Craig Montell, Amanda Montell's father and a survivor of the notorious Synanon cult, shares his gripping personal journey through this once well-meaning drug rehabilitation program that spiraled into a full-blown sect. He delves into the chilling dynamics of control and manipulation employed by its leaders, including the bizarre 'game' ritual. Craig connects past experiences to today’s societal influences, drawing parallels that are both shocking and insightful. Tune in for compelling narratives that blend catharsis with cautionary tales!
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Craig's Synanon Journey
Craig Montell, Amanda's dad, introduces himself as a professor at UCSB, recounting his upbringing in Synanon during high school.
He details his reluctant entry into Synanon, influenced by his father's involvement, contrasting his experience with typical cult narratives.
insights INSIGHT
Relevance of Synanon
Discussing Synanon's relevance today, Craig emphasizes the potential for leaders with good intentions to amass excessive power.
He underscores the importance of understanding past cults to prevent similar situations, echoing the saying, "Those who don't know history are doomed to relive it."
question_answer ANECDOTE
Synanon's Origins and Evolution
Craig provides Synanon's backstory, starting as Tender Loving Care in 1958 by Chuck Diederich, a former alcoholic.
It evolved from a drug rehab into a communal lifestyle attracting "lifestylers" drawn to its philosophy.
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Word Slut, A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language
Word Slut, A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language
A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language
Amanda Montell
Amanda Montell's "Word Slut" is a witty and insightful exploration of the often-fraught relationship between women and language. The book challenges societal norms and expectations surrounding women's speech, examining how language is used to control and oppress women. Montell delves into the history of gendered language, exploring the origins and evolution of terms considered taboo or offensive. She empowers readers to reclaim their voices and challenge the patriarchal structures embedded in language. Ultimately, the book advocates for a more inclusive and equitable linguistic landscape.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J Maas
In this novel, Feyre Archeron, a young huntress, kills a wolf that turns out to be an immortal faerie. As punishment, she is taken to the faerie realm of Prythian by Tamlin, a High Lord of the Spring Court. Initially hostile, Feyre's feelings for Tamlin transform into a fiery passion as she adapts to her new home. However, an ancient, wicked shadow threatens the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it to save Tamlin and his world. The book is a retelling inspired by fairy tales such as 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Tam Lin', and it combines elements of romance, adventure, and high fantasy[2][4][5].
Cultish
The Language of Fanaticism
Amanda Montell
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.
Father is back!!! No, not Father Algorithm, but *actual* Father. Indeed, Amanda's sweetie dad, Craig Montell, returns to the pod after his featurette on last year's cult of Military Wives episode, for an extra-special end-of-year, two-part deep dive into the cult that he survived and that inspired this entire show: Synanon. Craigo brings his dad charm and cult experience to break down exactly how this well-intentioned drug rehabilitation program spiraled into a full-on '70s compound complete with paranoia, hypocrisy, and some very strange hairstyling choices. This "classic cult" discussion may not be typical SLAC fodder, but the story is actually more relevant than ever. Craig is here not just to divulge his shocking past, but also to scrutinize how Synanon’s same rituals and methods of manipulation are alive and well in today's society, from our politics to our social media feeds. Cozy in for some culty parental wisdom, and stay tuned for Part 2 next week to hear the end of the tale!
Sounds Like A Cult 
