Episodes

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 observed between Landmark and other high-control groups, including ...

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 pers...

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 distinction between genuine consent and the coercive situations tha...

In this compelling episode, Rachel engages in a deep and revealing conversation with Cara Cardoni, 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 Cara recounts her story, she reflects on the psychological man...

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 become increasingly critical in our fast-paced and chaotic world. I...

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 fear, obligation, or guilt. Drawing on insights from the Consent A...

In this gripping episode, Rachel welcomes Beth Granger, a courageous survivor of a Christian cult. Beth shares her harrowing journey from being raised in a controlling environment to her eventual escape at the age of 31. Now a teacher, wife, and mother, Beth has dedicated her life to helping others heal from the long-term impacts of religious trauma. Beth's memoir, "Born and Razed," chronicles her experiences growing up in Grenville Christian College, a cult masquerading as a school. She recoun...

In the latest episode, Rachel had the privilege of speaking once again with Jon Atack, a renowned expert on authoritarian cult groups and the author of several influential books, including "Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky." Jon has spent decades studying the psychological mechanisms that underpin cult behavior, and his insights are both enlightening and chilling. One of the most striking aspects of the conversation was John's exploration of the history of Scientology and its founder...

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 addresses the often-overlooked topic of moral injury experienced by ex-cult members. She delves into the psychological, social, and spiritual distress that arises when individuals witness or partake in actions that clash with their core moral beliefs, a painful reality for many who have le...

In this powerful continuation of Rachel's conversation with Pamela Nickel Williams, the two delve deeper into Pamela's traumatic experiences growing up in Scientology and the complex dynamics of her family relationships. Pamela shares her painful journey of reconciling her childhood memories, including the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, and the psychological struggles faced by her mother, who battled mental health issues exacerbated by the church. As Pamela reflects on he...

In this compelling episode, Rachel Bernstein sits down with Pamela Nickel Williams, a former member of Scientology and an accomplished educator, to explore her harrowing journey from childhood within the church to becoming a survivor and advocate. Pamela was born into Scientology, with parents who were early followers and worked closely with L. Ron Hubbard. As she recounts her experiences, Pamela reveals the profound impact of Scientology on her family dynamics, including the abuse she suffered ...

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 delves into the critical topic of resisting cultic thinking. She begins by defining cultic thinking and its impact on individual identity, highlighting the social power dynamics that exist between leaders and followers. Through this exploration, Rachel emphasizes how cultic environments disrupt aut...

In this enlightening episode, Rachel engages with Dr. Peter Salerno, a licensed psychotherapist and trauma-informed educator, to discuss the complex dynamics of pathological relationship abuse and the psychological impact of cultic environments. Drawing from his extensive experience and personal journey, Dr. Salerno sheds light on the characteristics of disordered personalities, particularly focusing on narcissism and sociopathy, and how these traits manifest in abusive relationships. Dr. Saler...

In this thought-provoking episode, Rachel welcomes Javier Leiva, a true crime podcaster and storyteller, to explore the intricate world of con artists and cult leaders. With his extensive background in journalism, Javier shares his insights into the psychology of deception and manipulation, drawing from his experiences with notorious fraudsters and his personal encounters with cults as documented in his podcast "Pretend" Javier delves into the motivations behind con artists' actions, revealing ...

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: ⁠www.patreon.com/indoctrination In part two of this insightful Patreon exclusive bonus episode, Rachel dives deeper into the pervasive issue of information overload and its impact on our mental well-being. Building on the previous discussion, she examines how this phenomenon is often utilized as a tool for manipulation, particularly within cultic environments. Rachel highlights ...

In this captivating episode, Rachel welcomes Sarito Carroll, a former member of the Rajneesh movement, to share her deeply personal journey from childhood within a cult to finding her voice and healing in the outside world. Sarito recounts her experiences growing up in the ashram of Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, detailing the complexities of being a second-generation member and the challenges she faced as a young girl navigating a world filled with both spiritual celebration and dark secrets. As Sarit...

In this heartfelt episode, Rachel sits down with Claire Headley, a former high-ranking executive in the Church of Scientology, to discuss her journey of healing and recovery after leaving the organization. Claire shares her experiences growing up in Scientology, the emotional toll of disconnection from family, and the challenges of navigating life transitions after escaping the cult. Claire reflects on the unique struggles faced by those born into cultic systems and how the indoctrination impac...

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this timely bonus episode, Rachel addresses the overwhelming phenomenon of information overload, a topic that resonates deeply in today's fast-paced and chaotic world. Rachel explores how constant streams of negative information can lead to mental exhaustion and a breakdown of critical thinking, particularly in the context of cultic systems and ...

In this compelling episode, Rachel welcomes back Anne Peterson, a former leader in the Landmark education movement who has dedicated her life to understanding the complexities of personal development and its potential for exploitation. After two decades of involvement with Landmark, Ann experienced a profound reckoning that led her to question the very foundations of the organization she once believed in. Her latest book, Is This a Cult? Confronting the Line Between Transformation and Exploitat...

In this powerful episode, Rachel welcomes Detective Mike Weber, a dedicated law enforcement professional with 40 years of experience, who now specializes in crimes against children. They discuss the complex and often misunderstood issue of Munchausen by proxy. Detective Weber has investigated over 50 medical child abuse cases, achieving 13 convictions, and is co-author of the upcoming book,The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxywhich sheds light on the psychological an...

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Rachel delves into the captivating world of psychics and the allure that draws many individuals to them. She explores the historical roots of clairvoyance, from palm readers to mediums claiming to communicate with the dead. She examines the motivations behind people's desires for certainty in an uncertain world. Rachel shares a personal story about...

Penny Lane is a survivor, writer, wife, and mother with an insatiable passion for life and books. Originally from Jackson Heights, Queens, She is the author of the recently published memoir, Redeemed, A Memoir of a Stolen Childhood a gritty, ultimately uplifting memoir about a happy-go-lucky girl who is unexpectedly snatched away from her all-American home—by her long-lost immigrant father. In her spare time, Penny helps underserved youth learn to read, apply to college, and find jobs once they ...

In this enlightening episode, Rachel welcomes Jon Atack, a leading expert on authoritarian cults and bestselling author, for a deep dive into the interplay between cult dynamics and historical atrocities. With a career spanning over four decades, Jon shares his extensive research on the parallels between Scientology and the Nazi regime, exploring how magical thinking and pseudoscience have fueled dangerous ideologies throughout history. Jon discusses his upcoming book, "If Scientology Ruled the...

Welcome to IndoctriNation: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control. I’m Rachel Bernstein, LMFT. I’ve been working with victims of cults and emotional abusers for over 30 years. Given the right set of circumstances, it’s all too easy for anyone to fall prey to sociopaths and manipulators. I wanted to start a show that gives survivors a chance to tell their stories and for experts to teach us what they know. My goal for IndoctriNation is to ...