IndoctriNation

Angela J Herrington is a faith deconstruction coach and host of The Deconstructing Faith Summit who helps people break free from toxic religious culture & empowers them to recover from #churchhurt. She has led online ministries for a decade, enjoys working with clients 1:1, in groups, and is a dynamic conference speaker. She holds a BA from Indiana Wesleyan and a Masters in Leadership from Wesley Seminary. Her graduate research project focused on leadership development and opportunities for Gen X women in the US church. She has published articles in Hope for Women and HOPE is Now magazines. She has been featured in The New Republic, Publisher’s Today, and Religion News Service. In this nuanced and important conversation, Angela explains her own process of deconstruction and outlines some of the ways in which she now encourages her clients to rebuild their lives post-deconstruction in the healthiest and most beneficial ways possible. Before You Go: Rachel expands on Angela's idea of rebuilding the self after deconstruction and offers tips on safely "reconstructing" on your own terms. You can find more info on Angela and her new book at: https://www.angelajherrington.com 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!

Mike Rinder was raised as a Scientologist from early childhood. He went on to serve as Scientology’s international spokesperson and as the head of its Office of Special Affairs and was a member of the Board of Directors of Church of Scientology International from its creation in 1983 until he left in 2007. Since renouncing Scientology, Rinder has become a prominent whistleblower against its abuses. He appeared in the HBO documentary Going Clear and cohosted all three seasons of the Emmy Award–winning show Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath on A&E. Mike is currently the host of the new podcast Exposing Scientology. His latest book A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology is now available on paperback. In this highly informative discussion, Mike explains in detail the deceptive nature of Scientology’s recruiting tactics and outlines the nefarious ways in which its leaders exert control over their followers. Before You Go: Rachel breaks down the harmful Scientology concept of the “reactive” mind explaining how it attempts to weaken emotional safeguards in followers. 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!

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can hear the episode in its entirety, by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this solo bonus episode, Rachel examines the often problematic language popularized in self-help circles and explains its origins in Large Group Awareness Training organizations such as Landmark. Throughout her monologue, she points out the many red flags inherent in victim-blaming culture. Thanks to all of our Patrons for making this episode possible!!

Matt and Tawni Browning are the authors of the new book "The Hate Next Door: Undercover within the New Face of White Supremacy" Matt is an internationally recognized authority on the inner workings of white supremacy groups. As an undercover detective for more than two decades in Arizona, Browning has been infiltrating, documenting, and disrupting White supremacy movements from the inside, gaining an intimate vantage point to the KKK, border militias, Proud Boys, and other White power groups, as they organized and grew their ranks which included police force and military veterans. Together with his intrepid wife, Tawni, he adopted fake IDs and ideologies, seeking the arrest of hate group participants. What others dismissed as fringe groups, Browning quickly recognized as large and interconnected organizations permeating every facet of American society, effectively spreading their dangerous and repugnant rhetoric at unprecedented speeds. Tawni Browning considers herself first and foremost a mother of five. Beyond that, she was the Supervising and Casting Producer for A&E’s “Escaping Polygamy,” a series documenting the trials and struggles of individuals attempting to leave the cult life of polygamy. For years, Tawni has been assisting her husband in the investigations of numerous skinhead organizations. With her covert investigative tactics, Tawni was instrumental in the “shutting down” of one of the world's largest and most violent skinhead organizations. Tawni continues to gather intelligence on various individuals and religious extremists throughout the world. The series “Escaping Polygamy” is airing now on A&E and Matt and Tawni’s new book “ The Hate Next Door“ is available on Amazon and at local bookstores. In this inspiring and important discussion, Matt and Tawni share fascinating details of their personal and professional lives dedicated to fighting hate and authoritarianism respectively. Throughout the conversation the couple detail the similarities between white supremacist and fundamentalist Christian ideology, offering meaningful insight into de-radicalization and healing modalities. You can find out more about Matt and Tawni’s work at: https://www.mattandtawni.com/ 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!

Cynane Shay is a nuclear engineer in South Carolina. Her childhood in White Christian Nationalism normalized conspiracy theories like Obama “Birther-ism” and the Biblical apocalypse; but 2020, with COVID and Qanon, finally made her realize something was deeply wrong. Now Cynane is writing a book, “Taking Off the Tinfoil Hat: How Lizard People and Space Lasers Dismantled my Christian Worldview,” to process the deconstruction of her fundamentalist evangelicalism and her propagandistic patriotism. Losing loved ones to the pandemic was a tragedy, but losing loved ones to the rabbit hole was its own tragedy and Cynane needed to understand the “why.” So from the IBLP cult to Jewish space lasers, she pulled the thread, cracked her faith, and found the inseparable link between cults, conspiracy theories, and American White Christian Nationalism. Throughout this highly informative conversation, Cynane expertly weaves in fascinating insights into the world of modern conspiracism as she explains her own deconstruction from Christian Nationalism. Before You Go: Rachel expands on how Evangelicalism and Christian Nationalism can prime followers for falling down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. You can find more information on Cynane's forthcoming book as well as other resources at: https://takingoffthetinfoilhat.com/ 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!

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can listen to the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this special bonus episode, Rachel explains how survivors of high-control groups or relationships can sometimes lose their natural emotional warmth and sensitivity. She explains why they often struggle to regain those empathetic feelings after leaving and offers advice on how to remedy it. Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!!

Dr. Clint Heacock is an ex-evangelical pastor and Bible college teacher of over 20 years and the host of the MindShift podcast. Clint grew up in the Church of Christ with parents who followed the Bill Gothard method of child-rearing. After deconstructing his former Christian faith and leaving it behind more than a decade ago, he’s used his podcast platform to educate and help those who have left religion to rebuild their lives. Recently Clint has been dedicated to speaking out about the dangers posed by the Christian Right, dominion theology, and Christian nationalism. Today’s episode is actually a two-part conversation you’ll be hearing the first half of the conversation here on IndoctriNation and you can listen to the second half now over at Clint’s Mindshift podcast using the link below or just search for Mindshift on your favorite podcast platform: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1199559501 In the first half of this two-part conversation, Clint shares his insights from years of researching the Christian right and dominion theology, outlining their goals and examining the societal impact as they attempt to ingratiate themselves into U.S. politics. Before You Go: Rachel explains why it’s important to be vigilant in recognizing the covert intentions of high-control groups and examines the agenda of Christian nationalism. You can find out more about Dr. Heacock and his work at: https://mindshiftpodcast.co.uk/ 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!

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!

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive bonus episode. You can listen to the full episode by becoming a member at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this special bonus episode, Rachel explains how cult survivors are often uniquely primed to be involved with contentious in-fighting within the ex-member communities they participate in. She advises what safeguards and protocols should be implemented in support groups run by former members. Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible!!

Mattie Jo Cowsert was a pastor’s kid and proud purity ring-wearer before she moved to New York City and experienced an unexpected worldview and identity implosion. When the marriage equality act passed in 2015, Mattie Jo decided to share how the queer community was one of the catalysts for questioning everything she’d been taught, in her first publicly released blog post entitled: God and the Gays. This was the start of her popular blog, God, Sex & Rich People. Before terms like “deconstruction”, “purity culture” or “Ex-vangelical” became hashtags all over the internet, God, Sex & Rich People exposed the sometimes painful, sometimes hilarious realities of a young female Ex-evangelical navigating the diversity of the Big Apple, working for the 1%, and trying to have good sex without hating herself. Since then, Mattie Jo has developed a pilot for a series based on her blog which recently premiered at the Omaha Film Festival. Her forthcoming book is titled: "God, Sex, & Rich People: A Recovering Evangelical Testimony " In this candid and vulnerable conversation Mattie Jo opens up to Rachel about her experiences growing up in purity culture, outlining the damaging theology of Christian Patriarchy. Throughout the discussion Mattie Jo and Rachel upack the systematic and insidious mechanisms of control inherent in the common practices of conservative ideologies. Before You Go: Rachel explains how people leaving high control groups often miss out on the available resources and advocacy organizations in the broader community. You can find more info on Mattie Jo and her work at: https://www.mattiejocowsert.com/ 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!