How do authoritarian groups hijack our psychology—and how do cult tactics show up in MAGA, Trumpism, and alt-right extremism? Renowned cult expert Dr. Steven Hassan speaks with social psychologist and cult survivor Dr. Alexandra Stein about her experience escaping a political cult and how those same mechanisms—disinformation, identity manipulation, and psychological coercion—are being used to radicalize Americans today. Together, they unpack the hidden influence strategies behind political cults, social control, and the growing threat of authoritarianism.
In this powerful episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, Dr. Steven Hassan talks with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Alexandra Stein, author of Inside Out and Terror, Love and Brainwashing. They dive deep into:
- How cults create disorganized attachment to control minds
- Why understanding coercive control, dissociation, and pseudo-identity is key to recovery
- How cultic dynamics underlie political extremism, especially in Trump’s movement
- Personal stories of survival, resilience, and late-in-life academic success
- The fight for laws against undue influence and psychological abuse in both the US and UK
Whether you're a former cult member, a mental health professional, or just seeking to understand how cult tactics influence politics, this conversation offers expert insight and hope.
📚 Books Mentioned
– Terror, Love and Brainwashing by Dr. Alexandra Stein https://amzn.to/42agITH
– Combating Cult Mind Control & The Cult of Trump by Dr. Steven Hassan https://amzn.to/4j7o2p4
– The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt https://amzn.to/3RRfWos
– On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder https://amzn.to/3Rg5hn9
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#CultOfTrump #UndueInfluence #CoerciveControl #PoliticalCults #Brainwashing #Authoritarianism #AlexandraStein #StevenHassan #DrStevenHassan #MindControl #MAGA #SurvivingCults #CultRecovery #InfluenceContinuum #SocialPsychology #AttachmentTheory #CultConversations
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