Amanda Montell

Amanda is an LA-based author, linguist and podcast host. Her books Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism (2021) and Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language (2019) have both been lauded by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Time Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and Kirkus Reviews, to name a few. Wordslut, an indie bestseller, is currently being developed for television with FX Studios, with Amanda serving as creator, writer, and executive producer.

In addition to her critically acclaimed books, 28-year-old Amanda is a reporter and essayist with several hundred bylines. Her writing has been featured in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Refinery29, DAME Magazine, The Rumpus, and Who What Wear (where she was a former features & beauty editor). Amanda is also the creator and co-host - along with Colombian comic Isa Medina - of the comedy-cult podcast, Sounds Like A Cult, which dissects the modern day cults we all follow (think SoulCycle or the Royal Family).

Amanda is originally from Baltimore and holds a degree in linguistics from NYU. In her spare time, she enjoys learning impractical languages, doting upon her spoiled pets, and volunteering as a crisis counselor for LGBTQ youth. Find her on Instagram: @amanda_montell.