Julian Dorey Podcast #342 - Netflix Doc Target on Sociopaths, Childhood Trauma & 51-Yr Autism Delay | Sarma Melngailis
Oct 3, 2025
Sarma Melngailis, a chef and former owner of Pure Food and Wine, shares her journey through psychological abuse and incarceration. She recounts how her tumultuous childhood, including her parents' divorce, shaped her independence. Sarma opens up about her late autism diagnosis and how it revealed insights into her neurodivergence. She discusses the manipulative dynamics of her relationships and the importance of recognizing red flags. Her candid reflections on resilience and self-discovery make for a gripping discussion.
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Cult-Like Psychological Manipulation
- Sarma describes feeling manipulated by a partner who studied her fears and weaponized them.
- She compares the experience to being in a cult and losing control of her reality.
Rikers Dorm Survival
- Sarma recounts being left alone in a Rikers dorm and how other inmates assumed she'd done something extreme.
- She says her calm demeanor made others leave her alone and helped her adapt to prison life.
One-On-One Abuse Mirrors Cults
- Sarma notes the documentary left out psychological context she sees as critical.
- She connects cult dynamics to one-on-one abusive relationships as similar manipulative patterns.
