A Little Bit Culty

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.

This week, we’re diving deep into the mind games with Harvard professor and author Rebecca Lemov, because if you’ve ever wondered whether brainwashing is real, the answer is a very unsettling yes. In Part 1 of our convo, we’re cracking open the origins of brainwashing—from communist re-education camps to the electric shock labs of the Milgram experiment—and asking why we still can’t seem to prove it in court. Rebecca's new book, The Instability of Truth, peels back the layers of mind control and thought reform, including what went down with Patty Hearst, why Stockholm Syndrome isn’t what you think it is, and how emotional trauma becomes the secret sauce in cult programming. We also get personal. NXIVM, anyone? The parallels between modern-day cults and Maoist “unity-criticism-unity” techniques are downright eerie... and maybe uncomfortably familiar. From groupthink to gaslighting to re-grounding in a new belief system, this episode might just mess with your head a little (in a good way). Trigger warning: once you see the matrix, it’s hard to unsee it. Find more about Rebecca Lemov and The Instability of Truth at rebeccalemov.com. 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 Asselin  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s Thursday, and you know what that means: another bonus drop. And this one? It's got orgasms, criminal charges, and courtroom drama, so buckle up. Award-winning journalist Ellen Huet joins us to dish on OneTaste, the orgasmic meditation company that sold itself as a path to sexual liberation but now finds its top brass convicted of forced labor conspiracy. Ellen’s been deep in the trenches covering the scandal and sat through every jaw-dropping moment of the Brooklyn trial. We get into: The culty underbelly of “wellness” culture How orgasmic meditation became a tool for manipulation The courtroom moment Nicole and Rachel were taken into custody And why Ellen’s upcoming book (Empire of Orgasm, out this November) is about to blow the lid off what really went down behind closed doors Plus: we kick around potential names for this Thursday series (got one? DM us), tease what’s coming next on Season 7, and shout out a few upcoming cultiverse guests. Want more from Ellen? You can find her on her website. Pre-order Empire of Orgasm here. 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 Asselin  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.