How are you going to have a podcast about escaping cults when the hosts are in one? The way they talk about Christianity is more cultish then many of the cults they cover. Total lack awareness of what they’re preaching. Is podcast just to get people to join a Jesus cult???

Wow. These guys have very little understanding of church history. Did y’all know that the church didn’t just begin in the 1500’s?! The Christian Orthodox Church is the original Church - way before the Roman Catholics and the Protestant Reformation. You can’t say that anything that isn’t in your Calvinist worldview is just some kid of cult. I love when “church lite” Americans who have never set foot in an Orthodox Church run their mouths about what they think they know about The Orthodox Church. If you spent any time trying to just understand the traditions of The Orthodox Church, you’d find that it’s incredibly Biblical. I’m highly offended. Oh and if you have a Bible, you can thank The Orthodox Church for preserving it. Lots of beautiful Orthodox Christians died to protect the holy scriptures so that it’s still around. BTW Orthodox Christians are encouraged to read their Bibles daily. We don’t put the words of an Orthodox pastor above scripture (as was stated on your program). I generally wouldn’t leave a 1 star rating. But this misinformation is dangerous and offensive. I was born into a family that was in a cult. I know what a real cult is and what it’s not. Cults are dangerous and destructive. Don’t mislabel the original church as a cult because you don’t understand it. SMH.

After listening to 2 episode series (Lindsay Davis on Bethel, and the Worldwide Church of God) I realized that the hosts have absolutely no self-awareness about their hypocrisy. The episodes begin with background on the relevant topic, which is usually not too terrible. However once they get past that they begin to delve into their own theology— this is where things go downhill. It seems that their definition of a cult is someone having any belief that does not conform to what they consider to be right Christian doctrine. Listen, I’m a Christian so I’m not bashing Christianity as a whole (though there are absolutely things to criticize about how some people weaponize it and twist things), but you can’t criticize Herbert Armstrong for discouraging his members to read the Bible themselves and use their own discernment to see if his interpretations were true, and then turn around and say that people who don’t believe exactly what you believe are cultish. If fear is used to control and questioning is not allowed, that’s cultish in my opinion and that is exactly what the hosts seem to be promoting with their own beliefs. I guess everyone should be able to question beliefs unless they are questioning what the hosts believe is right doctrine. How hypocritical. I did have a laugh when the guest on part 2 of the WCG episode seemed to think one of the major clues that her family member’s church was cultish/promoting bad theology was that a book written by the organization included a quote from Gandhi. The quote itself was not revealed, so the issue was clearly not with the content as much as it was with the person who produced the content. I guess anyone who isn’t a Christian can’t have anything truthful or edifying to say? Bizarre. I’d recommend finding a different podcast to listen to. These guys seem to have an inconsistent definition of what cults are, and they honestly don’t provide any valuable insight to the topics presented.

Disappointed. Didn't realize the Calvinist bent until I did. Bless all. Really all. Not just the elect

You all have done a pretty good job of sharing concerns about different religious groups. Super appreciate it! It’s been interesting. However, I have noticed that people brought in tend to be someone who was hurt/ turned off by the religion. It would be a lot more balanced if you would bring someone in to give their side of beliefs as well and have it more of a discussion versus a one-sided “This is what they are doing wrong.” People who do not agree with something tend to misappropriate words and ideas in a skewed way. Even if you started them off with a discussion , they leave and then you end the program with your thoughts.

First off, I’ve been in a cult. The theology would line up for the most part with that of the hosts. I’ve checked the website, the episode titles, but I can’t find where they explain their qualifications for speaking on cults or what their definition of a cult is. Judging from their subtitle they are basing it on the popular Christian book The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin which does not define cults by their practice (as every expert authority on cults does), but by their beliefs and some extreme practices. Yeah, that’s what I learned growing up in Fundamentalism too. I ended up in a Fundamentalist cult. They interview Jinger Duggar Vuolo who, yes, left the Gothard cult (no, it wasn’t “cult-like” but they wimp out on actually calling it a cult because of the foundational theological similarities), but she is in a cult NOW - John MacArthur’s “church.” ANY church can be a cult - because it’s not about your soteriology or eschatology; it’s about practice. Also, where is an episode interviewing Steven Hassan, a leading cult expert today? I haven’t listened to every episode, but I’ve heard enough and there are so many red flags simply in the episode titles, terminology, guests, etc. You can be in an evangelical cult and happily listen to this podcast without having your thinking challenged.

For the most part, I enjoy this podcast but I always feel like there could be more information given. The guys do a lot of talking but there is not a lot said.

Love the content! You guys just need to do more research on the policies on JWs. There is a lot of assumptions of misconceptions on their policies. I am not a JWs, but I do like diving deep into the rabbit hole of knowledge. Believe me, this group IS NOT A CULT!!! Love Always and god bless everyone!!!

Found this podcast after looking for information on cults and found this. Make no mistake this podcast is extremist Christian propaganda presenting itself in a way to encourage exactly this mistake. I could forgive them if they at least included the word “Christian” in the description of the podcast but it seems like this was a calculated choice. Very funny podcast to hate-watch!

I love podcasts about cults. But make no mistake: this is not a serious and informed podcast about cults for people who want that. This is a Christian podcast about how all religions are wrong except their own. If that’s the point of view you’re coming from and want reaffirmed, by all means, this is your podcast.

I’m christian and tend to agree with a good amount of things these guys believe BUT …. Oh man … Jeremiah especially can barely enunciate his words. When he asks questions and speaks it sounds nearly brain damaged and sloppy. I also wish they spoke with a bit more self awareness about why Christianity seems like a cult to those who think all religion is a cult, but what differentiates it from what they are comparing it too. It just comes off as tone deaf. I don’t blame the non Christians who listen to it thinking it’s laughable, even though I can give it a pass because I am already on board with lots of what they’re saying. The hosts are really not helping to bring these topics to an audience beyond Christians who already know why (non culty) Christianity is far more free (and true) than a cult. Egghhh

Fantastic and informative, this show will give you insight into this increasingly complicated world. These speakers are knowledgeable and humble, which keeps me coming back for more. 100% recommend!

A podcast unwrapping cults by Christians who refuse to admit their own beliefs are indeed a cult. They unpackage other groups behaviors while believing their Christian behaviors are the correct way and not just a cult they are familiar and okay with. All advertising is from other memebers of their own cult.

On the surface, the podcast seems fine. But the hosts are not legitimate cult scholars and don’t understand the seriousness of Thought Reform, cults, and totalistic ideologies. They pay lip service to critiquing some Christian cults, but ultimately the whole show boils down to “this cult is wrong and crazy because it doesn’t adhere to our totalistic ideology (white christian nationalism).” Also at least on of the hosts promoted election fraud/Qanon-era conspiracy theories on social media, immediately losing all credibility.

I have been listening to Cultish since the beginning and have never been disappointed with the quality informations, engaging interviews, and breadth of the content. One of the podcasts I listen to consistently!

I really appreciate how well researched and Bible based this podcast is. I have learned so much, even as someone who has followed Jesus and orthodox Christianity my whole life. While you highlight the depravity of cults, thank you for also highlighting the rich depth and truth of the gospel.

I’ve listened to loads of Apologia and a fair bit of Cultish. In fact, the episodes on the Enneagram completely convinced me! However, the episodes on contemplative prayer…guys, that ain’t it. I was so frustrated that she was being interview on this topic. She even said herself multiple times that she wasn’t an expert on these things. It was so frustrating hearing Dallas Willard dragged through the mud by people who clearly know nothing about him. The flippant comparisons and use of terms like “Gnosticism”, “universalism”, or “eastern religions” for anytime anything even remotely resembled something eastern or mystic was poor scholarship. As a seminarian working toward a PhD in theology, I was embarrassed by the low-level of reasoning and scholarship. She never once proved any ACTUAL connections between much of these things other than a few irrelevant connections to Richard Rohr. I don’t even practice contemplative prayer. I’m a Reformed Baptist; but the talk about lectio divina like it was some spell or witchcraft was crazy. She isn’t a biblical scholar, a church historian, nor a theologian. Please don’t interview her for things that don’t pertain. Just asking for higher quality.

I found Cultish through Apologia Radio. I enjoy listening to the entire crew. The info is very well presented and informative!

This podcast is heavily influenced by Christianity, which could be fine if they used terms and characterized other religions correctly. They don’t seem to understand what “pagan” actually means and applies the term willy nilly. The hypocrisy of criticizing a cult for believing in the “wrong truth” while claiming their interpretation of the Bible is undeniably correct is… really stunning. Hard pass.

Most hypocritical podcast I’ve ever listened to. Most of the points they make about cults can also be made about Christianity. “People who aren’t Christian’s have a tough time living in gods world”. I’m not a Christian and I don’t have any problem living in this world.

I downloaded the podcast app just to write this review. I like these guys. I am a Christian and I enjoy their apologetics work. Then I noticed their church of Christ content… As someone who was baptized in the church of Christ, I was interested to see their take. Unfortunately, the men they have on to talk about the church of Christ are uninterested in constructive dialogue or respecting any doctrinal views other than their own position. Very sad… It makes me doubt all of their content because I recognize that they don’t care about proper representation of ideas and are not willing to honestly assess ideas. It is really too bad, because I have been enjoying their content and had trusted them as a reliable source for apologetics material.

I’ve been listening to Cultish for a couple years now & I have to say how refreshing it is to learn about cultish ideologies from a biblical perspective. Hearing about specific experiences with the occult & testimonies of finding Jesus is not only interesting to hear about, but necessary to share. Thanks for doing what you do!

The irony of people dissecting cults, while at the same time speaking about their Christian truth was too much for me. I can’t even say the show is, at the very least, well thought out or researched. The expert in the episode I listened to seems to have very little knowledge on the subject he came on to discuss, aside from living adjacent to the town where it happened(if that’s all it takes, I’m basically Shelly Miscavige). He kept repeating “I don’t know, I’m not sure”, about major facts that you could find out with a two-second Google search(the original “father God” was named Amerith WhiteEagle for chris’sake! You’re telling me you didn’t come across this name once in all of your research??!!) I thought maybe it was a bad guest, but by reading other reviews, I can see that this is a common complaint over several episodes.

Can you do more episodes on the Adventists? I’d love to hear you interview Myles from Answering Adventism.

Love hearing the Dr. Walter Martin clips and commentary!

I’m refreshing myself on the original reporting on the Love Has Won cult since the doc shed new light on it. I will NOT be continuing listening to Cultish, bc they’re talking about how “as Christians, we know the truth”. Hypocrisy at its finest. No, thank you.

It is wild listening to these hosts, who are openly Christen, critique cult philosophies with no self awareness of their own belief systems. It’s fascinating to hear how the hosts categorize cults but do not process their own.

Other cult shows may be interesting and point out the moral flaws of cults but most fall short when explaining WHY anything COULD be right or wrong. This show provides the standard by which one can call something right or wrong. The bad reviews are from people who accept moral absolutes but have no standard by which to make these claims. The production quality of this show is great. If you are not a Christian, be ready to have your worldview challenged. Start from the oldest shows.

these people don’t believe in evolution

Since my original review, I have listened to their interview with Haunted (not sure if that’s the name. They’re new to me, but I enjoyed it) and now I am just going to focus on the positive. Do I agree with everything they say? Nope. Am I still really wanting them to answer the BLATANT false theology of Dale Partridge? ABSOLUTELY. It really was abhorrent and I lean complimentarian. But what they do is so very important. I do think their hearts are in the right place and they obviously love Jesus.

Committed cult members criticizing other cults to justify their “correct” beliefs.

A group of Christians criticizing cults, how ironic.

Genuinely confused by a Christian podcast about cults. Looking past the pot/kettle situation hosts and guests seemed poorly prepared for what is supposed to be a researched podcast. Lots of “I don’t knows” or “I can’t remember their name”. Unless you are a Christian looking for an echo chamber I would probably skip this podcast.

The irony of this “podcast” (aka cult indoctrination propaganda) is hilarious though!

A much-needed Reformed analysis of the cults. Thank you guys.

Evangelical Christians talking about other religious organizations’ crazy beliefs is always hilarious

Love it! Love it! Love it! Jeremiah, Andrew, can you guys just keep talking with Ben and Brian? The Prologue episode is absolutely fantastic. No specific topics needed.

I was on a journey to better understand other religions and cults in the past year especially Mormonism. And found this podcast!! I am so thankful for the Christian perspective on these topics. Thank you for what you do and keep it up!!

These guys do a good job of exploring cults, but their hubris and confidence that their evangelical perspective is the ultimate correct world view is exhausting. You’ll hear them criticize the blind faith of others with one breath and then with the next breath they will wax on about how their evangelical faith is 100% correct. It’s exhausting. To learn about a cult, you may prefer a host who isn’t talking about their own Christian worldview incessantly.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this podcast! I recently came across this podcast from watching a video interview on Allie Beth Stuckey! So glad I did, love your content and biblical view on these cults or stories you guys share and deep dive into! I get a lot of time to listen while at work and man it helps the time go by so much faster! I appreciate this podcast, keep up the good work. And sharing biblical truth!

So many connections made! I loved the last one the best (number 10) it was uplifting and wonderful!

An occasional listener already but I immediately got dialed in on the Alien Revelations series & enjoyed it. More importantly it made me consider my faith in a world of ever-changing circumstances and unforeseen events. Good stuff.

I love cultish. It’s been very helpful in the pst but as they keep going, they become less sure of the information themselves. In the episode on Lori Vallow they said “I’m not sure” and “I don’t know” too often for a research podcast. They are claiming to have some intellectual authority on these topics, but they don’t seem to always have the research to back it up. If you watch it, and I do recommend it, double check the information.

Love it - so blessed

Regarding Christian orthodoxy or Catholicism, the hosts seem to hold to a very Calvinistic Protestant view. I appreciate the information they share regarding cultic behaviors and personalities, however, it comes off as very arrogant and knowledge-based; black-and-white. Of course, they come from the James White and Jeff Durbin perspective of argumentative debate. I would hope they realize that the church didn’t begin 500 years ago but emphasize the need to go back even further historically to understand some of the areas they contend against.

A great source of information on cults and cultish groups and ideas, particularly from a Christian worldview. My only feedback is sometimes the discussions get a bit repetitive and it can seem like they’re forcing a “cultish” lens on ideas, topics, it groups where it doesn’t seem applicable

I am enjoying all the episodes and the guests and I am learning things about other religions and cults that I definitely didn’t know. I feel like these guys know their stuff which I appreciate. The hard thing about this is that there’s a lot of teenager talk. They say “Like” aaaaallll the time. It gets really annoying. I feel like these guys need to grow up in their speech and speak with a little more maturity.

Biblically relevant!!! Enough said!

Tackles a complex, interesting set of topics. After listening to a smattering of episodes on topics I have some knowledge about, I can saw you should avoid this podcast. Hosts & guests display a shocking lack of humility and self-awareness. Guests appear to be chosen because they already share the hosts’ assumptions and opinions, not because they actually possess any particular knowledge, expertise, or challenging perspective. On one episode (handmaids tale) hosts had not even bothered to take in the content under discussion. In another(Buddhism), they platform a person who repeatedly states that she doesn’t know about or understand various topics but then proceeds to talk uninterrupted for 10 minutes on the subject. They Seem very sensitive to the possible logical and cognitive errors in others and willfully blind to their own. Hosts seem to come from the Christian “spiritual warfare” tradition, which cashes out as apparent lack of empathy for the positions and perspectives of others.

Very encouraging, very clear, concise, and this day in age, this is incredibly helpful.