I Escaped a Sex Cult: Scary Tactics Cults Use to Recruit You | NXIVM Survivor Sarah Edmondson (Part 1)

In this week’s episode of the Write Your Own Story podcast, Betsy sits down with Sarah Edmondson — actress, author, podcast host, and survivor of the NXIVM cult — to uncover how she was recruited and why intelligent, ambitious women can be especially vulnerable to manipulation.

In Part 1, Sarah opens up about:

 🔹 Her early life as a “seeker” and what made her open to self-improvement groups
 🔹 The subtle tactics NXIVM used to draw people in and build dependency
 🔹 The MLM-style structure hidden beneath a “personal growth” program
 🔹 Red flags she missed — and how they apply not just to cults, but also to relationships, communities, and families
 🔹 Why anyone can fall prey to manipulation, and the psychology that keeps people stuck

👉 Part 2 will reveal Sarah’s breaking point, the shocking branding ritual, and how she finally escaped to become a whistleblower.

If you’ve ever wondered how someone ends up in a cult — or how to recognize the red flags before it’s too late — this conversation is a must-listen.