logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
55m 1s

The Cult of Shen Yun

Studio71
About this episode
You’re walking through the mall or driving down the street, and there it is again: a pastel-colored poster featuring a leaping dancer. It reads: Shen Yun, China Before Communism. What even IS this lavish dance show whose advertisements haunt all our towns? Is it a religion? A political party? A theatre troupe? What is their mission? Is the dancing even good? ... Show More
Up next
Jul 14
The Cult of Conversion Therapy
If you thought conversion therapy disappeared sometime around low-rise jeans and flip phones, you'd be very, very wrong. This week, Amanda and Reese are joined by Timothy S. Rodriguez (@timothy.s.rodriguez), author of Conversion Therapy Dropout, to expose one of the most dangerou ... Show More
51m 16s
Jul 7
The Cult of Women for Trump
She's blonde. She's patriotic. She's wearing a Bible verse on her T-shirt while telling immigrants to go back where they came from. She's voting for Trump. This week we're revisiting our episode on The Cult of Women for Trump, with a new introduction reflecting on how much this m ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 30
The Cult of Gooning
Today's episode is brought to you by Incognito Mode. This week, Amanda, Reese, and Iman descend into one of the internet's strangest corners: The Cult of Gooning. Joined by journalist Daniel Kolitz (@daniel.kolitz), author of Harper's viral feature The Goon Squad, the gang explor ... Show More
56m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2022
A Circus, or a Cult? The Strange Story of Shen Yun
If you live near any large city outside of mainland China, you may have seen advertisements for the world-famous Shen Yun Performing Arts Company, a US-based non-profit known for its elaborate shows in over 130 locations across the planet. But you might not know the full story of ... Show More
36m 16s
Feb 2022
Cults
Angela Sawyer, Ryan Estrada and Barb Poe share stories about a cult that made music, a cult that prayed, if not played, and a dangerous cult in a karate school. Support RISK! on Patreon at Patreon.com/RISK Make a one-time donation to RISK! at PayPal.me/RISKshow Get tickets to RIS ... Show More
1h 4m
Apr 2023
111: If It Sounds Like a Cult..
Two Hot Takes host, Morgan, is joined by guests Amanda Montell and Isa Medina of Sounds Like a Cult! This episode features stories that have us questioning is this a cult? Is it a green flag cult or a red flag/you need to run cult? And are you wondering if you've ever been in a c ... Show More
1h 48m
Nov 2025
“We Had To Pluck Our Eyebrows A Certain Way” | Avoiding Cults
Have you ever been in a cult? (Are you sure?) Are Disney Adults in a cult? What about Serious Coffee People? How obsessed with Mother God are you? On today’s episode, Stephanie and Melissa discuss all of the cults and cult-ish groups they’ve encountered in their lives, share whic ... Show More
47m 43s
Oct 2022
S2 Ep13: When her BF was in a cult.... - S2E13
[SCROLL FOR CW] -This week we're raising awareness for WEAVE in Sacramento, CA: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=weave&id=265-BREAK DOWN BONUS AUDIO REACTION: https://anchor.fm/abby-murphy5/message-Follow the podcast! -Abby's IG: https://www.instagram ... Show More
24m 4s
Mar 2020
Ep. 49 – What Is A Cult?
This week’s episode is a discussion about how to distinguish a cult from a religion. Is it the abuse, is the brainwashing, is it the way the leader acts, is it the way the other members treat you, is it how old the group is? Support Belief It Or Not Created by Trevor Poelman Prod ... Show More
32m 52s
Apr 2025
Shen Yun: The Dark Side of a Dance Troupe
<p>A few days ago, one of the most ubiquitous live shows in the country, Shen Yun, began its latest run at Lincoln Center, drawing thousands of people to a performance that is colorful, acrobatic and — according to many of its performers — shockingly abusive.</p><p>Nicole Hong, o ... Show More
33m 55s