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
Feb 13, 2024 • 1h 11min
The Cult of Catholic School
Aiden Arata, writer and queen of depression Instagram, joins the podcast to unpack the pageantry and horror of Catholic schools. They discuss religious trauma, lack of comprehensive sex education, cult-like behavior, favorite punishments, and the impact on students. The speakers share personal experiences, including being outed as queer, guilt and dogmatism, and the resurgence of Catholicism among young progressives. The chapter also explores the power structure within Catholicism and the struggles faced by queer individuals.
11 snips
Feb 6, 2024 • 58min
The Cult of K-Pop
Lai Frances, music reporter and expert in the 'cult' of K-Pop, joins the show to discuss the intense training idols go through, their hardcore 'sasaeng fans,' and the cult-like aspects of the K-Pop industry. They explore the benefits and concerns of K-Pop fandom, the rigorous training process, and power dynamics within the industry. The chapter also compares K-Pop fandom to fans of Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, Trekkies, and Marvel fans, discussing the different aspects of their fandom and the perception of cultishness. They also delve into the negative aspects of being a K-Pop fan, including extreme fan obsession and financial investments.
14 snips
Jan 30, 2024 • 1h
The Cult of Chiropractors
Exploring the controversial origins and practices of chiropractic, including dangerous claims and power-hungry practitioners. Discussing the role of governing boards and lack of evidence in the industry. Examining parallels between cult-like beliefs and mixed experiences with chiropractic. Highlighting the use of TikTok to educate and debunk misinformation. Exploring the controversial background of Elon Musk's chiropractor grandfather. Discussing the benefits and risks of chiropractic care and the need for caution and balance.
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.
