The Michael Shermer Show Why No One Thinks They’re in a Cult
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Oct 5, 2025 Ashlen Hilliard, a cult intervention specialist and founder of People Leave Cults, dives deep into the psychology behind cults and high-control groups. She discusses why intelligent people join these groups, unwittingly seeking positive outcomes, and highlights the trauma-coerced attachment that traps them. Ashlen shares strategies for families to support loved ones in cults, emphasizing the need for curiosity and understanding. Explaining the dynamics of coercion, she also connects exploitation in cults to broader societal issues, urging for greater awareness and education.
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Cults Defined By Coercive Control
- A cult is defined by coercive control that erodes autonomy over time, not just weird beliefs or a single leader.
- Group experience is individual: the same group can be benign for some and destructive for others.
Don't Call It A Cult To Communicate
- Avoid using the word “cult” with a loved one because it shuts down dialogue and increases resistance.
- Approach conversations with curiosity to keep communication open and reduce defensiveness.
Helping An FLDS Mother Prioritize Safety
- Ashlen helped an FLDS mother secure housing and prioritize her children even though she still believed Warren Jeffs was true.
- She focused on safety and resources first, allowing belief change to follow once secure.
