Cover of Cultish

Book · 2021 · Language Arts & Disciplines

Cultish

The Language of Fanaticism

by Amanda Montell · Recommended by 4 people on 3 podcasts

Why people recommend it

Cultish by Amanda Montell is a fascinating exploration of the language and psychological mechanisms used by modern cults, multilevel marketing schemes, and extreme organizations to exert influence over people. Robert Evans mentioned the book on Behind the Bastards, noting that he had previously cited it on the show and welcoming the author as a guest. Later, on the same podcast, Robert Evans and Sophie Lichterman discussed reading and enjoying the book together. Kate Flannery and Ryan Holiday discussed Cultish on The Daily Stoic, where Flannery praised it as a wonderful book and Holiday mentioned it while considering whether working at American Apparel felt like being in a cult. Additionally, Kyla Scanlon discussed reading the book on Conversations with Tyler while exploring literature about cult dynamics. Listeners and hosts alike appreciate how the book illuminates the persuasive rhetoric inherent in everyday groups and corporate environments, making complex sociological and linguistic concepts accessible and engaging to a broad audience interested in modern psychological manipulation and social influence patterns.

Who recommended it

Robert Evans — 2 mentions
Recommended
“Our wonderful guest today, Amanda Montel, author of the book Cultish, which I've cited on this show.”
Discussed
“um oh we both read this book who's the H I'm forgetting the author's name coltish by I want to say Amanda Montel Amanda Montel cultish was quite good”
Kyla Scanlon — 1 mention
Discussed
“um I'm trying to remember it was actually called cultish by is it Amanda Montell”
Kate Flannery — 1 mention
Recommended
“It's like cultish. Yes, that wonderful book by Amanda Montel.”
Ryan Holiday — 1 mention
Recommended
“yes that wonderful book by Amanda Montel”

Also mentioned in the same episodes

Other mentions (4: passing, ad reads, own books)
Own book
“Amanda Montel, our great guest and the author of Ctish, as soon as we finish this recording”
Own book
“I have another podcast called Magical Overthinkers and I got a bunch of books. Cultish, The Age of Magical Overthinking.”
Own book
“Cultish, The Age of Magical Overthinking. I love talking about social science in a cheeky way.”
Own book
“and then, cultish, my book cultish is is coming out in paperback in June.”