Sounds Like A Cult

~Join us~ as Isa and Amanda unpack the "cult" of the Peace Corps—its peculiar rituals of initiation, close-knit camaraderie that borders on religious obsession, unwavering devotion to a higher cause, and (wait a second) abuse and murder?? Thanks to insightful listener call-ins, we reveal the eerie similarities that make this hallowed American organization an uncanny mirror to cult-like communities. To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Or follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @isaamedinaa @amanda_montellThank you to our sponsors!Head to stitchfix.com/cult and you'll get 25% off when you keep everything in your FixGo to Kosas.com/CULT for 15% off your first purchase of $50 or more plus FREE shippingGo to betterhelp.com/cult to get 10% off your first monthDipsea is offering our listeners a 30 day free trial when you go to dipseastories.com/cult Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready for some no holds barred sh*t-talking, culties, because this week, Amanda and Isa are joined by the hosts of the motherhood-themed "I've Had It" podcast for a wild discussion of how PTA Moms are kindaaa just like a cult. Relentless groupthink, wacky power dynamics, oh my... this conversation will leave you questioning bake sales forever.To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Or follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @isaamedinaa @amanda_montellThank you to our sponsors!Go to farmersdog.com/cult to get 50% off your first boxHead to stitchfix.com/cult and you'll get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're sure to *devour* this week's episode analyzing four generations of wealthy men who, in our little opinion, represent a stunning example of how a powerful American family can resemble a cult. This week, Isa and Amanda are joined by a third co-host of sorts, true crime TikTokker and friend of the pod Lauren Skae (@thezenblonde), who's here to help tell the harrowing story of The Hammer Family, including actor Armie Hammer, who was exposed for a bunch of power-abusive behaviors. Sometimes murder-y, sometimes cannibal-y (allegedly!!!), this one is not for the faint of heart.To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Or follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @isaamedinaa @amanda_montellThank you to our sponsors!Get free shipping on orders over $75 at SKIMS.com Go to Zocdoc.com/CULT and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.Go to Kosas.com/CULT for 15% off your first purchase of $50 or more plus FREE shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It sounds like an episode of Black Mirror: 18-year-old kids are sacrificing their futures and signing their incomes away for the chance to move into a #sponsored Southern California mansion and dedicate every waking moment to the pursuit of online virality. Are TikTok Social Houses an innocuous influencer trend or something more like Heaven's Gate for the 21st Century? This week, Amanda and Isa are joined by performer and Scam Goddess host Laci Mosley to figure out if these uncanny little dystopias are a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or a GFTO-level cult!To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, go to https://linktr.ee/soundslikeacult !Sponsors:Dipsea:For listeners of the show, Dipsea is offering an extended 30 day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/cult.Stitch Fix:Try Stitch Fix today at StitchFix.com/cult and you’ll get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix.BetterHelp:Visit BetterHelp.com/CULT today to get 10% off your first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Volunteering to subject yourself to isolation, starvation, and desperation on a remote island under high-pressure circumstances, all in pursuit of money and fame (aka today's spiritual enlightenment)… is that a dangerous cult we're describing or the premise of America's OG "cult-followed" reality show? Survivor is the topic of discussion on this week's episode, and Isa and Amanda are analyzing everything from the sacrifices contestants make to the behind-the-scenes production to the fanatical fandom to figure out if the show is a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or a Get the Fuck Out-level cult.To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Thank you to our sponsors!Get 20% off your first order of $40 or more at NextEvo.com/cult Dipsea is offering an extended 30 day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/CULTYou can find Julie at your local CVS Target or Walmart or by visiting Juliecare.co  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Hippocratic Oath says do no harm. Explain elitism, secret societies, and debilitating physical and mental exhaustion to the point of potentially harming both doctor and patient, then?? Such is the "cult" of med school, this week's in-demand topic, which Amanda and Isa are discussing with insights from listeners who've survived this seemingly prestigious, but sneakily damaging (allegedly!!!) everyday "cult."To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Click HERE To get YOUR tickets to Sounds Like A Cult Live in London on May 26th!Thank you to our sponsors!Get $10 off your first month of Nutrafol by visiting nutrafol.com and entering promo code CULT Visit article.com/CULT for $50 off your first purchase of $100 or moreGo to DAILYHARVEST.com/cult to get up to $65 dollars off your first box! Visit BetterHelp.com/CULT today to get 10% off your first month.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America's favorite buxom, rhinestone-clad Southern songstress, Dolly Parton, has a "cult following" like no other celebrity. Thanks to her unmistakable image, her "Dollyisms," her theme park, her illustrious music, and her ability to transcend politics, "Saint Dolly" has become so much more than your average country star. But are there any risks to worshiping a singer as your spiritual idol? Tune in as Amanda, Isa, and special guests Claire and Ashley from Celebrity Memoir Book Club attempt to break down Dolly Parton's iconic "cult."To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Thank you to our sponsors!Go to Zocdoc.com/CULT and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.Visit AURA.com/CULT for a 14 day free trial.Get 10% off your first order sitewide & free shipping on orders over $60 with code CULT at OSEAMalibu.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This *highly* requested topic has all the makings of a modern-day cult: mystery, unquestioned loyalty, and the future of children's hearts and minds at stake. But does that make it dangerous?? This week, Amanda and Isa dive into the cult of Montessori education, those idyllic primary schools where kids allegedly (!!!) access transcendant knowledge with nothing but wooden blocks and hippie vibes (oh, and $40,000 annual tuition). Are Montessori schools a brilliant alternative approach to learning or something insidiously culty? With the help of listener call-ins, @amanda_montell and @isaamedinaa are aiming to unpack just that.To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Thank you to our sponsors!Get 20% off your first Liquid Death apparel purchase available exclusively at LiquidDeath.com/CULTDipsea is offering an extended 30 day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/CULT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What began as a Woodstock-esque alt music fest in the '90s for fans of indie electronica to get freaky in the California desert has swiftly morphed into more of a celebrity horror show/Instagram museum, where people pay thousands of dollars to gather on a hot slab of corporate-sponsored land, wear disposable outfits, and pretend to have fun. Has Coachella just become obnoxious or something more like a cult?? As we come down from the festival hype this month, with the help of no-holds-barred listener call-ins, Isa and Amanda aim to find out!To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Thank you to our sponsors!Get free shipping on orders over $75 at SKIMS.com You can find Julie at your local CVS Target or Walmart or by visiting Juliecare.coGet $10 off your first month of Nutrafol by visiting nutrafol.com and entering promo code CULT   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of our fav episodes to date tbh. The promises include acceptance, stability, and fertility, but the reality = rigidity, conformity, and oftentimes outright shunning. Thinking about heterosexual culture as a "cult" might seem far out at first, but teasing it out with comedian Ashley Gavin, whose hilarious comedy special is viewable April 23 on YouTube, Isa and Amanda unpack sooooo much culty oppression that comes with our society's narrow standards for sexual expression (and also how the insidious "cult" of hetersexuality empowers some of the most f*cked religious cults of all time)!To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!Thank you to our sponsors!Visit article.com/CULT for $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more.Visit AURA.com/CULT for a 14 day free trial.Go to DAILYHARVEST.com/cult to get up to $65 dollars off your first box! Get 20% off your first order of $40 or more at NextEvo.com/podcast and use promo code cult.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices