A Little Bit Culty

A Little Bit Culty

Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames

Think you might be in a cult? Want to know the signs? Join Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames to talk about things that are..a little bit culty. Or in their case: a whole bunch of culty. As whistleblowers documented in the critically-acclaimed HBO series “The Vow,” Sarah and Nippy have a lot to say about their experience, and burning questions to ask people with similar stories. They’re here to help people understand, heal from, and avoid abusive situations one little red flag at a time. Listen in as they share their stories, have frank and unscripted conversations with other...

Born and Razed in a Cult: Beth Granger on Surviving Grenville Christian College (Part 1)

Born and Razed in a Cult: Beth Granger on Surviving Grenville Christian College (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp.  Beth Granger was born into a nightmare disguised as an elite Christian boarding school. Raised within the walls of Grenville Christian College, she endured decades of coercion, public shaming, and physical abuse—hidden behind the institution’s polished reputation. As a child of staff members, she was subjected to even harsher discipline, forced to navigate a world where "The Mothers" ruled with an iron grip, friendships were forbidden, and obedi

Feb 17, • 47:30

Framed: Dr. C on Coercive Control and Family Court Trauma

Framed: Dr. C on Coercive Control and Family Court Trauma

Long-time listeners might remember Dr. Christine Cocchiola (aka Dr. C) from Season 5, where she shared how she and her kids survived her ex-husband’s coercive control and psychological abuse. This week, she’s back to dig deeper into the ways coercive control operates like a cult—through gaslighting, mind games, and manipulation—and how it impacts families, especially children. Dr. C is a social justice advocate, clinical social worker, and educator specializing in coercive control. In this episo

Feb 10, • 1:03:13

Brandon Guffy: Coercive Control and Sextortion

Brandon Guffy: Coercive Control and Sextortion

Online sextortion scams are on the rise, targeting young victims—especially teen boys—by coercing them into sharing explicit images, then blackmailing them into silence. These predators use fear, humiliation, and intimidation to trap their victims, often with devastating consequences. Our guest today, South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey, knows this horror firsthand. In 2022, his 17-year-old son, Gavin, fell victim to sextortion and tragically took his own life. Since then, Brandon has d

Feb 3, • 56:51

Corruption in the Hare Krishna Movement: A Survivor’s Story with Nori Muster

Corruption in the Hare Krishna Movement: A Survivor’s Story with Nori Muster

This week we  continue to explore corruption within the Hare Krishna movement, this time through the eyes of former member Nori Muster. From 1978 to 1988, Nori worked in the movement’s PR and media department, where she was tasked with spinning headlines and managing ISKCON's public image. However, what began as a spiritual refuge soon revealed a dark underbelly of corruption, cover-ups, and even murder. Nori recounts her time in ISKCON, her growing disillusionment, and the pivotal moments that

Jan 27, • 54:14

Monkey on a Stick: Corruption within the Hare Krishna Movement with Jason Lapeyre

Monkey on a Stick: Corruption within the Hare Krishna Movement with Jason Lapeyre

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/CULTY to get started today. Remember the Hare Krishnas? The ones with the shaved heads and orange robes who used to chant and panhandle at airports? What started as a movement promoting inner peace and material detachment descended into chaos, corruption, and crime. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Nippy sit down with filmmaker Jason Lapeyre, director of the new documentary Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness, and the Hare Krishnas

Jan 20, • 59:14

F*ck This, I’m Out: Remembering Mike Rinder

F*ck This, I’m Out: Remembering Mike Rinder

This week, we’re honoring the life and legacy of our dear friend and hero, Mike Rinder. Mike was a pivotal figure in the fight against cultic abuse, and his courage and compassion set the gold standard for turning a difficult past into a powerful force for good. To celebrate his incredible contributions, we’re re-releasing this conversation from March 2021, where Mike shared his remarkable journey out of Scientology, the intricacies of whistleblowing, and the resilience it takes to rebuild after

Jan 16, • 1:22:53

For the record: Jonathan Hirsch on Cult Story Telling (Part 2)

For the record: Jonathan Hirsch on Cult Story Telling (Part 2)

This show/episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/CULTY to get started today. This is the second part of a 2 part interview with Jonathan Hirsch. Listen to Part 1 Here. Jonathan Hirsch is an award-winning podcaster and journalist who grew up in the Adidam hippie cult. His podcast, “Dear Franklin Jones”, is about that experience. Today, he’s here to discuss the less famous—but equally culty—Jones and what it’s like for children who grow up with religious abuse.  And for more

Jan 13, • 43:55

Growing Up Culty: Jonathan Hirsch on a Lifetime of Cults (Part 1)

Growing Up Culty: Jonathan Hirsch on a Lifetime of Cults (Part 1)

Jonathan Hirsch is an award-winning podcaster and journalist who grew up in the Adidam hippie cult. His podcast, “Dear Franklin Jones”, is about that experience. Today, he’s here to discuss the less famous, but equally culty, Jones and what it’s like for children who grow up with religious abuse.  And for more of Jonathan's work, Be sure to check out his latest podcast, “Scary Terri”, which unravels the chilling story of Terri Lee Hoffman—a spiritual leader in Dallas whose followers faced a seri

Jan 6, • 57:47

Rift and Redemption: Cait West’s Escape from Christian Patriarchy

Rift and Redemption: Cait West’s Escape from Christian Patriarchy

What’s it like to grow up in a world where your life’s only purpose is to serve the men around you? Cait West knows firsthand. Raised in a household steeped in Christian patriarchy—a radical movement that places men in absolute control over their families—Cait was homeschooled, groomed to be an obedient wife and mother, and forbidden from pursuing a career or formal education. By the time she escaped at 25, she had no driver’s license, no real job experience, and few resources to navigate life o

Dec 30, 2024 • 1:04:05

Voices From Beyond: Jonathan Mark on NXIVM’s Unsolved Mysteries

Voices From Beyond: Jonathan Mark on NXIVM’s Unsolved Mysteries

This episode is brought to you in part by Squarespace. Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CULTY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULTY. This week, we sit down with medium Jonathan Mark, who brings closure to grieving families and assists law enforcement in solving cold cases. Jonathan opens up about his journey from reluctant medium to trusted investigator, sharing personal stories, insights into high-profile cases like Gabby Petito’s, and the emotional tol

Dec 23, 2024 • 1:03:15

Justice Denied: The JonBenét Ramsey Case and the Cult of Groupthink

Justice Denied: The JonBenét Ramsey Case and the Cult of Groupthink

This episode is brought to you in part by Squarespace. Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CULTY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULTY. John Ramsey knows a lot about culty thinking within police investigations. He experienced it firsthand after his daughter, JonBenét Ramsey, was murdered in 1996. JonBenét was the six-year-old beauty queen found strangled and beaten to death in her Boulder, CO home. Despite DNA evidence pointing to an unknown male intruder,

Dec 16, 2024 • 53:45

Jules Hartley: “Breath of Fire” and the Cult of Kundalini Yoga (Part 2)

Jules Hartley: “Breath of Fire” and the Cult of Kundalini Yoga (Part 2)

Bringing you an extra special Part 2 for today's bonus episode with Jules Hartley.  You may have heard of Kundalini yoga from its popularity with celebrities, but you might be less familiar with its culty history. Invented in the late 60s by a guru-turned-cult leader named Yogi Bhajan, Kundalini is an intensive form of yoga that weirdly uses breathing exercises to manipulate people. After its founder died in 2004, one of his followers, Guru Jagat, picked up where he left off. Jagat founded the

Dec 11, 2024 • 43:42

Jules Hartley: “Breath of Fire” and the Cult of Kundalini Yoga (Part 1)

Jules Hartley: “Breath of Fire” and the Cult of Kundalini Yoga (Part 1)

You may have heard of Kundalini yoga from its popularity with celebrities, but you might be less familiar with its culty history. Invented in the late 60s by a guru-turned-cult leader named Yogi Bhajan, Kundalini is an intensive form of yoga that weirdly uses breathing exercises to manipulate people. After its founder died in 2004, one of his followers, Guru Jagat, picked up where he left off. Jagat founded the Ra Ma Institute, which she ran more like a cult than a yoga studio.  Our guest today,

Dec 9, 2024 • 48:40

Whitney Cummings: Healing, Humor, and Hollywood's Culty Side

Whitney Cummings: Healing, Humor, and Hollywood's Culty Side

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.  In this week's episode, Sarah and Nippy welcome friend and comedian Whitney Cummings to the podcast to explore the nuanced overlaps of culty dynamics and Hollywood culture. Whitney shares her unique perspective on vulnerability, healing, and her fascination with neuroscience, while also opening up about her personal quest for meaning. From the allure of community and control to a hilarious recount of being “rejected by Scientology,” Whitney blends h

Dec 2, 2024 • 1:16:33

Through the Labyrinth: Amanda Knox on Coercion, Media, and Advocacy

Through the Labyrinth: Amanda Knox on Coercion, Media, and Advocacy

Author and podcaster Amanda Knox sits down with Sarah and Nippy to discuss the culty nature of the Italian justice system. Amanda shares how she was coerced by the police into confessing to a crime she did not commit and details her experience with a media that is more concerned with ratings than truth. She also discusses the ongoing process of healing from trauma and her ongoing work in criminal justice reform. Amanda’s podcast, “Labyrinths,” explores the complexities of the justice system and

Nov 25, 2024 • 1:14:42

Bonus Episode: Nobody Should Believe Me

Bonus Episode: Nobody Should Believe Me

Enjoyed our chat with Andrea Dunlop? You’re in luck! This week, we’re featuring an episode from Andrea’s podcast “Nobody Should Believe Me” in the ALBC feed. We love this show, and hope you do too. Welcome to Season 4 of “Nobody Should Believe Me!” This season we are following the story of Jordyn Hope as they unravel the secrets of their childhood. After revelations that they were abused as a child, Jo bravely returns to their small, deeply religious hometown to attempt to unravel their many lin

Nov 21, 2024 • 54:24

Cult of One: The Manipulation of Munchausen by Proxy (Part 2)

Cult of One: The Manipulation of Munchausen by Proxy (Part 2)

This is the second part of a two-part interivew. Listen to Part 1 here. When describing a cult, the first thing that comes to mind is often a powerful leader at the helm of a large group of followers. That’s not the case with today’s guest.   Andrea Dunlop, author and host of the podcast “Nobody Should Believe Me,”  is an expert on Munchausen by Proxy. Munchausen by Proxy is a form of mental illness and child abuse where a caregiver, typically a parent, induces or fabricates symptoms in their ch

Nov 18, 2024 • 42:10

Cult of One: The Manipulation of Munchausen by Proxy

Cult of One: The Manipulation of Munchausen by Proxy

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace. Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CULTY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULTY.   When describing a cult, the first thing that comes to mind is often a powerful leader at the helm of a large group of followers. That’s not the case with today’s guest.    Andrea Dunlop, author and host of the podcast “Nobody Should Believe Me,”  is an expert on Munchausen by Proxy. Munchausen by Proxy is a form of mental illness

Nov 11, 2024 • 44:30

Dinner for Vampires: The Star of a Cult TV Show on Leaving a Real Life Cult (Part 2)

Dinner for Vampires: The Star of a Cult TV Show on Leaving a Real Life Cult (Part 2)

This is the second part of a two-part interview, listen to Part 1 here. Bethany Joy Lenz became a household face during the meteoric rise of the teen CW soap “One Tree Hill.” However, as she appeared in homes across the country every week, she was leading a double life with her participation in a culty Bible group for a decade.   Lenz found her voice to break free and had the inspiration to write a personal memoir on the experience, “Dinner for Vampires,” sharing for the first time publicly her

Nov 4, 2024 • 37:21

Dinner for Vampires: The Star of a Cult TV Show on Leaving a Real Life Cult

Dinner for Vampires: The Star of a Cult TV Show on Leaving a Real Life Cult

Bethany Joy Lenz became a household face during the meteoric rise of the teen CW soap “One Tree Hill.” However, as she appeared in homes across the country every week, she was leading a double life with her participation in a culty Bible group for a decade.   Lenz found her voice to break free and had the inspiration to write a personal memoir on the experience, “Dinner for Vampires,” sharing for the first time publicly her experience in the group and her struggles to break free. In this episode

Oct 28, 2024 • 35:51

The Cult of True Crime: Terry Dunn Meurer and "Unsolved Mysteries"

The Cult of True Crime: Terry Dunn Meurer and "Unsolved Mysteries"

Today’s show puts a different spin on our usual subject matter. We’re going to discuss something that has millions of followers and has become a world-wide obsession: true crime! Alright, it isn’t a cult (technically!), but it’s definitely infiltrated our minds and media.   Our guest today is Terry Dunn Meurer, the co-creator and executive producer of Unsolved Mysteries—the OG in crime-related television. Terry’s  talks about the evolution of true crime in media, and the massive surge of interes

Oct 21, 2024 • 53:49

Culty Voicemail Roundup: ALBC Listeners Speak (10/14/24 EDITION)

Culty Voicemail Roundup: ALBC Listeners Speak (10/14/24 EDITION)

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit  betterhelp.com/CULTY to get started today.   Hey campers, we hope your October’s been spooky so far. We’ve got a batch of listener voicemails to check out, so pull up a chair and we’ll get into it. Today’s callers want to talk about a real potpourri of culty stuff. We cover Arbonne, Optavia, BDSM and consent, Eckhart Tolle, and as always, a little bit of the hot NXIVM goss to round out the hour.    Also… let it be known that: The views and op

Oct 14, 2024 • 39:29

Diet Wars: Wade T. Lightheart on Culty Nutrition

Diet Wars: Wade T. Lightheart on Culty Nutrition

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp.    We’re calling it now, we’re gonna get some flack on this one. It’s no surprise, but anytime we mention diet, fitness, or nutrition, we hear about it in our DMs. There’s some tension here, we know it, we see it, and we hear you. And it makes sense. In the world of health and diet, there’s a lot of snake oil salesmen out here. The cult of nutrition is very real.    Today’s guest is a friend who is familiar with the false gurus that flock to the fitn

Oct 7, 2024 • 1:10:33

The Cult Next Door: Mike King on the Zion Society

The Cult Next Door: Mike King on the Zion Society

Well, this is a first for us. Today, we’re covering the Zion Society, which was a cult run by a landscaper, Arvin Shreeve. Based out of Ogden, Utah, Shreeve and his followers had some of the most manicured lawns in the neighborhood. But, behind lush green lawns hid sinister secrets. This polygamist sect had about 100 members at its peak, hiding in plain sight in a quiet suburban  cul-de-sac. Former lieutenant Mike King was the one to discover them. With a tip from one of the former followers,

Sep 30, 2024 • 1:08:05

Dancing for the Devil: Andrea Marks on the 7M TikTok Cult

Dancing for the Devil: Andrea Marks on the 7M TikTok Cult

If you haven’t seen the Netflix series “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult,” it’s worth a watch. It follows Robert Shinn and his Los Angeles-based church, Shekinah, which has engaged some heavy-hitting social media stars to make a ton of money for his church. The families of those social media stars — who have been cut off from their loved ones by Shinn — think that Shekinah is a cult. And, well, we agree that it sure does seem a little culty. This week, we talked with Andrea Marks — a jo

Sep 23, 2024 • 51:11

Patreon Unlocked: Tia Levings on Escaping Tradlife

Patreon Unlocked: Tia Levings on Escaping Tradlife

Usually what happens behind the Patreon, stays behind the Patreon. But, not today! In this preview behind the paywall, we’re featuring  one of our favorite people, who just so happens to be a newly-minted New York Times bestselling author! Tia Levings released her memoir ‘A Well-Trained Wife’ in August, and the book became an instant bestseller. The deeply personal memoir details Tia’s experience in and eventual escape from Christian Fundamentalism.  If this sounds familiar, you may have heard T

Sep 16, 2024 • 44:20

Speaking Way Up: Nikieta Lambert, Erika Cheung & Jessica Fisher Willis

Speaking Way Up: Nikieta Lambert, Erika Cheung & Jessica Fisher Willis

This episode is sponsored by Better Help!   Ready for another remix? This episode features highlights with some of the bravest women to grace our feed. From escaping childhood abuse and religious cults, these outspoken women did what was right in the moment, despite the immense pressure and abuse weighing down on them.    Nikita Lambert spent 15 years climbing the ranks at the evangelical International Churches of Christ (ICOC) before she became an outspoken voice against the institution.  At 22

Sep 9, 2024 • 36:29

To the Moon and Back: Lisa Kohn and the Unification Church

To the Moon and Back: Lisa Kohn and the Unification Church

Lisa Kohn likes to tell a story about these great seats she once had at Madison Square Garden — at her mother’s mass wedding. Yes, Lisa — the award-winning author of “To the Moon and Back: A Childhood Under the Influence” — grew up in the Unification Church, also known as “the Moonies,” with her mom and a life of “sex, drugs, and squalor” in New York City’s East Village. She talks with Sarah and Nippy about her experiences in the church, what was happening during those mass weddings in the 1970s

Sep 2, 2024 • 1:01:55

Post Narc Therapy: Robin Stern, Dr. Ramani & Dr. Christine Cocchicola

Post Narc Therapy: Robin Stern, Dr. Ramani & Dr. Christine Cocchicola

This episode is sponsored by Better Help!   The doctor is in! This week’s remix episode features conversations on personality disorders, controlling behaviors, and more. Suspecting a narcissist in your midst, or recovering from a controlling relationship? This episode might be perfect for you.    This week, you’ll hear snippets from three different mental health professionals. Dr. Robin Stern is a psychological sleuth who not only wrote a book about gaslighting, but literally coined the widely u

Aug 26, 2024 • 36:16

Witness Underground: Scott Homan on Music & The XJW Movement

Witness Underground: Scott Homan on Music & The XJW Movement

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Is rock and roll an untapped conduit for healing after shunning? Filmmaker Scott Homan’s debut documentary feature “'Witness Underground”,  sheds light on the experiences, creative expressions, and defection of ex-members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses community.  The film delves into the journey of notable underground bands within the culty, culty JW organization, and chronicles their musical legacy comprising over 30 albums across multiple decades. Scott j

Aug 19, 2024 • 1:12:27

A Landmark Sampler: Anne Peterson, Rick Ross, and Rob Copeland

A Landmark Sampler: Anne Peterson, Rick Ross, and Rob Copeland

This episode is sponsored by Better Help!   To keep your culty content coming even while we’re on a bit of a hiatus, we whipped up this sampler platter of snippets from some ALBC episodes on the burning topic of Shmandmark, AKA Landmark Worldwide. This week, we’ll revisit insights into Landmark, its founder Werner Erhard (also known as Jack Rosenberg), and the controversies surrounding the organization's alleged practices. We’ve got cult expert Rick Ross, former members like Anne Peterson, and i

Aug 12, 2024 • 39:14

Prodigal Daughter: Katherine Spearing on The Christian Patriarchy Movement

Prodigal Daughter: Katherine Spearing on The Christian Patriarchy Movement

This epiosde is sponsored by Better Help. What does a thriving life look like after surviving a cult? Katherine Spearing has some ideas about that, and some real life experience to back those ideas up. She survived the cult of the The Christian Patriarchy Movement,  also known as the Stay-At- Home-Daughter Movement. And yeah: That’s as terrible as it sounds. The most prominent characteristic of this particular cult is that it requires adult daughters to stay home until they marry, serving their

Aug 5, 2024 • 1:07:09

Streaming Heroes: Sarma Meingallis, Tom Krumins & Ruthy Heiler

Streaming Heroes: Sarma Meingallis, Tom Krumins & Ruthy Heiler

This epiosde is sponsored by Better Help. Coming up for air from your latest binge-watch? This remix episode is for you. This week, we’re revisiting conversations with guests fresh off docuseries adaptations of their stories. For better or worse, these series highlight the unique cult experiences of their subjects, sharing their story with a wider audience than ever before.   This episode includes highlights with Sarma Melngailis restauranter and subject of Netflix’s “Bad Vegan.” Sarma shares th

Jul 29, 2024 • 12:14

The Army of Survivors: Grace French on Empowering Athletes

The Army of Survivors: Grace French on Empowering Athletes

This episode is sponsroed by Better Help. Content Advisory: This episode contains conversation about sexual assault. Please listen with care.  Former Michigan State University and ex-USA Gymnastics Larry Nassar is serving upwards of 175 years in prison after admitting to molesting some of the nation's top gymnasts for years under the guise of medical treatment. But while he rots in prison, the athletes he preyed upon are moving mountains to prevent more Larry Nassars from walking freely through

Jul 22, 2024 • 42:07

From Hell to Stanford: Cameron Black on Thriving After Abuse

From Hell to Stanford: Cameron Black on Thriving After Abuse

This episode is sponsored by Better Help! Here’s our conversation with Cameron Black, a 20-something Stanford University student who has overcome some very culty, very harrowing challenges. He chats with us about his healing process and the hard work of finding himself again after the abuse he experienced in a commune, a hellish Jesuit school experience, and  several wilderness programs for troubled teens. How he got from there to Stanford is nothing short of a miracle. Be sure to check out his

Jul 15, 2024 • 53:44

TwinRay: ‘We Are the Resurrection’

TwinRay: ‘We Are the Resurrection’

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. On this week’s show, we’ll talk to Demetria. She was immersed in TwinRay — an Oregon-based shop and health center that organizes “mass global meditations for peace.” But our guest says there’s way more going on here than peaceful reflection. She talks about how TwinRay’s leaders exploit people for cash and dose event attendees with psychedelic substances — among other forms of profiteering and manipulation — at a golf-covered Ashland mansion. We sat down

Jul 8, 2024 • 51:01

The Polygamist’s Daughters: Anna & Celia LaBaron on Escape and Redemption

The Polygamist’s Daughters: Anna & Celia LaBaron on Escape and Redemption

This episode is sponsored by Better Help.   Anna Lebaron is one of more than fifty children born to infamous polygamist cult leader Ervil LeBaron, aka “Mormon Manson.” So you can probably imagine that her upbringing was both extraordinary and devastating: As she recounts in her excellent book, The Polygamist’s Daughter, she lost multiple family members at the hands of other family members, including those she lost in the infamous “4 o’clock murders” — a bit of blood atonement that led to four pe

Jul 1, 2024 • 1:08:27

The Grotto: Crypto, NFTs, & An Online Hellscape (Part 3)

The Grotto: Crypto, NFTs, & An Online Hellscape (Part 3)

This is episode is sponsored by Better Help. This week: The final installment of our talk with four people lured into The Grotto — a mostly online hub for digital art that turned into a kind of Ponzi cult with plenty of love bombing and possible fraud. Our guests — anonymous, but going by Charm, Kateryna, Shayna, and Fomo — say it all begins with Jaime Dubuar Dean, aka “@thr33som3s,” who is a supposed former professional baseball player-turned digital artist who used Discord to coerce people to

Jun 24, 2024 • 1:09:59

The Grotto: Crypto, NFTs, & An Online Hellscape (Part 2)

The Grotto: Crypto, NFTs, & An Online Hellscape (Part 2)

This is episode is sponsored by Better Help. On this week’s show, the second installment of our wide-ranging, in-depth, and ultimately hopeful talk with four people lured into The Grotto — a mostly online hub for digital art that turned into a kind of Ponzi cult with plenty of love bombing and possible fraud. Our guests — anonymous, but going by Charm, Kateryna, Shayna, and Fomo — say it all begins with Jaime Dubuar Dean, aka “@thr33som3s,” who is a supposed former professional baseball player-t

Jun 20, 2024 • 42:24

The Grotto: Crypto, NFTs & An Online Hellscape (Part 1)

The Grotto: Crypto, NFTs & An Online Hellscape (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. On this week’s show, we’ll talk to four people lured into The Grotto — a mostly online hub for digital art that turned into a kind of Ponzi cult with plenty of love bombing and possible fraud. Our guests — anonymous, but going by Charm, Kateryna, Shayna, and Fomo — say it all begins with Jaime Dubuar Dean, aka “@thr33som3s,” who is a supposed former professional baseball player-turned digital artist who used Discord to coerce people to invest in his NFTs

Jun 17, 2024 • 1:01:08

A Cult Within a Cult: Charlotte Medlock on Guru Jagat

A Cult Within a Cult: Charlotte Medlock on Guru Jagat

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. TikTok-famous Charlotte Medlock was once swept up in the world of the late Guru Jagat, aka Katie Griggs, the Rama Institute and Kundalini. Charlotte wants you to know that this particular Russian nesting doll of Yoga, new-age West Coast-style spirituality, and female empowerment vibes wasn’t all love and light. And we want you to know it all sounds more than A Little Bit Culty. We’re chatting with her about what she thought she was getting into when she

Jun 10, 2024 • 1:06:42

The Fund: Rob Copeland on Ray Dalio

The Fund: Rob Copeland on Ray Dalio

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Is the famed hedge fund Bridgewater Associates operating a cult in plain sight? Or is it just a little bit culty? Journalist and author Rob Copeland joins us for a deep dive into Wall Street’s seedy underbelly, and the troubling story of Bridgewater’s founder—the pseudo philosopher-king Ray Dalio. You’ll want to read Rob’s NYT bestseller ‘The Fund’  this summer, if you haven’t already, and then you can decide whether or not you agree with us that Ray Dal

Jun 3, 2024 • 1:10:36

Securely Speaking: Attachment Nerd Eli Harwood (Part 2)

Securely Speaking: Attachment Nerd Eli Harwood (Part 2)

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Eli Harwood we can’t quite quit you just yet, but we feel very secure about it. The ever-quotable and mega-helpful licensed therapist, author, and educator is back again for another episode, and breaking down what attachment patterns can mean for cult survivors and seekers, parents and children, lovers and fighters, Mars and Venus.  By our calculations that means EVERYBODY should listen to this. But dear hearts, kindly back up if you haven’t listened to

May 27, 2024 • 1:03:19

Securely Speaking: Attachment Nerd Eli Harwood (Part 1)

Securely Speaking: Attachment Nerd Eli Harwood (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Are cult leaders born or made? Did we get sucked into NXIVM because of our attachment styles? Was Vanguard always just wookin’ pa nub in all the wrong places? In this episode of A Little Bit Culty, licensed therapist and social media sweetheart Eli Harwood joins us for a chat about the way that attachment patterns impact our vulnerability to culty situations and vice-versa. It can be a real intricate venn diagram, ya know? (Or maybe it’s a line graph, or

May 20, 2024 • 52:47

Patreon Replay: Sarah’s Mom Has Got It Going On

Patreon Replay: Sarah’s Mom Has Got It Going On

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Happy Mother’s Day Monday, ALBC babies. To celebrate the occasion, we unlocked a Patreon episode starring none other than Sarah’s mom. We talk a lot about culty villains on this podcast, but we always want to highlight the heroes, too…and Ellen is an embodiment of what it looks like to heroically love someone through—and out of—a cult journey. She joins us in this very special installment of the show to talk about what it was like to witness Sarah’s initi

May 13, 2024 • 49:25

Quiet on Set: Kate Taylor on Nickelodeon’s Dark Side

Quiet on Set: Kate Taylor on Nickelodeon’s Dark Side

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sometimes predators hide in plain sight. Like on the set of your kids’ favorite TV shows. The docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" (Investigation Discovery) exposes the dark allegations haunting some of the most popular late 90s to 2000s Nickelodeon productions created by executive producer Dan Schneider. “Quiet” builds on groundbreaking 2022 reporting by Business Insider senior correspondent Kate Taylor, who serves as a producer on the ser

May 6, 2024 • 44:08

Patreon Replay: Lucy Taylor on Greek Life & Death at Penn State

Patreon Replay: Lucy Taylor on Greek Life & Death at Penn State

We unlocked this previously released Patreon episode so everyone can hear it, because people need to know: Campus Greek Life Ain’t It. Lucy Taylor joins us to discuss the red flags of ‘rushing’, the tragic hazing death of a Penn State student, and her ongoing crusade to make frats and sororities as obsolete as landlines and fax machines for future generations of college students.    About Lucy Taylor:  Lucy Taylor is the creator, editor, producer, and host of SNAPPED, a podcast which explores th

May 2, 2024 • 46:33

Greek Tragedies: Lucy Taylor on Campus Hazing

Greek Tragedies: Lucy Taylor on Campus Hazing

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Newsflash: Culty, culty college frats and sororities are still fraught with peril. Where do we even start? There’s the deadly hazing incidents…the rampant sexual assaults…the blatant racism. And while we’re talking about it: There are also far too many red Solo Cups coming out of frats and sororities. (Microplastics are very scary, yo!) It’s a lot to grapple with. Luckily, we brought in some pro help to cover the state of campus Greek Life with us, and sp

Apr 29, 2024 • 44:54

Cult Trip: Anke Richter on Coercion & Control

Cult Trip: Anke Richter on Coercion & Control

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  In this episode, we’re joined by international journalist Anke Richter for a conversation about her decade-long investigation into sex cults and her own brush with ISTA, a shamanic ‘school’ from the US with a base in New Zealand. Anke’s recently published book CULT TRIP covers her labyrinthine investigation into how and why cults attract, entrap and destroy otherwise ordinary people, and asks what the line is between tribe and cult, participant and perpe

Apr 22, 2024 • 1:08:40

A Journey of Love: Andrew LeCompte on A Course in Miracles

A Journey of Love: Andrew LeCompte on A Course in Miracles

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  For Andrew LeCompte, his study of A Course in Miracles (ACIM) started off like the proverbial ‘good thing’ of so many cult survivor stories. He eventually taught ACIM in Mexico, Spain, Hawaii, and Canada–working as something like a NXIVM-era Mark Vicente for his teacher. He initially had amazing experiences and believed he was on track to finding the ‘Love of God.’ But after six years of mistreatment, emotional manipulation, and being coerced out of over

Apr 15, 2024 • 50:13

Rebel With a Cause: Rick Ross on NXIVM, Landmark & The Law

Rebel With a Cause: Rick Ross on NXIVM, Landmark & The Law

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.    Hello there cult awareness content nerds: We see you. We honor you. And let’s be honest: We are you. In this episode we (finally!) sit down with OG anti-cult crusader Rick Alan Ross for a chat about NXIVM,  what it’s like to be sued simultaneously by Keith Raniere and Werner Erhard, and the ongoing audacity of the whole weird world of  LGATs. This ALBC guest is a perennial thorn in the side of any and every modern cult that’s ever culted. Get ready to

Apr 8, 2024 • 1:15:57

The Erhard Effect: Anne Peterson on Landmark (Part 2)

The Erhard Effect: Anne Peterson on Landmark (Part 2)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  It’s part two of our chat with Anne Peterson, and we’re picking up again right at the part of the story where things really go sideways for her inside the Landmark ecosystem. She shares what it was like flying in Werner Erhard’s inner circle working as something of an Olivia Pope for the company’s high falutin’ events, and the moment that her dream gig turned into Red Flag City. Other highlights–or lowlights more like it–include: Erhard’s legend material

Apr 1, 2024 • 59:20

The Erhard Effect: Anne Peterson on Landmark (Part 1)

The Erhard Effect: Anne Peterson on Landmark (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Landmark has been the most requested topic from our listeners since day one of this podcast. When we got eyes on Anne Peterson’s new memoir about her 15+ year journey inside its ecosystem, we knew our listeners would be pissed at us if we didn’t get her on our microphone, ASAP.  ‘‘Is This a Cult?: Confronting the Line Between Transformation and Exploitation’ (available on Amazon) is a raw and gritty read, and tells the story of Anne’s heartbreaking journ

Mar 25, 2024 • 54:56

Bad Blood: Erika Cheung on Bringing Down Theranos

Bad Blood: Erika Cheung on Bringing Down Theranos

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/culty and get on your way to being your best self.   Erika Cheung arrived at the Theranos corporate headquarters at just 22 years old as a newly minted college grad. At the time, the idealistic chemist and biologist saw Elizabeth Holmes just as so many others did: As a visionary on the verge of completely disrupting the healthcare paradigm. As it would turn out, Erika’s honeymoon phase at her dream gig lasted al

Mar 18, 2024 • 55:01

It’s Not You: Dr. Ramani On Post-Narc Healing

It’s Not You: Dr. Ramani On Post-Narc Healing

This epiosde is sponsored by Better Help. We always jump at the chance to talk to Dr. Ramani. This time she arrives at A Little Bit Culty fresh from publishing her newest book: It’s Not You: Identifying And Healing From Narcissistic People. (We read the advanced copy and it blew our minds.) Dr. Ramani wants you to know that thriving after—or even during—a narcissistic relationship can be challenging, but it is possible. She also wants to flip the script on the prevailing cultural and clinical co

Mar 11, 2024 • 1:16:09

Broken Bonds: Rachel Bernstein on Cults & Family

Broken Bonds: Rachel Bernstein on Cults & Family

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. We get emails and messages from people every day who are looking for guidance on what to do when someone they love is in a cult, so we called in an expert. Here’s our chat with Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, of the mighty helpful and always bingeable IndoctriNation podcast. Is this technically a crossover episode? We don’t make those rules, but we do feel pretty confident in saying that this episode is a power hour on what to do if your loved ones become culty c

Mar 4, 2024 • 59:06

Proud Defector: Claire Headley On Scientology (Part 2)

Proud Defector: Claire Headley On Scientology (Part 2)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/culty and get on your way to being your best self. And…we’re back for part two of our conversation with Claire Headley, a defiant Scientology whistleblower who still owes the shadowy organization a billion minus 30 years on her contract. (Don’t hold your breath, David Miscavige.) Born and bred in England’s Scientology boarding schools before rising up through the ranks all the way to headquarters, Claire’s  esca

Feb 26, 2024 • 54:06

Proud Defector: Claire Headley On Scientology (Part 1)

Proud Defector: Claire Headley On Scientology (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/culty and get on your way to being your best self. In part one of this 2-parter, we feature Scientology defector and whistleblower Claire Headley who spent 30 years in the church isolated from her family and basically any outside influence. Headley was born and bred in England’s Scientology boarding schools, was shipped to the big blue buildings in LA, and then onto headquarters. Thoroughly indoctrinated, she la

Feb 19, 2024 • 59:17

Gentle Souls: Esther Friedman on ‘School’

Gentle Souls: Esther Friedman on ‘School’

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/culty and get on your way to being your best self. If you’re not already familiar with the culty cluster known as ‘School’,  it was an ultra-secret Manhattan organization run by late actress and forever eccentric Sharon Gans. The shadowy group did its dark magic in the form of secret study groups, arranged marriages, and some pretty gnarly narcissistic abuse. In this episode, former School enrollee Esther Friedm

Feb 12, 2024 • 55:54

Scout’s Honor: Tom Krumins on Keeping Kids Safe

Scout’s Honor: Tom Krumins on Keeping Kids Safe

This episode is sponsored by Better Help.  Tom Krumins was one of the brave whistleblowers who came forward to shine a light on the scandal of abuse and predation within the Boy Scouts of America. You can see his story in the recent Netflix doc, ‘Scout’s Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America,’ and we’re guessing you’ll be as moved and inspired by him as we were. In this episode we sit down with him  to learn more about his experience in the Scouts, how he navigated the aftermath,

Feb 5, 2024 • 1:09:47

Let Us Prey: Ruthy Heiler & Sharon Liese Unmask the IFB

Let Us Prey: Ruthy Heiler & Sharon Liese Unmask the IFB

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. But maybe it should also be sponsored by a company that manufactures blood pressure cuffs, because the “Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals” docuseries had us all kinds of pissed off. If you haven’t seen it yet, the doc wades into the darkness and depravity within the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement and takes no prisoners. Sidenote: Fuck you, IFB predators and enablers, fuck you very, very much.  In this episode we speak with Ruthy Heiler

Jan 29, 2024 • 42:45

Wise Jezebel: Dr. Laura Anderson On When Religion Hurts

Wise Jezebel: Dr. Laura Anderson On When Religion Hurts

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Today we welcome Wise Jezebel and former fundie Dr. Laura Anderson to the ALBC huddle. She’s a psychotherapist, podcaster, and smarty-pants content creator specializing in helping people come back from the sneaky scars of high control religion. She’s also the author of the next book you need to read. Seriously. We cannot recommend it enough and it’s called: When Religion Hurts You: Healing from Religious Trauma and the Impact of High Control Religion. D

Jan 22, 2024 • 1:08:08

Weirder Together: Cult Hopping with Ben Lee & Ione Skye

Weirder Together: Cult Hopping with Ben Lee & Ione Skye

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Buckle up ALBC babies, we’re about to go all over the map through Hollywood, the music industry, Australia, and a couple decades of cult-hopping. In fact, it’s so epic that (picture this) we are holding an invisible boombox over our heads outside your window while blaring Peter Gabriel, asking you to listen. Got the picture? Okay cool: Because we’re chatting with Ione Skye and Ben Lee, married podcasters that you may know from their hilarious Weirder

Jan 15, 2024 • 1:18:21

Twisted Scripture: Nikieta Lambert on the I.C.O.C

Twisted Scripture: Nikieta Lambert on the I.C.O.C

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Nikieta Lambert’s life was derailed by the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) – a culty Evangelical tentacle of Christianity promising nothing short of a fiery eternity in hell for choosing any other lifepath. In this episode, Nikieta discusses how they converted her. She describes the grooming and gaslighting. And she reveals which scriptures they use to keep people in line. Lucky for us and for her, Nikieta got out and is sharing how she reclai

Jan 8, 2024 • 59:10

PATREON REPLAY: Sarah and Nippy Answer Your Questions

PATREON REPLAY: Sarah and Nippy Answer Your Questions

This is a replay of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to access to all of our content bonuses, ad-free episodes and other goodies, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Jan 4, 2024 • 31:10

Therapy Sesh: A Remix with Daniel Shaw, LCSW, Dr. Ramani, & Dr. Natalie Feinblatt

Therapy Sesh: A Remix with Daniel Shaw, LCSW, Dr. Ramani, & Dr. Natalie Feinblatt

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  We made you a mixtape of some of our fave segments from our full episodes with Daniel Shaw, LCSW,  Dr. Ramani, and Dr. Natalie Feinblatt. Think of this as our Chicken Soup for the Culty Soul power-medley. We’ve got Dan Shaw dropping knowledge on why traumatizing narcissists are so…traumatizing. We’ve got Dr. Ramani on how to recover from narcissistic abuse. And we’ve got Dr. Natalie Feinblatt on Trauma, Addiction & Cult-Informed Therapy. It’s practica

Jan 1, 2024 • 59:24

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Questions

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Questions

This is a short preview of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to hear the whole thing, plus get bonus to ad-free episodes and other exclusive content, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Dec 28, 2023 • 7:46

ANTI-MLM Starter Kit: A Remix with Roberta Blevins, Emily Lynn Paulson & Douglas Brooks, ESQ

ANTI-MLM Starter Kit: A Remix with Roberta Blevins, Emily Lynn Paulson & Douglas Brooks, ESQ

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Just in case you’re thinking about joining that incredible business opportunity selling a life changing product…don’t give them your credit card info until you’ve listened to this A Little Bit Culty remix. We’ve put together a special Anti-MLM 101 Starter Kit episode with some of our favorite crusaders in the war on schemes, scams, and other internet flim-flams especially for you. Our upline on this one is pretty solid. We dug into our archives and R

Dec 25, 2023 • 1:16:30

PATREON REPLAY: A Chat with Kate Casey

PATREON REPLAY: A Chat with Kate Casey

This is a replay of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to access to all of our content bonuses, ad-free episodes and other goodies, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Dec 21, 2023 • 51:29

Juicy Grift: Brandie Hadfield on MLM Recovery

Juicy Grift: Brandie Hadfield on MLM Recovery

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Brandie Hadfield woke up from a good-then-ultimately-nightmarish tour through the MLM world, and today she’s telling us her story without naming the organization because, well, you know culty types: They are soooooo lawsuit-happy. She got out, and today she’s a self-described recovering wellness influencer on her way to becoming a Registered Psychotherapist. She’s also working on her cult memoir, titled The MLM Recovery Handbook. She’s on a mission to

Dec 18, 2023 • 1:06:55

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Questions

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Questions

This is a short preview of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to hear the whole thing, plus get bonus to ad-free episodes and other exclusive content, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Dec 14, 2023 • 7:43

Decoding Mindf*ckery: Dr. Robin Stern on The Gaslight Effect

Decoding Mindf*ckery: Dr. Robin Stern on The Gaslight Effect

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Dr. Robin Stern is not your average psycho-therapist – she’s renowned for her work in emotional intelligence, relationships, and well being. And she’s the psychological sleuth who’s highlighted one particularly culty behavior: gaslighting. Fun fact: Dr. Stern actually coined the phrase “the gaslight effect.”   As we know, gaslighting is straight out of the culty charismatic coercive fuckwad playbook. But we want to get specific and don’t mean to merel

Dec 11, 2023 • 55:37

PATREON REPLAY: A Chat with Susan Dones

PATREON REPLAY: A Chat with Susan Dones

This is a replay of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to access to all of our content bonuses, ad-free episodes and other goodies, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Dec 7, 2023 • 33:55

Rethinking Steiner: Chloe Weise on Waldorf Schools

Rethinking Steiner: Chloe Weise on Waldorf Schools

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you had a good Waldorf experience, we’re thrilled for you. Not all the schools are the same. Just like not all churches are the same. Don’t get your knickers in a knot. But if there are things about Waldorf that chap your ass, pour yourself some tea because we have just the guest for you. In this episode Chloe Weise sheds light on her decade and a half in a Waldorf School before leaving for college and grad school. Now steeped in the scientific meth

Dec 4, 2023 • 1:03:59

Recollected Self: Jaime Mahler on Breaking Toxic Cycles (Part 2)

Recollected Self: Jaime Mahler on Breaking Toxic Cycles (Part 2)

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Here’s part two of our conversation with Jaime Mahler, MS, LMHC, who is the woman behind the popular Recollected brand on social media, as well as the author of TOXIC RELATIONSHIP RECOVERY: Your Guide to Identifying Toxic Partners, Leaving Unhealthy Dynamics, and Healing Emotional Wounds After A Breakup.  If you didn’t listen to part one, pause and rewind so you can avoid being extremely confused. As a reminder, in the last episode we focused on Mahler

Nov 30, 2023 • 42:49

Recollected Self: Jaime Mahler on Breaking Toxic Cycles (Part 1)

Recollected Self: Jaime Mahler on Breaking Toxic Cycles (Part 1)

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Jaime Mahler, MS, LMHC, is a New York-based psychotherapist and mental health educator who recently published her book TOXIC RELATIONSHIP RECOVERY: Your Guide to Identifying Toxic Partners, Leaving Unhealthy Dynamics, and Healing Emotional Wounds After A Breakup. She’s also the powerhouse behind the explosively popular social media brand, Recollected. Her podcast, ‘Unlearned,’ helps people of all sexual orientations and genders to heal from relationshi

Nov 27, 2023 • 49:18

This American Dream: Jane Marie on Wellness

This American Dream: Jane Marie on Wellness

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Jane Marie is the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, and producer of This American Life. Now, she’s hosting the hit investigative podcast The Dream where she’s examined pyramid schemes and culty, late-stage, self-care capitalism. In season 3, she gives the side-eye to all the gurus and life coaches that promise new and improved secrets to living our best lives as they empty the pockets of working class people. Check out this podcaster-

Nov 20, 2023 • 57:24

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Questions

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Questions

This is a short preview of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to hear the whole thing, plus get bonus to ad-free episodes and other exclusive content, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Nov 16, 2023 • 8:43

Cult-Proofing 101: Julie Bogart on Critical Thinking

Cult-Proofing 101: Julie Bogart on Critical Thinking

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Julie Bogart homeschooled her five children for seventeen years and participated in a Cincinnati homeschool co-op of 100 families with over 300 youngsters. But it wasn’t merely homeschoolers that were a little bit culty in her life. With experiences of missionary evangelical Christianity, the New Thought movement, Scientology, and four years as an  e s t  devotee, Julie Bogart’s got some culty notches in her belt. Now she’s helping cult-proof parents

Nov 13, 2023 • 1:15:41

PATREON REPLAY: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Voicemails

PATREON REPLAY: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Voicemails

This is a replay of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to access to all of our content bonuses, ad-free episodes and other goodies, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Nov 9, 2023 • 20:08

Unveiled: Yasmine Mohammed on Extreme Fundamentalism

Unveiled: Yasmine Mohammed on Extreme Fundamentalism

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Yasmine Mohammed attended Islamic schools and wore a hijab starting at the age of nine, all while living in Vancouver, BC. In this episode, she invites us into her childhood to get a taste of what it was like to live in two different worlds – the West and extreme fundamentalist Islam – while fitting into neither. She pulls back the curtain on the culty dynamics, indoctrination, and dehumanization characteristic of both worlds. We learn a little about

Nov 6, 2023 • 45:57

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Chat About Narcissistic Personality Tests

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Chat About Narcissistic Personality Tests

This is a short preview of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to hear the whole thing, plus get bonus to ad-free episodes and other exclusive content, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Nov 2, 2023 • 17:13

Seek Safely: Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle on the Self-Help Industry

Seek Safely: Jean Brown & Dr. Glenn Patrick Doyle on the Self-Help Industry

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  The self-help book industry alone is expected to grow from $10.5 billion annually to $15 billion by 2025. Of course, with that kinda dough floating around, a raging demand for personal growth has led to a plethora of tools aimed at achieving it. Unfortunately, there are people that seek to take advantage of this, leading to dangerous—or even deadly—consequences.  When Kirby Brown was only 38 years old, a man named James Arthur Ray pushed her to stick

Oct 30, 2023 • 1:05:51

PATREON REPLAY: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Voicemails

PATREON REPLAY: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Voicemails

This is a short preview of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to hear the whole thing, plus get bonus to ad-free episodes and other exclusive content, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Oct 26, 2023 • 28:06

Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Alice Hines on Twin Flames Universe

Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Alice Hines on Twin Flames Universe

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Let’s admit it. Despite the billions of people on earth, the world can be a friggin lonely place. And for the VIP-lonely among us, Jeff and Shaleia charge a mere $8888 for all the answers to life’s big love questions. If you’re seeking a first-person narrative about what it’s like to pay to play in Twin Flames Universe, check out Keely Griffin on ALBC.  For this show, we features Alice Hines – the Emmy-award winning investigative journalist and execu

Oct 23, 2023 • 57:56

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Chat with Mark Vicente

PATREON PREVIEW: Sarah & Nippy Chat with Mark Vicente

This is a short preview of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to hear the whole thing, plus get bonus to ad-free episodes and other exclusive content, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Oct 19, 2023 • 3:51

Healing In Public: Sarma Melngailis on Life After Netflix

Healing In Public: Sarma Melngailis on Life After Netflix

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.    Just before Netflix premiered its sensational docuseries “Bad Vegan,” Sarma Melngailis spoke exclusively with ALBC about all the shit she endured with culty conman Mr. So-called Fox. Go back and check out that episode for the grisly details and now foreboding hope that Netflix would shed light – not shade – on the confounding circumstances that led to the demise of Sarma’s brand One Lucky Duck and her beloved restaurant Pure Food and Wine. If you d

Oct 16, 2023 • 1:03:48

PATREON REPLAY: A Chat with Jim Edmondson

PATREON REPLAY: A Chat with Jim Edmondson

This is a replay of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to access to all of our content bonuses, ad-free episodes and other goodies, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Oct 12, 2023 • 28:41

Unsilenced: Meg Appelgate on the Troubled Teen Industry

Unsilenced: Meg Appelgate on the Troubled Teen Industry

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.    As a teen, Meg Appelgate was gooned – that is, legally kidnapped – from her home in the middle of the night and taken to a lockdown facility in Idaho, then shipped to Montana where isolation, chemical sedation, and brainwashing were the norm…for a day of underage drinking. She survived and went on to develop and recruit for similar organizations. Then she woke up and channeled her indignation toward making positive change.  Right now, anywhere from

Oct 9, 2023 • 1:10:21

PATREON PREVIEW: A Conversation with Sandra Nomoto

PATREON PREVIEW: A Conversation with Sandra Nomoto

This is a short preview of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to hear the whole thing, plus get bonus to ad-free episodes and other exclusive content, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Oct 5, 2023 • 5:19

Shiny Happy Warrior: Lindsey Williams on the IBLP

Shiny Happy Warrior: Lindsey Williams on the IBLP

This episode is sponsored by Better Help.  Have you seen Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets on Prime yet? Ooooof! We have and it’s really, really good. Also hard to watch. Also a bit infuriating. In other words: A culty docuseries. If you’ve already followed the Duggars, the reality TV mega-family behind the hit show 19 Kids and Counting, you know it’s all a lot to process. Shiny Happy People gets deep into the weeds of the story behind their story: Chock-full of disturbing insights into

Oct 2, 2023 • 1:28:26

PATREON REPLAY: A Chat with Jon Bryant

PATREON REPLAY: A Chat with Jon Bryant

This is a replay of an episode Sarah & Nippy recorded for the A Little Bit Culty Patreon. If you want to access to all of our content bonuses, ad-free episodes and other goodies, sign up at: www.patreon.com/alittlebitculty

Sep 28, 2023 • 43:28

A Radical Awakening: Dr. Shefali on Guru Culture

A Radical Awakening: Dr. Shefali on Guru Culture

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp and More Labs.  Dr. Shefali is a renowned authority on family dynamics and personal development who has published four books (three New York Times best-sellers) and teaches classes and seminars across the globe. She has all the makings of a guru, but is the first to say she doesn’t dig guru culture - and in fact has some pointed thoughts on the personal transformation space, the patriarchy, the way society mindfucks mothers, and navigating the self-hel

Sep 25, 2023 • 1:01:53

The NXIVM Extravaganza | Moira Kim Penza, Robert Gavin, and Vanessa Grigoriadis

The NXIVM Extravaganza | Moira Kim Penza, Robert Gavin, and Vanessa Grigoriadis

This epiosde is sponsored by Better Help. Hey Listener, you asked for a greatest hits medley of all our NXIVM related guests in one or two meaty episodes.And hear ye, hear ye we have delivered. This is our second NXIVM extravaganza, and we hope you dig it. We’ll be back soon with all new episodes, and until then you can always hang out with us on Patreon at patreon.com/alittlebitculty if you can’t get enough of our culty, culty content.  But now…let’s dig into the main course shall we? Keith Ra

Sep 18, 2023 • 52:04

The NXIVM Extravaganza | Ft. Mark Vicente, India Oxenberg, Susan Done, and Karen Unterreiner

The NXIVM Extravaganza | Ft. Mark Vicente, India Oxenberg, Susan Done, and Karen Unterreiner

This episode is sponsored by Better Help.  Well hello there, A Little Bit Culty listener. How’d your summer go? What’s the haps? This is actually our out of office greeting talking to you, because we’re away from the studio right now investigating some kickass episodes for our new season. But we didn’t want to leave you hanging…so we went through the archives to make you a veritable Dairy Queen Blizzard of culty goodness from some of our fan favorites. We’ll be back soon with all new episodes, b

Sep 11, 2023 • 43:33

F*ck You, Purity Culture | Ft. Nadia Bolz-Weber, Eric Skwarczynski, and Alice Greczyn

F*ck You, Purity Culture | Ft. Nadia Bolz-Weber, Eric Skwarczynski, and Alice Greczyn

This epoisode is sponsored by Better Help. Hey everyone! It’s ANOTHER remix episode of A Little Bit Culty because: It’s always good to take some time to look back and reflect.  PLUS we’re currently working our tails off on a batch of all new, farm fresh episodes for a brand new season. Until then, you can always join us over on Patreon - that’s patreon.com/alittlebitculty for new weekly episodes, adfree, and other treats.  But right now? We’re about to get in the weeds of one of our favorite top

Sep 6, 2023 • 40:50

Scientology SUCKS | Ft. Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, and Jon Atack

Scientology SUCKS | Ft. Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, and Jon Atack

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. We’re back with another greatest hits mashup this week, pulled together from the Little Bit Culty archives for your late listening pleasure because…well…we can’t quit you - not even for a short late summer, early fall hiatus. Can you believe some shows go on hiatus? LAMMMMMME! Not us. Breaks are for babies.  For real though, while we’re working on fresh batches of cult-busting brand new episodes, we wanted to stir that proverbial pot a little more by

Sep 4, 2023 • 39:03

Culty Fan Favorites | Ft. Amanda Montell, Evan Rachel Wood, and Eckhart Tolle

Culty Fan Favorites | Ft. Amanda Montell, Evan Rachel Wood, and Eckhart Tolle

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Hey everybody, hope your summer was frickin’ great.  We’re working on all-new episodes of A Little Bit Culty, coming in hot ANY DAY now, but for this sultry, late summery time  we wanted to revisit our cool, culty archives and put together some mashups of our greatest hits for you. We’ll be back soon with all new cult-busting content, and we’re dropping fresh new episodes every week on Patreon in the meantime. Until we meet in the feed again - here’s

Aug 28, 2023 • 35:44

When the World Didn’t End: Guinevere Turner’s Cult Memoir (Part 2)

When the World Didn’t End: Guinevere Turner’s Cult Memoir (Part 2)

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Here’s Part 2 of our conversation with Guinevere Turner whose memoir When the World Didn’t End is drawn from fastidiously kept childhood diaries written while she was raised in a cult. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, back up and listen. In Part 2, Turner shares what it was like to return to “normal” life, how her story became a thriller, and what’s helpful, not-so-helpful, and just plain weird about life post-cult.   Please note, this series includ

Aug 21, 2023 • 43:58

When the World Didn’t End: Guinevere Turner’s Cult Memoir (Part 1)

When the World Didn’t End: Guinevere Turner’s Cult Memoir (Part 1)

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Guinevere Turner recently published a memoir about being raised in a cult, being kicked out, and finding her way in the world. Her book When the World Didn’t End dives deep into her experience drawn from fastidiously kept diaries. Here on A Little Bit Culty Turner shares some off-the-cuff stories. We chat about writing craft. And Turner brings up questions about our collective obsession with the cultiverse.   Please note, this series includes details

Aug 14, 2023 • 52:13

In Pursuit of Love: Rebecca Bender’s Journey from Trafficked to Triumphant

In Pursuit of Love: Rebecca Bender’s Journey from Trafficked to Triumphant

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rebecca Bender grew up in a small town, played varsity sports, made high school honor roll, and would have started college early except she got pregnant. She was a little ostracized. And a lot lonely. Then she fell in love — kind of. She followed her knight in shining armor to Las Vegas only to be sold among three human traffickers.  She was branded, thrown in jail, and hospitalized, her face broken in five different places. But she wasn’t kidnapped. A

Aug 7, 2023 • 54:45

Breaking Character: Ex-Acting Students Speak Up (Part 2)

Breaking Character: Ex-Acting Students Speak Up (Part 2)

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Last week, Alberta Mayne Bligh, Brooke Henderson, and Erin Boyes dove into what attracted them to Michèle Lonsdale-Smith’s acting classes – the good, the bad, and the messy. Our three guests are ex-students, each with their own thriving careers in film, theater, television, directing, development and even art therapy. And they are among the 26 ex-students who recently spoke up about their experience under the tutelage of Lonsdale-Smith in a revelatory

Jul 31, 2023 • 47:16

Breaking Character:  Ex-Acting Students Speak Up (Part 1)

Breaking Character: Ex-Acting Students Speak Up (Part 1)

Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  Alberta Mayne Bligh, Brooke Henderson, and Erin Boyes are among the 26 ex-students who recently spoke up about their experience under the acting tutelage of Michèle Lonsdale-Smith in a revelatory story published in The Cut. Lonsdale Smith is, by many accounts, a dogmatic leader who claims her techniques help actors tell the truth about their unresolved human motivations and make the world a better place. But what happens when details of your personal

Jul 24, 2023 • 1:02:34

Citizens of Sound Presents: Tiny House Tales

Citizens of Sound Presents: Tiny House Tales

Citisens of Sound presents: Tiny House Tales, a podcast about the experiences of people who have joined the tiny house movement.  Join your hosts Zack Giffin and John Weisbarth, known from the popular show "Tiny House Nation," as they give listeners a behind the scenes glimpse into the absolute joys and inherent challenges of living tiny. Together they seek to unlock the successful strategies for minimalist living and learn more about how tiny living has made a big impact on people's lives whi

Jul 21, 2023 • 0:56

Bursting the Bubble: Morgan Tyler on Leaving the Church

Bursting the Bubble: Morgan Tyler on Leaving the Church

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  In the age of social media, many of us are aware that choices are increasingly made for us by algorithms—which is unfortunately not a reference to Vice President Al Gore’s dancing abilities.  But even if we are living in our own little bubbles, it doesn’t quite match the extremities of, let’s say, someone who was raised within a radically nondenominational Christian sect, wherein music, media, beliefs, and friends were all hand selected by a group of men

Jul 17, 2023 • 1:09:25

Behind the “Reality:” Jessica Willis Fisher on her Childhood Abuse

Behind the “Reality:” Jessica Willis Fisher on her Childhood Abuse

This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. While in their youth, Jessica Willis Fisher and her eleven siblings were thrust into the spotlight for being the perfect musical family. Having achieved nation-wide fame on America’s Got Talent, the Willis Fishers scored their own reality show in 2015, letting cameras into their pristine and heavily Christian home to document the daily lives of a happy, smiley family trying to make it in the famously non-toxic (just kidding) entertainment biz.  So when al

Jul 10, 2023 • 1:06:55

Subversive Science: Isabella Constantino on NXIVM’s Tourettes Study (Part 2)

Subversive Science: Isabella Constantino on NXIVM’s Tourettes Study (Part 2)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Of the many subplots within the NXIVM story, one of the most unusual (and that says a lot) was the cult’s dance with Tourettes Syndrome and research surrounding it. TS for short, the syndrome involves involuntary tics and has no known cure.  On today’s episode, which is a continuation from last week, our guest Isabella Constantino discusses the final punctuation to her time with NXIVM after being brought in hoping that they cult could help with her TS—a c

Jul 3, 2023 • 39:15

Subversive Science: Isabella Constantino on NXIVM’s Tourettes Study (Part 1)

Subversive Science: Isabella Constantino on NXIVM’s Tourettes Study (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. NXIVM’s timeline unfolds like a (horror) film with its own subplots. One of the cult’s best known smaller mythologies was its ability to cure Tourette's Syndrome, which is a condition in the nervous system that causes tics like sudden and uncontrollable movements or vocal outbursts. It should be noted that while there are certainly various treatments for managing TS, there is still no known cure.  This explains why today’s guest, Isabella Constantino, was

Jun 26, 2023 • 42:26

Shiny Happy Wife: Tia Levings On Christian Fundamentalism (Part 2)

Shiny Happy Wife: Tia Levings On Christian Fundamentalism (Part 2)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.  If you didn’t listen to part 1 of this double whammy—stop, drop, and scroll down (or up, depending) because you’ll be lost without the context.  On this continuation, we hear more from author Tia Levings about her experiences with Christian Fundamentalism, and more specifically how she got out of a situation that was “a little bit culty,” to say the least. We also dip back into the Duggar family and the recent documentary uncovering the less-than-perfect

Jun 19, 2023 • 43:56

Shiny Happy Wife: Tia Levings on Christian Fundamentalism (Part 1)

Shiny Happy Wife: Tia Levings on Christian Fundamentalism (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Just as roses have thorns, so too do pristine, seemingly blemish-free families have their own dark sides. For example, we have the Duggar family and their show 19 and Counting, which broadcasted the daily lives of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their army of children between 2008 and 2015 to millions of viewers around the world. Now, a new documentary on the family called Shiny Happy People, according to TIME, “includes testimonies from daughter Jill (Du

Jun 12, 2023 • 56:52

I Was a Child Bride: Dr. Tamara MC on the Language of Manipulation (Part 2)

I Was a Child Bride: Dr. Tamara MC on the Language of Manipulation (Part 2)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. In part two of our conversation with Dr. Tamara MC, we get into everything that happened after she was married in a secret wedding ceremony, including attending the 8th grade (she was only 12-years-old) and keeping her religious life a secret from the rest of the world.  As a reminder (and don’t forget to listen to part one if you haven’t), Dr. Tamara MC’s father introduced her to a highly abusive religious cult in which, above all else, men controlled

Jun 5, 2023 • 1:12:00

I Was a Child Bride: Dr. Tamara MC on the Language of Manipulation (Part 1)

I Was a Child Bride: Dr. Tamara MC on the Language of Manipulation (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. When she was only 12-years-old, Dr. Tamara MC had a secret wedding ceremony in the middle of the night. Shrouded in pitch black and with no one present but her new husband, a much older man who could supposedly guide her to the kingdoms of knowledge and heaven, this night further cemented Tamara’s place in a highly abusive religious cult. Above all else, men wielding black leather whips forced females to surrender their “nafs”—the Arabic word for “self.”

May 29, 2023 • 1:00:55

The Lemurian Sisters: Jennings Brown on Liana Shanti

The Lemurian Sisters: Jennings Brown on Liana Shanti

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Another day, another wellness guru preaching enlightenment on social media. Total snooze, right?! Unless said guru begins telling her followers to cut ties with their “family cults'' in order to save their children from a ruling class of evil reptilian creatures, the likes of which are responsible for creating the COVID-19 “scamdemic” as a Luciferian tool to harvest innocent souls…that might spice things up a bit. Or a shit ton.  Such has been the case w

May 22, 2023 • 57:02

Murder, Faith & End Times: Leah Sottile on Lori Vallow & Chad Daybell

Murder, Faith & End Times: Leah Sottile on Lori Vallow & Chad Daybell

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you still manage to read the news, good job. You’ve then no doubt heard that “Doomsday Mom” Lori Vallow was just convicted of murdering her 16-year-old daughter Tylee and seven-year-old son J.J. This judgment will be an end to this harrowing yet enthralling story, which turned 49-year-old mom and Mormon, Lori Vallow into an international media fixture, seemingly entangled in a web of infanticide, zombies, escapes to Hawaii, and a trail of mysterious de

May 15, 2023 • 1:11:38

‘Uncultured:’ Daniella Mestyanek Young on COG and the US Military (Pt. 2)

‘Uncultured:’ Daniella Mestyanek Young on COG and the US Military (Pt. 2)

Today’s episode is Sponsored by BetterHelp. We’re back for part 2 of our interview with Daniella Mestyanek Young, the badass author of Uncultured: a Memoir. In her book, Young gets into the nitty gritty of growing up in the Children of God cult, now known as “The Family International,” with their horrifying pedophilic practice called “Law of Love.” In part 2, we dive deeper into Young’s time as a Captain in the US Army—a role that threw Young back into the trenches of misogynist and coercive abu

May 8, 2023 • 1:10:35

‘Uncultured:’ Daniella Mestyanek Young on COG and the US Military (Pt. 1)

‘Uncultured:’ Daniella Mestyanek Young on COG and the US Military (Pt. 1)

Today’s episode is Sponsored by BetterHelp. If hell is real, there is perhaps no circle of it as harrowing nor vile as the experience of growing up in the Children of God cult. Still active under the name “The Family International,” the group is known for being a real-life manifestation of the shittiest of shitty macabre practices, such as child sexual abuse involving their “Law of Love,”—a mandate for females of all ages to show Jesus their love by letting men straight up rape them.  One woul

May 1, 2023 • 51:40

Into Quicksand: Kate Amber on How Cults Pull You In

Into Quicksand: Kate Amber on How Cults Pull You In

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Landmark Worldwide is a corporation that offers personal and professional development programs with a total of over 2.4 million (!) past participants in 21 countries. Yikes on bikes—that sounds a bit like NXIVM on steroids. Well, while Landmark isn’t technically a cult, it certainly is “A Little Bit Culty”, with no shortage of spirit-stomping coercive control and intimidation in order to create “A world that works for everyone by 2020.” Wait, is that how

Apr 24, 2023 • 1:05:28

Hey, Hun: Emily Lynn Paulson on MLMs and Other Lies

Hey, Hun: Emily Lynn Paulson on MLMs and Other Lies

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Imagine this: an invitation comes your way to join a group of friends, mostly moms (and let’s assume you are one). Primary activities involve drinking lots of wine, relishing in sisterhood and female empowerment, and best of all, making loads of money. It’s enticing as hell, which explains why Multi Level Marketing groups (MLMs) remain ubiquitous today.  What could go wrong? A shit ton! Hence why our guest today, author and mother Emily Lynn Paulson, be

Apr 17, 2023 • 1:16:35

Your Turn to Listen: Gwenith Kikkawa and Kevin Alexander on Resilience

Your Turn to Listen: Gwenith Kikkawa and Kevin Alexander on Resilience

This episode is sponsored by Better Help.You know the old adage; person A joins an organization, person B joins the same organization, persons A and B learn organization is a cult and, after getting married, decide to escape. Wait, is that not normal? Well, thankfully Sarah and Nippy aren’t the only ones who’ve experienced this. Gwenith Kikkawa (they/them) and Kevin Alexander (they/them) are multiple-cult survivors, meaning they’ve experienced culty horrors not just once (like a great majority o

Apr 10, 2023 • 1:19:31

Leading Nowhere: Jordan Harbinger on Self-Help Hell

Leading Nowhere: Jordan Harbinger on Self-Help Hell

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Today’s guest, Jordan Harbinger, went from Wall Street lawyer to interview talk-show host. Turns out he’s been pretty damn good at both careers, with some even calling him “The Larry Kind of Podcasting.” On The Jordan Harbinger Show, he’s now spent 14 years deconstructing the most successful people in the world and asking them how they got to where they are. Inevitably (to us) but unexpectedly (to Jordan), one thing that’s come up a lot on the show? Cult

Apr 3, 2023 • 1:12:52

Press Replay: Robert Gavin on the NXIVM Trials

Press Replay: Robert Gavin on the NXIVM Trials

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. The press has been perhaps the most crucial third party for world happenings since, well, whenever the press was invented. While there is of course no shortage of fake news out there, the main goal of the press is to keep society honest, investigating everything from corrupt governments to those cute little cliques we like to call cults.  Robert Gavin has been a news reporter for 28 years, having also worked for two years as an editor. Originally from S

Mar 27, 2023 • 1:12:43

Sinner or Saint: Will Retherford on Navigating Religious Waters

Sinner or Saint: Will Retherford on Navigating Religious Waters

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. There’s certainly no shortage of groups that are A Little Bit Culty. That said, there are some major differences between cults and organized religions, and it’s worth remembering that not ALL religion is bad, per se.  Our very own producer and editor, Will Retherford of Citizens of Sound, grew up in the Evangelical Church, specifically the Word of Faith movement, and even ventured off to countless missionary campaigns across the globe to spread the good

Mar 20, 2023 • 1:11:13

Stop the Presses: Vanessa Grigoriadis on NXIVM  (Part 2)

Stop the Presses: Vanessa Grigoriadis on NXIVM (Part 2)

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. This is Part 2 of our interview with Vanessa Grigoriadis, an award-winning longform journalist and podcaster who has published profiles on the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Lady Gaga, and Arianna Huffington. So how did she get tied up in NXIVM’s bullshit while also reporting on the cult? Well, the short answer is: anyone and everyone is susceptible to coercive control and persuasion, even members of the press. The long answer? Well, you’ll just have to listen

Mar 13, 2023 • 52:43

Stop the Presses: Vanessa Grigoriadis on NXIVM  (Part 1)

Stop the Presses: Vanessa Grigoriadis on NXIVM (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Vanessa Grigoriadis is an award-winning longform journalist and podcaster, having published profiles on the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Lady Gaga, and Arianna Huffington. So how did she get tied up in NXIVM’s bullshit while also reporting on the cult? Well, the short answer is: anyone and everyone is susceptible to coercive control and persuasion, even members of the press. The long answer? Well, you’ll just have to listen to find out.  Make sure to catch t

Mar 6, 2023 • 55:52

Stolen Youth Continued: Zachary Heinzerling on Larry Ray’s Cult

Stolen Youth Continued: Zachary Heinzerling on Larry Ray’s Cult

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. If you haven’t heard of the Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult, it is perhaps time to get out from under that rock you’re living under. Also, you should listen to our last episode with Daniel Levin, for which this episode is part two! But essentially, after being released from prison, Ray moved into his daughter’s student residence just 30 minutes north of Manhattan and began terrorizing her friends through physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. This lasted a s

Feb 27, 2023 • 56:14

Stolen Youth: Daniel Levin on Larry Ray’s Cult

Stolen Youth: Daniel Levin on Larry Ray’s Cult

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. If you haven’t heard of the Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult, it is perhaps time to get out from under that rock you’re living under. After being released from prison, Ray moved into his daughter’s student residence just 30 minutes north of Manhattan and began terrorizing her friends through physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. This lasted a shocking ten years before Ray was finally arrested and held accountable for his wrongdoings.  Our guest today, Danie

Feb 20, 2023 • 1:01:52

Darkness Unveiled: Sochil Martin Exposes LA Luz Del Mundo

Darkness Unveiled: Sochil Martin Exposes LA Luz Del Mundo

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Around the same time as Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous arrest, another billionaire was going to court for similar appalling crimes. Naasón Joaquín García, the ongoing leader of the Light of the World non-traditional La Luz Del Mundo (LLDM) church is currently serving a maximum of 16 years and 8 months in prison for the sexual abuse of minors. The self-proclaimed “Apostle of God” was eventually denied bail after setting that bail at $50 million, which accordi

Feb 13, 2023 • 1:15:11

The Antidote: Diane Benscoter on Getting Victims Out

The Antidote: Diane Benscoter on Getting Victims Out

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. It was the early ‘70s and life was weird. War was still going on in Vietnam, and those back in the US of A were struggling with political, societal, and economic changes. One day, Diane Benscoter passed a van where some strangers were giving out bananas. She grabbed a snack and avoided making conversation with the van people. Shortly after, she was on a five-day trek from Omaha to Des Moines with those banana enthusiasts, who were in fact Sun Myung Moon

Feb 6, 2023 • 1:11:51

Revisiting ‘The Vow’: Season 2 Recap with Ayla Fitzpatrick

Revisiting ‘The Vow’: Season 2 Recap with Ayla Fitzpatrick

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Do you have a million questions about season 2 of HBO’s The Vow? Do you want to be part of a super exclusive club full of people that are rock and roll as fuck? Do you get a buzz out of supporting culty content creators and storytellers?  Then you should totally join our Patreon, where we unleash a whole slew of bonus content for our nearest and dearest listeners. But while we’ve traditionally reserved our coverage of The Vow for said exclusive cult—sor

Jan 30, 2023 • 1:18:39

The Community: Jamiyla Chisholm’s Memoir of a Brooklyn Islamic Commune

The Community: Jamiyla Chisholm’s Memoir of a Brooklyn Islamic Commune

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Hold onto your seatbelt, cuz we’re blasting back to the ‘70s for this one. Here’s the scene: we’re in Brooklyn, New York, at a time when all five boroughs were spiraling into ungovernable anarchy, with crime, violence, and widespread racism leaving the deteriorating metropolis totally ungovernable. If you were Black, you were particularly ostracized and lived in constant danger as a second class citizen (if only this weren’t still true today). And so it’

Jan 23, 2023 • 1:09:32

One Billion Years: Mike Rinder on How Scientology Could End

One Billion Years: Mike Rinder on How Scientology Could End

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Scientology: You know it, you hate it. To be fair, unless you’re a Scientologist, they hate you too! So it’s all even-stevens. But one person they really hate is Mike Rinder. How could anyone hate someone who’s last name sounds like reindeer, especially just a few weeks after Santa made his international rounds on that reindeer-driven slay? Well, having spent his youth doing things like, for example, swabbing the decks of L. Ron Hubbard’s yacht, Rinder ev

Jan 16, 2023 • 1:22:43

The Kids Are Alright: Sarah & Nippy on Zen Parenting

The Kids Are Alright: Sarah & Nippy on Zen Parenting

This episode is sponsored by Better Help and was originally released on Zen Parenting Radio. Here’s a scary thought: fully-grown adults are susceptible to cults, or cult-adjacent behavior (there is truly cultish influence all around us in politics, wellness communities, and so on). So imagine how dangerous this whole world is for children, who are far less likely to have the wherewithal to identify and refute coercive persuasion. If you’re one of our regular listeners, you already know how ubiqu

Jan 9, 2023 • 1:09:51

Cult to Comedy: Shannon Payton on Turning Trauma into Humor

Cult to Comedy: Shannon Payton on Turning Trauma into Humor

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Shannon Payton, perhaps better known online as “Shanny Pants,” is a hilarious mother of three whose Tiktoks (etc.) have turned her into a viral queen, with her videos even appearing on TVs across the nation via The Kelly Clarkson show. It’s crazy to think that, for the first 31 years of her life, Payton was actually living something more similar to The Culty Clarkson show (we’re so sorry, we had to try), having grown up in Northern California within a com

Jan 2, 2023 • 52:57

Hot Mess Express: Karen Unterreiner on Dating Keith Raniere

Hot Mess Express: Karen Unterreiner on Dating Keith Raniere

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. We all have exes we wish we could forget—the narcissists, the psychopaths, the ruthless, small-handed cult leader currently serving #120years in prison. It’s a tale as old as time! But few people have lived that story quite like Karen Unterreiner did when, at only 18-years-old, she became romantically intertwined with Keith Raniere. Over the next 40 years, she’d go on to become a top level NXIVM trainer, a key figure of the Executive Success Programs’ lea

Dec 26, 2022 • 54:35

Parent Traps: Diane Dierks & Dr. Rick Voyles on Co-Parenting Dilemmas

Parent Traps: Diane Dierks & Dr. Rick Voyles on Co-Parenting Dilemmas

If conflict resolution were easy, North and South Korea would no longer be at war, Princes Harry and William would be enjoying tea time together, and videos of irate plane passengers losing their God damn marbles would no longer fill our TikTok feeds. But we all know that resolving or letting go of hot blooded arguments is no easy task. Enter licensed marriage and family therapist Diane Dierks with Dr. Rick Voyles, the CEO of the Center of Dispute Solutions, and their fabulously insightful podca

Dec 19, 2022 • 1:03:52

Perfect Prey: Dr. Christine Cocchiola on Coercive Control

Perfect Prey: Dr. Christine Cocchiola on Coercive Control

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. The Latin root for the word “coercive” literally means to surround, encompass, restrain, confine, and so on. So what does “coercive control” look like in real life, you ask? Well, it could involve isolating someone away from friends and family, depriving them of basic human needs (food, water, etc.), humiliating them, managing someone else’s finances, and the like. If it’s a shitty way of controlling another human, like having an invisible chain wrapped a

Dec 12, 2022 • 1:01:46

The Redeemer: Cathrine Moestue on Shame & Radical Identity Change

The Redeemer: Cathrine Moestue on Shame & Radical Identity Change

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you could be a part of the team that ends world hunger, wouldn’t you be? That’s what Cathrine Moestue thought she was signing up for back in 1984 and 1985, when the then 19-year-old moved from Oslo, Norway to the outskirts of Stockholm, Sweden, and met an English teacher who claimed he knew how to end the devastating famine taking place in Ethiopia at the time. The man told her he was from Paraguay and was the leader of a revolution. The rest, my frien

Dec 5, 2022 • 1:03:14

Stolen Innocence: Elissa Wall on Growing up FLDS (Part 2)

Stolen Innocence: Elissa Wall on Growing up FLDS (Part 2)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. We’re getting into a whole lot of mess with this one, so if you haven’t listened to Part 1 of this story from earlier this week, you’ll be mighty confused. Make sure to give it a listen before diving in here.  Many people became aware of the horrors taking place within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (if you were really in touch with God s/he’d have given you a better name) after watching Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey on Netfli

Dec 1, 2022 • 44:53

Stolen Innocence: Elissa Wall on Growing up FLDS (Part 1)

Stolen Innocence: Elissa Wall on Growing up FLDS (Part 1)

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Many people became aware of the horrors taking place within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (if you were really in touch with God s/he’d have given you a better name) after watching Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey on Netflix. Our guest on today’s show, Elissa Wall, had to live through them.  Born into a polygamous family within Salt Lake City, Utah’s FLDS—which is how we’ll be referring to it from here on out— Wall was only 14 wh

Nov 28, 2022 • 43:44

Spot A Spider: Dr. Amy Saltzman on Identifying Webs of Abuse

Spot A Spider: Dr. Amy Saltzman on Identifying Webs of Abuse

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Fact: Studies suggest that one in four females and one in six males are sexually abused before the age of eight. What the actual fuck? So there must be tons of material out there educating children on what abuse looks like, and what they should do if they are abused, right? Wrong—such resources have been virtually non-existent thus far. Today’s guest and actual angel on Earth (but not in a culty way), Dr. Amy Saltzman, is working on changing that with her

Nov 21, 2022 • 59:59

Toxic All-Around: Melanie Hunt & Kim Shore on Abuse in Canadian Gymnastics

Toxic All-Around: Melanie Hunt & Kim Shore on Abuse in Canadian Gymnastics

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Our guests today want you to know that culty shit is rampant in high performance gymnastics, and it didn’t all magically go away with Larry Nassar’s prison sentence. How are these abusive creeps still slipping through the system and continuing to get access to young athletes? How do you protect your kid from harm if they develop a passion for the sport? Kim Shore is the founder of Gymnasts for Change Canada, a collective that emerged on the heels of the #

Nov 14, 2022 • 1:10:06

Leaving the Fold: Dr. Marlene Winell on Religious Trauma Syndrome

Leaving the Fold: Dr. Marlene Winell on Religious Trauma Syndrome

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Dr. Marlene Winell  knows all too well that exiting a controlling religion can trigger a devastating life crisis. As a college student, she moved away from the fire and brimstone fundamentalist Christianity she was raised in, and the fallout of her exodus was so dramatically upending that she felt compelled to dedicate her life’s work to studying the very phenomenon that she’d later coin:  ‘Religious Trauma Syndrome.’ In this episode of A Little Bit Culty

Nov 7, 2022 • 55:25

Sex Cult Nun: Faith Jones on Breaking Way from the Children of God. (Part 2)

Sex Cult Nun: Faith Jones on Breaking Way from the Children of God. (Part 2)

Here’s part two of our chat with Sex Cult Nun author/memoirist Faith Jones, who was raised in the infamous Children of God sect. Warning: This episode gets into gritty terrain including discussions of child abuse and sexual assault. Listener discretion advised.  Additional Articles about other survivors of the Children of God: Rolling Stone: How I Escaped From a Religious Sex Cult and Ended Up in the Army Esquire: Joaquin Phoenix and Rose McGowan Spent Their Early Years in a Religious Cult.

Nov 3, 2022 • 44:24

Sex Cult Nun: Faith Jones on Breaking Way from the Children of God (Part 1)

Sex Cult Nun: Faith Jones on Breaking Way from the Children of God (Part 1)

This show/episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. There are unconventional childhoods, and then there is growing up in the Children of God. International attorney, humanitarian, author, and TEDx speaker Faith Jones was raised in this infamous cult founded by her paternal grandfather in 1968. The group, later referred to as “the Family,” was notorious for its radical practices, which required members to become fulltime missionaries, give up their income and formal education, and abide by the “La

Oct 31, 2022 • 45:33

Hello Cultiverse 10/27/22

Hello Cultiverse 10/27/22

In this weekly-ish host huddle, Sarah and Nip talk about the latest culty news, and respond to your voicemails. They also accept and integrate your best and worst reviews, and take it all into consideration for future episodes. No muss, no fuss…just two married podcasters having a date night in the early to mid-afternoon.  Hear Ye, Hear Ye: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our

Oct 27, 2022 • 40:11

Life After Narcs: Dr. Ramani Durvasula on Navigating Narcissism

Life After Narcs: Dr. Ramani Durvasula on Navigating Narcissism

Are malignant narcissists born or made? How do you recover after narcissistic abuse? In this episode, licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula tackles our burning narc-y questions. She’s the author of two books on the subject: “Should I Stay or Should I Go: Surviving A Relationship with a Narcissist” and “Don’t You Know Who I Am?: How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility.” Her work has been featured at SXSW, TEDx, the Red Table Talk, the Today Show, and In

Oct 24, 2022 • 1:14:17

Hello Cultiverse 10/20/22

Hello Cultiverse 10/20/22

In this weekly-ish host huddle, Sarah and Nip talk about the latest culty news, and respond to your voicemails. They also accept and integrate your best and worst reviews, and take it all into consideration for future episodes. No muss, no fuss…just two married podcasters having a date night in the early to mid-afternoon.  Hear Ye, Hear Ye: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our

Oct 20, 2022 • 30:05

The Ego Trap: Eckhart Tolle on Cults & Other Mental Viruses (Part 2)

The Ego Trap: Eckhart Tolle on Cults & Other Mental Viruses (Part 2)

Here’s part two of our chat with Eckhart Tolle, who is widely recognized as one of the most inspiring spiritual leaders in the world. And judging from audience response to part 1, he’s either the best or the worst thing to ever happen to our pod. Let us know what you think at alittlebitculty.com/voicemail  Hear Ye, Hear Ye: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers

Oct 17, 2022 • 48:54

Hello Cultiverse 10/13/22

Hello Cultiverse 10/13/22

This show/episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. In this weekly-ish host huddle, Sarah and Nip talk about the latest culty news, and respond to your voicemails. They also accept and integrate your best and worst reviews, and take it all into consideration for future episodes. No muss, no fuss…just two married podcasters having a date night in the early to mid-afternoon. CREDITS:  Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Citizens of Sound Producer: Will Retherfor

Oct 13, 2022 • 34:37

The Ego Trap: Eckhart Tolle on Cults & Other Mental Viruses (Part 1)

The Ego Trap: Eckhart Tolle on Cults & Other Mental Viruses (Part 1)

Where’s the healthy happy medium between radical presence and reality-based pragmatism in a world that’s off the rails? Can cynics be sages? Is culty behavior inevitable once you’ve reached rockstar levels of social influence as a spiritual teacher? In this first of two episodes with Eckhart Tolle, we did our best to not shit our pants a little while asking him about what separates ‘good’ teachers from the scary ones, and how to cultivate an awakened state without falling down a cult rabbit hole

Oct 10, 2022 • 53:56

Big Phoenix Energy: Actor, Activist & Badass Evan Rachel Wood (Part 2)

Big Phoenix Energy: Actor, Activist & Badass Evan Rachel Wood (Part 2)

Hey Culty listeners, here’s part 2 of our chat with Evan Rachel Wood. If you haven’t listened to part one of our chat, stop what you’re doing and back that ass up. And while you’re at it, make sure you watch the HBO Max mini-series Phoenix Rising if you haven’t already. It chronicles Evan’s fight to break away from an abusive relationship with the rocker formerly known as Brian Warner, who categorically denies being a love bombing, gaslighting, controlling, rapey, Nazi-obsessed nightmare. (FWIW,

Oct 6, 2022 • 49:43

Big Phoenix Energy: Actor, Activist & Badass Evan Rachel Wood (Part 1)

Big Phoenix Energy: Actor, Activist & Badass Evan Rachel Wood (Part 1)

We’re kicking off Season 5 with none other than actor, activist, and epic badass Evan Rachel Wood whose impressive AF resume also includes: “Most likely to be hideously trolled by the Marilyn Manson stans of the world.” If you’ve seen the HBO Max mini-series Phoenix Rising which chronicles her fight to break away from the rocker formerly known as Brian Warner, you’ve already seen the culty wafting off that dude like a bad cologne. We caught up with Evan to talk about her journey to hell and back

Oct 3, 2022 • 46:12

Season 5 Trailer: A Little Bit Culty

Season 5 Trailer: A Little Bit Culty

Oh hai. No biggie but…we are COMING BACK, baby. New episodes, new word salads, and other new-fangled podcasting treats are coming your way on Monday. Actually who are we kidding… it’s a biggie. Support the ALBC Pod: We’ve made a link where you can support A Little Bit Culty with a one-time, weekly, or monthly contribution. Your support will be repaid in cosmic love and light. To make a contribution, smash this link. Check out our Linktree to sign up for our mailing list. We’ve got some fun thin

Sep 30, 2022 • 1:22

Summer Bonus: Sarah and Nippy answer your emails and make some big moves

Summer Bonus: Sarah and Nippy answer your emails and make some big moves

If you’re in the mood for a breezy little summer check-in with Sarah and Nippy, you have arrived at the right episode. They answer some recent audience questions about NXIVM, and do some critical podcast housekeeping. Plus, they chat about the highs and lows of leaving Vancouver for Atlanta. Hear Ye, Hear Ye: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or

Aug 15, 2022 • 26:44

Summer Bonus: Sarah and Nippy Chat with the IndoctriNation Podcast

Summer Bonus: Sarah and Nippy Chat with the IndoctriNation Podcast

It’s another summer bonus episode, and you’re all invited to put this in your ears and enjoy it from your favorite pool floatie. This time, we’re chatting with the righteous Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, on her Indoctrination Podcast about our trip in and out of that thing we did for a while that turned out to be a notorious cult. Just some light summer listening about sex cults, trauma, and coming back from hell. Pairs well with watermelon frosé. About Rachel: She’s an OG cult awareness and recovery

Aug 1, 2022 • 1:13:45

Wondery Presents: Fed Up

Wondery Presents: Fed Up

When Emily Gellis hears rumors of people suffering horrible side effects from a trendy diet she springs into action. Armed with over a hundred thousand Instagram followers, Emily launches a social media crusade to expose F-Factor and its founder, Tanya Zuckerbrot. It’s the start of a feud that will attract trolls, lawyers, and, eventually, national media all because of fiber. From Wondery, this is a story about wealth, wellness, and influence hosted by Casey Wilson.Listen to Fed Up: wondery.fm/A

Jul 25, 2022 • 4:25

Summer Bonus: Sarah and Nippy Chat With The ‘Sickboy’ Podcast Fellas

Summer Bonus: Sarah and Nippy Chat With The ‘Sickboy’ Podcast Fellas

We loved chatting with our friends Jeremie, Taylor, and Brian over at the Sickboy podcast, and these three literal princes among men were nice enough to let us borrow the episode for your summer listening pleasure. They’re a trio of Halifax-based best friends, and they started the podcast after recognizing that when faced with difficult situations, illnesses and diseases, people tighten up, they get awkward, and they simply don't know what to say. Taking the lead from Jeremie’s life-long battle

Jul 18, 2022 • 1:13:18

Rude Awakening: Sarah Landry On Nithyananda & Other Nightmares (Part 2)

Rude Awakening: Sarah Landry On Nithyananda & Other Nightmares (Part 2)

Content Warning: Discussions of child abuse and sexual assault. Listener discretion advised. Here’s the second part of our conversation with Sarah Landry who shares what it’s like to face down the very online army she helped create for the so-called guru Nithyananda after going wide with explosive accusations of rape, child abuse, and a whole sordid cornucopia of culty shit. Show notes: Sarah Landry on YouTube, Instagram & Twitter Nithyananda - Wiki  My Daughter Joined a Cult: 3-part VICE Doc

Jul 11, 2022 • 59:13

Rude Awakening: Sarah Landry On Nithyananda & Other Nightmares (Part 1)

Rude Awakening: Sarah Landry On Nithyananda & Other Nightmares (Part 1)

Content Warning: Discussions of child abuse and sexual assault. Listener discretion advised. At just 24 years old, Sarah Landry found herself drawn to Hindu avatar Nithyananda’s teachings like a fly to honey. Moldy, toxic honey. She quickly became an apt pupil, and then his top recruiter via a steady stream of stylized YouTube videos and camera-ready social content. But after learning that the rape and child abuse allegations dogging the organization were just too credible to simply swat away, s

Jul 4, 2022 • 57:40

Page Turner: Spencer Schneider on Writing His Way Out of ‘School’

Page Turner: Spencer Schneider on Writing His Way Out of ‘School’

“We were invisible. We had to be. We took an oath of absolute secrecy. We never even told our immediate families who we were. We went about our lives in New York City. Just like you. We were your accountants, money managers, lawyers, executive recruiters, doctors. We owned your child’s private school and sold you your brownstone. But you’d never guess our secret lives, how we lived in a kind of silent terror and fervor. There were hundreds of us.” That’s a snippet from Spencer Schneider’s compe

Jun 27, 2022 • 1:24:01

Tangled Up in Teal: Jon Kasbe & Bits Sola on Making ‘The Deep End’

Tangled Up in Teal: Jon Kasbe & Bits Sola on Making ‘The Deep End’

Dear Teal Swan: You continue to be a mystery wrapped in a riddle wrapped in wrap-around Oakleys. Are you okay? For reals, we’re getting some super hinky vibes from all seven layers of your auric field. Dear Everyone Else: In case you haven’t watched all four installments of The Deep End, you might want to catch up before you listen to this ALBC conversation with the filmmaking duo behind the series. In this episode, director/cinematographer Jon Kasbe and producer/writer Bits Sola  join Sarah and

Jun 20, 2022 • 1:13:04

Trust Fall: Dr. Natalie Feinblatt on Trauma, Addiction & Cult-Informed Therapy

Trust Fall: Dr. Natalie Feinblatt on Trauma, Addiction & Cult-Informed Therapy

Finding a therapist can be mission critical when you’re recovering from a culty situation, but the process of finding a clinician with basic cult awareness can be a total cluster. In this episode, Sarah and Nippy chat with Dr. Natalie Feinblatt  about why more therapists need to get cult-informed and the Venn diagram overlap between trauma and addiction. She also chats with Sarah and Nippy about tangible techniques for getting unstuck when fight/flight/freeze mode takes over. Dr. Feinblatt is a

Jun 13, 2022 • 1:09:38

Holy Hell: Will Allen on Unmasking Buddhafield  (Part 2)

Holy Hell: Will Allen on Unmasking Buddhafield (Part 2)

Surprise! We loved chatting with Will Allen so much that we let the tape keep right on rolling. Keep on listening for more about the Holy Hell filmmaker’s journey back from Buddhafield’s clutches. Oh, and here’s that My Favorite Murder episode we mention. Oh, and dear listener please be advised that  just like the first part of our chat with Will, this episode contains some potentially triggering conversations. Please listen safely, and seek help if you or someone you know has been sexually ass

Jun 9, 2022 • 49:47

Holy Hell: Will Allen on Unmasking Buddhafield (Part 1)

Holy Hell: Will Allen on Unmasking Buddhafield (Part 1)

Sarah and Nippy watched Holy Hell closely when they were exiting NXIVM back in 2016. It hit close to home: The documentary is an intimate look at the implosion of Buddhafield, a mysterious self-help cult formed by a charismatic character with an iffy backstory. In this episode, Sarah and Nippy welcome the film’s director Will Allen to talk about what it was like to shine a light on Jaime Gomez, the so-called spiritual guru at the twisted heart of the group. Will didn’t just film it all: he lived

Jun 6, 2022 • 1:08:34

Bigger Than the Pope: Jennings Brown on Teal Swan & The Fellowship of Friends (Part 2)

Bigger Than the Pope: Jennings Brown on Teal Swan & The Fellowship of Friends (Part 2)

[Content Warning: This episode contains references to suicide, mental illness, and sexual assault. Listener discretion advised.] And…we’re back for an extra helping of conversation with investigative journalist Jennings Brown. If Part One’s exploration of creepy AF Youtube spiritual guru Teal Swan didn’t freak you out enough, there’s more Teal talk for you in this episode. Be sure to watch The Deep End docuseries and binge The Gateway  podcast to learn more about how each new layer of the Teal T

May 30, 2022 • 56:22

Bigger Than the Pope: Jennings Brown on Teal Swan & The Fellowship of Friends (Part 1)

Bigger Than the Pope: Jennings Brown on Teal Swan & The Fellowship of Friends (Part 1)

[Content Warning: This episode contains references to suicide, mental illness, and sexual assault. Listener discretion advised.] Youtube spiritual guru Teal Swan says she saves lives. Others say she’s dangerously death-obsessed. We say she’s serving strong “9 Perfect Strangers” villain vibes with a side order of night terrors. But that’s just us. We wanted an expert’s perspective, so we called on investigative journalist Jennings Brown for this episode to help us understand more about Teal’s wor

May 23, 2022 • 1:09:23

Not Orthodox: Tova Mirvis

Not Orthodox: Tova Mirvis

Tova Mirvis frequently writes characters who are living in Orthodox Jewish communities and struggling with their faith. But in 2017, she turned the page from fiction to memoir, by publishing The Book of Separation: a searing look at her divorce, her exit from the Orthodox community, and her experience navigating the new terrain of single motherhood. She joins us to talk about her spiritual journey, the surprising outreach she’s received from ex-Mormons, and the similarities between strict religi

May 16, 2022 • 1:27:11

Wondery Presents: Blood Ties Season 3 – “Strange Days

Wondery Presents: Blood Ties Season 3 – “Strange Days

Our family members are not always who we think. When Eleonore Richland exposed her father’s dark legacy, she vowed to clean up the family business – and hired her half-brother, Santino Reyes, to help her do it. But old habits die hard. In the shocking new third season, Eleonore reckons with what her father always taught her growing up: medicine is a bloody business. From Wondery, the makers of “The Shrink Next Door” and “Dr. Death,” Blood Ties stars Gillian Jacobs (Community, Love), Christian Na

May 9, 2022 • 5:34

Host Mode: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Burning Questions

Host Mode: Sarah & Nippy Answer Your Burning Questions

Back when Sarah and Nippy were in NXIVM, asking questions wasn’t exactly welcome. Fuck that. In this episode, they answer your questions on everything from Keith Raniere’s raging creep factor to what helps them keep it light after deep, dark podcast conversations about culty shit. Also covered: What has most surprised them about the episodes they’ve hosted so far; whether they’ve had to get re-acquainted since leaving NXIVM, and their perspectives on protecting yourself from retaliation when you

May 9, 2022 • 47:50

The Way Back: Gina Wilson On Faith After ‘The Way Down’

The Way Back: Gina Wilson On Faith After ‘The Way Down’

If you’re familiar with ‘The Way Down’, the HBO Docuseries that chronicles the rise and fall of conservative Christian diet guru Gwen Shamblin (Lara), who died in a plane crash in May of 2021, you may remember today’s guest: Gina Wilson. As a devoted member of the Remnant Fellowship, the Brentwood Tennessee church founded by the big-haired, charismatic Shamblin, Gina spent over a decade inside the group as a part of the music ministry team and as a poster child of sorts for the church’s ‘Weigh D

May 2, 2022 • 1:10:51

Voicing Doubt: Ian James Corlett on Leaving the Jehovah’s Witness Faith

Voicing Doubt: Ian James Corlett on Leaving the Jehovah’s Witness Faith

As the voice of iconic cartoon characters, major TV networks, and national brands, Ian James Corlett has been heard by millions of people. But until now, he’s never publicly rocked a mic to share his own story as an ex-Jehovah’s Witness. Ian joins Sarah and Nippy for a rollicking ride through the denomination’s history, and his journey from born-and-raised JW and church elder, to unapologetic apostate. He has a few choice things to say about why JWs appear to be leaving the denomination in drove

Apr 25, 2022 • 1:21:50

Cults at Work: Cameron Herold on Corporate Culture

Cults at Work: Cameron Herold on Corporate Culture

How and when does a healthy corporate culture go off the rails? What are some red flags to be aware of when you’re sizing up a potential workplace? Before you spring for that lower back tattoo of your company’s logo, be sure to take a listen to this A Little Bit Culty episode featuring Cameron Herold. As a successful entrepreneur and in-demand CEO Whisperer, he’s coached dozens of companies globally and is known for creating world-class company cultures. Once upon a time, he also used this talki

Apr 18, 2022 • 1:02:09

My So-Called Greek Life: Lucy Taylor Exposes a Culty Collegiate Shitshow

My So-Called Greek Life: Lucy Taylor Exposes a Culty Collegiate Shitshow

As a first year student at the University of Maryland, Lucy Taylor welcomed the sisterhood and built-in community that Greek life promised. But after accepting a bid into a ‘top-tier’ sorority, she left after seven months inside a toxic stew of rampant sexual assault, slut-shaming, misgogny, and racism. Lucy shared her experience in season one of her podcast, SNAPPED, and after an outpouring of responses she’s continuing to use the series to help other former sorority and fraternity members shar

Apr 11, 2022 • 1:18:18

Surviving Wild Wild Country: Erin Robbins Speaks Out On Osho Horrors

Surviving Wild Wild Country: Erin Robbins Speaks Out On Osho Horrors

A Little Bit Culty – We took zero breaks between seasons because we need you to hear this episode. Erin Robbins wasn’t featured in Wild Wild Country, the 2018 Netflix Docuseries about Bhagawan Shree Rajneesh, also known as Osho. She lived it in real-time. She discovered the controversial guru’s teachings at age 23 in 1977, and by the time he summoned her to his bedroom a year later for a ‘special and secret’ meeting that quickly devolved into a vile and violating encounter (the first of many) sh

Apr 4, 2022 • 1:25:42

ALBC at SXSW with Sarah Berman & Amanda Montell

ALBC at SXSW with Sarah Berman & Amanda Montell

A Little Bit Culty – A Little Bit Culty took the show on the road, and brought you back this season 3 finale from Texas as a souvenir. In this episode, Sarah and Nippy host a live panel with Sarah Berman and Amanda Montell, in front of a real, actual human crowd of SXSW-certified cool kids. But first, the hosts celebrate the birthday of a certain golden boy, and respond to all the “Bad Vegan” hullaballoo. Lots to cover in this one, so let’s hit it.   About Our Guests: Amanda Montell is a writer

Mar 28, 2022 • 1:18:46

Sarma Speaks: A ‘Bad Vegan’ Exclusive

Sarma Speaks: A ‘Bad Vegan’ Exclusive

A Little Bit Culty – If the producers of Tiger King decide to make their next true crime show about you, you’ve got a helluva story. Sarma Melngailis is the woman at the heart of “Bad Vegan” the buzzworthy Netflix docu-series that chronicles her meteoric rise to fame, and her disturbing crash and burn from celebrity chef to fugitive. It’s the stuff of clickbait gold, but beyond the headlines, there’s usually more to it. And Sarma’s story is, you guessed it: More than a little bit culty. We don’t

Mar 21, 2022 • 1:29:29

Unholy Spirits: Eric Skwarczynski on Darkness in the IFB

Unholy Spirits: Eric Skwarczynski on Darkness in the IFB

A Little Bit Culty – There’s a dark cloud hanging over the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement, and our guest today wants you to know about it. Eric Skwarczynski is the host and creator of the Preacher Boys podcast, which is a platform for survivors’ stories and the basis of an upcoming documentary film about a deeply disturbing pattern of sexual predation and abuse claims within  the IFB. Eric joins us to talk about blowing the whistle on the IFB, what sucks about purity culture (hint: eve

Mar 14, 2022 • 1:20:21

Miranda Beverly-Whittemore on Cult Fiction

Miranda Beverly-Whittemore on Cult Fiction

A Little Bit Culty – This episode is a little bit different. Author Miranda Beverly-Whittemore is not a former cult member or a cult awareness expert like most of our guests, but her novel Fierce Little Thing weaves a culty tale that almost makes you think she is. It’s a little like “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” except in this case, it’s “I Know What You Did When You Were a Teenager 20 Summers Ago While Living on a Survivalist Commune Run by a Charismatic Maniac in Rural Maine.” She joins S

Mar 7, 2022 • 1:10:58

Make Me A God: Jon Atack

Make Me A God: Jon Atack

A Little Bit Culty – Jon Atack wants to help you protect yourself from the human predators who roam among us, and believes that every bad relationship, every destructive group, and every dangerous government has a human predator at its heart. This conversation was recorded several months ago, but it feels a bit prescient now that Putin is raining hellfire on Kyiv. The author, academic, and former Operating Thetan Section V chats with Sarah and Nippy about why it seems like psychopaths are runnin

Feb 28, 2022 • 1:31:16

Wondery Presents: Twin Flames

Wondery Presents: Twin Flames

Two Youtubers promise their followers the secret of true love. But when some of their believers cross the line from love to obsession, the Youtubers are accused of running a cult. As they fight for their new way of life, their followers face a choice too. They have been promised a chance to find The One, but how far is too far? Listen to Twin Flames: wondery.fm/ALBC_TwinFlames Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 2022 • 6:44

Bentinho Massaro Sucks Part 2

Bentinho Massaro Sucks Part 2

A Little Bit Culty – He’s just one guy, but there’s so much culty shit flying around Bentinho Massaro that our first episode went into extra innings.  Part two of our spotlight on the International Man of Alleged Assholery continues with Jade Alectra, Keilan McNeil, and Jacqueline Graham  taking us into the pivotal moments that helped them wake up, pack up, and peace out of his toxic basecamp. They also share why they’re speaking out, even though it is all still painful AF; what’s helping them h

Feb 21, 2022 • 1:18:49

Bentinho Massaro Sucks Part 1

Bentinho Massaro Sucks Part 1

A Little Bit Culty – Imagine a narsty blend of an Instagram influencer, spiritual huxter, Winklevoss twin, and Hugh Hefner’s ghost. These are the vibes that Bentinho Massaro is serving. He’s got all the scary charisma and shiny trappings of a culty overachiever, like thousands of social media followers, a grandiose plan to build a fully enlightened society by 2035, and he even claims to vibrate at a higher frequency than other humans. He’s also already achieved a rite of passage that’s becoming

Feb 21, 2022 • 1:28:21

Keely Griffin on Twin Flames & Other Dumpster Fires

Keely Griffin on Twin Flames & Other Dumpster Fires

A Little Bit Culty – Speaking of soul-crushing scams that exploit the basic human need for love and belonging, we’ve got a doozy of a Valentine’s Day episode for you. We’re not labeling the organization at the heart of this episode a cult, but we are asking our guest Keely Griffin if loving and leaving Twin Flames Universe was the bad trip that reports published by Vanity Fair, Vice, and Daily Mail make it sound. Once a devotee of TFU, Keely shares what made the YouTubey, Facebooky spiritual c

Feb 14, 2022 • 1:19:11

Dare to Doubt: Alice Grecyzn Part 2

Dare to Doubt: Alice Grecyzn Part 2

A Little Bit Culty – Part 2 of our conversation with Alice Grecycn, the author of Wayward: A Memoir of Spiritual Warfare & Sexual Purity delves into the neuroscience of belief, what’s so cringe toxic religion, and what happens when mystical experiences bite you in the ass. We also cover sexual hangups, Seth Rogen, and culty summer camps. Content alert: Alice also shares her point of view on why it’s hard to see certain sacred texts as anything other than a manual for aspiring sadistic, narcissis

Feb 7, 2022 • 1:00:59

Dare to Doubt: Alice Grecyzn Part 1

Dare to Doubt: Alice Grecyzn Part 1

A Little Bit Culty – If you’ve ever felt trapped by the dictates of a high-demand group or an expression of religion that no longer felt true; or you find yourself feeling lonely and abandoned after a loss of faith, Alice Grecyzn has your back. The author of Wayward: A Memoir of Spiritual Warfare & Sexual Purity joins Sarah and Nippy to speak about her painful but rewarding journey out of Evangelical Christianity, what it means to recover from religious trauma, and what’s rotten at the core abou

Jan 31, 2022 • 1:00:47

Silver Fox: Mark Vicente Part 2

Silver Fox: Mark Vicente Part 2

A Little Bit Culty – It sure is good to see Mark Vicente back in the saddle again. In Part 2, he shares what happened during his last conversation with Keith Raniere, how he’s defragged his brain since he helped burn ol’ Dead Eyes’ playhouse down, and what the bleep he’s working on next. Oh, and there is bountiful ass-chapping. More about today’s guest:  Author, speaker, and award-winning director Mark Vicente was behind the sleeper hit “What The Bleep Do We Know?!” Born in South Africa in 1965

Jan 24, 2022 • 1:02:14

Silver Fox: Mark Vicente Part 1

Silver Fox: Mark Vicente Part 1

A Little Bit Culty – A wise man once said: “Nobody joins a cult, they join a good thing.” A Little Bit Culty kicks off Season 3 with the wise man himself, Mark Vicente. The epic whistleblower and stone-cold silver fox joins Sarah and Nippy to get the band back together in the first of two episodes. The trio catches up on life after making headlines and what it was really like to see the whole shitshow play out on HBO’s “The Vow.” Expect a metric fuck ton of ass chapping anecdotes, and to love Ma

Jan 17, 2022 • 1:10:17

That’s One More Season, Innit?

That’s One More Season, Innit?

A Little Bit Culty – We thought about recording our Season 2 finale in dubly, but you don’t do heavy metal in dubly. In this wrap-up episode Sarah and Nippy answer your burning questions, preview what’s ahead next season, seek a patron saint of quality mattresses, and generally have a good time all the time. We think you’ll be knocked out by their exuberance, their raw power, and their punctuality. How much more Spinal Tappy could these show notes be? The answer is none. None more Spinal Tappy.

Jan 3, 2022 • 44:56

Master of the Cultiverse: Patrick Ryan on Transcendental Meditation

Master of the Cultiverse: Patrick Ryan on Transcendental Meditation

A Little Bit Culty – What do Pete Rose, Grandma Walton, skin boys, Dear Prudence, Brooks Brothers suits, David Lynch, Mary Tyler Moore, Merv Griffin, Mary Tyler Moore, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds and Margaret Singer have in common? They’re all mentioned in this episode, and you’ll have to listen to find out why. There’s just not enough room in these show notes to tell you. But don’t worry, you’ll be glad you listened, because Patrick Ryan can tell a culty oral history with the best of them. He

Dec 27, 2021 • 1:20:06

Wake-Up Call: Gerette Buglion on Everyday Cults

Wake-Up Call: Gerette Buglion on Everyday Cults

A Little Bit Culty – If you think you’re too smart to fall for a cult, this episode is your wake-up call. Undue influence can poison what starts out as a ‘good thing’ and turn it into a culty shitshow. Just ask today’s guest: Gerette Buglion. She was a member of an under-the-radar cult for over 18 years. In this organization, there was no tithing, no rules about where you should live, what brand of deodorant you must use, or what clothes to wear. Instead, far more subtle techniques were used...b

Dec 20, 2021 • 1:12:33

Attachment Theory: Dr. Alexandra Stein on Terror, Love & Brainwashing

Attachment Theory: Dr. Alexandra Stein on Terror, Love & Brainwashing

A Little Bit Culty – Think you’re immune to culty shit? Dr. Alexandra Stein begs to differ. She’s one of the world’s leading experts on ideological extremism and dangerous social relationships, and she makes a very convincing case that under the right set of circumstances almost anyone can be radically manipulated to engage in otherwise incomprehensible and often dangerous acts. In this episode, she joins us to discuss her experience as a former cult member, and the relationship between neurosci

Dec 13, 2021 • 1:25:04

Brazen: Nadia Bolz-Weber on Sex, Shame & Toxic Religion

Brazen: Nadia Bolz-Weber on Sex, Shame & Toxic Religion

A Little Bit Culty – She’s just about the most rockin’ Reverend we’ve ever met. In this episode, Nadia Bolz-Weber takes us to church on everything from sex-obsessed religious doctrine and toxic positivity to cancel culture. Also, if you’ve been searching for an episode that will illuminate what St. Augustine’s medieval boner issues have to do with purity rings, you are in the right place. More about today’s guest: Nadia Bolz-Weber is an ordained Lutheran Pastor, and founder of House for All Sin

Dec 6, 2021 • 1:11:01

Guru-Free: Laura Tucker on Safety for Seekers

Guru-Free: Laura Tucker on Safety for Seekers

A Little Bit Culty – In 2009, Laura Tucker attended a Sedona spiritual retreat and sweat lodge hosted by charismatic spiritual teacher James Arthur Ray. It all went tragically wrong, resulting in the deaths of fellow attendees Liz Neuman, Kirby Brown and James Shore. On this episode, Laura chats with Sarah and Nippy about her experience, what it means to practice safe spiritual seeking, and the dark side of self help. More about today’s guest: Laura Tucker is the host of the Free Your Inner Gur

Nov 29, 2021 • 1:20:39

Groundbreaker: Moira Penza on Prosecuting NXIVM

Groundbreaker: Moira Penza on Prosecuting NXIVM

A Little Bit Culty If you watched “The Vow” or have followed the fall of NXIVM, you know Moira Kim Penza as the prosecutor who brought Keith Raniere to justice. Her accomplishments are mighty: Like Keith’s conviction on all counts including racketeering and sex trafficking and a brisk 120 year sentence. Moira’s groundbreaking approach to the case has been credited with paving the way for other sex trafficking prosecutions against powerful individuals. In other words: She’s a total badass. In thi

Nov 22, 2021 • 1:16:55

The Heretic: Dr. John Dehlin on Mormonism

The Heretic: Dr. John Dehlin on Mormonism

A Little Bit Culty – He was raised in a conservative Texan Mormon family, but today Dr. John Dehlin is an outspoken LGBTQ ally, a clinical psychologist, and a groundbreaking podcast host of the longest-running and most popular Mormon-themed podcast. The excommunicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or the LDS Church) joins Sarah and Nippy for a conversation about the history of the Mormon faith, the truth about Joseph Smith, and what the ‘Book of Mormon’ got right.

Nov 15, 2021 • 1:20:44

Stolen: Elizabeth Gilpin on the ‘Troubled Teen’ Industry

Stolen: Elizabeth Gilpin on the ‘Troubled Teen’ Industry

A Little Bit Culty – As a high school student, Elizabeth Gilpin was taken from her bed in the middle of the night, left in the woods for three months of forced camping with 12 other girls, then remanded to a prison-like boarding school where she and other so-called ‘troubled teens’ were subjected to nightmarish conditions and psychological abuse. Her debut memoir, “Stolen” is a harrowing account of her time at Virginia’s Carlbrook school, and examines the therapeutic boarding school industry’s c

Nov 8, 2021 • 1:08:30

LuLaRich Girl: Roberta Blevins on Life After MLM

LuLaRich Girl: Roberta Blevins on Life After MLM

A Little Bit Culty – Don’t call her a #bossbitch. She’s the boss, bitch. Roberta Blevins was a Trainer with LuLaRoe, had a team of 75 women under her, and made over $65,000 in bonuses alone. But when she came to the conclusion that it was a rigged, losing game she didn’t just leave the business: she testified in the Washington State vs. LuLaRoe Pyramid Scheme lawsuit as a witness for the state. The fan favorite from the buzzed-about LuLaRich docuseries sits down for an A Little Bit Culty chat wi

Nov 1, 2021 • 1:16:51

Sounds Cultish: Amanda Montell on Fanatical Language

Sounds Cultish: Amanda Montell on Fanatical Language

A Little Bit Culty – Sticks and stones break bones, but words build entire cult empires. In this episode, Sarah and Nippy sit down with Amanda Montell to discuss how cultish groups and social media gurus use language to manipulate followers and cultivate power. Amanda is a writer, language scholar, and the author of two critically acclaimed books: Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism and Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language (HarperWave). Her books have earned praise fr

Oct 25, 2021 • 1:29:16

Hello Again, Cultiverse.

Hello Again, Cultiverse.

A Little Bit Culty – It’s been a minute, but A Little Bit Culty is back. Season 2’s kickoff episode finds co-hosts Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames covering what’s been going on in their world, what is new in the cultiverse, and what’s ahead this season on the podcast. There’s a lot of cult news to catch up on: like NXIVM sentencings, R. Kelly’s day in court, and Nicole Kidman’s wig on ‘9 Perfect Strangers. Sarah and Nippy report on what they’ve been up to over summer vacation, and answe

Oct 18, 2021 • 49:31

Season 2 Trailer: A Little Bit Culty

Season 2 Trailer: A Little Bit Culty

Welcome back to Season 2 of A Little Bit Culty with Sarah Edmondson and Anthony "Nippy" Ames. Think you might be in a cult? Want to know the signs? Join Sarah and Nippy”to talk about things that are...a little bit culty. Or in their case: a whole bunch of culty. As whistleblowers documented in the critically-acclaimed HBO series “The Vow,” Sarah and Nippy have a lot to say about their experience, and burning questions to ask people with similar stories. They’re here to help people understand, he

Oct 4, 2021 • 1:35

Bonus SUMMER Episode: Catching Up with India Oxenberg

Bonus SUMMER Episode: Catching Up with India Oxenberg

A Little Bit Culty – Join us for a special bonus episode with India Oxenberg. ~ Don’t get it twisted: The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. A Little Bit Culty is proud to support the # IGOTOUT project, which

Jul 6, 2021 • 1:16:49

#FGKIA: Joyce Short & Nina Lucas On Defining Consent

#FGKIA: Joyce Short & Nina Lucas On Defining Consent

A Little Bit Culty – Consent is one of the most misunderstood words of all time, and in the confusion surrounding it, bad actors find loopholes. According to today’s guests, defining consent in penal code is key to prosecuting sex crimes and preventing sexual assaults. Joyce Short has fought to define consent for over a decade. A sexual assault survivor, she has written 3 books on the subject. Her most recent, "Your Consent - The Key to Conquering Sexual Assault," lay the foundation for New York

May 10, 2021 • 58:20

Shameless: Dan Shaw on Gaslighting, Narcissists, & Recovering from Cultic Abuse

Shameless: Dan Shaw on Gaslighting, Narcissists, & Recovering from Cultic Abuse

A Little Bit Culty – Daniel Shaw, LCSW, checks every imaginable box on A Little Bit Culty’s dream guest checklist. He’s a psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City and in Nyack, New York. He originally trained as an actor at Northwestern University and with the renowned teacher Uta Hagen in New York City, and later worked as a missionary for an Indian guru. His eventual recognition of cultic aspects of this organization led him to become an outspoken activist in support of individuals a

May 3, 2021 • 1:01:46

The Breakup: Samantha Freedom on Leaving The Alt-Right

The Breakup: Samantha Freedom on Leaving The Alt-Right

A Little Bit Culty – What happens when you find a sense of identity, and belonging, and maybe even something approximately like love within a group that is in fact a violent and racist extremist organization? And if by chance you wake up to what's inherently terrible about it, and manage to escape that thinking, how do you then seek redemption? In 2017, Samantha Freedom was the top ranking woman leader in Identity Evropa, the white nationalist organization behind the violent Charlottesville, Vir

Apr 26, 2021 • 1:08:36

WTF: Matthew Remski On Conspirituality

WTF: Matthew Remski On Conspirituality

A Little Bit Culty – Is everything more culty than ever right now? Has yoga always been this dicey? WTF is the deal with the flood of culty headlines? With so much happening at rapidfire pace in the culti-verse, A Little Bit Culty lit up the Bat signal and Matthew Remski of the Conspirituality podcast answered. He’s an author, an investigative journalist, and a dad who also happens to be a two-time survivor of yoga-related cults. And if you know the Conspirituality podcast, you know that he and

Apr 19, 2021 • 1:25:48

Catching Up: Sarah & Nippy Circle Back

Catching Up: Sarah & Nippy Circle Back

A Little Bit Culty – It’s been a minute since Sarah and Nippy had a date night, or a chance to catch their breath and talk about all the feedback, questions, and responses they’re getting from the A Little Bit Culty audience. In this episode, they answer questions from listeners, cover what’s trending in the cultiverse, and what chaps their asses about Yoga, passive aggressive emails, and the oppressive positivity in faux-happy songs. They also talk about dream guests, the audiobooks and songs t

Apr 12, 2021 • 38:15

Illusion of Hope: Douglas Brooks On MLMs

Illusion of Hope: Douglas Brooks On MLMs

A Little Bit Culty – If you’ve ever lost a friendship or a small fortune to a multi-level marketing organization,  this episode of “A Little Bit Culty” is here to help un-gaslight you. Douglas Brooks, an attorney who represents victims of deceptive schemes, knows that getting caught up in one can be devastating. For the better part of 3 decades, he’s dedicated a significant portion of his practice to representing the victims of deceptive MLM schemes, including cases such as Webster v. Omnitriti

Apr 5, 2021 • 1:17:37

Happy Now: Susan Dones & The Early Exit

Happy Now: Susan Dones & The Early Exit

A Little Bit Culty– If you’ve followed the story of the rise and fall of NXIVM, you know Susan Dones as the one-woman wrecking crew who served as her own legal representation in a series of court battles after she left the organization. But if you don’t know her story, just know this: She was way ahead of the curve on calling bullshit Keith Raniere and his flying monkeys. She also paid dearly for it.  In this episode, Sarah and Nippy reconnect with Susan to talk in-depth about her role as one of

Mar 29, 2021 • 1:17:58

Take Back Your Life: Dr. Janja Lalich & Cult Recovery

Take Back Your Life: Dr. Janja Lalich & Cult Recovery

A Little Bit Culty – Dr. Janja Lalich’s book about the cult recovery process was a game changer for Sarah and Nippy when they first began unpacking their NXIVM experiences. It still is. As Nippy says: “She's someone who has been through (her own) heavy duty cult indoctrination, woken up, gotten her way out. She's kept on going. She's dedicated her life to helping other people understand how cults operate and how to come back from them.” In this episode, Sarah and Nippy reconnect with Dr. Lalich

Mar 22, 2021 • 1:15:48

F*ck This, I’m Out: Mike Rinder & The About-Face

F*ck This, I’m Out: Mike Rinder & The About-Face

A Little Bit Culty – Sometimes you just have to call it. Mike Rinder was born and raised in Scientology and rose to the very top of the church’s worldwide hierarchy to become its international spokesperson and head of Special Affairs for over 20 years. But when he escaped the organization in 2007, he cut his losses; leaving with only a briefcase and the clothes on his back. In this episode, Mike joins Sarah and Nippy to talk about the trail he blazed out of Scientology, the ongoing work of whist

Mar 15, 2021 • 1:24:15

Heal That Sh*t: Leah Remini & The Aftermath

Heal That Sh*t: Leah Remini & The Aftermath

A Little Bit Culty: What’s it like to break up with a powerful, hyper-litigious religious organization while the whole world watches? What’s life like for a fiery changemaker, post-Aftermath? On this episode of A Little Bit Culty, Sarah and Nippy welcome truth teller Leah Remini for a conversation about her headline-making break with the Church of Scientology and her ongoing work to expose the truth about the organization. They chat about the Fair Game doctrine, the parallels between their escap

Mar 8, 2021 • 1:12:51

Cults 101: Dr. Steven Hassan & The BITE Model

Cults 101: Dr. Steven Hassan & The BITE Model

A Little Bit Culty – What’s the difference between a cult and something that’s just a little bit culty? What should Sarah and Nippy tell their kids when they’re old enough to ask about NXIVM? How do you protect yourself from mind control? On this episode of A Little Bit Culty, our co-hosts chat with cult expert and author Dr. Steven Hassan about what makes people universally vulnerable to undue influence and cultic abuse; how to spot red flags; and some of the striking similarities between Keith

Mar 1, 2021 • 1:07:58

This Is Us: Meet The Hosts

This Is Us: Meet The Hosts

A Little Bit Culty – In this premiere episode of A Little Bit Culty, co-hosts Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames catch listeners up on life since NXIVM, and their new normal as whistleblowers documented in the critically-acclaimed HBO series The Vow. The pair share the story of how the A Little Bit Culty podcast came to be, and state some intentions and ground rules up front. Namely, as co-hosts of the podcast, they don’t want to be in the business of punching down on people who are still

Mar 1, 2021 • 44:17

TEASER: A Little Bit Culty with Sarah & Nippy

TEASER: A Little Bit Culty with Sarah & Nippy

Think you might be in a cult? Want to know the signs? Join Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames to talk about things that are...a little bit culty. Or in their case: a whole bunch of culty. As whistleblowers documented in the critically-acclaimed HBO series “The Vow,” Sarah and Nippy have a lot to say about their experience, and burning questions to ask people with similar stories. They’re here to help people understand, heal from, and avoid abusive situations one little red flag at a time.

Feb 5, 2021 • 1:50

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