
Steven Hassan, PhD, is one of the leading experts on cults and undue influence in the world. A former member of the right-wing Moonie cult, Hassan was deprogrammed 45 years ago and has dedicated his life to helping people out of cults and destructive situations. Dr. Hassan is a licensed mental health professional and has written four books, including The Cult of Trump and the seminal book Combatin... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 259 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureEducation | |||

* What if changing a belief could cost you your friends, your community, and your sense of who you are? That is what we can miss when we wonder why someone we love keeps defending a claim that the evidence contradicts. We see a factual error. They ma... more
What happens when billionaires decide that democracy is an obstacle to the future they want to build? Journalist Gil Duran argues that this question helps explain the alliance between powerful Silicon Valley figures and Donald Trump—and the ideas con... more
Mara teaches at Queens College, the very place where I was recruited into the Moonies cult in 1974. She came to the study of influence through advertising and media. I came to it through my experience in a destructive cult and my work helping others ... more
What happens when you tell people what you actually believe? Kate Cohen discovered that the answer can be much less frightening, and much more interesting, than you expect. For years, she participated in religious life without believing in God. Then ... more
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The host is far too arrogant and self centered. He doesn’t let his guests share their expertise, and resorts to belittling and bullying to keep the upper hand. I agree with him on a lot of issues, but he needs to spend some more time reflecting quietly on his own superiority issues and controlling behavior. He’s harmful.
I’m done. I hear again and again how “Trump was recruited by Russia in the 80s”’ Repeatedly but he says nothing about the cult of Zionism a militant colonial entity that is leading us into WWIII as I write this.
This show is incredibly useful. He has a variety of guests who all help build my understanding in fascinating and nuanced ways. I’ve saved and listened to many episodes multiple times. This is a must for anyone interested in social science for personal and professional reasons alike!! Thank you Dr. Hassan!
But Hassan has blind spots - does he look into Zionism at all? I also doesnt guides guests with timeline & talks over them.
An informative and enlightening podcast. I always learn something new… Dr Steve Hassan is an awesome teacher and person. Thanks for your work and commitment to helping humanity Dr Hassan.
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Apple Podcasts | #214 |
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A rigorous, psychology-grounded series exploring how coercive influence operates across religious, political, and social groups. Recent episodes spotlight first-person exit stories from high-control groups, clinical and legal perspectives on manipulation, and practical frameworks for recognizing and countering undue influence. The host consistently examines mind-control mechanisms, with a focus on real-world exits, survivor resilience, and strategies for safeguarding individuals and communities from coercive dynamics. A notable strength is the blend of survivor testimony, scholarly analysis, and actionable tools like the bite model and exit planning, making it valuable for professionals, educators, and frontline advocates.
What stands out ... more
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Cults, Culture & Coercion launched 5 years ago and published 259 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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Recent guests on Cults, Culture & Coercion include:
1. Gil Duran
2. Mara Einstein
3. Kate Cohen
4. Ben McKenzie
5. Germaine Odenheimer
6. Friedrich Moser
7. William Keep
8. Carissa Véliz
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