In this episode, Rachel Bernstein sits down with cult expert Steven Hassan for a personal and eye‑opening conversation about how cults work, why people get drawn into them, and how those same dynamics show up in today’s political and social landscape. Steven opens up about his own recruitment into the Moonies, the difficult process of leaving, and how that experience shaped his decades of work helping people understand and break free from undue influence.

They explore the overlap between cult behavior and modern politics — including his research on what he describes as the “Cult of Trump” — and his interactions with key figures and organizations along the way. They also dig into broader topics like Fourth Generation Psychological Warfare, why certain groups are more vulnerable to manipulation, and what it actually takes to build resilience and critical thinking in a world full of persuasive forces.

This episode offers a grounded, compassionate look at the tactics used to control people, and highlights why awareness, empathy, and informed conversation matter so much right now.

Steven’s Links

Website: https://freedomofmind.com/

The Cult of Trump book: https://freedomofmind.com/the-cult-of-trump/

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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

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