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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

You're not controlling, you're a 1. You're not dramatic, you're a 4. You're not avoiding your problems, you're a 7. This week, certified 3's, Reese and Iman investigate the cult of the Enneagram, where a mysterious set of numbers has convinced millio... more

YouTube

What do seed oils, vaccine skepticism, beef tallow, and a guy with a dead bear in Central Park have in common? Welcome to the Cult of MAHA. This week, Amanda, Reese, Chelsea, and Iman dive headfirst into the increasingly influential world of Make Ame... more

YouTube

Maybe you hated the kids who went. Maybe you were just mildly annoyed by them. Maybe, you were one of them. No matter your relation, most people have encountered today’s cult in one way or another. Whether you were soaking up the spotlight or cringin... more

YouTube

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

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

Anna Camp
Actress
Actor/Performer
Episode: The Cult of Theater Camp
Dara Lane
Writer and Podcaster
What's Your Issue podcast
Episode: The Cult of Theater Camp
Amanda Kohr
Writer and host of This Feels Bi podcast
This Feels Bi
Episode: The Cult of The Sims
Danny Rensch
Co-founder of chess.com; American Chess International Master and chief chess officer
Chess.com
Episode: The Cult of Chess
Anne Helen Petersen
Cultural critic and tradwife researcher
Culture Study / Elle contributor
Episode: The Cult of Tradwife Influencers
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

Hosts

Amanda Montell
Author and host; leads critical, linguistic perspective on culture and cult dynamics.
Chelsea Charles
Co-host and producer; brings media production experience and cross-cultural analysis.
Reese Oliver
Co-host; rhetoric scholar with background in culture and comparative analysis.
Iman Hariri-Kia
Co-host and producer; brings research and research-assisted perspective to topics.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 19.9k ratings
  • Smart and fun analysis

    It’s such a smart group of women who get together and dissect some of the biggest stories and topics in our society - but presented in a way that feels like you’re hanging with your friends. I love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Acappellafan2234
    United States9 days ago
  • Basic

    I was excited about finding a new, at least to me, cult podcast, but I think this one is for the basic girls out there. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but the interviews and all the information is very “over culture”. But I get it. The host is a former beauty editor so I think that’s the audience. I was just looking for something a little more… authentic.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Plantspirit
    United States10 days ago
  • So Inspiring!

    This podcast has given me a total confidence that the next generation of women is going to rule the world! You are so articulate, intelligent, and inspiring to listen to. I absolutely love this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    catwalkkelly
    United States17 days ago
  • The get together

    Dreadful beyond belief. If two women wish to get together to chew the fat, have a cheeky glass and try to create some kind of addictive podcast then stop trying to be funny. Serious subjects require serious chat and not self styled ego trips. Totally dreadful

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    eyeontheball28
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • i love this show

    these girls are hilarious. Never stop joking about Christianity either. I love it here.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kaytee_02
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience feedback highlights the show's willingness to challenge hype while staying engaging.
Some listeners desire more balance and broader topic coverage beyond familiar themes.
Balanced, playful yet rigorous analysis with strong insider perspectives from researchers and journalists.
A thoughtful, accessible take on culture and cult-like dynamics that's easy to listen to; guests add credibility.

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 Theater Camp
Q: What do you think are the implicit promises of Theater Camp and what does it offer attendees?
The hosts and guests describe a shared fantasy of belonging, artistic development, adult-like status, and intense camaraderie, while acknowledging the risks of manipulation, secrecy, and rigid hierarchies that can emerge.
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.

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?

A sharp, often witty examination of how groups or communities show cult-like dynamics, using culture and current trends as lenses. Episodes blend personal narratives, scholarly context, and critical analysis to unpack rituals, hierarchies, and belonging in everything from fitness movements to online communities and political movements. The show tends to spotlight firsthand experiences from insiders and researchers, and frequently pairs rigorous critique with accessible storytelling and timely cross-promotions. A standout trait is its willingness to label and analyze mainstream cultural phenomena as potentially cultish, while still acknowledging openness and community within these worlds. This approach makes it useful for listeners curious a... more

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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. American Hysteria
4. You're Wrong About
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.

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What guests have appeared on Sounds Like A Cult?

Recent guests on Sounds Like A Cult include:

1. Anna Camp
2. Dara Lane
3. Amanda Kohr
4. Danny Rensch
5. Anne Helen Petersen
6. Kirsten Lie-Nielsen
7. Ash Kelley
8. Alaina Urquhart

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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