Sounds Like A Cult

Fitness influencer Lydia Keating joins the hosts to discuss the 'cult' of marathon runners, exploring addictive and competitive aspects, societal pressures, unhealthy comparisons, and the role of technology. They delve into parallels with cult behavior, financial commitment, and the exclusive, obsessive nature of running. The podcast also touches on balancing running with other interests, identity struggles, and navigating the competitive pressures of the running world.

Gaby Dunn and Bree Essrig discuss the 'cult' of foot fetishists, exploring stereotypes, financial opportunities, and societal perceptions. They delve into body worship in BDSM, gaming escapes, fertility solutions, and the intersection of foot fetishes with sex work and celebrity culture. The episode also touches on non-binary foot models and the approval process for 'foot nights'.

Ask and you shall receive! This week, we’re covering our single most listener-requested topic: The “cult” of multi-level marketing (aka MLMs). Most of us have a former high school classmate or two who got sucked into a pay-and-recruit organization like Amway, Mary Kay, or Young Living. MLMs are at once the butt of countless jokes about pyramid schemes and brainwashed #girlbosses, and yet they maintain a profound hold on a certain slice of aspiring entrepreneurs, who’ve been promised that some shadily structured “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” will guarantee them the American Dream (and more). MLMs are certainly scammy, but are they culty? And if so, what kind of “cult” are they? In this episode, we attempt to find an answer... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode examines fraternities and sororities, comparing them to cults. It explores the power imbalances, dangerous rituals, and exclusive nature of Greek life, questioning whether it is a socially accepted cult. The episode also discusses networking opportunities offered by Greek life, the cult-like aspects such as pressure to conform and hidden hierarchies, and the dangers and stereotypes associated with fraternities and sororities.

Intense secrecy and exclusivity, unquestioned protocols and rituals, deception, isolation, hierarchies, and soooo much money… nope, we’re not talking about Satanism or Scientology, we’re talking about The Royal Family! ;) This week, with the help of brilliant British journalist Afua Adom, Isa and Amanda attempt to unpack the Meghan Markle interview and other windows in the centuries-old monarchy to determine how “culty” it really is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

These days, the lines between celebrity, religious figure, political leader, lifestyle guru, and best friend have blurred so hardcore that enthusiastic celebrity fans have morphed into a whole new kind of beast: rabidly loyal, obsessed stans. Is worshipping and defending megastars like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Elon Musk a harmless pop culture phenomenon, or is it decidedly cultier than that? On this episode, Amanda and Isa analyze the “cult” of celebrity stan culture with the help of insightful and hilarious listener call-ins. Which celebrity do you think has the most extreme stans? And does that make them a “cult leader” of sorts?? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We always thought of “flat earthers” as nothing but a bunch of spoofable Devil advocates with too much time on their hands... but after closer examination, this community of conspiratorial believers sounds a whole lot more like a cult. In this episode, we engage in an enlightening, guffaw-worthy interview with Abbie Richards (@tofology), a Tik Tok sensation known for her knowledge of conspiracy theories and misinformation, to try and determine how destructive the flat earth community *really* is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former contestant Kendall Long joins the podcast to discuss the cult-like nature of The Bachelor franchise. They explore the strict rules and isolation that contestants experience, comparing it to a cult. They also discuss the dynamics of social media and the addictive nature of vulnerability. Ultimately, they conclude that 'The Bachelor' is a 'watch your back' level cult.

SoulCycle is without question a “cult-followed” brand, but is this exclusive boutique workout studio actually more insidious than that? This week, resident cult skeptic Amanda and real-life SoulCycle attendee Isa engage in a hilarious, well-informed debate about the intense, inspiring (and potential sinister) cult of SoulCycle to try and figure out what category along the cult spectrum it falls into: Live Your Life, Watch Your Back, or Get the Fuck Out? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is Sounds Like A Cult, a podcast about the zeitgeisty cults that have inducted us all—from SoulCycle and Peloton to spiritual influencers to fraternities and sororities to flat earth conspiracy theorists, and beyond. Each episode, your co-hosts Isa and Amanda discuss a different modern-day “cult,” and with the help of guests, games, and legitimate research, we attempt to answer the big question: this group *sounds* like a cult, but is it really? And if so, what category of cult does it fall into? Live Your Life, Watch Your Back, or Get the Fuck Out. Here’s a sneak peek of the show, premiering June 1… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices