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Let's Talk About Sects

By: Sarah Steel
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  • Summary

  • Let's Talk About Sects is an award-winning monthly podcast focusing on a different cult each episode. Sarah takes a storytelling, deep dive approach, looking at the history of a sect's leaders, the recruitment of members, their experiences, psychological aspects, and notable incidents during its existence.

    You can support us on Patreon, with a one-off donation, or grab some merch. Sarah Steel's debut book Do As I Say is available now.

    “A fascinating and well-researched look into cults and the charismatic leaders behind them.” Peter Wells, The Sydney Morning Herald

    “A fantastic examination of sects, cults, and religion… a fact-based program that’ll hook you in and keep you coming back for more.” Zach Johnston, Uproxx

    “Cleverly named, meticulously researched.” Elena Nicolaou, Refinery29

    “The best podcast of its kind – I can’t wait for another episode!” Apple Podcasts review from a US listener

    “I study cults and sects and for this reason listen to many podcasts on these subjects. This one is by far the best.” Apple Podcasts review from a US listener

    “Best podcast about cults I’ve found.” Apple Podcasts review from an Australian listener

    Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Sarah Steel
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Episodes
  • Interview Episode: LGATs with John Hunter PhD

    Interview Episode: LGATs with John Hunter PhD
    Apr 16 2024
    For his 2017 PhD, John Hunter put forward a hypothesis that offers insights into both the “transformational” experiences associated with large group awareness training (LGAT) participation and the common claims of psychological harm and problematic behaviour associated with participation. Dr Hunter presented his work at the 2023 International Cultic Studies Association conference, and for this episode, he breaks down some of his findings – including where LGATs may or may not intersect with cults and cult-like behaviour.Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation. Links:John Hunter PhD websiteStress-induced hypomania in healthy participants: the allostatic “manic-defence hypothesis” — Dr John Hunter’s 2017 PhD DissertationRational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (Dr Albert Ellis)Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Dr Aaron T. Beck)Robert J. Lifton’s Eight Criteria for Thought ReformThe Book of est — Kirkus Reviews'We're Gonna Tear You Down and Put You Back Together" — by Mark Brewer, Psychology Today, August 1975Mindbreakers — by Roland Howard, The Daily Mail, 23 July 2001Cults in Our Midst — by Margaret Singer, 1995Psychiatric disturbances associated with Erhard Seminars Training — by L. L. Glass, M. A. Kirsch & F. N. Parris, American Journal of Psychiatry, 1977Psychological effects of participation in a large group awareness training — by Fisher, J. D., Silver, R. C., Chinsky, J. M., Goff, B., Klar, Y., & Zagieboylo, C., Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1989The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion — by Richard E. Petty & John T. Cacioppo, Advances in Experimental Social Psychology Vol 19, 1986Thinking, Fast and Slow — by Daniel Kahneman, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping — Fishbowl Films, 2024 Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Message from Sarah

    Message from Sarah
    Mar 26 2024

    A little update from Sarah about what to expect with Let's Talk About Sects now that we're winding up the sixth season of the show. Don't worry, we're not going anywhere! But there are a few small changes to make sure that this project remains sustainable.


    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/ltaspod

    https://www.ltaspod.com/supporters

    Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    5 mins
  • The Retreat: a Divine Madness Update

    The Retreat: a Divine Madness Update
    Mar 12 2024

    In the last episode of season 5, we looked into a Boulder, Colorado community then known as Divine Madness and led by Marc Tizer, usually referred to as 'Yo'. Its members were recognised for some amazing results in ultramarathons. At the time of researching that episode, updates about the current status of the group were hard to come by.


    Deru Youmans came across a listing for 'The Retreat' in the Gila National Forest on the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) website, and it sounded amazing. Their recent experience in this remote community had them very concerned for others who might come across a similar listing in the future.


    Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation, or grab some merch. Sarah's debut book Do As I Say is available on audiobook now.

    Thanks to Audio-Technica, presenting partner for season 6 of Let's Talk About Sects.

    Links:

    • Teachings of Value — website for The Retreat and other current activities of Marc Tizer's group once known as Divine Madness
    • Scenic, secluded farm in the Gila National Forest — WWOOF listing for The Retreat
    • Inner Journeys Wilderness Camps — Summer overnight camps for girls at The Retreat
    • Highland Intentional Community — Foundation for Intentional Community listing for the group's Boulder, Colorado farm
    • A Running Club Is 100 Miles Outside of the Mainstream — by Jere Longman, The New York Times, 28 July 1997

    Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 34 mins
True Crime History Social Sciences Spirituality
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Featured Article: Delve into the Darker Side of Human Nature with the 15 Best Podcasts About Cults


Cults are fascinating. There’s something curiosity-inducing about stories of ordinary people who get wrapped up in groupthink that quickly veers into dangerous territory. Part of the appeal is because we think it could never happen to us, even though we suspect, deep down, that it absolutely could. These listens explore the nature of cults, the figures who lead them, and the followers who have been lured into their orbits.

Featured Article Delve into the Darker Side of Human Nature with the 15 Best Podcasts About Cults

What listeners say about Let's Talk About Sects

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

very well written and researched

This podcast is a refreshingly empathetic view of the, very nuanced, subject of high demand groups and cults. The research is clearly conducted with special aims toward accuracy, and the interviews are held with so much empathy for survivors. I've always had an interest in the terms of indoctrination, and the vantage point in this podcast does a fantastic job of discussing cultic behavior, without leaning into sensationalism or pushing survivors to overshare sordid details of their experience.

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Profile Image for K.C

Interesting, but...

The stories are obviously interesting, but the performance is mind-numbing. Very monotone, to say the least!

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