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IndoctriNation

IndoctriNation
Cults
Mental Health
Scientology
Manipulation
Religious Trauma
Trauma
Sexual Abuse
Narcissism
Trauma Recovery
Cognitive Dissonance
Cult Dynamics
Child Abuse
Psychological Manipulation
Identity
Spiritual Abuse
Coercive Control
Christian Nationalism
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 weeklyEpisodes473Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for IndoctriNation

Latest Episodes

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 Patreon bonus episode, host Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, examines how victim blamin... more

In this episode, Daniella Mestyanek Young returns to IndoctriNation to discuss how cults exploit group dynamics. Born three generations into the Children of God, then a U.S. Army intelligence officer, Daniella has spent her career studying coercive c... more

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein sits down with Lindsey Sanders to talk about her memoir, The Sacred Song of a Heretic, and what it means to reclaim "sacredness" outside of a high-control religion.

Lindsey was raised in a multigenerational Mormon f... 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 Patreon bonus episode, host Rachel Bernstein unpacks the idea of "cults of two... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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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
Conspirituality
ConspiritualityDerek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker

Recent Guests

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
Donna Lamb
Cult survivor, writer, former sex worker who escaped Aesthetic Realism in 2001
Cults Recruit People (substack)
Episode: Living Authentically: Escaping Aesthetic Realism pt. 1 with Donna Lamb
Louise Williamson
Author of My Husband, The Rabbit Hole, and Me
Writer/Author
Episode: My Husband, The Rabbit Hole, and Me with Louise Williamson
Matthew Boedy
Professor of rhetoric and author of The Seven Mountains Mandate
University of North Georgia
Episode: The Seven Mountains Mandate with Matthew Boedy
Becky Garrison
Author, Gaslighting for God; religious satirist and reporter
Author, Gaslighting for God; The Wittenberg Door (former senior contributing editor)
Episode: Gaslighting for God with Becky Garrison
Harrison Hill
Author of The Oracle's Daughter
Author, The Oracle's Daughter
Episode: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult with Harrison Hill

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 States4 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 States10 months 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.

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.
Mind Games: Investigating NLP with Alice Hines
Q: What drew you to researching NLP, and how did you get involved in Mind Games?
Alice explains that NLP's varied history—from therapeutic roots to its later adoption by controversial groups—sparked their interest, leading to a journalistic, investigative approach with her co-host Zoe Laskos.
My Husband, The Rabbit Hole, and Me with Louise Williamson
Q: What strategies did you find most effective for addressing the beliefs without escalating conflict?
Gentle questions about how it would actually work and who benefits helped, as did involving trusted, less-close figures like teachers or friends who could discuss these topics without triggering defensiveness.
My Husband, The Rabbit Hole, and Me with Louise Williamson
Q: What first drew your husband into conspiracy theories, and how did it begin to affect your daily life?
He started with a few topics and became increasingly intense and certain, which gradually changed household conversations, social circles, and even family dynamics, leading to escalating conflict and emotional distress.

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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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. Cults to Consciousness
5. Conspirituality

How many episodes of IndoctriNation are there?

IndoctriNation launched 8 years ago and published 473 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. Daniella Mestyanek Young
2. Lindsey Sanders
3. Ru Marshall
4. Alice Hines
5. Donna Lamb
6. Louise Williamson
7. Matthew Boedy
8. Becky Garrison

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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