The Business of Cults is a three-part series hosted by Rebekah Sebastian with the DIE-ALOGUE Podcast and Javier Leiva of PRETEND podcast. Over the next three episodes, you will hear from; cult experts Rick Alan Ross and Dr. Janja Lalich, author and linguist, Amanda Montell, ABC Correspondent, Rebecca Jarvis, Cult Survivors, Frank Lyford, and Sarah Edmondson.

Cults are businesses too. Like any company, cults recruit, have middle management, and some even have succession plans.

Many of these religious sects are tax-exempt. Like Scientology, even some fringe religions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.

Not all cults are religious. At first glance, some cults don't seem culty at all. For example, take a closer look at businesses such as multi-level marketing companies. These companies are masquerading as a business, but in reality, they're run by narcissistic ego-maniacs.

The Cult Startup

Like businesses, cults go through different phases. First, there's a startup phase where an entrepreneurial cult leader leads a movement and brings new innovative and revolutionary ideas. Take, for example, , leader of the People's Temple. In the beginning, he integrated his congregation during the Civil Rights Movement. After that, he was heavily involved in politics and social activism. The allure was undeniable. But in the end, Jones ordered 909 commune members to end their lives.

Part one focuses on The C Suite: Chief Cult Executives. Part two features an interview with former NXIVM member Sarah Edmondson. And Part three explores the question, can a cult survive without its leader?

Listen to part one of the Business of Cults on either the PRETEND or DIE-ALOGUE Podcast feeds.

Join us as we explore the evolution of cults; from start up to succession plan, and everything in between, we want to know what practices cults take from businesses — and perhaps even scarier, what tactics businesses borrow from cults. Javier and I also take it out of the studio and into the field for some on the ground research in businesses that have active ties to known cults.

Listen along and find out more about The Business of Cults.

Part 3 drops on Feb. 23

If you enjoy this episode and series, please leave a five star rating and review on Apple + Spotify!

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Speaking of cults, follow us:
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Javier Leiva PRETEND PODCAST @pretendpod | https://pretendradio.org/

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Sources
CULTS INSIDE OUT
https://www.amazon.com/Cults-Inside-Out-How-People/dp/149731660X

BAD BLOOD
https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Blood-John-Carreyrou-audiobook/dp/B07BMCMS5L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FVR825QEQ9VP&keywords=bad+blood&qid=1644254218&s=books&sprefix=bad+blo%2Cstripbooks%2C236&sr=1-1

CULTISH
https://www.amazon.com/Cultish-Language-Fanaticism-Amanda-Montell/dp/0062993151/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12G58GJZ1GL3S&keywords=cultish+book&qid=1644254268&s=books&sprefix=cultish+book%2Cstripbooks%2C88&sr=1-1

Bounded Choice
https://www.amazon.com/Bounded-Choice-Lalich/dp/0520384024/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AIVW0HEE244N&keywords=bounded+choice+book&qid=1644254314&s=books&sprefix=bounded+choice+book%2Cstripbooks%2C131&sr=1-1

CLIPS
https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-heather-gay-says-all-her-co-stars-are-the-worst-mormons.html/