The Cult of Duolingo

Sounds Like A Cult

Studio71

Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Education

3.9 • 4.4K Ratings

🗓️ 19 August 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Is it a free language learning app... or a feathered dictator in your pocket? In this episode, Amanda and Chelsea are joined by Zaria Parvez (@zariaparvez), the social media mastermind behind that chaotic green owl, to unpack the potentially culty world of Duolingo. We’re talking guilt-trippy push notifications, leaderboard anxiety, and the question on everyone’s mind: why does Duo feel more like a clingy ex than a study buddy? Whether you're on a 1-day streak or a 1,000-day emotional journey, this one’s for you. UPDATE: So, our Duolingo episode was recorded before the company’s AI controversy made major headlines but wow, I guess we found the scandal that could kneecap duo 👀🦉Not to mention our angelic guest quit the company just before this was released!!! WILD TIMES. Do you think Duo is a Live Your Life, Watch Your Back, or a GTFO? Comment below! Quartz: Duolingo CEO still battling backlash over ‘AI-first’ plans Adweek: Duolingo Social Media Guru Zaria Parvez Exits Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles. Thank you to our sponsors! Head to ⁠https://www.squarespace.com/CULT⁠ to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULT Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/cult Right now save 20% on your FIRST order and get a free cat toy at https://PrettyLitter.com/CULT 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	Hello, Coltys.
0:02.7	Sorry.
0:04.2	I was going to try to do this promo in a British accent, and I've just now decided against it.
0:08.9	Coltys is your host, Amanda Montel.
0:11.3	And despite my cold feet about the accent, I am so excited to announce that sounds like a cult live is coming to London.
0:19.9	A live version of this very podcast is coming to London's
0:23.4	gorgeous Bush Hall on November 24th. It's going to be a night of culty conversations, of juicy
0:29.8	special guests, unhinged PowerPoint slides, and yes, a live podcast recording that you get to be
0:36.6	a part of. There's also going to be a book signing, a meet and greet, an unfiltered Q&A,
0:41.4	and I'll be doing a special live reading from my book, Cultish, the Language of Fanaticism.
0:45.3	Tickets are on sale now, either at Sounds Like a Cult.com or Amanda Montel.com slash events.
0:50.7	Grab yours before they disappear.
0:52.5	And come join the little Sounds Like a Cult cult across the pond
0:56.0	hope you follow me in London on November 24th. The views expressed on this episode, as with all
1:02.2	episodes of Sounds Like a Cult, are solely host opinions and quoted allegations. The content here
1:07.0	should not be taken as indisputable fact. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only.
1:12.5	We have to talk about the push notifications and the streets. Duolingo users are obsessed with their
1:18.5	streaks. I opened my Duolingo app a few minutes before jumping on. And Duo had this little
1:24.7	message and they were like, am I dreaming? Chelsea, are you back?
1:29.3	Stop!
1:30.3	I was like.
1:31.3	If we personalize it, if we are pushy and we're passive-aggressive,
	...

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