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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
Political Influence
Domestic Abuse
Political Polarization
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

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Artwork for Cults, Culture & Coercion

Latest Episodes

When Lara Kaput was eight years old, she was required to clean bricks on Jehovah’s Witness building sites. She helped her father road-build on the church construction projects. She did cleaning, and gardening, and her childhood friends did this, and ... more

Russian disinformation no longer feels like a foreign problem you read about in long articles. It shapes what you see when you open your phone, what your relatives believe about a war they have never visited, and what large language models tell you w... more

Detransitioning, a term for stopping, shifting, or reversing an initial gender transition, is a word that has been stripped of its human meaning by the political forces fighting over it. Last week, I shared my interview with Dr. Kinnon Ross MacKinnon... more

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

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Recent Guests

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
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

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
  • 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month ago
  • Dr. Hassan is EXTREMELY knowledgeable about the cognitive and emotional aspects of our captured fellow humans. Hassan's firsthand experiences also add empathy to the academic understanding that he imparts.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    RuminatingStoic
    a month ago
  • 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 States2 months 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 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.

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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. Straight White American Jesus
4. UNCOVERED
5. The MeidasTouch Podcast

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

Cults, Culture & Coercion launched 4 years ago and published 240 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. Chris Sampson
2. Alexander Linkowski
3. Kinnon Ross McKinnon
4. Ian Wilks
5. Virginia Heffernan
6. Amir Essalhi
7. Deeyah Khan
8. Ewan Whyte

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