A Little Bit Culty Podcast Por Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames arte de portada

A Little Bit Culty

A Little Bit Culty

De: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
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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 survivors and cult experts, and do a deep dive on how devotion can turn to dysfunction.© © 2022 A Little Bit Culty Ciencias Sociales
Episodios
  • Empire of Orgasm: Ellen Huet on the Different Strokes of OneTaste (Part 2)

    Empire of Orgasm: Ellen Huet on the Different Strokes of OneTaste (Part 2)
    Nov 20 2025
    We dive even deeper in Part two with Ellen Huet to unpack what drove OneTaste’s inner circle, its culty sales playbook, and the strange tangle of power, personal growth, and manipulation. Ellen reveals the hidden pressures—financial, sexual, emotional—that kept members tied to the group (and often hemorrhaging money), and explains how buzzwords like “aversion practice,” “getting off on any stroke,” and “rapidly changing reality” were really tools for bulldozing boundaries and controlling thought. Our conversation traces OneTaste’s journey from wellness trend to federal courtroom, busts modern myths about female-led groups, and highlights why charismatic leadership is always more about the follower than the figurehead. Plus: surprising cult parallels with AI, why new spiritual movements are getting more digital (and more female-fronted), and how lessons from OneTaste can help us spot red flags in even the most unexpected places. If you care about consent, community, or why smart people fall for shiny promises, this is essential listening.For more on Ellen’s exploration of OneTaste, read her book, Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult. Also, follow her on Instagram, X, or Bluesky.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 Talk and buy her memoir, ScarredCREDITS: 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.
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    47 m
  • Empire of Orgasm: Ellen Huet on the Different Strokes of OneTaste (Part 1)

    Empire of Orgasm: Ellen Huet on the Different Strokes of OneTaste (Part 1)
    Nov 17 2025
    This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp.What happens when the pursuit of female pleasure blurs into high-pressure sales, psychological control, and a federal criminal trial? In this two-part episode, we’re joined by journalist Ellen Huet for a candid dive into the rise and fall of OneTaste and the controversial practice of orgasmic meditation. Ellen unpacks how a wellness company promising sexual healing and empowerment became a high-control, high-demand group, luring seekers with mindfulness and “goalless” pleasure, then pushing boundaries, demanding loyalty, and turning taboo into currency. We covered OneTaste’s celebrity endorsements, culty sales tactics, the “bait-and-switch” of so-called sexual liberation, and the subtle ways a quest for growth can lead to manipulation. Ellen also shared the behind-the-scenes story of her reporting: from her first incredulous meetings through years of deep-dive investigation, to witnessing the courtroom drama firsthand. If you thought you understood “sex cults,” this conversation will bend your notions, shift your Overton window, and leave you thinking twice about what empowerment really means. Stay tuned for part two, where legal fireworks and even wilder revelations take center stage.Be sure to read Ellen’s book, Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult, and follow her on Instagram, X, or Bluesky.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 Talk and buy her memoir, ScarredCREDITS: 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:This month, don’t wait to reach out. Whether you're checking in on a friend, or reaching out to a therapist yourself, Betterhelp makes it easier to take that first step. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/culty.Don’t let financial opportunity slip through the cracks. Use code CULTY at monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year.Calm your mind, change your life. Calm has an exclusive offer just for listeners of our show–get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at calm.com/culty. This is an amazing value. Go to calm.com/culty for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library. And tell Calm you heard about them from us!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    41 m
  • My Cult Your Cult: Sean Prophet on the Church Universal and Triumphant (Part 2)

    My Cult Your Cult: Sean Prophet on the Church Universal and Triumphant (Part 2)
    Nov 13 2025

    What actually happens when the world doesn’t end, the “shelf” breaks, and the self-proclaimed prince of a doomsday empire is left standing amid the fallout? In this powerful follow-up, Sean Prophet takes us through the final years of apocalyptic shelter drills, shattered prophecies, and how an edict about near-beer triggered a total loss of faith in his mother’s spiritual authority at the Church Universal & Triumphant (CUT). Sean shared how leaving wasn’t a single dramatic leap but a slow unraveling—pushed by impossible hierarchies, small acts of rebellion, and the radical idea that you get to decide how to live your life.


    Our conversation explores the difference between healthy community and destructive control, why smart people are NOT immune to cult influence, and the hard-won wisdom that it’s okay—vital, even—to put yourself at the center of your own story, but not the center of the universe. If you’ve wondered about post-cult identity, healing family rifts, or how to build meaning without myths or messiahs, this episode delivers straight talk, survivor insight, and existential laughs along the way.


    Be sure to pick up Sean’s memoir, My Cult, Your Cult, and follow him on Substack.


    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 amazing sponsors

    Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon

    Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag

    Support the pod and smash this link

    Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources

    Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred


    CREDITS:

    Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames

    Production Partner: Citizens of Sound

    Co-Creator: Jess Tardy

    Audio production: Will Retherford

    Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore

    Writer: Sandra Nomoto

    Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane

    Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin




    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    44 m
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I love everything about this podcast. The host are great, funny, inspiration, honest, and raw. They give us tips and views of their experiences and help us with their guest to give us advice and information on cults and so call religions. It's very eye opening and I can't wait for more!

Amazing, uplifting, & informational!

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Sara and Nippy cover some really heavy stuff, and come from a place of knowing. The guests and topics are always handled with care, the hosts are not afraid to show emotion, and yet there is always at least one good laugh to be had. Yes, they use adult language, but the avenues they walk down aren't Sesame Street, so I feel they've definitely earned the right. (Maybe we should have a drinking game a la the Fair Game podcast, where we drink every time one of the hosts curses? Just a thought.) Hard topics, covered with humour and heart, while giving listeners a great, first-person education. If you've not listened before, it's worth the time to binge the episodes from the beginning, as I did.

Heavy subjects covered with realness.

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I've never been in a cult (that I'm aware of...), but listening to the guests on this show and the hosts, I have come to believe that cults are what happens when the normal human need for belonging and meaning meets the (alas) all-too-common traits of narcissism and the need to control. Recognizing that a group you belong to or a relationship you're in is abusive is a skill we should all have, and the hosts are doing a great service--and making it entertaining and a safe space.

One of my don't-miss weekly podcasts

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Really love this podcast. I found it searching for more info on Sarma but stayed for the content. The background is based on exposing the vulnerabilities related to cults but also unearthing red flags in dangerous people. I applaud the candid attitudes of the hosts. Bravo.

Came For Sarma Stayed For The Content

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Great listen. Recommend! Seven episodes in and I am enjoying the conversation and guests on the show.

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...My New Go To...

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Great insights, humor, and guidance to avoid such anything a little bit culty. The topics are vast and interesting.

My go to podcast

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I devoured episode after episode. It's incredible and quite unique having a space of "contrapunto" where widely different voices come together in harmony in a safe, and respectful space. The topic is always painful and terrifying, and Sarah and Nippy are brilliant transmitting care with a joyful and hopeful twist. Thank you ALBC for existing!

BADASS!!!

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This is an amazing PodCast to listen to. I believe that everything spoken about in the PodCast can fit into someone's life at some point or another even if they have not been indoctrinated into a cult themselves. Thank you Sarah & Nippy. Love Listening!
Missy - New Orleans

Amazing

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After watching "The Vow" and "Seduced," I was interested in learning more from Sarah Edmundson. She's really engaging. I enjoy learning from her. I keep finding parts of this podcast insufferable.

For example, Nippy conflated both political parties in his discussion of politics. One led an insurrection, and one was the object of threats and violence -- I belong to neither but it is jarring to see how non trained experts pontificate; it seems like Nippy is great at gaslighting. Instead of backing his informed guest, he decided to not take a stand.

The guests on this show are wonderful and I have learned a lot. I really want to learn more from their guests.

Useful if you can get around some things

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So informative and funny! Love the diversity of the guest and the hosts are funny.

LOVE IT!!

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