IndoctriNation

When Sarabeth felt ready to leave her Bible-based cult, one of the first things she wanted to do was talk to her mom, Cyndy. Today we finish the three-part episode by reminiscing on their first secret reunion, and their long journey of rebuilding their connection. Sarabeth's abusive pastor painted all types of female independence as a sin. Cyndy was demonized for choosing to get a divorce. The restrictions put on her made it even more important for Sarabeth to reach out to her mother. The two arranged to meet in ultimate rebellion at a Women's Conference and began their journey of reconnection. It was several more years before Sarabeth finally left the cult a year ago. She attributes her mind for critical thinking to her love of literature, which Cyndy found much pride in fostering with her homeschooled daughters. One is still inside the cult. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Some groups are giving COVID-19 more credit than it is due -- claiming that it's a punishment sent by God or even actively targeting people who 'deserve' it. Rachel breaks down the purpose and effect of placing blame on unfounded sources of tragedy. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Earlier in the season, Rachel spoke with Cyndy Rudd: a mother who fought to free her daughter from not one, but two cultic situations. This week we hear the inside story from her daughter, Sarabeth. Sarabeth grew up in a cult for 25 years before falling into another group masquerading as a Baptist church. In both groups, members were not allowed to question authority because that would be challenging God's word. Her faith in scripture was used to convince her to move in with several other young women and live above the pastor's garage. Sarabeth also talks about a phenomenon she has experienced in both groups idealizing submissive women: the requirement to grow up and support the men by being a stay-at-home daughter. With the mind of an attorney and educator, she was able, in retrospect, to decode her manipulator and realize that both cults were using scripture out of context to create fear and control. Stay tuned, Before You Go: How cult leaders and narcissists warp your intentions and turn your true character and innocent nature into something seen as sinister. Rachel opens up about one of her own experiences. Next week mother and daughter sit down together to have a conversation they've never had before. Listen to Cyndy's story, "No Match for a Mother's Love": https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/cyndy Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Joe Szimhart found his path to cultic studies through his art community in Santa Fe and the Agni Yoga Society. Here he met Margaret Singer of the anti-cult movement as well as the notorious mystic theosophist Madame Blavatsky. Helena (Madame) Blavatsky was known for openly plagiarizing existing gnostic theories as the doctrine for the Church Universal Triumphant cultic group. Joe helps us cite her sources and talks about the developing study of extreme belief groups over the past forty years. As someone who has been involved in many successful interventions, he encourages those seeking to intervene to try and understand why the person chose to join this group specifically. Often the situation has less to do with the actual belief system, and more to do with what the group has to offer its members. Rachel and Joe also discuss the wave of mysticism and astrology in Millenials and his most recent research as a cult interventionist and consultant. You can order Joe Szimhart's latest book, "Santa Fe, Bill Tate, and Me" out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Fe-Bill-Tate-interventionist/dp/1676003886 Stay tuned, Before You Go: The show ends with Rachel's thoughts about fearing the end of the world. Groups can use fear from apocalyptic prophecies to hold its members hostage. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

CW: violence & terrorism Artist & activist Jamie DeWolf returns for part two of his interview to discuss how cult mechanics have been used to manipulate spirituality across history. Bouncing off of Rachel with his knowledge of cultic groups, Jamie invites us to contemplate the origins and purpose of malignant intolerance toward outsiders. The adrenaline released when fighting a common ‘enemy’ is an effective ingredient in bonding a congregation. Hateful language generated for outsiders keeps the people inside from leaving their places as pawns. Jamie DeWolf shares the twisted history of Scientology’s formation— and predictions of its decline in the future. He opens up about how his relationship to L Ron Hubbard has shaped him as a person and performer. Before You Go: Why are narcissists usually good storytellers? It benefits them to control the narrative and create a conflict for their followers to rally against. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jamie DeWolf, performer and activist, updates us on his most recent projects and discusses how pride plays a role in being susceptible to a cult. When he was last on the show he opened up about his great-grandfather L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzohjqHlJAY&t=2s This week with Rachel he talks more broadly about cult leaders and how they are so successful. One of these tactics is the creation of a vague common enemy. Polarizing the population creates a power dynamic that empowers faithful members into manipulating each other. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel explains the title, "Catnip for Cult Leaders", and the addiction that narcissists have to the people they are able to pull into their manipulative vortex. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Katharina Meredith grew up quickly from the age of 10-20 in a New Age cult. After leaving, marrying and becoming pregnant, she experienced debilitating post-partum depression. Katharina knew she needed to address her very understandable Post Traumatic Stress, and was able to lessen her intrusive thoughts by validating her own emotions and allowing herself to feel. The intense pressure she had learned to put on herself was something she had to leave behind in order to be the kind of parent she wanted to be. Stay tuned, Before You Go: How does a person address and answer the question about what they are here for after having been told what their purpose is by others for most of their lives? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

CW: Abuse against minors Katharina Meredith grew up in a New Age cult from age 10 years old until 20. This week in the second part of her episode, she moves forward into what she experienced as a teen. Girls in the group were partnered with adults and taught to hide any disgust or dislike that they felt. Every day was a battle with normal emotional responses because, with the school of thought, it was a ‘weakness’ they needed to put aside to be like gods. She protected herself by always operating on “I’m fine.” Pushing away any emotions or trauma was how she survived. When Katharina wanted to have children, she went to therapy and counseling to help her accept and transform her reactions to be more productive. She is now a PhD student focusing on subjects like Community Psychology and Extremism. Katharina Meredith helped to further develop and eventually spearhead the non-profit "Stronger After" which was started by Rachel Bernstein, Lee Marsh, and Frances Peters: https://www.stronger-after.org/ Stay tuned, Before You Go: Survivors sometimes defensively retreat when they finally begin to feel comfortable and vulnerable again. Years of daily stress or repressing emotions to survive can have continuous physiological effects even long after leaving an abusive relationship. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

CW: Abuse against children Katharina Meredith is a PhD student studying subjects like Community Psychology and Extremism after spending her childhood in a cult called Lichtoase. The New Age beliefs of Lichotase (translated to Light Oasis) were modeled off of Ramtha's school and adapted into workshops across Germany and Austria. Eventually, the group formed communes where children were raised separately from their parents by caretakers who never cared for children themselves. Katharina's parents joined the cult when she was 10 years old. After leaving the cult 17 years ago, she has helped to further develop and eventually spearhead the non-profit Stronger After which was started by Rachel Bernstein, Lee Marsh, and Frances Peters. Learn more on about this program at: Stronger-After.org Stay tuned, Before You Go: Peer pressure. Where is the social tension really coming from? Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today’s guest is Cyndy Rudd. She works as a receptionist and says she is best described as an “ordinary person with an extraordinary story”. Eleven years ago she found herself in a crisis...needing to get herself and her family away from a severely abusive, controlling church. Cyndy's children were convinced to stay with the pastor to avoid college and eventually straying away from the church. Though he was skillful in lies and manipulations the pastor came to learn that he was no match for a mother's love! Please listen and be inspired by a mother who was willing to break her own heart to free herself and her children. Hear the inside story from her daughter, Sarabeth, in part 2: https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/sarabeth Stay tuned, Before You Go: You may not always have the option to look around you and find strength, but you have to keep up persistent hope. Rachel recognizes Cyndy and all who have tried to save their children or loved ones from destructive people despite being made into the villain. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Continuing her conversation, Sands Hall gives her perspective on Scientology's defense mechanism: "never defend, always attack". Hall is a playwright and the author of "Reclaiming my Decade Lost in Scientology". Hear what brought Sands into Scientology in the first part: https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/sands-hall Creating a hive-mind supremacy is how authoritarian groups exert their power and control. Without critically thinking about biases when they're offered as a simple explanation, people can adopt really ugly attitudes towards 'outsiders'. When a new idea challenges a psychologically manipulated world view, intentionally or unintentionally, there are many roadblocks to reaching a common ground. If someone believes deeply in the 'ends', they could find themselves justifying the 'means'-- even if those actions are not normally within one's character. Sands shares how the Scientology Doubt Formula prevented her from questioning the doctrine of the group. She also describes the unique physiological reflex she experienced as a Scientologist seeking outside information for the first time. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel shares the origins of the terms "black PR" and Scientology's "dead agents". She also opens up about the harassment she has faced along with so many others. You can find Sands Hall's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Flunk-Start-Reclaiming-Decade-Scientology-ebook/dp/B071P44P9R Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands