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Artwork for Let's Talk About Sects

Let's Talk About Sects

Sarah Steel
Cults
Emotional Abuse
Child Abuse
Mental Health
Hare Krishna
Australia
ISKCON
Coercive Control
Sexual Abuse
Jesus Christians
Two By Twos
Universal Medicine
Providence
Psychological Harm
Large Group Awareness Trainings
Troubled Teen Industry
Child Sexual Abuse
Dave Mckay
JMS
Serge Benhayon

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 de... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes111Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureTrue Crime

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Artwork for Let's Talk About Sects

Latest Episodes

Fai West was just 10 years old when she was first introduced to the teachings of Soulaire Allerai and the Soulful Journey. A few years later, as a teenager in high school, she found herself living in Soulaire’s basement, sleep deprived from attending... more

The sentences just came down for OneTaste’s founder Nicole Daedone and her second-in-command Rachel Cherwitz – if you're unfamiliar with OneTaste you can listen to Let's Talk About Sects' deep dive in November 2020. From that episode, you may remembe... more

Expanse is the ABC’s internationally award-winning podcast exploring big stories from across Australia, and it’s sixth season sees host Dominique Bayens investigate the unsettling circumstances surrounding the 2007 disappearance of four people from t... more

Harry Robert Bruner was brought into Sri Chinmoy as a child, joining the organisation run by Chinmoy Kumar Ghose at the age of 12. Chinmoy claimed he lifted weights totalling 7063¾ pounds (or over 3,200kg) with one arm on 30 January 1987. He also fac... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Fai West
Former member who exited Soulful Journey; artist in London
Soulful Journey / Living Faith Spiritual Community (former)
Episode: The Soulful Journey
Ruwan Meepagala
Writer, podcaster, and men's coach; author of Orgsm, A Memoir
Author of Orgsm, A Memoir
Episode: Orgsm: A Memoir and a OneTaste update with Ruwan Meepagala
Dominique Bayens
ABC journalist and presenter of Expans
ABC
Episode: The Nannup Four with Dominique Bayens
Harry Robert Bruner
Actor, screenwriter, founder of Creative Exit Coaching
Episode: Nephew of the Universe: Sri Chinmoy with Harry Rob Bruner
Natalie Robehmed
Host, writer, and executive producer of Allison After NXIVM
Allison After NXIVM
Episode: Allison After NXIVM with Natalie Robehmed
Ellen Huet
Award-winning investigative journalist and author of Empire of Orgasm.
Bloomberg Businessweek
Episode: Empire of Orgasm: OneTaste with Ellen Huet
Danny Rensch
International chess master, world-renowned chess broadcaster, and chief chess officer at chess.com
chess.com
Episode: The Collective: Dark Squares with Danny Rensch
Clare Heath-McIvor
Daughter of the leader of the City Builders Church and advocate on issues of cults and organized fringe groups.
Episode: Interview Episode: Clare Heath-McIvor
Liz Cameron
Survivor of the JMS cult and author of 'Cult Bride'
Episode: Cult Bride & Providence/JMS with Liz Cameron

Host

Sarah Steel
Host of Let's Talk About Sects

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • Excellent every episode

    Sarah is a wonderful host and interviewer. Highly recommend for anyone interested in understanding cults.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CaraPietrina
    United States5 months ago
  • Must listen

    This podcast should be compulsory listening in all schools. Excellent research and beautifully presented.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thisislridiculous
    Australia5 months ago
  • Binge Listening

    I got into this podcast through a recommendation on the Twelve Tribes episode. Had a couple of brushes with them in the early 2000s. Now binge listening from the beginning. Love the research and non-sensational, thoughtful presentation!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    All good now, you?
    Australia7 months ago
  • Meaningful Interviews

    Excellent questions and great guests. Thanks Sarah. Always love your shows!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Virginia horses
    United States8 months ago
  • Ethical and Thorough Cult Investigation

    I’ve read and listened to a lot about cults but Let’s Talk About Sects is simply the best out there. The investigations are thorough, well researched and, importantly, ethically produced. It’s not flashy, there isn’t dramatic music accompanying the most sordid details. However, it’s still incredibly engaging without feeling exploitative. I love that we get to hear from a lot of survivors, and it really feels like Sarah gives them a space to open up and tell their story, without it feeling like s... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bethsy06
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Educational, compelling, and well produced.
Great depth on survivor perspectives and coercive dynamics.
Thoughtful, well-researched with ethical framing.
High quality interviews that respect guests and audience alike.
Consistently thorough and compassionate, not sensational.”

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#249
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#190
New Zealand/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#250
Ireland/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Soulful Journey
Q: How did the group transition from channelings to a more prescriptive, financially demanding structure?
The guest explains that the shift happened gradually: weekly and then multiple weekly classes, mandatory attendance framed as spiritual growth, and cash payments for all activities created an income stream that tied members closely to Soulaire's leadership and the group's survival.
Orgsm: A Memoir and a OneTaste update with Ruwan Meepagala
Q: Why did you decide not to testify for the prosecution, despite understanding the harms experienced by others?
I chose not to testify because I didn't want to endure a stressful, lengthy process and didn't want to be the reason they faced prison; I complied with a subpoena for the defense but weighed the personal toll and potential consequences before deciding.
Orgsm: A Memoir and a OneTaste update with Ruwan Meepagala
Q: Can you tell me about the different iterations your book went through and why you settled on the final format?
There were drastically different forms initially; I started with a nonfiction narrative before joining the cult and then had to navigate staying true to lived experience, re-evaluating my perspective, and rewriting parts as I gained distance and clarity to avoid portraying events with the same mindset I left behind.
Nephew of the Universe: Sri Chinmoy with Harry Rob Bruner
Q: What can you tell me about the sort of lifestyle that Chinmoy was leading?
Chinmoy lived in a humble abode, focusing on gathering disciples and managing the groups while promoting his performances and teachings.
Nephew of the Universe: Sri Chinmoy with Harry Rob Bruner
Q: What was the lifestyle like as being part of the group and what was different about it for children and for adults?
Harry notes that initially it was kind of fun and he was exposed to many interesting people while balancing normal school life.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Let's Talk About Sects

What is Let's Talk About Sects about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A monthly, in-depth exploration of cults and sects, blending historical context, leader dynamics, recruitment tactics, and survivor stories with careful, ethical storytelling. Episodes highlight investigative journalism, personal narratives, and expert analysis to unpack coercive control, manipulation, and the wider social impact of high-control groups. Notable strengths include long-form interviews, rigorous research, and a respectful approach to participants that appeals to listeners who want thoughtful, nuanced insights rather than sensationalism. The show often pairs firsthand testimonies with scholarly or professional context, making it a strong fit for audiences interested in psychology, sociology, and advocacy work around cult-relate... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Let's Talk About Sects?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Let's Talk About Sects:

1. Was I In A Cult?
2. A Little Bit Culty
3. Cults to Consciousness
4. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
5. The Cult Queen of Canada from Uncover

How many episodes of Let's Talk About Sects are there?

Let's Talk About Sects launched 9 years ago and published 111 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Let's Talk About Sects?

Recent guests on Let's Talk About Sects include:

1. Fai West
2. Ruwan Meepagala
3. Dominique Bayens
4. Harry Robert Bruner
5. Natalie Robehmed
6. Ellen Huet
7. Danny Rensch
8. Clare Heath-McIvor

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