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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 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
  • The Cult of Kidfluencers

    The Cult of Kidfluencers
    Apr 7 2026
    Welcome to the internet, where a kid can lead a cult. From Ryan’s Toys to Piper Rockelle, the world of child influencers is vast, brain-rotted and constantly changing. This week on Sounds Like a Cult, Amanda, Iman, and Reese have journalist and author of the book Like, Follow, Subscribe, Fortesa Latifi (@hifortesa) back on the show to get a look behind the curtain at the workings of the kidfluencer ecosystem. We reminisce on the kid and teen influencers of yore (hello Tana), discuss the parents at the helm of family vlogging operations, and unpack just how much we hope the kids will be alright. 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 Join the loyalty program for renters at ⁠https://joinbilt.com/cult Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • The Cult of Pantone (the Color Conspiracy)

    The Cult of Pantone (the Color Conspiracy)
    Mar 31 2026
    What does it mean for a color to be official? This week, Amanda is joined by lexicographer and writer Kory Stamper (@harmless_drudge) to dive into the oddly powerful world of Pantone, the company that turned color into a global authority system complete with sacred swatches, cryptic numbers, and an annual prophecy known as Color of the Year. They unpack how Pantone became the high priest of hue, shaping everything from fashion runways to corporate branding. Why does the word cognac feel more chic than brown? And how did a company convince the world that a very specific white or millennial pink can define an entire cultural moment? Is Pantone simply helping us speak the same visual language… or are we all just obedient followers of the color industrial complex? Either way, pass the swatch book. 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! For free shipping and 365-day returns, go to https://Quince.com/slac Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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I used to use some aspects of the montessori method with my 8 yr old autistic child who is nonverbal to avoid meltdowns, but it's just not sustainable for the long run. even with a child with special needs-eventually boundaries are NECESSARY!

interesting to hear a nonbiased opinion about this

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