Kayaking, friendship bracelet making, and oh yeah, threats of eternal damnation! What better way for a kid to spend the summer than at church camp? These pricy summer experiences for God-fearing kiddos might look all wholesome from the outside (a little *too* wholesome, in fact), but there have been enough allegedlys over the years to make Amanda and Isa think church camps might be serving up their 'smores with a side of cultiness. But are Christian summer camps a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or a Get the Fuck Out-level cult? Actor, writer, and former church camper Joel Kim Booster joins this week's episode to help us figure it out!

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!

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Visit ritual.com/CULT to start Ritual or add Synbiotic+ to your subscription today.

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Kayaking, friendship bracelet making, and oh yeah, threats of eternal damnation! What better way for a kid to spend the summer than at church camp? These pricy summer experiences for God-fearing kiddos might look all wholesome from the outside (a little *too* wholesome, in fact), but there have been enough allegedlys over the years to make Amanda and Isa think church camps might be serving up their 'smores with a side of cultiness. But are Christian summer camps a Live Your Life, a Watch Your Back, or a Get the Fuck Out-level cult? Actor, writer, and former church camper Joel Kim Booster joins this week's episode to help us figure it out!
To support Sounds Like A Cult on Patreon, keep up with our live show dates, <a href="https://www.isabelamedinamate.com/">see Isa's live comedy</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/cultish-the-language-of-fanaticism-amanda-montell/16290306?ean=9780062993151">buy a copy of Amanda's book Cultish</a>, or visit our website, <a href="https://linktr.ee/soundslikeacult?fbclid=PAAaYBgao1sr5jTUWCOpwlTgX1J64B8_4zYo2lLhfmEzdbVMEpDqKbo7WC-EI">click here</a>!
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go to <a href="https://www.zocdoc.com/?utm_medium=audiopodcast&amp;utm_campaign=cult">Zocdoc.com/</a><a href="https://www.zocdoc.com/?utm_medium=audiopodcast&amp;utm_campaign=cult">CULT</a> and download the Zocdoc app for FREE.
Visit <a href="https://ritual.com/?utm_source=arm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=cult">ritual.com/CULT</a> to start Ritual or add Synbiotic+ to your subscription today.
Download SmartNews for free today in the app store!
Sounds Like A Cult listeners get 20% off your first Liquid Death apparel purchase available exclusively at <a href="https://liquiddeath.com/CULT">LiquidDeath.com/CULT</a>.

A podcast about the modern-day “cults” we all follow. Each episode asks the culty questions we’re all wondering… Do you think SoulCycle is a cult? What about Elon Musk stans? Or the Royal Family? What about spiritual influencers? Is Instagram itself a cult? Sounds Like A Cult, hosted by Amanda Montell, author of Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, analyzes a different zeitgeisty group every week to try and answer the big question: This group sounds like a cult, but is it really? And if so, how bad is it? 

Follow Us:

Podcast Instagram - @soundslikeacultpod

Host Amanda Montell - @amanda_montell (Preorder her new book!)

A podcast about the modern-day “cults” we all follow. Each episode asks the culty questions we’re all wondering… Do you think SoulCycle is a cult? What about Elon Musk stans? Or the Royal Family? What about spiritual influencers? Is Instagram itself a cult? Sounds Like A Cult, hosted by Amanda Montell, author of Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, analyzes a different zeitgeisty group every week to try and answer the big question: This group sounds like a cult, but is it really? And if so, how bad is it? 
Follow Us:
Podcast Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/soundslikeacultpod">@soundslikeacultpod</a> 
Host Amanda Montell - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda_montell">@amanda_montell</a> (<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Age-of-Magical-Overthinking/Amanda-Montell/9781668007976">Preorder her new book!</a>)

A show about the modern day "cults" we all follow.

Sounds Like A Cult

A podcast about the modern day "cults" we all follow. Do you think SoulCycle is a cult? What about Elon Musk stans? Or the Royal Family? What about spiritual influencers? Is Instagram itself a cult? We’re Sounds Like a Cult, a podcast that analyzes a different zeitgeisty group every week to try and answer the big question: This group sounds like a cult, but is it really? And if so... how bad is it?

The Cult of Church Camp

Buy tickets to The Big Magical Cult Show in Vancouver, Canada on February 21, 2025!

Time for Part 2! Father Craigo helps us wrap up 2024 with the rest of his brain-tangling life story in the cult that inspired this whole dang pod, Synanon. This week, he's answering unfiltered listener Qs, sharing the harrowing tale of Synanon's downfall, and leaving us all with some takeaways for how to stay culty but not too culty in 2025. We simply cannot WAIT for next year, when your shameless cult leader trio Amanda, Chelsea, and Reese return to cover a slew of long-awaited topics, including a certain cult-followed beauty retailer, a book series that's turned into a full-blown religion, a freakishly ritualistic education system, a "nonprofit" "performance troupe" run by a "new religious movement," and more! Thank you so much for tuning into another fanatical year, culties. See you in the next evolutionary level above human!!!

Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on YouTube!

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @amanda_montell @reesaronii @chelseaxcharles

Thank you to our sponsors! 


Go to squarespace.com/CULT to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.


Start earning points on rent you’re already paying by going to joinbilt.com/CULT
Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to LiquidIV.com and use code CULT at checkout.
Visit BetterHelp.com/CULT today to get 10% off your first month.

<a href="https://jflvancouver.com/show/big-magical-cult-show-biltmore/">Buy tickets to The Big Magical Cult Show</a> in Vancouver, Canada on February 21, 2025!
Time for Part 2! Father Craigo helps us wrap up 2024 with the rest of his brain-tangling life story in the cult that inspired this whole dang pod, Synanon. This week, he's answering unfiltered listener Qs, sharing the harrowing tale of Synanon's downfall, and leaving us all with some takeaways for how to stay culty but not too culty in 2025. We simply cannot WAIT for next year, when your shameless cult leader trio Amanda, Chelsea, and Reese return to cover a slew of long-awaited topics, including a certain cult-followed beauty retailer, a book series that's turned into a full-blown religion, a freakishly ritualistic education system, a "nonprofit" "performance troupe" run by a "new religious movement," and more! Thank you so much for tuning into another fanatical year, culties. See you in the next evolutionary level above human!!!
Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmandaMontellPodcasts">YouTube</a>!
Follow us on IG<a href="https://www.instagram.com/soundslikeacultpod/"> @soundslikeacultpod</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda_montell/"> @amanda_montell</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reesaronii/">@reesaronii </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chelseaxcharles">@chelseaxcharles</a>
Thank you to our sponsors!&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Go to <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/?channel=Podcast&amp;subchannel=atc&amp;source=soundslikeacult">squarespace.com/CULT</a> to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
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Start earning points on rent you&rsquo;re already paying by going to <a href="http://joinbilt.com/GODEEP">joinbilt.com/CULT</a>
</li>
<li>Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to <a href="https://www.liquid-iv.com/">LiquidIV.com</a> and use code CULT at checkout.</li>
<li>Visit <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/get-started/?go=true&amp;transaction_id=10241bf72d7af91407af2776e3dc4a&amp;utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=2687&amp;utm_medium=Desktop&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=cult&amp;not_found=1&amp;gor=start">BetterHelp.com/CULT</a> today to get 10% off your first month.</li>
</ul>

The Cult of Synanon, Part 2

Buy tickets to The Big Magical Cult Show in Vancouver, Canada on February 21, 2025!

Father is back!!! No, not Father Algorithm, but *actual* Father. Indeed, Amanda's sweetie dad, Craig Montell, returns to the pod after his featurette on last year's cult of Military Wives episode, for an extra-special end-of-year, two-part deep dive into the cult that he survived and that inspired this entire show: Synanon. Craigo brings his dad charm and cult experience to break down exactly how this well-intentioned drug rehabilitation program spiraled into a full-on '70s compound complete with paranoia, hypocrisy, and some very strange hairstyling choices. This "classic cult" discussion may not be typical SLAC fodder, but the story is actually more relevant than ever. Craig is here not just to divulge his shocking past, but also to scrutinize how Synanon’s same rituals and methods of manipulation are alive and well in today's society, from our politics to our social media feeds. Cozy in for some culty parental wisdom, and stay tuned for Part 2 next week to hear the end of the tale!

Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on YouTube!

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @amanda_montell @reesaronii @chelseaxcharles

Thank you to our sponsors! 
Dipsea is offering an extended 30-day free trial when you go to DipseaStories.com/cult. 
Shop the SKIMS Holiday Shop at skims.com/cult. 
Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month atMINTMOBILE.com/cult. 
Visit BetterHelp.com/CULT today to get 10% off your first month.

<a href="https://jflvancouver.com/show/big-magical-cult-show-biltmore/">Buy tickets to The Big Magical Cult Show</a> in Vancouver, Canada on February 21, 2025!
Father&nbsp;is back!!! No, not Father Algorithm, but *actual* Father. Indeed, Amanda's sweetie dad, Craig Montell, returns to the pod after his featurette on last year's cult of Military Wives episode, for an extra-special end-of-year, two-part deep dive into the cult that he survived and that inspired this entire show: Synanon. Craigo brings his dad charm and cult experience to break down exactly how this well-intentioned drug rehabilitation program spiraled into a full-on '70s compound complete with paranoia, hypocrisy, and some very strange hairstyling choices. This "classic cult" discussion may not be typical SLAC fodder, but the story is actually more relevant than ever. Craig is here not just to divulge his shocking past, but also to scrutinize how Synanon&rsquo;s same rituals and methods of manipulation are alive and well in today's society, from our politics to our social media feeds. Cozy in for some culty parental wisdom, and stay tuned for Part 2 next week to hear the end of the tale!
Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmandaMontellPodcasts">YouTube</a>!
Follow us on IG<a href="https://www.instagram.com/soundslikeacultpod/"> @soundslikeacultpod</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda_montell/"> @amanda_montell</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reesaronii/">@reesaronii </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chelseaxcharles">@chelseaxcharles</a>
Thank you to our sponsors!&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Dipsea is offering an extended 30-day free trial when you go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dipseastories.com/subscribe/?promo=cult&amp;utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=paid&amp;utm_campaign=cult">DipseaStories.com/cult</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Shop the SKIMS Holiday Shop at <a href="https://www.skims.com/cult" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.skims.com/cult&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1731520125714000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Y7bDBQ6Ub2T0YDLILe8ef">skims.com/cult</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at <a href="https://www.mintmobile.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=audio&amp;utm_campaign=mint_podcast&amp;utm_content=cult&amp;dnfemfkahqkdlf=cult">MINTMOBILE.com/cult</a>.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Visit <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/get-started/?go=true&amp;transaction_id=10241bf72d7af91407af2776e3dc4a&amp;utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=2687&amp;utm_medium=Desktop&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=cult&amp;not_found=1&amp;gor=start">BetterHelp.com/CULT</a> today to get 10% off your first month.</li>
</ul>

The Cult of Synanon, Part 1

It's officially Countdown to Cultmas! Make yourself a falalatte and keep your expectations for plot continuityho-ho-low because this week, Chelsea, Reese, and Amanda are uniting for a guffaw-worthy 'sode on the escapist seasonal "cult" that is Hallmark Christmas Movies. These cheesy made-for-TV treats may look utterly innocent on the outside, but when you unpack the extreme parasocial idol worship of Hallmark's recurring stars, its tent revival-esque conventions, nostalgic-to-a-fault themes, and problematic practices that have led to major legal trouble, that egg nog starts to taste a little more like Kool-Aid (can we say that?). Tune in for lols and analysis as your hosts attempt to figure out if this jingle-jangly franchise is high-key sinister, or if we're just being dramatic. 🎄📺🍪🌟🎁

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @amanda_montell@reesaronii @chelseaxcharles

Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on YouTube!

Thank you to our sponsors! 


Go to BlueNile.com to shop the original online jeweler since 1999!


Get Up to $100 off Litter-Robot bundles and an additional $50 off when you go tostopscooping.com/SLAC.


Go to squarespace.com/CULT to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.


Start earning points on rent you’re already paying by going to joinbilt.com/CULT

It's officially Countdown to Cultmas! Make yourself a falalatte and keep your expectations for plot continuity ho-ho-low because this week, Chelsea, Reese, and Amanda are uniting for a guffaw-worthy 'sode on the escapist seasonal "cult" that is Hallmark Christmas Movies. These cheesy made-for-TV treats may look utterly innocent on the outside, but when you unpack the extreme parasocial idol worship of Hallmark's recurring stars, its tent revival-esque conventions, nostalgic-to-a-fault themes, and problematic practices that have led to major legal trouble, that egg nog starts to taste a little more like Kool-Aid (can we say that?). Tune in for lols and analysis as your hosts attempt to figure out if this jingle-jangly franchise is high-key sinister, or if we're just being dramatic. 🎄📺🍪🌟🎁
Follow us on IG<a href="https://www.instagram.com/soundslikeacultpod/"> @soundslikeacultpod</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda_montell/"> @amanda_montell</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reesaronii/">@reesaronii </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chelseaxcharles">@chelseaxcharles</a>
Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmandaMontellPodcasts">YouTube</a>!
Thank you to our sponsors! 
<ul>
<li>
Go to <a href="https://www.bluenile.com/">BlueNile.com</a> to shop the original online jeweler since 1999!
</li>
<li>
Get Up to $100 off Litter-Robot bundles and an additional $50 off when you go to<a href="http://stopscooping.com/SHOW"> </a><a href="http://stopscooping.com/DOLLOPhttps://www.litter-robot.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=SLAC&amp;utm_campaign=50offbundles&amp;coupon_code=SLAC">stopscooping.com/SLAC</a>.
</li>
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Go to <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/?channel=Podcast&amp;subchannel=atc&amp;source=soundslikeacult">squarespace.com/CULT</a> to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
</li>
<li>
Start earning points on rent you’re already paying by going to <a href="http://joinbilt.com/GODEEP">joinbilt.com/CULT</a>
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The Cult of Church Camp

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