In this episode we look at how cults are formed and how they use psychological tactics to control large amounts of people. The complex social psychology that is a driving factor in controlling cult members is also utilized in totalitarian governments. This episode is a fascinating one and will be followed up by many other more specific cult episodes.
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Feb 22
The Stories of Feral Children
Have you ever wondered where The Jungle Book got it's original story? Well, now you don't have to! This episode dives into various accounts of feral children throughout history and how they became that way. From childhood abandonment, to being taken in by wolves, monkeys and even ... Show More
1h 3m
Feb 2025
The Cult That Tried to Take over and American Town
In a nearly unbelievable chapter of Oregon history, a guru from India gathered 2,000 followers to live on a remote eastern Oregon ranch. The dream collapsed decades ago amid attempted murders, criminal charges and deportations. Subscribe to our Patreon Follow us on Instagram Lis ... Show More
41m 59s
Nov 2025
The Cult of Audiobooks (CULTISH, Amanda's Version)
What is the definition of the word "cult" anyway, according to Sounds Like A Cult??? This week, for the first time ever, host Amanda Montell takes the mic to read from her New York Times bestseller Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, the book that inspired this entire pod. It’s ... Show More
1h 22m
Dec 2024
The Cult of Synanon, Part 1
Buy tickets to The Big Magical Cult Show in Vancouver, Canada on February 21, 2025! Father is back!!! No, not Father Algorithm, but *actual* Father. Indeed, Amanda's sweetie dad, Craig Montell, returns to the pod after his featurette on last year's cult of Military Wives episode, ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2025
CULTS: The Branch Davidians
In 1993, a cult outside Waco, Texas went to war with the U.S. government. Seventy-six people, including 25 children, didn’t survive. In this episode, "Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes" unravels the terrifying rise of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians...and how belief in a ... Show More
47m 41s
Dec 2022
I Grew Up in a Cult
CW: This episode contains descriptions of CSA, child abuse, suicide, alcoholism, and death.
On this episode of We’re All Insane, Charlie shares her harrowing story of spiritual and physical abuse at the hands of her parents, particularly her father. She also discusses the devasta ... Show More
1h 39m
Aug 2024
The Cult of Mission Trips
Pack your hammer and your lack of cultural awareness, because this week on Sounds Like A Cult, we're interviewing Tia Levings, a former Christian fundamentalist, mission trip devotee, and survivor of church-sanctioned domestic violence. Tia is also the author of the brand new mem ... Show More
1h 6m