Cult Podcast

Paige Wesley and Armando Torres have been turning out weekly episodes about cults since 2017, and with 376 episodes in the archive, they have covered an absurd range of groups. Their motto -- "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid" -- sets the tone. This is a show that takes the subject matter seriously while refusing to be grim about it. The hosts bring genuine research alongside comedic commentary, which makes episodes about objectively horrifying organizations somehow listenable on a Tuesday commute. Their NXIVM coverage fits into a broader catalog that spans Japanese death cults, the troubled teen industry, FLDS, televangelists, and alt-right movements. What makes the show work is the chemistry between Paige and Armando. They riff off each other naturally, and the humor never feels forced or disrespectful to victims. Some episodes run long, and the hosts will readily admit they go on tangents before getting to the main topic. For some listeners that is part of the charm; for others it is a reason to use the skip button. The research quality has improved noticeably over the years. Early episodes are solid but scrappier, while recent multi-part series on the troubled teen industry show a podcast that has matured into doing real investigative work. If you already listen to the more serious cult podcasts in this category and want something that covers similar ground with more personality and less academic distance, Cult Podcast fills that gap nicely.