#24. Matthew Remski. Interrogating Self Care Culture

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 attachmentSituational vulnerability and recruitment into exploitative groupsSystemic abuse in modern yoga — Pattabhi Jois, Iyengar, Bikram, and beyondThe hidden history of yoga’s modern form and its ties to nationalism and European physical cultureCult-like tendencies in fitness and wellness spaces, including CrossFitGentrification, yoga studios, and why community assets matterWhy physical culture should serve the neighbourhood, not just the individualAntifascist fight clubs and reclaiming physical braveryTimestamps:00:01 – Mathew’s introduction and personal background05:13 – What do we mean by “cult” and why the language matters10:22 – Disorganised attachment and abusive relationships14:57 – The “true crime” cult industry vs political realities17:36 – Cults as logical outcomes of capitalism20:03 – Situational vulnerability and why people join24:32 – Victim–perpetrator narratives and the complexity of agency26:25 – Systemic abuse in modern yoga communities36:12 – Modern yoga’s hidden history and links to nationalism and physical culture49:15 – CrossFit and cult dynamics in fitness spaces54:17 – Gentrification, yoga studios, and community access01:05:19 – Public health, planning, and simple solutions (bike lanes, basketball courts)01:09:13 – Antifascist fight clubs and reclaiming physical braveryLinks:Conspirituality PodcastSurviving Modern YogaPractice and All Is ComingAlexandra Stein – Terror, Love and BrainwashingRobert Putnam – Bowling AloneMusic by Me for Queen.