Sarah Edmondson joined NXIVM hoping to find her purpose... until she realized it was a dangerous cult. She shares the harrowing story of her escape—and how she helps others watch for warning signs.

This epoisode is sponsored by Better Help. Hey everyone! It’s ANOTHER remix episode of A Little Bit Culty because: It’s always good to take some time to look back and reflect. PLUS we’re currently working our tails off on a batch of all new, farm fresh episodes for a brand new season. Until then, you can always join us over on Patreon - that’s patreon.com/alittlebitculty for new weekly episodes, adfree, and other treats. But right now? We’re about to get in the weeds of one of our favorite topics with some of our fan favorites. On todays episode we are diving head first into the fucked up world of abstinence pledges, purity rings, and knee length skirts. That’s right, we are going deep in the purity culture discussion and we aren’t pulling out. Joining us are three powerhouse guests. First is the most rockin’ reverend we’ve ever met. Nadia Bolz-Weber is an ordained Lutheran Pastor, and founder of House for All Sinners & Saints in Denver: a progressive, queer-inclusive Lutheran congregation. She’s written three New York Times bestselling memoirs, including Shameless: A Sexual Reformation, which takes on what she sees as the harmful ideas about sexuality that Christianity has promoted throughout history. She’s the creator and host of podcast, a pop-up prayer network called The Chapel, and a wildly inspirational Substack called The Corners. Next up is Alice Greczyn - an actress, author, and founder of Dare to Doubt. Her story includes a painful yet rewarding transition from Christianity to atheism, a journey that inspired her to found , a resource site for people detaching from belief systems they come to fnd harmful. And last, and probably least, Eric Skwarczynski is the host and creator of the podcast, which is a platform for survivors’ stories about a deeply disturbing pattern of sexual predation and abuse claims within the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement. You won’t want to miss a single second of todays show, so let’s get started with our personal Fuck You to Purity Culture, featuring Nadia Bolz Weber, Alice Greczyn, and Eric Skwarczynski. Also… Let it be known far and wide, loud and clear 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. Other Links: Check out our lovely Join ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on Get poppin’ fresh Support the pod and Cult awareness and recovery CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Producer: Senior Producer: Jess Tardy Writer: Holly Zadra Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin

Sarah Edmondson's harrowing journey with the NXIVM cult eventually led her to a court room where she helped convict it's leader, Keith Raniere. Escaping that world of manipulation, coercion, and control included the painful process of rebuilding trust in herself after years of self-deception and betrayal. You can find Sarah at https://alittlebitculty.com/ IG: @sarahedmondson | @alittlebitculty Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more by supporting Labyrinths on patreon. https://www.patreon.com/knoxrobinson https://www.amandaknox.com Twitter: @amandaknox | @manunderbridge IG: @amamaknox | @emceecarbon

You're not alone. Whether you are in a high-control group or a cult, trying to figure out if you are in one, or trying to help someone else get...

This epiosde is sponsored by Better Help. Hey Listener, you asked for a greatest hits medley of all our NXIVM related guests in one or two meaty episodes.And hear ye, hear ye we have delivered. This is our second NXIVM extravaganza, and we hope you dig it. We’ll be back soon with all new episodes, and until then you can always hang out with us on Patreon at patreon.com/alittlebitculty if you can’t get enough of our culty, culty content. But now…let’s dig into the main course shall we? Keith Raniere’s trial was at the center of The Vow Season 2 – and this episode is taking you even further into the courtroom circus. We’re featuring insights from three people who had as close a look as one could get. First, you’ll hear from Moira Kim Penza – the prosecutor who brought Keith Raniere to justice. Her accomplishments are mighty: Like Keith’s conviction on all counts including racketeering and sex trafficking and a brisk 120 year sentence. Moira’s groundbreaking approach to the case has been credited with paving the way for other sex trafficking prosecutions against powerful individuals. In other words: She’s a total badass. In this episode, Moira sits down with Sarah and Nippy to talk about what it’s like to take on a world-class dirtbag (our wording, not hers) and what really chaps her ass about NXIVM’s Voldemort. More about today’s guest: Moira is now in private practice as a litigator, and a partner at Wilkinson Stekloff. Crain’s New York business named her in the 40 under 40 list, she’s been ranked as one of Bloomberg Law’s 40 under 40, and her legal analysis has been featured in The NY Times, CNN, ABC, NPR and Daily Beast. Next you’ll hear from Robert Gavin. Robert has been a news reporter for 28 years, having also worked for two years as an editor. Originally from Staten Island, Gavin began his career by covering the New York City police and fire departments, the NYS Capitol, State and Federal Courts, various murder trials, and cases involving terrorism, the mafia, street gangs, and political corruption. And eventually, Robert’s role in the NXIVM trials and their coverage would play a crucial part in bringing down Keith Raniere. Finally, you’ll hear from Vanessa Grigoriadis, who is an award-winning longform journalist and podcaster, having published profiles on the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Lady Gaga, and Arianna Huffington. So how did she get tied up in NXIVM’s bullshit while also reporting on the cult? Well, the short answer is: anyone and everyone is susceptible to coercive control and persuasion, even members of the press. The long answer? Well, you’ll just have to listen to find out. Without further adieu. Here’s our NXIVM medley part two. Also… Let it be known far and wide, loud and clear 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. Other Links: Check out our lovely Join ‘A Little Bit Culty’ on Get poppin’ fresh Support the pod and Cult awareness and recovery CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Producer: Senior Producer: Jess Tardy Writer: Holly Zadra Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin

Actress Bethany Joy Lenz knows all about gaslighting, and she took to Instagram to share what the solution is — God. “I get a lot of questions from people who aren’t sure where the line is between disagreement and gaslighting or arguing and abuse,” she began in the post. “While I’d first point you to listen to the research and experience of people like @doctorramani @richard.grannon and my friends at @alittlebitculty, I do have an illustration for you.”

“Apocalyptic thinking gives people hope—but it’s also the perfect tool for manipulation.” Journalist and Cults Like Us author Jane Borden breaks down how America’s obsession with doomsday leaves us wide open to exploitation. #ALittleBitCulty #JaneBorden #CultsLikeUs #ReligiousTrauma #DoomsdayCulture #SpiritualAbuse

“Apocalyptic thinking gives people hope—but it’s also the perfect tool for manipulation.”Journalist and Cults Like Us author Jane Borden breaks down how America’s obsession with doomsday leaves us wide open to exploitation.#ALittleBitCulty #JaneBorden #CultsLikeUs #ReligiousTrauma #DoomsdayCulture #SpiritualAbuseView all comments