043 - Surviving The Cult of NXIVM: Sarah Edmondson and Anthony Ames' Resilience in the Face of Manipulation

The Gaslight Effect

On this episode, Dr. Robin Stern is honored to be joined by two extraordinary individuals whose resilience and courage have transformed their experiences into beacons of hope.

Sarah Edmondson, a Canadian actress known for her roles in CBS's "Salvation" and numerous Hallmark Channel and Lifetime films, embarked on a journey of self-discovery when she encountered NXIVM, a personal development company led by Keith Raniere, promising the keys to unlocking human potential.

Alongside her husband and former college athlete, Anthony "Nippy" Ames, Sarah delved deep into NXIVM's teachings. Rising through the ranks, they both became integral figures within the organization, with Anthony drawn to its goals program and Sarah operating her own center in Vancouver.

However, their seemingly idyllic journey took a dark turn when they uncovered the truth behind NXIVM's facade. With courage and determination, Sarah blew the whistle on the organization's gaslighting and abusive practices, while Anthony wasted no time in helping burn its carefully constructed public image to the ground.

In 2019, Sarah published Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult that Bound My Life, with Kristine Gasbarre. In this tell-all memoir, she shares her story from the moment she takes her first seminar to her harrowing fight to get out. Sarah and Anthony's full story as whistleblowers is featured in The Vow, the critically acclaimed HBO documentary series on NXIVM. Also be sure to check out Sarah's powerful TED Talk about How To Spot A Cult.

Now, as hosts of the enlightening podcast "A Little Bit Culty," Sarah and Anthony continue to shine a light on the healing process, engaging with experts and fellow survivors to navigate the complexities of recovery and resilience.

Join Robin as she delves into the depths of gaslighting and coercion with Sarah Edmondson and Anthony "Nippy" Ames, and explores how they emerged with newfound understanding and empowerment.

To read the full transcript of this episode, head over to robinstern.com.

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