Grifters, Geniuses, and Influencers: Exploring Modern-Day Gurus
with Matt Sheedy
October 28th - December 16th, 2026
Lectures recorded Wednesdays, 12 PM EST
Register NowExploring 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
- ✔ 8 weekly 2-hour sessions
- ✔ University-level learning
- ✔ Community Forum
- ✔ Weekly Challenges
- ✔ Lifetime Access to Lectures and 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
Cults, Gurus, and ‘New Religious Movements’ (NRMs)
Gurus, influencers, and the role of charisma
How to research cults and NRMs 101
Gurus, violence, and authoritarianism
The role of gender and sexuality in the guru-sphere
The wellness industry
Exploring ‘Diagonalism’ and the ‘Religiously Remixed’
Case study: AI Gurus and the Future of Influence
Class Textbook
New Religious Movements: The Basics
Enroll in the seminar and we'll email you a code for 20% off the textbook.
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YOUR INSTRUCTOR
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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