IndoctriNation

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

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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.

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Many people of all ages have had to cancel activities and postpone life events they were looking forward to. Our final episode covering the pandemic addresses how younger people are handling the sudden change of pace.

Kate Bauer, a creative assistant for the podcast, starts the conversation with the need to disarm the racist and accusatory language used by some during this time that has caused social tension and blame.

Rachel then talks to her 16-year-old daughter who expresses concern for the homeless student she tutors and shares ideas for ways to stay occupied and entertained.

And Rachel talks to a College Freshman who shares how the virus caused the campus to become a ghost town and how school friends have come together to support each other. They both bring an interesting perspective as a generation that was born into the aftermath of 9/11, global warming, and the digital age.

Stay tuned, Before You Go: How to talk to young children about the current situation without frightening them.

Check out the COVID-19 Mythbusters Page hosted by the World Health Organization for all the latest information! https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Today we hear from two U.S. doctors who are on the front lines.

The first doctor reports on how the Coronavirus is being handled by healthcare professionals in her Urgent Care facility in California and clarifies when it is appropriate to go to emergency or urgent care if necessary during the pandemic. She also reminds everyone to find the support they need when they feel stressed or anxious even if they aren't a nurse or healthcare worker, and talks about how she is trying to keep things happy and calm for her children at home.

Then we hear an important message from a doctor in Colorado who details how people have needed to be innovative in creating the equipment that is lacking but greatly needed now, how the government has handled this crisis, and how doctors have needed to find other ways to be reassuring to fearful patients now without being able to hold their hands.

Thank you to our healthcare professionals, caring friends and neighbors, and those who provide necessary services for all of us and continue to work selflessly through this time.

This is the 2nd episode in our 3-part series during this crisis.

We wish you all good health.

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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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?

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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.

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