In this episode of Bewitched, Alyse Bacine and I are pulling back the veil on what happens when spiritual mentorship crosses the line. We’ve had the private conversations, done the deep processing, and now we’re bringing our experiences into the light.

Dr. McKay shares her intense journey of navigating through coercive control, manipulation, and psychological trauma induced by a well-known mentor referred to as 'Betty.' The episode details incidents from various retreats, the subtle ways the mentor imposed control, and the profound impact on their personal and professional lives.

The conversation explores the themes of trauma bonding, coercive control, and the importance of reclaiming one's consciousness. Join them as they lift the curtain on unethical spiritual practices and seek to transform their experiences into wisdom for the spiritual entrepreneurship community.

What We’re Covering:

• The fine line between spiritual mentorship and manipulation

• How power imbalances play out in coaching relationships

• The disillusionment that comes after putting someone on a pedestal

• Public reprimands, shame tactics, and subtle (or not-so-subtle) gaslighting

• How coercive control sneaks in—without you realizing it

• The confusion matrix: when everything is a game of smoke and mirrors

• The slow shift from business mentorship to full-blown psychodrama

• How exhaustion, lack of food, and isolation amplify suggestibility

• Speaking up, speaking out, and reclaiming our voices

Memorable Moments:

• “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.” – Dr. Robyn McKay

• “There’s always an enemy. If it’s not someone outside, it’s someone in the group.” – Alyse Bacine

• “I wasn’t just opening a bottle—I was unconsciously agreeing to something much bigger.” – Dr. Robyn McKay

• “You don’t have to be weak or naive for this to happen to you. You just have to be open.” – Alyse Bacine

What You’ll Take Away:

• How to recognize when mentorship is becoming manipulative

• Why trusting your gut is always the right move

• The subtle tactics that keep people in unhealthy dynamics longer than they should be

• How to reclaim your agency and find your own clarity

• The importance of true integrity in leadership and spiritual business spaces

Let’s Keep This Conversation Going:
This is just the beginning. If this episode sparked something for you—whether it’s questions, reflections, or your own story—join us for our weekly Instagram Live sessions after each episode drops. We’ll be unpacking more, answering questions, and holding space for real talk.

Find us on Instagram:

• @robynmckayphd

• @alyse_breathes

Support & Subscribe:
If this episode resonated, share it. Subscribe. Leave a review. It helps us continue to bring these conversations forward and create space for the voices that need to be heard.

00:00 Introduction to Bewitched Podcast

03:11 Personal Stories and Experiences

04:12 Robyn's Background and Journey

06:07 The Start of a Troubling Mentorship

09:49 Power Dynamics and Boundaries

21:46 The Denver Retreat: Strange Occurrences

35:29 San Diego Retreat: Escalating Concerns

43:09 Manipulative Patterns and Psychodrama

45:11 Unethical Practices and Personal Reflections

47:30 Trauma Bonding and Psychological Manipulation

48:58 Questioning the Benefits and Business Impact

50:37 The Shift to Spiritual Training53:55 Coercive Control and Decision Making

54:51 Santa Fe Retreat: Turning Point

57:06 Escalation and Confusion

01:02:07 Cultish Behavior and Channeling

01:12:59 Croatia Retreat: The Final Straw

01:19:17 Conclusion and Call to Action

Thank you for being here—we’ll see you next time. We love you a million.

PS: Mil gracias to The Base Sound for your editing & production genius. They provide a perfect blend of tech, marketing and communication solutions for your brand through business podcasting…and a little more. "Because mediocrity isn’t an option when you’re set to rule the digital world.” You can find them right here: https://thebasesound.com/