Updated June 2026
As a therapist, I spend much of my professional life immersed in topics like trauma, anxiety, relationship dynamics, OCD, self-esteem, and the universal human need for belonging. Those are the primary areas of focus in my therapy practice. They have also led me to a broader interest in the psychology of influence, autonomy, identity, and the ways people lose and reclaim their sense of self.
Cult psychology and the study of coercive, high-control groups and relationships are one lens through which I explore these questions.
I find the psychological patterns that show up in cults incredibly relevant to broader conversations about human behavior, resilience, and healing. Many of the psychological dynamics that make high-control groups so damaging—loss of autonomy, manipulation of fears, erosion of self-trust, and conditional belonging—also appear in abusive relationships, toxic workplaces, and family systems that stifle individuality.
Over the years, I’ve found myself gravitating toward podcasts that unpack these dynamics with depth, compassion, and clarity. Today, I want to share some of my favorite shows in this area. If you’ve ever been curious about cult psychology, or simply want to understand more about how people break free from controlling environments, these podcasts are excellent starting points.
1. Seek Safely
This podcast grew out of the heartbreaking story of Kirby Brown, a vibrant woman who died in a self‑help retreat gone terribly wrong. Her family created the Seek Safely Foundation to advocate for safe, ethical practices in self‑improvement spaces.
The Seek Safely podcast offers thoughtful conversations about the “self‑help” industry, how certain leaders can cross ethical lines, and what consumers can do to protect themselves. What I love most is how balanced it is: it’s not anti‑self‑help, but rather pro‑accountability.
As a therapist, I find it refreshing to hear nuanced discussions about empowerment without manipulation. Listening to this podcast reminds me how important it is to stay anchored in critical thinking and to seek healing spaces that truly honor your autonomy.
2. A Little Bit Culty
Hosted by Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames (two former members of the infamous NXIVM organization) A Little Bit Culty brings a mix of personal experience, expert interviews, and dark humor to the topic of cults and high‑control groups.
Sarah and Nippy’s story is both sobering and inspiring. They escaped NXIVM and now use their platform to shed light on coercive control tactics and recovery journeys. Each episode dives into different organizations, survivor stories, and the subtle ways manipulation can look like empowerment at first glance.
What resonates with me is how their conversations often circle back to rebuilding trust in yourself after leaving a controlling environment. That rebuilding process (whether you’ve left a cult, a toxic relationship, or a job that drained your sense of worth) is profoundly therapeutic work.
3. The Dream
The Dream is a narrative podcast that digs into industries and movements that often promise transformation but operate with questionable practices. Season one unpacks the multi‑level marketing (MLM) industry, and season two dives into the wellness industry’s gray areas.
While not strictly about cults, The Dream brilliantly highlights the psychology of persuasion: how charismatic leaders sell hope, how groupthink operates, and how we’re all vulnerable to wanting belonging and quick solutions.
Listening to this podcast often makes me think of people who’ve shared experiences of being swept up in systems (whether family dynamics or corporate cultures) that once felt like they offered meaning, only to find out the cost was self‑neglect.
4. The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steven Hassan
Dr. Steven Hassan is a leading expert in cult psychology and author of Combating Cult Mind Control. On The Influence Continuum, he interviews survivors, experts, and advocates about how undue influence works, and how people can recover their freedom of mind.
What sets this podcast apart is the depth of Dr. Hassan’s framework. He doesn’t just talk about cults in the classic sense (like religious sects). He also explores political cults, therapy cults, and high‑control relationships. His model of healthy vs. unhealthy influence is incredibly useful when thinking about any dynamic where power and control are at play.
As a therapist, I appreciate how he combines research, real‑world examples, and compassion for survivors. It reinforces something I deeply believe in my own work: healing begins when we start to name and understand the forces that shaped us.
5. Cults to Consciousness
Hosted by Shelise Ann Sola, Cults to Consciousness focuses on stories of people leaving high‑control groups and rebuilding their lives. Each episode offers a blend of personal storytelling and thoughtful analysis of how controlling systems function.
What I appreciate most is how the show doesn’t stop at the escape; it’s about what comes after. How do you rebuild identity? How do you learn to trust your own mind again? How do you find community that’s truly supportive rather than controlling?
These are questions that echo far beyond cult recovery. Many of my clients, even those never involved in a formal cult, grapple with similar questions when leaving relationships or patterns that diminished their sense of self.
Why I Love Sharing These Resources
I believe therapy (and healing in general) is about understanding the forces that shape us, both externally and internally.
When I listen to these podcasts, I hear stories of human resilience. I hear about people learning to discern truth from illusion, learning to trust their own voice after years of suppression, after experiencing high-control groups, and learning that they deserve lives defined by freedom and authenticity.
These are the same themes I witness every day in therapy, even if the context is different. Healing is not linear. It often involves untangling from beliefs, systems, or relationships that once felt like the answer but ultimately caused harm.
I've also written another article exploring the idea of "cultiness" as a spectrum and why understanding coercive influence can be valuable far beyond traditional definitions of cults.
Why This Matters Beyond Cults
One of the reasons I return to these resources again and again is that they remind me that the desire to belong is not a weakness. Whether we are talking about a cult, a family, a workplace, or a relationship, human beings naturally seek connection, meaning, and community. Understanding the psychology of influence helps us build relationships that deepen our sense of self rather than ask us to surrender it.
A Gentle Invitation
If you’re curious, I encourage you to explore these podcasts on cult psychology. Let them spark your own reflections about autonomy, influence, and the kind of communities you want to build around yourself. And if you notice parallels in your own life (relationships that feel one‑sided, environments that don’t honor your individuality) know that you’re not alone, and support is available.
While I do not specialize exclusively in cult recovery, I do offer depth-oriented therapy for people seeking to rebuild trust in themselves, heal from difficult relationships, and live in greater alignment with their own values.
If you’d like to learn more about my therapy practice or explore working together, feel free to reach out here. In the meantime, I hope these podcasts offer insight, validation, and maybe even a spark of empowerment.
Have a favorite podcast or resource in this area?
I’d love to hear what resonates with you. Feel free to send me a note, I’m always up for thoughtful conversations about the many ways we learn, grow, and reclaim our freedom of mind.
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Rebecca Steele | Smart Therapy®
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist (MA, MSW, RSW, CCC)
Rebecca Steele is a psychotherapist in Ontario who works with adults navigating anxiety, relationship patterns, self-worth, emotional neglect, and high sensitivity (HSP traits). Her work integrates depth psychology, emotion-focused and psychodynamic approaches, and may incorporate the Enneagram as a framework for self-understanding and personal growth.
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