Sounds Like A Cult

Latest Episodes:

The Cult of Spiritual Scammers (feat. Listener Stories!) Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

Time to spill some never-before-heard culty tales: This week, Amanda and Isa are reacting to shocking cult stories submitted by you listeners! Many thanks to those who wrote in to share their personal brushes with New Age scams, love-bombing strangers, elementary school rituals that seem sus in retrospect, and more. Traditional religion may be on the decline, but our cravings for meaning and magic are stronger than ever, which isn't necessarily a bad thing... that's why we're here to determine whether your culty experiences were a Life Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or GTFO!

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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

Thank you to our sponsors!

New customers get $5 off a Lume Starter Pack with code CULT at LumeDeodorant.com

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

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

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The Cult of Airline Miles Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

For an episode spicier than an inflight bloody Mary, Isa and Amanda are joined by comedian and frequent flyer Fumi Abi (@TheFumiAbe) for a conversation on the unexpectedly cultlike nature of airline loyalty programs. From spending countless hours chasing elusive miles to believing you're just one step away from flying on a golden unicorn, these programs can be as delusional and deceptive as a New Age compound in Hudson Valley. But just how cultish is the Airline Miles system? Prepare for turbulence, laughs, insights, and a few jaw-dropping revelations.

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Go to Kosas.com/CULT for 15% off your first purchase of $50 or more plus FREE shipping

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The Cult of The Peace Corps Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

~Join us~ as Isa and Amanda unpack the "cult" of the Peace Corps—its peculiar rituals of initiation, close-knit camaraderie that borders on religious obsession, unwavering devotion to a higher cause, and (wait a second) abuse and murder?? Thanks to insightful listener call-ins, we reveal the eerie similarities that make this hallowed American organization an uncanny mirror to cult-like communities.

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Head to stitchfix.com/cult and you'll get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix

Go to Kosas.com/CULT for 15% off your first purchase of $50 or more plus FREE shipping

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

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

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

The Cult of PTA Moms Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

Get ready for some no holds barred sh*t-talking, culties, because this week, Amanda and Isa are joined by the hosts of the motherhood-themed "I've Had It" podcast for a wild discussion of how PTA Moms are kindaaa just like a cult. Relentless groupthink, wacky power dynamics, oh my... this conversation will leave you questioning bake sales forever.

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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

Thank you to our sponsors!

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

Head to stitchfix.com/cult and you'll get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix

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

The Cult of The Hammer Family Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

You're sure to *devour* this week's episode analyzing four generations of wealthy men who, in our little opinion, represent a stunning example of how a powerful American family can resemble a cult. This week, Isa and Amanda are joined by a third co-host of sorts, true crime TikTokker and friend of the pod Lauren Skae (@thezenblonde), who's here to help tell the harrowing story of The Hammer Family, including actor Armie Hammer, who was exposed for a bunch of power-abusive behaviors. Sometimes murder-y, sometimes cannibal-y (allegedly!!!), this one is not for the faint of heart.

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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

Thank you to our sponsors!

Get free shipping on orders over $75 at SKIMS.com

Go to Zocdoc.com/CULTand download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

Go to Kosas.com/CULT for 15% off your first purchase of $50 or more plus FREE shipping

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

The Cult of Tik Tok Social Houses Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

It sounds like an episode of Black Mirror: 18-year-old kids are sacrificing their futures and signing their incomes away for the chance to move into a #sponsored Southern California mansion and dedicate every waking moment to the pursuit of online virality. Are TikTok Social Houses an innocuous influencer trend or something more like Heaven's Gate for the 21st Century? This week, Amanda and Isa are joined by performer and Scam Goddess host Laci Mosley to figure out if these uncanny little dystopias are a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or a GFTO-level cult!

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, see Isa's live comedy, buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish, or visit our website, go to https://linktr.ee/soundslikeacult !

Sponsors:

Dipsea:

For listeners of the show, Dipsea is offering an extended 30 day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/cult.

Stitch Fix:

Try Stitch Fix today at StitchFix.com/cult and you’ll get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix.

BetterHelp:

Visit BetterHelp.com/CULT today to get 10% off your first month.

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

The Cult of Survivor May 23, 2023

Show notes

Volunteering to subject yourself to isolation, starvation, and desperation on a remote island under high-pressure circumstances, all in pursuit of money and fame (aka today's spiritual enlightenment)… is that a dangerous cult we're describing or the premise of America's OG "cult-followed" reality show? Survivor is the topic of discussion on this week's episode, and Isa and Amanda are analyzing everything from the sacrifices contestants make to the behind-the-scenes production to the fanatical fandom to figure out if the show is a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or a Get the Fuck Out-level cult.

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Get 20% off your first order of $40 or more at NextEvo.com/cult

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

You can find Julie at your local CVS Target or Walmart or by visiting Juliecare.co

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The Cult of Medical School May 16, 2023

Show notes

The Hippocratic Oath says do no harm. Explain elitism, secret societies, and debilitating physical and mental exhaustion to the point of potentially harming both doctor and patient, then?? Such is the "cult" of med school, this week's in-demand topic, which Amanda and Isa are discussing with insights from listeners who've survived this seemingly prestigious, but sneakily damaging (allegedly!!!) everyday "cult."

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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!

Click HERE To get YOUR tickets to Sounds Like A Cult Live in London on May 26th!

Thank you to our sponsors!

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Visit BetterHelp.com/CULT today to get 10% off your first month.

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The Cult of Dolly Parton May 09, 2023

Show notes

America's favorite buxom, rhinestone-clad Southern songstress, Dolly Parton, has a "cult following" like no other celebrity. Thanks to her unmistakable image, her "Dollyisms," her theme park, her illustrious music, and her ability to transcend politics, "Saint Dolly" has become so much more than your average country star. But are there any risks to worshiping a singer as your spiritual idol? Tune in as Amanda, Isa, and special guests Claire and Ashley from Celebrity Memoir Book Club attempt to break down Dolly Parton's iconic "cult."

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Go to Zocdoc.com/CULTand download the Zocdoc app for FREE.

Visit AURA.com/CULTfor a 14 day free trial.

Get 10% off your first order sitewide & free shipping on orders over $60 with code CULT at OSEAMalibu.com.

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

The Cult of Montessori Schools May 02, 2023

Show notes

This *highly* requested topic has all the makings of a modern-day cult: mystery, unquestioned loyalty, and the future of children's hearts and minds at stake. But does that make it dangerous?? This week, Amanda and Isa dive into the cult of Montessori education, those idyllic primary schools where kids allegedly (!!!) access transcendant knowledge with nothing but wooden blocks and hippie vibes (oh, and $40,000 annual tuition). Are Montessori schools a brilliant alternative approach to learning or something insidiously culty? With the help of listener call-ins, @amanda_montell and @isaamedinaa are aiming to unpack just that.

To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, 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!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Get 20% off your first Liquid Death apparel purchase available exclusively at LiquidDeath.com/CULT

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

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

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