When you hear the word 'cult', you probably picture white robes and remote compounds. But in 2026, the reality is much more ordinary.

From wellness communities to 'coaching' gurus and high-control religious groups, a new wave of organisations is recruiting young people who are searching for certainty in an unstable, post-pandemic world.

As the Victorian Parliament conducts a landmark inquiry into the recruitment methods of these fringe groups, we investigate how the traditional cult has morphed into something far more sanitised and harder to spot.

🗞️ HEADLINES

Public schools in Victoria & Tasmania impacted by teacher's strikes today
Trump says deal with Iran coming soon to settle the war
The pilots of an Air Canada flight have died in a crash with a fire truck at NY's La Guardia airport
Sarah Ferguson denies she planned to clone the Queen's corgis

📩 GET IN TOUCH

Got a story, news tip-off, feedback or dilemma?

Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au

🎙️ CREDITS

Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy

Guests:

Dominique Bayens, ABC Reporter & Host of Expanse: The Nannup Four
Anke Richter, Journalist, Author of Cult Trip & Head of DeCult
Clare Heath-McIvor, Cult survivor, Co-runner of the Victorian Cult Survivors Network

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy

Support independent women's media

Check out The Quicky Instagram here and our TikTok here

Discover more Mamamia podcasts here

Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Promises Peace with Iran & Survivors On Why Modern Cults Are Booming

The Quicky