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A Little Bit Culty

Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames

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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 tim ...
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Whether it’s anatomy, exploring yoga teaching tips, or dissecting superficial yoga narratives, this is the podcast for yoga teachers who care deeply about their craft and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Brea Johnson, founder of Heart & Bones Yoga, a globally recognized online platform for anatomy-informed yoga and inclusive practices for both yoga teachers and everyday people, interviews experts, shares crucial insights from unlearning harmful cues, to culty dynamics in wellness s ...
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Being raised in a mainly Mexican neighborhood with a dark brown Dad & a very white Mom makes for some good neighborhood gossip or at least contributes to some widespread cultural confusion among the locals. Let’s venture back to the very beginning & see how this multi-culti mix had its origins in 1960’s Detroit.
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Out of the Woods

Molly Frances

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Out of the Woods is a podcast for stories about not-quite-cults but not-quite-not-cults. People share their experiences being strong believers in something--a religion, an ideology, a community, anything--and share how they came to realize it was, well...cult-ish. Stories of all kinds of these beliefs & experiences are welcome, with a particular interest in those in the digital world.
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We Are The Weirdos, Mister

We Are The Weirdos, Mister

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We Are The Weirdos, Mister is a podcast hosted by Hilary Michelle Post where we discuss everything obscure and culty, campy and nostalgic, queer and feminist, or macabre and creepy. Whether its movies, tv, music or literature - weird is our wheelhouse and nothing is off limits.
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Perth comedian Michelle Newton shares her hilarious insights into weird, wacky and wunbelievable world happenings. She will even scrounge up a new guest host every week so you don't get sick of her accent (unless it's her identical twin....then strap in!)
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Medicine Stories

Amber Magnolia Hill

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Exploring the mythic journeys we undertake when coming to know ourselves through interviews with herbalists, story keepers, ancestral listeners, consciousness explorers, earth dreamers, and other wise folk. Story is medicine, magic is real, healing is open-ended & endless.
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Gore Girls

Gore Girls

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Welcome to Gore Girls, a lady led horror movie podcast! We share new episodes every other Friday where we discuss your favorite horror films, scene by scene. Throughout each episode we share fun facts about the making of the movie, the history and origins, behind the scenes, soundtrack/score, ratings, and special effects! So grab some snacks, get comfy, and join us as we dissect the nitty gritty of the best film genre.
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Superficial Spirit

Where the divine meets the delusional

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Superficial Spirit is a podcast where pop culture, queerness, and spirituality collide. Hosted by Canada’s OG gay pop star Peter Breeze, each episode explores the wild, weird, and wonderful ways we chase meaning through fame, music, identity, and everything in between. Once a club kid turned underground pop star, Peter built a name in queer nightlife scenes across North America. Now, as he relaunches his music career, he’s inviting other queer pop stars, Canadian celebrities, and spiritual m ...
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Cults and the Culting of America

Daniella Claire Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd

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Daniella Mestyanek Young is a captivating figure in the study of cults and group psychology. Raised in the notorious Children of God cult, she escaped as a teenager and later joined the U.S. military, where she specialized in studying terrorists and other extreme groups as a military intelligence officer. Daniella holds a master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Harvard Extension School and is the author of "Uncultured," a critically acclaimed memoir. Today, she is a scho ...
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Nutrition Indiscretions

Kate Walker / Pam Moriarty / Bill Horrigan

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Two registered dietitians and self-identifying weirdos take a light-hearted look at topics in nutrition. From food history to the latest viral diet trend these two discuss the research and attempt to set the story straight.
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Language moves fast and Word Bomb is here to help. Unpacking one explosive word per week, hosts Pippa Johnstone and Karina Palmitesta talk to experts and dive deep into lived experiences to share stories the dictionary doesn't tell you.
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Love & Light Confessionals

Katya Weiss-Andersson

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The new-age & holistic wellness world is all about love, light, authenticity and wellness for all, right? Not always. Love & Light Confessionals, formerly Kumbaya Confessional, is the insider exposé on the bizarre epidemics of the crunchy hippie world: cults, spiritual charlatans, toxic positivity culture, illegal pyramid schemes, fad diets and more. Hosted by holistic wellness practitioner Katya Weiss-Andersson of the Queer Wellness Podcast, theme music by Will Shishmanian, logo by Nikkita ...
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Unleash Your Voice

Daniele Driusso

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Welcome to the unleash your voice podcast, I’m your host Daniele Driusso, performer and creator by nature, voice specialist and leadership coach by day and I work with entrepreneurs all over the world to help them unleash your voice and step into the leader they were destined to be, this podcast is an unfiltered look at what it takes to truly own who you are as a leader, unleash your voice, and get your message to the masses. Are you ready to turn the volume up on dreams your desires and you ...
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Ready for the breaking point? In Part 2, we continue Stefan Kolesar’s deep dive into the world of Amway—where all those red flags on the shelf finally came crashing down. From mounting disillusionment and classic gaslighting to the pain of leaving behind loyal friends and an imagined future, Stefan shares the raw reality of waking up, grieving, and…
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In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young (“the Knitting Cult Lady”) interview Ruwan, a former member of OneTaste, a so-called “orgasm cult” centered around female sexuality and human connection. Ruwan recounts his two years in the organization, explaining how he was drawn in by its promises o…
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Every yoga teacher has those days when you don’t want to teach. Maybe life feels overwhelming, maybe you’re exhausted, or maybe you’re just not in the mood. What do you do when you still need to show up for your students? In this video, Brea Johnson of Heart + Bones Yoga shares practical tips and mindset shifts for those inevitable times when teach…
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What happens when the “American Dream” turns out to be more like the “Amway Nightmare”? On this episode of A Little Bit Culty, we sit down with Stefan Kolesar to dig into his 13 years inside the OG of all MLMs—the so-called “granddaddy” that’s even entangled with NXIVM history. From coffee shop pitches and overpriced toothpaste to the hidden “tools…
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We are sooooo back, Gore Gang! We have missed you so much. This past year has been a wild ride for all of us. Kids off to college, tons of moves, new jobs, you name it. Things got a little too hectic and overwhelming, and the podcast began to feel like a chore when it was always meant to be fun. But now, we are back! The podcast will be formatted q…
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Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop, breathe, and give yourself a moment. This short guided meditation is a gentle reminder to pause and reconnect with your own practice, whether you’re a yoga teacher, or simply someone who could use five minutes of calm. In just a few breaths, you’ll soften your shoulders, relax your belly, and return to t…
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In Part 2 with Bridget Read, we explore the complexities and legal nuances that allow multi-level marketing (MLM) companies to operate as legitimate businesses, despite the similarities to illegal pyramid schemes. With historical context and references to key legal cases like Amway and the Koscot test, the script dives into how MLMs managed to skir…
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Birth opens the door, but what comes after walks you through it. Many new parents find themselves moving through the first year feeling lonely, confused, and wondering why it’s so hard. In this episode, I’m joined again by Rachelle Seliga of Innate Traditions, who has spent over 20 years teaching and gathering communities to explore postpartum, mot…
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In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Daniella Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd welcome Sydney, a member of the Cult Book Club, to share her personal story of growing up in the shadow of a multigenerational cult. Sydney recounts her family’s involvement with the commune Christ Circle in the 1970s–80s, her experience being homescho…
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This week on the pod, Danielle & Scout take on AI, cloning, & true crime. They’ll also answer listener questions about open relationships & porn’s potential effects on intimacy. Check out the video version of this podcast on PATREON! Check out clips on YOUTUBE! Send your questions to [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
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Birth opens the door, but what comes after walks you through it. Many new parents find themselves moving through the first year feeling lonely, confused, and wondering why it’s so hard. In this episode, I’m joined again by Rachelle Seliga of Innate Traditions, who has spent over 20 years teaching and gathering communities to explore postpartum, mot…
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In Part 1 of this much-anticipated interview, journalist and New York Magazine reporter Bridget Read discusses the pervasive and nuanced issues surrounding multi-level marketing (MLM) companies. Read explains her journey from writing a short article to diving into the complex history, politics, and ideology of MLMs, culminating in a comprehensive b…
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Buckle up, cultiverse: it’s our bonus round, where we give you a little bit extra. In this episode, we eavesdrop on the spicy, kooky, and downright cathartic voicemails waiting in our inbox from listeners who are ready to dish out their “a little more culty” revelations, rants, and burning questions. Also…let it be known that: The views and opinion…
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This week, Scout and Danielle delve into personal experiences, emotional challenges, and the complexities of relationships. They reflect on Scout's recent trip to Burning Man, trauma, and the importance of community support. The conversation shifts to the emotional toll of aging pets and the dynamics of family life, and they also explore creative p…
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What does it take to unravel the sinister side of internet fame—and how do influencers become a little bit culty? In this episode, we sit down with BuzzFeed journalist and chronic digital deepdiver Chico Felitti, whose reporting on influencer Kat Torres inspired Season 2 of Wondery’s hit Guru series, “Don’t Cross Kat.” Chico shares how seemingly gl…
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Many yoga teachers wonder: Do I need to follow a lineage or stick to one style to be a “real” teacher? In this episode we explore the truth about yoga lineage vs yoga style, how colonialism and capitalism shaped modern yoga, and why charismatic leaders can create both inspiration and red flags. You’ll learn: • What “lineage” actually means in yoga …
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In part two of our revealing conversation with Veena Dinavahi, we dig deeper into the tangled web of coercion, isolation, and control she experienced inside the manipulative “true happiness” community. Veena opened up about the crushing mental health struggles that pushed her to the edge—and how that intersected with “Bob”, the coercive leader of t…
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What happens when the story you thought you were living collides with a reality you can’t ignore? Kicking off Season 8 of A Little Bit Culty, we sit down with author, mother of three, and fashion writer Veena Dinavahi for part one of a powerful conversation about growing up in a white American suburb with a high suicide rate. Veena shared her journ…
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Hey culty listeners! Season 8 is loading…and we’re not even gonna pretend this is chill. It’s BIG. Like, two-new-episodes-every-week big. Fresh culty convos, enough snark to keep your brain buzzing, and if you’ve been obedient, maybe some spicy word salads from Nippy. We’re back in your ears Monday for Season 8—so buckle up, buttercup. Also… let it…
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Being a yoga teacher today means more than creating class sequences—it’s about evolving your teaching and your yoga business. In this episode of The Yoga Teacher Podcast, Brea Johnson and Ula examine what it really takes to adapt, grow, and build a sustainable path as a teacher. We talk about: How to know if you’re actually growing as a teacher or …
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In Part 2, the Hot Johnsons go from self-help wins to DOS-level WTF real quick. Denai opens up about what happened when DOS came knocking, from the first ask for “collateral” to the gut-check moment that made her walk away. Along the way, the Johnsons (and your favorite culty hosts) revisit the red flags that somehow got normalized — like “masters”…
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Danielle & Scout are joined this week by renowned cosplayer Raven Griim to talk conventions, horror icons, and navigating relationships & intimacy. So throw on your favorite costume and meet the ladies and the next convention, but make sure to be respectful. Check out the video version of this podcast on PATREON! Check out clips on YOUTUBE! Send yo…
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This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re stepping into the crossover world of cults and true crime with Derrick Levasseur—former undercover detective, private investigator, and host of Crime Weekly and Detective Perspective. You may also know him from Big Brother or America’s Most Wanted: Missing Persons, where he and Sarah recently worked together o…
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This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. In Part 2 of our conversation with Professor Robin Boyle-Laisure—St. John’s University School of Law faculty, ICSA board member, and author of Taken No More: Protect Your Children Against Traffickers and Cults—we dig into the courtroom turning points that changed the way cult leaders are prosecuted. …
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This episode of Cults and the Culting of America features guest Jess M. (aka White Mess Express), a former nurse, alongside hosts Daniella Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd. The conversation explores how the U.S. healthcare system—particularly nursing—resembles a cult in its culture, practices, and systemic issues. Jess describes the hierarchical "rite…
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Many yoga teachers think sequencing needs to be exciting, complex, and creative every time. But here’s the truth: simple yoga sequencing is often the most effective, and the classes your students actually love. In this video, Brea Johnson of Heart + Bones Yoga breaks down why “boring” sequences work, and how to balance consistency with just enough …
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From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world is full of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crimes every Wednesday as we explore the real people at the center of the world’s most shocking secrets and nefarious organizations. Conspiracy Theories, Cults, and Crim…
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This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. What happens when a street-corner “religious” pitch nearly ropes in a teenage girl—only for her to dodge the hook and spend the next three decades dismantling the playbook that tried to claim her? In Part 1 of our conversation with Professor Robin Boyle-Laisure—St. John’s University School of Law fac…
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This conversation with former NXIVM members Bron and Denai Johnson was such a hit when we first dropped it here last year that we’re doing it again (and yes, Patreon gets it first this time, too). In Part 1, the Johnsons open up about their early days in NXIVM’s Vancouver center — from the “too-perfect” community vibes that drew them in, to the per…
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In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Scot Loyd joins Haley while Daniela is away on her book tour. The conversation centers on Scot’s forthcoming memoir The God I Was Given: Looking for Faith After Losing My Religion, which blends personal memoir with philosophical and scholarly reflections on growing up in the United Pentecostal Ch…
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What do experienced yoga teachers do differently after 20+ years in the practice? In this episode, we explore how teaching yoga evolves—especially when you start to question rigid alignment cues, romanticized yoga lineages, and performance-based teaching. Join Brea Johnson and Ula for a candid conversation on what it means to lead inclusive, anatom…
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Why can’t we all just get along? Danielle & Scout are back this week talking about unnecessary divisions, the danger of doing your own stunts, and more. They’ll also listen to a 911 call and discuss how much they love doing live shows! Check out the video version of this podcast on PATREON! Check out clips on YOUTUBE! Send your questions to podcast…
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Katherine Spearing is back—and she’s not pulling any punches. A trauma recovery practitioner and founder of Tears of Eden, Kat grew up in the Christian Patriarchy Movement, where obedience was godly, women were walking wombs, and joy was suspicious at best. In this episode, we dive deep into what spiritual abuse actually looks like: body control, p…
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In Part 2 of our conversation, Jasmin opens up about life after escaping Saudi Arabia—landing in Wyoming, rediscovering autonomy, and slowly unlearning the rules that once governed every part of her existence. She shares how nature, therapy, and motherhood helped her begin to heal, and how writing her memoir The Last Sandstorm gave her the language…
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Feeling like a fraud in front of your class? You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome is something almost every yoga teacher wrestles with at some point—especially when you're still finding your footing. In this conversation, Brea shares what’s helped her (and hundreds of teachers she’s mentored) feel more grounded, more clear, and more like themselves …
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This week’s guest is Jasmin Faulk, an author and advocate who risked everything to reclaim her freedom. Born to a Saudi father and Italian mother, Jasmin grew up in a country where girls were silenced, veiled, and made invisible. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Jasmin takes us inside the dark realities of growing up under fundamentalist Is…
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We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Lauren and Aaliyah—two former NXIVM coaches and co-hosts of This Juicy Life—as we dig deeper into the tangled mix of growth, gaslighting, and gut-checks they experienced inside (and outside) the cult. This episode unpacks what comes after the escape: the emotional fallout, the tricky process of reconn…
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In this episode, Scott Loyd interviews the creators and a performer from Sunday Brunch: The Musical, a new theatrical work that humorously explores cult dynamics through a family brunch gone spectacularly wrong. While cult expert and regular host Daniella Mestyanek Young is absent due to technical difficulties, she sends in praise for the team’s vi…
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Want to teach your own yoga workshop—but feeling stuck, unsure, or like you’re not “ready”? In this episode, Brea Johnson and Ula talk through what really holds yoga teachers back (hint: it’s not experience), and share actionable tips to help you plan and lead a workshop that feels aligned, spacious, and actually fills. Whether you’re a new yoga te…
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It’s a family reunion on the pod as Daeg Faerch, aka young Michael Myers, joins Danielle & Scout to catch up! They’ll share memories from the set of Halloween & Halloween II, chat about Daeg’s projects, and answer listener questions. Check out the video version of this podcast on PATREON! Check out clips on YOUTUBE! Send your questions to podcast@t…
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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 bef…
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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 t…
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