Let's Talk About Sects podcast

Let's Talk About Sects

Let's Talk About Sects is an award-winning monthly podcast focusing on a different cult each episode. Sarah takes a storytelling, deep dive approach, looking at the history of a sect's leaders, the recruitment of members, their experiences, psychological aspects, and notable incidents during its existence. You can support us on [Patreon] (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=7859667) , with a [one-off donation] (http://paypal.me/SarahPSteel) , or grab some [merch] (https://www.ltaspod.com/merch) . Sarah Steel's debut book Do As I Say is [available now] (https://bit.ly/3ORHlnA) . “A fascinating and well-researched look into cults and the charismatic leaders behind them.” Peter Wells, [The Sydney Morning Herald] (https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-age-s-wrong-skin-named-podcast-of-the-year-20190520-p51pa3.html) “A fantastic examination of sects, cults, and religion… a fact-based program that’ll hook you in and keep you coming back for more.” Zach Johnston, [Uproxx] (https://uproxx.com/life/best-podcasts-about-cults-2019/3/) “Cleverly named, meticulously researched.” Elena Nicolaou, [Refinery29] (https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/08/206391/podcasts-about-cults#slide-1) “The best podcast of its kind – I can’t wait for another episode!” Apple Podcasts review from a US listener “I study cults and sects and for this reason listen to many podcasts on these subjects. This one is by far the best.” Apple Podcasts review from a US listener “Best podcast about cults I’ve found.” Apple Podcasts review from an Australian listener Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Let's Talk About Sects is an award-winning monthly podcast focusing on a different cult each episode. Sarah takes a storytelling, deep dive approach, looking at the history of a sect's leaders, the recruitment of members, their experiences, psychological aspects, and notable incidents during its existence. You can support us on [Patreon] (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=7859667) , with a [one-off donation] (http://paypal.me/SarahPSteel) , or grab some [merch] (https://www.ltaspod.com/merch) . Sarah Steel's debut book Do As I Say is [available now] (https://bit.ly/3ORHlnA) . “A fascinating and well-researched look into cults and the charismatic leaders behind them.” Peter Wells, [The Sydney Morning Herald] (https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-age-s-wrong-skin-named-podcast-of-the-year-20190520-p51pa3.html) “A fantastic examination of sects, cults, and religion… a fact-based program that’ll hook you in and keep you coming back for more.” Zach Johnston, [Uproxx] (https://uproxx.com/life/best-podcasts-about-cults-2019/3/) “Cleverly named, meticulously researched.” Elena Nicolaou, [Refinery29] (https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/08/206391/podcasts-about-cults#slide-1) “The best podcast of its kind – I can’t wait for another episode!” Apple Podcasts review from a US listener “I study cults and sects and for this reason listen to many podcasts on these subjects. This one is by far the best.” Apple Podcasts review from a US listener “Best podcast about cults I’ve found.” Apple Podcasts review from an Australian listener Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

 

#109

The Nannup Four with Dominique Bayens

Expanse is the ABC’s internationally award-winning podcast exploring big stories from acro... more

22 Mar 2026

36 MINS

36:21

22 Mar 2026


#108

Nephew of the Universe: Sri Chinmoy with Harry Rob Bruner

Harry Robert Bruner was brought into Sri Chinmoy as a child, joining the organisation run ... more

16 Dec 2025

1 HR 04 MINS

1:04:57

16 Dec 2025


#107

Allison After NXIVM with Natalie Robehmed

[Allison after NXIVM] (https://link.mgln.ai/AANxLTAS) tells the story of Allison Mack: for... more

25 Nov 2025

55 MINS

55:21

25 Nov 2025


#106

Empire of Orgasm: OneTaste with Ellen Huet

[Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult] (https://www.ellenhuet... more

18 Nov 2025

1 HR 11 MINS

1:11:05

18 Nov 2025


#105

The Collective: Dark Squares with Danny Rensch

Danny Rensch grew up in the Church of Immortal Consciousness, a cult he usually refers to ... more

02 Sep 2025

1 HR 26 MINS

1:26:52

02 Sep 2025


#104

Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes

From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world is f... more

13 Aug 2025

07 MINS

07:57

13 Aug 2025


#103

Interview Episode: Fynn's time with the Logos Foundation

The Logos Foundation was often described as ‘mysterious’ in media coverage, but became a p... more

29 Jul 2025

43 MINS

43:02

29 Jul 2025


#102

Interview Episode: Clare Heath-McIvor

Clare Heath-McIvor is the daughter of the leader of the City Builders Church, an organisat... more

01 Jul 2025

1 HR 23 MINS

1:23:34

01 Jul 2025


#101

Cult Bride & Providence/JMS with Liz Cameron

In 2011, an 18-year-old Liz Cameron joined a Bible study group she only knew as ‘Sarang Ch... more

03 Jun 2025

1 HR 27 MINS

1:27:11

03 Jun 2025


#100

Interview Episode: Victorian Inquiry into Cults with Ryan & Catherine Carey

The Parliament of Victoria has launched an [Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impac... more

20 May 2025

55 MINS

55:57

20 May 2025


#99

Falun Gong

Falun Gong is familiar to many as a spiritual exercise movement, and a sect that has been ... more

22 Apr 2025

1 HR 11 MINS

1:11:51

22 Apr 2025


#98

Children in Scientology with Mirriam Francis

In the wake of updates to Child Safety Standards emerging from Australia’s Royal Commissio... more

08 Apr 2025

1 HR 11 MINS

1:11:03

08 Apr 2025


#97

SGAs with Maria Esguerra

Maria Esguerra escaped the [Children of God] (https://sites.google.com/d/1NsQplZnDzUt5VcCS... more

01 Apr 2025

1 HR 21 MINS

1:21:02

01 Apr 2025


#96

Interview Episode: An Everyday Cult with Gerette Buglion

Gerette Buglion holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education, and earned her... more

25 Mar 2025

57 MINS

57:22

25 Mar 2025


#95

Interview Episode: The Community of Jesus

Ewan Whyte's feature essay, [‘The Cult That Raised Me’] (https://torontolife.com/life/gren... more

18 Mar 2025

50 MINS

50:00

18 Mar 2025


#94

ISKCON / Hare Krishnas – Part 2

When asked about the Hare Krishnas, most people will conjure images of dancing, chanting p... more

18 Feb 2025

46 MINS

46:51

18 Feb 2025


#93

ISKCON / Hare Krishnas – Part 1

When asked about the Hare Krishnas, most people will conjure images of dancing, chanting p... more

11 Feb 2025

37 MINS

37:02

11 Feb 2025


#92

Interview Episode: Two by Twos Update

Let’s Talk About Sects did [a deep dive episode] (https://sites.google.com/d/1NsQplZnDzUt5... more

06 Feb 2025

1 HR 28 MINS

1:28:27

06 Feb 2025


#91

Interview Episode: Geelong Revival Centre with Richard Baker

Richard Baker's [Pray Harder] (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/secrets-we-keep/id169... more

07 Jan 2025

44 MINS

44:08

07 Jan 2025


#90

The Jesus Christians – Part 2

In Melbourne you might have picked up a book or a comic from a Jesus Christian outside Fli... more

24 Dec 2024

52 MINS

52:47

24 Dec 2024


#89

The Jesus Christians – Part 1

The media coverage of the Jesus Christians tends to outweigh their size. Most people who h... more

17 Dec 2024

46 MINS

46:53

17 Dec 2024


#88

Bonus Episode: A New Media Narrative at Decult

Sarah moderated a panel discussion at the recent [Decult conference] (https://decult.net/)... more

03 Dec 2024

1 HR 01 MINS

1:01:05

03 Dec 2024


#87

The Revival Fellowship

The Revival Fellowship is a Pentecostal Australian sect that believes in Bible Numerics, a... more

19 Nov 2024

1 HR 07 MINS

1:07:36

19 Nov 2024


#86

Running River: the Divine Madness School

AJ was sent to the Running River school in around 2007, to attend kindergarten when she wa... more

08 Oct 2024

1 HR 05 MINS

1:05:04

08 Oct 2024


#85

ICAM & The Freedom Train Project

Dr Tabitha Chapman is the founder of [The Freedom Train Project] (https://thefreedomtrainp... more

10 Sep 2024

52 MINS

52:12

10 Sep 2024


#84

Cults & Healthcare Neglect

Dr Caroline Ansley is the founder of Centrepoint Restoration Project, a website that serve... more

20 Aug 2024

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:37

20 Aug 2024


#83

Universal Predator with Esther Rockett

You may recall the name ‘Esther Rockett’ from [episode 2, season 3] (https://sites.google.... more

16 Jul 2024

58 MINS

58:36

16 Jul 2024


#82

Cult Information and Family Support with Tore Klevjer

Tore Klevjer has been involved with the volunteer charity organisation [Cult Information a... more

18 Jun 2024

46 MINS

46:33

18 Jun 2024


#81

Escaping Twin Flames with Cecilia Peck & Inbal B. Lessner

Cecilia Peck and Inbal B. Lessner are the director/producer/editor team behind the award-w... more

07 May 2024

58 MINS

58:31

07 May 2024