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Sounds Like A Cult

Studio71
Mental Health
Social Media
Cults
Consumerism
Nostalgia
Feminism
Patriarchy
Tiktok
Celebrity Worship
Reality TV
Pop Culture
Elon Musk
Anti-Vaccine Movement
Friendship Breakups
Covid-19
Synanon
Conspiracy Theories
Reality Television
Spirituality
Body Image Issues

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 Yo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes223Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Sounds Like A Cult

Latest Episodes

Sul sul, culties. Remove the pool ladder and cancel your real-life plans, because this week Reese is joined by guest host Amanda Kohr (@amandamkohr) of This Feels Bi to unpack The Cult of The Sims. From trapping Sims in windowless rooms for “science”... more

YouTube

The timer starts now, cultie. This week’s cult is one that some find boring, some find thrilling, and some particularly fell into via a certain Netflix show starring Anya Taylor Joy (guilty). Whichever way you slice it, we can assure you the world of... more

YouTube

When we first aired this episode, the “tradwife” trend felt like a bizarre internet niche. Two years later, tradwife culture has only exploded.  This week, we’re revisiting our episode with culture reporter Anne Helen Petersen (@annehelenpetersen) , ... more

YouTube

Have the events of recent years made you want to walk off into a grassy meadow, never to return? Does the idea of being in touch with nature, totally separate from the digital rat race of modern life appeal to you? Have you ever wanted to learn how t... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Danny Rensch
Co-founder of chess.com; American Chess International Master and chief chess officer
Chess.com
Episode: The Cult of Chess
Kirsten Lie-Nielsen
Ex-homesteader and owner of the Instagram account Hostile Valley Living
Hostile Valley Living (Instagram)
Episode: The Cult of Homesteaders
Ash Kelley
Co-host of Morbid, true crime and horror podcast
Morbid (podcast)
Episode: The Cult of Renaissance Faires
Alaina Urquhart
Co-host of Morbid, true crime and horror podcast
Morbid (podcast)
Episode: The Cult of Renaissance Faires
Zoë Lescaze
Journalist
Mind Games (podcast)
Episode: The Cult of Neurolinguistic Programming
Alice Hines
Reporter, documentary producer
Mind Games (podcast)
Episode: The Cult of Neurolinguistic Programming
Jennie Gage
Creator of Life Take Two YouTube channel; ex-Mormon and ex-Christian nationalist
Life Take Two
Episode: The Cult of Christian Nationalism
Kory Stamper
Author and lexicographer, True Color
True Color
Episode: The Cult of Pantone (the Color Conspiracy)
Ellen Huet
Investigative journalist; author of Empire of Orgasm
Bloomberg / Empire of Orgasm
Episode: The Cult of OneTaste, Creepy Church of Orgasms

Hosts

Amanda Montell
Author and host; co-creates content analyzing cult-like dynamics in culture.
Chelsea Charles
Co-host and producer; brings skeptical yet playful perspective to culture topics.
Reese Oliver
Co-host; participates in in-depth cultural analysis with a research-informed stance.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 19.8k ratings
  • Middle school aged hosts?

    Are these people in middle school? They’re like Tik Tok in human form: psycho plucky and annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bunny Cub
    United Statesa month ago
  • New here

    Thought I had found all the scam content. Looking forward to being here. I found humor in you guys have factor as a sponsor. Google the scam or cult of factor lol

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    rdoubleu
    United Statesa month ago
  • Always thought provoking

    I absolutely love every episode because they delve into history, traditions, and the attitudes towards the specific “cult” they are discussing that day. It also makes me laugh!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kaedancer
    United Statesa month ago
  • One of my favorite podcasts!

    I use this podcast to make myself do work, it's always fun and engaging, I love hearing different perspectives on popular topics and seeing how they can be considered culty! Love how fun all the topics are, and it's really easy to listen to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stargazer 89
    United States2 months ago
  • Reasonably Good

    Some episodes are great. Even for topics I don’t know anything about they can be good. I feel like the quality of the episode depends on the experts or people with first had experience that they get. Not always my favorite or well done but reasonably good episodes and a perfectly fine background podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Z Dahl
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show for educated, well-researched episodes and diverse perspectives.
Fans appreciate the balance of humor and rigorous analysis, with some noting strong guest insights.
Some criticisms mention vocal delivery and tonal consistency influencing the listening experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Cult of Tradwife Influencers
Q: Could you please introduce yourself and your work to our listeners?
Anne Helen Petersen explains Culture Study, her broader focus, and her background in media studies and celebrity history, outlining how she analyzes culture around online personas and trends like tradwives.
The Cult of Chess
Q: Can you explain your relationship to the cult of chess?
Danny describes growing up in a cult that emphasized chess as a spiritual path, how it shaped his early life, and how he later became a founder of chess.com and an advocate for making chess more accessible.
The Cult of Homesteaders
Q: Could you start with your relationship to the cult of homesteading and your experience with it?
Kirsten details growing up adjacent to homesteading, moving to a 93-acre Maine farm, and the intensive daily rhythms and seasonal cycles that defined the lifestyle, as well as the initial idealism that later confronted reality.
The Cult of Renaissance Faires
Q: Have you ever been to a Renaissance Fair, and what was the most cult-esque moment for you?
Both hosts describe personal experiences with immersive participation, from wearing costumes to engaging in performance, while noting the thrill of communal belonging and the risk of blurring lines between fantasy and real-life relationships.
The Cult of Christian Nationalism
Q: How did you realize you needed to depart, and what was that departure like?
She explained a pivotal moment in church, followed by a long, painful process of disengagement, therapy, and forming a new life, including a coma after a suicide attempt and a rebirth facilitated by a strong support network and deprogramming.

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 Sounds Like A Cult

What is Sounds Like A Cult about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show dives into the cultures of various fanatical or highly organized groups, from online communities and political movements to fitness subcultures and celebrity fandom. Across episodes, it blends rigorous research, sharp humor, and guest perspectives to unpack how these dynamics form, spread, and influence real-world behavior, politics, and everyday life. A standout trait is its willingness to treat “cult-ish” dynamics with nuance while maintaining accessible, entertaining storytelling that appeals to curious listeners who want culturally savvy analysis without getting overwhelmed by jargon.

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Which podcasts are similar to Sounds Like A Cult?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sounds Like A Cult:

1. Magical Overthinkers
2. Maintenance Phase
3. You're Wrong About
4. American Hysteria
5. If Books Could Kill

How many episodes of Sounds Like A Cult are there?

Sounds Like A Cult launched 5 years ago and published 223 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sounds Like A Cult?

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What guests have appeared on Sounds Like A Cult?

Recent guests on Sounds Like A Cult include:

1. Danny Rensch
2. Kirsten Lie-Nielsen
3. Ash Kelley
4. Alaina Urquhart
5. Zoë Lescaze
6. Alice Hines
7. Jennie Gage
8. Kory Stamper

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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