Playboy sold the world a fantasy of luxury and sexual liberation, but behind the velvet curtains, the reality was far more complex. This week, Amanda, Chelsea, and special guest Amy Rose Spiegel (@verymuchso) dive into the Playboy phenomenon…not just as a magazine, but as a carefully curated world built on power, control, and illusion. From the mystique of the Playboy Mansion and its exclusive parties to the troubling stories from former Playmates, we’re exploring how Hugh Hefner crafted an empire that blurred the line between empowerment and exploitation. Was Playboy truly a symbol of freedom, or just another gilded cage? And how does nostalgia shape the way we view its legacy today? Join us as we unravel the cult-like influence of Playboy and the contradictions that made it both iconic and insidious. Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube! Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles. Thank you to our sponsors! Find exactly what you’re booking for on https://Booking.com, Booking.YEAH! Follow Don't Cross Kat on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes of Don't Cross Kat early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery+. Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CULT to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULT Start earning points on rent you’re already paying by going to https://joinbilt.com/CULT Please consider donating to those affected by the Los Angeles Fires. Some organizations that Team SLAC are donating to are: https://mutualaidla.org/ https://give.pasadenahumane.org/give/654134/#!/donation/checkout https://shorturl.at/SGW9w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.