The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steven Hassan Podcast
1) Empire of Orgasm: An Investigative Look into a Cult of Orgasmic Meditation with Ellen Huet
Cults and high-control groups often use sexuality to access and manipulate a person’s emotional regulation. Some cults, like the Moonies, used it to create a barrier of fear and shame surrounding sexu...Show More
2) Propaganda and Algorithmically Driven Persuasive Communication with Disinformation expert, Alex Alvarová
On her highly successful Czech podcast, Canaries in the Net, Alex co-hosts on topics surrounding digital propaganda and toxic algorithms. She combines her experience as a communication advisor to the ...Show More
3) Sins of my Father: Growing up with America’s Most Dangerous White Supremacist with Kelvin Pierce
Neo-Nazi sentiment has seen a recent resurgence globally, fueled by political polarization, economic disparities, and social grievances. The internet and social media have played a significant role in...Show More
4) STRONGMEN: Mussolini to the Present- The Rising Tide of Online Authoritarian Influence with Ruth Ben-Ghiat
As we near the end of 2025, Trump has implemented Opus Dei’s Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 to fundamentally gut America’s core values and checks and balances. The depth of harm is incalculable an...Show More
5) Messianic Con Men, Past and Present: Cult History and the Cult of Trump with Don Lattin
One of the most troubling aspects of cult dynamics is the way they generate self‑reinforcing histories that can become chaotic and fragmented, leaving individuals disoriented within the broader narrat...Show More
6) The cult of Frederick Lenz: The guru who glows gold, shapeshifts, and teaches computer programming, with Jim Picariello
What does it feel like when an entire room seems to turn to shimmering gold, and you are certain you have just witnessed a miracle, only to later discover it was a hypnotic illusion? On this episode o...Show More
7) Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women’s Love and Desire with Lisa Diamond
Quick question. You’re born with your sexuality, and it stays the same your whole life... right? Well, no. This may be much further from the truth than initially thought. When I first watched Dr. Lisa...Show More
8) If Scientology Ruled the World: Nazi Occultists, Sex Magick, Space Aliens, and the Second Coming with Jon Atack
On this episode of Cults, Culture & Coercion, I sat down with one of my most trusted colleagues and best friends, Jon Atack—author, artist, poet, musician, and the recognized world expert on Scientolo...Show More
9) The Kingdom of Children: A Liberation Theology. Homeschool Ideologies in Evangelical Christianity With R.L. Stollar, M.H.S., M.A.
There are many reasons why parents or guardians choose to homeschool their children for some portion or all of their educational years. This can range from a child having a disability or neurodiversit...Show More
10) Empathy Goes on Tour: David Clayton’s Fight in North Carolina’s District 5
David Clayton, known on Instagram as #officialempathytour, is running for North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District in the 2026 elections. The district is currently represented by Virginia Foxx, a R...Show More
Empathy Goes on Tour: David Clayton’s Fight in North Carolina’s District 5
59:32 | Nov 17th, 2025