Episode
#24. Matthew Remski. Interrogating Self Care Culture
- Published
- Sep 3, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 4688
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Summary
In this episode, Andrew speaks with writer and researcher Matthew Remski — co-host of the Conspirituality podcast and author of Practice and All Is Coming and Surviving Modern Yoga . Matthew shares his journey from cult involvement to cult journalism, yoga teaching, and now writing on antifascism. Together they explore cult dynamics, the contested language of “high demand groups,” abuse in modern yoga, and how wellness and fitness cultures often reflect broader social and political forces. This conversation unpacks why cultic dynamics aren’t aberrations but common features of human organisations, how situational vulnerability draws people in, and why physical culture so often echoes anxieties of the time. From yoga studios and CrossFit boxes to gentrification and public housing gyms, Matthew shows how our spaces for movement reflect both the possibilities and pitfalls of community. Themes: Cult dynamics and contested language (“cult,” “high demand group,” “new religious movement”) Alexandra Stein’s model of disorganised attachment Situational vulnerability and recruitment into exploitative groups Systemic abuse in modern yoga — Pattabhi Jois, Iyengar, Bikram, and beyond The hidden history of yoga’s modern form and its ties to nationalism and European physical culture Cult-like tendencies in fitness and wellness spaces, including CrossFit Gentrification, yoga studios, and why community assets matter Why physical culture should serve the neighbourhood, not just the individual Antifascist fight clubs and reclaiming physical bravery Timestamps: 00:01 – Mathew’s introduction and personal background 05:13 – What do we mean by “cult” and why the language matters 10:22 – Disorganised attachment and abusive relationships 14:57 – The “true crime” cult industry vs political reali…