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Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan

MeidasTouch Network, Dr. Steven Hassan
Mind Control
Cults
Mental Health
Donald Trump
Democracy
Christian Nationalism
Authoritarianism
Human Trafficking
Coercive Control
Scientology
Child Abuse
Domestic Abuse
Political Polarization
Political Influence
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

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Artwork for Cults, Culture & Coercion

Latest Episodes

* 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

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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

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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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Recent Guests

Gil Duran
Journalist and author of The Nerd Reich, formerly California Opinion Editor at the Sacramento Bee
Episode: The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy with Gil Duran - Peter Thiel and the Cult of Tech Billionaires.
Mara Einstein
Professor, media ecology scholar, author and former television and advertising executive
Queens College
Episode: Hoodwinked: My Conversation with Dr. Mara Einstein About Marketing and Cult Influence - How marketers turn anxiety and belonging into profit—and how we can protect our freedom of mind.
Kate Cohen
Former Washington Post contributing columnist and author of We of Little Faith
Scratch
Episode: Kate Cohen on Belief and the Freedom to Think for Ourselves: An honest conversation about atheism, Jewish identity, authoritarianism, and making a meaningful life
Ben McKenzie
Actor, writer, director, and co-author of Easy Money
Episode: Everyone Is Lying to You for Money, Crypto and Cult Psychology with Ben McKenzie: My conversation with the author of Easy Money about financial manipulation, the need to belong, and protecting our freedom of mind.
Germaine Odenheimer
Geriatric neurologist and professor emeritus
Oklahoma University College of Medicine
Episode: Is It Dementia, Alzheimer’s or Medication Side Effects? With Germaine Odenheimer MD — A geriatric neurologist opines on public misinformation
Friedrich Moser
Producer and director of How to Build a Truth Engine
Open Circle Lab (co-founder); Truth Engine/ filmmaker
Episode: How to Build a Truth Engine: Friedrich Moser on Disinformation and the Mind - What we now know about psychological warfare conspiracy theories and finding reliable information
William Keep
Professor of Marketing; former Dean of the School of Business at the College of New Jersey
College of New Jersey
Episode: Selling Financial Freedom: William Keep on MLMs, Crypto, and the Politics of Deception – How promises of a better life become tools of undue influence—and why consumer protection matters
Carissa Véliz
Oxford University professor and ethicist specializing in AI and privacy
University of Oxford
Episode: Who Gains From The “Inevitability” of AI? Oxford ethicist Carissa Véliz on how AI prediction became a tool of influence and power
Dr. Jay Van Bavel
Distinguished professor, social psychologist and neuroscientist
New York University
Episode: The Power of Us: Dr. Jay Van Bavel on Social Identity and The Power of Dissent

Host

Dr. Steven Hassan
Host of Cults, Culture & Coercion; mental health professional focused on cults and undue influence; author and educator

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Too Arrogant

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ~ Violet ~
    United Statesa month ago
  • Trump Russia

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Earstory
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States4 months 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
    Australia4 months 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 Zealand5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are often diverse experts and survivors, though some listeners note pacing and host interruptions.
The show is seen as a valuable resource for understanding manipulation and safeguarding against it.
Feedback often requests more time for guests to speak and deeper exploration of guest perspectives.
Listeners appreciate the rigorous, evidence-based approach to coercive influence and survivor-focused insights.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy with Gil Duran - Peter Thiel and the Cult of Tech Billionaires.
Q: What does the acronym “tech creel” describe?
Duran explains that it groups apocalyptic ideas including transhumanism, extropianism, singularitarianism, cosmism, rationalism, effective altruism and long-termism. He says these beliefs imagine AI enabling eternal life, space travel and abundance, sometimes at the cost of regulation and environmental protection.
The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy with Gil Duran - Peter Thiel and the Cult of Tech Billionaires.
Q: What is The Sovereign Individual, and how did it influence Peter Thiel and the Network State movement?
Duran describes the 1997 book as predicting that digital currency and automation would weaken governments and empower wealthy, mobile elites. He says Peter Thiel embraced and promoted its ideas, which later influenced Curtis Yarvin's proposals for corporate dictatorships and the Network State movement.
Hoodwinked: My Conversation with Dr. Mara Einstein About Marketing and Cult Influence - How marketers turn anxiety and belonging into profit—and how we can protect our freedom of mind.
Q: If you think that that's an effective way to move people, and how might that be expanded as a way to get people to break away from, say, patriarchal thinking?
Hassan emphasizes ethical influence that supports independent judgment rather than replacing one controlling identity with another. He recommends respectful questions, active listening and restoring personal connection with loved ones.
Hoodwinked: My Conversation with Dr. Mara Einstein About Marketing and Cult Influence - How marketers turn anxiety and belonging into profit—and how we can protect our freedom of mind.
Q: What is the kind of person who doesn't get taken in?
Einstein says there is no person who is never vulnerable to recruitment; people can become susceptible in particular circumstances and stages of life.
Kate Cohen on Belief and the Freedom to Think for Ourselves: An honest conversation about atheism, Jewish identity, authoritarianism, and making a meaningful life
Q: Can you share some more about that part of your work?
Cohen explains that Scratch celebrates making things and developing human creativity, and examines how convenience and capitalism can distance people from hands-on skills, independent thought, and shared secular rituals.

Audience Metrics

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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 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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Which podcasts are similar to Cults, Culture & Coercion?

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

1. A Little Bit Culty
2. Legal AF by MeidasTouch
3. Conspirituality
4. UNCOVERED
5. Straight White American Jesus

How many episodes of Cults, Culture & Coercion are there?

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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What guests have appeared on Cults, Culture & Coercion?

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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