A Little Bit Culty

• Hoodwinked by the Algorithm: Dr. Mara Einstein on Cult Tactics in Marketing (Part 1)

  You don’t have to join a cult to get manipulated—just log onto the internet. This week on A Little Bit Culty, we’re diving into the marketing matrix with Dr. Mara Einstein, professor, media critic, and author of Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults. From influencer culture and MLMs to “brand cults” and rage farming, Mara breaks down how modern marketing preys on fear, insecurity, and our need to belong. She joins Sarah and Nippy for a deep-dive into the culty parallels between conversion funnels and recruitment tactics, why brands like Apple and Lululemon are more community than commerce, and how social media algorithms corral us into echo chambers where we become both the audience and the product. If you’ve ever felt like your phone is reading your mind, or like the coaching industry is selling more promises than progress, this one’s for you. This is Part 1 of a two-part convo. Stay tuned next week for more! To learn more about Dr. Einstein and her work, visit drmaraeinstein.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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• You Might Also Like: The Sarah Fraser Show

  Introducing BREAKING! Sister Wives Coyote Pass REDIVIDED! Who Owns What In 2025 After Family Split, What Does This Mean For Kody & Robyn’s Finances? Friday, April 4th, 2025 | Sarah Fraser from The Sarah Fraser Show.Follow the show: The Sarah Fraser Show In today's episode, I shared some breaking news about the famous Coyote Pass property in Flagstaff, Arizona, owned by the Sister Wives family. Janelle and Meri Brown have successfully hired lawyers, leading to a significant legal victory where the property has been divided into four parcels, with each of them, along with Kody and Robyn, now owning 25%. This resolution comes after years of contention and speculation, and many believe it signals that the property might soon be up for sale. Additionally, I discussed the historical context of the property purchase, Christine Brown's previous land transfer, and rumors about Kody and Robyn potentially moving.Timestamps:00:00:08 - Introduction and Breaking News00:00:19 - Overview of Coyote Pass00:09:36 - Detailed Breakdown of Property Division00:18:08 - Robyn’s Holdout and Speculations00:19:24 - Warranty Deed ExplanationGet Tickets To Our Virtual Live Podcast show May 1st at 7pm EDT. Here’s the link for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/david-yontef-sarah-fraser-virtual-live-show-ask-us-anything-51-7pm-tickets-1276780297239?aff=erelexpmlt MY Go Big Podcasting Courses Are Here! Purchase Go Big Podcasting and learn to start, monetize, and grow your own podcast. USE CODE: TIKTOK20 for 20% OFF (code expires April 30th, 2025)**SHOP my Amazon Marketplace - especially if you're looking to get geared-up to start your own Podcast!!!**https://www.amazon.com/shop/thesarahfrasershowShow is sponsored by:Horizonfibroids.com get rid of those nasty fibroidsLittleSaints.com use code TSFS for 20% off your first order, these are my FAV non-alcoholic cocktails, enjoy better sleep, less stress, and more!Nutrafol.com use code TSFS for FREE shipping and $10 off your subscriptionProlonlife.com/tsfs 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Nutrition Program! ● Try their detox that has REAL FOOD and WORKS!Rula.com/tsfs to get started today. That’s R-U-L-A dot com slash tsfs for convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance.Quince.com/tsfs for FREE shipping on your order and 365 day returnsFollow me on Instagram/Tiktok: @thesarahfrasershow  ***Visit our Sub-Reddit: reddit.com/r/thesarahfrasershow for ALL things The Sarah Fraser Show!!!***Advertise on The Sarah Fraser Show: [email protected] a juicy gossip TIP from your favorite TLC or Bravo show? Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

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• Blazing Eyes, Cult Ties, and New Age Vibes with Leah Sottile

  This episode is sponsored in part by BetterHelp. New Age isn’t just sage bundles and Instagram affirmations. It can also be a fast track to conspiracy-laced belief systems, grifty gurus, and straight-up cults. In this episode, we’re joined by journalist and podcaster Leah Sottile, whose new book Blazing Eye Sees All takes a sharp look at how New Age spirituality has seeped into American culture, and not always in ways that sparkle. We dig into the strange and disturbing world of Love Has Won, a New Age cult led by self-proclaimed deity Amy Carlson, aka Mother God, who gained infamy for turning blue from drinking colloidal silver. (Yes, really.) Leah breaks down how Carlson built a loyal following online, why her followers believed she channeled Robin Williams, and how the group continued after her death. We also talk about the deeper issues hiding behind the crystal curtains—like why women are often drawn to New Age ideologies, the patriarchal dynamics hidden in so-called matriarchal cults, and the troubling rise of antisemitism in these belief systems. This one is equal parts fascinating and horrifying. Come for the blue lady, stay for the sharp insight. You can find more of Leah and her work on her website https://leahsottile.com/, on her blog, and on Instagram @leah.sottile 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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• Justified Resentment: When AA Goes Culty with April McLean

  Alcoholics Anonymous has become a household name. You’ve probably heard of the 12 steps, sponsors, and sobriety chips. At its best, AA can be life-changing. But in some chapters, things can take a darker turn, and when they do, there’s no centralized structure to step in. In this episode, we’re talking with April McLean—a blogger and former member of AA who found herself deep in a high-control group that looked a lot like a cult. April bravely walks us through her journey across three different AA groups, where love bombing, spiritual shaming, and manipulation were passed off as “tough love.” What started as a path to recovery became a minefield of emotional abuse, gaslighting, and coercive control. We explore what happens when sponsors exploit their position of power, how AA’s decentralized model leaves members vulnerable, and why it’s so important to listen to your gut when something feels off, even in a space that’s supposed to help you heal. Trigger warning for addiction and alcohol abuse. Note: We’re not here to bash AA as a whole—it’s helped a lot of people. But as April’s story shows, it’s possible for helpful frameworks to become harmful when the wrong people are in charge. If you’re struggling with substance abuse or any mental health crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. And if you're feeling trapped in a culty or coercive environment, visit our resource page for support. To read more of April’s story, check out her blog: substack.com/@aprilmclean 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 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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