Informative Videos
The psychological tricks that make cults so dangerous…
Thousands of groups known as cults have arisen over history. But most cults claim not to be cults, and many people involved might not even be aware they are in one. So how do cults lure people in?
Tui McLean explores the secret world of cults through a psychological lens, examining what a cult actually is, and how some cults have been able to make ordinary people do unthinkable things.
Video by Tui McLean
Animation by Michal Bialozej
What is a Cult?
~Steven Hassan Ph.D
Steven Hassen developed the BITE Model to describe the specific methods that cults use to recruit and maintain control over people. “BITE” stands for Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional control. Many people think of mind control as an ambiguous, mystical process that cannot be defined in concrete terms. In reality, mind control refers to a specific set of methods and techniques, such as hypnosis or thought-stopping, that influences how a person thinks, feels, and acts.
Why do People Join cults?
~Janja Lalich Ph.D
Today, there are thousands of cults around the world. Broadly speaking, a cult is a group or movement with a shared commitment to a usually extreme ideology that’s typically embodied in a charismatic leader. But what exactly differentiates cults from other groups – and why do people join them? Janja Lalich describes how cults recruit and manipulate their members. (from Janja Lalich’s website)
How to get someone out of a cult
~Joe Szimhart
Cults, conspiracy theories and fringe belief systems have always been around, and Joe Szimhart’s job is to help people out of them. Szimhart is a cult interventionist and has been working in the field since the 1980s, when he left a harmful group. “The leaders didn’t seem to be living according to the strict code of ethics,” he said. Ever since, he has been helping others find information, including Rick Larsen, who now also volunteers his time supporting people like him after he saved his wife from an organization’s dangerous influence.
Podcasts - Voices of Survivors
Welcome to Blessed Child! This is a place where second generation adults of the Moonie cult tell their stories and share our journeys of healing from a lifetime of coercive control under the multi-national, multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise, the Moon family.
Butterflies & Bravery is a podcast created and hosted by two cult Survivors and best friends who were born into the notorious "Children of God" cult. Listen as Whisper and Jemima tell their stories of turning surviving into thriving, interview other Survivors, and straight talk all things cult, trauma, trafficking and religion recovery.
Hosted by Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter, siblings who were separated for more than 25 years due to the shadow of their shared past. They have reunited to share their journey with you while unraveling the haunting tales of cults from around the world, shedding light on the warning signs that can help prevent others from falling into their grasp.
The Cult Vault is planned, researched, scripted, edited and uploaded by Kasey. This project started during the COVID-19 lockdown, which coincided with my maternity leave. But as survivors began reaching out I realized my platform had turned into something more - a place for stories to be told and for me to listen.
Candice Schutter began The Deeper Pulse podcast by sharing personal stories, striving to make sense of her own life and what she’d learned, both personally and professionally, about the mechanics of agency and self-expression. Episodes 32+ are a deep-dive into what is putting the cult in 'cult'ure.
A podcast about leaving the Moonies and other cults, as told by the kids who grew up within them. Interviews by and with people who grew up in and later left abusive cults.
An intersectional healing podcast for survivors of sexual assault and any/all abuse. When survivors share, they share strength. "Finding OK" helps people navigate this difficult healing process. The focus is on recovery, self-care, empowerment, and healing. You are not alone.
Hosted by Sedona "sweat lodge" survivor Laura Tucker, Free Your Inner Guru® is known for big conversations about the state of the self help industry, cult dynamics and indoctrination, self growth, creativity and spirituality.
Generation Cult, an interview show about people born and/or raised in closed, high demand, authoritarian groups also known as cults.
Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.
A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control with Rachel Bernstein.
In this project, Jen Kiaba, an artist, educator and second generation cult survivor, distills the years of reading and research she’s explored in the process of her own healing and offers the best nuggets in bite size, digestible pieces.
Hosted by writer, speaker, and memoirist Ronit Plank, each episode highlights different aspects of the memoir-writing experience, and offers writing tips, and inspiration.
Host Sarah Steel takes a storytelling, deep dive approach, looking at the history of a sect's leaders, the recruitment of members, their experiences, psychological aspects, and notable incidents during its existence.
True stories and conversations with survivors, advocates and experts on the insidiousness of cults, frauds, scams and pyramid schemes. Through compassionate and educational informal chats, we work to end the stigma of "failure", in an machine systematically designed for you to fail. Hosted by Roberta Blevins, star of LuLaRich.
As whistleblowers documented in the critically-acclaimed HBO series “The Vow,” Sarah and Nippy have a lot to say about their experience, and burning questions to ask people with similar stories. They’re here to help people understand, heal from, and avoid abusive situations one little red flag at a time.
MindShift Podcast is here to help you reconstruct your identity post-cult, or post-religion.
Founded in 2005, Mormon Stories podcast is the longest running and most popular Mormon-themed podcast. Mormon Stories podcast seeks to understand, explore, challenge, and improve the Mormon experience through stories.
In this groundbreaking series, clinical psychologist and world’s leading expert on narcissism Dr. Ramani Durvasula talks to survivors and experts to help millions left reeling from narcissistic abuse.
Combining true crime, cult recovery, and a lot of dry, dark humor, the On the Emmis podcast unpacks and unveils the inner workings of Enthusiastic Sobriety Programs created by Bob Meehan and other high control groups.
Join your host, Eric Skwarczynski, as he sits down with brave survivors who are shedding light on decades of physical, mental, and sexual abuse within the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement.
Leah Remini and Mike Rinder delve into the scientology policy of Fair Game.
L. Ron Hubbard targeted “enemies” of scientology — anyone who disagrees with or criticizes the abusive practices is Fair Game for stalking, harassment and threats.
Featuring stories from Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientology, Amish, Mennonite, FLDS, the Moonies, and more, you will learn about the real lives of former members that have been shut out by their former communities.
Amanda Montell hosts Sounds Like A Cult, a podcast that analyzes a different fanatical group every week to try and answer the big question: This sounds like a cult, but is it really?
Andrew Pledger, a queer cult survivor, hosts “Speaking Up: Surviving Religions and Cults", a monthly podcast that allows people to share their stories of abuse and religious trauma in various high-control groups. Some guests discuss specific topics to educate and bring awareness.
Surviving the Black Church Podcast is a podcast that sheds light and brings awareness to religious trauma and dismantles oppressive systems within the Black church.
That's So Fcked Up is a true crime lite podcast primarily about cults, but also murder and other generally awful things. TSFU brings you enthralling stories while looking at what causes them to happen.
Interviews with authors, artists, experts, and story tellers to validate the experience of survivors of Spiritual Abuse, providing practical insights for the recovery journey.
Hosted by Tyler Measom and Liz Iacuzzi, Was I In A Cult? is a documentary-style podcast showcasing individuals who have been in, and most importantly, successfully left a cult.
This podcast is an opportunity for you to join me in conversation with inspirational people from restrictive religious backgrounds who have fought and who have overcome. Come meet them on the Yasmine Mohammed Podcast.
Movies, Documentaries, TV Series
There are many Movies, Documentaries, TV series and shows that have been exploring and exposing undue influence and cultic abuse.
These are some of our favorites. If there are any others that you liked or that really helped you, let us know!