Jon Atack is a leading expert on authoritarian cult groups as well as a best-selling author. He has worked with hundreds of former members and has lectured and written extensively in a career spanning four decades. Jon wrote the book, “Scientology: The Cult of Greed” as a simple introduction to the subject, while his influential book, “Let’s Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky” is the only comprehensive history of the bizarre group known as Scientology. Through his popular YouTube channel and podcast, simply titled, “Jon Atack and Friends”, he endeavors to make complex psychological ideas accessible. His scholarship has been supported by many academics from varying fields of study. Jon’s book “Opening Our Minds” shows how cultic behaviors are established throughout society and sheds light on the methods used in pseudo-religions, therapy and commercial cults, terrorism, gangs, grooming, hazing, and modern slavery. He also shows that these methods succeed because of failures in our education system. In his spare time, Jon hybridizes tomatoes, plays drums, and paints. In this information-dense and engaging discussion between longtime colleagues and friends, Rachel and Jon delve deep into the hearts and minds of people trapped in high-control groups. Throughout the conversation, they touch on both the sociological and psychological factors that drive people into destructive groups and offer insights on the healing process for those who escape. Before You Go: Rachel explains how simply recontextualizing the language of cult leaders can help reveal the absurdity of their words, even to the most indoctrinated followers. You can find all of Jon's work on his website: https://jonatack.co.uk/ You can listen to Alan Schlaifer's new song "Waiting for the Rain" on your favorite streaming service or on Spotify by clicking the link below: https://open.spotify.com/track/2OEt1VGFRYIpIkU5yHgzBd?si=250f04b8f66f4a0f All of Rachel's free informational PDF documents are available here: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/pdf.html All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here: rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctrination Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!