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IndoctriNation

IndoctriNation
Cults
Mental Health
Scientology
Manipulation
Religious Trauma
Sexual Abuse
Trauma
Narcissism
Trauma Recovery
Cognitive Dissonance
Cult Dynamics
Coercive Control
Child Abuse
Psychological Manipulation
Identity
Christian Nationalism
Spiritual Abuse
Cult Recovery
La Luz Del Mundo
Christian Fundamentalism

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes482Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Rachel welcomes back Chris Shelton, a former Scientologist and author of the new book, What Now? They dive deep into Chris's experiences, discussing the complexities of recovery from high-control groups and the importance of understa... more

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 exclusive Patreon bonus episode, Rachel shares her reflections on the importan... more

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein welcomes back Andrew Jasko, a religious trauma and cult specialist, for a thought-provoking discussion on the potential pitfalls of the Law of Attraction, also known as manifestation. Andrew delves into the historica... more

In this episode, Rachel welcomes back Elise Heerde, a mental health practitioner and co-director of the Religious Trauma Collective in Australia. Together, they delve into the complexities of religious trauma, cult recovery, and the ethical considera... more

Key Facts

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Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve HassanMeidasTouch Network, Dr. Steven Hassan
Was I in a Cult?
Was I in a Cult?Liz Iacuzzi
Cults to Consciousness
Cults to ConsciousnessShelise Ann Sola, Jonathan C Rosales

Recent Guests

Melissa Duge Spiers
Award-winning essayist, screenwriter, advocate on religious and narcissistic abuse
Author of Holy Disobedience
Episode: Holy Disobedience: Inside the Seventh-day Adventist Church with Melissa Duge Spiers
Andrew Jasko
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist; religious trauma and cult specialist; founder of Life After Dogma
Life After Dogma / Therapy practice
Episode: Recovering from Religious Trauma with Andrew Jasko
Hoyt Richards
Former participant in a cult, referenced as a guest in past episodes
Past guest on IndoctriNation
Episode: BONUS PREVIEW: A Model Cult Exposed
Carol Merchasin
Cult law specialist, attorney, president of ICSA
International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
Episode: Justice After Coercive Control with Carol Merchasin
Jared Stacy
Theologian and ethicist, author of Reality in Ruins
author of Reality in Ruins
Episode: Reality in Ruins: How Conspiracy Theory Became an Evangelical Crisis with Jared Stacy, PhD
Daniella Mestyanek Young
American author and speaker; raised in Children of God; former US Army officer; author of The Culting of America
Author and Speaker; Cult expert
Episode: The Culting of America with Daniella Mestyanek Young
Lindsey Sanders
Former Mormon for 41 years; memoirist and author of The Sacred Song of a Heretic
Author, Speaker
Episode: Reclaiming Myself After Mormonism with Lindsey Sanders
Ru Marshall
Author of American Trickster, The Hidden Lives of Carlos Castaneda
Or Publishing
Episode: American Trickster: The Hidden Lives of Carlos Castaneda with Ru Marshall
Alice Hines
Investigative journalist and co-host of Mind Games
Mind Games podcast
Episode: Mind Games: Investigating NLP with Alice Hines

Host

Rachel Bernstein
Host and educator specializing in cults and manipulation; host of the show

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Most underrated podcast! LOVE Rachel!

    Super well done. I think it would be a really good idea to do more crossover shows with true crime podcasts—I listen to a lot of them and one thing I hear over and over again is at the root of some unbelievable and unexpected crime, is a coercive person pulling everyone else’s strings. I think this is an important podcast and maybe more people would think twice if they heard the stories of how good and normal people end up committing unbelievable crimes because of stories they believed that othe... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    P.TwoBears
    United States5 months ago
  • Excellent podcast!

    I was never in a cult but for those of us escaped abusive households, we recognize these behaviors.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    changagarcia
    United Statesa year ago
  • Digs deep for the whole truth

    What I appreciate most about this podcast so far, that differentiates it from other ones I’ve listened to on this difficult subject, is that the interviewer goes deep, goes wide, and let’s the subject tell their story without interruption. I also appreciate the follow up questions and analysis. It’s just compelling, informative and without any manipulation. A rare thing. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chagall
    United Statesa year ago
  • Informative

    I highly recommend Rachel's work on Indoctrination. The content is incredibly relevant and edgy, offering a fresh perspective on a topic that affects so many. It’s both informative and educational, providing deep insights while remaining accessible. What truly sets Rachel apart, however, is her gracious and kind tone. She approaches the subject with care and compassion, making the material not only thought-provoking but also approachable. If you’re looking for a resource that is both impactful a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michelle the Change Architect
    United Statesa year ago
  • Weird timing

    Hello, love the pod, Rachel if you see this the timing of a description written as penny was snatched from her “all American” home by her “immigrant” father feels pretty ick? Don’t want you to change the story but immigrants are in real Serious danger right now so if some one reads that description o feel like it further stigmatizes immigrants who are vital members of our communities. Thx for considering. Love this podcast and it’s good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pepperonipuppy
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host's warmth and expertise help make tough topics accessible
Shows depth and compassion in handling survivors
Listeners praise thoughtful questions and useful takeaways for healing
Offers practical, non-sensational analysis of coercive control

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Manifestation Myths: A Deep Dive into the Law of Attraction with Andrew Jasko
Q: Tell us what's on the agenda for today?
We explored the potential pitfalls and psychological harms of the law of attraction, its historical roots in the New Thought movement, and how it can foster magical thinking, hyper-responsibility, and denial of medical realities, while also acknowledging nuanced aspects like mindfulness that can be beneficial when not tied to the dogmatic framework.
Recovering from Religious Trauma with Andrew Jasko
Q: What initial signs do you see that indicate someone is exiting a high-control religious environment, and how should they approach healing?
He notes the importance of validating the trauma (e.g., hell PTSD), recognizing manipulation and narcissistic dynamics in the religion, and gradually rebuilding a sense of self and autonomy through therapy, mindfulness, and community support rather than rushing toward new belief systems.
Recovering from Religious Trauma with Andrew Jasko
Q: Please introduce yourself and summarize your background relevant to this topic.
Andrew describes his background as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with a focus on religious trauma and cult recovery, including his experience growing up in evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity, his missionary work, and his eventual deconversion which informs his clinical and academic work.
American Trickster: The Hidden Lives of Carlos Castaneda with Ru Marshall
Q: Tell us what drew you to this story and this particular figure.
Ru explains that complexity, not simply praise or condemnation, drew him in: Castaneda's life and books present a troubling mix of charisma, manipulation, and genuine influence, making it essential to understand the psychology rather than simply celebrate or condemn. The material also intersects with broader questions about academia, indigenous representation, and the seductive power of “pathways” that promise meaning.
Mind Games: Investigating NLP with Alice Hines
Q: Can you describe some of the core NLP techniques and why they can be both beneficial and risky?
Alice discusses options like rapid rapport, emotional regulation, and pattern interruption, noting their potential to help in therapy but also their capacity to bypass critical thinking when misused.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About IndoctriNation

What is IndoctriNation about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently explores coercive control, high-control groups, and manipulative dynamics across religion, psychology, and culture. Episodes feature survivors, scholars, journalists, and authors who dissect cult mechanisms, recovery, and prevention, often tying historical cases to contemporary currents. A standout aspect is the host's compassionate, clinically informed interviewing style, which helps contextualize traumatic experiences without sensationalism. The format frequently offers practical guidance for recognition, safety, and healing, making it valuable for survivors, clinicians, educators, and curious listeners who want actionable insights into how influence operations work and how to resist them.

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How many listeners does IndoctriNation get?

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How many subscribers and views does IndoctriNation have?

To see how many followers or subscribers IndoctriNation has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to IndoctriNation?

These podcasts share a similar audience with IndoctriNation:

1. A Little Bit Culty
2. Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan
3. WTF is on my Mind?!
4. Was I in a Cult?
5. Cults to Consciousness

How many episodes of IndoctriNation are there?

IndoctriNation launched 8 years ago and published 482 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact IndoctriNation?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for IndoctriNation?

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What guests have appeared on IndoctriNation?

Recent guests on IndoctriNation include:

1. Melissa Duge Spiers
2. Andrew Jasko
3. Hoyt Richards
4. Carol Merchasin
5. Jared Stacy
6. Daniella Mestyanek Young
7. Lindsey Sanders
8. Ru Marshall

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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