Meet Your Hosts!

Amanda Montell (creator/host) is a New York Times-bestselling author and iHeart Radio Award-winning podcaster. Her nonfiction books include Cultish, Wordslut, and The Age of Magical Overthinking—an instant New York Times Bestseller and Indie Bestseller. Amanda’s books have been praised by The Atlantic, The Economist, and NPR, among others, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar, and elsewhere. Speaking about her work, Amanda has appeared in documentary series including Netflix’s “How to Become A Cult Leader” and Vice TV’s “True Believers.” Sounds Like A Cult is inspired by Amanda’s second book, and her newest top-charting podcast, Magical Overthinkers, is based on her third. Amanda holds a degree in linguistics from NYU and lives in Los Angeles. Find her on Instagram @amanda_montell or Substack at amandamontell.substack.com.

Chelsea Charles (co-host, guest producer) is a distinguished self-proclaimed culture commentator and producer, recognized for her influential work on unscripted television programs such as "Temptation Island," "Love Island USA,” and "Naked and Afraid." A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Dillard University in New Orleans and a Master of Arts in Film and Media Production from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. Now based in Los Angeles, she continues to shape the landscape of contemporary media with her expertise and knack for storytelling. Follow her on Instagram at @chelseaxcharles. Chelsea joined the Sounds Like A Cult team in September 2024.

A current college senior, Reese Persephone Oliver (co-host, coordinator) is double majoring in Theatre Arts and Rhetoric and Communication Studies at the University of La Verne. Most recently you may have seen her as Estelle in No Exit or Logan in The Thanksgiving Play. Prior to attending ULV, she was a member of the acting conservatory at the California School of the Arts. Currently, she is the business manager of the Zeta Xi chapter of Alpha Psi Omega theater honors society. Reese began as a Sounds Like A Cult intern in January 2024 and now serves as the podcast’s coordinator and co-host.