Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode, Rachel Bernstein talks about the kind of personality that needs to make every event about them—creating scenes at weddings, taking offense at funerals, and insisting others “owe” them an apology, often delivered through a spouse or partner. Rachel offers compassion to viewers who feel drained by a family member or friend who derails meaningful moments, so attention shifts to them. She also speaks directly to partners who have become the go-between, calling relatives or friends to demand apologies, and warns that this role can serve someone else’s ego needs. Rachel suggests that if others weren’t harmed by the event but only your partner was, the issue isn’t the occasion itself but their insatiable needs and drama, and encourages viewers to consider whether they want that life.
The IndoctriNation Podcast is a weekly show covering cults, manipulators, & systems of control. Hosted by Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, Cult Specialist.
Featured in The New York Times
Connect with us on social media:
https://linktr.ee/indoctrination
Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:
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Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION
Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS
Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:
https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm
Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook:
amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4
Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:
education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign
Journal App:
rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.html
Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here:
rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html
IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:
thepodcastconsultant.com/about
In this episode, Rachel Bernstein talks about the kind of personality that needs to make every event about them—creating scenes at weddings, taking offense at funerals, and insisting others “owe” them an apology, often delivered through a spouse or partner. Rachel offers compassion to viewers who feel drained by a family member or friend who derails meaningful moments, so attention shifts to them. She also speaks directly to partners who have become the go-between, calling relatives or friends to demand apologies, and warns that this role can serve someone else’s ego needs. Rachel suggests that if others weren’t harmed by the event but only your partner was, the issue isn’t the occasion itself but their insatiable needs and drama, and encourages viewers to consider whether they want that life.
The IndoctriNation Podcast is a weekly show covering cults, manipulators, & systems of control. Hosted by Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, Cult Specialist.
Featured in The New York Times
Connect with us on social media:
https://linktr.ee/indoctrination
Support IndoctriNation on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and more:
patreon.com/indoctrination
Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:
https://www.paypal.biz/indoctriNATION
Watch full video episodes of IndoctriNation here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNAi0T2hzH9dM029dkTfj635PzuXl67jS
Restart and Restore: A Journal for Survivors of Manipulation:
https://a.co/d/1ssz4Rm
Restart and Restore: Companion Notebook:
amazon.com/dp/B0FSCLTZN4
Download a Free Chapter from Restart and Restore:
education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restart-and-restore-campaign
Journal App:
rachelbernsteintherapy.com/restore-journal-app.html
Download Rachel’s Video Lectures and Webinars here:
rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html
IndoctriNation is edited by The Podcast Consultant:
thepodcastconsultant.com/about
