A Little Bit Culty

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

  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 unpack the ways power and control are used to manipulate, silence, and harm. This time, we dig into recent headlines involving Kanye West, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, Britney Spears, and the Depp v. Heard trial. Laura explores the public’s reaction to each case, exposing how gender bias and societal conditioning influence who we believe—and who we dismiss. We also discuss how these patterns connect back to cults, Hollywood, and broader systems of manipulation. And since Laura’s work centers around prevention, she asks Sarah and Nippy to reflect on what might have helped them exit NXIVM sooner. This episode includes a trigger warning for sexual assault, murder, and domestic abuse. If you haven’t heard Part 1 yet, be sure to listen to that first. And for more from Laura, check out her podcasts Crime Analyst and Real Crime Profile, or visit thelaurarichards.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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• Laura Richards: What Gabby Petito, “Dirty John,” and Keith Raniere Have in Common

  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 plays out across intimate relationships, cults, and high-profile cases. Laura spent a decade at New Scotland Yard investigating rape, murder, and abduction. She went on to found the Homicide Prevention Unit and Paladin, the world’s first national stalking advocacy service. Her work helped reduce the murder rate in the UK by 58 percent and led to coercive control being criminalized there. Now, she’s fighting for similar legal reforms in the U.S. In Part 1 of our conversation, Laura offers insight into the behaviors and warning signs she sees in the cases of Gabby Petito, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, “Dirty” John Meehan, British serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, Larry Ray (of the Sarah Lawrence cult case), and NXIVM’s Keith Raniere. This episode gives you a new lens for spotting red flags—and a deeper understanding of how abusers manipulate power and control, so major trigger warning for sexual assault, murder, and domestic violence this week. For more, check out Laura’s podcasts Crime Analyst and Real Crime Profile, find her on IG @laurarichards999 or visit thelaurarichards.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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• Mind Control in Disguise: Cristina Coello on the Dangers of the Bright Path

  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, emotions, and even their sense of self aren’t real—only God is. What could possibly go wrong? Our guest today is Cristina Coello, who spent years deep inside the Bright Path under its guru, Maharishi Krishnananda Ishaya. From 2010 to 2021, Cristina was an active teacher and organizer, drawn in by the promise of personal and collective healing. But as she became more involved, she witnessed firsthand the manipulative control tactics, gaslighting, and financial exploitation that kept members devoted. The turning point? Experiencing sexual harassment from the leader himself and the community’s toxic response when she spoke out. In this episode, Cristina shares her journey—from being drawn into the group’s teachings to the painful process of leaving and rebuilding her life. We also discuss the dangers of dismissing mental health in spiritual spaces, the subtle ways cults dismantle personal identity, and the red flags to look out for when seeking a safe community. Find Cristina on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and TikTok: @iamcristinacoello and her website at www.uncultedpodcast.com You can also sign up for her newsletter to listen to the first episode drop of her new podcast, Unculted: https://uncultedpodcast.substack.com/?r=rxjvl   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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• The Ties That Bind: Ariel Anderssen on Cults to Kink

  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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• Surviving the IFB: Shelly Snow Pordea on Trauma, Healing, and Fiction

  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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