IndoctriNation

Dr. Michelle Haslam offers her personal experience with a self-described 'modern Buddhist' group called The New Kadampa Tradition. She has produced lots of educational materials that explain the process of indoctrination within Buddhist cultic groups.

She defines 'dissociation' and explains it within the context of her time at Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre in Northamptonshire, England. Dr. Haslam tells us about some of the new rituals and traditions developed by the group in order for it to operate.

Stay tuned, Before You Go: The internal struggle of speaking up when a loved one is in a cultic group- with the risk of driving them away, or putting yourself at risk. Rachel reminds people who may be trying to help someone in an abusive situation that the person may be pushing you away to protect themselves.

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Dr. Michelle Haslam is a clinical psychologist who became involved with The New Kadampa Tradition in 2016 while living in the Nagarjuna Kadampa Meditation Centre in Northamptonshire, England.

Michelle experienced spiritual abuse within the group and despite her training as a psychologist, came to believe that she should be destroying her ego, instead of practicing self-care and self-compassion. Now she produces materials that explain the process of indoctrination within Buddhist cultic groups. Michelle has since been a target of harassment via her workplace and character assassination from senior members of the group.

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Reserving information for those who pay can be like holding someone spiritually hostage. Find out how and why this can be a red flag for a manipulative group setting.

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Rachel finishes part two of a conversation with the Peck family. Carey and Chris Peck continue to talk about social justice and intervention, the influence of the media on social issues, and the legacy of their Academy Award-winning forefather Gregory Peck.

Chris Peck is currently a teacher of youth language arts. He talks about how modern history has been rewritten into an "us" vs. "them" narrative that erases non-white identities. Along with his father Carey Peck, they brainstorm how to foster new perspectives and strengths within communities. "People will always respond to people", says Carey, "and being united in action is critical." He stresses the importance of taking the first step together as a community to organize change.

The clip at the very end of the show is taken from Gregory Peck's Academy Award acceptance speech for his performance as Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird". Be sure to hear it.

Stay Tuned, Before You Go: Rachel talks about the similarities of racist systematic supremacy and the self-righteous dogma of a cultic group.

If you'd like to check out Chris' Podcast, you can find it here

https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-traveling-teacher-christopher-peck-QEF4TOC26WJ/

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Two generations of social activists discuss the legacy of Gregory Peck, famously known for many films including his role as Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. His son Carey and grandson Chris take us behind the scenes and talk about what inspired Gregory to take on Harper Lee's pivotal character, as well as powerful and controversial roles in other classic films dealing with antisemitism and also addressing the pain of war.

Both Carey and Chris discuss their important work, as well. They are passionate about being a resource to disempowered communities and are committed to facilitating ways for people to make changes in their lives.

Here are some of the great books Chris recommended in today's episode...

White Fragility: https://g.co/kgs/SfUE5u

Between the World and Me: https://g.co/kgs/BYVHJx

How to be an Anti-Racist: https://g.co/kgs/Q3me5j

The New Jim Crow: https://g.co/kgs/sQ7zHx

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Scientology famously takes its members' best talents and passions and tries to make the most of them. For Lucas Catton, that came in the form of his recruitment as a program manager-- and his presidency of Scientology's front group rehabilitation facility.

Narconon, located at the old Chilocco reservation in Oklahoma, is not just an isolated facility. The program is promoted in schools across the country as a teen rehabilitation program. Many were unaware that several of Narconon's credentials were fabricated, including Lucas. He tells us what led him to devote himself to this program, and walks us through his transformative experience.

Lucas's latest passion project is the development of the Opioid Independence Program through Advanced Recovery Resources: http://advancedrecoveryresources.com/opioid-independence/

and his second book, "Reconnection", is available now:

https://www.amazon.com/Reconnection-memoir-Lucas-Catton/dp/0578633108

Before You Go: Rachel explains the power of showing others that you value them. Empowerment can also be used to trick people into sabotaging themselves.

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Lucas Catton is a former Scientologist who got recruited through their Narconon Rehabilitation Program at a place formerly known as Chilocco in Oklahoma.

Lucas was appointed President of that Narconon program, through which he met some of Scientology's heavy hitters including the leader David Miscavige. He had no connections to Scientology before he was sent to their facility which incorporated Scientology philosophy as the basis of their drug treatment techniques.

Check out his book, Reconnection, about rebuilding his life after disconnecting Scientology: amazon.com/Reconnection-memoir-Lucas-Catton-ebook/dp/B083N76KR5

Stay tuned, Before You Go: The story of a girl who was mistakenly treated for learning disabilities and a lesson in diagnosing an issue before fully understanding the symptoms.

Rachel also addresses some of the feedback she received from last week's episode on conspiracy theories.

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Kelly Weill is a reporter at The Daily Beast where she covers disinformation, the far right, and internet culture. She is currently at work on a book about the Flat Earth movement, forthcoming from Algonquin Books.

Conspiratorial health movements and Coronavirus misinformation can contain seemingly sound arguments, because they ground themselves in real experiences. Conspiracy theories use sexism and social status to monger fear into hateful internet mobs-- as seen with QAnon and Gamergate which Kelly has covered. She reports that most conspiracy pages have lured many into an extreme belief through more moderate subjects. Some flat-earthers have been referencing anti-semitic materials or scapegoating people of color without factual correlation.

Check out Kelly's article about Flat Earth:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-the-flat-earth-conference-where-the-worlds-oldest-conspiracy-theory-is-hot-again

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel defines 'conspiracy theories' and how they rely on providing the answer to an unknown question or enemy. She warns of some to watch out for.

Read about a successful miracle cure whose solution contained bleach -- covered by Kelly Weill:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/alan-keyes-is-helping-sell-a-toxic-bleach-cure-miracle-mineral-solution-to-the-vulnerable-and-desperate

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In part 2 of our interview with Irish filmmaker Roisin Kearney, we cover a lot of ground and she also talks about how shocked she was to discover such high levels of both women AND men experiencing domestic violence in the US - 1 in 7 men, and 1 in 4 women.

Watch the trailer for "Run" here: https://documentfilms.com/our-work/run

Its next screening will be at The Flying Broom International Film Festival [flyingbroom.org] in association with @DublinFeministFilmFestival online between May 7-14.

It is nearly impossible to determine the amount of psychological damage this causes to both men and women. Roisin truly hopes that her film "Run" evokes an awakening for those who can then recognize mental manipulation within their own families and communities. The protagonist is a well-educated woman whose information was micromanaged by her controlling partner, whom she trusted. It can happen to anyone. Roisin also shows that if you want to intervene or offer support, it's best for the conversation to start with compassion rather than blame.

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel talks about Parental Alienation syndrome, how it gets set up by a manipulative and vindictive parent against the other parent and how children get caught up in its web.

Rachel also wrote a popular children's book called "Now I Know: Kids Talking to Kids About Divorce", told from the perspective of young people who have experienced divorce and how they express to their parents about not wanting to be caught in the middle: https://www.amazon.com/now-i-know-rachel-bernstein/dp/1620867893/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=utf8&qid=1450373350&sr=1-4&keywords=rachel+bernstein

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Roisin Kearney is an Irish filmmaker from Dublin, Ireland whose most recent film sheds light on the issue of domestic violence. "Run", co-directed and written by Carolyn Grace Cassidy, explores the subtleties to being a victim of a controlling person.

Her film highlights the signs of coercive control & emotional abuse after Ireland has taken a huge step and recognized these actions as criminal. Roisin gives us vivid verbal previews of her characters and discusses the scenarios that have served as the archetype. She shares her influences for bringing this project to life.

One of these reasons is that 1 in 5 women in Ireland - and 1 in 4 women in the United States - is a victim of domestic abuse.

View the trailer for Roisin Kearney's short film, "Run":

https://documentfilms.com/our-work/run

Its next screening will be at The Flying Broom International Film Festival [flyingbroom.org] in association with @DublinFeministFilmFestival online between May 7-14.

You can find the latest statistics and resources here from NCADV: https://ncadv.org/statistics

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Why is it so difficult to monitor the issue of domestic violence? Rachel shares how we can look out for those who may be in need of someone to listen.

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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.

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