logo
episode-header-image
Jul 10
58m 32s

Memoir of Madness in a Cult of One - Sar...

Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames
About this episode

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, she opens up about rebuilding her identity in a world that still sees her as a headline villain. She talks dating post-trauma, the healing power of alone time (cue: tears, journals, and EFT tapping), and why her business decisions now come with a hefty dose of pause and reflect.

Plus, Sarma shares why she walked away from partnerships that didn’t vibe, her hot takes on the “non-reactivity” cult trend, and what Bad Vegan got oh-so-wrong about her. Spoiler: it’s a lot.

For more on Sarma, you can find her on Instagram @sarmamelngailis, on her website sarmaraw.com, or on Patreon at patreon.com/sarmasarma. Also, check out her book The Girl with the Duck Tattoo, available for pre-order now. 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.

**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here

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

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Today
True Crime Meets Cults: Derrick Levasseur on Solving the “University of Cosmic Intelligence” Mystery
This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re stepping into the crossover world of cults and true crime with Derrick Levasseur—former undercover detective, private investigator, and host of Crime Weekly and Detective Perspective. You may also know him from Big Brother or America’s Most ... Show More
45m 32s
Aug 21
Protecting Kids from Cults and Traffickers with Robin Boyle-Laisure (Part 2)
This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp.In Part 2 of our conversation with Professor Robin Boyle-Laisure—St. John’s University School of Law faculty, ICSA board member, and author of Taken No More: Protect Your Children Against Traffickers and Cults—we dig into the courtr ... Show More
40m 8s
Aug 19
Introducing: CONSPIRACY THEORIES, CULTS, AND CRIMES
From Jonestown to Heaven’s Gate, to the Octopus Murders and the Waco Siege, the world isfull of deception, manipulation, and destruction. Listen to Conspiracy Theories, Cults, andCrimes every Wednesday as we explore the real people at the center of the world’s mostshocking secret ... Show More
7m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2024
Quiet on Set, PDiddy with Nickelodeon Writer Christy Stratton
P Diddy's homes were raided. What does this mean in regard to his sex trafficking lawsuit? Then Christy Stratton, former Nickelodeon writer for Dan Schneider’s The Amanda Show tells all. Christy was featured in the four-part documentary Quiet On Set, which tells the harrowing tal ... Show More
1h 30m
Jul 2024
Slow Burn: Gays Against Briggs | 2. Defend Our Children
In 1977, John Briggs was a small-time state senator with big dreams. But Briggs’ plan to ban gay and lesbian teachers from California schools changed the arc of his life and career. Suddenly, he was a right-wing hero, and a villain of the gay rights movement. And his message seem ... Show More
53m 16s
Nov 2024
Will Kids Online, In Fact, Be All Right?
In her new FX docuseries “Social Studies,” the artist and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield delves into the post-pandemic lives—and phones—of a group of L.A. teens. Screen recordings of the kids’ social-media use reveal how these platforms have reshaped their experience of the world in ... Show More
48m 28s
Sep 2024
Meghan Markle’s Jam Crisis & Angelina Jolie’s Tears
Iconic teen drama One Tree Hill is reportedly making a comeback, but now there’s a feud between the stars brewing behind the scenes. Plus, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt both attended the Venice Film Festival, despite plans behind the scenes to keep them apart. It all ended in tear ... Show More
20m 49s
May 2024
Gays Against Briggs | 2. Defend Our Children
In 1977, John Briggs was a small-time state senator with big dreams. But Briggs’ plan to ban gay and lesbian teachers from California schools changed the arc of his life and career. Suddenly, he was a right-wing hero, and a villain of the gay rights movement. And his message seem ... Show More
53m 16s
Jan 2025
Joe Francis: Indie Sleaze | 140
Joe Francis created an empire of spring break smut with the “Girls Gone Wild” video series. But the story behind the alcohol-fueled antics is darker than you think. Scaachi interviews Jamila Wignot, director of the docuseries “Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story” as they revisit Sc ... Show More
48m 51s
Mar 2025
Millie Bobby Brown Has Had Enough
As Disney's newest live-action remake of Snow White becomes the centre of America's latest culture war, facing backlash over casting, messaging and its portrayal of classic themes... Richard and Marina unpack why this might become the mouse's biggest ever fumble. Millie Bobby Bro ... Show More
57m 39s
Apr 2025
‘Our Kids Are the Least Flourishing Generation We Know Of’
There’s something of a policy revolution afoot: As of March, more than a dozen states — including California, Florida and Ohio — have passed bills or adopted policies that aim to limit cellphone usage at school. More are expected to follow.Jonathan Haidt is the leader of this par ... Show More
1h 11m
Jun 19
291: Teacher’s Orgy with Students & Son, OnlyFans Sex Tape Murder, & Fake Toddler Abduction
This week on Headline Highlights, a Maryland woman claims her 3-year-old daughter was kidnapped, but the truth is far worse. A teacher is accused of participating in unthinkable acts with her students and you won’t believe what she made them do. A Florida nurse is caught having s ... Show More
44m 2s
Sep 2024
A Taylor Swift Plot Twist & Beyonce’s Big Disappointment
Everyone is celebrating Anna Delvey's casting on Dancing With The Stars, but one key piece of information has been missed. And after releasing her album Cowboy Carter, Beyonce has now been snubbed from an important awards ceremony, and it’s all to do with a bigger plot against he ... Show More
25m 3s