Is everything a cult? Or are we just finally noticing how belief actually works?
This conversation cracked something open for me around why we get pulled into certain ideas, identities, and systems and why leaving them can feel way harder than joining. I’m sitting down with Amanda Montell, whose work sits at the intersection of cult psychology, language, and cultural influence. We talk about how words shape belief, how cognitive biases sneak into everyday life, and why so many of us are obsessed with cult stories right now. Fair warning: after this episode, you may start seeing cultish dynamics everywhere.

Amanda is a linguist, New York Times bestselling author, and the voice behind Sounds Like a Cult and Magical Overthinkers. She has a rare gift for making complex psychological ideas feel accessible, funny, and deeply human without making anyone feel stupid for falling for them.

In this episode, we talk about::

Why we’re so captivated by cult stories and what we’re actually looking for
How language influences belief systems more than facts do
What “thought-terminating clichés” sound like in real life
Why smart people stay in systems they’ve outgrown
How the sunk cost fallacy shows up in careers, relationships, and identity
When something crosses from harmless into “watch your back”
Why pop culture, wellness, and even work can feel culty without looking extreme

Timestamps:

0:00 Is everything a cult?
2:45 Why we’re obsessed with cult stories
6:30 How language pulls us in
10:00 What cult psychology actually looks like
16:00 When the word ‘cult’ helps or hurts
26:30 Thought-terminating clichés explained
37:45 Sunk cost fallacy and reinvention
41:00 Lightning round: harmless vs culty
45:00 Final takeaways

Key Takeaways:

Cult psychology relies more on language than logic
Cognitive biases reward familiarity over truth
Leaving a belief system is often harder than joining one and that’s normal

Dig Deeper into Amanda Montell's world:

Podcasts: Sounds Like a Cult, Magical Overthinkers
Books: Wordslut, Cultish, The Age of Magical Overthinking
Follow Amanda on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_montell

Get into Allison Hare's world and be a culture changer:

Book a free podcast clarity call: https://allisonhare.com/freecall

For info on joining the podcast coaching cohort, send an email: allison@allisonhare.com

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Is Everything A Cult? Amanda Montell Unpacks Our Obsession.