The Cult of American Girl Doll

Sounds Like A Cult

Studio71

Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Education

3.9 • 4.4K Ratings

🗓️ 16 September 2025

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

She survived the Great Depression, she fought for women's suffrage, and for many of us, she was our first window into what it meant to be American. This week, Amanda and Chelsea are joined by culture writers and co-editors of An American Girl Anthology, Justine Orlovsky-Schnitzler (@justineodashs) and KC Hysmith (@kchysmith), to unpack the cult of American Girl Dolls. Because these weren’t just toys… they were identity-shaping, history spinning, $120 personality tests. And behind the tiny teeth and perfect braids are much bigger questions: Who gets to be American? Whose stories are worth telling? And what does it mean when those stories are written by a brand who's bottom line is trying to sell you tiny matching accessories? From revisionist history to real emotional impact, this episode explores how American Girl Dolls didn’t just reflect American girlhood, they quietly helped define it. Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles. Thank you to our sponsors! Right now save 20% on your FIRST order and get a free cat toy at ⁠https://PrettyLitter.com/CULT Go to https://HelloFresh.com/SLAC10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life! Find exactly what you’re booking for at https://Booking.com, Booking.YEAH! Please consider donating to those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Team SLAC are donating to the PCRF, a nonprofit organization providing vital medical care, food, and humanitarian aid to children and families in need. The Big Magical Cult Show is coming to Just For Laughs Toronto on September 27th. Get your tickets before they sell out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Coltys, wait, are you listening? I have to tell you something very important. A project that I have been working on for over a year is now finally out. It is a crash course lecture. Any fans of Crash Course out there? It is the incredible empire founded by Science Communicator extraordinaire's John and Hank Green. And I got to work for over a year on scripting and filming a 50-minute long crash course lecture on cult language.
0:25.7	After all this time and keeping the secret to myself, the lecture is finally out now on YouTube on the Crash Course channel.
0:32.0	So as soon as you're finished listening to this episode, please go check it out.
0:35.9	I am super proud of it and was honored to be
0:38.6	involved with such an iconic series. Again, that is John and Hank Green's crash course,
0:44.5	a lecture on cult language. Go check it out. But first, on to this week's episode.
0:49.1	I care deeply about giving my cats a luxurious life experience and their litter box is no exception.
0:55.2	And that is why I am here to tell you about pretty litter.
0:58.0	Pretty litter is a very special little product that actually helps you monitor your cat's
1:01.8	health, testing acidity and alkaline levels and even the presence of blood in your cat's urine.
1:07.1	I am freaking obsessed with my pretty litter and I really think you should check it out.
1:11.6	Right now, save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at pretty litter.com slash
1:17.8	cult. That's pretty litter.com slash cult to save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy.
1:24.7	Pretty litter.com slash cult. Pretty litter cannot detect every
1:28.3	feline health issue or prevent or diagnose diseases. A diagnosis can only come from a licensed
1:32.6	veterinarian. Terms and conditions apply. See site for details. Hello, overthinkers. It's your host
1:37.8	Amanda here with a very exciting something extra to tune into this week. My beloved husband and I were guests on the
1:48.7	starter marriage podcast hosted by my friends Alison Raskin and John Blake's Lee. In this episode,
1:56.7	I got more personal about my real life than I ever have ever on a microphone.
2:03.1	In fact, my husband Casey is here right now.
2:04.7	Say hello.
2:05.3	Hello, everyone.
	...

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