The Optimistic American - Audio Edition

Apr 19, 2023

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss how cults and extremist groups suck people into addictive ideologies. They talk about the most dangerous aspects of an addictive ideology, the growth of incel culture, and ways to deprogram an addicted cult member.

• Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how Ideologies and cults suck people into addictive ideologies.
• Emily describes the difference between a cult and an addictive ideology.
• Paul describes how ideologies become toxic when they see the world in terms of the oppressor and victimhood.
• Emily breaks down the characteristics of cult leaders and what makes them charismatic.
• Paul shares his thoughts on woke culture. 
• Emily reveals how the incel community was formed and how "involuntarily celibate" men become radicalized.
• Emily describes how incels justify their acts of physically harming women.
• Emily shares her experience working with Muslim extremists and people from the incel community.
• Paul confirms with Emily how people in cults are not necessarily crazy or delusional - they just have a biased view of the world.
• Paul and Emily agree that the type of people prone to joining extreme ideologies and cults have a destabilized identity and are looking for meaning in life.
• For Emily, the one consistent thing among extremists and cult members is a loss of identity - which the cult leaders replace with flawed beliefs.
• Paul and Emily explore the dopamine hit people experience when winning an argument - and how wanting to be right all the time can be addictive.
• Emily outlines the chemical changes in the brain during and after an argument.
• Emily and Paul discuss how you can help loved ones trapped in cults or addictive ideologies.

Mentioned in This Episode:

optamerican.com

Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson