What is a cult? How are they created? Who joins a cult? Why? How can we recognize a cult if we’re in one? In this introductory episode, cult survivor Gerette Buglion, author of An Everyday Cult, delves into her experience living in a cult for eighteen years to answer these compelling questions. 

Cult dynamics exist in all layers of society. They can be political, racist, religious, sexual, satanic, or educational. They can be founded on human potential, mass transformation, or mass marketing… Initially, many Everyday Cults can seem perfectly normal and acceptable until that very convincing façade starts to crack. 

We discuss the techniques cults use—such as ‘love bombing’, polarized thinking, and loading the language which we’ll investigate further in future episodes—to attract and keep members and the unbalanced power dynamics that often result. We talk about the recognition of abuse that caused Gerette to leave the cult and dedicate her life to helping others come to similar realizations. 

Tune in for frank talk about everyday cults and how they can endanger everyday people like you and me. 

Views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Gerette Buglion arising from her personal 18-year cultic involvement and from her work in cult recovery and education.