logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2023
1h 39m

What is a Cult? With Dr. Janja Lalich

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Dr. Janja Lalich, the world’s foremost expert on cults, reveals the four principles all cults share, how she survived ten years in a brutal cultic system and how these groups continue to abuse while evading authorities. Dr. Janja also shares an important warning on how to identify their manipulative tactics and keep you and your family safe.

Watch and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel @NavigatingNarcissismPod

Follow me on social: 

I want to hear from you, too. Have a toxic topic you want me to explore? Email me at askdrramani@redtabletalk.com. I just might answer your questions on air.

Guest Bio:

Janja Lalich, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Sociology, is an international authority on cults, extremism, and coercion. She specializes in closed systems (cults, narcissistic relationships, human trafficking, ideological extremism). Dr. Lalich is Founder and CEO of the Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion. The mission of the Lalich Center is to provide life-saving resources to survivors of cults, the Troubled Teen Industry, and narcissistic families/relationships. She is author of six books, including the now classic, Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships; her theoretical work, Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults; and Escaping Utopia: Growing Up in a Cult, Getting Out and Starting Over. She also co-authored two books with Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer: Cults in Our Midst and “Crazy” Therapies: What Are They? Do They Work? In addition to working with survivors and their families, she conducts workshops for governments and international intelligence agencies, private companies, and educational institutions.

Guest Information:

This podcast should not be used as a substitute for medical or mental health advice. Individuals are advised to seek independent medical advice, counseling, and/or therapy from a healthcare professional with respect to any medical condition, mental health issue, or health inquiry, including matters discussed on this podcast.


EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Jada Pinkett Smith, Ellen Rakieten, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Meghan Hoffman, Fallon Jethroe VP PRODUCTION OPERATIONS Martha Chaput CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jason Nguyen LINE PRODUCER Lee Pearce PRODUCER Matthew Jones, Aidan Tanner ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Mara De La Rosa ASSOCIATE CREATIVE PRODUCER Keenon Rush HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST Samatha Pack AUDIO ENGINEER Calvin Bailiff EXEC ASST Rachel Miller PRODUCTION OPS ASST Jesse Clayton EDITOR Eugene Gordon Eric Tome POST MEDIA MANAGER Luis E. Ackerman POST PROD ASST Moe Alvarez AUDIO EDITORS & MIXERS Matt Wellentin, Geneva Wellentin, VP, HEAD OF PARTNER STRATEGY Jae Trevits Digital MARKETING DIRECTOR Sophia Hunter VP, POST PRODUCTION Jonathan Goldberg SVP, HEAD OF CONTENT Lukas Kaiser HEAD OF CURRENT Christie Dishner VP, PRODUCTION OPERATIONS Jacob Moncrief EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION Dawn Manning

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Apr 2024
Introducing: Family Therapy, The Podcast
Family Therapy, The Podcast is a display of exploration of self through the means of conversation, while constructing a nourishing space for individuals looking to heal. By revealing anxieties and exploring deeply rooted problems, Family Therapy will document a family’s journey a ... Show More
1m 18s
Mar 2024
Introducing: The Bright Side
Start your day with The Bright Side, a new daily podcast from Hello Sunshine. Co-hosted by journalist, TV host, and podcaster, Danielle Robay and Emmy-nominated journalist, host, and producer, Simone Boyce, The Bright Side brings your daily dose of culture and inspiration – with ... Show More
1m 10s
Oct 2023
Evan Rachel Wood on Surviving Her Abusive Relationship with Marilyn Manson
In this emotional episode, award-winning actress Evan Rachel Wood reveals how she survived years of abuse by Brian Warner, best known as controversial rocker Marilyn Manson, and the painful decisions she’s had to face in order to heal. Watch and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel @ ... Show More
1h 41m
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
Therapy Sesh: A Remix with Daniel Shaw, LCSW, Dr. Ramani, & Dr. Natalie Feinblatt
Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  We made you a mixtape of some of our fave segments from our full episodes with Daniel Shaw, LCSW,  Dr. Ramani, and Dr. Natalie Feinblatt. Think of this as our Chicken Soup for the Culty Soul power-medley. We’ve got Dan Shaw dropping kn ... Show More
59m 24s
Jan 2024
Wise Jezebel: Dr. Laura Anderson On When Religion Hurts
This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Today we welcome Wise Jezebel and former fundie Dr. Laura Anderson to the ALBC huddle. She’s a psychotherapist, podcaster, and smarty-pants content creator specializing in helping people come back from the sneaky scars of high control rel ... Show More
1h 8m
Feb 2024
Gentle Souls: Esther Friedman on ‘School’
Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  If you’re not already familiar with the culty cluster known as ‘School’,  it was an ultra-secret Manhattan organization run by late actress and forever eccentric Sharon Gans. The shadowy group did its dark magic in the form of secret s ... Show More
55m 54s
Mar 2024
Ruby Franke Sentencing | Did Franke Help Herself with 'Prison Preference' Apology?
True Crime Personality and PsychologyTrue Crime Psychology and Personality is a podcast that profiles criminal personalities, discusses personality disorders, and examines real life events from a scientifically informed perspective. Want more mental health content? Check out our ... Show More
15m 56s
Oct 2022
Cults: Manipulation Tactics, Celebrity Involvement, Escape w/ Lola Blanc + Meaghan Elizabeth
Joining the Deux U classroom this week are Cult survivors Lola Blanc and Meaghan Elizabeth. On their podcast, Trust Me, they talk to fellow survivors, former and current believers, experts, and everyone in between to try to get to the bottom of how extreme belief happens, who's s ... Show More
1h 7m
Dec 2023
Decoding Mindf*ckery: Dr. Robin Stern on The Gaslight Effect
Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Dr. Robin Stern is not your average psycho-therapist – she’s renowned for her work in emotional intelligence, relationships, and well being. And she’s the psychological sleuth who’s highlighted one particularly culty behavior: gaslight ... Show More
55m 37s
Oct 2023
Seek Safely: Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle on the Self-Help Industry
Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  The self-help book industry alone is expected to grow from $10.5 billion annually to $15 billion by 2025. Of course, with that kinda dough floating around, a raging demand for personal growth has led to a plethora of tools aimed at ach ... Show More
1h 5m
Mar 2024
Peggy Nadell | Falsely Accused Feline Almost Neuters Complex Millionaire Murder Case
True Crime Personality and PsychologyTrue Crime Psychology and Personality is a podcast that profiles criminal personalities, discusses personality disorders, and examines real life events from a scientifically informed perspective. Want more mental health content? Check out our ... Show More
17m 19s
Feb 2024
Jens Soering and Elizabeth Haysom | False Confession for Love?
True Crime Personality and PsychologyTrue Crime Psychology and Personality is a podcast that profiles criminal personalities, discusses personality disorders, and examines real life events from a scientifically informed perspective. Want more mental health content? Check out our ... Show More
21m 41s
Feb 2024
Proud Defector: Claire Headley On Scientology (Part 1)
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/culty and get on your way to being your best self. In part one of this 2-parter, we feature Scientology defector and whistleblower Claire Headley who spent 30 years in the church isolated from he ... Show More
59m 17s