Cultish

The Language of Fanaticism.

Amanda Montell, bestselling author of The Age of Magical Overthinking and Wordslut, explores how “cultish” groups, from Jonestown and Scientology to fitness brands and online influencers, use language as a powerful tool to shape belief and belonging.

Why are cults so compelling and unsettling? Beyond the usual talk of “brainwashing,” Montell argues that their real power lies in words. The same linguistic techniques that bind extreme groups together also show up in everyday spaces, influencing how we think, connect, and divide into “us” versus “them.”

Blending sharp research with engaging storytelling, Cultish reveals how this language operates across a wide spectrum from infamous groups like Heaven’s Gate to modern startups and social media showing that its influence is far closer to home than we might think.