This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp.

We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Tamara Mathieu—and if you thought Part 1 was wild, just wait. This time, Tammy walks us through what finally pushed her family to leave the Twelve Tribes, including a hollow diet, some serious double standards, and a clandestine late-night escape from their Florida commune.

She shares what it’s like to rejoin the outside world after years of being told it was evil (spoiler: it’s weird), how Rite Aid and a bag of Hershey’s Kisses helped rewire her brain, and what healing looks like when you’re doing it for both yourself and your kids.

We also talk about her book, All Who Believed, part memoir, part survival manual, for anyone trying to make sense of life after leaving a high-control group.

If you missed Part 1, hit pause and go back. You’ll want the full story.

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.

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CREDITS: 

Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames

Production Partner: Amphibian.Media

Co-Creator: Jess Tardy

Writer: Kristen Reiter

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