Episodes

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 conversion therapy, and the profound impact these experiences had on his life. T...

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-criticism and shame. Drawing from a book on self-talk and personal experiences, the episode offer...

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, 'Misguided,' and provides strategies to improve our media consumption habit...

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 break free from undue influence. They explore the overlap between cult be...

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 identity erosion, cognitive outsourcing, and even AI psychosis. Through detailed examples, Rachel explai...

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 relevance in everyday situations and high-control environments like cults and...

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 realization that her efforts were a form of recreating the dynamics of the cult, and...

In this re-release episode, Rachel interviews Sochil Martin, a Mexican-American survivor of the high-control religious group, La Luz del Mundo (LDM). Sochil shares her harrowing experiences of being groomed and abused by the cult's leaders, including being taken as a concubine at a young age. She recounts the deep psychological and physical manipulations she endured and the journey to escape the cult with the help of her husband. The episode also covers the ongoing legal battles against the cult...

In this unlocked bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein explores strategies for engaging in meaningful and respectful conversations during the holidays. Key concepts discussed include cognitive dissonance, setting boundaries, active listening, and the impact of echo chambers and misinformation. Practical advice is provided on how to maintain healthy discussions and manage emotional well-being during potentially contentious interactions. Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrinati...

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 exclusive Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein discusses the documentary 'Breath of Fire,' which explores the controversial Kundalini Yoga empire founded by Yogi Bhajan and later led by Guru Jagat. Directed by Hayley Papas and Smiley Stevens, the series sheds light on the origins, rise, and eventual exposure of abusive practi...

In this episode, host Rachel Bernstein is joined by Francisco González Espejito, a psychologist, lecturer, and researcher at the Autonomous University of Madrid. Francisco discusses his background in studying abuse and violence across various contexts, the influence of coercive control, and the rise of digital environments like the manosphere. They explore how pseudo-therapeutic groups manipulate their followers, the psychological mechanisms behind group influence, and the disturbing trend of se...

In this episode, Sarma Melngailis discusses her journey from running a successful New York-based restaurant to being in a highly publicized scandal. Sarma shares her personal experiences of manipulation and betrayal by a coercive partner, reflecting on how her story was misrepresented in the Netflix docuseries 'Bad Vegan.' She opens up about the challenges of reclaiming her narrative through her memoir, which provides deeper insights into her experiences, serving as both a cautionary tale and a ...

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 exclusive bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein continues the discussion on attachment and attachment issues, focusing on common challenges faced by survivors of mistreatment, abandonment, and betrayal. The episode highlights behaviors such as fear of abandonment, anxious attachment, people-pleasing, and difficulty in trusting...

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews Daniel Allen Cox, author of 'I Felt The End Before It Came: Memoirs of a Queer Ex-Jehovah's Witness.' Daniel shares his experiences growing up as a JW, the strict moral code, and the challenges he faced as a queer individual. He discusses the process of leaving the faith, the lack of support, and the journey towards self-acceptance and rebuilding his life. The conversation delves into the repeated failed predictions of Jehovah's Witnesses leaders, the...

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews Rachel Montgomery, who recounts her harrowing journey as a survivor of a cult and sexual abuse within a Buddhist community. She describes how she was drawn into the group, the manipulative practices of the leader, and the emotional and psychological challenges she faced. She details the abuse she suffered under the guise of spiritual teachings, the devastating personal consequences, and the difficult path to recognizing the trauma for what it was. She...

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 This Patreon exclusive episode informs on the topic of attachment styles, particularly focusing on how cults and controlling relationships undermine healthy attachment. Rachel Bernstein examines different attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized, and links them to early caregiver interactions and trauma. The discus...

In this episode, host Rachel Bernstein speaks with Carol Merchasin, a lawyer specializing in cases involving sexual misconduct in religious and spiritual communities. Carol discusses various aspects of legal battles against high-control groups, including the complexities of consent, the limitations of the legal system, and the role of psychological coercion. She highlights the differences between the criminal and civil justice systems and emphasizes the importance of legislative advocacy to exte...

In this episode, host Rachel Bernstein talks with Dr. Natalie Fabert, an Associate Teaching Professor at Arizona State University and a licensed psychologist specializing in trauma and abuse, particularly cultic abuse. Natalie announces her collaboration with Dr. Janja Lalich and the Lalich Center on an online continuing education course designed for mental health clinicians to effectively support survivors of cult abuse and coercive control. Throughout the episode, Natalie discusses her journey...

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 exclusive episode, Rachel Bernstein explores the psychological and social dynamics that unfold when a cult leader is attacked or faced with accusations. The episode covers the common defensive responses from followers, such as ad hominem attacks, increased group cohesion, and rationalization. Rachel explains the backfire...

In this episode, host Rachel Bernstein speaks with Dr. Christine Cocchiola, an expert on coercive control, a social work professor, and developer of the Protective Parenting Program. Dr. Cocchiola shares her personal and professional experiences dealing with coercive control in familial and intimate relationships. Discussion topics include manipulation dynamics, cultural conditioning, the challenges of protective parenting, and strategies for safely exiting abusive situations. Dr. Cocchiola’s L...

In this episode, host Rachel Bernstein sits down with Mark Scheeren, co-founder of the Baldwin Research Institute and co-author of 'The Freedom Model for Addictions.' Mark shares his personal journey through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and his subsequent realization of the program's flaws. He discusses the creation of the Freedom Model, a non-12-step recovery approach, which focuses on autonomy, factual education, and challenging myths around addiction. Mark critiques the traditional 12-step model...

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 exclusive episode, Rachel Bernstein discusses the challenges faced by former cult members and individuals who have been in manipulative relationships. Key topics include recognizing healthy relationships, understanding the impact of living in controlled environments, the importance of setting personal boundaries, practic...

In this episode, we continue exploring Jon Atack’s latest work, "If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming." In our previous episode with Jon, we began unpacking the intricate web of beliefs that form the foundation of Scientology. Today, we'll go even deeper, examining the historical connections between Scientology and other esoteric movements, from Madame Blavatsky's Theosophy to surprising links with occult practices. Jon brings his uniqu...

In this episode, we're diving into Jon Atack’s new book "If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming" - an exploration that connects the dots between various authoritarian movements, their shared origins, and the psychological dynamics at play. Jon spent nine years as a member of Scientology before becoming one of its most informed critics. He's dedicated decades to studying destructive groups, helping former members recover, and understanding...