Best Anthony Nippy Ames Podcasts (2025)

1
Teenage Exorcisms & Mega-Church Millions: Rachael Reign’s UCKG Story 1:00:02

2d ago1:00:02

1:00:02

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. This week our guest is Rachael Reign, a survivor of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG). At just 13, Rachael was swept into UCKG’s world of fire and brimstone – where teenage exorcisms were a weekly ritual, your mental health struggles meant demons were lurking inside you, and giving yo…

1
Memoir of Madness in a Cult of One - Sarma Melngailis Spills All the Tea on Healing (Part 2) 58:30

6d ago58:30

58:30

Raw vegan queen. Netflix’s “Bad Vegan.” Culty comeback queen. Whatever label you stick on Sarma Melngailis, it’s clear she’s not done telling her side of the story – and we’re here for it. In Part 2 of our chat, Sarma gets even realer about life after Mr. Fox. From the mind games that taught her to dissociate, to her self-diagnosed matrix moments, …

1
Memoir of Madness in a Cult of One - Sarma Melngailis Spills All the Tea on Healing (Part 1) 32:02

9d ago32:02

32:02

Raw vegan queen turned Netflix “villain”? In this episode, we sit down with Sarma Melngailis – yes, Bad Vegan Sarma – to get the real story behind the headlines. She’s back for her third culty chat, this time with the exclusive on her brand-new memoir The Girl with the Duck Tattoo (don’t worry, we ask her about the title). Sarma dives into the psyc…

1
Bonus Drop: Dr. Laura Richards & Lisa Bilyeu on Cults, Control & Dirty Diddy Secrets 24:55

13d ago24:55

24:55

This week, we’re diving deep into the twisted world of coercive control with the one and only Dr. Laura Richards – renowned criminal behavioral analyst, podcaster, and global expert on stalking, coercive control, and violent crime. We’re also joined by Lisa Bilyeu, host of Women of Impact and queen of calling out BS wherever it lurks. Dr. Laura bre…

1
My Name Was Mushroom: Wendy Baker’s Journey Beyond the Source Family Cult 56:40

16d ago56:40

56:40

Long before kale smoothies went mainstream, The Source Family was seducing Hollywood with vegan food, free love, and a guru who called himself Father Yod. This wasn’t just LA’s first vegan restaurant – it was a commune where long-haired devotees in white robes took ice-cold showers at dawn, meditated for hours, and followed strict spiritual rules u…

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Mindf*ck 102: MK Ultra, Crypto Cults & Modern Brainwashing with Rebecca Lemov (Part 2) 31:00

20d ago31:00

31:00

This week, we’re back with Harvard professor and author Rebecca Lemov to finish what we started: unraveling the tangled web of brainwashing…past, present, and disturbingly future-facing. In Part 2, we go deeper into the CIA’s infamous MK Ultra program and its many (many) spin-offs, asking what really went down with Charles Manson, Jack Ruby, and cu…

1
Mindf*ck 101: The Science of Brainwashing with Rebecca Lemov (Part 1) 55:17

23d ago55:17

55:17

This week, we’re diving deep into the mind games with Harvard professor and author Rebecca Lemov, because if you’ve ever wondered whether brainwashing is real, the answer is a very unsettling yes. In Part 1 of our convo, we’re cracking open the origins of brainwashing—from communist re-education camps to the electric shock labs of the Milgram exper…

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Bonus Drop: Orgasm, Obsession & the Cult of OneTaste with Ellen Huet 34:22

27d ago34:22

34:22

It’s Thursday, and you know what that means: another bonus drop. And this one? It's got orgasms, criminal charges, and courtroom drama, so buckle up. Award-winning journalist Ellen Huet joins us to dish on OneTaste, the orgasmic meditation company that sold itself as a path to sexual liberation but now finds its top brass convicted of forced labor …

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Ride or Die: Jess Rothschild Spills on SoulCycle's Inner Circle 1:07:52

1M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

This episode is sponsored in part by BetterHelp. This week, we’re clipping in with Jess Rothschild to talk about SoulCycle: the high-octane, candlelit cardio craze that once had New Yorkers dropping $20k to ride front row. With $100M+ in revenue, instructors trained like pop stars, and a tightly curated sense of belonging (read: exclusivity), SoulC…

1
Cults Like Us: Jane Borden on LGATs, Humor & Human Potential (Part 2) 37:58

1M ago37:58

37:58

We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Jane Borden, author of Cults Like Us, where we pick up right where we left off – with the Puritans, of course. Because what’s more American than a doomsday cult in denial? In this half, we explore how their legacy of moral perfectionism, isolationism, and a rigid “us vs. them” worldview continues to s…

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Cults Like Us: Jane Borden on Puritans, Power & American Exceptionalism (Part 1) 40:06

1M ago40:06

40:06

Were the Puritans America’s first cult? Our guest this week makes a compelling case for yes. Jane Borden is a journalist and the author of Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, she joins us to unpack how Puritan beliefs—think apocalypse prepping, chosen nation syndrome, and the worship of weal…

1
Bonus Drop: Coercive Control in Cults, Patriarchy in Religion & Survivor Wisdom from Tia Levings 51:10

1M ago51:10

51:10

Welcome to another, unofficially titled, Bonus Drop. These episodes are our way of checking in midweek with extra thoughts, headlines, and conversations that keep the Cultiverse convo going strong. And remember: Patreon subscribers get them a day early because that’s how perks work. In this drop, we’re digging into the overlap between religious tra…

1
Is It a Spiritual Path or a Cult? Mitch Horowitz Helps Us Break It Down 1:28:43

1M ago1:28:43

1:28:43

This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re getting a little mystical—with our eyes wide open. Historian and occult scholar Mitch Horowitz joins us to explore the space where spirituality meets personal growth, and how easily it can slip into culty territory. His latest book, Practical Magick: Ancient Tradition and Modern Practice, helps make sense of m…

1
Inside the Yellow Deli Cult: Tamara Mathieu on Life in Twelve Tribes (Part 2) 43:46

2M ago43:46

43:46

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Tamara Mathieu—and if you thought Part 1 was wild, just wait. This time, Tammy walks us through what finally pushed her family to leave the Twelve Tribes, including a hollow diet, some serious double standards, and a clandestine late-night escape from t…

1
Inside the Yellow Deli Cult: Tamara Mathieu on Life in Twelve Tribes (Part 1) 57:59

2M ago57:59

57:59

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. Twelve Tribes started as a Bible study in the 1970s. Today, it’s a nationwide network of high-control communities, often hiding in plain sight behind the homespun charm of Yellow Deli cafés. The group claims to offer a simpler, more spiritual life. But behind the braided bread and “family values” lie…

1
Bonus Drop: Diddy, OneTaste, Weinstein & Listener Confessions 25:57

2M ago25:57

25:57

Welcome to the second in our new series of Bonus Thursday Drops—aka, your new favorite excuse to stay in on a weeknight. These episodes are an extra dose of A Little Bit Culty on the main feed every Thursday (Patreon subscribers get them a day early, because perks). Sometimes it’ll be a follow-up to a two-parter. Other times, like today, we’ll chec…

1
Purity Culture & Sex Shame: Healing with the Sexvangelicals 56:35

2M ago56:35

56:35

Can religion ruin your sex life? This week on A Little Bit Culty, Sarah and Nippy are joined by psychotherapists and certified sex therapists Jeremiah Gibson and Julia Postema—co-hosts of the podcast Sexvangelicals: The Sex Education the Church Didn’t Want You to Have. Together, they explore how religion, especially purity culture and fundamentalis…

1
Polygamy, Incest & Reality TV: Amanda Rae Breaks the Silence (Part 2) 45:03

2M ago45:03

45:03

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. In Part 2 of our conversation with Amanda Rae, we pick up right where we left off—so if you haven’t heard Part 1 yet, go back and listen first. In this episode, Amanda shares the final breaking point that led her to leave the Kingston Clan, also known as The Order, and the harrowing events surroundin…

1
Polygamy, Incest & Reality TV: Amanda Rae Breaks the Silence (Part 1) 51:45

2M ago51:45

51:45

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. In this week’s episode, we chat with Amanda Rae, survivor of the infamous Kingston clan, a radical Mormon sect also known as “The Order.” If you’ve seen Escaping Polygamy on A&E, you might recognize Amanda from the show, where she helped others flee the same secretive and abusive group she escaped at…

1
Goop, Teens, and Wellness Myths with Hayley Krischer 1:05:21

2M ago1:05:21

1:05:21

The beauty and wellness industry promises healing, glow-ups, and self-love—but what happens when those promises come wrapped in pseudoscience, toxic messaging, and culty marketing tactics? This week, Sarah and Nippy are joined by culture journalist and author Hayley Krischer, whose latest novel You Belong to Me explores the power and peril of the w…

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Hoodwinked by the Algorithm: Dr. Mara Einstein on Cult Tactics in Marketing (Part 2) 53:02

3M ago53:02

53:02

We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Mara Einstein, diving even deeper into the unsettling connections between cults, multi-level marketing (MLMs), higher education, and the digital world. In this episode, we unpack how MLMs use tactics like love bombing, upselling, and deception to recruit and retain members — and how these same str…

1
Hoodwinked by the Algorithm: Dr. Mara Einstein on Cult Tactics in Marketing (Part 1) 1:02:53

3M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

You don’t have to join a cult to get manipulated—just log onto the internet. This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re diving into the marketing matrix with Dr. Mara Einstein, professor, media critic, and author of Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults. From influencer culture and MLMs to “brand cults” and rage farming, Mara breaks d…

1
Blazing Eyes, Cult Ties, and New Age Vibes with Leah Sottile 1:04:19

3M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

This episode is sponsored in part by BetterHelp. New Age isn’t just sage bundles and Instagram affirmations. It can also be a fast track to conspiracy-laced belief systems, grifty gurus, and straight-up cults. In this episode, we’re joined by journalist and podcaster Leah Sottile, whose new book Blazing Eye Sees All takes a sharp look at how New Ag…

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Justified Resentment: When AA Goes Culty with April McLean 1:26:50

3M ago1:26:50

1:26:50

Alcoholics Anonymous has become a household name. You’ve probably heard of the 12 steps, sponsors, and sobriety chips. At its best, AA can be life-changing. But in some chapters, things can take a darker turn, and when they do, there’s no centralized structure to step in. In this episode, we’re talking with April McLean—a blogger and former member …

1
Laura Richards: What Kanye West, Britney Spears, and Blake Lively’s Cases Reveal About Coercive Control (Part 2) 1:05:16

4M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. We’re back with behavioral science expert Laura Richards for Part 2 of our deep dive into coercive control—and how it shows up in some of today’s most talked-about celebrity cases. Laura, who spent ten years at New Scotland Yard and helped establish the UK’s coercive control laws, joins us again to u…

1
Laura Richards: What Gabby Petito, “Dirty John,” and Keith Raniere Have in Common 1:01:58

4M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. What do serial killers, cult leaders, and domestic abusers have in common? According to criminal behavior analyst Laura Richards, quite a lot. In this powerful conversation, Laura explains the concept of coercive control—the psychological abuse tactic often at the core of these crimes—and how it play…

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Mind Control in Disguise: Cristina Coello on the Dangers of the Bright Path 1:32:15

4M ago1:32:15

1:32:15

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. Ishayas’ Ascension—also known as the Bright Path—is a new-agey meditation movement that promises spiritual enlightenment through “stillness” and expensive courses. But behind the soothing mantras and lofty ideals lurks a leader who demands total submission. Followers are taught that their thoughts, e…

1
The Ties That Bind: Ariel Anderssen on Cults to Kink 1:02:33

4M ago1:02:33

1:02:33

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 emba…

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Surviving the IFB: Shelly Snow Pordea on Trauma, Healing, and Fiction 1:14:27

5M ago1:14:27

1:14:27

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.…

1
Born and Razed in a Cult: Beth Granger on Surviving Grenville Christian College (Part 2) 36:26

5M ago36:26

36:26

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 lea…

1
Born and Razed in a Cult: Beth Granger on Surviving Grenville Christian College (Part 1) 47:30

5M ago47:30

47:30

This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. Beth Granger was born into a nightmare disguised as an elite Christian boarding school. Raised within the walls of Grenville Christian College, she endured decades of coercion, public shaming, and physical abuse—hidden behind the institution’s polished reputation. As a child of staff members, she was…

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Framed: Dr. C on Coercive Control and Family Court Trauma 1:03:13

5M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

Long-time listeners might remember Dr. Christine Cocchiola (aka Dr. C) from Season 5, where she shared how she and her kids survived her ex-husband’s coercive control and psychological abuse. This week, she’s back to dig deeper into the ways coercive control operates like a cult—through gaslighting, mind games, and manipulation—and how it impacts f…

1
Brandon Guffy: Coercive Control and Sextortion 56:51

5M ago56:51

56:51

Online sextortion scams are on the rise, targeting young victims—especially teen boys—by coercing them into sharing explicit images, then blackmailing them into silence. These predators use fear, humiliation, and intimidation to trap their victims, often with devastating consequences. Our guest today, South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey, k…

1
Corruption in the Hare Krishna Movement: A Survivor’s Story with Nori Muster 54:14

6M ago54:14

54:14

This week we continue to explore corruption within the Hare Krishna movement, this time through the eyes of former member Nori Muster. From 1978 to 1988, Nori worked in the movement’s PR and media department, where she was tasked with spinning headlines and managing ISKCON's public image. However, what began as a spiritual refuge soon revealed a da…

1
Monkey on a Stick: Corruption within the Hare Krishna Movement with Jason Lapeyre 59:14

6M ago59:14

59:14

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/CULTY to get started today. Remember the Hare Krishnas? The ones with the shaved heads and orange robes who used to chant and panhandle at airports? What started as a movement promoting inner peace and material detachment descended into chaos, corruption, and crime. In this week’s episod…

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F*ck This, I’m Out: Remembering Mike Rinder 1:22:53

6M ago1:22:53

1:22:53

This week, we’re honoring the life and legacy of our dear friend and hero, Mike Rinder. Mike was a pivotal figure in the fight against cultic abuse, and his courage and compassion set the gold standard for turning a difficult past into a powerful force for good. To celebrate his incredible contributions, we’re re-releasing this conversation from Ma…

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For the record: Jonathan Hirsch on Cult Story Telling (Part 2) 43:55

6M ago43:55

43:55

This show/episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/CULTY to get started today. This is the second part of a 2 part interview with Jonathan Hirsch. Listen to Part 1 Here. Jonathan Hirsch is an award-winning podcaster and journalist who grew up in the Adidam hippie cult. His podcast, “Dear Franklin Jones”, is about that experience. To…

1
Growing Up Culty: Jonathan Hirsch on a Lifetime of Cults (Part 1) 57:47

6M ago57:47

57:47

Jonathan Hirsch is an award-winning podcaster and journalist who grew up in the Adidam hippie cult. His podcast, “Dear Franklin Jones”, is about that experience. Today, he’s here to discuss the less famous, but equally culty, Jones and what it’s like for children who grow up with religious abuse. And for more of Jonathan's work, Be sure to check ou…

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Rift and Redemption: Cait West’s Escape from Christian Patriarchy 1:04:05

7M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

What’s it like to grow up in a world where your life’s only purpose is to serve the men around you? Cait West knows firsthand. Raised in a household steeped in Christian patriarchy—a radical movement that places men in absolute control over their families—Cait was homeschooled, groomed to be an obedient wife and mother, and forbidden from pursuing …

1
Voices From Beyond: Jonathan Mark on NXIVM’s Unsolved Mysteries 1:03:15

7M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

This episode is brought to you in part by Squarespace. Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CULTY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULTY. This week, we sit down with medium Jonathan Mark, who brings closure to grieving families and assists law enforcement in solving cold cases. Jonathan opens up about his journey…

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Justice Denied: The JonBenét Ramsey Case and the Cult of Groupthink 53:45

7M ago53:45

53:45

This episode is brought to you in part by Squarespace. Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CULTY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULTY. John Ramsey knows a lot about culty thinking within police investigations. He experienced it firsthand after his daughter, JonBenét Ramsey, was murdered in 1996. JonBenét was t…

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Jules Hartley: “Breath of Fire” and the Cult of Kundalini Yoga (Part 2) 43:42

7M ago43:42

43:42

Bringing you an extra special Part 2 for today's bonus episode with Jules Hartley. You may have heard of Kundalini yoga from its popularity with celebrities, but you might be less familiar with its culty history. Invented in the late 60s by a guru-turned-cult leader named Yogi Bhajan, Kundalini is an intensive form of yoga that weirdly uses breathi…

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Jules Hartley: “Breath of Fire” and the Cult of Kundalini Yoga (Part 1) 48:40

7M ago48:40

48:40

You may have heard of Kundalini yoga from its popularity with celebrities, but you might be less familiar with its culty history. Invented in the late 60s by a guru-turned-cult leader named Yogi Bhajan, Kundalini is an intensive form of yoga that weirdly uses breathing exercises to manipulate people. After its founder died in 2004, one of his follo…

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Whitney Cummings: Healing, Humor, and Hollywood's Culty Side 1:16:33

8M ago1:16:33

1:16:33

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. In this week's episode, Sarah and Nippy welcome friend and comedian Whitney Cummings to the podcast to explore the nuanced overlaps of culty dynamics and Hollywood culture. Whitney shares her unique perspective on vulnerability, healing, and her fascination with neuroscience, while also opening up about…

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Through the Labyrinth: Amanda Knox on Coercion, Media, and Advocacy 1:14:42

8M ago1:14:42

1:14:42

Author and podcaster Amanda Knox sits down with Sarah and Nippy to discuss the culty nature of the Italian justice system. Amanda shares how she was coerced by the police into confessing to a crime she did not commit and details her experience with a media that is more concerned with ratings than truth. She also discusses the ongoing process of hea…

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Bonus Episode: Nobody Should Believe Me 54:24

8M ago54:24

54:24

Enjoyed our chat with Andrea Dunlop? You’re in luck! This week, we’re featuring an episode from Andrea’s podcast “Nobody Should Believe Me” in the ALBC feed. We love this show, and hope you do too. Welcome to Season 4 of “Nobody Should Believe Me!” This season we are following the story of Jordyn Hope as they unravel the secrets of their childhood.…

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Cult of One: The Manipulation of Munchausen by Proxy (Part 2) 42:10

8M ago42:10

42:10

This is the second part of a two-part interivew. Listen to Part 1 here. When describing a cult, the first thing that comes to mind is often a powerful leader at the helm of a large group of followers. That’s not the case with today’s guest. Andrea Dunlop, author and host of the podcast “Nobody Should Believe Me,” is an expert on Munchausen by Proxy…

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Cult of One: The Manipulation of Munchausen by Proxy 44:30

8M ago44:30

44:30

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace. Head to https://www.squarespace.com/CULTY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CULTY. When describing a cult, the first thing that comes to mind is often a powerful leader at the helm of a large group of followers. That’s not the case with today’s guest. Andrea Dunlop, …

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Dinner for Vampires: The Star of a Cult TV Show on Leaving a Real Life Cult (Part 2) 37:21

8M ago37:21

37:21

This is the second part of a two-part interview, listen to Part 1 here. Bethany Joy Lenz became a household face during the meteoric rise of the teen CW soap “One Tree Hill.” However, as she appeared in homes across the country every week, she was leading a double life with her participation in a culty Bible group for a decade. Lenz found her voice…

1
Dinner for Vampires: The Star of a Cult TV Show on Leaving a Real Life Cult 35:51

9M ago35:51

35:51

Bethany Joy Lenz became a household face during the meteoric rise of the teen CW soap “One Tree Hill.” However, as she appeared in homes across the country every week, she was leading a double life with her participation in a culty Bible group for a decade. Lenz found her voice to break free and had the inspiration to write a personal memoir on the…

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