How Cults Actually Work (Nxivm) | How Crime Works | Insider

Sarah Edmondson is a former member and whistleblower of Nxivm, a cult disguised as a self-help organization run by Keith Raniere, a convicted sex offender. Edmondson was part of the group for 12 years and cofounded the organization's center in Vancouver, Canada.

Edmondson talks to Business Insider about the cult's initiation procedure, finances, and rules of membership. She also discusses how members were recruited and warning signs to look out for.

Edmondson was a central character in HBO's documentary on Nxivm, "The Vow," and is now a podcaster and broadcaster. She is the author of "Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped Nxivm, the Cult That Bound My Life" and runs the "A Little Bit Culty" podcast with her husband, Nippy, who is also a former member of Nxivm.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline [phone]) or visit its website to receive confidential support.

Find out more:

MORE HOW CRIME WORKS VIDEOS:
How The Irish Mob Actually Works | How Crime Works | Insider
How NYC Street Gangs (East Coast Bloods) Actually Work | How Crime Works | Insider
How The Crips And The Bloods Actually Work | How Crime Works Marathon | Insider

00:00 - Introduction
00:33 - The Connection
02:32 - The Leaders
05:19 - The Codes
09:48 - The Money
12:56 - The Recruitment
14:06 - The Trap
18:25 - The Ceremony
22:53 - The Escape
25:04 - The Downfall
27:25 - The Signs
31:43 - The Aftermath
33:51 - Credits

------------------------------------------------------
#cult #howcrimeworks #insider

Insider's mission is to inform and inspire.

How Cults Actually Work | How Crime Works | Insider

[samanthawoods]

Psychologist here. One thing I've noticed about most cults -- their initial teachings, activities, or workshops are based on real psychological practices. Essentially, the cult provides a form of therapy, which works in the short-term. So, their members may see real improvements in their lives (just like Sarah getting more acting roles). This process can hook them, which makes them susceptible to brain washing -- and, then, things start to slowly get worse over time.

[BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I'm impressed she didn't even wait for the FBI, just went straight to the press. Very happy they took her seriously as well.

[a.merico]

I took a course in university on cults (NRMs) and she was the guest speaker for a lot of our lectures. Really really awesome guest, and actually co-taught a course the next semester with my prof.
What happened in this 30 minute video actually happened over the course of many years. It sounds crazy that some of these steps were taken, however when they happen so slowly and everyone around you normalizes it, you don’t even realize what’s happening until it’s too late. Glad she continues to warn people about the dangers of cults.

[Cars_Dogs_Cats]

Great to see the word cult in the same sentence as crime. Another great addition to the playlist.

[nataliebaker]

"Are you cutting off parts of yourself to feel like you belong?"

This is the top sign that a person is in a toxic friendship, social circle, or religious group. The worst of the worst always play on self-esteem and validation issues. Getting you to 'deny' yourself is how they can coerce you to do things that harm the authenticity of self and others. Trying to get someone to like you who tells you you arent good enough unless you do everything they want, is a fast track toward a manipulative controlling situation.

[educocult]

Sarah is an articulate and erudite communicator who clearly understands this subject. And she helped put a cult-leader in prison for 120-years. All power to her. Incredible woman.

[Raescrivener]

I personally went to school with Sarah and always admired her. The idea that someone so smart, talented and dynamic could fall into a cult like this .. shows how cunning, manipulative and divisive these kind of organizations are. So impressed at her honesty and integrity in telling her story. ❤

[Hibernomania]

Very courageous of her to tell her story on such a large platform. It’s clear she is uncomfortable reliving these experiences so going through this to shine a light on her specific abusers and highlight the broader techniques in order to educate others is incredibly commendable. Fair play

[gneissnicebaby]

When Mark Vicente said in The Vow "No one joins a cult. They join a good thing." I understood just how insidious and prolific cults or culty organizations are in our lives because it's true; no one ever thinks they're joining a cult, something inherently abusive, and no one can convince them that they are sending themselves down the wrong path.
Those of you seeing similarities with the corporate world, think about that. Seriously.
Take some time to *really* learn about cults, not just the notorious ones, and you'll be able to truly protect yourself from having your goodness taken advantage of to perpetuate harm.

[hooligan]

Oh God. The "if you think you are immune, you are the most vulnerable" we have all the hits here!

[chameleonrose]

I'm so fascinated by cults but it's completely devastating the way that peoples lives are affected. Thank you for sharing your story, Sarah.

[shannsimms]

Seriously saying all of this so publicly for all to hear is SO BRAVE.

[GlassShark]

Sarah I don't know if you will ever read this but you continue to inspire me and you are doing so much good by speaking out. You truly will never know the extent to which your experience will help other people, but bringing to light the underlying red flags to any shady outfit will genuinely be helpful to so many people.

[chillarypuff]

A common thread I've seen with cults is that many members, after the fact, says "I never thought I would join a cult"

[brandyd]

What a brave human to share this, you can see her emotional and physical struggle through it. What a brave beautiful woman sharing this.

[expertbrian]

When will the cult of scientology be prosecuted for their crimes????

[wesshort]

Thanks again Sarah. Watching "The Vow", and seeing you along with the others become aware and taking back your lives gave me the strength to escape a toxic household where I learned later that my life was in danger in what the MBPD describes as "Compelling Circumstantial Evidence" but the VA was GTFO now and I did. You guys saved my life. Thank you.

[Rollie-go]

Thank you for your honesty. Continue talking to all who will listen about your experience and shine a light in the darkness. To those who are negative, how people respond says a lot more about them then it does about you

[scootergirl]

I commend her for coming out and telling her story - it's especially vulnerable when you join later, and are not brought up in it as a kid, because the potential for shame is immense. But she still does it to show anyone can be brain-washed.

[weaviejeebies]

What is so compelling to me about cults is that it really can happen to anyone. We all confront feelings of not being good enough or feeling like we need to be serving a higher purpose in life. Someone comes along who says they have those answers and that they can transform us into 'good enough', we're willing to love and reward them for being that guide, making it easy for us. But they're not guides, they're ticks pumping you full of numbing chemicals so you don't feel their bite, and the only ease they're after is their own.