*Content warning: This episode includes discussion of coercive control, cults, cultic abuse, branding, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, rape, & sex slavery.

Sarah Edmondson is an actor, author, podcaster, victim advocate, & mother who has appeared in many publications and productions, including HBO’s The Vow. She found her passion for the performing arts at a young age, and has seen great success in front of the camera. Her roles in front of them have drastically shifted over the last decade though; she now uses the spotlight to share her experiences in NXIVM. Sarah was tested to her limits by her journey within the multi-level marketing sex cult, and we are so grateful she was willing to talk to us about how she’s turned what came next for her into education for the masses.

Sponsors:
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Sources:
Sarah’s Cultic Abuse & Coercive Control Resources:
https://www.sarahedmondson.com/resources

Sarah’s Instagram: 
http://www.instagram.com/sarahedmondson

A Little But Culty on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/alittlebitculty

Sarah’s podcast, A Little Bit Culty:
https://alittlebitculty.com/

Sarah’s Book, Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life
https://amzn.to/3RwmmY2

NY Times on NXIVM 10/17/17
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/nyregion/nxivm-women-branded-albany.html

HBO’s The Vow
https://www.hbo.com/the-vow

Psychology Today, Understanding the Basics of Cults:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-mind/202106/understanding-cults-the-basics

Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan
https://amzn.to/3BaCQz

Insider.com on the Legal Progression of the NXIVM trials:
https://www.insider.com/what-is-nxivm-keith-raniere-explainer-2019-4#june-30-2021-allison-mack-was-sentenced-to-3-years-in-prison-27

I Got Out Movement
http://igotout.org

Cult Info Since 1979 via International Cultic Studies Association
https://www.icsahome.com/articles/prevalence

For free and confidential resources, please visit: somethingwaswrong.com/resources