IndoctriNation

IndoctriNation

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

  1. The Rise and Fall of an American Cult with Harrison Hill

    6 DGN GELEDEN

    The Rise and Fall of an American Cult with Harrison Hill

    In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews journalist Harrison Hill about his debut book, “The Oracle’s Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult.” Hill shares how he connected to survivor Sarah Green through his brother in Brooklyn and how the book centers on Sarah’s escape from the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps, a religious cult founded in California. He situates the cult within American religious extremism and explores why people join, stay, and leave, including how cults restrict trusting one’s senses and simplify life through binary “spiritual warfare.” Hill discusses the leaders Jim and Deborah Green, the group’s uniforms and ranks, the influence of “Aggressive Christianity,” parallels to the Salvation Army’s origins, and how Waco affected law enforcement responses. Harrison’s Links Book: https://www.harrisonhill.me/#book Website: https://www.harrisonhill.me/ Connect with us on social media:  ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:  https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:  https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1 u 10 m
  2. BONUS PREVIEW: Breaking Free from Trauma Responses pt. 2

    20 MRT

    BONUS PREVIEW: Breaking Free from Trauma Responses pt. 2

    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 the continuation of this Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein explains that staying busy can suppress, but not heal, painful emotions and stresses the importance of learning to honor feelings without fear. The focus is reclaiming agency after cult involvement, where survivors were conditioned to doubt themselves, seek leader approval for even small choices, and develop learned helplessness and executive dysfunction under chronic stress and coercive control. The episode describes how emotions and forgiveness were weaponized, and reframes panic, depression, flashbacks, and nightmares as normal trauma responses. Recovery is presented as non-linear phases—reevaluation, reconciliation, and reintegration—supported by slowing down, avoiding high-pressure therapy, cautious grounding, decision policies like “I don’t decide on the spot,” boundary-setting language, rebuilding planning through small autonomous choices, replacing thought-stopping slogans with critical thinking, and finding supportive community. Connect with us on social media:  ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:  https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:  https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    5 min.
  3. My Cult Your Cult: Church Universal and Triumphant with Sean Prophet

    18 MRT

    My Cult Your Cult: Church Universal and Triumphant with Sean Prophet

    In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews Sean Prophet, whose parents founded the Church Universal and Triumphant. Sean describes feeling like an outsider in public school, the group’s rigid us‑vs‑them hierarchy, and being pulled into a tightly controlled cult school. They discuss how cults use hypnotic repetition, aphorisms, thought‑stopping clichés, and emotional loyalty to override critical thinking, drawing parallels to QAnon, MAGA‑aligned disinformation, and broader authoritarian dynamics. Sean explains violet flame decrees, the repression of anger, and his belief that channeling originates in the channeler’s own mind and cannot be tested. He recounts leaving the group at 20, returning because of apocalyptic prophecies, serving as vice president during the bomb‑shelter project, and ultimately leaving again after failed predictions and internal conflicts. The episode underscores how cults and authoritarian movements thrive by severing people from reality‑testing and replacing truth with loyalty, using charisma, fear, repetition, and thought‑stopping slogans to keep followers compliant and self‑policing. Sean’s Link Substack: https://exoprophet.substack.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/My-Cult-Your-Destroy-Authoritarian/dp/1956872566/ Connect with us on social media:  ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:  https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:  https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1 u 20 m
  4. Cult Life with Luke Allen

    11 MRT

    Cult Life with Luke Allen

    In this episode, Rachel Bernstein speaks with Luke Allen, a survivor of the River Road Fellowship group in Minnesota. Luke recounts his experiences growing up in this high-control group from 1996 to about 2015, emphasizing the psychological impact and the manipulation tactics used by the leader, Victor, who is now imprisoned for his crimes. Luke discusses the emotional challenges and the journey of writing his memoir 'Cult Life,' where he uses techniques inspired by other memoirs to relive and narrate the events from a child's perspective. The conversation digs into the nature of cults, the emotional manipulation involved, and the difficult transition out of such groups. Luke also shares his experiences of finding freedom, his relationship with his now-wife, and how he is raising his children differently from his own upbringing. This episode is a mix of personal stories, cautionary advice, and insightful reflections on life after leaving a cult.  Luke’s Links Book: https://www.amazon.com/Cult-LIfe-Radical-Christian-Boyhood-ebook/dp/B0FP9TNGT4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luke88allen?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Connect with us on social media:  ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:  https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:  https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1 u 20 m
  5. BONUS PREVIEW: Breaking Free from Trauma Responses pt. 1

    6 MRT

    BONUS PREVIEW: Breaking Free from Trauma Responses pt. 1

    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 explains why people who leave cults or other high-control groups often stay stuck in fight-or-flight, along with freeze and fawn responses, even after they are physically out. Rachel describes how these groups keep people stressed on purpose, so the body never returns to a calm, balanced state, making it hard to rest, feel safe, or sit quietly. The episode covers how recruitment can start this cycle through love bombing and then switching between kindness and intimidation, which makes people feel dependent on the leader. It also focuses on “manufactured urgency,” where everything feels like an emergency with huge consequences, which trains constant fear and threat-scanning. After leaving, survivors may feel lost, isolated, and overwhelmed when suppressed emotions return, and staying busy can become a way to avoid those feelings. Connect with us on social media:  ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:  https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:  https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    5 min.
  6. Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale with Theophila Pratt

    4 MRT

    Unveiled: A Story of Surviving Gloriavale with Theophila Pratt

    In this episode, Rachel interviews Theophila Pratt, a Gloriavale survivor now based in Auckland, New Zealand, nearly 10 years out and working as an occupational therapist with youth. Born into Gloriavale as “Honey Faithful,” Theo describes a highly controlled life of constant surveillance, strict dress rules, relentless labor from age five, long sermons, and routine public shaming, alongside family hardship. At 18, Theo refused to sign the “Commitment” document, was told to leave, and was sent out with minimal money, using a hidden business card to reach her mother’s friend for help. She recounts early adjustment challenges, fear, naivety, and learning autonomy, later pursuing occupational therapy through disability work and a focus on human rights. Theo discusses limited but evolving family contact. Theo shares her experiences in her book “Unveiled.” Theophila’s Links Website and Book: https://www.theopratt.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeischoicenz Connect with us on social media:  ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:  https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:  https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1 u 21 m
  7. Saved So Hard I Needed Therapy with Elise Heerde

    25 FEB

    Saved So Hard I Needed Therapy with Elise Heerde

    In this episode, Rachel Bernstein interviews Elise Heerde, a certified coach and mental health practitioner specializing in religious trauma, cult recovery, and coercive control. Elise recounts being raised in fundamentalist Pentecostalism with fear-based teachings about hell and the rapture, leading to anxiety, depression, and insomnia. While on staff at a high-control Pentecostal megachurch, she sought pastoral care and experienced grooming and assault, followed by silencing, threats, and blame. She describes the challenges of leaving and explains her trauma-informed coaching approach versus unqualified “spiritual counseling.” Elise also discusses co-founding the Religious Trauma Collective Australia & New Zealand to connect survivors with resources and practitioners, and advocates for behavior-focused reforms such as group-based coercive control through Victoria’s parliamentary inquiry.  Elise’s Links Website: https://www.eliseheerde.com/ Book: https://www.eliseheerde.com/books Connect with us on social media:  ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:  https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:  https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    1 u 19 m
  8. BONUS PREVIEW: Beyond Black-and-White Thinking

    20 FEB

    BONUS PREVIEW: Beyond Black-and-White Thinking

    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 covers black-and-white (all-or-nothing) thinking and how cults and controlling partners reinforce it through us-vs-them fear, loyalty demands, and discouraging questions. The episode covers how this mindset affects former cult members’ relationships, self-esteem, emotions, and decision-making, often fueling guilt, shame, anxiety, and paralysis. The episode also introduces CBT strategies and an exercise to practice more nuanced, evidence-based thinking and regain confidence outside a high-control group. Connect with us on social media:  ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:  https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠ Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:  https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4 Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

Informatie

  • Maker
    IndoctriNation
  • Jaren actief
    2018 - 2026
  • Afleveringen
    455
  • Beoordeling
    Veilig
  • Copyright
    © IndoctriNation
  • Website van aflevering
    IndoctriNation

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