A cult has its own ideologies with very distinct rituals or practices. Most of these ideologies are based on the weirdest premises like aliens coming to rescue the cult members or a sex-centric perspective on how to spread the views of Jesus.

In any case, a cult is often headed by an authoritarian but charismatic leader. These cults are brainwashing, exploiting their members, and demanding full devotion to the leader.  Members of a cult live in isolation from the rest of the world.

In the 1970s and the 80s, there were large numbers of stories in the media about all sorts of weird cults.  You may remember for example the Hare Krishna movement, the Manson Family and the murder of Sharon Tate, the Heaven’s Gate mass suicide, or the Children of God.  Today, you would be hard-pressed to find a cult story in the mainstream media.  But thanks to independent writers and producers, we have access to some of these unbelievable stories.  Beth interviewed Sarah Steel, the writer, and producer of the award-winning podcast ‘Let’s Talk about Sects’ and the author of the book ‘Do As I Say’ which explores the threads of coercive control.