Edmondson-Ames’ Podcast Praised By New Yorker

The New Yorker gave a splendid review of Sarah Edmondson and Anthony ‘Nippy’ Ames’ podcast A Little Bit Culty
writes:

In the fall, HBO will release the second season of “The Vow,” a documentary saga about the so-called “executive success” organization NXIVM, which evolved into a nefarious sex cult—an abusive sorority that used a cautery iron to brand female members with the initials of the group’s leader, Keith Raniere.

How did things up in Albany go so very wrong? Answers can be found in the popular and wildly compelling podcast “A Little Bit Culty,” hosted by two former high-ranking NXIVM members, Sarah Edmondson and Anthony (Nippy) Ames.

They met and were married while in NXIVM, and are jointly pursuing a new mission: to get people out of cults, and to provide an open channel where former cult members can discuss what they went through. Their podcast, now in its fourth season, offers a fascinating glimpse into a marriage, and at two people grappling with regret and anger in real time.

What makes it different from other cult podcasts—and they are legion—is that it’s less about teasing out horrific details and more about publicly processing life after brainwashing, with all the confusion and grief and pain that come with realizing you were a victim of—and also perpetuated—a dangerous scam.

Both Edmondson and Ames have a good sense of humor—Edmondson’s favorite expression is “that really chaps my ass”—and their lighthearted approach helps their guests delve into some truly dark places.

About the author

Frank Parlato

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William Starc
1 year ago

The Edmondson-Ames podcast has been praised by the New Yorker for its “riveting” and “compelling” storytelling. The podcast tells the true story of two families who were forced to flee their homes during the American Civil War.

https://www.popcreep.com/kurt-busch-net-worth/

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago

“Nippy”
sic

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago

Hey Frank,

Apparently Sarah Edmondson is moving to “Atlanta” based on what she said in her podcast. Do you or anybody else know if that means “Atlanta” Canada or “Atlanta” Georgia?………

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Though I don’t know for certain, I’m pretty sure they meant Atlanta, Georgia. It’s where Nippy is from, & they spent a lot of last summer down there.

Just Sayin'
Just Sayin'
1 year ago

Excellent podcast! Very informative and eye opening about various high control groups. Not exclusively cults either. They should be very proud of the work they’re doing. This is what true success looks like.

clean hands?
clean hands?
1 year ago

I haven’t listed to their podcast (no time) but to those that have: Do Sarah or Nippy detail any of the nefarious or maybe just embarrassing things they were personally involved in?

Do they explain what they did or saw at Necker Island? Or do they respond to or rufute the rumors that there was “partner swapping” amongst the cult members that didn’t involve Keith? Or does Nippy tell about the things he did or was taught in SOP?

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
Reply to  clean hands?

Oh! I wasnt aware they were chosen , volunteered ? for Necker Island, that would be interesting, Allison was also at Necker Island and Mrs.Oxenburg with Mr. Dean, her Hubble at that time. Perhaps they could put a flashlight on this for an episode?? I might actually listen then.

clean hands?
clean hands?
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Necker also included Hildreth and his partner Kreuk plus other high rankers. Writer John Tighe’s source claimed that tax dodging and other nefarious things were planned. Oh BTW…the members fucked like rabbits. Sarah and Nippy could add juicy details if they really wanted to expose the sex cult.

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago

It’s a popular podcast for a reason. They do a great job on it. It fits a really crucial niche by examining a lot of existing groups and people who may be crossing some lines an abuse of power and mistreatment. They cover a wide variety of circumstance and situations everything from fitness to religion even fiction authors writing about cults. It’s excellent. And as importantly it’s very entertaining and engaging.

Viva success without Nxivm!

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous

It’s successful because people can’t get enough of shit talk. People like to either bitch moan and complain about other humans or idolize them.

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous

That’s not my experience listening to it at all. Maybe that is more of a reflection of yourself?

Beverly Sutton
Beverly Sutton
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous

It is all that and brings rationale for what has made us be the persons we are. They have been a dynamic resource.

Beverly Sutton
Beverly Sutton
1 year ago

As one who has listened to their every podcast, I have been able to put together the pieces of my lightly culty 70 years of life. Fundamentalist church and family, multilevel marketing businesses and abuses. Not brainwashed. Nip was not brainwashed. Sarah was highly influenced by cultists and wanting a successful life.

That NYT writer mislabeled them.

Their activism has helped them make sense of their choices and actions. Sarah says she was the victim of a con and was very good at recruiting. They are compelled to help release others from the shame and damage of being abused. Like the Frank Report.

They are searching for a name to call themselves and followers. Successors.

Beverly J Sutton
Beverly J Sutton
1 year ago

Successors

Ice-nine
Ice-nine
1 year ago

It really is an excellent podcast. What I learned from the podcast is just how many cults are out there and how fucked up they all are. I never would have guessed the shit people are willing to believe in but my eyes are open now (Q’anon, hello!). It also made me realize that keith is not special, NXIVM is not unique. keith is just one more in a long line of liars, cons, and scumbags.

So I’ve heard just about every podcast, still working my way through season 4 though. These are my personal favorites that I think FR readers would also enjoy, but there’s a lot of good ones:

– Season 1, episode 3: Heal That Shit: Leah Remini & The Aftermath. (Ice-nine’s note: that Remini cusses like a fuckin’ sailor, Scientology certainly didn’t make a lady out of her!)
https://www.alittlebitculty.com/season1/ep3

– Season 1, episode 4: Fuck This, I’m Out: Mike Rinder & The About-Face
https://www.alittlebitculty.com/season1/ep4

– Bonus SUMMER Episode: Catching Up with India Oxenberg
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-summer-episode-catching-up-with-india-oxenberg/id1553334816?i=1000527952434

– Season 2, episode 6: Groundbreaker: Moira Penza on Prosecuting NXIVM
https://www.alittlebitculty.com/season-2/episode-one-episode4-btwsd-769cl

– Season 3, episode 11: Sarma Speaks: A ‘Bad Vegan’ Exclusive
https://www.alittlebitculty.com/season-3/blog-post-title-one-kldc6-en2f4-3cbje-bc9ak-ebcw6-e8fyn-xbkyn-sswxy-t3dtz-g6r8x-79mp2

Sarah and Nippy are doing far more good now than anything that would have come from NXIVM. I think that’s considered irony or something like that. Ice-nine recommends!

About the Author

Frank Parlato is an investigative journalist.

His work has been cited in hundreds of news outlets, like The New York Times, The Daily Mail, VICE News, CBS News, Fox News, New York Post, New York Daily News, Oxygen, Rolling Stone, People Magazine, The Sun, The Times of London, CBS Inside Edition, among many others in all five continents.

His work to expose and take down NXIVM is featured in books like “Captive” by Catherine Oxenberg, “Scarred” by Sarah Edmonson, “The Program” by Toni Natalie, and “NXIVM. La Secta Que Sedujo al Poder en México” by Juan Alberto Vasquez.

Parlato has been prominently featured on HBO’s docuseries “The Vow” and was the lead investigator and coordinating producer for Investigation Discovery’s “The Lost Women of NXIVM.” Parlato was also credited in the Starz docuseries "Seduced" for saving 'slave' women from being branded and escaping the sex-slave cult known as DOS.

Additionally, Parlato’s coverage of the group OneTaste, starting in 2018, helped spark an FBI investigation, which led to indictments of two of its leaders in 2023.

Parlato appeared on the Nancy Grace Show, Beyond the Headlines with Gretchen Carlson, Dr. Oz, American Greed, Dateline NBC, and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, where Parlato conducted the first-ever interview with Keith Raniere after his arrest. This was ironic, as many credit Parlato as one of the primary architects of his arrest and the cratering of the cult he founded.

Parlato is a consulting producer and appears in TNT's The Heiress and the Sex Cult, which premiered on May 22, 2022. Most recently, he consulted and appeared on Tubi's "Branded and Brainwashed: Inside NXIVM," which aired January, 2023.

IMDb — Frank Parlato

Contact Frank with tips or for help.
Phone / Text: (305) 783-7083
Email: frankreport76@gmail.com

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