IndoctriNation

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 abuse. This has led him to ask the hard questions around his most deeply held beliefs. He has found healing through conversations around faith and abuse. He shares very personal stories with the hope that it will help others to find strength and healing. Rachel and Daniel discuss the shared tactics of fraudulent businesses and coercive religious groups, while Daniel goes in-depth about the personal experiences behind his motivation to educate people about the archetypes of fraud in all of its forms. Before You Go: Rachel touches on Robert Cialdini's concept of "pre-suasion", the idea of strategically conveying messages in order to make someone more open to subsequent manipulation. She offers advice on how to notice the signs of "pre-suasion" in order to avoid this subtle but powerful form of influence. Thanks to our newest Patreon supporters: Katherine, Maija Teppola Baehr, and Parker Radbourne Help support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 uses cognitive, relational, and somatic techniques to help individuals with developmental trauma or dysfunctional families cultivate healthy boundaries and relationships. Brooke was introduced to the 12-step program of AA in her early twenties and went on to be a very active member for 14 years before she started to question aspects of the organization. Since leaving AA in early 2018, Brooke has expanded her practice to include supporting clients that are transitioning away from controlling systems and learning to trust themselves again. Brooke shares her nuanced view of her experiences while being fully immersed in the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. While the group did help her stay sober, Brooke carefully points out some of the serious flaws and potentially damaging lack of professional oversight inherent in the program. She explains how in retrospect, her new perspective from the point of view of a mental health professional provided clarity on her own experience and allowed her to see the potential risks for certain vulnerable populations. Before You Go: Rachel goes into detail about the importance of safeguards in recovery groups of all kinds and reiterates the idea that these groups can often be both beneficial and counter-productive simultaneously. Thanks to our newest Patreon supporter Mick Wingert and Nml! Help support the show at https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination Read more of Rachel's thoughts on AA here: https://filtermag.org/deprogramming-from-aa-when-a-fellowship-resembles-a-cult/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 transporters and was flown across the country to a lockdown behavior modification school in Upstate New York. Caroline stayed at this facility for 29 months and was stripped of all of her human rights and subjected to coercive thought reform techniques. It took Caroline years to recover from her experience and she now actively works to reform the troubled teen industry through the Breaking Code Silence organization and her podcast, Inside the Program. Breaking Code Silence is a movement organized by a network of survivors and activists to raise awareness of the problems in the Troubled Teen Industry, and the need for reform. Caroline shares some of the devastating experiences of survivors of the "High Impact" facilities run by World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASP) She goes on to reveal how the dangerous "Troubled Teen" industry remains unregulated because of political corruption and explains how the #breakingcodesilence project aims to put an end to it. Before You Go: Rachel sends a message to survivors of the unregulated "Troubled Teen" Industry. Thanks to our newest Patreon supporters: Nic Bishop, Jenny Shelton and Jennifer Parson. Help Support the show at Patreon.com/indoctrination You can find out more about Caroline's work and further resources here: Inside the Program Podcast: https://anchor.fm/insidetheprogram WWASP Survivors: http://wwaspsurvivors.com/ Breaking Code Silence: https://www.breakingcodesilence.net/ Related Episodes Can Be Found Here: https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/gagliap1v1 https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/all-basic-human-privilege-was-taken-from-us-part-2-w-nick-gaglia "File:Breaking Code Silence.jpg" by TheYesGirl is licensed with CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 transporters and was flown across the country to a lockdown behavior modification school in Upstate New York. Caroline stayed at this facility for 29 months and was stripped of all of her human rights and subjected to coercive thought reform techniques. It took Caroline years to recover from her experience and she now actively works to reform the troubled teen industry through the Breaking Code Silence organization and her podcast, Inside the Program. Breaking Code Silence is a movement organized by a network of survivors and activists to raise awareness of the problems in the Troubled Teen Industry, and the need for reform. Caroline shares with Rachel her experience with the behaviour modification school and provides some context for these types of institutions by sharing some of the history behind how they came to prominence. Before You Go: Rachel offers a message to parents who may be considering boarding schools or even behavior modification schools and explains how to ensure the safety of their children Thanks to our newest Patreon supporters: Ellen Mooney Julie Sespico Kicesie Drew Antonio Amaral Braga Theresa Lyn Widmann Help support the show at Patreon.com/indoctrination You can find out more about Caroline's work and further resources here: Inside the Program Podcast: https://anchor.fm/insidetheprogram WWASP Survivors: http://wwaspsurvivors.com/ Breaking Code Silence: https://www.breakingcodesilence.net/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Erin Aquarian is an artist and musician living in Portland, Oregon. Around the age of 26, she began to explore spirituality, particularly witchcraft, to try to heal herself and make her life better. In 2012 she became involved with a “mystery school” for four years. Though she thought this school was helping her become her true self living a life of meaning and purpose, the school was rife with dysfunctional dynamics which deepened the wounds she showed up with and caused new ones she is now trying to heal from. Currently, Erin is recovering from eight years of being manipulated, gaslit, and misled by the people involved in this community, and others she has met and worked within various spirituality/healing modalities. Erin shares her experience healing from the damage the school inflicted on her and others. She emphasizes the importance of working only with licensed and trained mental health professionals on her recovery journey and exposes the dangers of the unregulated healing industry. Make sure to tune into the intro this week where Rachel addresses the importance of finding safe ways to connect this holiday season. Before You Go: Rachel explains how people can be more vulnerable to recruitment by cultic groups during times of existential crisis, especially after the loss of loved ones. She describes why people in these fragile states must avoid those who claim to have all the answers they seek. Thanks to our newest Patreon supporters: Chantal Dodson and Christina Hendricks Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jules Hartley, a former TV and film worker turned Kundalini yoga practitioner, shares her intense journey within the 3HO community. She discusses her deep dedication to Yogi Bhajan's teachings, leading to a consuming lifestyle that left her broke and ill. Jules opens up about escaping the group's control and her path to recovery. The conversation also touches on political triggers for former cult members, and the importance of self-reflection in breaking free from manipulative leadership. It's a powerful narrative of resilience and rediscovery.

Returning guest Tammie Willis grew up in a cultic Christian fundamentalist church which was steeped in methods of control based on fear, coercion, guilt, and shame. Though she left the church more than 30 years ago she is still coming to terms with the effect it has had on her life. She describes to Rachel how seeing what's happening in the United States political system and the rise of Christian nationalism has been eye-opening and triggering in the last few years, Before You Go: Rachel explains how misinterpretation of biblical texts can be incredibly dangerous when merged with the powers of government. She elaborates on how governmental power and influence can be used to promote specific religious views and violate the rights of other people. Thanks to our newest Patreon Supporters: Julia Molen, Lynne, Caitlin Schumacher, Leslie H and Nicole Artanowicz Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Chris Shelton is an author, podcaster, and former member of the Church of Scientology's upper echelon, the Sea Organization. Since leaving Scientology in 2013 he has been dedicated to exposing the abuses of destructive cults and high control groups through his YouTube channel, where he also promotes critical thinking and education as the solutions to the cult problem. Chris shares with Rachel the details of his harrowing experience in Scientology's Rehabilitation Project Force(RPF) A program for members of its Sea Organization who have allegedly violated expectations or policies. Chris breaks down a day in the life of a resident of the RPF which he describes as a re-education camp. Rachel helps Chris unpack the idea that our personal perceptions are actually malleable and explains how authoritarian groups can exploit that. Before You Go: Rachel points out why Chris's insights are invaluable not only for people wrapped up in Scientology but for anyone who is struggling with personal responsibility within high control groups. Hear more of Rachel's discussions with Chris on his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGrPM1Pg2h705KqJ9DRi3HKkWqqZAA6Hs Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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. She reveals the difficulties she has struggled with since leaving the group as well as the tremendous growth she has since experienced. Rachel and Audrey go in-depth on the mechanics that can lead to manipulation in MLM groups. Before You Go: Rachel explains the art of "saying something without saying it" the importance of noticing what is not being said and how to read between the lines. Thanks so much to our newest Patreon supporter Trymian Cassidy! Become a supporter at https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 publish The Negro Motorist Green Book - Jim Crow-era travel guides for African Americans, an important historical document previously out of print. Rachel and Nat discuss how representation in influential forms of popular media can create a positive form of indoctrination that can ultimately lead to progressive societal change. Before You Go: Rachel expands on the idea of representation in media and the positive impact it can have in minority communities of all kinds. She compares it to the affirmation people who've left cultic groups feel when their experiences are shared with the majority through mass media. Follow Indoctrination on Social Media: Twitter @_indoctrination IG: @indoctrinationpodcast Facebook: @indoctrinationpodcast Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy