2020 is the year of the cult. TV shows, documentaries, bestsellers, and podcasts flood popular culture with stories of charismatic leaders and their brainwashed followers. The word is even being used to describe Donald Trump and his conspiracy-loving acolytes. But what is a cult? How do they work and why do otherwise normal people become involved in them? Our guest is therapist Rachel Bernstein, an expert in cultic groups who counts over 80 former cult members as clients. Rachel is also the host of the terrific podcast Indoctrination, which features interviews with former cultists.