Rephonic
Artwork for Let's Talk About Sects

Let's Talk About Sects

Sarah Steel
Cults
Emotional Abuse
Universal Medicine
Troubled Teen Industry
Psychological Harm
Large Group Awareness Trainings
Serge Benhayon
The Twelve Tribes
Psychology
Defamation Lawsuit
Mental Health
Human Rights
Social Exploitation
Psychological Manipulation
Harry Palmer
Avatar
Mental Healthcare
The Retreat
Trauma
Fight Club

Let's Talk About Sects is an award-winning monthly podcast focusing on a different cult each episode. Sarah 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.

You can support us on Patreon, with a one-off donation, or grab some merch. Sarah Steel's de... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes107Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryTrue CrimeSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Let's Talk About Sects

Latest Episodes

Allison after NXIVM tells the story of Allison Mack: former Smallville actress, high-ranking NXIVM member, and convicted felon. With exclusive access following her release from prison, the series traces her astonishing path from Smallville fame to NX... more

Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult is Ellen Huet’s excellent new book, described as “a cautionary tale of sex and salvation for the wellness generation: how orgasmic meditation turned into a cult.” Let's Talk About Sect... more

Danny Rensch grew up in the Church of Immortal Consciousness, a cult he usually refers to as ‘the Collective’. Started by Steven and Trina Kamp, the group followed the teachings of a Dr Pahlvon Duran, whose spirit first visited Trina when she was 9. ... more

From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world is full of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes every Wednesday as we explore the real people at the centre of... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Cult Next Door
The Cult Next DoorThe Cult Next Door
A Little Bit Culty
A Little Bit CultySarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
Cults to Consciousness
Cults to ConsciousnessShelise Ann Sola

Recent Guests

Natalie Robehmed
Host, writer, and executive producer of Allison After NXIVM
Allison After NXIVM
Episode: Allison After NXIVM with Natalie Robehmed
Ellen Huet
Award-winning investigative journalist and author of Empire of Orgasm.
Bloomberg Businessweek
Episode: Empire of Orgasm: OneTaste with Ellen Huet
Danny Rensch
International chess master, world-renowned chess broadcaster, and chief chess officer at chess.com
chess.com
Episode: The Collective: Dark Squares with Danny Rensch
Clare Heath-McIvor
Daughter of the leader of the City Builders Church and advocate on issues of cults and organized fringe groups.
Episode: Interview Episode: Clare Heath-McIvor
Liz Cameron
Survivor of the JMS cult and author of 'Cult Bride'
Episode: Cult Bride & Providence/JMS with Liz Cameron
Ryan Carey
Former member of the Geelong Revival Centre and advocate for cult reform
Episode: Interview Episode: Victorian Inquiry into Cults with Ryan & Catherine Carey
Catherine Carey
Former member of the Geelong Revival Centre and advocate for cult reform
Episode: Interview Episode: Victorian Inquiry into Cults with Ryan & Catherine Carey
Jaya Mangalam-Gibson
Former Falun Gong practitioner and critic
Episode: Falun Gong
Mirriam Francis
Former Scientologist and advocate for child safety
Scientology
Episode: Children in Scientology with Mirriam Francis

Host

Sarah Steel
Host of a program focusing on cultivating discussions surrounding cults, aiming to provide insight and awareness around the psychology and lives of those affected by cultic environments. Her engaging narrative style combines research with survivor stories, presenting a compassionate view of trauma and recovery.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Must listen

    This podcast should be compulsory listening in all schools. Excellent research and beautifully presented.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thisislridiculous
    Australia20 days ago
  • Binge Listening

    I got into this podcast through a recommendation on the Twelve Tribes episode. Had a couple of brushes with them in the early 2000s. Now binge listening from the beginning. Love the research and non-sensational, thoughtful presentation!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    All good now, you?
    Australia3 months ago
  • Meaningful Interviews

    Excellent questions and great guests. Thanks Sarah. Always love your shows!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Virginia horses
    United States3 months ago
  • Ethical and Thorough Cult Investigation

    I’ve read and listened to a lot about cults but Let’s Talk About Sects is simply the best out there. The investigations are thorough, well researched and, importantly, ethically produced. It’s not flashy, there isn’t dramatic music accompanying the most sordid details. However, it’s still incredibly engaging without feeling exploitative. I love that we get to hear from a lot of survivors, and it really feels like Sarah gives them a space to open up and tell their story, without it feeling like s... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bethsy06
    United States4 months ago
  • Ex 2x2 member

    Just found this podcast and as an ex 2x2 cult member who was born and raised in it I found the episodes about the 2x2s sooo vindicating. Finding any community and understanding has been very difficult for years given the immense secrecy of the cult. Thank you so much for putting this all together

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kernal K5
    Canada4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critiques mention contentious episodes related to political ideologies, indicating that while the content is generally well-received, it can evoke diverse opinions.
Overall feedback suggests that this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of cults and their impact on individuals.
Reviews emphasize the podcast's ability to shed light on lesser-known cults alongside major ones, providing a comprehensive view of cult dynamics and their societal impacts.
Listeners appreciate the thorough and empathetic research, often noting its educational value and engagement with survivor stories.
The host's compassionate approach towards discussing sensitive topics is frequently highlighted as a strong point, making complex issues accessible to a broad audience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#194
Ukraine/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#238
Singapore/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Allison After NXIVM with Natalie Robehmed
Q: So in putting together the podcast series, what do you feel that you've learned about some of the misconceptions around cults and how they operate?
Getting out of a cult is a gradual process as is the indoctrination into one, and it's not as immediate as people assume.
Allison After NXIVM with Natalie Robehmed
Q: At what point did she begin to realize that she may have been mistaken in her dedication?
Allison took a long time to flip against Keith, as admitting he was wrong also meant acknowledging her own wrongdoings, which was a monumental realization for her.
Allison After NXIVM with Natalie Robehmed
Q: But for those who may need a reminder, can you give us a bit of an overview about what it was all about?
NXIVM is a notorious sex cult run by Keith Raniere that focused on executive success programs, but much darker elements were involved that led to criminal actions.
Empire of Orgasm: OneTaste with Ellen Huet
Q: Can you share with me a bit of an overview of the FBI investigation and what charges Nicole and Rachel were eventually arrested on?
After my initial reporting in 2018, the FBI began investigating OneTaste, which culminated in the indictment of Nicole and Rachel on forced labor conspiracy charges.
Empire of Orgasm: OneTaste with Ellen Huet
Q: What did you learn about some misconceptions that you think people still have about cults and how they operate?
There are common misconceptions about cults, including the idea that life in these groups has to be unpleasant, that everyone who was part must have been hurt, and that something must be wrong with you if you join a cult. In reality, experiences vary widely and many groups may provide valuable ideas along with harmful ones.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Let's Talk About Sects

What is Let's Talk About Sects about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on various cults and sects, this podcast presents an in-depth exploration of the psychological and social dynamics surrounding these groups. Each episode elaborates on a different cult or sect, detailing its history, leadership, member recruitment, personal testimonials, and significant events that shaped their narratives. This approach is likely to resonate with listeners interested in true crime, sociology, and cultural studies, offering both educational insights and compelling stories that highlight the complexities and often disturbing realities of cult involvement. Notably, the podcast has garnered acclaim for its thorough research and empathetic presentation of survivor experiences, making it a trusted resource in understandi... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Let's Talk About Sects?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Let's Talk About Sects. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Let's Talk About Sects and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Let's Talk About Sects get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Let's Talk About Sects, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Let's Talk About Sects?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Let's Talk About Sects, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Let's Talk About Sects have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Let's Talk About Sects has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Let's Talk About Sects?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Let's Talk About Sects:

1. The Cult Next Door
2. A Little Bit Culty
3. Was I In A Cult?
4. Cults to Consciousness
5. Scamfluencers

How many episodes of Let's Talk About Sects are there?

Let's Talk About Sects launched 8 years ago and published 107 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Let's Talk About Sects?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Let's Talk About Sects?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Let's Talk About Sects from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Let's Talk About Sects?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Let's Talk About Sects. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Let's Talk About Sects?

Recent guests on Let's Talk About Sects include:

1. Natalie Robehmed
2. Ellen Huet
3. Danny Rensch
4. Clare Heath-McIvor
5. Liz Cameron
6. Ryan Carey
7. Catherine Carey
8. Jaya Mangalam-Gibson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days