Stephen Kent is currently a professor of religious studies and sociology of religion at the University of Alberta in Canada. He shares the knowledge he's acquired over more than thirty years as an academic.

Stephen attended University of Maryland in the early seventies and witnessed his campus respond to the Cambodian invasion in protest. Oddly, by the time he came to graduate, he began to notice an increasing popularity of Maharishis, gurus, and cults. These observations inspired Stephen to continue his studies in graduate school with a major in Hinduism and a minor in Gnosticism.

Rachel and Stephen's discussion expresses concern for the effects of incentivized academics that are incorporated into cults. Media, marketing, and politicians help to legitimize groups and leaders-- but what are the consequences when they become biased?

Stay tuned, Before You Go: While developing an 'inner circle' can be a good source of support, it can be important to have your ideas challenged. Rachel talks about how narcissists rely on the formation of these circles, and often put their followers' reputation on the line rather than their own.

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