Cult or Just Weird
187 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago - ★★★★★ - 83 ratingsJoin 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?
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Episodes
S1E18 - The Blueprints (RNA & Cell Biology Primer)
November 12, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 75.1 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- We just took a DNA test, turns out... To set the stage for the next cult-or-just-weird in question, Chris & Kayla dig into some very cool molecular biology. --- *Search Categories* Science / Pseudoscience; Business; MLM; Alt Medicine / Wellness --- *Topic Spoiler* Ben Lynch, SeekingHealth, & MTHFR --- *Further Reading* Want to know a bit more about genetics? The "Central Dogma of Mo...
17 - The Spirits
October 29, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 69.9 MBThis episode: so fun, it's scary. Kayla & Chris wrap up their Halloween themed topic and decide if it's a cult, or just weird. --- *Search Categories* Business --- *Topic Spoiler* Spirit Halloween, pt2 --- *Further Reading* Spirit Halloween Wikipedia Spirit Halloween facts on Mental Floss Bloomberg article on Halloween pop-up shops E-clincher Spirit Halloween article Vox Spirit Halloween article Spirit Halloween Know Your Meme Bu...
S1E17 - The Spirits (Spirit Halloween, pt2)
October 29, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 69.9 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- This episode: so fun, it's scary. Kayla & Chris wrap up their Halloween themed topic and decide if it's a cult, or just weird. --- *Search Categories* Business --- *Topic Spoiler* Spirit Halloween, pt2 --- *Further Reading* Spirit Halloween Wikipedia Spirit Halloween facts on Mental Floss Bloomberg article on Halloween pop-up shops E-clincher Spirit Halloween arti...
S1E16 - The Hermit Crabs (Spirit Halloween, pt1)
October 15, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- What do crustaceans, ghosts, and apocalypses have in common? Kayla and Chris welcome in the spooky season with an on-theme episode. --- *Search Categories* Business --- *Topic Spoiler* Spirit Halloween, pt1 --- *Further Reading* Retail apocalypse Wikipedia Vox retail apocalypse article Spirit Halloween Wikipedia Twisp River Joe Marver arson details Joe Mar...
16 - The Hermit Crabs
October 15, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBWhat do crustaceans, ghosts, and apocalypses have in common? Kayla and Chris welcome in the spooky season with an on-theme episode. --- *Search Categories* Business --- *Topic Spoiler* Spirit Halloween, pt1 --- *Further Reading* Retail apocalypse Wikipedia Vox retail apocalypse article Spirit Halloween Wikipedia Twisp River Joe Marver arson details Joe Marver's new gig Spirit Halloween Know Your Meme Spencer Gifts Wikipedia ...
15 - The Actuaries
October 01, 2019 21:55 - 1 hour - 100 MBDon't forget to make your bed, brush your teeth, and contemplate your mortality. Chris & Kayla take a break from talking about cults to discuss life insurance. ... Just kidding on the first part of that sentence. --- *Search Categories* Business; Anthropological --- *Topic Spoiler* Woodmen Life & Modern Woodmen --- *Further Reading* The Peculiar History of Life Insurance Woodmen Life Modern Woodmen Scientific American article on rituals --- ...
S1E15 - The Actuaries (Woodmen Life & Modern Woodmen)
October 01, 2019 21:55 - 1 hour - 100 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Don't forget to make your bed, brush your teeth, and contemplate your mortality. Chris & Kayla take a break from talking about cults to discuss life insurance. ... Just kidding on the first part of that sentence. --- *Search Categories* Business; Anthropological --- *Topic Spoiler* Woodmen Life & Modern Woodmen --- *Further Reading* The Peculiar History of Life Insurance Wo...
S1E14 - The Wonderland (Tulpa Community, pt2)
September 17, 2019 08:00 - 3 hours - 191 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- "It's no use going back to yesterday," said Alice, "because I was a different person then." Kayla & Chris (or possibly their persona-tulpas created by their past selves?) traverse further into the wonderland realm of the imagination. --- *Search Categories* Internet culture; Common interest / Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* Tulpa Community, pt2 --- *Further Reading* COMPILAT...
14 - The Wonderland
September 17, 2019 08:00 - 3 hours - 191 MB"It's no use going back to yesterday," said Alice, "because I was a different person then." Kayla & Chris (or possibly their persona-tulpas created by their past selves?) traverse further into the wonderland realm of the imagination. --- *Search Categories* Internet culture; Common interest / Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* Tulpa Community, pt2 --- *Further Reading* COMPILATION OF ALL HOST/TULPA REDDIT RESPONSES 2018 r/tulpas census Qwanri's headmates Is...
S1E13 - The Imaginary Friends (Tulpa Community, pt1)
September 03, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 98.1 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- The real question is not whether our creations think, but whether we do. Kayla and Chris learn about the strange and endless limits of the human imagination. --- *Search Categories* Internet culture; Common interest / Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* The Tulpa Community, pt1 --- *Further Reading* r/Tulpas Tulpa.info Vice article Globe and Mail article Science Fr...
13 - The Imaginary Friends
September 03, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 98.1 MBThe real question is not whether our creations think, but whether we do. Kayla and Chris learn about the strange and endless limits of the human imagination. --- *Search Categories* Internet culture; Common interest / Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* The Tulpa Community, pt1 --- *Further Reading* r/Tulpas Tulpa.info Vice article Globe and Mail article Science Friday series Prime Mind article Hearing Voices Network
12 - The Creators
August 20, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 114 MBCreativity is a verb, not a noun. Chris & Kayla tackle a rough one today (content warning: white supremacist extremism). But we promise if you stick through to the end of the episode, we end on a much nicer note. --- *Search Categories* Destructive; Conspiracy Theory --- *Topic Spoiler* Creativity Movement --- *Further Reading* https://www.lifeafterhate.org/ https://pmo.gov.et/greenlegacy/ https://emilywhiteheadfoundation.org/ https://www.ecowatch.c...
S1E12 - The Creators (Creativity White Supremacist Organization)
August 20, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 114 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Creativity is a verb, not a noun. Chris & Kayla tackle a rough one today (content warning: white supremacist extremism). But we promise if you stick through to the end of the episode, we end on a much nicer note. --- *Search Categories* Destructive; Conspiracy Theory --- *Topic Spoiler* Creativity White Supremacist Organization --- *Further Reading* https://www.lifeafterhate.org/ ...
11 - The Restaurant
August 06, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 118 MBIs there anything more ritualistic than a meal? Chris and Kayla go out into the field and do some deliciously weird research in order to answer this episode's question. --- *Search Categories* New Religious Movement; Business --- *Topic Spoiler* Loving Hut --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_Hut Vice article LA Weekly article Phoenix New Times article My Recipes article Supreme Master Ching Hai herself Su...
S1E11 - The Restaurant (Loving Hut)
August 06, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 118 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Is there anything more ritualistic than a meal? Chris and Kayla go out into the field and do some deliciously weird research in order to answer this episode's question. --- *Search Categories* New Religious Movement; Business --- *Topic Spoiler* Loving Hut --- *Further Reading* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_Hut Vice article LA Weekly article Phoenix New T...
10 - Apples, Oranges, & Roses pt 2: The Beauty Advisors
July 23, 2019 08:00 - 3 hours - 172 MBThere are three sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth. And no one is lying. -Robert Evans Special thanks to Nancy Carlson & Tracy Coenen for giving their time & insights to the show! Further reading below... -- MLM Wikipedia article Mary Kay Wikipedia article http://www.pinktruth.com/ http://www.responsetopinktruth.com/ CBS News- Is Mary Kay a pink pyramid scheme? ^ Texas Monthly asks the same question ^
10 - The Beauty Advisors
July 23, 2019 08:00 - 3 hours - 172 MBWhat is the truth of pink? Chris & Kayla decide it's high time to interview some experts on the show. And there are three sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Special thanks to Nancy Carlson, and Tracy Coenen of http://www.pinktruth.com/ for giving their time & insights to the show! --- *Search Categories* Popular Episode; Business; MLM; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Mary Kay Cosmetics --- *Further Reading* MLM Wikipedia ar...
S1E10 - The Beauty Advisors (Mary Kay MLM)
July 23, 2019 08:00 - 3 hours - 172 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- What is the truth of pink? Chris & Kayla decide it's high time to interview some experts on the show. And there are three sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Special thanks to Nancy Carlson, and Tracy Coenen of http://www.pinktruth.com/ for giving their time & insights to the show! --- *Search Categories* Popular Episode; Business; MLM; Destructive --- ...
9 - Apples, Oranges, & Roses pt 1: The Flight Plan
July 09, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBIt's a COJW first - Chris and Kayla kick off a non-sequential series about a specific type of cult-or-just-weird group. Links below! -- The Dream podcast MLM Wikipedia article Samantha Bee clip John Oliver clip Vanity Fair article Anti-MLM reddit The Office clip
S1E9 - The Flight Plan (MLM Primer)
July 09, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Have you ever wanted to be your own boss? Make your own hours? Have the financial freedom and success you deserve? Chris & Kayla start tackling a whole giant subcategory of cult-or-just-weirds. Tell at least two friends about the podcast and you'll become a diamond tier listener! --- *Search Categories* MLM; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* MLM Primer --- *Further Reading* The Dream ...
9 - The Flight Plan
July 09, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBHave you ever wanted to be your own boss? Make your own hours? Have the financial freedom and success you deserve? Chris & Kayla start tackling a whole giant subcategory of cult-or-just-weirds. Tell at least two friends about the podcast and you'll become a diamond tier listener! --- *Search Categories* MLM; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* MLM Primer --- *Further Reading* The Dream podcast MLM Wikipedia article Samantha Bee clip John Oliver clip ...
S1E8 - The Primes (Cicada 3301)
June 25, 2019 08:00 - 3 hours - 198 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Seek and you will be found. Chris & Kayla finally disagree on the cult conclusion about a mysterious group that sends its followers on wild goose chases around the internet - and beyond. --- *Search Categories* Popular Episode; Internet Culture --- *Topic Spoiler* Cicada 3301 --- *Further Reading* Uncovering Cicada Wiki (for all pics, esp of Liber Primus, go here) r/cicada ...
8 - The Primes
June 25, 2019 08:00 - 3 hours - 198 MBSeek and you will be found. Chris & Kayla finally disagree on the cult conclusion about a mysterious group that sends its followers on wild goose chases around the internet - and beyond. --- *Search Categories* Popular Episode; Internet Culture --- *Topic Spoiler* Cicada 3301 --- *Further Reading* Uncovering Cicada Wiki (for all pics, esp of Liber Primus, go here) r/cicada 3301's Reddit 3301's Twitter 3301's first phone message The Insta...
7 - The Americans
June 11, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 73.2 MBCult or Just Culture? This episode's topic has "cult" in the name, so case closed, right? Wellllll... we'll get to that. --- *Search Categories* New Religious Movement; Anthropological --- *Topic Spoiler* Cargo Cults & John Frum --- *Further Reading* John Frum Wikipedia article SJSU article Slate article Smithsonian Magazine article Atlas Obscura article Skeptoid transcript Scientific American article Topic Magazine article
S1E7 - The Americans (Cargo Cults & John Frum)
June 11, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 73.2 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Cult or Just Culture? This episode's topic has "cult" in the name, so case closed, right? Wellllll... we'll get to that. --- *Search Categories* New Religious Movement; Anthropological --- *Topic Spoiler* Cargo Cults & John Frum --- *Further Reading* John Frum Wikipedia article SJSU article Slate article Smithsonian Magazine article Atlas Obscura article ...
6 - The Catalyst, pt 2
May 28, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBPrimum non nocere. It's part two of CoJW's take on the Teal Swan New Age & self help business empire. --- *Search Categories* New Age; Business; Internet Culture; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Teal Swan, pt2 --- *Further Reading* NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255 CRISIS TEXT LINE Teal Swan Youtube Teal Swan website Wayback Machine The Gateway Podcast Oh No, Ross & Carrie Podcast (check their episodes "Syn...
S1E6 - The Catalyst, pt 2 (Teal Swan)
May 28, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Primum non nocere. It's part two of CoJW's take on the Teal Swan New Age & self help business empire. --- *Search Categories* New Age; Business; Internet Culture; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Teal Swan, pt2 --- *Further Reading* NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255 CRISIS TEXT LINE Teal Swan Youtube Teal Swan website Wayback Machine ...
5 - The Catalyst
May 14, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 91.2 MBDid it really happen the way you remember? In CoJW's first two parter, Kayla and Chris tackle a surprisingly huge topic - and peel back the many layers to try to understand an interesting but dark persona made famous on the internet. --- *Search Categories* New Age; Business; Internet Culture; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Teal Swan, pt1 --- *Further Reading* NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255 CRISIS TEXT LINE Teal Swan Youtube ...
S1E5 - The Catalyst (Teal Swan)
May 14, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 91.2 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Did it really happen the way you remember? In CoJW's first two parter, Kayla and Chris tackle a surprisingly huge topic - and peel back the many layers to try to understand an interesting but dark persona made famous on the internet. --- *Search Categories* New Age; Business; Internet Culture; Destructive --- *Topic Spoiler* Teal Swan, pt1 --- *Further Reading* NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVE...
S1E4 - The Game (Star Citizen)
April 30, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 125 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- How much would you spend to make it real? Chris brings an unexpected organization to the table in this week's episode. Prepare for the story of too much money, betrayal, pascal's wager, and the charismatic leader of.... a video game. --- *Search Categories* Business; Common interest / Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* Star Citizen --- *Further Reading* https://robertsspaceindustries.com/ ...
4 - The Game
April 30, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 125 MBHow much would you spend to make it real? Chris brings an unexpected organization to the table in this week's episode. Prepare for the story of too much money, betrayal, pascal's wager, and the charismatic leader of.... a video game. --- *Search Categories* Business; Common interest / Fandom --- *Topic Spoiler* Star Citizen --- *Further Reading* https://robertsspaceindustries.com/ https://cloudimperiumgames.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Citizen ...
S1E3 - The City (Irvine, California)
April 16, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 77.4 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- How much do you really know about the place you live? Kayla and Chris get geographical and tackle a topic that stretches the definition of cult to its limit. Or does it? --- *Search Categories* Business; Anthropological --- *Topic Spoiler* City of Irvine, CA --- *Further Reading* https://www.cityofirvine.org/ Irvine on Wikipedia https://www.irvinecompany.com/
3 - The City
April 16, 2019 08:00 - 1 hour - 77.4 MBHow much do you really know about the place you live? Kayla and Chris get geographical and tackle a topic that stretches the definition of cult to its limit. Or does it? --- *Search Categories* Business; Anthropological --- *Topic Spoiler* City of Irvine, CA --- *Further Reading* https://www.cityofirvine.org/ Irvine on Wikipedia https://www.irvinecompany.com/
2 - The Filmmakers
April 02, 2019 00:13 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBWhat the @#$% do we know? In their 2nd episode, Kayla and Chris dig into another topic with a personal connection - and it all stems from one little bleep'n movie you may have heard about. (and the quantum flapdoodle runs deep) --- *Search Categories* New Age; Science / Pseudoscience; Business; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory --- *Topic Spoiler* Ramtha's School of Enlightenment --- *Further Reading* RSE on Wikipedia What the Bleep on Wikipedia https://www...
S1E2 - The Filmmakers (Ramtha's School of Enlightenment)
April 02, 2019 00:13 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- What the @#$% do we know? In their 2nd episode, Kayla and Chris dig into another topic with a personal connection - and it all stems from one little bleep'n movie you may have heard about. (and the quantum flapdoodle runs deep) --- *Search Categories* New Age; Science / Pseudoscience; Business; Destructive; Conspiracy Theory --- *Topic Spoiler* Ramtha's School of Enlightenment --- *Furt...
1 - The Sanctuary
April 01, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBHave you ever worked somewhere that had bizarre secret history? Welcome to the first episode of Cult or Just Weird! In the premiere, Kayla and Chris notice a loose thread that, when pulled, just keeps unraveling... ...but is it a cult, or just weird? --- *Search Categories* Popular Episode; New Religious Movement --- *Topic Spoiler* Best Friends Animal Society --- *Further Reading* Wikipedia article on the Process Church The Process Church on charlesmanson.com
S1E1 - The Sanctuary (Best Friends Animal Society)
April 01, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBWanna chat about the episode? Or just hang out? Come join us on discord! --- Have you ever worked somewhere that had bizarre secret history? Welcome to the first episode of Cult or Just Weird! In the premiere, Kayla and Chris notice a loose thread that, when pulled, just keeps unraveling... ...but is it a cult, or just weird? --- *Search Categories* Popular Episode; New Religious Movement --- *Topic Spoiler* Best Friends Animal Society --- *Further Reading* W...