Amanda Montell

Amanda Montell is a writer, linguist, and podcast host living in Los Angeles. She is the author of two critically acclaimed nonfiction books, "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism" (HarperWave, 2021) and "Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language" (HarperWave, 2019). She is also a creator and host of the hit podcast, "Sounds Like A Cult."

Montell's books have earned praise from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Kirkus Reviews, and more. "Cultish" was named a best book of 2021 by NPR, was shortlisted for several prizes including the Goodreads Choice Awards and getAbstract International Book Award, has been translated into seven different languages, and is currently in development for television with Loveless Media and Topic Studios. "Sounds Like A Cult" won Best Emerging Podcast at the 2023 iHeart Radio Podcast Awards and was named a best podcast of 2022 by Vulture, Esquire, Marie Claire, and more.

Montell is currently at work on her third book "The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality," to be published by OneSignal, an imprint of Atria and Simon & Schuster, in 2024. Her other writing has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, and Who What Wear, where she formerly served as the Features & Beauty Editor. Montell was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and holds a degree in linguistics from NYU.