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If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s more going on behind the scenes of your own thoughts — and how others might tap into that unseen world — "Mind Games" is the podcast that will take you inside the mystery. This bold new series dives deep into one of psychology’s most controversial and influential techniques: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Hosted by Emmy-winning journalist Alice Hines and writer Zoë Lescaze, "Mind Games" goes way beyond surface explanations to tell the story of NLP’s surprising rise — from a fringe practice birthed in a 1970s California commune to its spread into Fortune 500 boardrooms, the U.S. Army, wellness culture, and even notorious organizations like NXIVM.
What sets "Mind Games" apart is its mix of investigative rigor and real-world experimentation. Rather than just reporting the history and controversies around NLP, Hines and Lescaze put some of the techniques to the test on themselves, asking the provocative question: can these mind-control methods actually work? Throughout the series, they approach NLP with curiosity and healthy skepticism, documenting results that are as intriguing as they are unexpected.
"Neuro Linguistic Programming is one of those forces that hides in plain sight," said Hines, creator and co-host of the podcast. "It promises agency, confidence, and control over your own mind, yet it has been used by cults and other nefarious actors to manipulate people and deliver the exact opposite of those promises. What drew us to this series was that tension. NLP can genuinely change lives, but it can also quietly take them over."
Listeners will hear the stories of the “crazy cast of disciples” who helped spread NLP across industries, including well-known life coaches like Tony Robbins, influential figures like The Wolf of Wall Street’s Jordan Belfort, and even controversial pickup artist Ross Jeffries. The podcast also shines a light on the darker side of NLP — the ways unregulated persuasion techniques can be used to manipulate and influence people.
Part investigative thriller, part psychology documentary, "Mind Games" invites listeners to question everything they think they know about the power of the mind and the tactics people use to influence one another. Whether you’re fascinated by the science of persuasion, the ethics of influence, or simply love a well-told story that makes you think twice about how the world works, "Mind Games" is a must-listen this year.