A Little Bit Culty

Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames

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.

  1. REPLAY: Dr. Ramani Durvasula on Navigating Narcissism

    7 hr ago

    REPLAY: Dr. Ramani Durvasula on Navigating Narcissism

    To prep for next week’s “Where are they now?” chat with Mark Vicente, we’re replaying our first convo with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula from Season 5. Are malignant narcissists born or made? How do you recover after narcissistic abuse? Dr. Ramani tackles our burning narc-y questions. She’s the author of two books on the subject: Should I Stay or Should I Go: Surviving A Relationship with a Narcissist, and Don’t You Know Who I Am?: How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility. Her work has been featured at SXSW, TEDx, the Red Table Talk, the Today Show, and Investigation Discovery. Check out Dr. Ramani’s program on healing from narcissistic relationships and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or X @doctorramani. 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. Buy the A Little Bit Culty book on Amazon or order a signed copy. 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: Elevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com/culty for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. You don’t have to say yes to everything this summer. Find support in therapy. Sign up and get 10 percent off at BetterHelp.com/culty. Patio season is here and these deals won’t last. Head to Wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Get up to 50% off your first order, plus free shipping at MeUndies.com/culty, promo code culty. To get your new wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to MINTMOBILE.com/culty. If your glasses are overdue for a refresh, now is the time. Go to Zenni.com/podcast and use code PODCAST15 for 15% off your first order. Upgrade your dad’s everyday routine. Go to BuyRaycon.com/culty to get 15% off. Thanks Raycon for sponsoring! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1hr 15min
  2. You Might Also Like: The Run-Through with Vogue

    7 hr ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Run-Through with Vogue

    Introducing Nicolas Ghesquière On Why He Brought Louis Vuitton’s Cruise Show Back to NYC from The Run-Through with Vogue. Follow the show: The Run-Through with Vogue The first time Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière visited New York, he stayed downtown at a friend’s loft on Lafayette Street, in the then-transforming neighborhood of SoHo. “It was really a shock for me to see that you could live in those cool buildings and apartments,” he tells Nicole Phelps on this week’s episode of The Run-Through. “It was literally the opposite of Paris, somehow.” Later on that same trip, he recalls, he explored uptown, taking in the beauty of Central Park, which instantly reminded him of iconic films. “I don’t think that thing ever disappears, honestly,” he said, “when you first visit New York, and you discover the richness of the city.” Ghesquière is back in New York, having presented his resort 2027 collection for Louis Vuitton in the garden of the Gilded Age mansion-turned-museum, The Frick Collection, where the house has just taken on a three-year role as principal cultural sponsor. Fittingly, the collection explores the designer’s first memories of the city. “I was very interested to explore, again, the downtown, uptown duality, confrontation, harmony,” he said. “Where is the line, you know, culturally between those people?” People like the late Keith Haring—the brand has been teasing inspiration from the famed graffiti artist on its social media channels. Here, the designer talks about how he approaches designing resort collections for a modern age, his relationships with house muses like Emma Stone, Jennifer Connelly, and the new addition, gold medalist Alysa Liu, his life in Los Angeles, and why it’s “such a weird place,” and the advice Jean Paul Gaultier once gave him.  The Run-Through with Vogue is your go-to podcast where fashion meets culture. Hosted by Chloe Malle, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue U.S.; Chioma Nnadi, Head of British Vogue; and Nicole Phelps, Director of Vogue Runway, each episode features the latest fashion news and exclusive designer and celebrity interviews. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Dr. Christine Marie on Trust Me: The False Prophet and the Fight for Justice (Part 2)

    4 days ago

    Dr. Christine Marie on Trust Me: The False Prophet and the Fight for Justice (Part 2)

    In Part 2 with Dr. Christine Marie, we dive into Netflix’s Trust Me: The False Prophet and why the lack of victim-shaming in the response has been a dream come true. She walks us through the strategy (and frustration) of working with the FBI on the Sam Bateman investigation, why she needed footage of Sam committing obstruction of justice to get him arrested, and the devastating mistake of housing all the underage victims together in one group home where older girls could obstruct interviews. We discuss the heartbreak of watching Nomz and other victims serve prison time despite being coerced themselves, and Christine's proposal for a new kind of facility. We talk about Sam's ongoing manipulation from jail (he's going to trial next month just to psychologically torture the girls who turned against him), the $15,000 white leather jacket that should be a crime in itself, and why coercive control laws could change everything for FLDS survivors and beyond. Christine shares why public love and dignity after shame is the most healing thing that could ever happen, her work with Voices for Dignity, and her next mission: promoting empathy, fighting online cruelty, and making kindness cool again. Plus: Christine reads her journal entry about Keith Raniere and Sarah reads the Facebook message where she told him to “de-cult” himself—spoiler: he didn't listen. Definitely watch Trust Me on Netflix and visit the websites for Dr. Christine Marie and Voices for Dignity: ChristineMarie.com, VoicesForDignity.org. And follow her on Instagram @dr.christinemarie and on TikTok @drchristinemarie. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of child sexual abuse, ritualistic abuse, human trafficking, and the criminal justice system's treatment of cult survivors. 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. Buy the A Little Bit Culty book on Amazon or order a signed copy. 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.

    1hr 4min
  4. Dr. Christine Marie on Trust Me: The False Prophet and the Fight for Justice (Part 1)

    25 May

    Dr. Christine Marie on Trust Me: The False Prophet and the Fight for Justice (Part 1)

    Dr. Christine Marie joins us to talk about surviving manipulation, public shaming, and the long road to healing after her experience with a false prophet and the people around him, as documented in Trust Me: The False Prophet on Netflix. In Part 1 of our convo, she traces how her Mormon upbringing, business struggles, and search for meaning made her vulnerable to coercion, how NXIVM’s Keith Raniere first entered her life, and how she eventually began recognizing the pattern of abuse for what it was. She also shares how a docudrama distorted her story through Frankenbiting and public humiliation, and why that misrepresentation pushed her to go back to school and finish her PhD in media psychology. It’s a powerful conversation about victim shaming, cult recovery, media ethics, and turning painful experiences into something useful for others. You’ll want to listen to Part 2 this Thursday. Definitely watch Trust Me on Netflix and visit the websites for Dr. Christine Marie and Voices for Dignity: ChristineMarie.com, VoicesForDignity.org. And follow her on Instagram @dr.christinemarie and on TikTok @drchristinemarie. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of sexual coercion, religious abuse, trafficking, suicide, and public humiliation. 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. Buy the A Little Bit Culty book on Amazon or order a signed copy. 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.

    41 min
  5. Danny Rensch Returns: Stories Behind Dark Squares and Untold: Chess Mates (Part 2)

    21 May

    Danny Rensch Returns: Stories Behind Dark Squares and Untold: Chess Mates (Part 2)

    In Part 2, we continue our wide-ranging convo with Danny Rensch, which starts with a very pointed critique of Netflix editing and the way it framed both Sarma Melngailis and the Hans Niemann scandal in Untold: Chess Mates. He gets into the ethics of Chess.com’s cheating investigations, why nuance gets flattened in public narratives, and how hard it is to explain a private, evidence-based process to people who only see the headline version. We also moved into bigger questions about power, accountability, and self-doubt, including Danny’s reflections on running a huge platform, being called the “chess mafia,” and trying to build a system with real checks and balances. Finally, he covers why emotional timing matters, how transitions make people more vulnerable, and why taking a breath before reacting can matter just as much in life as it does in cult recovery. Be sure to watch Untold: Chess Mates on Netflix, read Danny’s memoir, Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, or LinkedIn. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of manipulation, coercion, public accusations, cheating allegations, power dynamics, and emotional abuse. 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. Buy the A Little Bit Culty book on Amazon or order a signed copy. 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.

    53 min
  6. Danny Rensch Returns: Stories Behind Dark Squares and Untold: Chess Mates (Part 1)

    18 May

    Danny Rensch Returns: Stories Behind Dark Squares and Untold: Chess Mates (Part 1)

    Danny Rensch returns to A Little Bit Culty for a live conversation in Atlanta, where he was in town on the tour stop for his memoir, Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life. A fan favorite from our earlier Season 8 appearances, Danny reflects on the book, the life experiences that shaped it, and what it means to finally put language to trauma, manipulation, and survival. In Part 1, Danny opened up about the emotional core of his memoir and the idea that you can’t truly consent if you’re not being told the truth. He talks about how that idea helped him reframe deep self-blame around his own family story, why so many people struggle to name their experiences as abuse or coercion, and how much healing depends on giving yourself grace. We also touched on the Netflix documentary Untold: Chess Mates, which Danny discusses with mixed feelings, especially around editing, nuance, and how the story of the Hans Niemann scandal was framed. He explains what the documentary left out, how the chess world has responded to his memoir, and why he’s most focused on connecting with readers who actually engage with the book. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our conversation. Be sure to watch Untold: Chess Mates on Netflix, read Danny’s memoir, Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, or LinkedIn. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of coercion, family separation, cult dynamics, emotional abuse, gaslighting, manipulation, and psychological trauma. 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. Buy the A Little Bit Culty book on Amazon or order a signed copy. 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: You don’t have to be on this journey alone. Find support and have someone with you in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/culty. Get the right life insurance for YOU, for LESS, and save more than 50% at SelectQuote.com/culty. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1hr 3min
  7. Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Brooke Deanne on Jehovah’s Witnesses (Part 2)

    14 May

    Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Brooke Deanne on Jehovah’s Witnesses (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Brooke Deanne, we get into the moment the whole thing finally cracked wide open: the knife incident that became her final straw, the divorce that followed, and the painfully familiar push-pull of leaving a trauma-bonded relationship. Brooke also shared how the Jehovah’s Witness elders protected the wrong person, why the system kept men in power, and how shunning can make you feel like you’ve been erased by your own people. We follow Brooke through the aftermath: PTSD, panic attacks, therapy that didn’t have the right language for religious trauma, and the very relatable “oops, I traded one cult for another” detour into New Age spirituality. Along the way, she talks about rebuilding trust in her body, learning to spot red flags, exploring somatic work and psychedelics, and finding safer, saner ways to heal—because apparently the nervous system did not sign up for any of this nonsense. Be sure to pick up Brooke’s book, Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Losing My Religion and Finding Faith, or follow her on her website, brookedeanne.com, or social media. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of cults, coercive control, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, shunning, trauma bonding, religious trauma, PTSD, panic attacks, and discussion of psychedelics. 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. Buy the A Little Bit Culty book on Amazon or order a signed copy. 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.

    45 min
  8. Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Brooke Deanne on Jehovah’s Witnesses (Part 1)

    11 May

    Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Brooke Deanne on Jehovah’s Witnesses (Part 1)

    In Part 1 with Brooke Deanne, we chat about her growing up as a third-generation Jehovah’s Witness, the deliciously bad idea of confusing control with “truth,” and what it’s like to be raised in a system where curiosity gets shut down before it can even put on shoes. Brooke walks us through the culty greatest hits: conditional love, shunning, hierarchy, weirdly intense rules about sex and marriage, and the kind of spiritual bookkeeping that makes you feel like you’re always one bad decision away from being sent to the cosmic timeout corner. We also cover Brooke’s marriage, the abuse she survived, and how religious training, family dynamics, and trauma can all pile on and make it harder to see what’s actually happening in real time. She brings a therapist’s eye to the whole mess, connecting the dots between attachment, gaslighting, trauma bonding, and the very human urge to keep trying to be the “good girl” even when the whole system is rigged. You’ll want to stay tuned for Part 2 of our convo. Be sure to pick up Brooke’s book, Shattered, Broken, and Beautiful: Losing My Religion and Finding Faith, or follow her on her website, brookedeanne.com, or social media. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of cults, coercive control, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, shunning, trauma bonding, gaslighting, and religious trauma. 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. Buy the A Little Bit Culty book on Amazon or order a signed copy. 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.

    46 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    335
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © © 2022 A Little Bit Culty
  • Show Website
    A Little Bit Culty

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