A Little Bit Culty

• Brandon Guffy: Coercive Control and Sextortion

  Online sextortion scams are on the rise, targeting young victims—especially teen boys—by coercing them into sharing explicit images, then blackmailing them into silence. These predators use fear, humiliation, and intimidation to trap their victims, often with devastating consequences. Our guest today, South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey, knows this horror firsthand. In 2022, his 17-year-old son, Gavin, fell victim to sextortion and tragically took his own life. Since then, Brandon has dedicated his life to raising awareness, passing Gavin’s Law to make sextortion a felony in South Carolina, and fighting for accountability from tech giants like Meta. Through his nonprofit, Less Than Three, he works to educate families, protect young people, and prevent future tragedies. This conversation is both heartbreaking and urgent. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for support. Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, coercion, and online exploitation. Listener discretion is advised. UPDATE: Since this episode was recorded, the alleged scammer, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, has been extradited to the U.S. and is currently in custody awaiting trial.  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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• Corruption in the Hare Krishna Movement: A Survivor’s Story with Nori Muster

  This week we  continue to explore corruption within the Hare Krishna movement, this time through the eyes of former member Nori Muster. From 1978 to 1988, Nori worked in the movement’s PR and media department, where she was tasked with spinning headlines and managing ISKCON's public image. However, what began as a spiritual refuge soon revealed a dark underbelly of corruption, cover-ups, and even murder. Nori recounts her time in ISKCON, her growing disillusionment, and the pivotal moments that led her to become a whistleblower. Her story sheds light on the systemic issues within the movement and offers insights into the ongoing challenges of healing from cult involvement. Nori also discusses her contributions to Monkey on a Stick, the documentary featured in our previous episode, and her memoir, Betrayal of the Spirit: My Life Behind the Headlines of the Hare Krishna Movement, available here.  Trigger Warning: This episode discusses abuse and violence. 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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• Monkey on a Stick: Corruption within the Hare Krishna Movement with Jason Lapeyre

  This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/CULTY to get started today. Remember the Hare Krishnas? The ones with the shaved heads and orange robes who used to chant and panhandle at airports? What started as a movement promoting inner peace and material detachment descended into chaos, corruption, and crime. In this week’s episode, Sarah and Nippy sit down with filmmaker Jason Lapeyre, director of the new documentary Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness, and the Hare Krishnas. Together, they explore the movement’s descent into a shocking underworld of abuse, drug smuggling, and even murder during the 1970s and 80s. Jason shares the heartbreaking realities of Hare Krishna boarding schools, the dangerous power dynamics within the group, and how charismatic leaders exploited followers while living in opulence. This conversation is a deep dive into the human cost of unchecked authority, religious corruption, and legal loopholes that allowed perpetrators like Keith Ham to evade justice. Be sure to check out Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness, and the Hare Krishnas streaming on AMC+ and Sundance NOW in the US, or Apple TV+ and Youtube Premium in Canada. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses child abuse, sexual assault, and violence. And don’t miss next week’s episode featuring Nori Muster, whose personal experience with the Hare Krishna movement was also spotlighted in Monkey on a Stick. 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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• F*ck This, I’m Out: Remembering Mike Rinder

  This week, we’re honoring the life and legacy of our dear friend and hero, Mike Rinder. Mike was a pivotal figure in the fight against cultic abuse, and his courage and compassion set the gold standard for turning a difficult past into a powerful force for good. To celebrate his incredible contributions, we’re re-releasing this conversation from March 2021, where Mike shared his remarkable journey out of Scientology, the intricacies of whistleblowing, and the resilience it takes to rebuild after leaving a high-control group.   In Mike’s own words, “If you are in any way fighting to end those abuses, please keep the flag flying. Never give up.” Let’s carry his torch forward.   👉 Support Mike Rinder’s Legacy and Help Send His Son Jack to College here  Thank you, Mike, for being the light we all needed. We’ll miss you, but your legacy shines on. Original episode: F*ck This, I’m Out: Mike Rinder & The About-Face released March 14, 2021 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. ORIGINAL EPISODE CREDITS: Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Partner: Citizens of Sound  Producer: Will Retherford  Associate Producer: Jess Tardy Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin Additional Music Scores by Will Retherford RE-RELEASE 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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• For the record: Jonathan Hirsch on Cult Story Telling (Part 2)

  This show/episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/CULTY to get started today. This is the second part of a 2 part interview with Jonathan Hirsch. Listen to Part 1 Here. Jonathan Hirsch is an award-winning podcaster and journalist who grew up in the Adidam hippie cult. His podcast, “Dear Franklin Jones”, is about that experience. Today, he’s here to discuss the less famous—but equally culty—Jones and what it’s like for children who grow up with religious abuse.  And for more of Jonathan's work, Be sure to check out his latest podcast, “Scary Terri”, which unravels the chilling story of Terri Lee Hoffman—a spiritual leader in Dallas whose followers faced a series of mysterious deaths. Listen now: The Binge on Apple Podcasts.  Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and may be disturbing to some listeners. 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: Emma Diehl, 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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