The Cult of Neurolinguistic Programming

Sounds Like A Cult

Studio71

Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Education

3.9 • 4.4K Ratings

🗓️ 21 April 2026

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What if the right words could rewire your brain… or at least make you feel like they did? This week, Amanda is joined by journalists and hosts of the podcast Mind Games, Alice Hines (@alicehines_) and Zoë Lescaze (@zoelescaze), to unpack the cult of neurolinguistic programming, the self-improvement framework that promises transformation through language, mindset shifts, and a little bit of psychological sleight of hand. They dig into how NLP showed up inside NXIVM and explore why these techniques can feel genuinely helpful in everyday life, and how the line between self-help and manipulation often comes down to who’s in charge. Amanda even tries an NLP session herself, which is equal parts intriguing and slightly unsettling and begs the question: is NLP a useful set of tools… or a very persuasive vibe? Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles, @imanharirikia. Come see Sounds Like A Cult LIVE at The Bell House in New York on April 21st! Tickets at amandamontell.com/events Thank you to our sponsors! To Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain, Head to ⁠⁠https://www.squarespace.com/CULT Tear. Pour. Live More. Go to https://LIQUIDIV.COM and get 20% off your first purchase with code CULT at checkout. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/slac with code slac. Download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:41.7	slash cult to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. This podcast is brought to
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1:33.2	The views expressed on this episode, as with all episodes of Sounds Like a Cult, are solely host
1:37.5	opinions and quoted allegations. The content here should not be taken as indisputable fact.
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