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

9d 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
The Grave Robbers: 5. Ripe for the Taking 35:24

5h ago35:24

35:24

Where did the gang get the idea to use fake wills to steal the homes of the dead? Sue travels to Budapest to find out. As her investigation concludes, she exposes the scale of a crime that had gone unreported until now, and she hears how the authorities are finally starting to act. Presenter: Sue Mitchell Producers: Sue Mitchell, Joe Moors and Wini…

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

2d 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
The Grave Robbers: 4. The Will to Steal 31:38

7d ago31:38

31:38

It should be impossible to steal a home, but this new narrative podcast from multi award winning investigative reporter Sue Mitchell (Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion, Million Dollar Lover) reveals a gang operating in the UK to steal houses from people who die without a recent will. The series hears from victims of the gang - and confronts its leaders…

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

12d 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
The Grave Robbers: 3. The Good Spy 32:53

14d ago32:53

32:53

Michael Judd's neighbours watch on in horror as thieves take possession of his home - selling everything of value and destroying his much loved collection of musical instruments It should be impossible to steal a home, but this new narrative podcast from multi award winning investigative reporter Sue Mitchell (Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion, Million…

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

16d 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
The Grave Robbers: 2. Strangers in the Street 31:46

21d ago31:46

31:46

Fake wills, stolen identities and cannabis farms - Sue Mitchell’s investigation gathers pace as she exposes how criminals are stripping the estates of the dead , denying rightful heirs their inheritance.By BBC Radio 4

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

23d 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
The Grave Robbers: 1. My Dear Friend 34:38

1M ago34:38

34:38

Two sisters, set to receive a surprise life-changing inheritance, have it snatched away by a stranger. As Sue Mitchell investigates, she reveals how fake wills are being used to strip the estates of the dead and deny rightful heirs what is rightfully theirs. This new narrative podcast from multi award winning investigative reporter Sue Mitchell (In…

1
The Grave Robbers: Trailer 2:01

1M ago2:01

2:01

It should be impossible to steal a home, but Sue Mitchell reveals it's all too easy. The multi-award winning investigative journalist (Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion, Million Dollar Lover) is on the trail of an East European crime group using forged wills to 'take' the homes of the dead , stealing millions from rightful heirs and denying the Governm…

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

1M 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
The Smuggler: 10. A Hidden Network 14:47

2M ago14:47

14:47

Journalist Annabel Deas speaks to experts who fear Nick’s routes and methods are a back door for other people smugglersBy BBC Radio 4

1
The Smuggler: 9. The Arrest 14:24

2M ago14:24

14:24

Nick arrives in Kent with four Vietnamese migrants on his boat. But he’s met by police who arrest him for people smuggling.By BBC Radio 4

1
The Smuggler: 8. The Boat Theory 14:31

2M ago14:31

14:31

After a near escape, Nick vows to never smuggle again. Meanwhile, police build a theory that Nick is smuggling Vietnamese migrants to work on cannabis farms.By BBC Radio 4

1
The Smuggler: 7. A Dangerous Journey 14:39

2M ago14:39

14:39

Nick evades the police in France. But his boat is broken and taking on water. Meanwhile, journalist Annabel Deas hears about the dangerous journeys taken by Vietnamese migrants. Presenter - Annabel DeasProducer - Hayley MortimerSound design - Neil ChurchillResearcher - Isabel KimbreyEditor - Matt WillisCommissioning Executive - Tracy WilliamsCommis…

1
The Smuggler: 6. The Vietnamese Connection 14:32

2M ago14:32

14:32

Nick is paid thousands of pounds to bring Vietnamese migrants into the UK. But at what cost?By BBC Radio 4

1
The Smuggler: 5. The Crossing 14:15

2M ago14:15

14:15

Nick buys a boat and searches for a new smuggling route across the English Channel.By BBC Radio 4

1
The Smuggler: 4. The Final Border 14:34

2M ago14:34

14:34

After serving time in prison for people smuggling, Nick becomes an informant, providing information about the Albanian gang.By BBC Radio 4

1
The Smuggler: 3. The Mistake 14:27

2M ago14:27

14:27

Nick is growing in confidence, smuggling migrants across the channel on ferries. But human error is impossible to avoid.By BBC Radio 4

1
The Smuggler: 2. Nick’s First Time 14:35

2M ago14:35

14:35

Nick is desperate to provide for his new family. He travels to Dunkirk to smuggle an illegal migrant into the UK. Meanwhile, a police operation swings into action.By BBC Radio 4

1
The Smuggler: 1. The Passport 14:43

2M ago14:43

14:43

British builder Nick is struggling after the 2008 financial crash. He receives an offer from an Albanian people smuggling gang that’s too good to refuse. Presenter - Annabel DeasProducer - Hayley MortimerSound design - Neil ChurchillEditor - Matt WillisCommissioning Executive - Tracy WilliamsCommissioning Editor - Dan ClarkeSeries music - Ambit Sou…

1
The Smuggler: Trailer 4:11

3M ago4:11

4:11

NEW in Shadow World: The Smuggler tells the story of a former British soldier who became an international people smuggler. In this intimate portrait of a British people smuggler, we hear from the perpetrator directly, to uncover his motivations, methods and the consequences of risking the lives of desperate people. The investigation exposes how the…

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 Willpower Detectives: 8. Nearest and Dearest 37:37

4M ago37:37

37:37

When The Willpower Detectives aired on BBC Radio 4, just before Christmas 2024, hundreds of listeners contacted the BBC with their own stories about power of attorney and the way it can be abused. The series revealed how a partner at an Essex based law firm – Ron Hiller – was taking over the finances of vulnerable clients, clearing and selling thei…

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 …

1
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…

1
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…

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