IndoctriNation

Mike Rothschild is a journalist, researcher, expert witness, and debunker of conspiracy theories and fringe beliefs. Over the last decade, Mike has …

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In the first half of this unique two-part bonus episode, …

Celine and Stephen Mather are a father-and-daughter podcast team. Stephen is now an organizational psychologist but was raised in a high-control …

Today’s guests, Sarah and Jessica are longtime friends who grew up together in Canada. They are Ex-Christians who discuss their former faith one strange topic at a time on their cleverly named podcast "You Can't Get To …

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In this special bonus …

Emily Lynn Paulson is the author of Highlight Real: Finding Honesty and Recovery Beyond the Filtered Life, and Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, …

Abbi Nye is an abuse survivor supporting cult survivors in their journey toward healing. An archivist in Wisconsin, Abbi holds an MLIS from the …

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Quinn Cummings …

Tia Levings grew up in a Southern Baptist megachurch, was recruited into fundamentalism by mentors following Bill Gothard's IBLP (Institute of Basic …

Geoff Levin is a professional musician and former Scientologist who grew up in San Jose, CA. In 1962 at the age of 16, he started his musical life …

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Returning guest, Priscilla Eyles is a Justice, Equity, …

Priscilla Eyles is a Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion trainer and facilitator from London. They are an advocate, and speaker passionate about raising awareness around the issues that Neurodivergent people …

Sue Winter is a modern linguist who holds two graduate degrees, one from the University of London, and another from UWE Bristol. She taught for over …

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Returning guest, Em Thomas was born and raised in the …

Em Thomas was born and raised in the dogmatic Christian cult The Way International. The daughter of a Way Corps graduate and WOW ambassador, Em …

Chris Shelton is a former cult member who escaped from a lifetime of indoctrination and abuse, started a YouTube channel to educate the public about …

For this week's bonus episode, Patreon supporters can access Rachel's recent video lecture from the International Cultic Studies Conference. In this …

Sarah Patch is a clinical counselor in Columbus, Ohio who has devoted the past few years of her career to educating herself and others on …

Guinevere Turner is a writer, director, and actor who has been working in film and TV since her 1994 debut film Go Fish, which she wrote, produced, and starred in. She teamed up with director Mary Harron to write the …

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Mark Turi discovered Scientology while on vacation in Los Angeles, just a month after graduating college in May 2005, Two years later, he joined the …

Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking survivor and activist who advocates worldwide for girls and women to live free from …

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…

Alexandra Stein, Ph.D. is a writer and educator specializing in the social psychology of ideological extremism and other dangerous social …

Pamela Jackson is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, and creative nonfiction writer. She specializes in therapy for adult women who have …

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Dr. Laura Anderson is a therapist, trauma resolution, and recovery coach, writer, educator, and creator who specializes in complex trauma with a …

Kayla is a YouTube creator and launched her channel Keya's World back in 2021 to discuss toxic positivity, hustle culture, self-help, spirituality, …

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CONTENT WARNING: Child Sexual Abuse

Christa Lester‐Pitsch is a survivor of an offshoot of the infamous cult known as The Way. She was born into and …

Zachary Heinzerling is an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning director based in New York City. His latest docu-series entitled “Stolen …

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Brian Rush McDonald grew up in southern Alabama in the early 1970s, where he eventually gave up his dream of working as a professional musician to become what at the time was called a "Jesus freak". During his high …

Rachael and Molly are the hosts of the podcast Cheers to Leaving, where they share their journey of deconstruction from evangelicalism. The podcast …

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Kathleen Oh is a Coach, writer, and safe drug use advocate and educator specializing in psychedelic integration. Her primary focus has become …

In recognition of the recent one-year anniversary of the tragic Russian Invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, we wanted to share with our entire audience a very special bonus episode that was previously only available …

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Tim Elliott is a senior writer at Good Weekend, the Saturday magazine for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, where he has won two Kennedy Awards and been nominated for a Walkley. His work has also appeared in …

Kate Amber is the founder of End Coercive Control USA, an organization that helps survivors, leaders, advocates, attorneys, therapists & other …

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Nikieta Lambert and Asha Glenn are former members of the International Churches of Christ. Both having grown up with narcissistic mothers, they've …

Marissa Hackett was born in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. At the time of her birth, her parents were involved with a group called the Foundation …

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Daniel Barban Levin and Felicia Rosario are survivors of the now infamous coercive control group led by Larry Ray, who is now serving a 60-year …

In the first half of this very special two-part episode. Rachel speaks with author Daniel Barban Levin who had previously come on the show to discuss his excellent memoir SLONIM WOODS 9, about his experience getting …

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CONTENT WARNING: Child Abuse & Sex Trafficking

Isami Daehn is a subject matter expert on anti-human trafficking and child safety. She grew up in Japan and was raised by professional con artists under the guise of …

Meg Appelgate is the CEO of Unsilenced, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop institutional child abuse by empowering self-advocates to promote lasting social change. The organization envisions a world where …

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Steven Hassan, Ph.D. is a mental health professional and expert in undue influence tactics used by authoritarian leaders and destructive cults. His …

Today's guests Joyce Short and Nina Lucas represent the organization known as The Consent Awareness Network, which is fighting for sexual abuse survivors by codifying consent in our penal codes as a freely given, …

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Kacey is the host and creator of The Cult Vault, an award-nominated long-form interview-based podcast focusing on the true testimonies of cult …

Tracy Coenen has been investigating fraud for more than 25 years, but she didn’t always want to be a forensic accountant. She went to Marquette …

Ruwan Meepagala is a podcaster and coach. In his early twenties, he became involved in the matriarchal cult, known as One Taste, which was recently …

Once again, this week we'd like to encourage everyone to allow themselves some grace and self-care during the upcoming holiday season. No matter your …

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This week we'd like to encourage everyone to allow themselves some grace and self-care during the upcoming holiday season. No matter your religious …

Sarah Landry is a Canadian jewelry artist who has made it her mission in life to expose the criminal activity of “Nithyananda,” a con artist whom she …

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Lisa Guerci was raised, from the age of five, in a Connecticut-based doomsday cult known as "The Work", led by a man who called himself Brother …

Carol Merchasin brings her deep legal experience to McAllister Olivarius, heading up cases involving sexual misconduct in religious, faith-based, and …

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Jon Atack has been a consultant or expert witness in at least 150 court actions and worked on over 200 media pieces, he’s published more than 500 …

Shannon Payton, known as Shanny Pants by many, is a content creator and podcaster living in Rocklin, California. Her podcast, The ShannyPants Show is currently in its second season. In her interview-style podcast, …

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Elizabeth Gilpin is an actress, activist, writer, and producer who also serves as an ambassador for Represent Justice, an organization using the power of media to demand real change in the justice system. Her first …

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Mike Rinder was raised as a Scientologist from the age of 5 when his parents began attending the Scientology International Center in Australia in the …

Ashlen Hilliard is a cult intervention specialist helping families with loved ones in cultic or high-control groups or relationships and is the face …

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Renee Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, while also being a tattoo artist and human rights activist. She was born and raised in the …

Jaye Cole and Sonya Morris are survivors of "Believers House Worldwide Ministries" in Norfolk, VA. They are leading a campaign among others to share …

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Gerette Buglion is a co-founder of the #igotout movement and a lifelong educator, who brings discernment, compassion, and understanding to the …

Heidi Thompson was born into the Seventh-Day Adventist apocalyptic religion. She escaped at age 19 to attend college at the University of North Texas …

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In this very special bonus episode, we revisit some of the …

Sam Jahara is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and Tavistock certified Executive Coach with a private practice in Brighton, South-East England. She …

Andrew Jasko is a Princeton Seminary-educated former minister, who has a Master's Degree in Divinity, and in Counseling Psychology. Andrew had to …

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In this very special bonus episode, Rachel speaks with her …

Esther Friedman is a licensed mental health counselor, expressive art therapist, songwriter, performer, author, and ex-cult member. In 2006, a cult …

Rachel Manija Brown's parents moved her to an ashram in India when she was seven years old to worship the guru Meher Baba. Rachel stayed there until …

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In this very special bonus episode, Andrew Pledger turns the …

Emma Buchbinder was raised in the high-control religious group Xenos Christian Fellowship, based in Columbus, Ohio. In 2020, Xenos changed its name …

Julianne Bull is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist living in Los Angeles. She holds a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the …

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Sarah Edmundson and Anthony "Nippy" Ames are survivors of the NXIVM cult and hosts of the A Little Bit Culty Podcast. They are the married couple and …

N. Jamiyla Chisholm was born in New York City and grew up in Brooklyn. She graduated from City College in New York City, received her master of arts …

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Sarah Rose is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. She received a BA in Judaic Studies from UC Berkeley, a Certificate in Environmental …

Jeremy Sherman is a Ph.D. in evolutionary epistemology. He describes himself as a cradle-to-grave science researcher studying the unbroken chain, …

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Andrew Pledger is a religious trauma survivor who was raised in fundamentalist Christianity. He has been homeschooled his entire life for the purpose …

Zack Bonnie “graduated” from Rocky Mountain Academy at age sixteen, and then attended regular high school to fill the gaps in his education. He went …

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Tony Ortega is a journalist and former editor of The …

Zack Bonnie “graduated” from Rocky Mountain Academy at age sixteen, and then attended regular high school to fill the gaps in his education. He went …

Vanessa Reiser is a mother, entrepreneur, and groundbreaking psychotherapist specializing in narcissistic abuse using Therapist Self-Disclosure (TSD) Ms. Reiser graduated from the University of Southern California with …

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This week's guests Brian and Troy used to be members and leaders in Pentecostal megachurches in Australia. Troy, a 21-year-old member of the …

Lily Dunn is an author and mentor living in the UK. She has personal essays in Granta, Litro, Hinterland, MIRonline, The Real Story, and is a regular …

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Daniel Shaw, LCSW, is a psychoanalyst in …

Daniella Mestyanek Young is an American author and speaker born into the religious cult The Children of God. Daniella served as an Intelligence …

CONTENT WARNING: Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking

Megan Lundstrom is the Co-Founder and Director of Research at The Avery Center, an organization that creates trauma-informed services backed by survivor-led sex …

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Sat Pavan Kaur was born into the 3HO community and Sikh Religion. She spent her childhood moving around to various 3HO communities.
At the age of 8, …

Sat Pavan Kaur was born into the 3HO community and Sikh Religion. She spent her childhood moving around to various 3HO communities. At the age of 8, …

Kernan Coleman is a critical thinking activist and advocate for scientific skepticism from Santa Rosa, CA where he works as a branding and design …

Dan Lawton is a mindfulness instructor and writer, with a specific interest in the adverse effects of meditation practice. Dan is a certified …

Dan Lawton is a mindfulness instructor and writer, with a specific interest in the adverse effects of meditation practice. Dan is a certified …

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Thomas grew up in Denmark with a covert narcissist mother who …

CONTENT WARNING: SEXUAL ASSAULT

Daniel Levin is an award-winning writer living in Los Angeles. He holds an MFA in poetry from the University of …

Daniel Levin is an award-winning writer living in Los Angeles. He holds an MFA in poetry from the University of California, Irvine, where he taught …

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…

Willoughby Britton Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University Medical School, and …

Willoughby Britton Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University Medical School, and …

Rachel Nelson, Chelle Swierz, and Melissa Longfellow were all teachers and leaders for many years in the Baptiste Yoga organization - a high-control …

Rachel Nelson, Chelle Swierz, and Melissa Longfellow were all teachers and leaders for many years in the Baptiste Yoga organization - a high-control …

Kelly Thiel is a highly sought-after speaker and consultant to families and organizations regarding high-demand groups, cults, and narcissistic …

India Oxenberg is a successful film producer, writer, and actress. India is a national ambassador for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National …

India Oxenberg is a successful film producer, writer, and actress. India is a national ambassador for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National …

Jitarth Jadeja is a former QAnon follower and current moderator of a Reddit group with over 200K followers called QAnon Casualties. Residing in …

Jon Sawyer was raised in two homes influenced by both high-demand religion and secular worldviews. Prior to his parent's divorce at the age of four, …

Jon Sawyer was raised in two homes influenced by both high-demand religion and secular worldviews. Prior to his parent's divorce at the age of four, …

Emily is a former member of C3 NYC where she endured three years of pastoral abuse. Her account @C3ChurchWatch on Instagram was created in June 2020 as an effort to stop the harassment she was experiencing. She did not …

Mark Potok is an internationally renowned expert on the American radical right, who, for 20 years helped lead the legendary Southern Poverty Law Center in exposing hate groups, right-wing terrorism, and the rapidly …

Mark Potok is an internationally renowned expert on the American radical right who, for 20 years, helped lead the legendary Southern Poverty Law Center in exposing hate groups, right-wing terrorism, and the rapidly …

Jacob is a socialist community organizer living in Philadelphia. He helps run the Community Action Relief Project (CARP), a mutual aid organization committed to sharing resources and redistributing wealth throughout the …

Jacob is a socialist community organizer living in Philadelphia. He helps run the Community Action Relief Project (CARP), a mutual aid organization committed to sharing resources and redistributing wealth throughout the …

Anna grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family as part of the Quiverfull movement. She and her 6 siblings were not allowed to attend school and …

CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of Sexual Assault
Anna grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family as part of the Quiverfull movement. She and her 6 …

Returning this week is Roberta Blevins, a former "Hun", who left the MLM world in 2017 and began publicly educating and speaking out against it. In …

This week's guest, Roberta Blevins is a former "Hun", who left the MLM world in 2017 and began publicly educating and speaking out against it. In her …

Lola Blanc is a singer/songwriter, filmmaker, actress, and cult survivor. Her single “Angry Too” has over 20 million streams on Spotify, and as a …

Returning this week is Thomas who grew up in Denmark with a covert narcissist mother who kept him socially isolated, emotionally abused him, and …

Our guest this week, Thomas, is from Denmark, and grew up alone with a covert narcissist mother who kept him socially isolated, emotionally abused …

Our returning guest, Claire Headley was born and raised in Scientology and joined Scientology's "Sea Organization" at 16, including signing a …

This week's guest, Claire Headley was born and raised in Scientology and joined Scientology's "Sea Organization" at 16, including signing a …

This week's guest, Spike Robinson was born in the wilds of New Jersey and raised in bustling, metropolitan Vermont, she began her educational career …

This week we are proud to present a crossover episode with Dr. Clint Heacock, of the MindShift podcast. Dr. Heacock is an ex-evangelical pastor and …

This week's guest, Marilyn Mayo, is the Research Fellow at the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Center on Extremism. Marilyn is an expert on right-wing extremists in the United States, ranging from white supremacists to …

Our guest this week, Beth Matenaer, is a licensed professional counselor and trauma therapist living in South Carolina, who has worked with adults, …

In the late 1970s, while Pam was in college, she got involved with Scientology doing many courses and counseling with them. She stayed in Scientology …

In the late 1970s, while Pam was in College, she got involved with Scientology doing many courses and counseling with them. She stayed in Scientology …

This week's guest Govinda describes himself as a modern mystic committed to spiritual growth and enlightenment while simultaneously learning to be a …

This week's guest, Zoe Scurletis is a young professional who is currently based out of Austin, Texas. For most of her adult life, Zoe battled …

This week's guests Cody & Kandi are a married couple from a small town in the Ozarks, located near the Arkansas-Missouri border. They met and …

This week's guest Rob has been training in martial arts for over 24 years and has earned a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate and a Purple Belt in …

CONTENT WARNING: SUICIDAL IDEATION

Our guest this week, Geoff Law, was raised a Jehovah's Witness in Northern California. As a Witness, he spent 35 years devoted to bible research using only Witness-approved …

Our guest this week is Olga Yurkova from Ukraine. Olga edits the Context and Opinions sections of StopFake.org. She teaches different audiences how …

Returning this week are actors, Andrea Geones and Michael Laskin. Andrea and Michael teamed up to create a code of ethics for acting classes with one goal in mind: to create a safe and healthy environment for actors and …

This week our guests are Andrea Geones and Michael Laskin. Andrea and Michael teamed up to create a code of ethics for acting classes with one goal in mind: to create a safe and healthy environment for actors. After …

Lisa got out of a small, suburban, new age, therapy-based group in 2016, which she had joined as a 19-year-old, single mother. This high-demand group …

Christopher Buckley of LaFayette, GA is an Afghanistan and Iraqi war veteran. When he returned from Iraq, he joined the Georgia White Knights as an Imperial Nighthawk, because their anti-Muslim and racist values were …

As an independent producer, reporter, and sound designer, Jonathan Hirsch has produced hundreds of long-form audio works for NPR, Vox, NBC, Fusion Media Group, and many others. He is a recipient of the Green Eyeshade, …

Amanda Montell is a writer, language scholar, and podcast host from Baltimore. She is the author of Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, about the …

CW: Sexual violence against children

Christopher Buckley of LaFayette, GA is an Afghanistan and Iraqi war veteran. When he returned from Iraq, he …

This week's guest is a fourth-generation Christian Scientist. Lauren Hunter is a freelance writer, consultant, and entrepreneur. She is the author of …

Elli was raised a third-generation Christian Scientist in Southern California. She left the religion in her late teens and discovered it was a cult …

Elli was raised a third-generation Christian Scientist in Southern California. She left the religion in her late teens and discovered it was a cult …

Elli was raised a third-generation Christian Scientist in Southern California. She left the religion in her late teens and discovered it was a cult …

Rachel and Erin Alder are a married couple from Seattle. Shortly after they met they became entangled in a situation within AA where their …

Rachel and Erin Alder are a married couple from Seattle. Shortly after they met they became entangled in a situation within AA where their …

Rachel and Erin Alder are a married couple from Seattle. Shortly after they met they became entangled in a situation within AA where their …

Robbie Balonick was raised in a non-religious, household, in middle America in the 1950s and 60s. She was a lifelong seeker who was looking for Truth …

In a special crossover episode, this week we are airing Rachel's interview on Nobody Listens to Paula Poundston‪e‬. Paula, along with her co-host …

This week's guest Dimitri is the son of our previous guest Ariela Sarai. He was introduced to the cultic environment of Avatar courses by his mother …

Micro-Compromises of Integrity w/Ariela Sarai
After graduating from Columbia University, Ariela spent almost two years in India, first volunteering …

After graduating from Columbia University, Ariela spent almost two years in India, first volunteering for Mother Teresa then studying Tibetan …

When today's guest Jonathan was 15, he felt lost, alone, and unable to voice the feelings and thoughts that were troubling him. The domestic roles he …

When today's guest Jonathan was 15, he felt lost, alone, and unable to voice the feelings and thoughts that were troubling him. The domestic roles he …

Daniel is an entrepreneur and was raised inside the church. His journey into understanding the nature of fraud and its application to religion started when he was excommunicated from his church for exposing sexual …

In a special episode, this week Rachel speaks about Heaven's Gate, the UFO religious cult based near San Diego, California. Founded in 1974. Rachel …

Dan Shaw is a licensed clinical social worker and a psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City and in Nyack New York. He was originally trained as an actor at Northwestern University with the renowned teacher …

Dan Shaw is a licensed clinical social worker and a psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City and in Nyack New York. He was originally trained as an actor at Northwestern University with the renowned teacher …

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Co-owners of The Therapy Group, Emmalee Bierly and Jennifer Chaiken are the hosts of Shrink Chicks Podcast. They invited Rachel on their show after seeing her in the STARZ …

Lola Binkerd is an Author and Actress who was born and raised as a fourth-generation member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints …

Lola Binkerd is an Author and Actress who was born and raised as a fourth-generation member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints …

Stacie Stukin is an arts and culture journalist who grew up in Los Angeles. She was a contributing editor at Yoga Journal and she’s also written …

Stacie Stukin is an arts and culture journalist who grew up in Los Angeles. She was a contributing editor at Yoga Journal and she’s also written …

Daniel is an entrepreneur and was raised inside the church. His journey into understanding the nature of fraud and its application to religion started when he was excommunicated from his church for exposing sexual …

Brooke Knaack is a licensed marriage and family therapist and registered art therapist based in Los Angeles who has over ten years of clinical experience. She currently sees clients at her private practice where she …

Caroline Lorson is a survivor of the troubled teen industry. At the age of 14, she was forcibly removed from her home in Southern California by two …

Caroline Lorson is a survivor of the troubled teen industry. At the age of 14, she was forcibly removed from her home in Southern California by two …

Erin Aquarian is an artist and musician living in Portland, Oregon. Around the age of 26, she began to explore spirituality, particularly witchcraft, …

After four successful years of working on TV shows and films in New York City, Jules Hartley thought it would be a good idea for her to move to LA.

A …

Returning guest Tammie Willis grew up in a cultic Christian fundamentalist church which was steeped in methods of control based on fear, coercion, …

Chris Shelton is an author, podcaster, and former member of the Church of Scientology's upper echelon, the Sea Organization. Since leaving …

Returning guest, Audrey Brewer, is a marketing manager who found herself in a beauty-based MLM until she realized how entangled her life had become. …

Author Nat Gertler is the publisher of the About Comics line and a "professional peanuts nerd". He has written over a hundred comic book stories and has twice been nominated for Comic-Con's Eisner Award. He went on to …

Tammie Willis grew up in a Christian fundamentalist church in Virginia that she now knows was a cult by the ways in which it abused and controlled …

Mark Vicente is an author, speaker, and award-winning Writer/Director/Producer most well-known for directing the sleeper documentary hit "What The Bleep Do We Know?!" Being born in apartheid-era South Africa, and …

Mark Vicente is an author, speaker, and award-winning Writer/Director/Producer most well-known for directing the sleeper documentary hit "What The Bleep Do We Know?!" Being born in apartheid-era South Africa, and …

In this week's episode, Rachel gives her unique perspective on QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory whose dangerous and cult-like ideas are spreading …

Todd Brown continues telling his story of recovery as an ex-member of the independent sect of Sufism called Sufi Dayemi Tariqat. He describes the abuse he endured from the guru who continually belittled Todd for not …

Todd Brown is an ex-member of an independent sect of Sufism called Sufi Dayemi Tariqat. He reclaimed his identity as a gay man after 23 years with the group. He is currently working towards his PhD and hopes to help …

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

I’m Rachel Bernstein, LMFT. …

Jonathan DePeyer is a professional counselor who grew up in an organization called The Process Church of The Final Judgment later known as The Foundation, a religious group established in the United Kingdom in 1966 that …

Author and Educator Maria Peregolise grew up as the daughter of a "spiritual prophet". A follower of The Urantia Book, her father used the theology …

Eric Navas is a graduate of Cal State Dominguez Hills. It is there where he got involved with the group University Bible Fellowship, an organization …

Audrey Brewer lives in the Carolinas and is a resource for homeless women and girls. This week she continues telling her story about working in multi …

Audrey was formerly a high-ranking member of a multi-level marketing scheme. She was drawn to the opportunity to start paying off her student debts. …

Dr. Michelle Haslam offers her personal experience with a self-described 'modern Buddhist' group called The New Kadampa Tradition. She has produced lots of educational materials that explain the process of …

Dr. Michelle Haslam is a clinical psychologist who became involved with The New Kadampa Tradition in 2016 while living in the Nagarjuna Kadampa …

Rachel finishes part two of a conversation with the Peck family. Carey and Chris Peck continue to talk about social justice and intervention, the influence of the media on social issues, and the legacy of their Academy …

Two generations of social activists discuss the legacy of Gregory Peck, famously known for many films including his role as Atticus Finch in To Kill …

Scientology famously takes its members' best talents and passions and tries to make the most of them. For Lucas Catton, that came in the form of his …

Lucas Catton is a former Scientologist who got recruited through their Narconon Rehabilitation Program at a place formerly known as Chilocco in …

Kelly Weill is a reporter at The Daily Beast where she covers disinformation, the far right, and internet culture. She is currently at work on a book …

In part 2 of our interview with Irish filmmaker Roisin Kearney, we cover a lot of ground and she also talks about how shocked she was to discover …

Roisin Kearney is an Irish filmmaker from Dublin, Ireland whose most recent film sheds light on the issue of domestic violence. "Run", co-directed …

When Sarabeth felt ready to leave her Bible-based cult, one of the first things she wanted to do was talk to her mom, Cyndy. Today we finish the …

Earlier in the season, Rachel spoke with Cyndy Rudd: a mother who fought to free her daughter from not one, but two cultic situations. This week we …

Joe Szimhart found his path to cultic studies through his art community in Santa Fe and the Agni Yoga Society. Here he met Margaret Singer of the …

CW: violence & terrorism

Artist & activist Jamie DeWolf returns for part two of his interview to discuss how cult mechanics have been used to …

Jamie DeWolf, performer and activist, updates us on his most recent projects and discusses how pride plays a role in being susceptible to a cult.

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Katharina Meredith grew up quickly from the age of 10-20 in a New Age cult. After leaving, marrying and becoming pregnant, she experienced …

CW: Abuse against minors

Katharina Meredith grew up in a New Age cult from age 10 years old until 20. This week in the second part of her episode, she …

CW: Abuse against children

Katharina Meredith is a PhD student studying subjects like Community Psychology and Extremism after spending her childhood …

Today’s guest is Cyndy Rudd. She works as a receptionist and says she is best described as an “ordinary person with an extraordinary story”. Eleven years ago she found herself in a crisis...needing to get herself and …

Continuing her conversation, Sands Hall gives her perspective on Scientology's defense mechanism: "never defend, always attack". Hall is a playwright …

Hannah Watkins continues her story of how she gradually created distance from a life written for her by a rigid interpretation of scripture. She …

Hannah Watkins was born into ‘the Move’ of God and spent her first 18 years in the organization. Led by Sam Fife, the group separated itself as a branch of the Baptist Church in the late 60’s.

Luckily, Hannah’s …

Senior Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California serves on the faculty of the Ziegler Rabbinical School of the American Jewish …

Today we begin a new year! For many, this is a much needed fresh start. Sands Hall, playwright and author of "Reclaiming my Decade Lost in …

How do you give the gift of peace? Aziza Hasan is the Executive Director of a program called NewGround, a Muslim-Jewish partnership for change. …

Sarah Landry recently appeared on the show to share her story from Nithyananda's ashram. The self-styled guru has now fled the country after police …

How do you get strong enough to leave someone when you've felt shaky for so long? Narcissists have a way of pushing your needs aside and making you believe that decisions you make for yourself are the wrong ones. Rachel …

Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be with a narcissist? Rachel walks us through a deep psychoanalysis of narcissistic types; tying in real stories from her experience as a therapist.

Learn tips to …

While working the night staff at Narconon in downtown LA during the riots, Samantha Eidson realized that Scientology's rehab program didn't care …

Narconon is a Scientology organization that is disguised as rehabilitative care-- with treatments like having to spend many hours in a sauna and …

CW: physical & sexual assault against youth

Sarah Landry continues the story of her troubling times in and outside of Nithyananda's cult. Wearing …

CW: physical & sexual assault against youth

Sarah Landry first discovered Nithyananda at his Vancouver branch, though much of her story takes …

Vanessa LaRose's father worked extremely hard to hire a Scientology counselor because it was the only other option within the rules of the group that …

After being disconnected from her Scientologist parents for some time, Vanessa LaRose has decided it's finally time to break ties with the "church". …

Stacey Aviva Flint continues sharing her story about her mission to Kenya with the International Churches of Christ. Her one year trip became two years, as she was forced, unexpectedly, to pay her own way after dropping …

Kernan Coleman became an activist and critical thinking advocate after losing loved ones who denied the existence of HIV though they were effected. …

Stephen Kent is currently a professor of religious studies and sociology of religion at the University of Alberta in Canada. He continues with …

Stephen Kent is currently a professor of religious studies and sociology of religion at the University of Alberta in Canada. He shares the knowledge …

Stacey Aviva Flint was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a spiritual seeker from a young age though her family wasn't tied to a religion. …

When Claudine began to feel that she no longer believed the teachings, she realized that part of Mormon testimony was to avoid "anti-Mormon" literature. Passing up their guilt, Claudine and her husband uncovered …

After her grandmother passed away, Claudine found peace in her new reality through her faith in Mormonism. Her oldest son, Ian, didn't find the same …

CW: physical & sexual abuse

Left without help from her family and friends, Megan had only her workplace to depend on. In part two, Rachel and Megan talk about how her financial and emotional dependence was taken …

CW: Domestic and sexual violence

Megan spent ten years in Chicago's off-Loop DIY theatre scene as an actor, playwright, costume designer and …

Nitai Joseph was a part of a Hare Krishna offshoot sect called Audarya, led by Swami Tripurari in California. He currently studies the power of …

Teddy Hose is a motion graphics artist and writer who grew up in the Unification Church, also known as the “Moonies”. He expands on the militaristic …

Teddy Hose is a motion graphics artist and writer who grew up in the Unification Church of self-proclaimed messiah, Sun Myung Moon—or the “Moonies”.

While its membership and businesses run worldwide, Teddy’s family …

Samantha Manewitz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and educator, and AASECT certified social worker currently based in Massachusetts. Rachel and Samantha discuss harm reduction and the processes of restorative and …

Brie Loskota, from the University of Southern California's Center for Religion and Civic Culture, explains 'capacity building' and how it empowers …

Listen in on a discussion with cult expert Mike Kropveld from Quebec, and his organization InfoCult. Quebec has cults too. They just operate in …

Body language and speech are the tools we need to use to express nuanced feelings. But in Scientology and other groups like it, those who express …

IndoctriNation presents its first re-release from 10 months ago, when Rachel was joined by Catherine Oxenberg who had been fighting to pull her …

April’s former fear of psychology, medication, therapy, and even yoga were ingrained from a young age as she grew up in the Church of Scientology. …

This episode, titled after the Alexander Pope quote, is a small component to a deeply thought out response from Chanon Bloch and Rachel. After receiving large amounts of both positive and negative comments, the two …

CW: racism

Chanon Bloch takes our show in a new direction. Growing up in the peak of Apartheid (born 1957), he reflects on his childhood to unravel …

Joey continues telling his story; presenting an internal system that is morally falling apart on itself. He shares details from the intense, …

Joey Chait was born into Scientology-- but this belief system did not welcome him as is. Though his parents were high in the ranks and had crossed …

The Gold Coast Covenant "Church" had 50,000 members at the time Ron Burks was among the congregation; and it still exists today by twisting beloved …

Working as a substance abuse and mental health counsellor, Ron Burks began to draw neurological connections between reactions to reward, addiction, …

Rachel answers questions from her frequent listeners and Patreon subscribers. She will be sharing tips on confronting manipulation in your …