BONUS PREVIEW: Breaking Free from Trauma Responses pt. 1

This is just a preview of our Patreon exclusive Bonus Episode. You can hear the full episode by becoming a member at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ In this Patreon bonus episode, Rachel Bernstein explains why people who leave cults or other high-control groups often stay stuck in fight-or-flight, along with freeze and fawn responses, even after they are physically out. Rachel describes how these groups keep people stressed on purpose, so the body never returns to a calm, balanced state, making it hard to rest, feel safe, or sit quietly. The episode covers how recruitment can start this cycle through love bombing and then switching between kindness and intimidation, which makes people feel dependent on the leader. It also focuses on “manufactured urgency,” where everything feels like an emergency with huge consequences, which trains constant fear and threat-scanning. After leaving, survivors may feel lost, isolated, and overwhelmed when suppressed emotions return, and staying busy can become a way to avoid those feelings. Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠ Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here: ⁠⁠ Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more: Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation: Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook: Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore: Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here: IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant: ⁠ Advertising Inquiries:

You can listen to BONUS PREVIEW: Breaking Free from Trauma Responses pt. 1 online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

BONUS PREVIEW: Breaking Free from Trauma Responses pt. 1 is an episode from IndoctriNation by IndoctriNation.

This episode is 5:20 long.

This episode was published on Mar 6, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from IndoctriNation when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.