Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani What is a Cult? With Dr. Janja Lalich
Cult Definition
- A cult is a closed social system with an authoritarian leader, a transcendent belief system, systems of control, and systems of influence.
- These systems combine to indoctrinate, attacking and rebuilding the self.
Cult Size
- Cults can range in size from one-on-one relationships and families to large organizations with thousands of members.
- Children born into cults face unique challenges in developing autonomy.
Janja Lalich's Experience
- Dr. Ramani and Janja Lalich acknowledge shared experiences among cult survivors.
- Dr. Lalich details her personal involvement in a political cult.
Dr. Janja Lalich, the world’s foremost expert on cults, reveals the four principles all cults share, how she survived ten years in a brutal cultic system and how these groups continue to abuse while evading authorities. Dr. Janja also shares an important warning on how to identify their manipulative tactics and keep you and your family safe.
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Guest Bio:
Janja Lalich, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Sociology, is an international authority on cults, extremism, and coercion. She specializes in closed systems (cults, narcissistic relationships, human trafficking, ideological extremism). Dr. Lalich is Founder and CEO of the Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion. The mission of the Lalich Center is to provide life-saving resources to survivors of cults, the Troubled Teen Industry, and narcissistic families/relationships. She is author of six books, including the now classic, Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships; her theoretical work, Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults; and Escaping Utopia: Growing Up in a Cult, Getting Out and Starting Over. She also co-authored two books with Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer: Cults in Our Midst and “Crazy” Therapies: What Are They? Do They Work? In addition to working with survivors and their families, she conducts workshops for governments and international intelligence agencies, private companies, and educational institutions.
Guest Information:
- Website - https://janjalalich.com/
- www.lalichcenter.org
- Instagram - @janja_lalich
- Twitter - @Janja_Lalich
This podcast should not be used as a substitute for medical or mental health advice. Individuals are advised to seek independent medical advice, counseling, and/or therapy from a healthcare professional with respect to any medical condition, mental health issue, or health inquiry, including matters discussed on this podcast.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Jada Pinkett Smith, Ellen Rakieten, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Meghan Hoffman, Fallon Jethroe VP PRODUCTION OPERATIONS Martha Chaput CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jason Nguyen LINE PRODUCER Lee Pearce PRODUCER Matthew Jones, Aidan Tanner ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Mara De La Rosa ASSOCIATE CREATIVE PRODUCER Keenon Rush HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST Samatha Pack AUDIO ENGINEER Calvin Bailiff EXEC ASST Rachel Miller PRODUCTION OPS ASST Jesse Clayton EDITOR Eugene Gordon Eric Tome POST MEDIA MANAGER Luis E. Ackerman POST PROD ASST Moe Alvarez AUDIO EDITORS & MIXERS Matt Wellentin, Geneva Wellentin, VP, HEAD OF PARTNER STRATEGY Jae Trevits Digital MARKETING DIRECTOR Sophia Hunter VP, POST PRODUCTION Jonathan Goldberg SVP, HEAD OF CONTENT Lukas Kaiser HEAD OF CURRENT Christie Dishner VP, PRODUCTION OPERATIONS Jacob Moncrief EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION Dawn Manning
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