Cult of Body & Soul https://www.cultbodysoul.com/ en Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network “Cult of Body & Soul” is a 7-part docu-series that explores how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of personality. We expose the intoxicating power dynamic between riders and instructors, the gate-kept instructor training program, the true story behind founders Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, and the political scandal that torched the brand’s image. Featuring interviews with instructors, studio managers, front desk staff, and corporate insiders. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/36d60536-1934-11f0-8f1b-23f4d36467f4/image/5a285951fd356e0c19acdb8fa36d580a.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Cult of Body & Soul https://www.cultbodysoul.com/ yes serial Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network “Cult of Body & Soul” is a 7-part docu-series that explores how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of personality. We expose the intoxicating power dynamic between riders and instructors, the gate-kept instructor training program, the true story behind founders Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, and the political scandal that torched the brand’s image. Featuring interviews with instructors, studio managers, front desk staff, and corporate insiders. “Cult of Body & Soul” is a 7-part docu-series that explores how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of personality.

We expose the intoxicating power dynamic between riders and instructors, the gate-kept instructor training program, the true story behind founders Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, and the political scandal that torched the brand’s image.

Featuring interviews with instructors, studio managers, front desk staff, and corporate insiders.

]]> Jess Rothschild rothschild82@gmail.com 7. "Turn the Smile On" https://www.cultbodysoul.com/episodes Bonus episode. We follow three instructors’ careers at SoulCycle — in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. Christina Aguilera surprises riders at her own theme class. An instructor is recruited after a life of crime, addiction and losing 100 pounds at Soul. While some charismatic instructors are paid $1K+ per class, others max out at $150. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch all episodes on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!⁠⁠ _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 01 Jul 2025 09:05:00 -0000 full 1 7 Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network Bonus episode. We follow three instructors’ careers at SoulCycle — in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. Christina Aguilera surprises riders at her own theme class. An instructor is recruited after a life of crime, addiction and losing 100 pounds at Soul. While some charismatic instructors are paid $1K+ per class, others max out at $150. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch all episodes on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!⁠⁠ _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Bonus episode. We follow three instructors’ careers at SoulCycle — in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City. Christina Aguilera surprises riders at her own theme class. An instructor is recruited after a life of crime, addiction and losing 100 pounds at Soul. While some charismatic instructors are paid $1K+ per class, others max out at $150.

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram

Watch all episodes on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!⁠⁠

_____

Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte

Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2832 6. "Boogeyman in the Corner" https://youtu.be/tkPWl1KzeU0 Episode 6: Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan is banned from the studio. Barry's Bootcamp CEO attempts to poach SoulCycle instructors and is banned. Hard-charging instructor training directors use rough, sexual language to intimidate new recruits. A firehose of Soul gossip! Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 6 on ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!⁠ _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠⁠⁠ "Cinderella" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:05:00 -0000 full 1 6 Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network Episode 6: Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan is banned from the studio. Barry's Bootcamp CEO attempts to poach SoulCycle instructors and is banned. Hard-charging instructor training directors use rough, sexual language to intimidate new recruits. A firehose of Soul gossip! Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 6 on ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!⁠ _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠⁠⁠ "Cinderella" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Episode 6: Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan is banned from the studio. Barry's Bootcamp CEO attempts to poach SoulCycle instructors and is banned. Hard-charging instructor training directors use rough, sexual language to intimidate new recruits. A firehose of Soul gossip!

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram

Watch episode 6 on ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!⁠

_____

Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte

Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff

Additional music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠⁠⁠

"Cinderella" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2996 5. "S*x With An Ex" https://youtu.be/EMzfJA95bHY Episode 5: News leaks that Equinox Chairman Stephen Ross will hold a Trump fundraiser in the Hamptons. Instructors share their pay structures and how they were fired / why they quit. All of SoulCycle's goodwill and reputation for LGBT inclusivity is extinguished. Has anything come close to capturing the zeitgeist the way SoulCycle did? Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 5 on YouTube⁠⁠ Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: ⁠⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠⁠ "Wishing Well" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:05:00 -0000 full 1 5 Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network Episode 5: News leaks that Equinox Chairman Stephen Ross will hold a Trump fundraiser in the Hamptons. Instructors share their pay structures and how they were fired / why they quit. All of SoulCycle's goodwill and reputation for LGBT inclusivity is extinguished. Has anything come close to capturing the zeitgeist the way SoulCycle did? Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 5 on YouTube⁠⁠ Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: ⁠⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠⁠ "Wishing Well" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Episode 5: News leaks that Equinox Chairman Stephen Ross will hold a Trump fundraiser in the Hamptons. Instructors share their pay structures and how they were fired / why they quit. All of SoulCycle's goodwill and reputation for LGBT inclusivity is extinguished. Has anything come close to capturing the zeitgeist the way SoulCycle did?

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram

Watch episode 5 on YouTube⁠⁠

Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!

_____

Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte

Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff

Additional music: ⁠⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠⁠

"Wishing Well" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2698 4. "You Create Monsters" https://youtu.be/yMoYd6Aso_I Episode 4: Instructors make headlines for s*x & cheating scandals with married riders. SoulCycle co-founders Julie Rice & Elizabeth Cutler resign, walking away with $90 Million each after selling the company to Equinox. The 2016 Presidential election and its aftermath causes a great divide at SoulCycle. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 4 on YouTube⁠ ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: ⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠, Left on Red "Gangway" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 10 Jun 2025 09:05:00 -0000 full 1 4 Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network Episode 4: Instructors make headlines for s*x & cheating scandals with married riders. SoulCycle co-founders Julie Rice & Elizabeth Cutler resign, walking away with $90 Million each after selling the company to Equinox. The 2016 Presidential election and its aftermath causes a great divide at SoulCycle. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 4 on YouTube⁠ ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: ⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠, Left on Red "Gangway" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Episode 4: Instructors make headlines for s*x & cheating scandals with married riders. SoulCycle co-founders Julie Rice & Elizabeth Cutler resign, walking away with $90 Million each after selling the company to Equinox. The 2016 Presidential election and its aftermath causes a great divide at SoulCycle.

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram

Watch episode 4 on YouTube⁠

⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!

_____

Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠⁠

Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte

Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff

Additional music: ⁠⁠Liah Alonso⁠⁠, Left on Red

"Gangway" performed by: ⁠⁠⁠BETTY⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 3049 3. "Noon on Monday" Episode 3: The gate-kept details of SoulCycle’s instructor training program are revealed for the first time. Servers crash every Monday at Noon during sign-ups. Hurricane Sandy causes chaos when people cannot access classes. Cults of personality form between riders and instructors. Follow ⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 3 on YouTube ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: ⁠Liah Alonso⁠, Left on Red "Two Cherries" performed by: ⁠⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 03 Jun 2025 09:05:00 -0000 full 1 3 Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network Episode 3: The gate-kept details of SoulCycle’s instructor training program are revealed for the first time. Servers crash every Monday at Noon during sign-ups. Hurricane Sandy causes chaos when people cannot access classes. Cults of personality form between riders and instructors. Follow ⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 3 on YouTube ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: ⁠Liah Alonso⁠, Left on Red "Two Cherries" performed by: ⁠⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Episode 3: The gate-kept details of SoulCycle’s instructor training program are revealed for the first time. Servers crash every Monday at Noon during sign-ups. Hurricane Sandy causes chaos when people cannot access classes. Cults of personality form between riders and instructors.

Follow ⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram

Watch episode 3 on YouTube

⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!

_____

Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠⁠

Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte

Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff

Additional music: ⁠Liah Alonso⁠, Left on Red

"Two Cherries" performed by: ⁠⁠BETTY⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 3217 2. "A Star Is Born" https://www.cultbodysoul.com/ Episode 2: SoulCycle takes off in New York City and The Hamptons, with celebrities like Kelly Ripa & Katie Couric becoming superfans. Co-founder Julie Rice's muse Janet Fitzgerald moves to Manhattan to work with budding talent. A beloved 22 year-old party-girl instructor Clare Veronica Walsh tragically dies on Christmas Day. A "wreck the studio" party signifies the end of the 72nd Street era as SoulCycle grows. Follow ⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 2 on YouTube ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: Liah Alonso "One of Us" performed by: ⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 27 May 2025 08:34:00 -0000 full 1 2 Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network Episode 2: SoulCycle takes off in New York City and The Hamptons, with celebrities like Kelly Ripa & Katie Couric becoming superfans. Co-founder Julie Rice's muse Janet Fitzgerald moves to Manhattan to work with budding talent. A beloved 22 year-old party-girl instructor Clare Veronica Walsh tragically dies on Christmas Day. A "wreck the studio" party signifies the end of the 72nd Street era as SoulCycle grows. Follow ⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 2 on YouTube ⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker! _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff Additional music: Liah Alonso "One of Us" performed by: ⁠BETTY⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Episode 2: SoulCycle takes off in New York City and The Hamptons, with celebrities like Kelly Ripa & Katie Couric becoming superfans. Co-founder Julie Rice's muse Janet Fitzgerald moves to Manhattan to work with budding talent. A beloved 22 year-old party-girl instructor Clare Veronica Walsh tragically dies on Christmas Day. A "wreck the studio" party signifies the end of the 72nd Street era as SoulCycle grows.

Follow ⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠ on Instagram

Watch episode 2 on YouTube

⁠Live event July 9 in NYC w/ Janet Fitzgerald & Halle Becker!

_____

Executive Producer & Host: ⁠⁠Jess Rothschild⁠⁠

Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte

Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff

Additional music: Liah Alonso

"One of Us" performed by: ⁠BETTY⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2885 1. "Made in LA" https://www.cultbodysoul.com/ Episode 1: Julie Rice, Elizabeth Cutler, and Ruth Zukerman co-found SoulCycle, but Zukerman was later iced out as an owner because she did not have proper legal protection in place. We trace SoulCycle's origin story back to the '90s Los Angeles spin craze before it revolutionized boutique fitness in New York City 2006. Follow ⁠@jessxnyc⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 1 on YouTube _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠Jess Rothschild⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff "Naughty Nadia" performed by: BETTY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tue, 27 May 2025 08:30:00 -0000 full 1 1 Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network Episode 1: Julie Rice, Elizabeth Cutler, and Ruth Zukerman co-found SoulCycle, but Zukerman was later iced out as an owner because she did not have proper legal protection in place. We trace SoulCycle's origin story back to the '90s Los Angeles spin craze before it revolutionized boutique fitness in New York City 2006. Follow ⁠@jessxnyc⁠ on Instagram Watch episode 1 on YouTube _____ Executive Producer & Host: ⁠Jess Rothschild⁠ Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff "Naughty Nadia" performed by: BETTY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Episode 1: Julie Rice, Elizabeth Cutler, and Ruth Zukerman co-found SoulCycle, but Zukerman was later iced out as an owner because she did not have proper legal protection in place. We trace SoulCycle's origin story back to the '90s Los Angeles spin craze before it revolutionized boutique fitness in New York City 2006.

Follow ⁠@jessxnyc⁠ on Instagram

Watch episode 1 on YouTube

_____

Executive Producer & Host: ⁠Jess Rothschild⁠

Editing & Sound Design: Caitlin Whyte

Theme Song & Original Music Composer: Elizabeth Ziff

"Naughty Nadia" performed by: BETTY

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 2693 TRAILER - Cult of Body & Soul “Cult of Body & Soul” is a docu-podcast series created & executive produed by Jess Rothschild which brings to life how the boutique indoor cycling (spinning) phenomenon SOULCYCLE captured the New York City fitness zeitgeist. We will take you behind the curtain of the cult of personality that forms between instructor and rider, the elusive instructor training program, the untold story of how Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler founded the company and the political scandal that extinguished the public's good-will for the brand. Featuring interviews with instructors, studio managers, front desk staff and corporate HQ employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Fri, 16 May 2025 18:54:00 -0000 trailer Jess Rothschild & Broadway Podcast Network “Cult of Body & Soul” is a docu-podcast series created & executive produed by Jess Rothschild which brings to life how the boutique indoor cycling (spinning) phenomenon SOULCYCLE captured the New York City fitness zeitgeist. We will take you behind the curtain of the cult of personality that forms between instructor and rider, the elusive instructor training program, the untold story of how Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler founded the company and the political scandal that extinguished the public's good-will for the brand. Featuring interviews with instructors, studio managers, front desk staff and corporate HQ employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices “Cult of Body & Soul” is a docu-podcast series created & executive produed by Jess Rothschild which brings to life how the boutique indoor cycling (spinning) phenomenon SOULCYCLE captured the New York City fitness zeitgeist.

We will take you behind the curtain of the cult of personality that forms between instructor and rider, the elusive instructor training program, the untold story of how Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler founded the company and the political scandal that extinguished the public's good-will for the brand.

Featuring interviews with instructors, studio managers, front desk staff and corporate HQ employees.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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