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
Hosted by filmmaker Tyler Measom and comedian 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.
Told first-hand by the experiencer themselves, these are raw, riveting and inspirational tales of what it means to be a survivor. Using levity and info-tainment, the show humanizes the cultic experience and may leave some of our listeners asking themselves…“Wait…Was I In A Cult?”
When we face challenges in life, we seek answers from people we believe can help us. When tragedy strikes an exclusive retreat with a self-help superstar, many people are left to wonder: how far is too far?
James Arthur Ray was an Oprah-endorsed self-help teacher who achieved fame, fortune, and influence. But friends and family members of his followers questioned his unorthodox methods, and tried to stop him. From Wondery, the makers of “Dirty John,” “Dr. Death,” and “The Shrink Next Door,” comes a story about the dark side of enlightenment.
Hosted by journalist Matt Stroud.
Welcome to Free Your Inner Guru, the podcast for discerning seekers, where we have all the community and none of the cult.
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.
Laura and guests share stories and insights from their journey so we can all learn how to connect to our inner wisdom in a healthy and socially conscious way.
Thousands of women gave up everything to follow Mother Teresa, joining her storied Catholic order, the Missionaries of Charity. But some found that life inside this fiercely private religious order was not what they’d imagined. Former sisters who worked closely with Mother Teresa describe her bold vision and devotion to charity and prayer. But they also share stories of suffering and forbidden love, abuse and betrayal.
If you make a lifelong vow, what does it mean to break it?
What is the line between devotion and brainwashing?
Can you truly give yourself to God?
Jen Kiaba is an artist and educator who grew up in the infamous Unification Church, a religious group referred to by popular media as “the Moonies” and a primary example of a cult.
In this project, Jen 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.
Religious ideologies often use the practice of shunning to silence their critics and to control their members through fear.
This podcast sheds light on this practice through real life stories as told by the people that have lived through it. Learn what their lives were like and where they have ended up in life after shunning.
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.
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.
Journalist Jennings Brown's six-part Gizmodo series takes a close look at self-proclaimed "personal transformation revolutionary" Teal Swan, who has been accused of encouraging depressed people to kill themselves. Through speaking with loved ones of fervent fans (including one who took her own life), a visit to her Costa Rica retreat, and interviews with Swan herself, Brown creates a riveting portrait of a magnetic person with an unsettling power of influence.
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.
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.
One storyteller author inventor cult expert, Mark Laxer. One long-distance runner music educator world-traveler singer songwriter, Eric Maring. A philosophical podcast exploring ideas of the day, books and music of note plus freeform absurdity (aka Mr. Peach on the beach), warmth, sensitivity, and intelligence. Featuring music from Maring's The Line.
Let's Talk About Sects is an award-winning, 100% independent monthly podcast focusing on a different cult each episode.
A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control with Rachel Bernstein.
Generation Cult, an interview show about people born and/or raised in closed, high demand, authoritarian groups also known as cults.
MindShift Podcast is here to help you reconstruct your identity post-cult, or post-religion.
We want to help start or continue conversations about the messy parts of life. Although we both had a conservative upbringing, we've grown out of a lot of our traditional ways of thinking.
Producer Jonathan Hirsch had a childhood much like yours -- except his family had a secret. They were followers of a controversial spiritual leader named Franklin Jones.
My name is Riley and I'm a former Jehovah's Witness.
In 2020, I woke up to the fact that the Jehovah's Witnesses are not "the one true religion" as I was raised to believe.
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!