• Home
  • About Me
  • Mission Statement
  • Welcome Message
  • Open Letter to My Family
  • Donate
  • Contact Me

Mike Rinder's Blog

Something Can Be Done About It

  • All Posts
  • Disconnection
  • Idle Orgs
  • IAS
  • Media
  • Books
  • Fundraising
  • Regraded Being

Episode 31: NXIVM Whistleblower Sarah Edmondson

March 8, 2021 By Mike Rinder 19 Comments

Sarah Edmondson Fair Game Podcast

 

This week, Leah and I talk with Sarah Edmondson, featured in The Vow, author of Scarred and host (with her husband Anthony “Nippy” Ames) of a new podcast, A Little Bit Culty.

We talked about the similarities between Nxivm and scientology, the systems of control and even the language are remarkably similar, so much so that there is little doubt in my mind that Keith Raniere studied Hubbard. We talk about The Vow and what recovering from a cult experience is like and the impact of Scientology and The Aftermath had on her. Both Nxivm and scientology use the idea of personal responsibility to pin the blame on victims of abuse, and both engage in Fair Game, so there was plenty to cover.

I recommend Sarah’s book Scarred for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of Nxivm than was provided by The Vow or Seduced.

Scarred by Sarah Edmonson

 

Sarah and Nippy’s new podcast:

A Little Bit Culty Podcast

 

 

 

Mike Rinder Scientology Fair Game podcast

Share this...
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: Fair Game Podcast, Keith Raniere, Leah Remini, Mike Rinder, NXIVM, podcast, Sarah Edmondson

Comments

  1. Jessica Petty says

    August 5, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    Mike,

    I just started really diving into information on NXIVM and I noticed, just like you mentioned, there are similarities between NXIVM and Scientology. I remember in a previous podcast episode of Fair Game, you and Leah discussed that everything in Scientology is trademarked or copywrite and that using the technology outside of the “church” was a major transgression.

    Were there any statements from Scientology or lawsuits or anything really against NXIVM for using the word “Suppressive” to describe someone that was against them or for using, essentially, Scientology technology through their EM? To me, it seemed that EM was very similar to auditing. In Seduced, they even mentioned that if someone started to have doubts, they would tell them they need to go get EM. And if I remember correctly, it is the same in Scientology. If you have doubts or start to question, they tell you to get auditing.

    Just didn’t know if there were any allegations/statements against NXIVM from Scientology.

    Thank you so much for everything that you and Leah do!

    Reply
  2. April says

    March 30, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    Great episode! Both Sarah and Leah mentioned some book recommendations. Where do I find these? A link was mentioned, but I don’t know where that is. I’d love to read the books mentioned.

    Reply
  3. SL says

    March 12, 2021 at 8:54 am

    After this podcast I immediately subscribed to HBO and am on Episode 3. This was a very impactful episode for me and I am blown away that they had all this video and audio on the leader — something many whistleblowers from Scientology just could not get. Video and audio is so powerful. Agree with you Mike, he just didn’t call himself a religion so was not afforded that protection.

    So thankful for the podcasts, they will reach more and more people until finally someone does something on the IRS level to bring it all tumbling down.

    Reply
  4. chuckbeattyx75to03 says

    March 10, 2021 at 7:06 pm

    Incredible episode, really loved when Leah and Sarah got going commenting lighting speed back and forth. Totally jam packed episode.

    Reply
  5. Caroline says

    March 10, 2021 at 11:33 am

    I loved your guest and am now a follower of A LITTLE BIT CULTY. 😊 One of the best things Leah said, is how she is now sticking up for others and helping in everyday life situations. GIVING BACK OF YOURSELF and TREATING OTHERS WITH KINDNESS is definitely needed in this world today. No-one is too insignificant. RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS are necessary. This Scientology abuse is repulsive and messes with people’s chance for an authentic life. Thank goodness for Leah and Mike! Never change Leah…you are the pretty “pitbull” REQUIRED to take these people down. I respect you stating that you’d choose this road vs acting if you had to make that decision. YOU ARE A BAD ASS and you are making BIG strides.

    Reply
    • Rich says

      March 10, 2021 at 5:43 pm

      100% agree!

      I am so hooked on this movement to take down Scientology and other cults. Keep exposing the LIES and DISCEPTION for DISHONEST GAIN.

      Gaining riches through dishonesty is the fleeting fancy of those who seek death!

      Reply
  6. Balletlady says

    March 10, 2021 at 11:32 am

    Got to get the Aftermath back on A & E TV so you can win ANOTHER award.

    There are so many stories that needing airing on TV…..I am going to write A & E yet again to request that they bring back a few more episodes.

    POD casts are ONE thing, at least the information is getting out there. …the wider & more vast audience would be on the TV screen world wide.

    Reply
  7. D’Metryus Lacopo says

    March 9, 2021 at 8:10 pm

    hi mike, i’ve seen leah’s and your show, and i wanted to thank you and each of the contributors for your bravery in telling your stories. i work a lot with trauma and have ptsd myself, so i understand how difficult telling your story can be, even without scientology’s excessive pressure tactics. i’m glad to see you and leah collaborate with sarah, as i myself have noticed the stark similarities between nxivm and scientology. i think by speaking about the similarities, it could expose scientology’s nature in a different manner to people who could enact some change, and could help clear up how easily scientology’s abuses could be stopped.

    Reply
  8. Smoore says

    March 9, 2021 at 5:31 pm

    When Leah talks about wanting to help people because it makes her feel good, that’s what the Dalai Lama calls “wise selfishness.” I’ve always loved that concept.

    Reply
  9. Old Surfer Dude says

    March 9, 2021 at 10:20 am

    Damn! You look great in this picture!!

    Reply
  10. Andy S says

    March 9, 2021 at 7:22 am

    Flaunt that golden globe for all it’s worth Mike. In your face Miscavige!

    Reply
    • Mary Kahn says

      March 9, 2021 at 3:23 pm

      Emmy

      Reply
      • Andy S says

        March 9, 2021 at 4:40 pm

        Sorry I’m not up on these awards, but which ever one it is it must be hurting Miscavige which is a good thing.

        Reply
        • Mary Kahn says

          March 9, 2021 at 6:31 pm

          Absolutely! TO MA TO – TA Ma TO.

          Reply
  11. ISNOINews says

    March 8, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    The following is relevant to Mike’s story four days ago

    After recently promoting Scientology front-group The Way To Happiness, “Christian Scientologist” Scientology Patron Meritorious Joy Villa is now promoting Scientology front-group Youth For Human Rights.

    https://twitter.com/Joy_Villa/status/1369032999111585793

    The link in Villa’s tweet goes to the website for Youth For Human Rights.

    Memorialized with two screenshots on ESMBR at:

    https://exscn2.net/threads/scientology-patron-meritorious-and-republican-political-commentator-joy-villa-who-recently-had-an-exploratory-committee-for-a-congressional-run.93/post-79999

    /

    Reply
  12. Christian Universalist says

    March 8, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    I am not sure but I heard somewhere that Reiniere was upset that people compared NXVIM to Scientology. Apparently Reiniere was thinking: “How dare they question my integrity by comparing me to Scientology! I just run a sex slave cult!”

    Reply
  13. Maverick Arbuckle says

    March 8, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    Lloyd Evans’s channel might possibly get shut down due to the watchtower. Something needs to be done to make sure that this does not happen.

    Reply
  14. Lindsay Spence says

    March 8, 2021 at 9:52 am

    I watched the special on Dateline about Nxium recently. It was shocking. Does it feel bittersweet to see the leader held accountable for his crimes when the same thing has not happened to David Miscavige?

    Reply
    • Mike Rinder says

      March 8, 2021 at 11:13 am

      Of course. Ranieres big error was not calling himself a religion. Might not be in jail if he had followed Hubbards lead on that. He copied a lot of other things but missed the most crucial to being able to save himself from paying the price for his abuses.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Order now hardback or audiobook

Order an Autographed Copy
Click Here to Donate

Important Articles

Dealing With Scientology Critics - L Ron Hubbard Playbook
The Real Story About Disconnection
To Speak Or Not To Speak
Shelly Miscavige Guarded By Armed PIs
Debbie Cook's New Years Email
On David Miscavige's Behavior
Miscavige's Behavior Part 2
A Letter From Garcia

Important Quotes

If the org slumps during this transition period, don't engage in "fund raising" or "selling postcards" or borrowing money. Just make more income with Scientology. L Ron Hubbard From HCOPL URGENT ORG PROGRAMMING
"We own a tremendous amount of property. We own a tremendous amount of material and so forth, and it keeps growing. But that’s not important. When buildings get important to us, for God sakes, some of you born revolutionists will you please blow up central headquarters". L Ron Hubbard Lecture 31 Dec 1960
"Personal integrity is knowing what you know. What you know is what you know and to have the courage to know and say what you have observed".- LRH from Personal Integrity
"It is necessary to happiness of man, that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists of professing to believe what he does not believe." Thomas Paine
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Martin Luther King
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King
“There comes a time when silence is betrayal.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
“Communication is the universal solvent” - L Ron Hubbard
“When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.” Thomas Paine
"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth." William Faulkner
"The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis." Dalai Lama

Important Reading

Troublemaker - Leah Remini
Ruthless - Ron Miscavige
Going Clear - Lawrence Wright
Bare Faced Messiah - Russell Miller
Counterfeit Dreams - Jeff Hawkins
Blown For Good - Marc Headley
Abuse at the Top - Amy Scobee
Unbreakable Miss Lovely - Tony Ortega
The Church of Fear - John Sweeney
Fair Game - Steve Cannane
Inside Scientology - Janet Reitman
Jenna Miscavige - Beyond Belief
My Billion Year Contract
Ron the War Hero - Chris Owen

Popular Posts

Scientology Photoshops Audience
Tommy Davis and Jessica Feshbach
Shelly Miscavige- Why She Stays
Disconnection and My Mother
Food for Thought
  • David Miscavige Paranoia
    The Church of Spin
    Correspondent from the Bay Area
    Actors Needed to Play Scientologists
  • Recent Comments

    • Splunk on Scientology’s Lying Response to Masterson Conviction: “The seal of confessional in the Catholic Church is absolute. The text in the red box is nothing like that.” Jun 2, 21:39
    • Yawn on Scientology’s Lying Response to Masterson Conviction: “Hubbard even mentions that eventually you run Scientology off the case. In army slang, it’s uttered, ‘bullshit baffles minds’ -…” Jun 2, 20:59
    • Yawn on Scientology’s Lying Response to Masterson Conviction: “Well said Chuck.” Jun 2, 20:52
    • Yawn on Scientology’s Lying Response to Masterson Conviction: “Scientology has had over five decades to prove if Hubbard’s technology works and works as broadly as Hubbard claims. It’s…” Jun 2, 20:39
    • Sharon on Justice for Danny Masterson’s Victims: “Well said!!” Jun 2, 19:51
    • Fred Haseney on Justice for Danny Masterson’s Victims: “Cindy, Poor Danny (who, incidentally, shares a birthday with L. Ron Hubbard) didn’t rate any coverage on the local radio.…” Jun 2, 19:41
    • Fred Haseney on Justice for Danny Masterson’s Victims: “Hi, Mary — His Wikipedia entry has changed since my earier post: “Daniel Peter Masterson (born March 13, 1976) is…” Jun 2, 19:38
    • Karen de la Carriere on Scientology’s Lying Response to Masterson Conviction: “Brilliant post which will stand the test of time. Not only is it completely illegal in Scn law, rules and…” Jun 2, 19:14
    • Aquamarine on Scientology’s Lying Response to Masterson Conviction: “GREAT article Mike. While reading it I got flashes of Ralph Macchio’s friend in “My Cousin Vinny” who knew that…” Jun 2, 18:58
    • jim rowles on Scientology’s Lying Response to Masterson Conviction: “I had fun over at TonyO’s page doing an “Awareness” scale plus emotions that Danny may have gone through in…” Jun 2, 18:29

    Check out MRinder.com

    Categories

    Archives

    Copyright © 2023 Mike Rinder · WordPress · Log in