Sounds Like A Cult
Studio71
Putting the “cult” in culture… Do you think SoulCycle is a cult? What about the Royal Family? What about Disney Adults? Or spiritual influencers? Is Instagram itself a cult? We’re Sounds Like A Cult, an iHeart Radio Award-winning podcast that analyzes a different fanatical group every week to try and answer the big question: This ~sounds~ like a cult, but is it really? Created and hosted by New York Times-bestselling author Amanda Montell, co-hosted and produced by Chelsea Charles and Reese Oliver.For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com We want to make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 23, 2024 • 58min
The Cult of the CIA
Former CIA intelligence analyst, Christina Hillsberg, joins the pod to discuss the cult-like aspects of the CIA, including training exercises and 'the farm'. The chapter also explores misconceptions about linguistics and the transition from analyst to director of operations. The guest shares personal experiences and reflections on the mind games and hierarchies in the CIA, along with the fascination with the CIA and cults.
14 snips
Jan 16, 2024 • 1h 9min
The Cult of Amazon
Kristi Coulter, an ex-Amazonian and author of the memoir Exit Interview, takes us deep into the cult-like atmosphere at Amazon. She shares her firsthand experience of the intense pressure and psychological influence that the company exerts on both employees and consumers. Kristi explores the duality of love-hate relationships with Amazon, reflecting on ethical dilemmas surrounding worker treatment. The conversation dives into the broader implications of capitalism and the urgent need for corporate accountability in today's fast-paced consumer culture.
Dec 12, 2023 • 57min
The Cult of High Fashion
Exploring the secretive world of high fashion, this podcast delves into its cult-like behavior and elitism. It discusses the influence of fashion on individuals and society, the power structure of the industry, and the impact of high fashion designers. The podcast also explores post-lockdown fashion trends, the concept of coolness, and the influence of fashion trends on individuals. It concludes with a discussion on the control exerted by large players in the industry and the cult-like aspects of high fashion events.
Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 5min
The Cult of Reality TV Families
Guests Jill and Derick Dillard, featured on TLC's 19 Kids & Counting, discuss the controversial nature of reality TV families and highlight the impact on the children involved. They explore the pressure and staged aspects of being on TV, the importance of finding your voice, and the struggle for compensation. They emphasize recognizing the positives and negatives in one's own story and explore the spectrum of reality TV families.
Nov 28, 2023 • 56min
The Cult of Reddit
Isa welcomes Lydia Keating to discuss the Cult of Reddit. They explore the influence of Reddit in comedy, personal experiences, and potential dangers. They also discuss the positive power of Reddit's community and the importance of finding community offline, especially for LGBTQ youth.
Nov 21, 2023 • 1h 10min
The Cult of A.I.
Guest: Kate Lindsay is an internet reporter.
Topics:
- Is A.I. the newest SciFi cult?
- Our cultlike attitudes toward A.I.
- The fascination and obsession with AI
- Rise of generative AI in Silicon Valley
- Cautionary views of technology experts
- Developing intimate relationships with chatbots
- Irony of technology and cognitive biases in the Information Age
- The dangers of sharing personal health information
- Guessing game: Cult leader or Chat GPT?
- Categorizing the cult of AI
Nov 14, 2023 • 50min
The Cult of Podcasting
Join host Isa Medina and guest Kara Klenk as they delve into the phenomenon of podcasting, discussing para-social relationships, the cult-like following, and the lack of transparency. They also explore the influence of popular podcasters like Joe Rogan and the challenges of starting a podcast. Plus, they touch on the rise of celebrity-driven podcasts, the lack of payment for downloads, and their new podcast project with Lydia Keating.
Nov 7, 2023 • 1h 19min
The Cult of Taylor Swift, Part 2
This part 2 episode of the podcast explores the cult-like aspects of Taylor Swift's fandom. It discusses the intense devotion and religious-like following of Swifties, the aesthetic and rituals of the fanbase, and the parasocial codependency between Taylor Swift and her fans. The episode also explores Taylor Swift's impact on culture, her empowering influence on female figures, and the loyalty and defensive behavior of her fanbase.
Oct 31, 2023 • 1h 2min
The Cult of Military Wives
In this episode, Amanda and her dad discuss firsthand experiences with cult-like groups, focusing on military wives and comparing it to the dynamics of a '70s cult. They explore the challenges faced by military spouses, such as conformity pressures and the risks of MLM scams. The conversation also delves into cult-like behaviors in various industries, highlighting themes of exploitation and camaraderie.
Oct 24, 2023 • 39min
The Cult of Pickleball
In this episode, the podcast explores the cult-like aspects of pickleball, discussing its origins, rapid growth, and the differences that set it apart from other sports. They also delve into the role of a mother figure, the World Pickleball Federation, power struggles within the community, potential power abuse, and speculate on the future of pickleball.
