Zealot

Jo Thornely talks to Matt Bevan about a guy who shares a load of characteristics with cult leaders, if he could only just get organised: Donald Trump.

Jo Thornely talks to Josh Dean about a guy who did more damage to the Hare Krishna reputation than repetitive airport chanting: Keith Ham.

Jo Thornely talks to Paul Verhoeven about a man who made everyone who watched Tiger King say hmmmm: Doc Antle.

Jo Thornely talks to Rhys Nicholson about a man who made a college dorm look even more like a cult than usual: Lawrence Ray.

Jo Thornely talks to Marieke Hardy about a cult led by a man skilled in the arts of manipulation, push-ups, and Speedo-wearing: The Buddhafield.

Jo Thornely talks to Cal Wilson about a Kiwi cult that she visited as a child, remembering the headscarves and gardening, but not the huge cache of weapons: Camp David.

Jo Thornely talks to Courtney Fry about a rugged Aussie cult leader who likes perfect nectarines and being called Taipan: James Salerno and the Ideal Human Environment.

Jo Thornely talks to Yvie Jones about a big-haired lady who’ll tell you Jesus wants you to be skinny and fat people go to hell: Gwen Shamblin.

Jo Thornely talks to Lauren Bonner about a guy who took a short break from being a prison inmate to develop his skills as a songwriter and cult leader: Charles Manson.

Jo Thornely talks to Rose Callaghan about an actor whose most convincing roles are as a rock star and a cult leader: Jared Leto.

Jo Thornely talks to Brianna Williams about a woman who has made sure you’ll find her if you Google how to kill yourself: Teal Swan.

Jo Thornely talks to Alex Jae about a family that hates you, pancakes and nerds, but LOVES bedroom murals and knock-off Ed Hardy: Westboro Baptist Church.

Jo Thornely talks to Gary Smith about a clever trust fund brat with an unhygienic attitude towards canapés: Aleister Crowley.

Jo Thornely talks to Rob Stott about a cult that slaps the demons out of you and serves pizza afterwards: Grace Road Church.

Jo Thornely talks to Lucas Brown about a cult that loved communism, forks and fornicating: The Oneida Community.