IndoctriNation

Rachel speaks with Myrieme Churchill of Parents for Peace about antisemitism, radicalization, and the emotional needs that can make people vulnerable to extremist thinking. Myrieme shares how childhood experiences with prejudice shaped her work as a therapist and her commitment to preventing hate. They examine how isolation, grievance, belonging, conspiracy theories, social media, and dehumanization can reinforce harmful beliefs. Myrieme also explains how Parents for Peace works with families, e

The IndoctriNation Podcast is a weekly show covering cults, manipulators, & systems of control. Hosted by Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, Cult Specialist. Rachel speaks with Dana Bristol Smith, founder and CEO of Leap to Success, about rebuilding confidence, identity, self-worth, and agency after abusive or high-control experiences. Dana explains how her work teaching public speaking led her to develop programs that help women strengthen their voices, set boundaries, challenge an inner critic, and reco

Rachel speaks with writer and psychotherapist Nicola Ranson about her decade as a disciple of Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh, later known as Osho, and the experiences behind her memoir, A Slice of Orange. Nicola discusses trauma, dissociation, somatic experiencing, and the search for belonging that shaped her path into the Rajneesh community. She reflects on life at Rajneeshpuram, the community’s collapse amid serious crimes, and the shock of questioning beliefs she once trusted. The conversation also ex

In this episode, Rachel welcomes back researcher and author Yuval Laor to examine his hypothesis about temporal lobe epilepsy, awe, and the behavior of some cult leaders. Yuval explains how hyperactive temporal lobes may contribute to intense emotionality, certainty, religious experiences, paranoia, hypergraphia, and a sense of personal destiny. Rachel and Yuval discuss how these traits can combine with narcissism, psychopathy, or pathological lying, why a leader’s emotional intensity can feel

In this episode, Rachel speaks with Jon Atack about Scientology, authoritarianism, and the ways belief systems can shape behavior. Jon reflects on his experience with Scientology, the harassment he encountered after speaking out, and the contradictions he found within its teachings. Rachel and Jon examine moral injury, magical thinking, othering, certainty, and the difficulty of psychologically separating from a controlling group. They also discuss developing a sense of self, compassion, and hum

In this insightful bonus episode, Rachel dives into the generational dynamics within cultic groups, exploring the distinctions between first-generation (first gen) members and their children, second-generation (second gen) members. She discusses the unique challenges and resentments that arise when individuals who were born into cults confront their parents, who chose to join these groups. Rachel highlights the emotional complexities both generations face, including blame, responsibility, and th