A Little Bit Culty

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.

Laci Bean, host of the podcast Deadly Faith, shares her harrowing journey out of a cult-like Christian ministry that ensnared her as a teenager. She recounts the emotional hooks and strict rules that governed her life. Laci discusses the psychological impact of systemic control and the complexities of deconstructing deep-seated beliefs. With candor, she reflects on the unexpected kindness that aided her escape and the bittersweet nature of leaving a so-called spiritual family. Her story resonates with anyone who has felt trapped by a manipulative belief system.

Dive into the complex world of NXIVM with former insiders who share their gripping tales of manipulation and personal growth. Discover how acting classes and empowerment promises masked cult control, distorting self-perception and relationships. The hosts candidly discuss recent headlines, drawing parallels to ongoing injustices and the haunting legacy of charismatic leaders. Through friendships forged in adversity, they highlight the importance of recognizing red flags and reclaiming one’s intuition after being ensnared in a toxic environment.

This week, Rachael Reign, a survivor of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God and current law student, shares her harrowing journey through a world of teenage exorcisms and financial exploitation. She details how love bombing and manipulative practices led her from a curious teen to a leader in a cult focused on fear and shame. Rachael opens up about her escape from control, the psychological trauma inflicted by the church, and her transformation into an advocate for cult survivors and legal reform in the UK.

Raw vegan queen. Netflix’s “Bad Vegan.” Culty comeback queen. Whatever label you stick on Sarma Melngailis, it’s clear she’s not done telling her side of the story – and we’re here for it. In Part 2 of our chat, Sarma gets even realer about life after Mr. Fox. From the mind games that taught her to dissociate, to her self-diagnosed matrix moments, she opens up about rebuilding her identity in a world that still sees her as a headline villain. She talks dating post-trauma, the healing power of alone time (cue: tears, journals, and EFT tapping), and why her business decisions now come with a hefty dose of pause and reflect. Plus, Sarma shares why she walked away from partnerships that didn’t vibe, her hot takes on the “non-reactivity” cult trend, and what Bad Vegan got oh-so-wrong about her. Spoiler: it’s a lot. For more on Sarma, you can find her on Instagram @sarmamelngailis, on her website sarmaraw.com, or on Patreon at patreon.com/sarmasarma. Also, check out her book The Girl with the Duck Tattoo, available for pre-order now. 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.

Join Sarma Melngailis, co-founder of Pure Food and Wine and author of 'The Girl with the Duck Tattoo,' as she candidly reveals her traumatic experience with coercive control and manipulation. She discusses her healing journey and the real story behind the Netflix documentary that painted her as a villain. Sarma opens up about the pain of rediscovering her narrative, the intricacies of toxic relationships, and the cathartic power of writing her memoir. This raw, redemptive chat challenges perceptions and highlights the complexities of her journey.

Join Dr. Laura Richards, a renowned criminal behavioral analyst and advocate against coercive control, alongside Lisa Bilyeu, host of Women of Impact and a fierce truth-teller. They delve into the dark tactics of cult leaders and narcissists, revealing how grooming is a strategic act of manipulation. They explore eerie parallels between figures like Sean Combs and infamous cult leaders. The duo also discusses the critical role of female enablers in systemic abuse and how to identify coercive behaviors in everyday life, shedding light on a pervasive issue.

Wendy Baker, a former member of the Source Family cult and author of the memoir, My Name Was Mushroom, shares her captivating journey from a neglected childhood to life within a communal setting. She vividly describes the allure of Father Yod's teachings, contrasting the superficial beauty of veganism and free love with the underlying oppression and control. Wendy discusses the manipulation of emotions through concepts like 'ego' and reflects on her healing journey post-escape, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in rebuilding her life.

Rebecca Lemov, a Harvard professor and author specializing in brainwashing and trauma, continues her eye-opening discussion on the historical and modern facets of mind control. She dives into the shocking connections between MK Ultra and infamous figures like Charles Manson, revealing the dark side of CIA experiments. The conversation highlights how brainwashing techniques have evolved, infiltrating social media and crypto cultures. Lemov also unpacks trauma’s role in drawing individuals into high-control groups, emphasizing the need for awareness and critical thinking in today's digital age.