Sounds Like A Cult

Latest Episodes:

The Cult of Military Wives Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

At long last, the man/myth/legend, Amanda's dad, Craig Montell, whose riveting stories of his childhood spent in the Synanon cult planted her fascination with all things "cultish," joins as this week's guest. In this *extremely wholesome* episode, Amanda and her pop analyze a quartet of listener-submitted stories, documenting four firsthand experiences with “culty” groups (from military wives to Abercrombie & Fitch) comparing each one to the surreal mindfuckery and power dynamics Craig witnessed in Synanon. The episode mostly focuses on the “cult” of military spouses... faaaaascinating how closely it resembles a bonafide '70s-era cult. But is it a Life Your Life, Watch Your Back, or GTFO?? Tune in to find out. Thanks so much to all who wrote in their culty tales!

To check out Amanda's new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking, click here!

The Magical Overthinkers newsletter can be found here.

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod

Thank you to our sponsors!

The Cotton collection and more are available now at SKIMS.com.

Go to betterhelp.com/cult to get 10% off your first month

This episode reflects solely the opinions and work of Amanda and special guests.

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The Cult of Pickleball Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

If you've been paying attention at all, you know that this weeks cult is growing at a mighty pace. The rate at which Americans and individuals from all over the world have decided to blindly spend all their free time idolizing this secret force is astonishing. On this weeks episode we get into it and discuss the much requested topic of The Cult of Pickleball. From their exclusive language to their outfits, rituals and cliquey us versus them mentality towards other recreational sports this is one for the books. Isa is joined by special guest and Pickleball enthusiast, Ruby Karp (@RubyKarp) to decide if this is a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back or a Get the F*ck Out level cult?

This episode was hosted, edited and produced by @isaamedinaa - go to her IG or website to tell her where to perform stand up, keep up with her work and learn more about her new podcast coming in 2024 (!!)

Follow the podcast @soundslikeacultpod

Thank you to our sponsors:

Hatch is offering our listeners $20 off your purchase of a Hatch Restore 2 and free shipping at hatch.co/cult

Dipsea is offering an extended 30 day free trial when you go to Dipseastories.com/cult

Manage your money the easy way, go to RocketMoney.com/SLAC

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The Cult of Momfluencers, Part 2 Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

Behold, a re-air of our most popular episode of 2023—The Cult of Momfluencers—which takes on new relevance, thanks to the disturbing recent case of (allegedly) abusive YouTube momfluencer Ruby Franke!

Motherhood is hard, lonely, and exhausting... except, apparently, if you're a momfluencer. Since the mid-2000s, a crop of seemingly perfect, all-knowing mommy goddesses in billowy tunics have emerged on social media—and we can't help but feel that their highly monetizable (often misinformation-ridden) internet presences basically exist to make other moms feel less than. This week, with the help of journalist and real-life mother Sara Petersen, author of the book MOMFLUENCED, Isa and Amanda spill the (organic, non-toxic, totally baby-safe) tea about how famous internet moms have become their own kind of 21st Century cult leader.

To keep up with all things Sounds Like A Cult, click here!

Sources:
YouTuber mom Ruby Franke arrested and charged in child abuse investigation: What to know: https://www.today.com/parents/moms/ruby-franke-arrested-child-abuse-rcna102754

Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Ruby Franke, The YouTuber Who Was Charged With Aggravated Child Abuse, And Her Controversial Parenting Videos Over The Years: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/leylamohammed/youtuber-ruby-franke-of-8-passengers-child-abuse-explained

Mommy Vlogger Ruby Franke Has Been Charged With Child Abuse: https://www.thecut.com/2023/09/ruby-franke-utah-mommy-vlogger-charged-with-child-abuse.html

8 Passengers Update: Ruby Franke Grows Her Cult and Shari Makes Amends With the Griffiths: https://www.therealitysnark.com/post/8-passengers-update-ruby-franke-grows-her-cult-and-shari-makes-amends-with-the-griffiths

Mommy Vlogger Ruby Franke’s Child Abuse Case Could Take Years, Experts Say: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/ruby-franke-child-abuse-case-years-1234832227/

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The Cult of Purity Rings Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Anyone who grew up evangelical Christian and/or plugged into teen celebrity news circa 2008 will be familiar with today's cult: Purity Rings. You know, the dainty piece of jewelry placed ritualistically on a teen girl's wedding finger to signify her vow of chastity until marriage, or else?? Purity rings are not just an accessory—they're a bonafide industry, complete with rules, ceremonies, secrets, veiled threats, and religious trauma up the wazoo... but are they a cult? This week, a very special (ex-evangelical) guest, Normal Gossip's Kelsey McKinney, is joining host Amanda to unpack just that!

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod

To check out Amanda's new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking, click here! The Magical Overthinkers newsletter can be found here.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Go to thefarmersdog.com/cult to get 50% off your first box.

Go to Zocdoc.com/CULT and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

The Cotton collection and more are available now at SKIMS.com.

This episode reflects solely the opinions and work of Amanda and special guests.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cult of Bachelorette Parties Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

The Cult of Bachelorette Parties is one we have all been a part of, whether from an observational distance or as a member yourself, this cult spares no one. This week, Isa is joined by a very special guest: comedian, host of Giggly Squad and Berner Phone Podcasts, and once a bachelorette herself, the hilarious Hannah Berner (@hannahberner). Tune in as they chat about how culty Hannah’s bachelorette party really got – we’re talking rituals, us vs them dynamics, exploitation, isolation from society and of course one ultra charismatic leader. But are Bachelorette parties a live your life, watch your back, or a get the f*ck out level cult?

Thank you to our sponsors!

Go to DipseaStories.com/cult for an extended 30 day free trial

Go to RocketMoney.com/slac to manage your money the easy way

Go to Zocdoc.com/CULT and download the Zocdoc app for FREE

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cult of Gary Vee Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

To his fanatics, he's an inspiring businessman, marketing guru, tough-love motivational speaker, and blue-collar-masculine embodiment of the American Dream; but, to his critics, he's just a bro-y blowhard—a grandstanding motormouth whom Fortune Magazine once called a "snake oil salesman." We're talking about Gary Vaynerchuck, aka Gary Vee, a serial entrepreneur whose multi-pronged "empire" and cult of personality scream god complex... but is this guy dangerous, obnoxious, or actually kind of inspiring? These are the questions Amanda and Isa are aiming to answer on this week's episode of Sounds Like A Cult.

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod@isaamedinaa@amanda_montell

To check out Amanda's new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking, click here!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Go to thefarmersdog.com/cult to get 50% off your first box.

Go to BEISTRAVEL.com/CULT for 15% off your first purchase.

Hatch is offering $20 offyour purchase of aHatch Restore 2 and free shipping at hatch.co/cult.

Go to betterhelp.com/cult to get 10% off your first month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cult of Life Coaches Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Why does it seem like certain "life coaches" are exactly the kinda folks who shouldn't be giving life advice? The unregulated life coaching industry is perfectly set up to turn culty: It's rife with New Age quacks charging thousands to tell others how to live, but also... hiring a brainstorming partner to help you work through sh*t during times of uncertainty *does* sound beneficial? Tricky!! This week, Amanda and Isa are joined by comedian and host of the Self-Helpless podcast Kelsey Cook to unpack how much of a "cult" the life coach space has really become.

To check out Amanda's new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking, click here!

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod@isaamedinaa@amanda_montell

Thank you to our sponsors!

Go to RocketMoney.com/SLAC to cancel unwanted subscriptions!

Go to BEISTRAVEL.com/CULT for 15% off your first purchase.

The Cotton collection and more are available now at SKIMS.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cult of Burning Man Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Strap on your steampunk lewks and get ready to blast off to the dusty, glittery, and undeniably culty alternate universe that is Burning Man—an event explicitly inspired by the New Age fringe religions of the 1970s. ~Join us~ for Amanda and Isa's lol-worthy chat with Em and Christine, hosts of the paranormal-true crime podcast And That's Why We Drink. We're unpacking the countercultural carnival's eccentric (sometimes deadly) rituals, us vs. them dynamics, major controversies, and undeniable allure. What do youuuu think is the cultiest thing about Burning Man?? And do you think it's a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or a GTFO-level cult?

To check out Amanda's new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking, click here!

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod@isaamedinaa@amanda_montell

Thank you to our sponsors!

Dipsea is offering our listeners a 30 day free trial when you go to dipseastories.com/cult

Go to Zocdoc.com/CULT and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

Go to JULIECARE.CO/CULT to get $10 off your online purchase for a limited time!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cult of Disney Adults (With Bonus Q&A!) Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Before we return with regularly structured episodes next week (stay tuned for the "cult" of Burning Man!), here's another ad-free bonus episode featuring a rerun of our most-listened to episode of all time, The Cult of Disney Adults. Re-listen and/or skip to the 52-minute mark for a bonus Q&A with your hosts, Amanda and Isa!

To support Sounds Like A Cult, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!

Or follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @isaamedinaa @amanda_montell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cult of The Bachelor (Bonus Part 2!) Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

A heavily controlled, totally isolated group of women who worship one "charismatic” male figure and aren’t allowed to read magazines, watch TV, or speak to their families… is this a cult or the most popular reality dating show in history? This week, we’re re-airing one of our fave Season 1 episodes with a new, updated intro. It’s the “cult” of The Bachelor Franchise, featuring special guest, former contestant, Kendall Long! We got the juicy inside scoop on how culty The Bachelor *really* is to try and figure out whether this objectively bizarre pop culture phenomenon is a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or a Get the Fuck Out-level “cult.” 🌹

To support Sounds Like A Cult, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, click here!

Or follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @isaamedinaa @amanda_montell

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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