628: Amanda Montell | Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism

Amanda Montell (@amandamontell) is a language scholar and author of critically acclaimed Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language. Her latest book is Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, which explores how cults co-opt the words we use in order to control us and affect our behavior.

What We Discuss with Amanda Montell:

• How the uncertainty of current times drives people toward the solace of community - and the sights of aspiring cult leaders and con artists.
• What personal experience drew Amanda, a language scholar, to explore how language is one of the most powerful tools of manipulation cults use to exploit their victims?
• What thought-terminating cliches are and why they're so effective at shaping behavior.
• How MLMs operate like cults and who they predominately target with empty promises of wealth and prestige.
• How to tell if your language is being taken over by cultish manipulators.
• And much more...

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/628

Miss our conversation with the American photographer who survived seven months under captivity by Al-Qaeda? Catch up with episode 217: Matthew Schrier | How to Survive in a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison here!

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