Hello it's Andrew Harrison here with a bit of a bonus for bunker listeners.

Our Science, Psychology and Technology podcast Y is back for a new series with a new luck and a new permanent presenter.

Every Thursday for the next 12 weeks Emma Kennedy, author, screenwriter,

lawyer and LEGO addict, will be exploring the outer limits of science and the human mind.

The first episode is about cults. It's absolutely fascinating and we've got a big excerpt for you right now.

And if you'd like to hear the whole thing, go to the Y feed. There's a link in the show notes.

Now listen up for Emma Kennedy on Why Do People Join Cults.

Hello and welcome to Why with me Emma Kennedy.

Each week I'm joined by two guests to delve into the psychology, philosophy,

sociology and science of why we are the way we are. Why is the podcast for Curious Minds. for curious minds. I've never been in a cult unless you count that time I became obsessed with the Danish

scandin noir classic The Killing and ended up writing a book about it and following Sophie Grubble

around for months with her permission permission, I might add, but still.

There was a brief window where if she'd asked me to move into a basement and surround myself with icons of

knitted jumpers, I'd have said yes, but she didn't, so we all lived to tell the tale.

But it strikes me that all cults begin with a charismatic leader who is able to exert extraordinary control over his or her

followers. It's not just religious cults, there are political cults to look at

what's happening to the Republican Party in the US as we speak.

We're going to walk down and I'll be there with you to the Capitol.

Both of which carry the width of destruction.

But what about the devotion of Taylor Swift or Beyoncée or any

global entertainment force? That's fine, right? So what distinguishes liking someone for their talent from falling under the spell of a Svengali?

At what point does liking someone turn dark?

...