
Inside Cult Tactics and High-Control Groups: Manipulation, Deception & Coercion with Michael D. Langone
From Self-Helpless by Cloud10
March 25, 2026 · 1h 4m
About this episode
Delanie Fischer interviews Michael D. Langone about the characteristics and dynamics of cults and high-control groups.
Delanie Fischer chats with counseling psychologist and executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, Michael D. Langone, about high-control groups and cultic dynamics. They explore key characteristics of cults (they’re more common than we think!), what can prompt people to question their involvement, recovery and healing from spiritual and psychological abuse, and how to lead groups responsibly and ethically. Episode Highlights: 3 Red Flags to Watch For When Joining Any Group What if Not Everyone Agrees Something's a Cult? Is All Religion a Cult? Why or Why Not? Creating Real Harmony: Unity vs. Uniformity Can a Family Dynamic be Considered a Cult? 2 Powerful Resources for Recovery Michael’s Diagram for Evaluating Groups How Does Someone Realize They're in a Cult? Who is Most Likely to Become a Cult Leader? What Most Cults Have in Common in the U.S. Michael's book, Recovery from Cults: Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/recovery-from-cults-michael-d-langone/1100879783 ____ A quick 5-star rating means a lot! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/self-helpless/id1251196416 Get free Self-Helpless goodies…
People in this episode
Host: Delanie Fischer
Guest: Michael D. Langone
Topics covered
- cult dynamics
- high-control groups
- psychological abuse
- spiritual abuse
- group manipulation
Keywords
- cult tactics
- manipulation
- deception
- coercion
- recovery
- psychological abuse
- spiritual abuse
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: International Cultic Studies Association
Books & works: Recovery from Cults: Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse
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