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Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan

MeidasTouch Network, Dr. Steven Hassan
Cults
Mind Control
Mental Health
Donald Trump
Democracy
Christian Nationalism
Authoritarianism
Human Trafficking
Coercive Control
Scientology
Child Abuse
Domestic Abuse
Political Influence
Political Polarization
Veterans
Psychological Warfare
Jehovah's Witnesses
Undue Influence
Propaganda
Cult Influence

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes244Founded5 years ago
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EducationSociety & CultureSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for Cults, Culture & Coercion

Latest Episodes

A person on the autism spectrum leaves a file-sharing program running overnight because they want cartoons or anime. By morning, thousands of images have downloaded onto their hard drive, some of them child sexual abuse material they never chose and,... more

The First Amendment gives you an absolute right to believe whatever you want. It has never given you the right to act on those beliefs in ways that harm others. That distinction, simple as it sounds, is the one that the religious right has spent deca... more

A wellness MLM does not announce itself as a cult. It arrives as a smoothie recipe, a flyer of smiling mothers, and a promise of working from home while you take your health back. My recent guest on Cults, Culture & Coercion, Brandie Hadfield, lived ... more

I have been saying for years that cryptocurrency has the structure of a multi-level marketing scheme: a small number of people at the top make enormous sums, while large numbers of ordinary people are recruited to invest, almost always lose money, an... more

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Recent Guests

Brandie Hadfield
Psychotherapist and advocate focused on neurodiversity and coercive influence in MLMs
Flipping the Pyramid (non-profit); MLM survivor and advocate
Episode: She Spent $115K in a Wellness MLM with Brandie Hadfield: A new mom, an autistic baby, and a decade lost to a commercial cult
Molly White
Independent researcher and writer covering cryptocurrency; author of Citation Needed newsletter
Citation Needed (newsletter)
Episode: Crypto Is Buying Your Democracy: Molly White breaks down meme coins, stablecoins, Bitcoins, the shadow financial system, and the $200 million campaign to gut your consumer protections
Lara Kaput
Australian activist and whistleblower reporting on the Jehovah's Witnesses
Say Sorry (co-founder); Secular Association of New South Wales (former vice president)
Episode: What the Watchtower Doesn’t Want You to Know with Australian whistleblower Lara Kaput: Child labor, financial fraud, and eight types of modern slavery inside the Jehovah’s Witnesses
Chris Sampson
American journalist reporting from Ukraine; founder of The Wiretap
The Wiretap; Substack author
Episode: Russian Disinformation From the Ground in Ukraine With Journalist Chris Sampson: An American journalist in Ukraine on active measures, AI pollution, and bottom-up resistance
Alexander Linkowski
YouTuber, independent philosopher, transhumanist, and detransitioner
Episode: What Detransition Taught Me About Identity: Alexander Linkowski on his detransition journey, informed consent, and the illusion of self
Kinnon Ross McKinnon
Interdisciplinary social scientist studying transgender medicine and detransition
York University
Episode: The War on Trans Healthcare Is Not About Science What a study of 957 detransitioners revealed, and why Washington gets it wrong, with Dr. Kinnon Ross MacKinnon
Ian Wilks
Former Mormon missionary, bishop, and priesthood leader who left the LDS church
LDS Church (past)
Episode: He Was Ordained by the Mormon Prophet: Former Mormon Bishop Ian Wilks on 37 years inside the LDS authoritarian cult
Virginia Heffernan
Journalist, The New Republic; Omni Shambles host; author
The New Republic; Omni Shambles
Episode: Smart People Fall For The Cult Of Trump With Journalist Virginia Heffernan
Amir Essalhi
Former Scientology executive in Scotland
Church of Scientology (Scotland Organization)
Episode: He Was 18. Scientology Put Him in Charge. A former Scientology executive in Scotland on recruitment, control, and getting out with Amir Essalhi

Host

Dr. Steven Hassan
A leading expert on cults and undue influence; former member of a high-control group; licensed mental health professional and author. Hosted discussions on mind control, ethical influence, and the Influence Continuum.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Excellent

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Carfunk
    United States24 days ago
  • interesting

    But Hassan has blind spots - does he look into Zionism at all? I also doesnt guides guests with timeline & talks over them.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    carrieboosh
    Australiaa month ago
  • Informative and Enlightening!

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eden Iris
    New Zealanda month ago
  • Not Everything is a Cult

    You are the classic, when “I have a hammer, everything is a nail.” There is no “charismatic leader” with transgender people. And as a Pediatrician who works with gender expansive and trans kids who declare themselves as early as 18 mos of age, I assure you that none of the toddlers and preschoolers I see are in a Cult. And the parents trying to understand and best support their young children are isolated and lonely and definitely don’t have the support of a cult!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    DrDK2
    United States2 months ago
  • A Must Listen! Here’s why:

    Dr. Hassan has researched and studied for years the phenomenon of coercion as they apply to cults, personal relationships, and yes: our politics. This stuff should be taught in every high school so the young can head into adulthood knowing what to watch out for. It’s an old phenomenon. Not all people are good souls, bottom line.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JCASEA
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show is seen as a valuable resource on coercive influence and public discourse around manipulation.
Listeners value the rigorous, research-informed discussions and survivor perspectives.
Some listeners critique interview pacing and interruptions; improving guest amplification could broaden appeal.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#230
New Zealand/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#237
Austria/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Detransition Taught Me About Identity: Alexander Linkowski on his detransition journey, informed consent, and the illusion of self
Q: What are the risks and benefits of medical transitioning from your perspective as a detransitioner?
Benefits can include improved mental health for some, but risks involve side effects, long-term physical and psychological consequences, and the importance of thoughtful, individualized evaluation rather than blanket access or outright gatekeeping; the guest advocates balanced, informed consent and careful monitoring.
What Detransition Taught Me About Identity: Alexander Linkowski on his detransition journey, informed consent, and the illusion of self
Q: What are your thoughts on the claim that trans community is a cult?
The guest argues that there are different kinds of 'cults'—ethical groups with informed consent and freedom to leave, versus authoritarian mind control groups—emphasizing that not all intense community dynamics are cult-like, and that the defining factor is autonomy and coercion rather than mere fervor.
Russian Disinformation From the Ground in Ukraine With Journalist Chris Sampson: An American journalist in Ukraine on active measures, AI pollution, and bottom-up resistance
Q: What should American audiences know from your vantage point living in Ukraine?
Stop looking for a political messiah and stop waiting for top-down solutions; instead, focus on bottom-up organizing, empathy-driven dialogue, and persistent civic engagement to defend democratic norms and counter disinformation.
He Was Ordained by the Mormon Prophet: Former Mormon Bishop Ian Wilks on 37 years inside the LDS authoritarian cult
Q: How did the training and hierarchy influence your perception of the church and your role within it?
He explains the mission training and leadership structures as a pipeline that reinforced obedience and devoted service, making it difficult to question authority until later, when historical and doctrinal issues became hard to ignore.
He Was 18. Scientology Put Him in Charge. A former Scientology executive in Scotland on recruitment, control, and getting out with Amir Essalhi
Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about getting involved or to someone with a relative in Scientology?
Do thorough, critical research from multiple independent sources, vet credentials of critics, and understand the mechanisms of recruitment and mind control. If you have a family member involved, stay connected with them, avoid attacks, and ask questions that encourage independent thinking rather than confrontation. The goal is to preserve relationships while helping them think critically about what they're being asked to do or pay for, and to recognize coercive tactics and control structures.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cults, Culture & Coercion

What is Cults, Culture & Coercion about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, research-driven exploration of coercive influence, mind control, and high-control groups across a diverse range of contexts. Episodes feature survivors, researchers, and practitioners who dissect recruitment, manipulation tactics, exit strategies, and healing from cults, religious nationalism, and extremist movements. The show often connects historical movements to contemporary politics, media influence, and policy implications, while offering practical frameworks for recognizing undue influence and safeguarding relationships. Notable strengths include a rigorous, interview-led approach with prominent experts, and a willingness to tackle difficult topics with empathy and actionable guidance for both individuals and organizations co... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cults, Culture & Coercion?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cults, Culture & Coercion:

1. IndoctriNation
2. A Little Bit Culty
3. UNCOVERED
4. The PoliticsGirl Podcast
5. Gaslit Nation

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Cults, Culture & Coercion launched 5 years ago and published 244 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 Cults, Culture & Coercion?

Recent guests on Cults, Culture & Coercion include:

1. Brandie Hadfield
2. Molly White
3. Lara Kaput
4. Chris Sampson
5. Alexander Linkowski
6. Kinnon Ross McKinnon
7. Ian Wilks
8. Virginia Heffernan

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