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Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes237Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducationSelf-Improvement

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Artwork for Cults, Culture & Coercion

Latest Episodes

Trans healthcare is an evolving discussion, and the implications greatly affect those in the LGBTQ+ community. At its heart, this is a conversation about the science meant to inform transition-related healthcare care, and what happens when politics d... more

Ian Wilks was a high-ranking leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a former bishop, a former branch president, and a member of the stake presidency in British Columbia, with responsibility for shepherding twelve congregatio... more

From Richard Dawkins to Larry Summers, brilliant minds get pulled in.

I sat down with the journalist Virginia Heffernan for a recent conversation on Cults, Culture & Coercion to talk about who falls for the Trump cult and why. Virginia spent time in... more

Scientology recruitment rarely looks the way people imagine. There is no shadowy figure pulling you into a back room. The process is warm, and, for a curious young person, entirely easy to be “handled” and sucked in. Amir Essalhi was 18 years old and... more

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Recent Guests

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
Deeyah Khan
Bafta and two-time Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker who engages with extremists for research and outreach
Fuse Media; UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Artistic Freedom
Episode: Why filmmaker Deeyah Khan sits with extremists demonstrating how listening matters!
Ewan Whyte
Award-nominated writer, author of Mothers of Invention: Essays in the Community of Jesus and Grenville Christian College
Independent writer
Episode: The Cult That Helped Shape Christian America: The Community of Jesus child abuse and Christian Nationalism with Ewan Whyte
Holly Berkley Fletcher
Author, historian, former intelligence analyst
A Zebra Without Stripes (Substack)
Episode: The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism with Holly Berkley Fletcher PhD
Maria Esguerra
Psychologist from Australia; co-founder of Olive Leaf Network; autism and disabilities expert; testified at parliamentary investigations on cults in Australia
Olive Leaf Network
Episode: The Olive Leaf Network: Public Testimony to the Parliament of Victoria on Children in Cults and High-demand Religious Groups with Psychologist Maria Esguerra
Keri Ladner, PhD
Scholar on fundamentalist politics in America
Author of American Dominion
Episode: American Dominion: The Rise and Radicalization of a New Christendom with Keri Ladner, PhD
Melissa Duge Spiers
Award-winning essayist, screenwriter, advocate addressing religious abuse and resilience
Author of Holy Disobedience
Episode: Holy Disobedience: Sex, Sin, and Secrets in the Biggest Church No One Knows with Melissa Duge Spiers

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
  • People of Praise Cult

    I would love to hear coverage of people of praise. It is such an under the radar yet such a huge cult that destroyed so many kids it started out being called servant of the Lord in the 70s and 80s and then it changed names to digits abuse. Amy Coney Barrett has been under the microscope for years ( the Trump appointed Supreme Court judge) the microscope because this is the cult she was raised in and is still in. I was interviewed several times about it and I’m so shocked that it doesn’t get more... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wynn1711
    United Statesa month ago
  • Hmmm…

    **update: have listened to many more episodes— I had to lower my stars … I can’t take the interrupting and talking Over guests. It’s unprofessional and off putting. It’s disrespectful and belittling. Can’t continue and it’s sad because he has a lot of knowledge and resources- but he’s just bringing people onto the show to listen to his story and make his experience more “the topic” and it’s not good.

    (Previous post) I like learning and listening to guests. I would like to suggest that maybe y... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Poodeer
    United States2 months ago
  • Great, however

    I second what others are saying, amazing podcast but I want to hear Dr Hassan less. We all know you were in the Moonies for 19 months or whatever, but honestly it wasn’t that long especially compared to a lot of your guests! So yes your experience counts but it was a tiny part of the breadth of your life. Let the others speak!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    googlybritt
    United States3 months ago
  • Enlightening

    I enjoy understanding social connections in various lights. Steve does a great job bringing people on his show who bring diverse experiences and expertise, reminding us of how many perspectives there are in our society today. He is a great interviewer, pulling out information from his guests and staying on topic. This said, he also brings personal knowledge and experience to remind us how we can be vulnerable to influences around us and how to interact with the people we do not understand or se... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Carl Robert
    United States3 months ago
  • Thought-provoking

    Steven Hassan’s podcast is a tremendous resource for all who are navigating the current system of information control and divisive politics. His guests offer fresh perspectives, varied experiences, and fascinating insights on how to help ourselves and others identify and avoid undue influence.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Momster91!
    United States3 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
#201
Brazil/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
He Was 18. Scientology Put Him in Charge. A former Scientology executive in Scotland on recruitment, control, and getting out with Amir Essalhi
Q: Give us an insight into what led you into Scientology and what caused you to leave.
I joined out of curiosity and interest in film, music, and self-improvement, driven by the promises of spiritual progress and personal development. Over time I saw the coercive control, the pay-to-play structure, and the intense surveillance and investigations by the organization's intelligence arms. After engaging with leadership and peers, I realized the costs—personal freedom, family relationships, and mental autonomy—and chose to leave, driven by a commitment to seek knowledge and to warn others about the risks of manipulation within high-control groups.
The Cult That Helped Shape Christian America: The Community of Jesus child abuse and Christian Nationalism with Ewan Whyte
Q: How did you manage to get out, and what was life like after escape?
He explains being disowned by his parents, facing homelessness, and enduring years of hostile contact with former members before eventually rebuilding as a writer and scholar who helps others understand mind control and cult dynamics.
The Cult That Helped Shape Christian America: The Community of Jesus child abuse and Christian Nationalism with Ewan Whyte
Q: Tell us your story.
The guest details his upbringing in the Community of Jesus and Grenville Christian College, the abusive dynamics, and his eventual escape from homelessness as a young adult, highlighting the deliberate manipulation and the long shadow it cast over his life and work.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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. Legal AF by MeidasTouch
5. The Lincoln Project

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Cults, Culture & Coercion launched 4 years ago and published 237 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. Ian Wilks
2. Virginia Heffernan
3. Amir Essalhi
4. Deeyah Khan
5. Ewan Whyte
6. Holly Berkley Fletcher
7. Maria Esguerra
8. Keri Ladner, PhD

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