Rephonic
Artwork for IndoctriNation

IndoctriNation

IndoctriNation
Cults
Mental Health
Scientology
Manipulation
Religious Trauma
Sexual Abuse
Trauma
Coercive Control
Trauma Recovery
Cognitive Dissonance
Cult Dynamics
Child Abuse
Narcissism
Identity
Psychological Manipulation
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 weeklyEpisodes486Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Rachel welcomes Hoyt Richards back to discuss how he transformed his experience in the Eternal Values group into public education and survivor advocacy. Hoyt explains the difference between intellectually understanding coercive influ... more

In this compelling episode, Rachel welcomes back Pamela Nickel Williams, who shares her profound journey of growing up in Scientology as a second-generation member. Pamela reflects on the complex dynamics of her family relationships, particularly the... 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 bonus episode, Rachel explores the complex phenomenon of dissociation, particu... more

In this gripping episode, Rachel sits down with Sarah Green, the daughter of a former cult leader, to explore her harrowing journey growing up in a paramilitary religious organization known as the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps. Sara... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

A Little Bit Culty
A Little Bit CultySarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan
Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve HassanMeidasTouch Network, Dr. Steven Hassan
Cults to Consciousness
Cults to ConsciousnessShelise Ann Sola, Jonathan C Rosales

Recent Guests

Sarah Green
Author and survivor; The Oracle's Daughter
Author of Oracle's Daughter
Episode: The Oracle's Daughter with Sarah Green
Chris Shelton
Former Scientologist, author, advocate for critical thinking
Independent author and educator
Episode: What Now? Reconstructing Identity After Cults with Chris Shelton
Andrew Jasko
Religious trauma and cult specialist
Independent clinical practice
Episode: Manifestation Myths: A Deep Dive into the Law of Attraction with Andrew Jasko
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
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

Host

Rachel Bernstein
Host of IndoctriNation; educator and therapist with a focus on religious trauma and cult recovery; experienced in hosting discussions on coercive control, high-control groups, and survivor advocacy.

Reviews

4.7 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 States6 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The host creates thoughtful, respectful conversations with deep storytelling and follow-up analysis.
Listeners praise the careful, trauma-informed approach and practical takeaways for recognizing coercive patterns.
The show combines empathy with rigorous critique, making complex topics accessible.
A must-listen for survivors and clinicians seeking compassionate, informed discourse.

Top Religion & Spirituality Podcasts

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

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About IndoctriNation

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

A rigorous, survivor-centered show examines coercive control, high-control groups, and cult dynamics through interviews with survivors, clinicians, and researchers. Episodes frequently explore healing, trauma-informed recovery, legal and ethical dimensions, and the social psychology of manipulation, with a clear emphasis on practical guidance for recognizing coercive patterns and safeguarding autonomy. Noteworthy is the blend of personal narratives with expert analysis, plus a tendency to book authors and practitioners who combine lived experience with scholarly insight, making complex topics accessible and actionable for listeners seeking safety and clarity.

Where can I find podcast stats for IndoctriNation?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for IndoctriNation. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to IndoctriNation and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does IndoctriNation get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for IndoctriNation, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for IndoctriNation?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for IndoctriNation, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
5. Cults to Consciousness

How many episodes of IndoctriNation are there?

IndoctriNation launched 8 years ago and published 486 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for IndoctriNation from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for IndoctriNation?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of IndoctriNation. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on IndoctriNation?

Recent guests on IndoctriNation include:

1. Sarah Green
2. Chris Shelton
3. Andrew Jasko
4. Melissa Duge Spiers
5. Hoyt Richards
6. Carol Merchasin
7. Jared Stacy
8. Daniella Mestyanek Young

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days