Free Daily Podcast Summary
Let's Talk About Sects: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Sarah Steel
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. “A fascinating and well-researched look into cults and the charismatic leaders behind them.” Peter Wells, The Sydney Morning Herald “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 “Cleverly named, meticulously researched.” Elena Nicolaou, Refinery29 “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
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 3 days ago49 min
Engineering Dystopia: The Extremist Ideologies of the AI Elite
Dr. Nathalie Maréchal studies technofascism and how we fight back. A core aspect of her work is contesting AI hype and inevitability narratives, notably those that hinge on the notion of "artificial general intelligence" or "superintelligence." In September she published an explainer on What policymakers and the public need to know about the cult of AI in Tech Policy Press, in which she unpacks some very peculiar beliefs that are prevalent in the AI industry and, she argues, are central to the political project to dismantle liberal democracy.LinksWhat Policymakers and the Public Need to Know About the Cult of AI — by Dr Nathalie Maréchal, Tech Policy Press, 18 September 2026Nathalie Maréchal, PhD. — Dr Maréchal's websiteMore Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley's Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity — by Adam Becker, Hachette, May 2025Ex-Google Insider | Why AI CEOs & Whistleblowers Are Both Warning You About AI — The Tea in Conversation with Timnit Gebru, 9 October 2026A Former AI Doomer Reveals a Dark Truth — Cal Newport interviews Emile Torres, 8 October 2026The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy — by Gil Durán, Simon & Schuster, September 2026End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World — by Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor, September 2026Tech Policy Press — further articles by Dr Nathalie MaréchalCredits:Produced by Sarah SteelMusic by Joe GouldYou can support Let's Talk About Sects here.If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via internationalculticstudies.org). If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website at iasp.info. Find Sarah's audiobook Do As I Say here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 3 weeks ago1h 35m
Opus Dei, Tangara and Redfield
With the recent investigations into ‘The Reformers’, the secretive right-wing Christian sub-faction of the New South Wales Liberal Party, as well as the inquiry into the Redeemer Baptist School – also in New South Wales – Former Tangara School for Girls student Claire Harris and former Redfield College student Tim Pocock spoke with LTAS about their experiences in the brother-and-sister Opus Dei affiliated NSW private schools that they believe need some serious reforms of their own.LinksPurity: An Education in Opus Dei — Four Corners, ABC, first broadcast 30 January 2023The Truth Will Set You Free: Growing Up Gay in Opus Dei — by Tim Pocock, Hachette Australia, 2025Opus: dark money, a secretive cult, and its mission to remake our world — by Gareth Gore, Scribe Publications, 2024I went to an Opus Dei school. What I was taught was unbelievable — by Claire Harris, The Sydney Morning Herald, 22 August 2026'Men are like dogs': what I was taught about sexual assault at my Catholic private school — by Claire Harris, The Guardian, 6 March 2021Beyond Purity: The Story Behind the Four Corners Investigation — by Claire Harris, National Secular Lobby, 12 May 2023Purity, hypnosis and hiding — how a gay teen survived Opus Dei — Conversations with Richard Fidler, ABC Radion National, 1 July 2025Sydney schools linked to conservative Catholic group Opus Dei investigated over 'broad' curriculum concerns — SBS News, 30 January 2023Redeemer Baptist School Inquiry — Parliament of New South Wales, 2026Allegations concerning possible offences under the Electoral Funding Act and other matters (Operation Rosny) — NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Investigation related to 'The Reformers', 2026An Open Letter to the Principals of Opus Dei Schools in Sydney — by Pared Alumni, Medium, 25 March 2023Tim Pocock — Tim's IMDB profileHow I Left the Opus Dei — TV miniseries, 2025The Good Spirit: Behind the Doors of the Opus Dei — TV miniseries, 2026Credits:Produced by Sarah SteelMusic by Joe GouldYou can support Let's Tal
- Aug 18, 20261h 24m
The Victorian Cult Inquiry Recommendations with Patrick McIvor
The Victorian Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee has published their final reports from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups, which commenced in April 2025. There are two parts, Volume 1: ‘Crossing the line’ and Volume 2: ‘In their words’. They set out 39 Recommendations which the Victorian Government now has six months to respond to. In this interview episode, lead author of the Beyond Belief submission and advocate Patrick McIvor shares his insights into the landmark report which includes a recommendation of criminalising group-based coercive control, and what the next steps will be.LinksReports from the Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups — Parliament of VictoriaPatrick McIvor — Patrick's websiteBeyond Belief — Inquiry submission, 31 July 2025 (plus Sarah's submission here, 29 July 2025)SOCCHG — Survivors of Coercive Cults and High Control GroupsStop Religious Coercion Australia — website, Facebook group, TikTok and InstagramAustralian Cult Survivors Network — Facebook groupCredits:Produced by Sarah SteelMusic by Joe GouldYou can support Let's Talk About Sects here. Sarah will be appearing at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney on Saturday 22 August, chairing Anke Richter's session which also features Laura McConnell, more info about that here. And Joe Gould who you'll know as the composer of this podcast is touring with his band The Crooked Fiddle Band for their 20th anniversary – they count Brian Eno amongst their fans. More info about that here.If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via internationalculticstudies.org). If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website at iasp.info. Find Sarah's audiobook Do As I Say here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jul 12, 202639 min
Can You Handle a Girl Like Me with Bek Condello
In a sleepy Canberra suburb, Bek Condello was raised in a strict patriarchal Pentecostal movement. The influence of the Geelong Revival Centre extended deeply into the lives of the congregation, promoting discipline and dictating how girls and women behaved, who they socialised with and who they would marry. After finding her way out and discovering her own identity, Bek has written a memoir, out on 14 July, called Can You Handle a Girl Like Me. Through her story she hopes she can inspire others to rebuild and thrive after deep loss.LinksCan You Handle a Girl Like Me — by Bek Condello, Penguin, 2026Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder — Richard Baker's podcast about the Geelong Revival CentreCredits:Produced by Sarah SteelMusic by Joe GouldYou can support Let's Talk About Sects here. Sarah will be appearing at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney on Saturday 22 August, chairing Anke Richter's session which also features Laura McConnell, more info about that here. And Joe Gould who you'll know as the composer of this podcast is touring with his band The Crooked Fiddle Band for their 20th anniversary – they count Brian Eno amongst their fans. More info about that here.If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via internationalculticstudies.org). If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website at iasp.info. Find Sarah's audiobook Do As I Say here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 21, 202653 min
ICSA with Carol Merchasin
Carol Merchasin is the newly appointed President of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). Drawing on decades of experience in law, investigations, and survivor advocacy, Carol has led inquiries into allegations of misconduct within prominent spiritual and religious organisations and has worked extensively with survivors of coercive control and abuse. Through her legal practice, public education efforts, and leadership at ICSA, she has become a leading voice on cultic abuse, human trafficking, labour exploitation, and the protection of vulnerable individuals within high-control environments.In this interview episode, we chatted about the role of ICSA, where Carol sees the organisation going next, what's upcoming at the 2026 ICSA Conference in July, and some of the trends and shifts the organisation is seeing with coercive groups, holding them to account, and the media landscape.LinksInternational Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) — official websiteICSA Conference 2026 — 1-4 July, San Diego USACredits:Produced by Sarah SteelMusic by Joe GouldYou can support Let's Talk About Sects here. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via internationalculticstudies.org). If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website at iasp.info. Find Sarah's audiobook Do As I Say here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 2, 20261h 7m
Eternal Values with Hoyt Richards
Hoyt Richards spent over two decades in Eternal Values, after first meeting the man who called himself Frederick von Mierers on a beach at the age of 16. Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult, out now on HBO Max with episodes releasing weekly, explores Hoyts’ journey alongside other actors and models of the era, and Hoyt has spent the years since his exit dedicated to educating people about the red flags to watch out for so that they don’t ever have to go through the experience that he did.When Hoyt finally left Eternal Values, at the age of 37 and years after Freddie himself had died, it wasn’t because he had realised it was a cult; he had hit rock bottom, felt like he wasn’t up to the group’s work and was letting everyone down. Until he reconnected with fellow former member, actor and filmmaker Dar Dixon, and they started examining their experiences more deeply together, he really didn’t know exactly what had happened to him – even though cult accusations had been brought against the group for years.LinksBring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult — HBO MaxEast Side Alien — by Marie Brenner, Vanity Fair, March 1990Hoyt Richards IMDB profileCredits:Produced by Sarah SteelMusic by Joe GouldYou can support Let's Talk About Sects here. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via www.cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via www.icsahome.com). If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention website at www.iasp.info. Find Sarah's audiobook Do As I Say here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- May 31, 202653 min
Coercive Control in Charismatic Evangelical Churches with the RTC
When we talk about cults, we tend to picture the ones that make headlines: isolated compounds, charismatic leaders, dramatic exits. But what about the church down the street? The one with the worship band and the small groups and the Instagram presence? In this episode, Sam Sellers and Elise Heerde, co-founders of the Religious Trauma Collective, talk about what happens when coercive control operates inside institutions that look, from the outside, like ordinary community. We also touch on evangelical support for Trump in the USA, and how Australia is not immune from those who would like to see a theocracy here.LinksReligious Trauma Collective — official websiteRTC Annual Online Event — running 19-21 June 2026Sam Sellers — Anchored Counselling ServicesElise Heerde — official websiteCredits:Produced by Sarah SteelMusic by Joe GouldYou can support Let's Talk About Sects here. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via www.cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via www.icsahome.com). Find Sarah's audiobook Do As I Say here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- May 26, 20261h 33m
Sphinx Spiritual – Part 2
Sphinx Spiritual takes instruction from a council of entities that includes Leonardo da Vinci, Lady Di, Sir Francis Bacon, Mahatma Ghandi, an alien called Zootor, and married Mornington Peninsula couple Ian and Pearl Rogers. Forum posts dating back to 2012 allege that the organisation is run as a cult. And the operation goes back long before this – but it’s only now that former members have started speaking out.Full research sources listed here. You can support us on Patreon, with a one-off donation, or grab some merch. Sarah Steel's debut book Do As I Say is available on audiobook now. If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, contact Cult Information and Family Support in Australia, or the International Cultic Studies Association outside of Australia.Credits:Written and hosted by Sarah SteelMusic by Joe GouldLinks:Legislative Assembly Victoria Clerk of the Papers — Notices of Questions, Volume 4, Session 1988-92Legislative Assembly Victoria Clerk of the Papers — Notices of Questions, Volume 3, Session 1988-91‘To strike a balance’: A History of Victoria’s Workers’ Compensation Scheme, 1985–2010 — by Marianna Stylianou, Monash University, June 2011WorkCare funds $2m lawsuit against ABC — by Paul Robinson, The Age, 17 November 1991Lengthy defamation case draws to close — by Paul Robinson, The Age, 22 March 1992ROUX AND OTHERS v AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSION [1992] 2 VR 577 — BYRNE J., 13 Mar 1992, Victorian ReportsPublic Service ‘spy’ wins compo claim — by Gay Alcorn, The Age, 2 December 1990Who are the Council? - more than 7 Historical icons! — Sphinx Spiritual YouTube channel, 31 March 2023Inside the Sphinx Spiritual School — A Current Affair, 16 February 2026Inside the controversial spiritual school run by former detectives — by Sam Cucchiara, A Current Affair, 16 February 2026The 11 Spiritual Values - Revealed! — Sphinx Spiritual YouTube channel, 17 February 2023</li
Get Let's Talk About Sects summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
Survivors and experts explore how people join cults, endure manipulation, and rebuild after leaving.
Forgive Me For I Have Followed
Former members and a producer expose the control and manipulation within 7M Films and Shekinah Church through survivor stories.
Digital Social Hour
Unfiltered conversations with controversial and influential figures exploring their lives, challenges, and ideas.
Get Obsessed : With Living Your Best Life
Two hosts explore transformative stories and taboo topics with people challenging norms and living unfiltered lives.
Sacred Scandal
A survivor investigates the hidden crimes of a revered Catholic figure and the fallout from his abuse of power.
We Need to Talk Podcast
Discusses personal growth and relationships through candid conversations on life, faith, and intimacy.
Ghost Church by Jamie Loftus
Jamie Loftus examines American spiritualist camps, exploring how people cope with grief and seek connection through mediumship and religious practices.
I was a Teenage Fundamentalist. An Exvangelical podcast.
Two former megachurch leaders examine their experiences in and aftermath of Christian fundamentalism.
Prose Society with Eli Rallo
A weekly podcast blending literary analysis and pop culture conversation for fans of classic novels and reality TV alike.
Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus
Freidom Fighter
hidden experience audio
In-depth interviews exploring the personal impact of UFO contact and the broader UFO mystery.
Mormon Stories Podcast
Personal stories from current and former Mormons exploring faith, doubt, and cultural identity within the LDS tradition.
About 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. “A fascinating and well-researched look into cults and the charismatic leaders behind them.” Peter Wells, The Sydney Morning Herald “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 “Cleverly named, meticulously researched.” Elena Nicolaou, Refinery29 “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
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Let's Talk About Sects in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Let's Talk About Sects daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Let's Talk About Sects as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Let's Talk About Sects podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Let's Talk About Sects product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Sarah Steel.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Let's Talk About Sects release new episodes?
Let's Talk About Sects publishes monthly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Let's Talk About Sects cover?
Let's Talk About Sects covers topics including Religion & Spirituality, Spirituality, Documentary, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Let's Talk About Sects summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.