The shorter episodes now have way too many “words from our sponsors” and make the episodes choppy and unfulfilling to listen to. Would much prefer less episodes that are at least an hour. I get you need sponsors but more sponsors have somehow made this podcast much more difficult to listen to and get into.

I love this podcast! It’s interesting and informative. Sarah and Nippy turned their cult experience into cult awareness for the rest of us.

I read Sarah’s book and also the one by Catherine Oxenberg. Sarah and Nippy do a great job tackling these subjects and doing interviews.

I learned about Sarah’s story when it was first reported by MSN. These Podcasts are informative and can help anyone who may be concerned or confused. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I wanted to like this podcast because I love podcasts that focus on and analyze high control groups and the social psychology of cults. But the first few episodes were so off-putting for me. The hosts assume you already know who they are, what cult they were in, their activism, and you have already watched The Vow. They assume you know who Keith Raniere is and the dynamics of the cult they were in. I had none of this context so I didn’t know what was going on. They don’t even mention NXIVM until like halfway through their first episode. This continued in their second episode as well, so I quit listening. It just felt like this podcast was only designed for existing fans who had closely followed their story. They also host some questionable guests who are also current or former sponsors of the show.

The recent episode featuring Sarah and Nippy’s friend Wade T. Lightheart has made me unsubscribe from the podcast. I’ve been around since S1 and although I haven’t listened to every episode, I have watched The Vow, bought and read Sarah’s book, and been a supporter of Sarah and Nippy’s exit from NXIVM from afar. I still am. And even though, parasocially, it doesn’t hold much weight for me to be disappointed in their friend’s viewpoint, I was extremely turned off by the episode. It’s dangerous to posture an individual who speaks so assertively (and positively) about RFK and being careful about “trusting experts” when Wade himself may not be qualified to discuss those topics on a podcast broadcasted to tens of thousands of listeners. Personal closeness does not legitimize a guest’s ability to present a nuanced and informed narrative that branches so many topics. This wasn’t an episode about health and wellness, it was an episode about Wade. I didn’t enjoy it. And now a seed of distrust has been planted in me about what Sarah and Nippy themselves support and believe, therefore I no longer wish to subscribe. I’m still glad they foster a space to explore cults and their negative influences. It has ultimately been a positive experience for me.

This guy is a great salesman and expert in many ways. But like those he admonishes for not “staying in their lane” he should stay in his lane. It was compelling and interesting until he suddenly went from becoming a nutrition expert, to an epidemiologist. Does he have credentials for either??? I think Sarah and Nippy still have a lot of healing to do and are getting themselves lost in “try-hard” territory. The show seems to have lost its focus so I’m taking a break from it and will come back when it’s a little less about them and more about helping others.

I know it was just a guest, but anyone who espouses that nut job is not appropriate for any podcast I want to listen to.

Interviews are mostly book plugs and referrals to guest experiences with no real substance. What is the point of listening to the podcast if all we hear is “read the book”. Recommend you focus on detailed content rather than promoting other content that we were looking for here.

Sara and Nippy have been through so much and have done a real service educating the world about cults and putting Keith Raniere behind bars. I listened to many seasons and learned a ton. Lately I’ve grown less interested because it feels like the same dynamics are explored over and over again. I had to stop with the live episode about the sex cult involving children. It was just too much and felt unnecessary somehow. I wondered for the first time whether and when people can be sufficiently healed to move on? Or maybe the “healing journey” just keeps being extended by constantly rehashing and reliving people’s cult-related trauma. It’s starting to feel less like education and more like entertainment for people with a cult core addiction. I’m thankful for the lessons but I think that was my last show, which I couldn’t finish.

I listening to this podcast anytime I am in the car 🤍 Always so interesting and Sarah has the best guests always

I can’t express enough how grateful I am for this podcast! Their deep dives coercion, narcissism and cult-like environments have been incredibly enlightening and transformative for me. Their thoughtful and insightful discussions have played a crucial role in my deconstruction and healing journey. The hosts dedication to unpacking complex topics with clarity and empathy has provided me with invaluable tools for understanding and overcoming the impacts of high-control environments. Thank you, for being a beacon of education and support during this challenging but essential process.

I will be transparent. I was interviewed on ALBC as well. But even before that happened, I listened to nearly every episode. As a cult survivor, I know how dangerous culty thinking and behavior can be, as well as how easily susceptible we all are to extremist thinking. There is so much to learn, to help us be more critical thinkers and to, in my not so humble opinion at times, help the world stay safer from extremism. ALBC, and Sarah and Nippy, do a great job of allowing people to tell their stories, so that we can all listen and learn.

The show generally presents information that doesn’t highlights and focuses extensively on the negative aspects of organization. It comes across as relatively critical and skeptical regarding organizations that mostly exist to do good in the world. Of course there are organizations that are highlighted that are been corrupted but why people would want to spend time focused on them from a podcast or show perspective and why people would waste a lot of time listening to this, makes sense. Sure, this content can be entertaining just as the toxic new cycle is captivating, but is there any actual value to it. I would assert little. Would recommend people invest their listening time on generally positive and or educational content.

The Gentle Souls episode transformed my understanding of why I was so vulnerable to narcissistic manipulation. Thank you, Sarah & Nippy, for interviewing Esther Friedman!

Perfect podcast for the car, workout or rushing through the grocery store- like me LOL!

Sarah and Nippy, I absolutely love you both and you are incredible. This was the first podcast that I ever stuck with. I listened from the beginning and learned so much that helps me in my daily life! Understanding how cults (and culty things) work completely changes your worldview, so thank you for that. I thought that most of the ET episode was word salad, but that’s okay, just not my cup of tea. You have had so many fascinating guests and I love all the rest! However, seeing the names Jordan Peterson and Megyn Kelly were a deal-breaker. Using knowledge I learned from your own show, I can see that both Peterson and Kelly are extremely culty. How can you not see the red flags? They are both racist, privileged, sexist, ableist, discriminatory, hypocritical… the list goes on and on. I truly hope that this show wakes up and sees that someday. And I will absolutely come back when you do.

I was extorted in 2015. It happened much like the way a cult, leader, grooms, and shapes you. I lost over $400,000 in credit credit and they got around 30,000 in cash. I have often wondered how this has happened this podcast and it’s guest have shown me so many valuable resources. I recently recently signed up for landmark worldwide forum. I started reading about them because I did have a little red flag go off and that ceiling in my gut which I ignored same thing happened in 2015. Never ignore your gut it is your lifeline it is, your intuition telling you that something is wrong. I have much to learn thank you for this podcast.

Obviously a lot of work and research goes into this. Their influence and reach is growing - helping people in so many different situations.

I like this podcast even though I don’t have any connections personally to cults. My only “constructive criticism” is that Nippy is not a great host/podcaster. His vocal cadence ranges from bored to condescending to sometimes ridiculous/inappropriate. Sarah is amazing and I think she’d do better without him on the show. Sarah be careful I think Nippy is a little mean/culty himself. I wish he wasn’t on the podcast - when he says smash that subscribe button you know you want to -I cringe every time

Lawsey that dude the artist is gonna make me fall straight to sleep. Sooo boring. He should read stories on true crime for better sleep lol. For real this is a yawner.

Love you both great job on the podcast .

Sarah and Nippy are wonderful hosts. They are always well prepared for the interview, very respectful to guests, and they are fun. Good sense of humor, the is so much needed to digest these gruesome stories.

Let women finish their sentences. Engage as if you're truly listening and not preparing a comment that you clearly believe is profound. Just about every guest is a The Vow fanboy. It's creepy,

I’ve gone back & listened to almost all the episodes after hearing the premise; nearly anything we join can lean “culty” when we give over enough of our control. I think Sarah & Nippy come across as honest & earnest & curious. Their own experience means they generally demonstrate empathy & care in their interviews, which tend to be more long-forms talks from the guests. at times, these interviews feel more like lectures where either the hosts or the guest talks their own morality up quite a bit. I’ve skipped through a few that denigrate public schools & teachers (guess my occupation) or suggest that schools “don’t teach critical thinking”. Sarah wants to be friends with everyone & Nippy wants to side eye everything. If you can get past their occasional forays where they or their guests come across as “holier than thou”, it’s a good podcast where we can learn how to talk to our loved ones or neighbors who may have joined something “A Little Bit Culty.”

I was first introduced to this podcast because I got Covid and had time to kill, so I watched seasons one and two of The Vow. If you haven't done that yet, holy smokes, watch it. So my curiosity was spiked and I began listening, even digging back through older podcasts since I was loving the content so much. Little did I know, not only would I be well informed about culty things happening in society, I would be able to kick start my journey to navigate out of something "a little bit culty" in my life. Definitely a happy accident there, but it made a loyal listener to this podcast!

A fanastic series of discussions about all the ways culty thinking and behavior show up in the world, from religious sects to sorority houses. The hosts know what they're talking about, given their horrible experiences with NXIVM. They interview a profound range of guests, from survivors to experts to journalists. They have a great dynamic and create excellent rapport with everybody on the show. It's an instant-listen for me every Monday morning.

Hi Just watched The Vow and now listening to your podcast. Enjoying the flow of the podcast and you funny/loving banter. Any thoughts on Alticor (Amway)? A little culty? I am amazed that you are not rolled up in a ball of emotion after all the mind f..kery from that lunatic. Thanks

I absolutely love this podcast that I started listening to after watching The Vow. What a remarkable and very needed service Sarah and Nippy are bringing to the world. Keep it up!

They keep releasing episodes with ads and promos playing over the interviews. It’s gobbledegook and showcases how much of the podcast is geared towards sales. I’m out.

I love this podcast, and look forward to it every week. BUT this latest episode needs to be re-edited and reuploaded, because the amount of the “commercial break” recordings I heard really broke up this excellent interview, and made it almost impossible to finish.

This is one of my all time favorite podcasts. And I’m very picky about what I listen to. Sarah and Nippy are such great hosts and ask pertinent questions. They don’t banter on needlessly, and get right to the point. So far every guest has also been very interesting. It’s fascinating information in helping to understand why people wind up in cults.

While I applaud why these toward trying to do in terms of cults, the fact that they support Trump and his base is actually counter to a lot what they are saying when in fact they are in the cult of Trump. How blind can they be to this realization? Not supporting hypocrites. And you shouldn’t either.

Wow! Just listened to episode 31 “A Journey of Love…”. It’s a fascinating listen told by the guest with humility and courage. Humility because he (Andrew LeCompte) never gets “lecture-y” and with courage because he must feel so much pain and maybe shame (?) underneath his story. The show hosts do a great job of asking questions that get the guest to share more insight so that we can all learn from his journey. Left me want to know more so I’m going to buy his memoir.

I really enjoyed the Landmark episodes, especially with Mr. Ross. I participated in the Forum in the late 90s and always thought it was culty! So much of what he said kept reminding me of to the Dr. Fauci phenomenon during the Covid crisis. The blind following of a medical cult leader by intelligent people, no less, really blew me away. Please do an episode of the cult following of Fauci and the Covid cult. There are still so many followers.

1) “word salad” swag, love it. The lightning bolt is too close to a certain cult. 2)I’m listening to all episodes, and watching related films. Is it only Apple Podcasts that repeats part 5-10 minutes of the recording every episode 3) marketing crosses the line to manipulation when it uses hypnosis techniques. Relax your jaw, breathe, join patreon. Classic get present-believe the next thing I say. Just Inform, invite, provide an opportunity for giving back in appreciation for the benefit I’ve received.

Education meets salacious tea.

Love how this pod has developed as Sarah and Nippy have expanded their healing and interest outward from their own original experience. They give voice to so many of us who’ve had culty experiences and listen and question with nuance and respect. Wild how the same themes show up over and over showing the culty core inside every different shiny packaging that the gurus and prophets and vanguards wrap themselves in. They ask smart questions and let their guests have their full say. I appreciate the vulnerability that they both consistently show and the grace they give to fellow survivors. They also talk a lot about accountability for themselves and I think that’s a very important aspect. Worth your time. Enjoy!

She is awesome! The hosts? The Ick factor is just too strong. This guy thinks he’s so important and entertaining, but he’s a disruptive attention grabber. I could not listen!

Sarah and Nippy, thank you for putting your whole hearts into this podcast. I am always so impressed by the connection you make to the person you are interviewing. Sarah I love how thoughtful and insightful you are. When you tear up it shows just how concerned you are about people. Nippy I love your sharp commentary. Also love the relationship between you both. You make my weekend of chores fly by. Love the book too Sara.

This is a clarifying and powerful episode. I’m going to listen again.

I love this podcast. Well balanced with info, humor, and personal shares. I especially loved Dr Ramani. Her message of hope at the end of her session was so moving! Coming out from the other side of my own recovery journey I felt seen when she said how she has unlimited hope for survivors, how we are thriving. Keep up the good work Sarah and Nippy!

This has easily become 1 of my favorite podcasts & sets my bar pretty high for all the others out there. It’s smart, thoughtful & I learn so much. I love that there’s some structure to the format but it still allows space for personal & emotional responses (Sarah - never apologize for crying on the show! It’s always appropriate & warranted & let’s us know how deeply you care ❤️). This is one of the only podcasts I actually subscribe to & can’t wait for the new episode every week. I haven’t always been a very critical thinker & I feel this show has opened my eyes & given me tools go deeper & ask more questions. Keep up the amazing work - best of the best!!!

This podcast is one of the best! It’s personally helped me recognize and better cope with an abusive childhood and how/why I remained loyal to my abusers for so many years and kept falling for their obvious lies. It seems like most cult leaders are very much like abusive parents, only on a much larger scale. What makes this podcast different is the insight and honesty that the hosts share about their daily struggles in recentering a cult free life. Their banter is delightful and funny. I would love to see a series, possibly a dramedy based on their new and better life.

Very privileged people, to almost a comical degree. Casual racism and Sarah is a dedicated zionist. Obvious how these two were cult leaders. They made tons of money off of their cult involvement. Now they continue to make money. I wonder how much money they’ve given back to the people they exploited?

Intelligent, insightful, compassionate and hilarious! Thank you, ALBC

The blindness exhibited by Sarah and Nippy of their own privilege is disappointing. The lack of accountability they have for their own historic actions in expanding a cult in combination with the lack of reparations they’ve tried to make for the people whose backs they made their money on, whilst simultaneously using this podcast as a ‘point-the-finger-to-another-cult’ soapbox is a flavor of hypocrisy too rich for my taste.

I have always found cults to be so interesting and even did a paper on it in college. Because of that interest I’m always looking for new podcasts to add to my library and found the podcast first, then saw the Vow! Just wow, the comparisons I saw between Raniere and the man who runs the company I work for made me see that so many of the things he does are a “little bit culty!” People are already leaving and it does feel like it’s time to get out myself! The culture has become so unhealthy and there is a fear to leave, he too has sued and released collateral of those who have already left! Of course my experience is nothing compared to Sarah and Nippy and all the other brave soles who left and blew the whistle but I have at least opened my eyes a little bit more after hearing your stories and am able to see things from a new perspective. Unfortunately I can’t just leave I have to pay the bills, but I have an exit plan and hope this year I can finally after 11 years get away from a culture that has likely caused more damage then I realize. We’ve always been told by him to defend our house, but that house has always stood on quick sand where we constantly feel like we have to dig ourselves out, so I’ve decided it’s my turn and it’s my own house I will now defend!! Thanks for the podcast, since I just found it I’m starting from the beginning!

My favorite podcast! I’ve been listening for a long time. It’s one of the first ones I check, and I learn so much each time! It’s helped me heal and process my own coercive group experiences, including church traumas; and I find my own voice growing stronger too! Thank you Sarah and Nippy for creating this beautifully honest space. My heart is so happy each time a new podcast drops.

This show goes beyond discussions of actual cults and into the tactics cults and cult-like groups use to control other people. I’m an attorney. I do a lot of work helping people who have been victimized by someone who lied, gaslit, manipulated, and abused my clients. Not dealing with actual cults, per se, but with bad people using cult playbooks. I’ve recommended this show to so many of my clients as a way for them to see both that they’re not alone and also how to not get victimized again.