IndoctriNation

Rachel welcomes Geoff Levin back to discuss his decades in Scientology, his departure from the group, and the healing process that followed. Geoff describes Scientology’s disconnection policy, the depression that preceded his exit, and how encountering outside information helped him reconsider what he had been taught.

He reflects on rebuilding his identity, relationships, critical thinking, and capacity for love after leaving. Geoff also shares the story behind Brothers Broken, his documentary about his relationship with his brother and the 28 years they were estranged, and explains why creativity became an important part of his recovery.

Rachel and Geoff also discuss control, language, belonging, family, political rhetoric, and recognizing patterns associated with high-control groups.

LINKS:
Watch Brothers Broken:
https://www.brothersbroken.com/
Indoctrination on LinkedIn:
 https://linktr.ee/indoctrination
Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:
 https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination
Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
 https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION
Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:
 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS
Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:
 https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm
Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook:
 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4
Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:
 https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign
Journal App:
 https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.html
Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here:
 https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html
IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:
 https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about

Rachel speaks with Myrieme Churchill of Parents for Peace about antisemitism, radicalization, and the emotional needs that can make people vulnerable to extremist thinking. Myrieme shares how childhood experiences with prejudice shaped her work as a therapist and her commitment to preventing hate. They examine how isolation, grievance, belonging, conspiracy theories, social media, and dehumanization can reinforce harmful beliefs. Myrieme also explains how Parents for Peace works with families, emphasizing connection, curiosity, clear boundaries, critical thinking, and early intervention when a loved one begins adopting extremist ideas.Parents for Peace:https://parents4peace.orgHelpline:help@parents4peace.orgIndoctrination on LinkedIn:https://linktr.ee/indoctrinationSupport IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:https://www.patreon.com/indoctrinationPrefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATIONWatch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jSRestart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:https://a.co/d/1ssz4RmRestart and Restore: Companion Notebook:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaignJournal App:https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.htmlDownload Rachel's Video Lectures and Webinars here:https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.htmlIndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about

Rachel speaks with Dana Bristol Smith, founder and CEO of Leap to Success, about rebuilding confidence, identity, self-worth, and agency after abusive or high-control experiences. Dana explains how her work teaching public speaking led her to develop programs that help women strengthen their voices, set boundaries, challenge an inner critic, and recognize their own capabilities.

They discuss the Leap to Confidence program, affirmations, self-blame, the importance of community support, and learning to distinguish what is and is not within your control. Dana also shares the “don’t pick up the rope” strategy for stepping out of emotionally charged exchanges, why leaving abusive relationships can take multiple attempts, and how recognizing the courage and resilience already demonstrated through survival can become a foundation for what comes next.

Leap to Success:
https://leap2success.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-799-SAFE (7233) Text “START” to 88788

Connect with us on social media:
⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠

Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:
https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠

Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION

Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:
⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠

Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:
https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm

Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4

Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:
https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign

Journal App:
https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.html

Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here:
https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html

IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:
⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about
Advertising Inquiries:

Rachel speaks with writer and psychotherapist Nicola Ranson about her decade as a disciple of Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh, later known as Osho, and the experiences behind her memoir, A Slice of Orange. Nicola discusses trauma, dissociation, somatic experiencing, and the search for belonging that shaped her path into the Rajneesh community.
She reflects on life at Rajneeshpuram, the community’s collapse amid serious crimes, and the shock of questioning beliefs she once trusted. The conversation also examines recovery after leaving a cult, including grief, shame, self-compassion, agency, and the small acts of choice that can help survivors reconnect with themselves.
Links:
More info on Nicola and her book:
https://nicolaranson.org/

Follow us on social media:
⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠

Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more: 
https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠

Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION

Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:
⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠

Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation: 
https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm

Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4

Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:
https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign

Journal App: 
https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.html

Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here:
https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html

IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:
⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode, Rachel welcomes back researcher and author Yuval Laor to examine his hypothesis about temporal lobe epilepsy, awe, and the behavior of some cult leaders. Yuval explains how hyperactive temporal lobes may contribute to intense emotionality, certainty, religious experiences, paranoia, hypergraphia, and a sense of personal destiny.
Rachel and Yuval discuss how these traits can combine with narcissism, psychopathy, or pathological lying, why a leader’s emotional intensity can feel authentic and persuasive, and how understanding these neurological patterns may help former followers make sense of their experiences.

Links:
⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/indoctrination⁠⁠

Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more: 
https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination⁠

Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION

Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:
⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS⁠⁠

Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation: 
https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm

Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4

Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:
https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign

Journal App: 
https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.html

Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here:
https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html

IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:
⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com/about

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands