anything goes with emma chamberlain cover image

anything goes with emma chamberlain

cultish, a talk with amanda montell [video]

Sep 28, 2023
Amanda Montell, a writer, linguist, and podcast host, joins Emma Chamberlain to discuss the language and behavior within cults. They explore how cult-like behavior can exist in our daily lives, including in high school theater programs, workplaces, and wellness trends. They delve into the manipulation tactics used by cult leaders through specialized vocabulary and thought-terminating cliches. They also discuss the decline of traditional religion, celebrity worship, and the potential for healthy religious cults.
50:33

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Cult-like behavior can be found in various aspects of our lives, such as fitness, wellness, and social media, and it becomes dangerous when it involves extreme control and lacks room for questioning or exit strategies.
  • Cult leaders use specialized buzzwords and thought-terminating cliches to instill a sense of belonging and shut down independent thinking, and these linguistic tactics can be observed not only in religious cults, but also in other areas of life, such as corporate environments and everyday conversations.

Deep dives

Cultish Behavior in Everyday Life

The podcast episode explores cultish behavior in everyday life and discusses the line between what is a cult and what is just cult-like behavior. The speaker shares personal experiences and observations about how cultishness can be found in various aspects of our lives, such as fitness, wellness, and social media. It is emphasized that while some cultish behavior can be positive, it becomes dangerous when it involves extreme control and lacks room for questioning or exit strategies.

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