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Grifters, Geniuses, and Influencers: Exploring Modern-Day Gurus

with Matt Sheedy

 

X - X, XXXX

Lectures recorded X X:XX PM EST

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Exploring Modern-Day Gurus in 8 lessons with Matt Sheedy

Have you ever wondered why some influencers inspire devoted followers while others are labeled cult leaders or grifters?

In this 8-week live seminar, religion scholar Matt Sheedy explores the rise of modern-day gurus through the study of charisma, New Religious Movements, and online culture. You'll examine how influencers gain authority, why people follow them, and how religion, politics, wellness, conspiracy theories, and AI shape today's digital landscape.

Over eight weeks, you'll:

  • Understand the scholarship behind cults, gurus, and influencers
  • Learn how charisma shapes authority and online communities
  • Explore wellness culture, conspiracy theories, politics, and AI
  • Develop tools to distinguish grifters, genuine voices, and the gray areas in between
Enroll now
  •  
  • ✔ 8 weekly 90-minute sessions
  • ✔ University-level learning
  • ✔ Class Drive with Readings and Materials
  • ✔ Community Forum
  • ✔ Weekly Challenges
  • ✔ Lifetime Access, including Community
  •  

An online seminar brought to you by Religion for Breakfast

From Andrew Henry's 1M+ subscriber YouTube channel about the academic study of religion, the Religion Department offers a way to learn deeply with world experts who understand the nuances. Our classes are designed to accommodate multiple learning styles and schedules.

Class Syllabus

 01

Cults, Gurus, and ‘New Religious Movements’ (NRMs)

 02

Gurus, influencers, and the role of charisma

 03

How to research cults and NRMs 101

 04

Gurus, violence, and authoritarianism

 05

The role of gender and sexuality in the guro-sphere

 06

The wellness industry

 07

Exploring ‘Diagonalism’ and the ‘Religiously Remixed’

 08

Case study: AI Gurus and the Future of Influence

Class Text Book

Your Instructor

Matt Sheedy

Matt Sheedy

Matt Sheedy is a scholar of religion, culture, and politics who has taught at universities in Canada and Germany for nearly 20 years, including as Professor of North American Studies at the University of Bonn (2017–2025). For almost 30 years, his research has explored religion in the public sphere, from mainstream traditions to conspiracy movements and New Religious Movements.

He has taught at five universities, practiced traditions ranging from Zen and yoga to martial arts and Tai Chi, and written extensively on the intersections of religion, popular culture, media, and politics. Matt is currently a researcher at the University of Victoria's Centre for the Study of Religion and Society, where he is completing a book titled Islam According to Google News: How Media Shape the Way We Talk About Religion.

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Class Text Book

Get Your Book Here

Your Instructor

Matt Sheedy

Matt Sheedy

Matt Sheedy is a scholar of religion, culture, and politics who has taught at universities in Canada and Germany for nearly 20 years, including as Professor of North American Studies at the University of Bonn (2017–2025). For almost 30 years, his research has explored religion in the public sphere, from mainstream traditions to conspiracy movements and New Religious Movements.

He has taught at five universities, practiced traditions ranging from Zen and yoga to martial arts and Tai Chi, and written extensively on the intersections of religion, popular culture, media, and politics. Matt is currently a researcher at the University of Victoria's Centre for the Study of Religion and Society, where he is completing a book titled Islam According to Google News: How Media Shape the Way We Talk About Religion.

Register Now

What students are saying about
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"Dr. Davis is a fantastic teacher. He's engaging, funny, down-to-earth, and has a vast wealth of knowledge on Biblical Hebrew, the Hebrew Bible, and the ancient Near East—he's literally reconstructed Dead Sea Scroll manuscripts.” 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ways to Join

Member Tuition

$200

 

  • Lifetime Access to Seminar, including Lectures, Materials, and Community

 

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Tuition

$400

  • Lifetime Access to Seminar, including Lectures, Materials, and Community 

 

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and American History

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