logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
55m 26s

how to start a cult

Unwell
About this episode

This month, Adeline is back in the office to get us some answers on cults from podcaster/author/and an aspiring cult leader herself… Amanda Montell.

Come back next month for more answers to Adeline’s most pressing concerns.

Up next
Aug 15
Lesbian masterdoc
before i get into the lesbian master doc, i would be remiss not to acknowledge belly betraying herself and rage baiting the audience, jeremiah’s weird possessiveness, and why conrad’s distance was love disguised as avoidance. then it’s onto compulsory heterosexuality, how liking ... Show More
47m 20s
Aug 8
Stop breastfeeding ur boyfriend
i was supposed to talk about female friendships in this episode but instead i spiral about the summer i turned pretty the rise of ai and why your boyfriend is not your son and shouldn’t be your only friend like why are you breastfeeding him emotionally get a gripwe get into man k ... Show More
1h 1m
Aug 1
Fighting my nicotine demon and the summer I turned pretty
I spent a week withdrawing from vyvanse, nicotine and caffeine all at the same time and this episode is the result of that. Enjoy 
46m 38s
Recommended Episodes
May 5
Things We Think Are A Cult (De-Influencing You)
The must-have buys that have everyone in a chokehold, celebrity couple conspiracies & the iconic Aussie businesses that we swear are a cult (but aren't really a cult!). Plus, we share a bunch of things that YOU chicks think give culty vibes. Disclaimer: This episode is inspired b ... Show More
35m 45s
Dec 2024
How to Know if You’re in a Cult with Tia Levings (Pt. 2)
370. How to Know if You’re in a Cult with Tia Levings (Pt. 2) Glennon, Amanda, and Abby welcome back Tia Levings for part two of this amazing conversation on her experience leaving a high control Christian Fundamentalist cult. Tia shares her experience leaving the church and her ... Show More
1 h
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 3m
Sep 2024
The Cult of Dance Moms
We’re baaaAAAAAaaaaack!!! Join us for a 🪐transcendent🪐 new season of Sounds Like A Cult, whose opening episode features Chelsea Charles, one of our sparklingly hilarious new co-hosts. An unscripted TV producer by day, Chelsea joins returning host Amanda to unpack this week’s ni ... Show More
1h 13m
Apr 2025
Surviving a Doomsday Cult
This week, special guest & friend of the pod Cherish joins Lucy to discuss her experience leaving the Children of God cult, building a new life in the US, and her reflections since.Additional resources on the Children of God:BooksSex Cult Nun by Faith JonesNot Without My Sister b ... Show More
39m 56s
Sep 2024
SMNTY Classics: Women Cult Leaders (Part 2)
In our classic wrap-up look at women cult leaders, we examine even more examples of women founding, leading and maintaining cults.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
39 m
Jun 2024
A Cult Within a Cult: Charlotte Medlock on Guru Jagat
This episode is sponsored by Better Help. TikTok-famous Charlotte Medlock was once swept up in the world of the late Guru Jagat, aka Katie Griggs, the Rama Institute and Kundalini. Charlotte wants you to know that this particular Russian nesting doll of Yoga, new-age West Coast-s ... Show More
1h 6m
Nov 2024
Cults 101: Intro to Cults
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 fascinatin ... Show More
53m 42s
Mar 2025
The Cult of BookTok
Although we do famously love/write/worship books over here at team SLAC, our adventure into this week’s MUCH-REQUESTED topic—a literary commune packed with fantastical, extremely online, culty drama—gave us MAJOR culture shock. Whether you’re a lifelong reader or your Hoovers are ... Show More
1h 6m
Jul 2024
The Cult of Wine Moms
Learn more about host Amanda's Italian writing "cult" ;) It's a Live Your Life!!! https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/italy/italy-with-amanda-montell-oct-2024 If you’ve ever seen a suburban lady wearing a tee shirt that reads, “I wine because he whines” or “I’m not a normal mom, I’ ... Show More
59m 50s