American Propaganda: True Believers (Chapter 4)

What role did QAnon play in the January 6th insurrection? How did so many fall prey to this bizarre cult-like phenomenon? As she seeks answers to these questions, Kim interviews cult experts and deprogrammers (including a former member of the Moonies) and learns about the psychological manipulation methods cult leaders use to keep a tight grip on their followers.

American Propaganda is an investigative five-part podcast series from The Control Variable, hosted by journalist Kim Cutter, that takes an unprecedented look into the history and science of propaganda to better understand the events of January 6th, 2021. The podcast chronicles Kim’s own journey, from watching the events of January 6th in horror to desperately seeking to understand how this group of people could be moved to scale the Capitol walls and storm the seat of our democracy… in the name of something so patently false as a stolen election. Exploring the events leading up to that fateful day, she quickly realizes the crucial role that propaganda played in inciting the mob to violence. Join Kim as she speaks with a wide range of experts, from prominent neuroscientists and theologians to artists, historians and crowd psychologists about the role propaganda has played at key moments in history, the devastating impact it’s having on America right now… and what we can do about it.