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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes256Founded5 years ago
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Society & CultureEducation

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Artwork for Cults, Culture & Coercion

Latest Episodes

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

When someone promises you financial freedom, it is worth asking how much freedom you have to question what they are selling. Can you challenge their claims? Can you consult independent experts? Can you change your mind without being mocked, shamed, o... more

These days there are too many people on social media proclaiming Trump has dementia when she says that all the facts are not available. Dr. Odenheimer is a geriatric neurologist and professor emeritus at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine... more

Austrian filmmaker Friedrich “Fritz” Moser discusses his documentary, How to Build a Truth Engine. The film brings together investigative journalism, computer science, and neuroscience to examine our susceptibility to disinformation and what might he... more

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Recent Guests

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
Ru Marshall
non-binary writer and visual artist; author of American Trickster, The Hidden Lives of Carlos Castaneda
Author, American Trickster
Episode: Carlos Castaneda's Cult of Witches with Ru Marshall: Fooling Millions and UC Press still sells his books as anthropology
Karen Winner
Attorney, investigative reporter and policy analyst
Former NYC Department of Consumer Affairs
Episode: The Problems with America's Family Courts with Karen Winner: A journalist turned lawyer on custody, cronyism, and courts without oversight
Ingo Michehl
Former Moonie member, psychologist-in-training, writer
Former member of the Unification Church
Episode: Escaping the Moonies, and Rebuilding his Life: Ingo Michehl gave the cult his flute, his country, and six years of his life
Chris Vishoot
Survivor of Shincheonji, former member who was recruited via a Bible study front group
Former Shincheonji member
Episode: Escaping Shincheonji, Korea's Covid Cult with Chris Vishoot: A survivor of the Korean doomsday cult on lies, waking up and helping others break free.

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 1.2k ratings
  • 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 Statesa month 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 States3 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 Zealand4 months 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 States4 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

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

Apple Podcasts
#184
Norway/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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
Q: What can educators and the public do to combat misinformation in practical terms?
Education should be experiential and community-oriented, using games and real-world investigations to teach media literacy, brain function, and critical thinking, with a focus on open, verifiable information and collaboration with researchers.
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
Q: How does StoryMiner contribute to understanding conspiracy theories, and what did you learn from integrating neuroscience into the film?
StoryMiner is used to detect narrative patterns in conspiracy theories, revealing how they are stitched together; neuroscience helps explain emotional drivers and brain processing, informing how people can be educated to resist manipulation.
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
Q: So just to kick us off, how did you get the idea to do this movie and how did it develop?
Fritz describes how initial work on issues like mass surveillance evolved into a project about disinformation when a pivotal collaboration and a major political scandal shifted the focus toward why people are vulnerable and how to build tools to verify information.
The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) with Anthony Forte: A decade inside the Korean doomsday cult WMSCOG, an arranged marriage, and the exit that followed
Q: Anthony, can you explain who they are, what they believe and how you got involved?
The World Mission Society Church of God originated in South Korea and teaches that Ahn Sahng-hong was the second coming of Christ and that God the Mother is a literal counterpart. I joined contemplating seeking community and purpose, gradually exposed to their doctrines through multi-step Bible studies, baptisms, and recruitment pressure, which led to an arranged marriage and escalating commitment.
God, Law, and the Cult of Power: Marci Hamilton on what it will take to restore the rule of law in an era of authoritarian religion
Q: What's the prescription for bringing back values, science, and human rights to the U.S. legal landscape?
Empower the broader public—believers and non-believers alike—to participate in public life, defend civil rights, and oppose the minority using religion to justify political power; reinstate church-state separation; reform the Supreme Court; and rebuild a political climate where humane, rights-respecting policies prevail.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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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. IndoctriNation
2. A Little Bit Culty
3. Legal AF by MeidasTouch
4. THE WEEKEND SHOW
5. When You Know You Know

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

Cults, Culture & Coercion launched 5 years ago and published 256 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. Germaine Odenheimer
2. Friedrich Moser
3. William Keep
4. Carissa Véliz
5. Dr. Jay Van Bavel
6. Ru Marshall
7. Karen Winner
8. Ingo Michehl

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