logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
17m 51s

How to spot a cult | Sarah Edmondson

TED
About this episode

Nobody joins a cult on purpose, says Sarah Edmondson, a former member of the infamous NXIVM cult and one of the three whistleblowers that led to its downfall. She explains how she got ensnared in this highly manipulative group — and then escaped it — and shares red flags to help you distinguish between a cult and a safe community.

Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
The problem with billionaires — and the debut of True Net Worth | Randall Lane
As chief content officer of Forbes, Randall Lane oversees the magazine's signature list of billionaires, tracking the richest people on Earth. But he has noticed that this prompts the ultra-wealthy to stockpile their money instead of spending it on the public good. He debuts a ne ... Show More
10m 59s
Apr 19
Sunday Pick: How a special seaweed is lowering methane emissions—one cow burp at a time | from Speed & Scale
Did you know that cows emit methane when they burp? Livestock account for over 12% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, but farmers and scientists have discovered a superfood that might be the key to lower emissions—and raise healthier cows. In this episode, Ryan and Anjali i ... Show More
27m 22s
Apr 18
3 questions to build resilience — and change the world | Sister True Dedication
Every moment of movement is a chance to become more aware of yourself and the world around you, says Zen Buddhist nun Sister True Dedication. Guiding us through the art of "mindful walking," she shares three essential questions to ask yourself to awaken your strength, build resil ... Show More
18m 13s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2021
The Dangers and Warning Signs of Cults Part 1
In part one of a two-part Phil in the Blanks podcast, Dr. Phil speaks with cult expert Rick Alan Ross who explains how people can lose themselves inside organizations that can sometimes be dangerous. They also discuss how to define a cult, the methods that cults often use to enti ... Show More
46m 33s
Oct 2022
855 - The Cult of Entrepreneurship
When you think of a cult, you might conjure some very specific imagery. Groups of people dressed in white, huddled around a charismatic, long-haired leader. Glasses of red fruit punch, mixed with other things, in the background. And a general sense of impending doom as the leader ... Show More
22m 51s
May 2021
Women Cult Leaders: Part 1
<p>While probably not what you think of when conjuring up an image of a cult leader, women have been and are cult leaders and instrumental to propping up and running these organizations. Anney and Samantha discuss the definition of cult, what makes a cult leader, who they target ... Show More
42m 47s
May 2023
CLASSIC: A Digital Cult? The Strange Story of Bentinho Massaro
One person's cult is another person's inarguable truth, and over millenia many spiritual or cultural belief systems have been called cults. Typically organizations called cults have a few commonal traits, one of the chief of which is isolation. So can cults continue to exist in t ... Show More
1h 6m
Mar 2023
Am I in a cult?
“I was losing myself”: When Mbali was introduced to a new church through a bible study group she was excited at the prospect of finding a new religious community. But as she became more involved with the church, she began questioning some of their unusual teachings and approaches ... Show More
33m 30s
Mar 2018
A Digital Cult? The Strange Story of Bentinho Massaro
<p>One person's cult is another person's inarguable truth, and over millenia many spiritual or cultural belief systems have been called cults. Typically organizations called cults have a few commonal traits, one of the chief of which is isolation. So can cults continue to exist i ... Show More
1h 4m
Mar 2022
The Cult of Toxic Relationships
This week, with the help of special guest Dan Savage (relationships advice columnist and host of the Savage Lovecast), Isa and Amanda are talking about cults of one: toxic relationships. How are toxic lovers (and friends and bosses) similar to cult leaders? What cult-like tactics ... Show More
43m 26s
Feb 2024
Proud Defector: Claire Headley On Scientology (Part 1)
<p>This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/culty and get on your way to being your best self.</p> <p>In part one of this 2-parter, we feature Scientology defector and whistleblower Claire Headley who spent 30 years in the church isolat ... Show More
59m 16s
Jul 2021
The Cult of Fraternities & Sororities
“Why does it feel like everything that has to do with tradition is actually a cult?” Such is one of our many musings from this week’s episode on the “cult” of Greek life. We call it “hazing” and “pledges” rather than “brainwashing” and “cult members,” but aren’t these highly excl ... Show More
28m 46s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami