IndoctriNation

Natalie Hoffman is the author of Is it Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A Christian Woman's Guide to Hidden Emotional and Spiritual Abuse and her recent memoir All the Scary Little Gods. Natalie is also the host of the Flying Free podcast. She is a mother, grandmother, educator, and passionate advocate for women of faith in abusive homes and churches. Through the Flying Free Sisterhood program, Natalie empowers women to discover and use their God-given voices, gifts, and freedom to choose for their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Rachel and Natalie delve into the multi-layered aspects of Natalie's life, from her upbringing in a strict Christian environment to her journey through an abusive marriage and her eventual path to healing. Natalie shares her experiences with internal family systems (IFS) therapy, a method that has helped her understand and heal from her past trauma. They discuss the covert nature of emotional and spiritual abuse within religious settings and the importance of bringing these hidden issues to light. Natalie emphasizes the need for self-compassion and the significance of being an empathetic witness to oneself. You can find more info on Natalie and her work at: www.flyingfreenow.com Connect with Us on Social Media: Twitter: www.twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.

Ryan George spent the first 20 years of his life in a cult, attending a series of Independent Fundamental Baptist churches including one where his dad was the pastor, whose word was the ultimate authority. It wasn’t until Ryan was confronted with the truth that his father was a serial sexual abuser hiding his sins behind Bible verses, that Ryan realized his faith was built on a foundation of lies. He’s spent the last 25 years reevaluating what he truly believes, and miraculously, while he left the spiritually abusive IFB movement, he didn’t leave behind his faith altogether. In this episode, Ryan recounts his experience of confronting his father and the complex path of untangling his personal faith from the harmful tenets of American fundamentalism and the teachings of Bill Gothard. Despite the spiritual and physical abuse he endured, Ryan managed to reconstruct his faith and find redemption. His new book, "Hurt and Healed by the Church: Redemption and Reconstruction After Spiritual Abuse," delves into these experiences and his journey toward healing. Rachel and Ryan also explore the broader implications of abuse within religious settings and how it impacts families and communities. Ryan's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking out and finding one's own path to healing and faith. Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast YouTube: youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.

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 episode, Rachel dives into the life and influence of Elizabeth Clare Prophet, the leader of the Church Universal and Triumphant. Rachel recounts her early encounters with the group and shares a chilling memory of hearing Prophet’s hypnotic mantras, which had a profound impact on her. She also reflects on a conference where she heard Prophet's daughter speak about the challenges of growing up with such a mother, highlighting the often-overlooked perspective of the children of cult leaders. Rachel also delves into the dual nature of mantras and repetitive sounds used by Prophet, which can have both positive and negative effects. She explains how these practices can calm the mind and reduce stress but can also trigger trauma and anxiety in those who have experienced significant psychological harm. Rachel concludes by providing a comprehensive look at Prophet’s life, from her early mystical experiences to her leadership of a controversial religious movement, and the lasting impact on her followers and her own family. Connect with us on Social Media: - Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination - Facebook: facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast - Instagram: instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast - YouTube: youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.

Returning guest, Tia Levings writes about the realities of Christian fundamentalism, evangelical patriarchy, and religious trauma. She is also a podcaster, speaker, and content strategist. She’s been quoted in Salon, the Huffington Post, and Newsweek, and appeared in the hit Amazon docu-series, Shiny Happy People. Based in Jacksonville, Florida she is mom to four incredible adults and likes to travel, hike, paint, and daydream. Her debut memoir, A Well-Trained Wife, is available now for pre-order. In this episode, Tia delves into her personal journey of escaping a high-control Christian patriarchy, which she now refers to as evangelical patriarchy—a "cult without walls." She shares the harrowing experience of a hostage situation that led to her escape and discusses the complexities of healing from trauma. Tia emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and the multifaceted nature of recovery, including the use of internal family systems (IFS) and somatic work. Rachel and Tia also explore the broader societal implications of religious extremism, particularly the Seven Mountain Mandate, which aims to infuse Christian values into various sectors of society, including government, education, and media. Tia's insights provide a powerful reminder of the need for awareness and vigilance against the encroachment of religious dominance in public life. More info on Tia and her work here: https://tialevings.com/ Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast YouTube: youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft To help support the show and get access to exclusive content, please visit: patreon.com/indoctrination Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.

Returning guest, Jonathon Sawyer is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder. Working with the National Education Policy Center, Jon researches public and private education. Through his in-progress dissertation, Jon explores pressing tensions between the right to religious freedom and the separation of church and state, focusing on taxpayer-supported religious schools. Motivated by life-defining experiences in a school associated with the early years of the New Apostolic Reformation, Jon is particularly attentive to LGBTQ students who are subjected to religiously motivated discrimination. Through his work, Jon aims to educate his academic community and the public on the discrimination some LGBTQ youth may experience in taxpayer-supported religious schools. He also explores how religious extremism radicalizes youth against democracy. Jon has also presented research on civil rights, education policy, and religion at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association. Jonathan shares alarming details about how billions of taxpayer dollars are flowing into religious schools that may be radicalizing youth against democratic values. He discusses the rhetoric of demons and exorcism practices that are prevalent in some charismatic and Pentecostal Christian communities. These practices not only harm the psychological well-being of individuals but also pose a threat to the democratic fabric of our society. Rachel and Jonathan explore the concept of "self-invisibility," a term Jonathan uses to describe individuals who, due to extreme religious indoctrination, become invisible to themselves. This phenomenon can lead to a perpetuation of discrimination and harm, as those who are indoctrinated may go on to discriminate against others. The episode also touches on the broader societal implications of religious extremism. Jonathan warns against the language used by some political and religious leaders, which can often be dismissed as hyperbole but has real-world consequences. He emphasizes the need for both thoughtful liberals and conservatives to recognize and address these issues. You can find out more about Jon and his work at: https://www.jonsawyer.org Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast YouTube: youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft To help support the show and get access to exclusive content, please visit: patreon.com/indoctrination Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this solo bonus episode, Rachel shares her insights on the harrowing experience of testifying about abuse in a courtroom. Rachel discusses the re-traumatization many survivors face when confronting their abusers in court, the emotional toll of recounting traumatic events, and the fear of retaliation. She shares powerful stories from survivors of various high-profile cases, including the NXIVM and La Luz del Mundo trials, highlighting the complexities and emotional challenges of seeking justice. Rachel also explores the empowering aspects of speaking out and its profound impact on both the survivor and society. She discusses the importance of breaking the silence, empowerment through expression, and the creation of safe spaces for survivors to connect and support each other. Thank you, Patrons, for your continued support!!

Diana Nowak is a survivor of the infamous troubled teen institution known as The Academy at Ivy Ridge. She is featured in the recently released Netflix docuseries The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping which specifically covers The Academy at Ivy Ridge. The series directed by Katherine Kubler exposes the corruption and abuse of the troubled teen industry through the stories of Diana and her fellow survivors who are still haunted by their experiences. In this episode, Diana recounts her traumatic two-year stay at Ivy Ridge, including forced medication, unconsenting strip searches, and emotional abuse. Now an advocate for survivors with the Breaking Code Silence organization, Diana is determined to ensure that her story, and those of countless others, are heard and believed. Rachel and Diana delve into the psychological and emotional tactics used to break down the teens, such as the infamous "Lifeboat Process," Diana also discusses the long-term effects of such abuse, including trust issues, abandonment issues, and the struggle to feel worthy and deserving of good things. Discover more about Diana's advocacy work and the Breaking Code Silence organization at: www.breakingcodesilence.org Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast YouTube: youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft To help support the show and get access to exclusive content, please visit: patreon.com/indoctrination Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.

Tiffany Yecke Brooks is the author of the new book Holy Ghosted: Spiritual Anxiety, Religious Trauma, and the Language of Abuse which equips readers to understand and name tactics of spiritual abuse and manipulation. Each chapter covers a different method of control found in toxic religious communities--including legalism, indoctrination, praise, and fear--and how to identify and respond to it healthily. Tiffany is the lead or contributing author on more than two dozen books, including Gaslighted by God: Reconstructing a Disillusioned Faith. A popular speaker for student groups, faith conferences, and academic lectureships, Brooks holds a Ph.D. in American and Dramatic Literature from Florida State University. In this compelling episode, Tiffany and Rachel cover a wide range of topics, from the psychological impacts of spiritual anxiety to the manipulative use of language in religious settings. Rachel and Tiffany discuss the importance of recognizing and naming abusive tactics, the role of intuition in protecting oneself, and the challenges of breaking free from high-control environments. Tiffany also emphasizes the significance of understanding the context and interpretation of religious texts, and how authoritarian leaders often use rhetorical fallacies to maintain control. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of spiritual abuse and the paths to healing and empowerment. Discover more about Tiffany's work and her latest book at tiffanyyeckebrooks.com. Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast YouTube: youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft To help support the show and get access to exclusive content, please visit: patreon.com/indoctrination Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this special bonus episode, Rachel dives deep into the dark and often hidden world of children’s television. Inspired by the recent docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV," she explores the unhealthy culture plaguing TV and movie sets, particularly those involving child actors. From the #MeToo movement to the power dynamics that create toxic environments, this episode sheds light on the harrowing experiences many young actors have faced. Rachel discusses the psychological responses to abuse, the culture of silence and intimidation, and the need for major industry reforms. Watch the trailer for Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rav5QVDs6ks Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!!

Anke Richter is an international journalist and author based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Before immigrating there with her family in 2003 she was a magazine writer, TV producer, and, business reporter in Germany. Anke has covered everything from the 2011 Christchurch earthquake to the 2019 mosque attack and has traveled widely in the South Pacific reporting on climate change and social issues. Over the last few years, she has been focusing her research on cults, which has resulted in her latest book, Cult Trip: Inside The World Of Coercion & Control an intense, riveting, and personal investigation into the world of cults and the minds of their leaders. In this riveting episode, Rachel engages with Anke Richter, an international journalist and author whose investigative prowess has taken her deep into the world of cults. Anke's latest book, "Cult Trip: Inside the World of Coercion and Control," offers an intense and personal exploration of cult dynamics and the psychology of their leaders. From the 2011 Christchurch earthquake to the harrowing experiences of cult survivors, Anke's work spans a broad spectrum of human stories. The conversation also delves into the upcoming DE-CULT conference in New Zealand, which aims to educate and empower those affected by cultic environments. Discover more about Anke's work and the DE-CULT conference at www.ankerichter.net Connect with us on Social Media: Twitter: twitter.com/_indoctrination Facebook: www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft To help support the show and get access to exclusive content, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Your reviews and ratings on Spotify and Apple/iTunes are greatly appreciated and help the show reach a wider audience.