The following is a working list of the various podcasts, books and resources I have found useful in my own journey to understanding the world of cults (both destructive & friendly) and cult like groups. As a lifelong learner AND someone who finds human behavior totally fascinating, I have learned a TON about both healthy and unhealthy behaviors and the psychology behind what drives us to be so engaged with groups, leaders and even ideologies that claim to provide us the answers or at least a road map. I hope this list is useful for you.
~ Anne
Confronting the Line
My YouTube show and Podcast Confronting the Line is here to explore the world of personal development, and examine the often blurry line between transformation and exploitation. My guests and I look at the ways personal development and wellness can be both helpful AND harmful.
We are dedicated to finding that line, then looking, listening and learning in service of safer seeking for life long learners, like us.
SEEK Safely
The SEEK Safely podcast is the official voice of the nonprofit organization SEEK Safely Inc, which advocates for ethics and accountability in the self-help industry, and empowers seekers to have safe and effective self-improvement journeys. Jean Brown and Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle peel back the layers of the largely unregulated, multi-billion dollar self-help industry...
A Little Bit Culty
Think you might be in a cult? Want to know the signs? Join Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames to talk about things that are..a little bit culty. Or in their case: a whole bunch of culty. 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. ....
While your in the ALBC world check out Sara's awesome TedX talk about Why we Need to Understand Cults Better
Guru Season 1: The Dark Side of Enlightenment
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.
This one started it all for me! Listen to Matt Stroud (investigative journalist) take you through what it looks like when the worst happens at a self-empowerment retreat.
WTF is on my Mind?!
Join Mark (another NXIVM Whistleblower) as he unpacks a whole range of topics to do with: Psychology, Consciousness, Morality, Narcissistic Abuse, Spirituality, Cults, Propaganda, Science, Filmmaking, and Philosophy.You never quite know what you’re going to get, as it really does depend on… WTF is on his mind?!
IndoctriNation
IndoctriNation is a weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control. Hosted by Rachel Bernstein, LMFT. She has been working with victims of cults and emotional abusers for over 30 years. Rachel started a show that gives survivors a chance to tell their stories and for experts to teach us what they know. Her goal for IndoctriNation is to empower our listeners to protect themselves and those they love from predators, toxic personalities, and destructive organizations.
Speaking of Cults
Speaking of Cults is the podcast all about cults, from their anatomy to recovery from the experience. Join host and cult survivor Chris Shelton and his guests as they explore coercive control, how predators operate at all levels in our society, how to spot them and how to recover.
Some other honorable mentions that I have enjoyed listening to are The Jordan Harbinger Show & Journey Into Yoga Cults
