

#587
Mentioned in 32 episodes
Cultish
The Language of Fanaticism
Book • 2021
In 'Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism,' Amanda Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes in cults and cult-like groups lies in the use of language.
The book delves into the verbal elements that make these communities 'cultish,' including the redefinition of words, euphemisms, and other linguistic tricks.
Montell analyzes various groups such as Jonestown, Scientology, NXIVM, and even modern entities like SoulCycle and social media influencers, highlighting how these groups use language to create a sense of belonging and loyalty.
The book is praised for its engaging narrative, original research, and incisive analysis of the power of language in shaping human behavior.
The book delves into the verbal elements that make these communities 'cultish,' including the redefinition of words, euphemisms, and other linguistic tricks.
Montell analyzes various groups such as Jonestown, Scientology, NXIVM, and even modern entities like SoulCycle and social media influencers, highlighting how these groups use language to create a sense of belonging and loyalty.
The book is praised for its engaging narrative, original research, and incisive analysis of the power of language in shaping human behavior.
Mentioned by













Mentioned in 32 episodes
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book he cited on the show and that influenced his work.

Robert Evans

70 snips
Part One: Alfred Hugenberg: The Elon Musk of Weimar Germany
Mentioned by 

as a book about cults of the past and present.


Kyla Scanlon

69 snips
Kyla Scanlon on Communicating Economic Ideas through Social Media
Mentioned by 

as the book that Sounds Like a Cult was kind of a spinoff of.


Amanda Montell

30 snips
The Cult of Purity Culture
Mencionado por ![undefined]()

al hablar de los recursos que comparte en su correo semanal.

Oso Trava

29 snips
#309. Alejandro Gutiérrez - Crear Comunidad, Trabajar con tu Pareja, Detectar Oportunidades y la Carne Asada más Grande de LATAM
Mentioned by 

, the author of the book, as her book which inspired the podcast.


Amanda Montel

25 snips
The Cult of Incels
Mentioned by 

at the end of the podcast as a book she wrote that inspired the show.


Amanda Montel

19 snips
The Cult of Strip Clubs
Mentioned by 

when discussing her book Cultish.


Amanda Montel

13 snips
The Cult of Ikea
Mentioned by 

when discussing her book signing.


Amanda Montel

12 snips
The Cult of Mark Zuckerberg
Mentioned by 

as one of 

's books.


Chelsea Charles


Amanda Montell

11 snips
The Cult of Elon Musk (Part 2)
Mentioned by 

as a book that inspired the podcast.


Amanda Montell

The Cult of Waldorf Schools
Mentioned by 

as a book she wrote.


Amanda Montell

The Cult of America's Next Top Model
Mentioned by Vic Whitley-Berry when describing the podcast’s book club selection as similar to Montell's book.

ICYMI | Not Even Lawsuits Can Stop AI
Recommended by the podcast host 

, as a book that inspired the podcast.


Amanda Montel

The Cult of Kundalini Yoga
Mentioned by 

as her own book, inspired by the podcast.


Amanda Montell

The Cult of BookTok
Mentioned by 

as one of her books, showcasing her expertise in language and fanaticism.


Amanda Montell

The Cult of Cruise Ships
Mentioned by 

as her book available in paperback.


Amanda Montell

The Cult of Love Island
Mentioned by 

when discussing her book signing at a live show.


Amanda Montel

The Cult of Plant Parents
Mentioned by 

as a book that inspired the show "Sounds Like a Cult".


Amanda Montel

The Cult of Plant Parents
Mentioned by 

as one of her other books.


Amanda Montell

The Cult of Love Island
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as one of 

's books.

Matt Bernstein


Amanda Montell

The Cult of Stan Culture (with Amanda Montell)