

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

19 snips
Sep 12, 2023 • 51min
The Cult of Life Coaches
This podcast explores the cult-like tendencies within the unregulated life coaching industry. The hosts share their experiences with finding a life coach and the confusion between coaches and therapists. They discuss the origins of life coaching and its lack of regulation, highlighting the pros and cons of the industry. The podcast also delves into the influence of Feng Shui and manifestation in achieving goals. The hosts reflect on the appeal of becoming a life coach and the potential risks involved.

23 snips
Sep 5, 2023 • 54min
The Cult of Burning Man
Join Amanda and Isa as they chat with Em and Christine about the cult-like allure of Burning Man. They unpack the eccentric rituals, controversies, and us vs. them dynamics of the countercultural carnival. The discussion explores the absence of leadership in the Burning Man community, characteristics of cults and personal tendencies in group environments, and the fascination with cults and Burning Man. They also touch on encounters with burners, experiences at Burning Man, and the relationship between Burning Man and capitalism.

Aug 29, 2023 • 1h 14min
The Cult of Disney Adults (With Bonus Q&A!)
The podcast explores the cult-like behavior of Disney adults and their adoration for Walt Disney. They discuss various Facebook groups and a Disney adult dating app called Mouse Mingle. The speakers also emphasize the importance of individual voices within the Disney adult community and explore power dynamics. They conclude that being a Disney adult is a harmless way to enjoy oneself. The Q&A session touches on their love lives and intimacy, and they discuss their approach to selecting topics and reacting to fan reactions.

Aug 22, 2023 • 49min
The Cult of The Bachelor (Bonus Part 2!)
Former Bachelor contestant Kendall Long joins the hosts to discuss the cult-like aspects of The Bachelor Franchise, including sleep deprivation, isolation, and obscure rules. They explore manipulative tactics used by production, delusional behavior during rose ceremonies, and the projection of viewers onto the bachelor. They also delve into the allure of cults, the impact of Instagram following, and the classification of The Bachelor as a cult.

Aug 15, 2023 • 32min
The Cult of Spiritual Scammers (feat. Listener Stories!)
In this episode, Amanda and Isa react to shocking cult stories submitted by listeners, discussing New Age scams, love-bombing strangers, and suspicious elementary school rituals. They explore cult-like practices in education, the power of language, and navigating spirituality after leaving a cult. They also share an exclusive opportunity and warn about Scientology recruitment.

Aug 8, 2023 • 57min
The Cult of Airline Miles
Comedian and frequent flyer Fumi Abi joins the hosts to discuss the cultlike nature of airline loyalty programs. They talk about the allure and drawbacks of airline miles, the psychological attachment to collecting points, frustrations with finding a doctor and airport anxiety, the complexities of airline miles, the cult-like culture within Southwest Airlines, and annoying friends in relation to cults.

Jul 25, 2023 • 46min
The Cult of The Peace Corps
~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

Jul 18, 2023 • 1h 4min
The Cult of PTA Moms
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

Jul 11, 2023 • 1h 3min
The Cult of The Hammer Family
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

4 snips
Jul 4, 2023 • 55min
The Cult of Tik Tok Social Houses
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