Cult or Just Weird artwork

Cult or Just Weird

173 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 83 ratings

Join Chris & Kayla on their journeys
of humor, discovery, and the absurd as
they try to answer the question...
is it a cult, or just weird?

Society & Culture Comedy comedy cult learning truecrime
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Episodes

S5-and-a-half: Patreon Discussion of Season 5

February 25, 2024 00:05 - 25 minutes - 22.8 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- Chris & Kayla recap the experience of experiencing things for Season 5 of Cult or Just Weird.   (previously published on CoJW's patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/season-5-bonus-95443966)   --- *Patreon Credits* Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Alyssa Ottum, David Whiteside, Jade A, amy sarah marshall, Martina Dobson, Eillie Anzilotti, Lewis Brown, Kelly Smith Upton, Wild Hunt Alex, Niklas ...

S5E11 - The Full Circle (Death Cafes)

November 21, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 84 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- There is but one freedom, to put oneself right with death. After that everything is possible. -Albert Camus   Chris and Kayla contemplate that one thing that joins us all.   --- *Search Categories* Common interest / Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* Death Cafes   --- *Further Reading*   https://deathcafe.com/ https://www.talkdeath.com/what-is-death-cafe-my-experience-studying...

S5E11 - The Full Circle

November 21, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 84 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- There is but one freedom, to put oneself right with death. After that everything is possible. -Albert Camus   Chris and Kayla contemplate that one thing that joins us all.   --- *Search Categories* Common interest / Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* Death Cafes   --- *Further Reading*   https://deathcafe.com/ https://www.talkdeath.com/what-is-death-cafe-my-experience-studying...

S5E10 - The Secret Knowledge (Theosophy)

October 24, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 156 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- Thinking – the talking of the soul with itself. -Plato   Chris and Kayla attend class at another small local group... whose presence & influence is worldwide & ubiquitous.   --- *Search Categories* New Religious Movement; New Age​   --- *Topic Spoiler* Theosophy   --- *Further Reading*   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy https://www.britannica.com/topic/theosophy ...

S5E9 - The Criminals (Hare Krishnas, pt2)

October 10, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 73.2 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- "It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible." -David Brin     Chris and Kayla explore the nature of power and learn some shocking stories about the group du jour in this part two.   --- *Search Categories* New Religious Movement; Anthropological   --- *Topic Spoiler* The Hare Krishnas / ISKCON   --- *Further Reading* https...

S5E8 - The Chanters (Hare Krishnas, pt 1)

September 26, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 110 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- "Repetition not for monotony but the ecstasy it induces." - Martha Graham     Chris and Kayla go to a restaurant. Kind of. Don't worry, we'll repeat ourselves.   --- *Search Categories* New Religious Movement; Anthropological   --- *Topic Spoiler* The Hare Krishnas / ISKCON   --- *Further Reading* https://iskconla.com/Home.aspx https://www.iskcon.org/ https://en.wikipedia...

S5E7 - The Gambler's Meritocracy (American State-run Lotteries)

August 29, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 65 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   ---   It's hard to detect good luck--it looks so much like something you've earned. - Frank A. Clark   Chris and Kayla visit a liquor store to try and resurrect the American dream.   --- *Search Categories* Anthropological; Destructive   --- *Topic Spoiler* The American State-run Lottery System   --- *Further Reading* https://www.amazon.com/Dollar-Dream-Lotteries-Modern-America/...

S5E6 - The Hams & Their Eggs (the LA Breakfast Club)

August 01, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! ---   FVNEM? FVNEX?   Kayla and Chris get up at the crack of dawn to try and solve a cryptogram from 1925.   --- *Search Categories* Common interest / Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* The Los Angeles Breakfast Club   --- *Further Reading* https://twitter.com/labreakfastclub https://www.labreakfastclub.com/ https://www.latimes.com/california/breakfast-club-los-angeles-latt-123 https...

S5E6 - The Hams & Their Eggs

August 01, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MB

FVNEM? FVNEX?   Kayla and Chris get up at the crack of dawn to try and solve a cryptogram from 1925.   --- *Search Categories* Common interest / Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* The Los Angeles Breakfast Club   --- *Further Reading* https://twitter.com/labreakfastclub https://www.labreakfastclub.com/ https://www.latimes.com/california/breakfast-club-los-angeles-latt-123 https://www.labreakfastclub.com/podcast https://www.facebook.com/LABreakfastClub/ https...

S5E5 - The Collective's Legacy (Objectivism's reception & effects)

July 04, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 99.3 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! ---   Freedom would be not to choose between black and white but to abjure such prescribed choices. - Theodor Adorno   Chris tries to land this Ayn Rand plane in an objectively satisfying manner.   --- *Search Categories* Anthropological; Common interest / Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* Objectivism & Ayn Rand   --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism https://e...

S5E4 - The Collective's Architect (Ayn Rand's life)

June 20, 2023 07:00 - 2 hours - 127 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! ---   Who is Ayn Rand?   Chris and Kayla try to answer this ocean of a question, exploring the many rivers and tributaries that feed it.   --- *Search Categories* Anthropological; Common interest / Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* Objectivism & Ayn Rand   --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand https://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

S5E3 - The Collective's Dogma (Objectivist beliefs)

June 06, 2023 07:01 - 2 hours - 142 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! ---   I am evolving and it’s so damn beautiful. -Anonymous   Chris ponders the philosophical orb with Kayla, and finally comes out as a cultist himself. Objectively speaking.   --- *Search Categories* Anthropological; Common interest / Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* Objectivism & Ayn Rand   --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

S5E2 - The Ecstatics & their DJ (Ecstatic Dance)

May 09, 2023 04:01 - 2 hours - 117 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! ---   The body says what words cannot. --Martha Graham   Kayla and Chris explore the roots of human bonding...set to music.   --- *Search Categories* Anthropological; New Religious Movement; Common interest / Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* Ecstatic Dance   --- *Further Reading* Professor Chill Spotify Electric Sufi Spotify https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecstatic_dance https://ar...

S5E1 - The Wives & Their Father (the Source Family)

April 11, 2023 06:49 - 2 hours - 123 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! ---   Experience is the teacher of all things. - Julius Caesar   Kayla and Chris kick off Season 5 by going to a cult within a cult... culturducken.   --- *Search Categories* New Age; New Religious Movement   --- *Topic Spoiler* The Source Family   --- *Further Reading* http://martinostimemachine.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-source-restaurant.html   https://la.eater.com/2013/5/13/6...

S4E20 - The Religious Service (The Aetherius Society)

December 27, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 114 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   ---   Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying. - Arthur C. Clarke   Kayla and Chris end the season on a topic with a twist unlike many others covered on this show.   --- *Search Categories* New Age; New Religious Movement   --- *Topic Spoiler* The Aetherius Society   --- *Further Reading* https://www.youtube.com/watc...

S4E19 - The Magic Eyes

December 13, 2022 08:08 - 1 hour - 86.7 MB

"Correlation doesn’t imply causation, but it does waggle its eyebrows suggestively and gesture furtively while mouthing ‘look over there.'" - Randall Munroe   Keep an eye on this one- Chris talks to Kayla about a particular type of therapy that has been gaining in popularity in the last few years.   --- *Search Categories* Science / Pseudoscience; Alt Medicine / Wellness   --- *Topic Spoiler* EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)   --- *Further Readin...

S4E19 - The Magic Eyes (EMDR)

December 13, 2022 08:08 - 1 hour - 86.7 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- "Correlation doesn’t imply causation, but it does waggle its eyebrows suggestively and gesture furtively while mouthing ‘look over there.'" - Randall Munroe   Keep an eye on this one- Chris talks to Kayla about a particular type of therapy that has been gaining in popularity in the last few years.   --- *Search Categories* Science / Pseudoscience; Alt Medicine / Wellness   --- *Topic Spoi...

S4E18 - The Heavy Weight (Fat Liberation & Acceptance)

November 29, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”  -Audre Lorde   Kayla & Chris have a healing conversation about a topic that weighs heavily on all of us.   --- *Search Categories* Destructive; Science / Pseudoscience; Alt Medicine / Wellness   --- *Topic Spoiler* Fat Liberation & Fat Acceptance   --- *Further...

S4E17 - The Keening (Midsommar)

November 15, 2022 08:30 - 1 hour - 75.4 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- Sometimes you want pain to be acknowledged and not whitewashed- or erased by some exceptionalist point of view. -Ari Aster   Chris & Kayla mix things up a bit by analyzing a cult that doesn't even exist.   --- *Search Categories* Internet Culture; Common interest/Fandom; Anthropological   --- *Topic Spoiler* the film Midsommar's Harga community   --- *Further Reading* https://...

S4E16 - The Fandom (Furries & Fur Science)

November 01, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 111 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food. -Dean Ornish Kayla & Chris explore a much-maligned fandom on the internet, and learn a little bit about themselves and humanity along the way.   --- *Search Categories* Internet Culture; Common interest/Fandom; Anthropological   --- *Topic Spoiler* The Furry Fandom (Furries)   --- *...

S4E15 - The Basics

October 18, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 83 MB

In my estimation, the only thing that is more to be guarded against than bad taste is good taste. - Russell Lynes Chris & Kayla partake of an ancient (relatively speaking) autumnal ritual.   --- *Search Categories* Business; Internet Culture; Common interest/Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* Pumpkin Spice Fandom   --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin_pie_spice https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/pictures-that-prove-this-whole-pumpkin-spice-thing-ha...

S4E15 - The Basics (Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes)

October 18, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 83 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- In my estimation, the only thing that is more to be guarded against than bad taste is good taste. - Russell Lynes Chris & Kayla partake of an ancient (relatively speaking) autumnal ritual.   --- *Search Categories* Business; Internet Culture; Common interest/Fandom   --- *Topic Spoiler* Pumpkin Spice Fandom   --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin_pie_spice ...

S4E14 - The Bean Counters (Pythagoreanism)

October 04, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 73.8 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- All is Number. Chris helps Kayla square her understanding of a well known but little understood historical character.   --- *Search Categories* New Religious Movement; Science/Pseudoscience; Anthropological --- *Topic Spoiler* Pythagoreanism --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoras https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagoreanism https://plato.stanford.edu/entrie...

S4E13 - The Partners (Starbucks Workers Unions)

September 20, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 96.8 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible." -Howard Schultz Grab your favorite iced, sugary, coffee-adjacent beverage, because Kayla and Chris have an episode brewing, featuring a conversation with some partners who are helping their corporate overlords walk the walk.   --- *Search Categories* Business --- *Topic Spoiler...

S4E13 - The Partners

September 20, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 96.8 MB

When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible." -Howard Schultz Grab your favorite iced, sugary, coffee-adjacent beverage, because Kayla and Chris have an episode brewing, featuring a conversation with some partners who are helping their corporate overlords walk the walk.   --- *Search Categories* Business --- *Topic Spoiler* Starbucks Workers Unions --- *Further Reading* https://sbworkersunited.org/ ...

S4E12 - The Dirt (Black Oxygen Organics takedown)

September 06, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 75.3 MB

"Even the largest avalanche is triggered by small things." - Vernor Vinge Kayla and Chris tell another side of the classic MLM story - the downfall. And we've got a special interview here to give us all the dirt. --- *Search Categories* MLM; Internet culture; Business; Science/Pseudoscience; Alt Medicine/Wellness --- *Topic Spoiler* Black Oxygen Organics aka BOO --- *Further Reading* https://mombie-antimlm.com/ https://www.facebook.com/MLMombie/ https://www.instagram....

S4E11 - The Antidote

August 23, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 55.8 MB

“Human connection is the suicide killer." Chris and Kayla revisit a former topic that's reared its head in mainstream culture again to talk about why this person continues to amass power...and what the other options are. --- *Search Categories* New Age; Internet culture --- *Topic Spoiler* Teal Swan and suicidality  --- *Further Reading* Emmengard suicide scale The North Wind & the Sun parable David Foster Wallace quote 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline The Trevor...

S4E11 - The Antidote (suicidality & Teal Swan)

August 23, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 55.8 MB

“Human connection is the suicide killer." Chris and Kayla revisit a former topic that's reared its head in mainstream culture again to talk about why this person continues to amass power...and what the other options are. --- *Search Categories* New Age; Internet culture --- *Topic Spoiler* Teal Swan and suicidality  --- *Further Reading* Emmengard suicide scale The North Wind & the Sun parable David Foster Wallace quote 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline The Trevor...

S4E10 - I Didn't Know it Was Wrong[tm]! (how abusers react to accountability)

August 09, 2022 07:00 - 23 minutes - 23.3 MB

Kayla and Chris are on vacation this week! But we still want to bring you some sweet sweet content, so here is a bonus episode from the CoJW patreon last season, where we discuss how weird it is that abusers from disparate communities all use the same refrain when facing accountability: "I didn't know it was wrong!" --- *Search Categories* Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* S3E19 Patreon Bonus episode --- *Patreon Credits* Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Alyssa Ottum, David W...

S4E9 - The Vibes

July 26, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 79.6 MB

“Sometimes reality is too complex. Stories give it form.” - Jean Luc Godard Kayla and Chris fall down the dollhole into an online world of unstable meaning and multilayered storytelling. --- *Search Categories* Internet culture; Common interest/Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* Empty Spaces --- *Further Reading* https://litreactor.com/columns/the-art-of-microfiction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_fiction An Empty Introduction from @maybeElse List of Empty Spaces writ...

S4E9 - The Vibes (Empty Spaces)

July 26, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 79.6 MB

“Sometimes reality is too complex. Stories give it form.” - Jean Luc Godard Kayla and Chris fall down the dollhole into an online world of unstable meaning and multilayered storytelling. --- *Search Categories* Internet culture; Common interest/Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* Empty Spaces --- *Further Reading* https://litreactor.com/columns/the-art-of-microfiction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_fiction An Empty Introduction from @maybeElse List of Empty Spaces writ...

S4E8 - The Magic Formula (Long Term Capital Management)

July 12, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 97.5 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- “Before you attempt to beat the odds, be sure you could survive the odds beating you.” - Larry Kersten Chris takes us back to the 90s... a decade of neon green baseball hats, Crystal Pepsi, Michael Jordan, Alanis Morrisette. And hedge fund disasters. --- *Search Categories* Business; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Long Term Capital Management --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia...

S4E8 - The Magic Formula

July 12, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 97.5 MB

“Before you attempt to beat the odds, be sure you could survive the odds beating you.” - Larry Kersten Chris takes us back to the 90s... a decade of neon green baseball hats, Crystal Pepsi, Michael Jordan, Alanis Morrisette. And hedge fund disasters. --- *Search Categories* Business; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Long Term Capital Management --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-Term_Capital_Management https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge_fund ht...

S4E7 - The Abortion Conversation

June 28, 2022 07:00 - 50 minutes - 44.8 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- “Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair.” - Mariame Kaba With the tragic June 24th reversal of Roe v Wade, Chris & Kayla eschew the usual format and lean hard into talking about helpers. --- *Search Categories* Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Abortion Justice & Access --- *Further Reading* For those seeking abortion access (PLEASE access these while using a VPN): Digi...

S4E6 - The Scheme

June 14, 2022 07:00 - 57 minutes - 54.1 MB

"The worm is not to be trusted" - William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra Chris & Kayla "dig in" to an unlikely but prolific Ponzi scheme in this week's episode. --- *Search Categories* Business; MLM --- *Topic Spoiler* B&B Worm Farm Ponzi scheme --- *Further Reading* https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/06/30/crawling-with-trouble   https://www.thedailyscoop.com/news/agricultures-darkest-fraud-hidden-under-dirt-and-lies   https://www.wave3.com/story/1296095...

S4E6 - The Scheme (B&B Worm Farm Ponzi)

June 14, 2022 07:00 - 57 minutes - 54.1 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- "The worm is not to be trusted" - William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra Chris & Kayla "dig in" to an unlikely but prolific Ponzi scheme in this week's episode. --- *Search Categories* Business; MLM --- *Topic Spoiler* B&B Worm Farm Ponzi scheme --- *Further Reading* https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/06/30/crawling-with-trouble   https://www.thedailyscoop.com/news/agricul...

S4E5 - The Banking Dynasty (The Rothschild Family)

May 31, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 97.8 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- "We use Halloween to scare the kids and bankers to scare the adults." - Anthony T. Hincks Chris and Kayla revisit a past guest to explore a new topic - and take a look at our own biases. Special thanks to returning friend of the show, Mike Rothschild! @rothschildmd on twitter, The Storm is Upon Us on Amazon Episode content warning: Antisemitism  --- *Search Categories* Conspiracy Theory; Busi...

S4E5 - The Banking Dynasty

May 31, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 97.8 MB

"We use Halloween to scare the kids and bankers to scare the adults." - Anthony T. Hincks Chris and Kayla revisit a past guest to explore a new topic - and take a look at our own biases. Special thanks to returning friend of the show, Mike Rothschild! @rothschildmd on twitter, The Storm is Upon Us on Amazon Episode content warning: Antisemitism  --- *Search Categories* Conspiracy Theory; Business; Anthropological; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* The Rothschild Family --...

S4E4 - The Corporate Culture (cultlike corporate practices)

May 17, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- We here at Cult or Just Weird like to call ourselves a family. Kayla & Chris deep dive into a recent article outlining the cult-like criteria present in an area of life where most of us toil away. --- *Search Categories* Business --- *Topic Spoiler* "Company or Cult?" article from The Economist --- *Further Reading* https://www.economist.com/business/2022/03/05/company-or-cult https...

S4E4 - The Corporate Culture

May 17, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MB

We here at Cult or Just Weird like to call ourselves a family. Kayla & Chris deep dive into a recent article outlining the cult-like criteria present in an area of life where most of us toil away. --- *Search Categories* Business --- *Topic Spoiler* "Company or Cult?" article from The Economist --- *Further Reading* https://www.economist.com/business/2022/03/05/company-or-cult https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/15/technology/metamates-meta-facebook.html https://arstec...

S4E3 - The Toolbox

May 03, 2022 07:19 - 1 hour - 71.4 MB

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete. -Jack Kornfield Chris & Kayla tap into their trust network- all the previous guests of the show- to help them build a toolbox of self care strategies. --- *Search Categories* Alt Medicine/Wellness --- *Topic Spoiler* Self care ideas from COJW guests --- *Further Reading* - Move your body! - Chores can be good! Brush your teeth! - Coping skills are ok, they help you cope! - Don't be too hard on yourself...

S4E3 - The Toolbox (self care strategies from past guests)

May 03, 2022 07:19 - 1 hour - 71.4 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete. -Jack Kornfield Chris & Kayla tap into their trust network- all the previous guests of the show- to help them build a toolbox of self care strategies. --- *Search Categories* Alt Medicine/Wellness --- *Topic Spoiler* Self care ideas from COJW guests --- *Further Reading* - Move your body! - Chores can be good! Brush your...

S4E2 - The Tea (Celestial Seasonings & Urantia)

April 19, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- "A simple cup of tea is far from a simple matter. -Mary Lou Heiss" You might want to put that cup of tea down while Kayla spills some of her own tea about a certain producer of such products. Warning: Eugenics :( --- *Search Categories* New Age; Business; Destructive; Alt Medicine/Wellness --- *Topic Spoiler* Celestial Seasonings Tea Company & Urantia --- *Further Reading* https://w...

S4E2 - The Tea

April 19, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MB

"A simple cup of tea is far from a simple matter. -Mary Lou Heiss" You might want to put that cup of tea down while Kayla spills some of her own tea about a certain producer of such products. Warning: Eugenics :( --- *Search Categories* New Age; Business; Destructive; Alt Medicine/Wellness --- *Topic Spoiler* Celestial Seasonings Tea Company & Urantia --- *Further Reading* https://www.inverse.com/article/10731-cults-conspiracies-and-the-twisted-history-of-sleepytime-tea...

S4E1 - The Informed Public (Mike Caulfield interview on info literacy)

April 05, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 86.4 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- Information is abundant. Your attention is priceless. Chris & Kayla kick off S4 of Cult or Just Weird by finding a pretty darn good helper, who has some advice all of us stand to benefit from. --- *Search Categories* Anthropological; Internet culture; Conspiracy Theory --- *Topic Spoiler* Interview w/ Mike Caulfield of UW's Center for an Informed Public --- *Further Reading* https://www...

S3E20 Bonus Patreon Episode (The Rise and Fall of LuLaRoe)

December 29, 2021 08:00 - 32 minutes - 29.3 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- Chris & Kayla interview Stephanie McNeal, Senior Buzzfeed culture reporter, and author of the article on LuLaRoe: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemcneal/lularoe-millennial-women-entrepreneurship-lawsuits   Rise & Fall of LuLaRoe Discovery+ documentary featuring Ms McNeal: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16125656/   *** This episode was originally published to Cult or Just Weird pa...

S3E20 - The Journey

December 28, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 78.1 MB

Every step is on the path. (Lao Tzu) Chris & Kayla reflect on their journey producing three seasons of Cult or Just Weird, and discuss what lies in store for the future. Happy Holidays & may your 2022 bring peace and happiness. --- *Search Categories* Common Interest/Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* CoJW's journey & learnings --- *Further Reading* www.cultorjustweird.com   --- *Patreon Credits* Michaela Evans, Heather Aunspach, Annika Ramen, Zero Serres, Alyssa Ottum...

S3E20 - The Journey (past, present, and future of COJW)

December 28, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 78.1 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- Every step is on the path. (Lao Tzu) Chris & Kayla reflect on their journey producing three seasons of Cult or Just Weird, and discuss what lies in store for the future. Happy Holidays & may your 2022 bring peace and happiness. --- *Search Categories* Common Interest/Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* CoJW's journey & learnings --- *Further Reading* www.cultorjustweird.com   --- *Patr...

S3E19 - The Old New Religious Movement (The Amish)

December 14, 2021 08:03 - 1 hour - 99.4 MB

Wanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord!   --- The tree of spiritual munificence must be refreshed from time to time. Chris gets to learn all about the Amish from someone whose story has been featured on a previous episode. (thanks to Lizzie Hershberger, co-author of Behind Blue Curtains, for her time & insights!) --- *Search Categories* Anthropological; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Amish (current day) & interview with Lizzie Hershbe...

S3E19 - The Old New Religious Movement

December 14, 2021 08:03 - 1 hour - 99.4 MB

The tree of spiritual munificence must be refreshed from time to time. Chris gets to learn all about the Amish from someone whose story has been featured on a previous episode. (thanks to Lizzie Hershberger, co-author of Behind Blue Curtains, for her time & insights!) --- *Search Categories* Anthropological; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Amish (current day) & interview with Lizzie Hershberger --- *Further Reading* https://groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/experts/topics/ ...

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