A Little Bit Culty

In Part 2 with Bridget Read, we explore the complexities and legal nuances that allow multi-level marketing (MLM) companies to operate as legitimate businesses, despite the similarities to illegal pyramid schemes. With historical context and references to key legal cases like Amway and the Koscot test, the script dives into how MLMs managed to skirt around laws and thrive. The discussion also ties in political influences, such as the Amway founders' connections with influential conservative movements, and the insidious spread of MLMs globally, exploiting vulnerable populations. Additionally, it touches on the intersection of self-help movements and MLMs, revealing the deep-seated coercion and manipulation involved.Don’t forget to read Bridget Read’s book, Little Bosses Everywhere and follow her on Instagram @little_bosses_book.Also…let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED TalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsseSUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/culty.Use code CULTY at MonarchMoney.com in your browser for half off your first year.Go to GetSoul.com and use the code CULTY for 30% off.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 1 of this much-anticipated interview, journalist and New York Magazine reporter Bridget Read discusses the pervasive and nuanced issues surrounding multi-level marketing (MLM) companies. Read explains her journey from writing a short article to diving into the complex history, politics, and ideology of MLMs, culminating in a comprehensive book on the subject. Her research uncovered alarming contradictions and historical roots in fraud and pseudoscience, particularly connected to early 20th-century new thought movements and eugenics. The conversation also touches on the evolution of MLMs, their psychological tactics, and their exploitative nature, especially targeting women. With a deep historical context and contemporary analysis, Read's insights challenge listeners to rethink the seemingly benign world of MLMs.Read Bridget Read’s book, Little Bosses Everywhere and follow her on Instagram @little_bosses_book.Also check out Robert Fitzpatrick’s Ponzinomics: The Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing and The Dream podcast, hosted by Jane Marie.Also…let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED TalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/culty.Use code CULTY at MonarchMoney.com in your browser for half off your first year.Go to GetSoul.com and use the code CULTY for 30% off.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Buckle up, cultiverse: it’s our bonus round, where we give you a little bit extra. In this episode, we eavesdrop on the spicy, kooky, and downright cathartic voicemails waiting in our inbox from listeners who are ready to dish out their “a little more culty” revelations, rants, and burning questions.Also…let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED TalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it take to unravel the sinister side of internet fame—and how do influencers become a little bit culty? In this episode, we sit down with BuzzFeed journalist and chronic digital deepdiver Chico Felitti, whose reporting on influencer Kat Torres inspired Season 2 of Wondery’s hit Guru series, “Don’t Cross Kat.” Chico shares how seemingly glamorous social media personas can mask disturbing stories of manipulation and missing followers, and why Brazil’s obsession with the American dream made Kat’s rise—and the disappearances connected to her—even more chilling. We unpack the magnetic allure of online personalities, the blurred lines between fandom and control, and the real-life consequences for those drawn into one influencer’s orbit. If you thought lifestyle influencers were harmless fun, this episode might change your mind.Follow Chico on Instagram @chicofelitti.Also…let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED TalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/culty and use code culty.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In part two of our revealing conversation with Veena Dinavahi, we dig deeper into the tangled web of coercion, isolation, and control she experienced inside the manipulative “true happiness” community. Veena opened up about the crushing mental health struggles that pushed her to the edge—and how that intersected with “Bob”, the coercive leader of the Mormon-adjacent self-help group who triangulated power with other members. We explore her desperate search for solace in faith amid chaos, the complexities of motherhood under control, and the raw realities of reclaiming autonomy in a world built to keep her small. We talked about the cost of coercion and the fierce resilience it took for Veena to break free.Buy Veena’s book, The True Happiness Company and follow her on Instagram @veenawriteswords.Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of sexual abuse.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED TalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when the story you thought you were living collides with a reality you can’t ignore? Kicking off Season 8 of A Little Bit Culty, we sit down with author, mother of three, and fashion writer Veena Dinavahi for part one of a powerful conversation about growing up in a white American suburb with a high suicide rate. Veena shared her journey meeting “Bob,” the leader of a Mormon-adjacent self-help group she calls “the true happiness company,” at 19 years old, and the red flags that kept her trapped in the group for years. This convo’s raw, real, and exactly the kind of courageous storytelling that keeps this community going.Stay tuned for Part 2 when Veena shares how she woke up, spoke out, and found her voice after years of the control systems that tried to take it away. Buy Veena’s book, The True Happiness Company and follow her on Instagram @veenawriteswords.Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of suicide.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED TalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Find the one, with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/culty.Keep it classic and cozy this fall—with long-lasting staples from Quince. Go to Quince.com/culty for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Right now as a listener of our show, you can get cozy—and spooky—for less with deals up to 50% off at MeUndies.com/culty and enter promo code culty.Don’t let financial opportunity slip through the cracks. Use code CULTY at MonarchMoney.com in your browser for half off your first year. “Cozify” your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. From comfy recliners to cozy bedding and autumn decor. Find it all for way less at Wayfair.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey culty listeners! Season 8 is loading…and we’re not even gonna pretend this is chill. It’s BIG. Like, two-new-episodes-every-week big. Fresh culty convos, enough snark to keep your brain buzzing, and if you’ve been obedient, maybe some spicy word salads from Nippy. We’re back in your ears Monday for Season 8—so buckle up, buttercup.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED TalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 2, the Hot Johnsons go from self-help wins to DOS-level WTF real quick. Denai opens up about what happened when DOS came knocking, from the first ask for “collateral” to the gut-check moment that made her walk away. Along the way, the Johnsons (and your favorite culty hosts) revisit the red flags that somehow got normalized — like “masters” and “slaves,” midnight readiness drills, and Lauren peeing on video calls. Yep, you read that right.It’s a raw, funny, sometimes NSFW look back at how close Denai came to the brand and why she said no, plus what healing has looked like since leaving. And don’t worry — the Hot Johnson sibling banter is still in full swing, complete with merch, lip balm jokes, and more “chaps my ass” wisdom than you probably bargained for.Catch Bron & Denai on their own show, Hot Johnson, where they keep the sibling chaos alive while mixing real talk on health, wellness, and relationships.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re stepping into the crossover world of cults and true crime with Derrick Levasseur—former undercover detective, private investigator, and host of Crime Weekly and Detective Perspective. You may also know him from Big Brother or America’s Most Wanted: Missing Persons, where he and Sarah recently worked together on a harrowing case.That case? The mysterious disappearance of six people tied to the University of Cosmic Intelligence (UCI)—a fringe social-media-fueled cult led by self-proclaimed prophet Rashad Jamal. Among the missing: Naaman Williams (28), Gerielle German (26) and her 3-year-old son Ashton Mitchell, Mikayla Thompson (23), Ma’Kayla Wickerson (25), and her 3-year-old daughter Malaiyah Wickerson.From ritualistic chanting and “divine downloads” to bathroom-mirror graffiti scrawled with “I am that I am”, the UCI story reads like a mash-up of sci-fi fantasy and sovereign citizen ideology. But underneath the esoteric claims are real lives at risk—and children who need to be found. Derrick unpacks the law-enforcement challenges of cult cases, why coercive control is so hard to prosecute, and how everyday people can spot the warning signs.We also dive into Derrick’s fascinating career—from undercover ops to winning Big Brother, launching Criminal Coffee (a true crime-funded cold case project), and his take on why “every cult has a hook.”⚠️ If you have information about the missing members of UCI, contact your local law enforcement.Follow Derrick for more: IG @DerrickLevasseur • X @DerrickL • officialderrick.com. You can also check out his book The Undercover Edge and his PI firm, Break Investigative Group, where he continues to work cold cases.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp.In Part 2 of our conversation with Professor Robin Boyle-Laisure—St. John’s University School of Law faculty, ICSA board member, and author of Taken No More: Protect Your Children Against Traffickers and Cults—we dig into the courtroom turning points that changed the way cult leaders are prosecuted. From Patty Hearst to NXIVM, Robin unpacks how sex-trafficking statutes reshaped the legal landscape, and why Keith Raniere’s 120-year sentence set a precedent that reverberates through cases like R. Kelly, Larry Ray, and Harvey Weinstein.We also bring the conversation home (literally). Robin shares practical tools for parents: how to raise independent thinkers, what “tricky adults” really look like, and why overly rigid household rules can prime kids for authoritarian groups later in life. She sounds the alarm on the rise of online grooming, sextortion, and predator tactics on gaming platforms, and explains what parents, educators, and law enforcement need to know right now.Catch Robin’s new book, Taken No More, this fall, and keep an eye on robinboylelaisure.com for updates. Follow Robin on Instagram (@robin.boyle / @robinboylelaisure) and Facebook (Robin Boyle). Learn more about ICSA at icsahome.com.Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of sexual abuse, coercive control, grooming, trafficking, cult exploitation, and online child exploitation.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world isfull of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, andCrimes every Wednesday as we explore the real people at the center of the world’s mostshocking secrets and nefarious organizations. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes is a Crime House Original powered by PAVE Studios. Follow the show now so you don’t miss a single story.Listen and follow here: https://link.podtrac.com/bnw1ad3gSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp.What happens when a street-corner “religious” pitch nearly ropes in a teenage girl—only for her to dodge the hook and spend the next three decades dismantling the playbook that tried to claim her? In Part 1 of our conversation with Professor Robin Boyle-Laisure—St. John’s University School of Law faculty, board member of the International Cultic Studies Association, and author of the upcoming Taken No More: Protect Your Children Against Traffickers and Cults—we follow the twisted parallels between cult recruitment and human trafficking.Robin breaks down how predators groom, coerce, and control—whether they’re fishing for followers in a dorm lounge or luring teens through online games. We talk NXIVM’s “collateral” bombshell, the grooming-to-control pipeline, and why charisma is just the sugar coating on a rotten core. You’ll never look at “just talking” to strangers online the same way again.Catch Robin’s new book, Taken No More, this fall, and keep an eye on robinboylelaisure.com for free downloadable articles and updates. Follow Robin on Instagram (@robin.boyle / @robinboylelaisure) and Facebook (Robin Boyle). Learn more about ICSA at icsahome.com.Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of sexual abuse, coercive control, grooming, trafficking, and cult exploitation.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This conversation with former NXIVM members Bron and Denai Johnson was such a hit when we first dropped it here last year that we’re doing it again (and yes, Patreon gets it first this time, too). In Part 1, the Johnsons open up about their early days in NXIVM’s Vancouver center — from the “too-perfect” community vibes that drew them in, to the personal growth tools they say genuinely changed their lives.They walk us through their POV on ethos classes, SOP weekends, V-Week performances, and the infamous XOSO flop, sharing both the highs and the red flags that finally pushed them to leave. It’s a rare, candid look at what NXIVM felt like from the inside, before the headlines, and why it wasn’t all bad… until it was.Bron and Denai have moved on to healthier (and much hotter) pursuits — they’re now co-hosts of the Hot Johnson podcast, where they mix goofball sibling energy with real talk on health, wellness, and building the kind of relationships you actually want to be in. Follow their adventures and get your dose of Hot Johnson at @hotjohnson.Stay tuned for Part 2, where Denai reveals what happened when DOS came calling.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Katherine Spearing is back—and she’s not pulling any punches. A trauma recovery practitioner and founder of Tears of Eden, Kat grew up in the Christian Patriarchy Movement, where obedience was godly, women were walking wombs, and joy was suspicious at best.In this episode, we dive deep into what spiritual abuse actually looks like: body control, purity culture, biblical gaslighting, and the long-term effects of being told your desires are sinful. Kat’s new book, A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts, is part memoir, part manual for healing—and a total middle finger to coercive religion.We talk masturbation, improv, the myth of the one true partner, and why reconnecting with your body might just be the holiest thing you’ll ever do.Out in October, her book A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts is for anyone reclaiming their voice after high-control anything. Find her at katherinespearing.com and @katherinespearing.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 2 of our conversation, Jasmin opens up about life after escaping Saudi Arabia—landing in Wyoming, rediscovering autonomy, and slowly unlearning the rules that once governed every part of her existence. She shares how nature, therapy, and motherhood helped her begin to heal, and how writing her memoir The Last Sandstorm gave her the language to process what she’d been through.We also dive into some thorny topics: the culty dynamics within DEI work, what happens when identity politics override lived experience, and how moral absolutism shuts down real dialogue. Jasmin doesn’t shy away from the mess... and neither do we.Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of religious extremism, gender-based oppression, political and cultural trauma, and identity-based discrimination.Find more on Jasmin at www.jasminfaulk.com, or follow her on Instagram @jasmin.faulk and YouTube @Jasmin-Faulk. Her memoir The Last Sandstorm is available now wherever books are sold.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week’s guest is Jasmin Faulk, an author and advocate who risked everything to reclaim her freedom. Born to a Saudi father and Italian mother, Jasmin grew up in a country where girls were silenced, veiled, and made invisible.In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Jasmin takes us inside the dark realities of growing up under fundamentalist Islam in 1980s and 90s Saudi Arabia—from gender segregation and religious policing, to the suffocating control of male guardianship. We unpack the slow burn of her rebellion, including the moment she pulled off her veil in public, and the dangerous path she navigated to leave her marriage and escape the kingdom altogether.It’s a gripping, gut-punching story of survival, defiance, and the fight for a life on her own terms, and a stark reminder that cult dynamics don’t always come with a guru or group name. Sometimes, they come wrapped in flags, holy books, and the illusion of tradition.Trigger warnings for those sensitive to stories of systemic misogyny or religious trauma.Find more on Jasmin at www.jasminfaulk.com, or follow her on Instagram @jasmin.faulk and YouTube @Jasmin-Faulk. Her memoir, The Last Sandstorm, is available now wherever books are sold.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Lauren and Aaliyah—two former NXIVM coaches and co-hosts of This Juicy Life—as we dig deeper into the tangled mix of growth, gaslighting, and gut-checks they experienced inside (and outside) the cult.This episode unpacks what comes after the escape: the emotional fallout, the tricky process of reconnecting with intuition, and the lifelong work of healing. From toxic hierarchies and skewed polyamory to whispered rumors about poisoned water and public shame, Lauren and Aaliyah don’t shy away from the messy middle. We talk about recognizing “Keith-types” in everyday life, the physical toll of suppressing your instincts, and what it really means to find your way back to yourself.Spoiler: it’s not all sunshine and sage smudges—but it is deeply human, often funny, and always real.Also… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re diving into the deceptively polite world of Canadian politics—where the optics are polished, but the manipulation runs deep.Our guest is Celina Caesar-Chavannes, a former Member of Parliament and once a rising star in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party. She served as his parliamentary secretary before leaving in 2019, fed up with the gaslighting, tokenism, and isolation she faced for speaking out. Celina pulls no punches as she breaks down the emotional toll of navigating a system that rewards obedience over honesty, and how Trudeau’s carefully curated image masks something far less inclusive behind the scenes.We also get into the broader culty dynamics that show up in institutions like politics, and what it takes to walk away with your integrity intact.This episode contains discussion of racism, emotional abuse, and political retaliation. Listener discretion is advised.For more on Celina, find her on instagram @iamcelinacc and check our her book Can You Hear Me Now?: How I Found My Voice and Learned to Live with Passion and PurposeAlso… let it be known that: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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here  Check out our lovely sponsorsJoin ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on PatreonGet poppin’ fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah’s TEDTalkCREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Amphibian.MediaCo-Creator: Jess TardyAssociate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media  Audio production: Red Caiman StudiosTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re back with Laci Bean, host of Deadly Faith, for Part 2 of her story—what came after she left the high-control ministry that tried to own her soul. Laci walks us through her deconstruction journey: questioning her faith, setting boundaries with family, and reckoning with the political beliefs she once held. We talk about the pressure to homeschool, the fallout from voting for Trump, and the trauma that opened her eyes. Now a trauma recovery coach, Laci shares how she helps others heal from religious abuse—and how even recovery spaces can start to feel culty if we’re not careful. This one’s about finding your voice, reclaiming your identity, and learning to trust yourself again. Also… let it be known that: 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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. **PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here   Check out our lovely sponsors Join ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah’s TEDTalk CREDITS:  Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Amphibian.Media Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Associate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media   Audio production: Red Caiman Studios Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re getting holy uncomfortable. Our guest is Laci Bean, host of the podcast Deadly Faith, for the first of a two-part conversation about her time in a cult-like Christian ministry that pulled her in as a teenager and tried to own her soul. From ages sixteen to nineteen, Laci lived under strict rules that dictated what she could listen to, who she could talk to, and even how she thought about her family. The group promised love and belonging but delivered fear, isolation, and spiritual manipulation, all under the guise of faith. We talk about the emotional hooks that pulled her in, the control tactics that kept her there, and the unexpected kindness that helped her break free. Laci doesn’t hold back as she reflects on what it meant to walk away from her so-called spiritual family—and how leaving God didn’t mean leaving truth. This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt trapped by a belief system that promised love but delivered control.  Also… let it be known that: 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. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad. **PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here   Check out our lovely sponsors Join ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on Patreon Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah’s TEDTalk CREDITS:  Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Amphibian.Media Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Associate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media   Audio production: Red Caiman Studios Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.