Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Edmondson.
Sarah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my career as an actor in Vancouver, working in film, television, and theater. Like many performers, I was also seeking ways to grow personally and professionally. That search led me into what I thought was a personal development and life-coaching community — but it turned out to be something much darker. I had unknowingly stepped into a group that would later be exposed as a notorious cult.
In time, I became one of the whistleblowers who helped shine a light on its abuses. My journey — from hopeful seeker, to survivor, to advocate — was captured in the HBO documentary series The Vow and also in my memoir, Scarred.
By then, I had stepped away from acting and turned toward storytelling and advocacy in new ways. Today, I co-host A Little Bit Culty, a podcast that explores the intersections of cults, coercion, and the abuse of power — with the goal of empowering others and raising awareness about manipulation in all its forms. I also continue to do voiceover work, a creative thread that connects me back to my acting roots.
Outside of my work, life is full and joyful. I’m a baseball mom to two energetic boys, I love wellness and yoga, and I find meaning in creating conversations that help others feel less alone. Looking back, I can see that my path has always been about connection, resilience, and finding ways to transform challenges into something that might help others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. I’ve been out for eight years now, and the journey has been anything but smooth. It’s been full of ups and downs. The best metaphor I can use is waves: the embarrassment, shame, and grief roll in unexpectedly. Just when I think I’m fine, another wave hits and I find myself back on the ground.
That said, I’m deeply grateful for my support system, access to legitimate therapy, and the tools I’ve learned along the way to stay happy and healthy in recovery. One unexpected silver lining of Covid was that, when I couldn’t audition or act, my husband and I started a podcast. What began as a project to fill the time has become one of the most meaningful surprises of this journey—allowing us to connect with and support other survivors. Producing it hasn’t always been easy; it comes with its own challenges and steep learning curve. But it has also been one of the most rewarding parts of my healing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Today, much of my work centers around sharing my story to help others. I co-host the podcast A Little Bit Culty and wrote a memoir about my experience, but one of the things I’m most proud of is giving a TED Talk where I distilled my journey into a 17-minute message of awareness and hope. What sets me apart in the saturated podcast space is accessibility and authenticity—I speak openly about my experience in a way that invites others to connect. You’d be surprised how many people have been touched by cultic influence or high-control dynamics. I’m proud that our work has helped people not only spot red flags before it’s too late, but also find tools and community to heal
What are your plans for the future?
Right now, the project I’m most excited about is my next book, which I’m co-writing with my husband and co-host, Anthony Ames. We’re distilling insights from over 250 podcast episodes into what we hope will become the ultimate resource guide—an A-to-Z manual on spotting red flags and finding a way out of abusive or high-control situations. Our dream is for this book to be a legacy we can leave behind, something that truly helps people for years to come. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to exploring other creative projects—and maybe even returning to acting. I’m definitely starting to feel the itch to perform again, and I’m excited to see what the next chapter holds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahedmondson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahedmondson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahJEdmondson/
- LinkedIn: https://amzn.to/4hVquPuhttps://LinkedIn.com/in/sarahedmondson
- Twitter: https://x.com/sarahjedmondson
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@alittlebitculty
- Other: https://amzn.to/4hVquPu
Image Credits
All photos by Chelsea Patricia
