IndoctriNation

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

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Hannah Watkins continues her story of how she gradually created distance from a life written for her by a rigid interpretation of scripture. She spent her first 18 years in a popular Baptist sect known as 'the Move' of God.

The group, led by Sam Fife, became popular in the late ’60s when Sam evangelized himself as a prophet. Luckily, Hannah’s experience was not physically invasive, but all the same damaging to her emotionally. After physically leaving the group, there were still several years spent shaking off a residue of spiritual guilt.

In the time since Hannah has left, she has learned to value the sense of family and community she was raised in while also seeing how dangerous extreme adherence can be. She has become an advocate against restrictive religious beliefs and for awareness of their effects, especially on young women.

Stay tuned, Before You Go: How do you find the positive side of being ostracized for something beyond your control? When you're singled out because of someone else's bias, it can seem that you've lost everything. Rachel reminds listeners that it's actually the other way around!

You can find out more about the exorcisms used by Sam Fife and The Move in this Investigation Discovery episode:

https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/people-magazine-investigates-cults/full-episodes/the-movement-of-god

Patreon subscribers have access to more written accounts collected from a forum of survivors of The Move.

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Hannah Watkins was born into ‘the Move’ of God and spent her first 18 years in the organization. Led by Sam Fife, the group separated itself as a branch of the Baptist Church in the late 60’s.

Luckily, Hannah’s experience was not physically invasive, but all the same, damaging to her emotionally with extreme doses of spiritual guilt. Most members were drawn in by the group’s return to a simple homesteading lifestyle where they could focus on reaching ‘holiness’. All members, male and female, were encouraged to speak freely about their sins and how they feel. However, when the women in her commune came together to preserve a tradition they valued they were rebuked for having a voice.

In the time since Hannah has left, she has learned to value the sense of family and community she was raised in while also seeing how dangerous extreme adherence can be. She has moved away from these restrictive religious beliefs and advocates awareness of their effects, especially for young girls.

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel talks about how misogyny and victim-blaming contribute to one another-- and solutions for creating an environment where abuse can be addressed productively.

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Senior Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California serves on the faculty of the Ziegler Rabbinical School of the American Jewish University. This week he sits down to talk with Rachel about what it means to be a modern spiritual leader.

There are many positive sides to religion and spiritual organizations. Ethics and the need for a place to belong are a part of every human experience. Cults and destructive groups take advantage of a person's emotional needs and psyche rather than cultivating them. They also discuss the violence that continues to rise as cultural borders of the world sphere meet.

Check out his book, "The Chutzpah Imperative: Empowering Today's Jews for a Life that Matters": https://www.amazon.com/Chutzpah-Imperative-Empowering-Todays-Matters-dp-1683363523/dp/1683363523/ref=mt_paperback?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Scientific studies show that humans are born with only two fears. Find out what they are and how they can transform throughout your life.

IndoctriNation is starting its fifth season and the New Year by announcing a call-in episode! This show will focus on beginning a new chapter in your life. What motivated you to leave a damaging situation and what has helped you as you follow a new path? You can also ask Rachel any questions you may have that might help you along your journey.

Call and leave Rachel a voicemail, at:

1-(818)-907-0036

or send an email at:

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

Today we begin a new year! For many, this is a much needed fresh start. Sands Hall, playwright and author of "Reclaiming my Decade Lost in Scientology" talks about how to take back what can seem like lost years.

A common phrase among many survivors of abusive organizations is "I can't believe how many years I did that". Most people don't believe that they could slowly be indoctrinated to believe in things that are contradictory to their character. When a person leaves a manipulative group, they have to learn to trust themselves and face their learned fears, especially when speaking out against an abuser. Sands's fears came true, but she and her story stood strong-- when Scientology attempted to remove her book from Amazon.

You can find her book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Flunk-Start-Reclaiming-Decade-Scientology-ebook/dp/B071P44P9R

Stay tuned, Before You Go: People often forget how their minds can be changed; little by little. Rachel explains Sands Hall's phrase "screwing on the viewfinder", used to describe the way one's worldview can be altered in microscopic increments.

IndoctriNation is starting its fifth season and the New Year by announcing another call-in episode! This show will focus on beginning a new chapter in your life. What motivated you to leave a damaging situation and what has helped you as you follow a new path? You can also ask Rachel any questions you may have that might help you along your journey.

Call and leave Rachel a voicemail, at:

1-(818)-907-0036

or send an email at:

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

How do you give the gift of peace? Aziza Hasan is the Executive Director of a program called NewGround, a Muslim-Jewish partnership for change. Rachel and Aziza converse about reaching beyond tolerance to find mutual empathy and understanding.

Aziza has served on President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and was recognized as a leader by the Executive Service Corps. She is an experienced mediator and talented at transforming interfaith conflicts on a personal level. Imagine a place where Jews and Muslims sleep and pray side by side, are invited to speak their truth, and form connections where there once was a phobia. Those who have taken part in NewGround programs leave with a diversified sense of community and knowledge that can bring peace to their neighborhood.

Watch the "Two Faiths One Prayer" video, a prayer experience that arose from the program. This was a joint project where both groups prayed together in public spaces all across Los Angeles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWP1nvy5C_U

Stay tuned, Before You Go: How do we learn to forgive each other after conflict and fear? Rachel shares a story of a xenophobic attack where she witnessed bystanders stand together and become allies.

IndoctriNation is ending its fourth season and starting the New Year by announcing another call-in episode! This show will focus on beginning a new chapter in your life. What motivated you to leave a damaging situation and what has helped you as you follow a new path? You can also ask Rachel any questions you may have that might help you along your journey.

Call and leave Rachel a voicemail, at:

1-(818)-907-0036

or send an email at:

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

Sarah Landry recently appeared on the show to share her story from Nithyananda's ashram. The self-styled guru has now fled the country after police followed his allegations of assault and kidnapping.

Rachel and Sarah go into detail about "character assassination", or fake allegations that are created to delegitimize people who speak out about abuse. When former members like Sarah began publicly denouncing Nithyananda, adults & children in his ashram were forced to make fake Facebook accounts and create videos scripted by his officials to deny his abuse allegations. Part of their volunteer work in the ashrams was to be trained to publish blogs.

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Some apologies aren't really apologies. Rachel tells a story that demonstrates a person who evades responsibility by pretending to be empathetic.

IndoctriNation is ending its fourth season and starting the New Year by announcing another call-in episode! This show will focus on beginning a new chapter in your life. What motivated you to leave a damaging situation and what has helped you as you follow a new path? You can also ask Rachel any questions you may have that might help you along your journey.

Call and leave Rachel a voicemail, at:

1-(818)-907-0036

or send an email at:

Where is Nithyananda now?

Read more from The Wire (India)

https://thewire.in/diplomacy/ecuador-nithyananda-asylum-denied-mea-passport

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How do you get strong enough to leave someone when you've felt shaky for so long? Narcissists have a way of pushing your needs aside and making you believe that decisions you make for yourself are the wrong ones. Rachel encourages listeners to find the strength to set boundaries and stick to them.

Listen to Part 1 here: https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/rachel-on-narcissism

Before You Go: Why do people stay so long in relationships that are unhealthy?

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Have you ever wanted to know what it's like to be with a narcissist? Rachel walks us through a deep psychoanalysis of narcissistic types; tying in real stories from her experience as a therapist.

Learn tips to distinguish bad social behavior from manipulation. Unfortunately, this type of abuse can be present in relationships with parents, partners, employers-- people you should be able to trust. Some take advantage of others' loyalty for their own benefit. Rachel debunks common excuses they use to dismiss their own behavior and project blame onto their victim.

Hear Rachel's first solo episode, "Home Invasion": https://soundcloud.com/indoctrinationshow/episode-16-home-invasion

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel shares the story of a girl whose relationship with her narcissistic father led to her being manipulated again by her partner as an adult. She describes many of the unhealthy relationships she's seen as a therapist and gives advice on separating yourself from a parasitic person.

Have you been in a relationship with a narcissist? Share your story in the comments, or the IndoctriNation Facebook Discussion Page.

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While working the night staff at Narconon in downtown LA during the riots, Samantha Eidson realized that Scientology's rehab program didn't care about the safety of its staff nor its participants.

Samantha provides more details of the Narconon facility inheriting the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School on Ponca lands in Oklahoma. The rehabilitation offered at this facility lacks medical professionalism and gives treatments without any medical basis. It is being marketed as a legitimate program in local schools and their communities.

Read more on Samantha's website:

http://www.anaccidentalscientologist.com

Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel shares some of the questions her clients have been asked when they expressed that they were ready to leave a manipulative organization.

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