Best Undue Influence Podcasts (2025)

1
Ending Corporate Harm: Undue Influence Within Corporate Product Health and Safety with Dr. Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH 1:04:27

10d ago1:04:27

1:04:27

Did you know that environmental factors, rather than hereditary factors, are taking the lead in driving illness and early mortality? That shift is primarily due to the harm caused by corporations and their products, says Dr. Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services at the Universi…

1
Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity With Sander van der Linden Ph.D. 1:02:01

3d ago1:02:01

1:02:01

“Misinformation spreads like a virus,” explained Sander van der Linden, Ph.D., a Professor of Social Psychology in Society and Director of the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge. He asked the question, “Is there a way to inoculate or immunize people?” His award-winning book Foolproof:…

1
98. Everything you need to know about Transgender Ideology in Israel | Tal Croitoru 1:07:22

13d ago1:07:22

1:07:22

Substack bonus: Women aren't men without penises. My completely maddening phone call with the manager of a co-working & exercise space in Tel Aviv Dr. Tal Croitoru, is one of the only mental health professionals in Israel speaking out about the harms of transgender ideology. Tal, like many others, was sold on the idea that "trans" was simply a cont…

1
How the International Church of Christ (ICOC) Preys on Hispanic Communities with Tania Díaz 1:22:30

17d ago1:22:30

1:22:30

There has been a huge increase in Christian “Bible” Cults over the past 40 plus years- especially ones that do “Shepherding or Dicipling” in an authoritarian structure. The public doesnt understand how millions of people are deceptively recruited and indoctrinated into these groups and why they are called “cults.” One such cult network started in M…

1
Without the Guru: How I Took My Life Back After Thirty Years with Mike Finch 56:27

24d ago56:27

56:27

Mike Finch has a Doctorate in Math and Theoretical Physics. He is also a Fellow of the International Society for Philosophers. Like many people I know, he was on a meditation journey and ended up with an Indian guru, then called “Guru Maharaji,” then just “Maharaji,” and later only by his given name: Prem Rawat. Mike was able to leave Rawat in 2000…

1
The Devil’s Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes with Filmmaker Yariv Mozer 1:02:55

1M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Hannah Arendt’s 1963 book, “The Banality of Evil,” is actually wrong. It portrayed the lie Eichmann told when he was on trial. He said that he was “just following orders.” Arendt got conned. Eichmann was a true believer in Hitler’s final solution and a committed Anti-Semite. On this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, I spoke wi…

1
Deconstructing Christian Nationalist Upbringing, Alt-Right Doctrine, and Abusive Religious Parenting With Monte Mader 1:01:10

1M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Monte Mader grew up in a Christian Nationalist family where indoctrination and abuse were ever-present. I became a fan of her powerful voice as she eviscerated the lies of Christian Dominionism, Christian Nationalism, and the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) using her knowledge of scripture and Christian ideologies. She has over a million followers …

1
Social, Forensic, and Media Psychology: Law and Reform in Current Practices Surrounding Influence With Brian L. Cutler, Ph.D. 1:03:00

2M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

The law is out of date on topics regarding how the mind works and how much social influence can sway people to do and believe things that are not common sense. Dr. Cutler has done cutting edge work in forensics and law enforcement analysis. He serves at Fielding Graduate University as both a Professor and Program Director. Social Psychology is one …

1
Rapid Advancements in VR and AI: Understanding Opportunities and Necessary Boundaries With David Christopher Lane, PhD 1:04:09

2M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

“Our brain is a like a VR headset. That’s what it is. It renders incoming data streams to interpret different worlds,” David explained. He proposed that we already live in a symbolic universe, such as the trash can on a desktop being merely a symbol of an action taken on a computer. “VR is a much better model to explain what our brains do,” he cont…

1
In the Shadow of Enlightenment: A Girl’s Journey Through the Osho Rajneesh Cult with Sarito Carroll 1:01:43

2M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

The highly watched Netflix 2018 documentary Wild Wild Country for people “in the know” was terribly biased. There were no former members. No cult experts. The two people featured were still “true believers in the cult leader, Rajneesh–who was rebranded after his expulsion from the United States as Osho. This cult took over the small town of Antelop…

1
The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains With Robert H. Lustig, M.D., M.S.L 58:44

2M ago58:44

58:44

The future of Public Health depends on protection against unrestrained corporate power. A sicker humanity means increased pain and suffering at large. In the past, we have identified numerous exposures that have made us sick, many of which are addictive, and created shield laws to protect the corporations that peddle them. We also know it’s our mos…

1
Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity Is Taking Over the World with Elle Hardy 1:00:01

2M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

In this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, I discussed the steady rise of Pentecostal Christianity with award-winning journalist and author Elle Hardy. Her 2022 book, Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity Is Taking Over the World, details how the charismatic movement has become a global phenomenon, with currently (2025) a…

1
Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America with Jane Borden 54:49

3M ago54:49

54:49

One of Jane’s most striking points in her book and our conversation is that cults aren’t just something “other people” get involved in. Cults can deceptively recruit anyone and work in many different spheres of influence. “I just started pulling the thread,” Jane recalled, “and traced it back to the Puritans.” She explains how the theological world…

1
The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America with David Pakman 52:45

3M ago52:45

52:45

Right-wing extremism, post-truth America, and media literacy converge in my conversation with David Pakman. Pakman is a prominent political commentator and the host of The David Pakman Show, with over three million YouTube subscribers. Known for his insightful arguments and approachable style, Pakman tackles complex social issues, educating us on t…

1
Cults, Authoritarian Control, and the Fight for Democracy with Sociologist Dr. Stephen A. Kent 59:35

3M ago59:35

59:35

Cult influence can be found everywhere online, including the political sphere we see when we scroll on social media. Understanding how authoritarian control operates is critical in preserving our autonomy and individuality. In this new episode of The Influence Continuum, I talk with Dr. Stephen Kent, professor emeritus of sociology, who taught cour…

1
Shadow Diplomacy: Lev Parnas and his Wild Ride from Brooklyn to Trump’s Inner Circle 50:41

3M ago50:41

50:41

On this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, we spoke with Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-American businessman and former Trump insider turned whistleblower. He has withstood intimidation, threats, and time in prison to present evidence and help America better understand the truth about the cult of Trump. His book, Shadow Diplomacy: Lev…

1
From Supermodel to Cult Survivor: A Story of Purpose and Healing with Hoyt Richards 1:12:25

4M ago1:12:25

1:12:25

“You were involved for over 20 years with an apocalyptic, survivalist UFO-like cult. Before joining the cult, you were a bright 16-year-old who later attended Princeton and played football for them as a cornerback. Looking back, you were essentially a bright, educated, charismatic young man who happened to meet the wrong person at the wrong time.” …

1
Terror Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems with Alexandra Stein PhD 1:01:59

4M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

“I do feel we have an obligation to speak up,” Alexandra Stein, PhD said on this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, “and it’s tough for people to resist these systems when there is total silence, and that’s what these systems kind of rely on.” Alexandra exited a ten year stint in a left wing political cult when she was 36 years…

1
Betrayal of The Spirit: Krishna, Cults and Healing with Nori Muster 1:03:58

4M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

 Cult survivors often have the instinct to want to save as many people as possible from the cult they survived. However, healing from the things they encountered while in the cult is often a first step before a survivor can help others escape. Cult survivors usually seek to heal with some form of therapy and move on. Nori was a member of ISKCON fro…

1
Neural Surfing: Consciousness, Meditation, and Mystical Manipulation in Spiritual Organizations With David Christopher Lane 1:07:20

4M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

For many, practices like meditation and yoga are among the most thrilling avenues for deepening spiritual awareness. At their best, these techniques can serve as a neurological and biochemical reset—enhancing self-awareness and empowering transformation. But at their worst, they can cause a loss of personal grounding, leaving individuals vulnerable…

1
The Time Cure: Overcoming PTSD with the New Psychology of Time Perspective Therapy by Dr. Philip Zimbardo with Rosemary Sword 1:04:12

5M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

Those who have experienced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) will often report the profoundly painful experience of being thrown into past trauma by a particular trigger. Common examples include war veterans who may experience full body activation following a loud explosive noise. Another examp…

1
97. Recovering Our Instincts & Free Birth in the Age of Undue Influence(s) | Mary Lou Singleton 1:19:35

5M ago1:19:35

1:19:35

Covered in this episode: Mary Lou Singleton’s call to serve women in birth and her experience watching midwifery turn into a standardized profession Critiquing medicalized midwifery and those who adhere to Science™ Unassisted Childbirth v. Free Birth Dogma What happens when transferring to the hospital unnecessarily becomes the worst thing that cou…

1
S3: The Price for Freedom - Cerese’s Pilgrimage 55:39

5M ago55:39

55:39

Please note this episode has been edited to keep some names and identifiers confidential. Having grown up in a religious cult, Cerese shares the confusion, doubts, and even self hate - especially as an adolescent - feeling betrayed by her maturing body. The prescribed norms of the church dictated her reality, severing the healthy bonds with her fat…

1
Make it Meaningful: How to Find Purpose in Life and Work: Leaving the Kabbalah Centre Cult and Becoming a Scholar in the World of Corporate Social Responsibility With Debbie Haski-Leventhal, PhD 59:05

5M ago59:05

59:05

Power can be rapidly stripped away from individuals, or it can be taken away layer by layer. Not everyone makes it out of a cult, but life can become particularly meaningful when they do. A new purpose can arise for the person, more substantial than the grasp of mind control. Leaving an authoritarian cult is the experience that Dr. Debbie Haski-Lev…

1
The Hidden Influence of Occult Beliefs on World Politics with Joe Szimhart 1:03:28

5M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

“How did I get to the point where I am upset with this current administration?” Joe Szimhart asks at the start of this week’s Cult Conversations: Influence Continuum episode. His journey from a self-described “cult believer” to a leading expert on esoteric religious movements offers invaluable insights into how authoritarian influence takes hold in…

1
The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley with Marietje Schaake 47:29

5M ago47:29

47:29

Marietje Schaake is a Fellow at Stanford University’s Cyber Policy Center and Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. As a Dutch politician, she also served as a member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands between 2009 and 2019. She was appointed to the United Nations High-Level Advisory Body on AI in 2023. With …

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96. Women's Communities: 12 Red Flags │ Serendipiti Day 1:38:57

5M ago1:38:57

1:38:57

Dipiti is back to discuss our top 12 red flags to look out for before joining an in-person or online women's community. Want more? Be sure to check out the bonus content available here to Whose Body Is It paid Substack subscribers. Included in the *Bonus Convo* Dipiti's intentions for joining BDSM communities Isabella’s intentions for joining radic…

1
Tools, Methods, and Political Games in the Age of Musk with Stuart Shulman, PhD 1:00:53

5M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

Elon Musk, a corporate billionaire and private naturalized American citizen born in South Africa, has taken an extraordinary amount of power in government since Donald Trump took office as President less than a month ago. Musk is seeking to interfere with elections in Germany and other countries around the world. Vance recently told European leader…

1
Invisible Threads: Weaving Mental Health and Democracy in Trump Times with Kate Woodsome 1:10:45

6M ago1:10:45

1:10:45

Kate Woodsome is the founder of The Invisible Threads Project, which studies the relationship between mental health and democracy. We talked about the recent election of Trump and the support for that process from the Heritage Foundation, Opus Dei implications, and Project 2025. She was part of The Washington Post team who won a Pulitzer Prize for …

1
S3: Finally Free: Lori Unravels Her Binds to a Controlling Virtual "School" 42:24

6M ago42:24

42:24

Lori shares her story of how she became deeply involved in an online school that blurred the line between education and coercion. She opens up about the power of community, the subtle ways control takes hold, and the moment she realized she had to break free. In this candid conversation, Lori reflects on the challenges of leaving, rebuilding her li…

1
On Offense: Taking Action to Prevent Further Assaults to Democracy with Kristofer Goldsmith 1:03:38

6M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Kristofer Goldsmith is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit group Task Force Butler Institute, which trains veterans in research and operations to counter extremism. He is an Iraq combat veteran, accomplished public policy advocate, nonprofit leader, and expert on the threats posed by domestic extremist organizations that work against Democracy. Hi…

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95. Menopause without Big Pharma │ Kimberly Ann Johnson 1:09:28

6M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

Today's guest, Kimberly Ann Johnson author of the best selling book The Fourth Trimester, works at the intersection of sex, birth, and trauma. Kimberly entered menopause in 2020 and, just as she had with postpartum and motherhood, began to explore this unique phase of female mammalian life with curiosity and spiritual sensitivity. The standard of p…

1
Tuning In: Experiencing Music in Psychedelic States, a new book by former Hare Krishna devotee Steven J. Gelberg 1:05:54

6M ago1:05:54

1:05:54

This interview had two foci: ISKCON and Tulsi Gabbard’s Connection to Krishna Hinduism and his new academic book on music and its role in psychedelics states. Gelberg was a Krishna devotee for 17 years and has written about his experiences with the cult and why he exited. He is now a successful photographer and author. We discussed the more recent …

1
Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld with Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola and Amy Polacko 1:01:12

6M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Ever hear the term coercive control? Did you know the UK government made it a crime? It is the application of undue influence methods and techniques used by a person, typically a man against a partner to do what I have been calling mind control- as in my BITE Model. However, women especially need to know what the techniques are and how to navigate …

1
S3: Breaking Free: Mariama’s Journey of Healing and Self Discovery 53:45

7M ago53:45

53:45

In this powerful episode, Mariama shares her deeply personal journey of growing up in a high-control religious group. She reflects on her upbringing, the constraints on personal expression, and the challenges of finding her identity while under constant scrutiny. Mariama opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to question the group's teachi…

1
Research on Folks Who Left the Headquarters of the Jehovah’s Witnesses with Dr. Andre Jackson 1:01:49

7M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Former cult members often reference the moment when they finally realized they were in a cult. In 2023 the Watchtower Society reported approximately 8.6 million members. Like many cults, Jehovah's Witnesses discourage critical thinking and members' exposure to any information that could be critical of the belief system. Such insolation from the rea…

1
Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors' Stories of Conversion Therapy with Lucas Wilson 1:00:20

7M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

"Conversion therapy"—a discredited practice that purports to change an individual's sexual orientation and/or gender identification and expression—has harmed countless lives under the guise of morality. I spoke to Lucas Wilson, an SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto Mississauga, as he shared his harrowing experience with "convers…

1
Taking on Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities with Attorney Carol Merchasin 1:06:08

7M ago1:06:08

1:06:08

Carol highlights the urgent need to reform the law, especially concerning coercion and control in legislative practices. She focuses exclusively on clients who have endured sexual abuse and coercion within cultic groups—not because other forms of abuse are absent, but because the law currently recognizes and addresses this specific type of abuse. T…

1
Maladaptive Daydreaming and Trauma Survivors with Dr. Eli Somer 56:46

7M ago56:46

56:46

Many people daydream, and this is an entirely normal part of life. However, when daydreaming is taken to the extreme and creates psychological distress or impairs functioning, it can be considered maladaptive and may require intervention. Trauma causes many issues for survivors, whether the trauma was sustained in one event or many events over many…

1
Thought Reform and Cyber Security: Where Cult Manipulation Techniques Meet Technology With Dustin Rozario Steinhagen, PhD 58:16

8M ago58:16

58:16

Dustin Rozario Steinhagen, PhD is a privacy expert who recently graduated with his doctorate degree in Cyber Defense from Dakota State University. His dissertation is titled “Defending the security of the mind: A mail survey of thought-reform literacy in South Dakota.” This quantitative analysis measured “what everyday people know about thought ref…

1
Using the Law to Criminalize Cult Leaders With Robin Boyle-Laisure 1:00:54

8M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

Professor Boyle is a full-time faculty member at St. John’s University School of Law, New York (since 1994). She is a board member of the International Cultic Studies Association. She has written Law journal articles on using Trafficking law to prosecute cult leaders and uses my BITE Model of Authoritarian Control. Robin’s new book, Taken No More: …

1
Navigating Life Beyond the Children of God Cult as an Expert on Disabilities with Psychologist Maria Esguerra 1:09:47

8M ago1:09:47

1:09:47

Australian Maria Esguerra tells us that it’s still difficult to speak about her personal experiences as a second-generation survivor of The Children of God cult. In this episode of The Influence Continuum, we explored the challenges of breaking free from cults and how those who become part of society’s natural defense system against cult indoctrina…

1
Nature’s Medicine: Unlocking the Secrets to Wellness with Chris Kilham 59:45

8M ago59:45

59:45

In recent years, modern science has confirmed what ancient tribal medicine has known all along—medicinal plants and practicing meditation can offer fantastic health benefits. Plants like ayahuasca and psilocybin are now being recognized for their remarkable ability to treat mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Yoga and med…

1
Kundalini, 3HO & Yogi Bhajan: Predatory Behavior, Sexual Abuse, and Undue Influence With Peter Blachly 1:00:42

9M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

There is a new HBO Max 4-part documentary called Breath of Fire on the cult of Guru Jagat and Harijiwan Singh Khalsa, her controller. The doc is very well done and was based on a Vanity Fair article, “The Second Coming of Guru Jagat” by Hayley Phelan. “Breath of Fire: The Unbelievable Story of Guru Jagat, the Elizabeth Holmes of Yoga” is Hillary Bu…

1
Gaining Further Election Insight on Spycraft Interference: Den of Spies from Past to Present Day with Author Craig Unger 59:01

9M ago59:01

59:01

On this episode of the Influence Continuum, I spoke with Craig Unger, an investigative journalist and the author of Den of Spies, which is described in his biography as “a real-life political thriller about how master spy William Casey put together a treasonous covert operation in 1980 that hijacked American foreign policy and stole the election fo…

1
TECH AGNOSTIC: How Technology Became the World’s Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation with Harvard/ MIT Humanist Chaplain Greg Epstein 1:02:54

9M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Now with the American election won with the help of Elon Musk and his social media platform, X, and other tech billionaires. We need to pay attention! TECH is now the major world religion! Think about it. Technology was developed as a tool to serve humans, not vice versa. Unfortunately, we humans seem to have forgotten this, as billions worldwide a…

1
Workplace Bullying and the Law with Professor David Yamada 1:01:05

9M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Dr Phil spoke at Madison Square Garden saying Trump wasnt a bully. Ha! Professor Yamada is an internationally recognized authority on workplace bullying. He is a professor of law and the director of the New Workplace Institute at Suffolk University Law School in Boston. It is the primary drafter of model workplace anti-bullying legislation known as…

1
To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers to Make or Brake a Toxic Leader with Ira Chaleff 1:01:46

9M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

When thinking about political leaders—those with influence over national or global issues—how often do we consider the role of their political followers? Could you or I say “no” to a toxic leader and courageously defy their commands? This consideration is critical. Leaders don’t operate in isolation. They need political followers who support, ampli…

1
Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking with Laila Mickelwait 1:05:04

10M ago1:05:04

1:05:04

Pornhub was once recognized as the largest and most popular porn site in the world. The site made it easy for users to upload and download content, which is desirable in other contexts. However, these features pose significant threats when applied to freely accessible user-generated, homemade, pornography. Reports suggest that without adequate safe…

1
How to End Christian Nationalism with Baptist Religious Liberty Expert Amanda Tyler 1:01:21

10M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

My latest guest on the Influence Continuum is Amanda Tyler, a graduate of Georgetown University and The University of Texas School of Law, who has practiced privately as an attorney, as a law clerk for a U.S. district court judge in Dallas, Texas, and at various positions within the federal level. She is currently the Executive Director of the BJC …

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