Episode
How Would YOU Know If You Were In a Cult? Sarah Edmondson On Escaping NXIVM #380
- Published
- Jun 23, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4064
- Processing state
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- https://redcircle.com/shows/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel
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Summary
Sarah Edmondson never thought she'd join a cult. Like so many others, she was searching for personal growth, community, and purpose when she discovered NXIVM—a self-help organization that promised to help people become the best version of themselves. Instead, she found herself trapped inside one of the most notorious cults in modern history. In this eye-opening conversation, Sarah shares how she became involved with NXIVM, the red flags she noticed from the beginning, and why she ignored them. She opens up about the secret inner circle known as DOS, the shocking branding ritual that changed everything, and the moment she realized the organization was far more dangerous than she ever imagined. Rachel also shares her own experiences with coercive environments and explores the psychology behind manipulation, control, and why intelligent, successful people can find themselves caught in systems they never intended to join. This is more than a story about NXIVM. It's a conversation about trust, belonging, influence, and how easily our instincts can be overridden when the right person—or organization—knows exactly what we want to hear. Sarah's New Book "A Little Bit Culty: Navigating Cults, Control and Coercion" : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSLMQSNG/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_1SRVB8CAP59353KWMAFF?linkCode=ml1&tag=sarahjedmonds-20&linkId=392e3fe96936a691bf47e4d22bdf4b09 --- --- --- PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!: ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitel Shop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/ Follow Rachel on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=en Follow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.…