The Common Cult

Chick fil A Moms, Trader Joes Hoes, Costo Fanatics and Taco Bell moms, oh my!  Listen in this week as we discuss Chick Fil A mom valet, people who factor in proximity to Trader Joes when purchasing a home, the mom who had her maternity photos done at Taco Bell and SO much more.  This week we are talking about foods and food stores with cult like followings.

Are MLMs culty? Why do MLMs feel so weird and shady? What are the positive aspects of these organizations? Do they get a bad rap? This week's episode is all about the good, bad and the ugly of MLMs. Eryn has an important perspective as she works with an MLM and Heather adds a dose of respectful cynicism and share some of her wildest experiences with recruitment attempts from other MLM organizations. You guys asked for it!  This week we're serving it up.

In this week's episode we chat with Eryn's husband David Jones about his experience in the Wellness Industry and his views on both Eastern and Western medicine. Are there cults within the wellness industry and are they selling false promises? Listen in as we peel the onion!

It's time for another culty characteristics episode! Join us this week as we talk about how the suppression of doubt within cults is almost always a common characteristics and how it shows up in normal culture as well.  

Be all that you can be. Unlock your potential. Just do it. These are all expressions that can be traced back to the Human Potential Movement. You might know more about this movement that you think as it's affected much of the cultural zeigtgeist. Today we chat about the history of the human potential movement and it's first and modern day leaders. We examine both the positive and the problematic side of the movement. Bonus; we also do a deep dive on why lately we've both grown weary of introspection and deep conversations. 

Are you a Disney person?  Ever wonder what it's like to work at Disney or why someone would choose to go to Disney every month?? Is the world of Walt Disney a cult or is it truly the happiest place on earth? Listen in as ponder these questions.  We chat about those die hard Disney fans, what draws them to the most magical place on earth, and the most zany and expensive things Disney fans do in the name of the mouse.  

This week we are giving you a sneak peek into our very first Patreon episode where Eryn joins a cult!  We also give you guys updates on NXIUM and Dave Ramsey. Listen in this week to get a taste of what it's like over on Patreon.  Come join us on Patreon for the FULL episode where we give you the scoop on Twin Flames, all the culty news updates and Eryn's adventures in a cult!

As Valentine's Day approaches, we thought it would be appropriate to talk about love bombing.  What is it?  How is this tactic used in the context of a cult or cult like groups?  Is love bombing a thing in relationships?  We talk through this and share our personal experiences with love bombing in this week's episode!

Listeners!  We have a treat for you.  Today we are chatting cults with Broadway star, actor and playwright, Justin Collette!  Justin played Dewey in School of Rock and Cupcake on Netflix's Cupcake and Dino.  More recently he has written and will star in a musical...all about cults.  Join us as we have a hilarious + insightful conversation about our mutual obsession with cults.

This week we're chatting vegans....what is veganism? Is it a cult? Are there vegan police? Do people who don't eat meat on Tuesdays get to call themselves a vegan too?  And where does PETA fit in with all this?Join us as we jump down the rabbit hole of veganism!  

This week we're talking about the cult following that Paleo and Whole30, a brand of Paleo, has developed. What started as a tiny corner on the internet has now ballooned into a multi million dollar organization, Whole30 has helped thousands of people lose weight, heal their bodies, discover food intolerances, and find food freedom. But has it become too dogmatic? Is it just another crash diet that has short term gains only for participants to pack back on the pounds? Join us as we discuss our thought as well as the experience of our listeners!

The enneagram has developed a cult like following over the last several years.  Is it worthy of all the buzz?  Why do people love it and why are some over it?  Did you know the enneagram is controversial in some religious circles?  Listen in as we discuss all this and more plus BONUS: our husbands weigh in on why they think people wanted and show on this topics and how their number might operate in a cult.  

In today's episode we are talking about the personal finance plan that has developed a cult following, Dave Ramsey and Financial Peace University.  Hold on to your hats though because this conversation not only covers Dave Ramsey enthusiasts, but we also discuss how his company itself has been accused of being a cult.  

This week on this installment of "Popcults" we're discussing all things "Fangirl."  What is a fangirl?  Are fangirls susceptible to getting involved in cult like behavior?  We also share some of our own moments of fangirling both in childhood and adulthood, and we share some hilarious listener stories as well.  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!  Today we have a culty + festive treat for you.  Buckle us as Heather, Eryn and special guest and friend of the show Leigh Ann discuss the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas.  Who are these men when they're not shaking their bellies like a bowl full of jelly?  What is The Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas and how does one become a member?  Buckle up as we break it down.  

In today's episode we are taking a deep dive into one of the characteristics of a cult; Us vs. Them mentality.  Join us as we discuss how this mentality not only affects extreme cults but also shows up in politics, religion, and self help circles.  Yes, we are talking about all the things you are NOT supposed to talk about at Christmas dinner in one of our most vulnerable episodes yet.  Enjoy! 

Is homeschooling a cult?  Join Eryn, Heather and guest Tanya from Project Happy Home as they discuss their experiences and whether or not the homeschooling community can be culty.  

Join us this week as we talk Cults in the news.  Today we're sharing our thoughts on the recent E-bay cult that made national news as well as the recent Keith Raniere sentencing.

In today's show we are trying out a new series called "Popcults" where talk about things in pop culture with cult like followings.  Today's topic is Royals Fans.  Why are people so obsessed with The Royals?  Who is the most dedicated Royals fans?  Are the Royals themselves in a cult?  We answer all these burning questions in today's episode.  

In our first episode we talked about all the characteristics of a cult.  Every now and then we’re going to shine a spotlight on one of those characteristics.  In this episode, we’re going to be talking about charismatic leaders.  Every true cult has one, and many common cults have them too, but maybe their leaders haven’t done anything illegal (or at least haven’t been convicted) OR they’ve surpassed they’re leader. Join us this week as we talk about charismatic cult leaders.