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
  • Universal Predator with Esther Rockett

    Universal Predator with Esther Rockett
    Jul 16 2024

    You may recall the name ‘Esther Rockett’ from episode 2, season 3 of this podcast, which was all about Universal Medicine – Serge Benhayon’s esoteric healing cult in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. Esther has been blogging about the more alarming elements of Serge’s ‘modalities’ since 2012, and he sued her for defamation in 2015. The case went to trial in 2018, and in an incredible David and Goliath tale, Esther’s defence proved that the bulk of the defamatory claims found to have been conveyed in her writings were true. Esther's new book 'Universal Predator' is out now and it's all about this battle. It is riveting reading.


    Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation or merch purchase.


    Links:

    • Universal Predator — by Esther Rockett, 2024
    • Esther Rockett's official website
    • Universal Medicine Cult Exposed and Universal Medicine Accountability — Esther Rockett's blogs
    • Benhayon v Rockett (No 8) [2019] NSWSC 169 — Supreme Court New South Wales judgement, 6 December 2018


    With thanks to our episode sponsor, The Finance and Property Survival Guide podcast. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia, or with the International Cultic Studies Association.

    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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    59 mins
  • Cult Information and Family Support with Tore Klevjer

    Cult Information and Family Support with Tore Klevjer
    Jun 18 2024

    Tore Klevjer has been involved with the volunteer charity organisation Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) since its very formation almost three decades ago, in 1996. Avid listeners of this podcast will know that the end of every episode mentions CIFS. We’re lucky in Australia to have this incredibly dedicated group of volunteers who support those impacted by cults and offer a variety of assistance to both former members and the loved ones of those affected. Find out what CIFS does, what it sees as the biggest obstacles facing leavers, how to support its work, and what drives Tore to keep at it after all these years.


    Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation or merch purchase.


    Links:

    • Cult Information and Family Support — official website
    • Starting Out in Mainstream America — by Livia Bardin (available for free online via the ICSA)


    With thanks to our episode sponsor, The Finance and Property Survival Guide podcast. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia, or with the International Cultic Studies Association.


    If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website.

    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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    47 mins
  • Escaping Twin Flames with Cecilia Peck & Inbal B. Lessner

    Escaping Twin Flames with Cecilia Peck & Inbal B. Lessner
    May 7 2024
    Cecilia Peck and Inbal B. Lessner are the director/producer/editor team behind the award-winning Escaping Twin Flames, a three-part documentary series for Netflix about Twin Flames Universe – a cult you may remember from season 5. This powerhouse duo has turned their talents to investigating high-control groups over their last couple of projects, with Cecilia and Inbal also behind the Starz series Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult. Their filmmaking takes a trauma-informed approach with deep care for its subjects, and they share more about this as well as what they found out about Twin Flames for this interview episode.Full episode page here. You can support us on Patreon or with a one-off donation.Links:Escaping Twin Flames — Netflix, 2023What "Escaping Twin Flames" teaches us about the anti-trans nature of a supposedly loving cult — by Melanie McFarland, Salon, 11 November 2023Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult — website for the docuseries including resources for cult survivors and loved onesBrave Miss World — website for the documentary film where rape survivors can also share their storiesThis YouTube School Promised True Love. Students Say They Got Exploited Instead — by Sarah Berman, VICE, 6 February 2020Accused Cult Leader Threatened Ex-Members After VICE Investigation — by Sarah Berman, VICE, 12 March 2020Cecilia Peck's Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedInWith thanks to our episode sponsor, The Finance and Property Survival Guide podcast. If you've been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, head to Cult Information and Family Support or the International Cultic Studies Association.If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website. 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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    59 mins
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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

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informative

Great narration, clear and to the point. Never disengaged or obtuse. This is a very focused and educational podcast.

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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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I’m obsessed

Obsessed and learning about cults I’ve never heard of. I’m hooked and listening to all from the beginning.

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Interesting, but...

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

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