Oops a politically flavored episode of Sounds Like A Cult!!!!! Would you believe it if we told you we recorded this nearly SIX MONTHS AGO and just crossed our fingers it would resonate whenever it ended up going live??? This week, host Amanda is joined by Puck reporter and former MAGA youth recruit, Tina Nguyen, author of the 2024 memoir The MAGA Diaries, who’s here to shed light on the culty modern movement that is conservative youth activism: why it exists, how it works, and why there’s no left-wing analog. Culty times people!!! Intrigued how this episode will land with you culties 👀😵‍💫✌️

Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod @amanda_montell

To order Amanda's new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality, click here. To subscribe to Amanda's new Magical Overthinkers podcast and/or watch full episodes on YouTube, click here :)

Watch Amanda's Offline with Jon Favreau interview

Thank you to our sponsors, who make this show possible!
Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to LiquidIV.com and use code CULT at checkout
Head to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to https://www.squarespace.com/CULT to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Go to stopscooping.com/SLACand enter promocode SLAC to save an EXTRA $50 on any Litter-Robot bundle.  

Oops a politically flavored episode of Sounds Like A Cult!!!!! Would you believe it if we told you we recorded this nearly SIX MONTHS AGO and just crossed our fingers it would resonate whenever it ended up going live??? This week, host Amanda is joined by Puck reporter and former MAGA youth recruit, <a href="https://x.com/tina_nguyen?lang=en">Tina Nguyen</a>, author of the 2024 memoir <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-MAGA-Diaries/Tina-Nguyen/9781982189693">The MAGA Diaries</a>, who’s here to shed light on the culty modern movement that is conservative youth activism: why it exists, how it works, and why there’s no left-wing analog. Culty times people!!! Intrigued how this episode will land with you culties 👀😵‍💫✌️
Follow us on IG<a href="https://www.instagram.com/soundslikeacultpod/"> @soundslikeacultpod</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda_montell/"> @amanda_montell</a>
To order Amanda's new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality,<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Age-of-Magical-Overthinking/Amanda-Montell/9781668007976"> click here. </a>To subscribe to Amanda's new Magical Overthinkers podcast and/or watch full episodes on YouTube, <a href="https://bio.site/magicaloverthinkers">click here :)</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K1fqyfsCSs&amp;ab_channel=PodSaveAmerica">Watch Amanda's Offline with Jon Favreau interview</a>
Thank you to our sponsors, who make this show possible!
<ul>
<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>Head to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/?channel=Podcast&amp;subchannel=atc&amp;source=soundslikeacult">https://www.squarespace.com/CULT</a> to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.</li>
<li>Go to <a href="https://www.litter-robot.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=SLAC&amp;utm_campaign=50offbundles&amp;coupon_code=SLAC">stopscooping.com/</a><a href="https://www.litter-robot.com/?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=SLAC&amp;utm_campaign=50offbundles&amp;coupon_code=SLAC">SLAC</a> and enter promocode SLAC to save an EXTRA $50 on any Litter-Robot bundle.  </li>
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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 Conservative Youth Activism

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.
</li>
<li>
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>
<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.
</li>
<li>
Start earning points on rent you’re already paying by going to <a href="http://joinbilt.com/GODEEP">joinbilt.com/CULT</a>
</li>
</ul>

The Cult of Conservative Youth Activism

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