A Little Bit Culty

De: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
  • Resumen

  • 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.
    © 2022 A Little Bit Culty
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Episodios
  • The Ties That Bind: Ariel Anderssen on Cults to Kink
    Mar 10 2025

    We’re bringing you a spicy one today on ALBC! Our guest is Ariel Anderssen, a professional BDSM model and sex-positive author. Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, Ariel grew up in a world where sexuality was strictly controlled, desire was equated with sin, and the end of the world was always just around the corner. But after leaving the faith, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery that led her to embrace kink, submission, and sexual liberation.

    In this episode, Ariel shares what it was like to grow up in a high-control religious group that dictated every aspect of her life, from what she could wear to how she could think. She opens up about the moment she realized she wasn’t alone in her desires, the misconceptions people have about BDSM, and the surprising parallels between religious fundamentalism and the power dynamics in kink. We also get into feminism, consent, and the ongoing cultural battle over who gets to decide what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to sex.

    Today’s episode gets a bit steamy, so consider yourself warned.

    If you want to learn more about Ariel’s story, check out her memoir Playing to Lose: How a Jehovah’s Witness Became a Submissive BDSM Model.
    You can also find her on X: @ArielAnderssen or at www.arielanderssenauthor.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.

    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

    Writer & 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

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    1 h y 3 m
  • Surviving the IFB: Shelly Snow Pordea on Trauma, Healing, and Fiction
    Mar 3 2025

    This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp.

    Novelist, screenwriter, and publishing consultant Shelly Snow Pordea grew up in the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) church, an insular and oppressive religious environment that shaped her childhood. She survived religious trauma and abuse before finding her path to healing through storytelling.

    In this episode, ALBC sit down with Shelly to discuss her escape from the IFB, the power of fiction in processing trauma, and how writing her novel, The Cheating Wife, became an act of liberation. Shelly shares the harrowing realities of life in the IFB, the psychological grip of fundamentalist teachings, and the moment she realized she had to leave. She also highlights Living Cult Free, a nonprofit supporting survivors of religious abuse.

    Plus, we explore the transformative power of self-trust, the language of healing, and the role of creativity in reclaiming personal narratives.

    Trigger warning: This episode discusses sexual abuse and religious trauma.

    Find Shelly and her work:
    Instagram
    Facebook
    Website

    For resources and support in surviving religious abuse: Living Cult Free

    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.

    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

    Writer & 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

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    1 h y 14 m
  • Born and Razed in a Cult: Beth Granger on Surviving Grenville Christian College (Part 2)
    Feb 24 2025

    This is Part 2 of our conversation with Beth Granger, who was born into Grenville Christian College and spent over 20 years trapped within its cult-like control. If you haven’t yet listened to Part 1, we recommend starting there to understand the full context of Beth’s powerful story.

    In this episode, Beth shares her long road to recovery after leaving Grenville, detailing the emotional toll of the 16-year legal battle that ultimately brought justice to survivors. The landmark ruling validated decades of abuse at Grenville, offering a measure of closure for Beth and others affected. You can read the full 75-page ruling here.

    Beth also opens up about her struggles with PTSD and bulimia, the complexities of medication withdrawal, and the importance of finding the right therapeutic support. Through writing her memoir, Born and Razed: Surviving the Cult Was Only Half the Battle, and exploring creative outlets like painting, Beth discovered ways to reclaim her life and identity.

    To learn more about the dark history of Grenville Christian College, check out The Fifth Estate documentary School of Secrets here.

    For even more from Beth, subscribe to her newsletter here: @bethgranger.substack.com

    Trigger warning for child abuse, eating disorders, and mental health struggles.

    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.

    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

    Writer & 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

    Más Menos
    36 m

Lo que los oyentes dicen sobre A Little Bit Culty

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  • Total
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing, uplifting, & informational!

I love everything about this podcast. The host are great, funny, inspiration, honest, and raw. They give us tips and views of their experiences and help us with their guest to give us advice and information on cults and so call religions. It's very eye opening and I can't wait for more!

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Heavy subjects covered with realness.

Sara and Nippy cover some really heavy stuff, and come from a place of knowing. The guests and topics are always handled with care, the hosts are not afraid to show emotion, and yet there is always at least one good laugh to be had. Yes, they use adult language, but the avenues they walk down aren't Sesame Street, so I feel they've definitely earned the right. (Maybe we should have a drinking game a la the Fair Game podcast, where we drink every time one of the hosts curses? Just a thought.) Hard topics, covered with humour and heart, while giving listeners a great, first-person education. If you've not listened before, it's worth the time to binge the episodes from the beginning, as I did.

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One of my don't-miss weekly podcasts

I've never been in a cult (that I'm aware of...), but listening to the guests on this show and the hosts, I have come to believe that cults are what happens when the normal human need for belonging and meaning meets the (alas) all-too-common traits of narcissism and the need to control. Recognizing that a group you belong to or a relationship you're in is abusive is a skill we should all have, and the hosts are doing a great service--and making it entertaining and a safe space.

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...My New Go To...

Great listen. Recommend! Seven episodes in and I am enjoying the conversation and guests on the show.

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My go to podcast

Great insights, humor, and guidance to avoid such anything a little bit culty. The topics are vast and interesting.

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BADASS!!!

I devoured episode after episode. It's incredible and quite unique having a space of "contrapunto" where widely different voices come together in harmony in a safe, and respectful space. The topic is always painful and terrifying, and Sarah and Nippy are brilliant transmitting care with a joyful and hopeful twist. Thank you ALBC for existing!

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Amazing

This is an amazing PodCast to listen to. I believe that everything spoken about in the PodCast can fit into someone's life at some point or another even if they have not been indoctrinated into a cult themselves. Thank you Sarah & Nippy. Love Listening!
Missy - New Orleans

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Useful if you can get around some things

After watching "The Vow" and "Seduced," I was interested in learning more from Sarah Edmundson. She's really engaging. I enjoy learning from her. I keep finding parts of this podcast insufferable.

For example, Nippy conflated both political parties in his discussion of politics. One led an insurrection, and one was the object of threats and violence -- I belong to neither but it is jarring to see how non trained experts pontificate; it seems like Nippy is great at gaslighting. Instead of backing his informed guest, he decided to not take a stand.

The guests on this show are wonderful and I have learned a lot. I really want to learn more from their guests.

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LOVE IT!!

So informative and funny! Love the diversity of the guest and the hosts are funny.

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As a Survivor...

I was born into the Institute of Basic Life Principles cult, or the Duggar cult, as it's often known. I got out when my parents divorced. Thankfully I was placed with my neglectful parent, not the abusive one, but I had to dig my way out from the cult mentality at the tender age of 13. I still suffer from PTSD from that time and upbringing, which wasn't helped by a career in the military. Listening to Sarah and Anthony and this podcast, after watching The Vow, Seduced, and even reading the trial transcripts of Keith Raniere has greatly helpes my recovery, and I fully admire what they do. This series is engaging, funny, informative, and unlike a lot of other cult shows, it talks about how to protect yourself and heal yourself from cultic abuse, instead of just describing the experience of being in a cult. Thank you, guys. Your work and efforts are greatly appreciated.

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