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June 16, 2025 53 mins
We discuss the Sullivanians, a 1970s psychotherapy sex cult in New York City’s Upper West Side. We outline their disturbing evolution, as patient-members were lured and ensnared with promises of sex, parties, low rent, and “chumships” among six hundred cult followers. CW | TW: This episode discusses a psychoanalytic sex cult, which includes mind and bodily control, talk of sex, abuse, child neglect, and the mention of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Email: ⁠⁠⁠severedpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠severedpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@severed_podcast⁠⁠⁠ Hosts: Harry Chambers + Drew Hudson Logo Art: Drew Hudson Theme Song Composer | Podcast Editor: Harry Chambers Show Concept | Researcher | Lead Writer: Drew Hudson Available on ⁠⁠⁠RadioGardenState⁠⁠⁠ Available on ⁠⁠⁠Rogue Media Network⁠ Sources Book: The Sullivanians: Sex, Psychotherapy, and the American Life of the Commune by Alexander Stille Article: “The Upper West Side Cult That Hid In Plain Sight” by Jessica Winter (New Yorker) Article: “The Upper West Side Therapy Cult That Broke All the Rules” by Nellie Hermann (TNR) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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