization. Her candid reflections on the mirroring exercise highlight how it co...

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In this thought-provoking episode, Rachel welcomes back Nikki G, a certified trauma recovery coach and advocate for survivors of religious trauma and cult involvement. Together, they delve into the alarming rise of Project 2025 and its implications for personal agency, societal control, and the fabric of democracy in America. Nikki shares her insights as a survivor of multiple cults, emphasizing the manipulative language used by th...

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 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...

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June 25, 2025 71 mins

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 ...

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In the latest episode, Rachel continues her enlightening dialogue with Jon Atack, 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 b...

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 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. S...

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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 o...

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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...

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 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...

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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 th...

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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, o...

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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 experi...

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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...

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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 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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