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 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

SUPPORT 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.

Don't Call it a Cult

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 1 episodes

The AI-powered Podcast Player