What’s in a Cult?: Secret Societies, Charismatic Leaders, and People Craving Purpose

Some experts believe that there might be close to 10,000 cults in the United States alone. What draws so many people into cults? How exactly do they work? And most importantly - what counts as a cult!? Melissa and Mory trade stories on some of the big names in cult history, including Charles Manson and Jim Jones, who offer a glimpse into the collective delusions and infamous crimes that have excited popular imagination. But, there’s something about cults that’s almost universal. Can we really blame cult members for craving a sense of belonging, especially when the world outside is sometimes unbearable to live in? And, wouldn’t it be fair to say that our political systems and religious institutions thrive off of dominating those who are disconnected from their intuitive wisdom, much like cults themselves? In this week’s episode, we hear about how (not) to become a toxic cult leader, why tootsie rolls are actually to die for, and Melissa’s growing - but misguided - suspicion that Mory might be trying to start a cult of her own.

• Read the New Yorker article here: https://www.peopleleavecults.com/post/statistics-on-cults
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