IndoctriNation

Stephen & Celine Mather, father-and-daughter podcast team, discuss growing up in a high control group, reflecting on childhood experiences, interpreting Jesus's words, regrets, and gratitude. They also explore negative conditioning, self-identity in cults, and the journey towards freedom and uncertainty.

Today’s guests, Sarah and Jessica are longtime friends who grew up together in Canada. They are Ex-Christians who discuss their former faith one strange topic at a time on their cleverly named podcast "You Can't Get To Heaven In A Miniskirt" The stated goal of their podcast is to expose the abusive power structures and toxicity within the Christian faith and create a safe place to heal for those affected by religious trauma. Sarah and Jessica say their aim is to bridge the divide of the ever-growing chasm of religious and political ideology in North America. Now that they live on opposite sides of the country they spend most of their free time researching for the podcast in an effort to find common ground between believers and non-believers. In this cathartic and informative conversation, Sarah and Jessica detail the experiences they had in the Christian church that led them to start the podcast. Throughout the show, Rachel offers her insights on the themes Sarah and Jessica cover in their podcast including purity culture and patriarchal control. Before You Go: Rachel points out the hypocrisy of high-control Christian churches whose patriarchal teachings aim to control all aspects of women's behavior. You can listen to Rachel's appearance on You Can't Get To Heaven In A Miniskirt here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2004391/13526350 You can find more info on Sarh & Jessica's work here: https://www.heaveninaminiskirt.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: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode at: www.patreon.com/indoctrination In this special bonus episode, Rachel shares her insights into the reasons people often seek comfort in all varieties of healers and gurus, and describes the ways in which untrustworthy practitioners in these fields manipulate their followers to benefit themselves. Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Emily Lynn Paulson is the author of Highlight Real: Finding Honesty and Recovery Beyond the Filtered Life, and Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing. She has given two powerful TEDx talks, both challenging the status quo of parenting, alcohol use, and feminism as we know it. Paulson has also been featured in major publications such as the Today Show, New York Times, Washington Post, The Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, Next Question with Katie Couric, and the Tamron Hall Show. She resides in Central Oregon with her husband and their five children. In this enlightening and informative conversation, Emily shares her insights on the manipulative tactics of the multi-level marketing industry from her own personal experiences and explains how sobriety helped give her the perspective needed to leave it. She points out the faux-feminist rhetoric that organizations use to prey on women's emotional and economic vulnerabilities. Throughout the conversation, Rachel and Emily point out the commonalities of MLMs and other high-control groups. Before You Go: Rachel expands on the manipulative concept of "retiring your spouse" that MLMs use to keep people trapped in the cycle of financial abuse. You can find more about Emily and her work at: https://www.emilylynnpaulson.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: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Abbi Nye is an abuse survivor supporting cult survivors in their journey toward healing. An archivist in Wisconsin, Abbi holds an MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a BA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Wheaton College. In 2022, Abbi co-founded C.F.C.too, a survivor-led advocacy coalition for abuse survivors from Christian Fellowship Center, a Christian cult in northern New York. Her work with CFCtoo has been featured in outlets such as the Washington Post and Religion News Service. Abbi uses her archival expertise to track down corroborative evidence for survivors, while her theological training helps to give survivors language for the theological abuses and distortions that they've experienced. When Abbi is not archiving Milwaukee's history or conducting CFCtoo business, she works with the A.C.N.A.too team, an advocacy group dedicated to fighting abuse in the Anglican Church in North America. In this highly informative and important discussion, Abi shares a bit about her own experience being raised in a high-control religious group explaining how the sex abuse coverup in her church led to the founding of her advocacy group CFCtoo. Throughout the conversation, Rachel and Abi point out how distorted theological teachings can lead to abuse and discuss the ways in which safeguards can be properly implemented to prevent such abuses. Before You Go: Rachel shares her insights on the CFC idea of "out-breeding disbelievers" and explains how it can negatively impact children who are raised with such a purpose in mind. You can find out more about Abbi and her work at: https://www.cfctoo.com/ Sign the CARE Act petition here: https://www.change.org/p/support-the-care-act-make-new-york-s-clergy-mandated-reporters-of-sexual-abuse?source_location=search Support CFC survivors directly here: https://linkin.bio/cfctoo 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: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode at: https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination Quinn Cummings is an Oscar-nominated actress (The Goodbye Girl) and the critically acclaimed author of Notes From The Underwire, Pet Sounds, and The Year of Learning Dangerously. She created the seminal blog, The QC Report which evolved into the highly regarded “A Small Story” appearing regularly on Twitter. Quinn also hosts a podcast, Quinn Cummings Gives Bad Advice, now in its second season. Her writing has appeared in Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Alta Journal, Good Housekeeping, Los Angeles Magazine, and The Huffington Post. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and an assortment of pets. In this fascinating and wide-ranging discussion, Quinn explains why she became interested in the sociology of cult dynamics. Throughout the conversation, Quinn points out to Rachel the many instances where she's noticed coercion and manipulation being employed throughout her life. Find more info about Quinn and her work at: https://www.quinncummings.com/ Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Tia Levings, a survivor of a high control group, shares her story of resilience and survival under oppressive religious teachings. The podcast explores the patriarchal teachings of Gothard and the potential dangers of spousal courtship. It discusses the infiltration of religious groups in American culture, the troubling presence of a female Supreme Court justice, and the glorification of suffering within religious groups. It also addresses the importance of breaking the secrecy surrounding abuse and the impact of escaping from an abusive marriage and high control cult.

Geoff Levin is a professional musician and former Scientologist who grew up in San Jose, CA. In 1962 at the age of 16, he started his musical life and embraced the burgeoning folk scene in the San Francisco Bay Area where he played stand-up bass with Jerry Garcia in the bluegrass group The Black Mountain Boys. In 1964 he formed the rock band PEOPLE! who were quickly signed to Capitol Records where they released the hit song "I Love You". By 1968 Geoff was recruited into Scientology where he was a devout follower until 2012. After his involvement in Scientology led to the dissolution of his band, Geoff began composing music for film and TV working with large technology companies like Apple and Microsoft. Today Geoff is a multi-faceted film composer who has scored over 50 full-length films, with an impressive range of TV credits from Game of Thrones to Parks & Recreation and many more. His incredible story is the subject of the upcoming documentary "Brothers Broken: The Power of Music, The Curse of Scientology" which spotlights the acclaimed music careers of Geoff and his brother and how their potential success was compromised by joining Scientology which also nearly destroyed their lives. In this revealing conversation, Geoff describes the Bay Area music scene of the sixties, explaining how Scientology lurked in the darker corners of the spiritual revolution of the youth movement. He explains how his childhood feelings of isolation, created a vulnerability that led to his eventual recruitment into Scientology. Before You Go: Rachel points out how high control groups are constantly moving the "finish line" over and over knowing they can never provide the solutions or goals they promised followers at the time of recruitment. You can find more info about Geoff's film at: www.facebook.com/BrothersBrokenMovie 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: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.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! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 Returning guest, Priscilla Eyles is a Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion trainer and facilitator from London. They are an advocate, and speaker passionate about raising awareness around the issues that Neurodivergent people face, specifically those of multiple marginalized identities. Alongside normalizing conversations around vulnerabilities to cult abuse, career, and intergenerational trauma. Priscilla is a bi-racial, neurodivergent queer person who survived eight years in two cults and has worked in many toxic workplaces with cult-like dynamics. Priscilla is also a trustee for Camden Disability Action and has a special interest in effective and holistic therapeutic frameworks and trauma-informed approaches, they recently completed a foundation certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling at the Minster Centre. Their first published book chapter will be out later this year in the forthcoming "Birdsong From Inobservable Worlds, an anthology on Psychiatry and Race", edited by mental health activist Dolly Sen. In this second conversation with Priscilla, she continues her story explaining how she quickly jumped from Landmark to One Taste, the infamous "orgasmic meditation" cult whose leader was recently indicted on forced labor charges. You can reach out to Priscilla on social media or via her email at: priscillaeyles@gmail .com Twitter: PriscillaEyles IG: CulturalLiasons Check out their music as “Dandy Lion” here: dandylionuk.bandcamp.com/album/be-perfect Thanks to all of our Patreon supporters for making this episode possible! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Priscilla Eyles is a Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion trainer and facilitator from London. They are an advocate, and speaker passionate about raising awareness around the issues that Neurodivergent people face, specifically those of multiple marginalized identities. Alongside normalizing conversations around vulnerabilities to cult abuse, career, and intergenerational trauma. Priscilla is a bi-racial, neurodivergent queer person who survived eight years in two cults and has worked in many toxic workplaces with cult-like dynamics. Priscilla is also a trustee for Camden Disability Action and has a special interest in effective and holistic therapeutic frameworks and trauma-informed approaches, they recently completed a foundation certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling at the Minster Centre. Their first published book chapter will be out later this year in the forthcoming "Birdsong From Inobservable Worlds, an anthology on Psychiatry and Race", edited by mental health activist Dolly Sen. In this compelling conversation, Priscilla begins to reveal her complex story of multiple cultic experiences. Together, Rachel and Priscilla analyze the role of identity within high-control groups and explain how vulnerability is exploited within "large group awareness trainings" such as Landmark. Before You Go: Rachel shares her insights on how emotional trauma can manifest physically in the body, explaining how these effects can be amplified in cultic groups. You can reach out to Priscilla on social media or via her email at: priscillaeyles@gmail .com Twitter: PriscillaEyles IG: CulturalLiasons Check out their music as “Dandy Lion” here: dandylionuk.bandcamp.com/album/be-perfect The music featured in this episode is by The Wholesome you can find more info on them here: https://m.facebook.com/the.wholesome.music Their new album "Alive Tonight" is available here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3bLCWfMp9gSqtY7Usiise7?si=3ZDRHZUgQFSCbNl6fDv5bw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A3bLCWfMp9gSqtY7Usiise7 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: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.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! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands