Jess Rothschild - SoulCycle and the Cult of Spinning episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 7, 2026 · 1H 2M

Jess Rothschild - SoulCycle and the Cult of Spinning

from Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation · host Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

This week’s guest is Jess Rothschild, creator of documentary podcast "Cult of Body & Soul," which dives into the history of cult fitness brand Soulcycle. She explains the spinning company's origins, how the workout environment was engineered to create an almost religious experience, and why instructors chosen for their devoted followings and special charisma made it a cultural phenomenon.They discuss the social hierarchies that formed inside and outside of class, the mysticism infused into the culture, and what she herself loved about it--and how the corporate takeover of the brand changed everything. SOURCES Cult of Body and SoulSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Jess Rothschild - SoulCycle and the Cult of Spinning

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