Rephonic
Artwork for A Little Bit Culty
Cults
NXIVM
Mental Health
Cult Dynamics
Scientology
Religious Trauma
Coercive Control
Therapy
Mormonism
Multi-Level Marketing
Child Abuse
The Vow
Emotional Manipulation
Cult Recovery
Keith Raniere
Sexual Abuse
Spirituality
Corey Feldman
The Grotto
Kundalini Yoga

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... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes324Founded5 years ago
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Society & CultureEducation

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Artwork for A Little Bit Culty

Latest Episodes

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.

In this episode, we sit down with Cara Cardoni and “Lina” (whose real name remains anonymous) to unpack their experience with ISTA, the International School of Temple Arts, AKA the “Harvard of Sacred Sexualit... more

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In Part 2 of our conversation with Peter Young, we go deeper into the disturbing story surrounding Uncle Robert Booty and how charisma, secrecy, and unchecked authority created the perfect conditions for harm to go unchallenged. Peter continues to un... more

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In Part 1 of our convo with Peter Young, we step into the wild, uncomfortable orbit of Uncle Robert Booty, the “cult” leader who slowly took over Peter’s marriage, family, and sense of reality. Peter talks about his book, Stop the Tall Man, Save the ... more

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Buckle up, cultiverse: it’s our catch-up bonus round, where we give you a little bit extra. In this episode, we bask in the glow of your Amazon book reviews (please, keep ‘em coming!) and eavesdrop on the spicy, kooky, and downright cathartic voicema... more

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Recent Guests

Peter Young
Author of Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger
Author
Episode: Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger: Peter Young on the Cult of Uncle Robert Booty (Part 2)
Alice Hines
Investigative journalist; Emmy-winning correspondent; Mind Games host
Mind Games, Kaleidoscope (iHeart Podcast)
Episode: The Art of Influence: Mind Games’ Alice Hines on NLP and High-Control Manipulation
Harrison Hill
Author, The Oracle's Daughter, The Rise and Fall of an American Cult
Author
Episode: The Oracle’s Daughter: Harrison Hill on the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps (Part 2)
Melissa Duge Spiers
Award-winning essayist, screenwriter, and advocate for religious abuse victims
The Glory Whole (TikTok/Instagram)
Episode: Holy Disobedience: Melissa Duge Spiers on the Seventh Day Adventist Church (Part 1)
Ashleigh Freckleton
Provisional psychologist, ex-member and whistleblower from coercive cultic yoga organization featured in the docu-series
Atman Yoga Federation / MISA
Episode: Twisted Yoga: Ashleigh Freckleton on Atman/MISA and Gregorian Bivolaru
Liz Gale
Third generation Scientologist, author of Confessions of an Ex-Scientologist Pothead
Individual
Episode: Escaping Scientology with Liz Gale: Audits, Absurdities, and Aftermath
Nancy Ross
Associate Professor and Department Chair at Utah Tech University; researcher on LDS women, women's ordination, and Mormon feminism
Utah Tech University
Episode: Sex, Shame, and Sacred Secrets: Nancy Ross on Mormon Garments (Part 1)
Magnolia Zuniga
clinical Ayurvedic specialist and former certified Ashtanga yoga teacher
ABQ Yoga Lab, Albuquerque
Episode: Ashtanga Yoga After Pattabhi Jois: Magnolia Zuniga on Consent, Adjustment, and Real Healing (Part 1)
Bjorn Bolinder
Photographer, performer who worked with The Vow cast
Photographer, Nxivm-related work
Episode: Through the NXIVM Lens: Photographer Bjorn Bolinder on V-Week, Branding, and Seeing the Light (Part 1)

Hosts

Anthony Nippy Ames
Co-host of A Little Bit Culty
Sarah Edmondson
Co-host of A Little Bit Culty

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 6k ratings
  • Nicely balanced, super real

    I’ve listened to this show for many years, and I’ve really enjoyed its breadth and evolution. Nippy and Sarah bring a nice balance and variety through their “same church different pew” perspectives, to borrow an expression from my gramma. I’ve had some culty experiences in my life and this show has helped me parse out my questions and doubts. Plus, these two have zero interest in blowing smoke or posturing. Very, very refreshing. Thanks Sarah and Nip!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MayPeachesDontExist
    United States20 days ago
  • My fave podcast!

    I’ve been listening regularly for the past year, and I just want to tell you guys that you’ve made a huge difference in my life. Your show and the wealth of knowledge and insight I’ve gained through listening to your awesome interviews has been sooo amazing! I’ve reflected on past relationships, groups and influencers in my own life that displayed culty dynamics. I’m just so grateful to you Sarah and Nippy! I got your book today and look forward to reading and sharing it! Keep up the great podca... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EmilyLovesThisNow.
    Canada21 days ago
  • Kinda ridiculous

    They couldn’t tell when they joined a cult, but we’re supposed to take their advice on other “cult” type things? Uh, that’s alright.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ISpankEm
    United States25 days ago
  • Interesting but-

    Always interesting but the hosts often divert from the guest to amplify their projects or center their experience. Which- doesn’t make for the most fruitful interview…..my humble opinion. 💜

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    JenniferRawling
    United Statesa month ago
  • Absolutely Fascinating

    This is the most comprehensive cult podcast out there. I’ve llistened to a number of episodes and not only am I floored by the stories of survivors, but Sarah and Nippy have an incredible understanding of the cult dynamics exposed in these various stories, and are able to ask extremely thoughtful and often juicy questions that bring even more to the surface. They also have such a great matter-of-fact sense of humor and attitude that even though the topics are incomprehensibly heavy, they don’t ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seaslang
    Germanya month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the depth of insider perspectives on high-control groups and trauma recovery.
Some critiques note political commentary can feel polarizing to some audiences.
Listeners praise empathetic interviewing and survivor-focused storytelling.
A few reviews call out ads or tone, but overall sentiment highlights educational value and compassion.
Fans frequently recommend guests with lived-experience and expert analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Holy Disobedience: Melissa Duge Spiers on the Seventh Day Adventist Church (Part 2)
Q: Did you ever have another confrontation with your father, or where are you at with your parents now?
Melissa describes a future conversation planned with her parents but emphasizes that truth may be limited due to their age and health, and she has largely accepted that closure may be unattainable.
The Oracle’s Daughter: Harrison Hill on the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps (Part 2)
Q: How did the legal troubles and court cases affect the group's trajectory?
The discussion notes a major 1989–1999 arc of legal challenges culminating in a 2017 raid and trial, during which Sarah was required to confront her mother in court, highlighting the tension between loyalty to family and accountability for wrongdoing.
The Oracle’s Daughter: Harrison Hill on the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps (Part 2)
Q: What was Sarah Green's journey like and what led to her breaking point?
Hill explains Sarah's strong desire to live freely, pursue motherhood and midwifery, and reconnect with the world she had known outside the cult, which ultimately clashed with the group's coercive control, driving her to escape despite the personal cost.
The Oracle’s Daughter: Harrison Hill on the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps (Part 1)
Q: Can you explain the mechanics of how the cult maintained control over families and individuals?
Hill explains that leaders ingrained a pattern of daily and hourly rituals, emotional and financial dependency, and the idea that family ties were secondary to allegiance to the group, using both charisma and practical incentives to keep members tethered.
The Oracle’s Daughter: Harrison Hill on the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps (Part 1)
Q: What was your interview process like, and how did you verify a complex history like ACMTC?
He describes spending extensive time researching, building trust, talking to many people, and relying on contemporaneous documents and legal records to ground the narrative, including transcripts from trials to ensure accuracy.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About A Little Bit Culty

What is A Little Bit Culty about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on recognizing and healing from high-control dynamics, with hosts sharing personal experiences from their own time in a coercive group and hosting survivors, experts, and whistleblowers. Episodes frequently explore recruitment tactics, manipulation, accountability, and paths to autonomy, often through revealing insider perspectives from NXIVM, Scientology, Tibetan Buddhist communities, and other cult- or high-control contexts. Listeners can expect empathetic, in-depth conversations that balance survivor storytelling with practical lessons on recognition, boundaries, and healing. A recurring strength is the combination of lived experience and expert insight, which can help both newcomers seeking awareness and those healing ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to A Little Bit Culty?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Little Bit Culty:

1. Was I In A Cult?
2. Life After MLM
3. Cults to Consciousness
4. WTF is on my Mind?!
5. IndoctriNation

How many episodes of A Little Bit Culty are there?

A Little Bit Culty launched 5 years ago and published 324 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on A Little Bit Culty?

Recent guests on A Little Bit Culty include:

1. Peter Young
2. Alice Hines
3. Harrison Hill
4. Melissa Duge Spiers
5. Ashleigh Freckleton
6. Liz Gale
7. Nancy Ross
8. Magnolia Zuniga

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