Joshua Paddison

An image of people in leather pants in a church choir. Slate Outward presents When We all Get to Heaven

I'm re-listening to @thislynne.bsky.social's stunning podcast, *When We All Get to Heaven* to choose an episode for a spring course. A difficult choice!
www.heavenpodcast.org

Here is part two for those interested: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...

Joshua Paddison: Unraveling America’s First Sex Cult Scandal (Part 1) Podcast Episode · A Little Bit Culty · 10/20/2025 · 39m

I was interviewed by the A Little Bit Culty podcast about my new book, here is part one: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...

New book uncovers the story behind infamous North Bay cult What began as a utopian experiment ended in scandal and headlines about “spiritual harems” and mind control.

the Santa Rosa Press Democrat interviewed me about my book Unholy Sensations www.pressdemocrat.com/2025/09/15/n...

I have taught Citizen 13660 many times, it is wonderful

‘A mighty redwood of a man has fallen.’ Remembering Malcolm Margolin, founder of Heyday books Writer, editor and publisher Malcolm Margolin, who promoted Indigenous cultural renewal across California, died Wednesday. He was 84.

RIP Malcolm Margolin. He gave me my first job out of college, researching a book on the California gold rush for Heyday Books. I was 22 with no prospects; he took a chance on me and it changed the direction of my entire life and career.

I'll be doing a book appearance for Unholy Sensations in Santa Rosa on Saturday, Aug 2 www.instagram.com/p/DMds0snzQ1...

I ended up 89/100

I'm 33/40 so far (NY Times best 100 movies of 21st Century)

Unholy Sensations: A Story of Sex, Scandal, and California's First Cult Scare - The Book Club of California In 1891, a suffragist and social reformer named Alzire Chevaillier launched a moral crusade to destroy Fountaingrove, a utopian spiritualist community in northern California. Chevaillier accused the c...

I'll be doing a book talk for the Book Club of California on July 28, online and in-person registration is free: www.bccbooks.org/event/unholy...

Introduction: Secrets of the Sonoma Eden Unveiled On February 16, 1892, Alzire Chevaillier took the stage in San Francisco’s Irving Hall to deliver what she promised would be “startling revelations.” Cheva

the introduction of my new book Unholy Sensations is available and free to read until June 20: academic.oup.com/book/59727/c...

my copy just arrived!

my new book Unholy Sensations is officially out today! available from Oxford Univeristy Press and places like Amazon

On May 2, join me and two of my favorite scholars (and people) Jennifer Graber and @josephlaycock.bsky.social to discuss my new book! There's an online option for people who can't attend in person. www.txst.edu/cssw/news-ev...

How Have Cults Shaped American History?

I wrote a little thing on "How Have Cults Shaped American History?" for History Today magazine www.historytoday.com/archive/head...

let's do it as a conference roundtable! @oah.org 2026 in Philly?

The Jules Feiffer Interview - The Comics Journal The most comprehensive interview with cartoonist, playwright, screenwriter and novelist Jules Feiffer from TCJ 124, 1988.

In memory of cartoonist Jules Feiffer, here's an excellent interview with him from 1988 www.tcj.com/the-jules-fe...

I’ve got good news for you. That gum you like is going to come back in style. RIP David Lynch

my book (out next summer) has a cover!