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Sounds Like A Cult

Sounds Like A Cult

By: Studio71
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About this listen

 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, Reese Oliver, and Iman Hariri Kia. 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 2026 Amanda Montell & Studio71 Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • The Cult of Botox

    The Cult of Botox
    Apr 28 2026
    Cancel your frown lines and lean in… because this week on Sounds Like A Cult, Amanda and Chelsea are getting into the wrinkle relaxing world of Botox. What started as a medical treatment for eye twitching has evolved into a beauty mainstay, one that promises to erase your crows feet... for 3 months. From preventative Botox in your 20s to the normalization of injectables as routine maintenance, we’re unpacking how this once taboo procedure became a beauty baseline. We're trying to answer the question a lot of people are asking but not always saying out loud: are we doing this for ourselves, or because everyone else is? Is Botox just modern self-care, or is it giving cult? Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles, @imanharirikia. Thank you to our sponsors! Join the loyalty program for renters at ⁠⁠https://joinbilt.com/cult For free shipping and 365-day returns, go to https://Quince.com/slac Head to ⁠https://factormeals.com/cult50off⁠ and use code cult50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year! To claim your Double Roses offer before they're gone, visit ⁠https://1800Flowers.com/CULT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • The Cult of Neurolinguistic Programming

    The Cult of Neurolinguistic Programming
    Apr 21 2026
    What if the right words could rewire your brain… or at least make you feel like they did? This week, Amanda is joined by journalists and hosts of the podcast Mind Games, Alice Hines (@alicehines_) and Zoë Lescaze (@zoelescaze), to unpack the cult of neurolinguistic programming, the self-improvement framework that promises transformation through language, mindset shifts, and a little bit of psychological sleight of hand. They dig into how NLP showed up inside NXIVM and explore why these techniques can feel genuinely helpful in everyday life, and how the line between self-help and manipulation often comes down to who’s in charge. Amanda even tries an NLP session herself, which is equal parts intriguing and slightly unsettling and begs the question: is NLP a useful set of tools… or a very persuasive vibe? Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles, @imanharirikia. Come see Sounds Like A Cult LIVE at The Bell House in New York on April 21st! Tickets at amandamontell.com/events Thank you to our sponsors! To Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain, Head to ⁠⁠https://www.squarespace.com/CULT Tear. Pour. Live More. Go to https://LIQUIDIV.COM and get 20% off your first purchase with code CULT at checkout. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/slac with code slac. Download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Cult of Christian Nationalism

    The Cult of Christian Nationalism
    Apr 14 2026
    What does the Mormon curl, January 6th, and the rapture all have in common? Christian Nationalism! This week Reese and Amanda are joined by Jennie Gage (@LifeTakeTwoJennie) of Life Take Two, to unpack what we (spoiler alert) feel is one of the most insidious cults taking over America today: Christian Nationalism. From the 7 Mountains Doctrine to Trump taking over as a charismatic leader (despite never having read the bible lest his hands and eyes burn), our cultie hosties discuss the culty tactics that kept Jennie in, the lesbians who got her out, and and the behaviors that make this 'divine and patriotic calling' sound like a cult. Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and mental health so please take care when listening. Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles, @imanharirikia. Come see Sounds Like A Cult LIVE at The Bell House in New York on April 21st! Tickets at amandamontell.com/events Thank you to our sponsors! Thanks to Article for sponsoring this podcast! Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://www.article.com/discount/cult and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Shop plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/cult Head to https://acorns.com/cult or download the Acorns app to get started. To claim your Double Roses offer before they're gone, visit https://1800Flowers.com/CULT Join at www.functionhealth.com/CULT or use gift code CULT25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 19 mins
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