Shows
Take Off Talk with Angel Flight EastTurning Challenges into Hope: Kelsey's Dream and Angel Flight EastIn this episode of Take Off Talk, Jess interviews Tina from Kelsey's Dream, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children with cancer. Founded in memory of Tina's daughter, Kelsey, the organization provides a play therapy toy called Hopper, the Cancer Crusher, to hospitals across the U.S. to help young patients understand their treatment. Tina shares heartwarming stories of how Hopper has become a comforting companion for many children, and discusses ways listeners can support Kelsey's Dream in its mission to bring hope and healing to families affected by cancer.2025-06-0919 min
ReNew Ames MessagesApril 20, 2025 Easter Sunday "Let Resurrection Define Our Lives"It's Easter Sunday! We're getting started here with a brief retelling of the story. Then we get to the part where the angel says, "Do not be afraid." I have trouble with this. Maybe we all have trouble with this. There's so much in the world that causes us fear. So what makes this angel think he can come into our place of worship, look us straight in the eye and say with all seriousness, "Do not be afraid?"
After he tells us not to be afraid he makes an announcement and then a promise.
An announcement that, if true...2025-04-2332 min
Take Off Talk with Angel Flight EastThe Journey of Hope, A Flight to Healing, Ed JonesIn this heartfelt episode of Take Off Talk, we meet Ed, a former diagnostic radiologist whose life took an unexpected turn due to chronic health issues, including peripheral neuropathy. Despite facing numerous challenges and being told by conventional medicine that there was no hope, Ed embarked on a journey of self-advocacy and holistic healing. Through faith, prayer, and unconventional treatments, he defied the odds, running marathons and reclaiming his life. Angel Flight East played a pivotal role in his journey, providing crucial transportation to medical appointments when all seemed lost. Ed's story is a testament to the power of...2025-03-1727 min
More Than Enough92: Big Picture Planning - Starting Your Year RightWelcome back to the More Than Enough podcast! Today, we're diving into a topic that feels especially timely as we step into a brand-new year: planning for 2025. This episode is all about approaching your goals and plans with clarity, intention, and grace—without feeling overwhelmed or defeated before you even begin.So many of us have a love-hate relationship with planning. But, as we share in this episode, planning doesn’t have to be a rigid one-and-done task. Instead, we want you to think of it as a living, breathing process—a way to stay aligned with your v...2025-01-0717 min
ReNew Ames MessagesDecember 15, 2024 "The Three Gifts To Think About This Season"This is the story where Mary goes to visit Elizabeth. It starts with Gabriel meeting Mary and goes through Mary's stay with Elizabeth. Traditionally it's called The Visitation. This story gives us three gifts to think about during the season of Christmas.
First, the gift of community. Mary goes to see Elizabeth. Why? She needs someone. She needs safety. She needs affirmation. She needs someone to recognize, deepen, and celebrate the work of God in her life. She needs love, not judgment. And in Elizabeth, she gets all of that and more. Is there a better vision for what the...2024-12-1827 minMore Than Enough87: Hope: The First Candle of AdventWelcome to The More Than Enough Podcast. Can you believe it’s already December? This month can feel like a whirlwind, but we’re leaning into something grounding and beautiful—Advent. Each week, we’ll reflect on one of the Advent candles and its meaning, giving you a peaceful reprieve amidst the holiday hustle.In today’s episode, we’re talking about Hope, the first candle of Advent, often called the Prophecy Candle. Hope is where it all begins—anchoring us in the promises of God and pointing us forward, just as the Old Testament prophets looked ahead to Jesus...2024-12-0321 min
A Little Bit CultyBonus Episode: Nobody Should Believe MeEnjoyed our chat with Andrea Dunlop? You’re in luck! This week, we’re featuring an episode from Andrea’s podcast “Nobody Should Believe Me” in the ALBC feed. We love this show, and hope you do too. Welcome to Season 4 of “Nobody Should Believe Me!” This season we are following the story of Jordyn Hope as they unravel the secrets of their childhood. After revelations that they were abused as a child, Jo bravely returns to their small, deeply religious hometown to attempt to unravel their many lingering questions about their upbringing. Was their abuse a secret? If not...2024-11-2154 minMore Than Enough83: The Power of Modeling Change: Becoming an Agent of Transformation and HealingHey everyone, welcome back to More Than Enough! We're so glad you're here with us again. This episode is a continuation of last week’s conversation, and if you haven’t listened to that yet, we’d love for you to go back and catch up. In that episode, we unpacked the incredible influence of modeling in our lives. We looked at how the behaviors, beliefs, and patterns we were raised with shape who we are today. But this week, we’re diving into what happens when we challenge those patterns and beliefs, especially the ones that don’t serve us.2024-11-0524 minMore Than Enough82: Breaking Free from Childhood Modeling: How Early Influences Shape UsHey everyone! Welcome back to the More Than Enough Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into something really close to home for all of us – the power of modeling. And no, we’re not talking about runways or toy trains! We’re talking about the way that behaviors, beliefs, and patterns modeled to us as kids shape our perspectives and lives, often without us even realizing Today we open up about how we each experienced certain behaviors modeled in our childhoods and how those early experiences can stick with us. We chat about how, whether we want th...2024-10-2929 min
A Little Bit CultyCulty Voicemail Roundup: ALBC Listeners Speak (10/14/24 EDITION)This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/CULTY to get started today. Hey campers, we hope your October’s been spooky so far. We’ve got a batch of listener voicemails to check out, so pull up a chair and we’ll get into it. Today’s callers want to talk about a real potpourri of culty stuff. We cover Arbonne, Optavia, BDSM and consent, Eckhart Tolle, and as always, a little bit of the hot NXIVM goss to round out the hour. Also… let it be known that: The views...2024-10-1439 minMore Than Enough75: Sacred Morning RoutinesToday, we’re diving into something that seems to be everywhere these days: morning routines. But we’re adding our own twist—calling them "Sacred Morning Routines."We truly believe that a morning routine isn't just about checking things off a list; it's about creating a sacred space, a spiritual rhythm that anchors us in times of transition. It’s about finding that quiet moment to connect with God and ourselves, to set our hearts and minds on things above. It’s been life-changing for both of us, and we hope to inspire you to explore what this could...2024-09-0322 min
Take Off Talk with Angel Flight EastFlying With Skybound Hope With Passenger Taylor ConnerTraveling with a sick child can be daunting, but for Taylor Conner, mom to Kendall battling a rare disease, it was nearly impossible. Taylor joins Jess Ames and Maddy Beck to share her heartfelt appreciation for the Angel Flight experience. She discusses how this vital service helped Kendall, who battles mitochondrial disease, travel safely to receive necessary medical care without the stress and burden of a long drive. This episode dives into the immense challenges Taylor faces when traveling long distances with Kendall for specialist appointments. Kendall’s fight is ongoing, and research is critical. Learn more about this di...2024-07-0815 min
ReNew Ames MessagesJune 30, 2024 "God Isn't Content For Us To Stay Where We Are""Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD." He's asking for mercy - you only ask for mercy if you've done something wrong. So I ask the question: why do we even care about something written by some king over 2000 years ago? There are all kinds of things in this world that indicate it isn't what God intended it to be.
The Psalm starts as a personal lament - then it turns into a national lament. What he's recognizing is that his heart is just a microcosm of what's happening in the rest of the world. No one...2024-07-0325 min
Bethany Lutheran AmesMy Hope is Built on...Jesus' ResurrectionA sermon preached by Pastor Michael K. Smith on March 31, 2024 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Ames, Iowa2024-03-3115 min
Equip - Cornerstone Church of AmesOur Hope: Heaven or Resurrection?Episode 217- Our Hope: Heaven or Resurrection?, hosted by Mark Vance.This podcast is designed to help you live a faithful and fruitful life where Jesus has called you. Connect with Cornerstone Church Online at cornerstonelife.com. Subscribe to our "Sermon" and "Equip" podcasts on iTunes and Spotify and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.2024-03-2822 min
Take Off Talk with Angel Flight EastPartner Organization, Love From Liam Foundation With Ashlyn DuganIn this heartwarming episode, hosts Jess Ames and Maddy Beck welcome Ashlyn Dugan, the founder of Love from Liam Foundation—the partner organization of Angel Flight East. Ashlyn shares her inspiring journey of creating the foundation when her son Liam was born with spina bifida. The conversation touches on the challenges these families face, the importance of community support, and Love from Liam's impactful events. As Ashlyn opens up about her daily life, running a coffee shop, and juggling motherhood, we get a glimpse into the strength and passion that drives her commitment to making a difference. Hear Ashlyn’s po...2024-03-1122 minMore Than Enough39: Immanuel God With Us - How Christmas Connects to The Return Of ChristIn this episode, we wrap up our series on Emmanuel—God with us. Join us as we dive into the discussion about the connection between the baby in the manger and the anticipation of Jesus' glorious return. We reflect on the beauty of Christmas, not just as a one-day celebration, but as a source of hope that extends into every season of our lives.We share personal insights and observations about the unique charm of the days leading up to Christmas, but we also navigate the post-Christmas moments, as we explore the deeper meaning of Jesus' second co...2023-12-2622 minMore Than Enough38: Immanuel God With Us - The Savior Of The WorldOn today's episode we are discussing bridging the gap between Christmas and Easter, weaving a tale of rescue and redemption that goes beyond mere presence.It's a story that survived the test of time, much like the hope that sustained people through the darkest moments in history, and we're inviting you to find that hope with us. We'll reflect on the profound notion that Jesus willingly laid down His life, driven by a love so deep that it changed everything. So, grab a cozy blanket, settle in, and let's navigate this journey from the manger...2023-12-1928 min
A Little Bit CultyRethinking Steiner: Chloe Weise on Waldorf SchoolsToday’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you had a good Waldorf experience, we’re thrilled for you. Not all the schools are the same. Just like not all churches are the same. Don’t get your knickers in a knot. But if there are things about Waldorf that chap your ass, pour yourself some tea because we have just the guest for you. In this episode Chloe Weise sheds light on her decade and a half in a Waldorf School before leaving for college and grad school. Now steeped in the scientific method and wo...2023-12-041h 03
Take Off Talk with Angel Flight EastA Hero's Tale: Take Off With Angel Flight Passenger ChristineLife's most extraordinary stories are born from the courage to defy the odds and the strength to embrace every moment. Today, we have the privilege of hearing Angel Flight passenger Christine’s survival journey. Ten years ago, Christine received a life-altering diagnosis of a rare form of brain cancer, and the doctors gave her just two to three years to live. Against all expectations, Christine not only surpassed her prognosis but also found renewed hope and support in her battle against the disease. Christine shows her unwavering faith, determination, and the incredible support she received from Angel Flight East he...2023-10-3023 min
A Little Bit CultyHealing In Public: Sarma Melngailis on Life After NetflixToday’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Just before Netflix premiered its sensational docuseries “Bad Vegan,” Sarma Melngailis spoke exclusively with ALBC about all the shit she endured with culty conman Mr. So-called Fox. Go back and check out that episode for the grisly details and now foreboding hope that Netflix would shed light – not shade – on the confounding circumstances that led to the demise of Sarma’s brand One Lucky Duck and her beloved restaurant Pure Food and Wine. If you didn’t already know it, Pure Food and Wine was hip, sexy, nutritious, and delicious. I...2023-10-161h 03
A Little Bit CultyThe NXIVM Extravaganza | Moira Kim Penza, Robert Gavin, and Vanessa GrigoriadisThis epiosde is sponsored by Better Help. Hey Listener, you asked for a greatest hits medley of all our NXIVM related guests in one or two meaty episodes.And hear ye, hear ye we have delivered. This is our second NXIVM extravaganza, and we hope you dig it. We’ll be back soon with all new episodes, and until then you can always hang out with us on Patreon at patreon.com/alittlebitculty if you can’t get enough of our culty, culty content. But now…let’s dig into the main course shall we? Keith Ran...2023-09-1852 min
Take Off Talk with Angel Flight EastFlying Above And Beyond With Volunteer Pilot Lawrence GaulkinFly with purpose and soar beyond limits, for in the sky lies the extraordinary power to transform lives and ignite hope. Join Jess Ames and Maddy Beck as they sit down with Lawrence Gaulkin, a volunteer pilot with Angel Flight East. Lawrence shares his personal experiences and motivations for becoming a pilot, and how his retirement opened up a whole new world of meaningful service. As the discussion unfolds, Lawrence shares his initial apprehensions about carrying strangers and the transformative moment that ignited his passion for public benefit flying. From heartwarming stories of flying a 14-year-old boy battling a...2023-08-2820 min
A Little Bit CultyCulty Fan Favorites | Ft. Amanda Montell, Evan Rachel Wood, and Eckhart TolleToday’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Hey everybody, hope your summer was frickin’ great. We’re working on all-new episodes of A Little Bit Culty, coming in hot ANY DAY now, but for this sultry, late summery time we wanted to revisit our cool, culty archives and put together some mashups of our greatest hits for you. We’ll be back soon with all new cult-busting content, and we’re dropping fresh new episodes every week on Patreon in the meantime. Until we meet in the feed again - here’s our first Summer Remix featuring some of our PERSONAL...2023-08-2838 min
A Little Bit CultyWhen the World Didn’t End: Guinevere Turner’s Cult Memoir (Part 2)Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Here’s Part 2 of our conversation with Guinevere Turner whose memoir When the World Didn’t End is drawn from fastidiously kept childhood diaries written while she was raised in a cult. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, back up and listen. In Part 2, Turner shares what it was like to return to “normal” life, how her story became a thriller, and what’s helpful, not-so-helpful, and just plain weird about life post-cult. Please note, this series includes details of underage sexual abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you...2023-08-2143 min
A Little Bit CultyWhen the World Didn’t End: Guinevere Turner’s Cult Memoir (Part 1)Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Guinevere Turner recently published a memoir about being raised in a cult, being kicked out, and finding her way in the world. Her book When the World Didn’t End dives deep into her experience drawn from fastidiously kept diaries. Here on A Little Bit Culty Turner shares some off-the-cuff stories. We chat about writing craft. And Turner brings up questions about our collective obsession with the cultiverse. Please note, this series includes details of underage sexual abuse. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you, or someone who know, i...2023-08-1452 min
A Little Bit CultyIn Pursuit of Love: Rebecca Bender’s Journey from Trafficked to TriumphantToday’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Rebecca Bender grew up in a small town, played varsity sports, made high school honor roll, and would have started college early except she got pregnant. She was a little ostracized. And a lot lonely. Then she fell in love — kind of. She followed her knight in shining armor to Las Vegas only to be sold among three human traffickers. She was branded, thrown in jail, and hospitalized, her face broken in five different places. But she wasn’t kidnapped. And there was no duct tape involved. Now, R...2023-08-0754 minMore Than Enough18: Learning to Love The WordIn today's episode we discuss different tools to study the Word. as well as how we can begin to truly love reading the Word.We know we're "supposed" to read the Word, but why? What is the point of it? The Bible is living and is meant to be read out of a place of intimacy with the Holy Spirit. It is meant to propel us to love deeper and to be in awe and wonder of our Creator and Father. We hope in today's episode you will glean some new insights into how you...2023-08-0136 min
A Little Bit CultyBreaking Character: Ex-Acting Students Speak Up (Part 2)Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Last week, Alberta Mayne Bligh, Brooke Henderson, and Erin Boyes dove into what attracted them to Michèle Lonsdale-Smith’s acting classes – the good, the bad, and the messy. Our three guests are ex-students, each with their own thriving careers in film, theater, television, directing, development and even art therapy. And they are among the 26 ex-students who recently spoke up about their experience under the tutelage of Lonsdale-Smith in a revelatory story published in The Cut. If you missed Part 1, go back and take a listen. Now, in Part 2, they share th...2023-07-3147 min
A Little Bit CultyBreaking Character: Ex-Acting Students Speak Up (Part 1)Today’s episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Alberta Mayne Bligh, Brooke Henderson, and Erin Boyes are among the 26 ex-students who recently spoke up about their experience under the acting tutelage of Michèle Lonsdale-Smith in a revelatory story published in The Cut. Lonsdale Smith is, by many accounts, a dogmatic leader who claims her techniques help actors tell the truth about their unresolved human motivations and make the world a better place. But what happens when details of your personal life are put on stage? What if your teacher fat shames you? Makes personal accusations, belittles, and berat...2023-07-241h 02
A Little Bit CultyBursting the Bubble: Morgan Tyler on Leaving the ChurchThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. In the age of social media, many of us are aware that choices are increasingly made for us by algorithms—which is unfortunately not a reference to Vice President Al Gore’s dancing abilities. But even if we are living in our own little bubbles, it doesn’t quite match the extremities of, let’s say, someone who was raised within a radically nondenominational Christian sect, wherein music, media, beliefs, and friends were all hand selected by a group of men who decided they were pastors and wanted an ironclad g...2023-07-171h 09
ReNew Ames MessagesJuly 9, 2023 "Future-Oriented Faith"We're going to zero in on the first line of Hebrews 11 - faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Everyone has faith. We have a lot of faith in the things that we have created - technologies. It's a lot harder to have faith in things like the promises of God. We find the promises of God in our liturgy of baptism - it takes faith to believe those things. Sometimes it's hard to have faith in a God we can't see.
The writer of Hebrews was writing to a community...2023-07-1227 min
Take Off Talk with Angel Flight EastTake Off With Passenger Declan & Elisabeth Wheeler: Flight Of HopeBattling a genetic disease in a rural area with no access to care can be challenging. In this episode, we meet little Declan and his mom, Elisabeth Wheeler, who shares their extraordinary journey flying with Angel Flight. Born with a rare genetic disease, Declan faces health challenges and requires regular medical care in New York City, far from their rural home. Thanks to Angel Flight, they now have a lifeline to reach the specialized care Declan needs. Tune in to this touching conversation where we explore their heartwarming experiences with Angel Flight pilots and the profound impact it has...2023-07-1013 min
A Little Bit CultyBehind the “Reality:” Jessica Willis Fisher on her Childhood AbuseThis podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. While in their youth, Jessica Willis Fisher and her eleven siblings were thrust into the spotlight for being the perfect musical family. Having achieved nation-wide fame on America’s Got Talent, the Willis Fishers scored their own reality show in 2015, letting cameras into their pristine and heavily Christian home to document the daily lives of a happy, smiley family trying to make it in the famously non-toxic (just kidding) entertainment biz. So when allegations of child abuse and molestation broke out against the family’s patriarch, Toby Willis, Americans and onlookers acros...2023-07-101h 06
A Little Bit CultySubversive Science: Isabella Constantino on NXIVM’s Tourettes Study (Part 2)This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Of the many subplots within the NXIVM story, one of the most unusual (and that says a lot) was the cult’s dance with Tourettes Syndrome and research surrounding it. TS for short, the syndrome involves involuntary tics and has no known cure. On today’s episode, which is a continuation from last week, our guest Isabella Constantino discusses the final punctuation to her time with NXIVM after being brought in hoping that they cult could help with her TS—a claim NXIVM was boasting about without a ton of empirical scienti...2023-07-0339 min
A Little Bit CultySubversive Science: Isabella Constantino on NXIVM’s Tourettes Study (Part 1)This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. NXIVM’s timeline unfolds like a (horror) film with its own subplots. One of the cult’s best known smaller mythologies was its ability to cure Tourette's Syndrome, which is a condition in the nervous system that causes tics like sudden and uncontrollable movements or vocal outbursts. It should be noted that while there are certainly various treatments for managing TS, there is still no known cure. This explains why today’s guest, Isabella Constantino, was attracted to NXIVM and the extraordinary results they were boasting about with their TS stud...2023-06-2642 min
A Little Bit CultyShiny Happy Wife: Tia Levings On Christian Fundamentalism (Part 2)This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you didn’t listen to part 1 of this double whammy—stop, drop, and scroll down (or up, depending) because you’ll be lost without the context. On this continuation, we hear more from author Tia Levings about her experiences with Christian Fundamentalism, and more specifically how she got out of a situation that was “a little bit culty,” to say the least. We also dip back into the Duggar family and the recent documentary uncovering the less-than-perfect reality hidden by a shiny, happy front. The story is, unfortunately, far more com...2023-06-1943 min
A Little Bit CultyShiny Happy Wife: Tia Levings on Christian Fundamentalism (Part 1)This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Just as roses have thorns, so too do pristine, seemingly blemish-free families have their own dark sides. For example, we have the Duggar family and their show 19 and Counting, which broadcasted the daily lives of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their army of children between 2008 and 2015 to millions of viewers around the world. Now, a new documentary on the family called Shiny Happy People, according to TIME, “includes testimonies from daughter Jill (Duggar) Dillard, her husband Derick Dillard, niece Amy (Duggar) King, as well as several former IBLP members, reveals that the fa...2023-06-1256 min
A Little Bit CultyI Was a Child Bride: Dr. Tamara MC on the Language of Manipulation (Part 2)This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. In part two of our conversation with Dr. Tamara MC, we get into everything that happened after she was married in a secret wedding ceremony, including attending the 8th grade (she was only 12-years-old) and keeping her religious life a secret from the rest of the world. As a reminder (and don’t forget to listen to part one if you haven’t), Dr. Tamara MC’s father introduced her to a highly abusive religious cult in which, above all else, men controlled every aspect of womens’ lives, incl...2023-06-051h 07
A Little Bit CultyI Was a Child Bride: Dr. Tamara MC on the Language of Manipulation (Part 1)This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. When she was only 12-years-old, Dr. Tamara MC had a secret wedding ceremony in the middle of the night. Shrouded in pitch black and with no one present but her new husband, a much older man who could supposedly guide her to the kingdoms of knowledge and heaven, this night further cemented Tamara’s place in a highly abusive religious cult. Above all else, men wielding black leather whips forced females to surrender their “nafs”—the Arabic word for “self.” As she put it in an article for Mother Well Mag, the girls in...2023-05-2956 min
A Little Bit CultyThe Lemurian Sisters: Jennings Brown on Liana ShantiThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Another day, another wellness guru preaching enlightenment on social media. Total snooze, right?! Unless said guru begins telling her followers to cut ties with their “family cults'' in order to save their children from a ruling class of evil reptilian creatures, the likes of which are responsible for creating the COVID-19 “scamdemic” as a Luciferian tool to harvest innocent souls…that might spice things up a bit. Or a shit ton. Such has been the case with Liana Shanti, a nymph-like online persona who’s amassed thousands of predomin...2023-05-2252 min
A Little Bit CultyMurder, Faith & End Times: Leah Sottile on Lori Vallow & Chad DaybellThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you still manage to read the news, good job. You’ve then no doubt heard that “Doomsday Mom” Lori Vallow was just convicted of murdering her 16-year-old daughter Tylee and seven-year-old son J.J. This judgment will be an end to this harrowing yet enthralling story, which turned 49-year-old mom and Mormon, Lori Vallow into an international media fixture, seemingly entangled in a web of infanticide, zombies, escapes to Hawaii, and a trail of mysterious deaths that remain suspicious as hell. On today’s episode, we’re joined by freelanc...2023-05-151h 06
A Little Bit Culty‘Uncultured:’ Daniella Mestyanek Young on COG and the US Military (Pt. 2)Today’s episode is Sponsored by BetterHelp. We’re back for part 2 of our interview with Daniella Mestyanek Young, the badass author of Uncultured: a Memoir. In her book, Young gets into the nitty gritty of growing up in the Children of God cult, now known as “The Family International,” with their horrifying pedophilic practice called “Law of Love.” In part 2, we dive deeper into Young’s time as a Captain in the US Army—a role that threw Young back into the trenches of misogynist and coercive abuse resembling the neglect she survived in her childhood. How did mil...2023-05-081h 05
A Little Bit Culty‘Uncultured:’ Daniella Mestyanek Young on COG and the US Military (Pt. 1)Today’s episode is Sponsored by BetterHelp. If hell is real, there is perhaps no circle of it as harrowing nor vile as the experience of growing up in the Children of God cult. Still active under the name “The Family International,” the group is known for being a real-life manifestation of the shittiest of shitty macabre practices, such as child sexual abuse involving their “Law of Love,”—a mandate for females of all ages to show Jesus their love by letting men straight up rape them. One would hope that growing up in...2023-05-0146 min
A Little Bit CultyInto Quicksand: Kate Amber on How Cults Pull You InThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Landmark Worldwide is a corporation that offers personal and professional development programs with a total of over 2.4 million (!) past participants in 21 countries. Yikes on bikes—that sounds a bit like NXIVM on steroids. Well, while Landmark isn’t technically a cult, it certainly is “A Little Bit Culty”, with no shortage of spirit-stomping coercive control and intimidation in order to create “A world that works for everyone by 2020.” Wait, is that how 2020 went and we’re just misremembering it?! Today’s guest, Kate Amber, survived Landmark and went...2023-04-241h 00
A Little Bit CultyHey, Hun: Emily Lynn Paulson on MLMs and Other LiesThis episode is sponsored by Better Help. Imagine this: an invitation comes your way to join a group of friends, mostly moms (and let’s assume you are one). Primary activities involve drinking lots of wine, relishing in sisterhood and female empowerment, and best of all, making loads of money. It’s enticing as hell, which explains why Multi Level Marketing groups (MLMs) remain ubiquitous today. What could go wrong? A shit ton! Hence why our guest today, author and mother Emily Lynn Paulson, believes that all MLMs—which form a $180 billion industry—are cults. Oh, but t...2023-04-171h 16
A Little Bit CultyYour Turn to Listen: Gwenith Kikkawa and Kevin Alexander on ResilienceThis episode is sponsored by Better Help.You know the old adage; person A joins an organization, person B joins the same organization, persons A and B learn organization is a cult and, after getting married, decide to escape. Wait, is that not normal? Well, thankfully Sarah and Nippy aren’t the only ones who’ve experienced this. Gwenith Kikkawa (they/them) and Kevin Alexander (they/them) are multiple-cult survivors, meaning they’ve experienced culty horrors not just once (like a great majority of our guests), but numerous times. Now, the couple has channeled their experiences into art vi...2023-04-101h 19
A Little Bit CultyLeading Nowhere: Jordan Harbinger on Self-Help HellThis episode is sponsored by Better Help. Today’s guest, Jordan Harbinger, went from Wall Street lawyer to interview talk-show host. Turns out he’s been pretty damn good at both careers, with some even calling him “The Larry Kind of Podcasting.” On The Jordan Harbinger Show, he’s now spent 14 years deconstructing the most successful people in the world and asking them how they got to where they are. Inevitably (to us) but unexpectedly (to Jordan), one thing that’s come up a lot on the show? Cults, especially self-help cults, and the absolute ubiquity of coercive con...2023-04-031h 12More Than Enough2: Finding the Beauty in Painful StorylinesThere can be such incredible beauty when we share our stories. Our stories help define us and so much healing happens when we reflect on and even share our story with others.In today's episode we get to hear a little from Pam's story and some of the things that have shaped her and made her who she is today.Pam shared some of the ways she survived a very difficult childhood and marriage in the midst of waiting for the breakthrough she continually prayed for. We also discuss what happens when the "breakthrough" moment...2023-03-2933 min
A Little Bit CultyPress Replay: Robert Gavin on the NXIVM TrialsThis episode is sponsored by Better Help. The press has been perhaps the most crucial third party for world happenings since, well, whenever the press was invented. While there is of course no shortage of fake news out there, the main goal of the press is to keep society honest, investigating everything from corrupt governments to those cute little cliques we like to call cults. Robert Gavin has been a news reporter for 28 years, having also worked for two years as an editor. Originally from Staten Island, Gavin began his career by covering t...2023-03-271h 12More Than Enough1: Creating a Life of Peace in a Scattered WorldThank you SO much for listening to our very FIRST episode of The More Than Enough Podcast!In this episode we will give you a little taste of what to expect in the future episodes and why we created this podcast!We are Pamela & Mary, and we are a mother daughter duo, who span 2 generations but share one message. We will delve into what it looks like to be fully integrated- body, soul, spirit, and will bring encouragement and hope along the way. We get it, life is hard. But we want you to know t...2023-03-2327 min
A Little Bit CultySinner or Saint: Will Retherford on Navigating Religious WatersThis episode is sponsored by Better Help. There’s certainly no shortage of groups that are A Little Bit Culty. That said, there are some major differences between cults and organized religions, and it’s worth remembering that not ALL religion is bad, per se. Our very own producer and editor, Will Retherford of Citizens of Sound, grew up in the Evangelical Church, specifically the Word of Faith movement, and even ventured off to countless missionary campaigns across the globe to spread the good word. He became a worship leader, was on his way t...2023-03-201h 11
A Little Bit CultyStop the Presses: Vanessa Grigoriadis on NXIVM (Part 2)This episode is sponsored by Better Help. This is Part 2 of our interview with Vanessa Grigoriadis, an award-winning longform journalist and podcaster who has published profiles on the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Lady Gaga, and Arianna Huffington. So how did she get tied up in NXIVM’s bullshit while also reporting on the cult? Well, the short answer is: anyone and everyone is susceptible to coercive control and persuasion, even members of the press. The long answer? Well, you’ll just have to listen to find out. You can listen to Vanessa’s podcast Infamous here. 2023-03-1352 min
A Little Bit CultyStop the Presses: Vanessa Grigoriadis on NXIVM (Part 1)This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Vanessa Grigoriadis is an award-winning longform journalist and podcaster, having published profiles on the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Lady Gaga, and Arianna Huffington. So how did she get tied up in NXIVM’s bullshit while also reporting on the cult? Well, the short answer is: anyone and everyone is susceptible to coercive control and persuasion, even members of the press. The long answer? Well, you’ll just have to listen to find out. Make sure to catch the end of our conversation next week, when we drop part 2! 2023-03-0655 min
A Little Bit CultyStolen Youth Continued: Zachary Heinzerling on Larry Ray’s CultThis episode is sponsored by Better Help. If you haven’t heard of the Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult, it is perhaps time to get out from under that rock you’re living under. Also, you should listen to our last episode with Daniel Levin, for which this episode is part two! But essentially, after being released from prison, Ray moved into his daughter’s student residence just 30 minutes north of Manhattan and began terrorizing her friends through physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. This lasted a shocking ten years before Ray was finally arrested and held accountable for his wrongdoings. 2023-02-2751 min
A Little Bit CultyStolen Youth: Daniel Levin on Larry Ray’s CultThis episode is sponsored by Better Help. If you haven’t heard of the Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult, it is perhaps time to get out from under that rock you’re living under. After being released from prison, Ray moved into his daughter’s student residence just 30 minutes north of Manhattan and began terrorizing her friends through physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. This lasted a shocking ten years before Ray was finally arrested and held accountable for his wrongdoings. Our guest today, Daniel Levin, was one of Ray’s victims, and has survived to tell the tale...2023-02-201h 01
A Little Bit CultyDarkness Unveiled: Sochil Martin Exposes LA Luz Del MundoThis episode is sponsored by Better Help. Around the same time as Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous arrest, another billionaire was going to court for similar appalling crimes. Naasón Joaquín García, the ongoing leader of the Light of the World non-traditional La Luz Del Mundo (LLDM) church is currently serving a maximum of 16 years and 8 months in prison for the sexual abuse of minors. The self-proclaimed “Apostle of God” was eventually denied bail after setting that bail at $50 million, which according to the California Attorney General, was the highest ever imposed on an individual by the Los Angeles C...2023-02-131h 15
Rock Star CHANGE-MAKING!LOSS and GRIEF (Transform it ACTUALLY NOW)If you have experienced loss or grief -now or in the past- you MUST listen to this. It will show you how to get BEYOND the steps of grieving, and into transformation and change right now. This was a personal experience for me, and quite emotional. It's a touchy subject. And so very powerful.This one comes from my heart.Please enjoy, with all my heart, I hope you find your own way to comfort with what this teaches.with all my love,SandyNow there's a free, custom HYPNOSIS for...2023-02-0620 min
ReNew Ames MessagesReNew Christmas Service 2022 "God Has Connected Divinity With Humanity"The Word became flesh. So why does John tell the Christmas story this way? He's trying to reach as a large an audience as possible. He gives us cosmic Christmas.
John used the word "word," or "logos" in Greek. This would have been a familiar concept for John's readers. The word, or logos, is the rational principle behind the entire universe - it gives the universe its reasonableness. You could say that the logos is what holds the universe together and makes things make sense.
That word became flesh. It would have blown the minds of his readers. He wants...2022-12-2125 min
The Forest School PodcastWhat does it mean to be 'physically educated'? w/ Richard WhallPlease find below links to a variety of resources that have helped me and my own natural movement explorations, amongst which I hope you find things of interest and value to you. This is by no means a definitive list, but are all ones that I’ve found useful over time. I’m more than happy for you to reach out if you have any questions and feel free to share all these with anyone who may be interested.
More about MovNat
If you are interested in learning more about MovNat and pa...2022-11-291h 06
Life Ensemble#233 - How to Buy Less, Buy Better, and End Consumer Culture, with Aja BarberDo you ever wonder where old clothes end up? We see so many ads for unlimited types of clothing, the shops are full of people… When they’re worn out or just tired of a style, do most people donate items? Repurpose them? Recycle? The simple answer: most of them go into a trash wasteland and end up contributing to climate change. Aja Barber is an eco-conscious fashion consultant, personal stylist, speaker, and author of Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism. Her line of work focuses on sustainability and its intersection with ethi...2022-07-121h 01
Equip Course Archive - Cornerstone Church of AmesCrash Course: Suicide Awareness and PreventionA crash course looking at at gospel hope, healthy community, and the practical ways we can increase our awareness of those struggling with suicide ideation. Taught by Steve Jones and Sophia Bauman.Other Details:Crash Course notes handout2019 U.S. Suicide Statistics handoutNational Suicide Prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255Iowa Mobile Crisis hotline: 1-855-581-81112022-05-161h 54
GYM CHALK ASMRAmes asmrAudio only compilation of Ames asmr crushes2022-05-0305 min
Life Ensemble#222 - How Can Circular Fashion Reverse Climate Change? with Shamini Dhana, Founder & CEO of Dhana Inc. [REPOST]In a time when humanity struggles to avert a climate crisis, there’s a glimmer of hope for the fashion industry to be able to contribute to saving the environment. With the help of the right people and technology, being both environmentally friendly and fashionable at the same time can be achieved. In our last episode for the Earth Month celebration, we bring back this fantastic conversation with Shamini Dhana from October 2020. This interview was also chosen to honor Fashion Revolution Week (last week) and the anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster (April 24th, 2013). Shamini Dh...2022-04-2649 min
Life Ensemble#218 - The Purpose of Grow Ensemble: Creating AweWe are wired to admire and appreciate the natural world. We are built to be collaborative and want to take care of others, but it can be very difficult for us to stare at suffering head on. In today’s episode, host Cory explores the purpose and mission of Grow Ensemble. His never-ending appetite to learn and grow, particularly in ways that result in an increased awe for the world around him, is foundational to the concept of the podcast. Together with his wife, their aim is to inspire people to fall in love with the...2022-03-2911 min
Life Ensemble#216 - Pursuing Purposeful + Meaningful Work on the We Can Do This Podcast with Sean PritzkauSean Pritzkau and host Cory Ames come from different backgrounds — his in ministry and Cory’s in marketing — but their paths have converged as a result of their shared passions for purpose-driven business and podcasting! In today’s conversation, they both share the journeys that have led them to where they are today, the driving forces behind the work they do, and how they hope to see the world change for the better as a result. Sean and Cory also delve into the importance of self-care, collaboration, and being curious. Sean is the host of We...2022-03-1555 min
A Little Bit CultyMake Me A God: Jon AtackA Little Bit Culty – Jon Atack wants to help you protect yourself from the human predators who roam among us, and believes that every bad relationship, every destructive group, and every dangerous government has a human predator at its heart. This conversation was recorded several months ago, but it feels a bit prescient now that Putin is raining hellfire on Kyiv. The author, academic, and former Operating Thetan Section V chats with Sarah and Nippy about why it seems like psychopaths are running the world, and why he still has hope that humanity can turn things around in...2022-02-281h 30
Life Ensemble#212 - Why the World Needs *Real* Good News Right Now, with Branden Harvey of Good Good GoodNow, more than ever, we need a dose of good news. The past few years have seen an ever-increasing wave of negative stories that are hard to ignore. Our guest today is trying to change some of that. Branden Harvey is the founder of Good Good Good, the host of the Sounds Good Podcast, and the managing editor of The Goodnewspaper, through which he aims to spread 'real good news' to inspire action and hope in his readers, listeners, and community. For Branden, it isn’t about ignoring the difficulties and tragedies that are present in o...2022-02-151h 04
The Forest School PodcastCPD with Sarah Lawful and Sarah Walkerhttps://forestschoolassociation.org/events/#!event/2021/10/1/climate-of-hope-sustainble-forest-school-the-fsa-national-conference-20212021-09-1056 min
THE MORE YOU NOEWhat “the internal work” looks likeA lot of people talk about doing the work. I always wanted to know what they meant by the work. I wanted to know what the work entailed. So I started to do the work myself. Here in this episode I take you through a scenario in my life where I am doing the internal work. I hope this helps you understand what we mean when we say doing the work when it pertains to leveling up our lives.2021-07-1312 min
The Transport - Audio Book Podcast#20 - The Explosion Will Be Big. But Not That Big!Leo and Charles have hope in Eva. Mac and Sina lost hope in Charles. And Eva wants to blow up everthing. 2021-05-2435 minTHE MORE YOU NOEStrangersI am convinced that all anyone ever wants is to feel loved and is if they belong. Brene Brown has been a pioneer in the research backing this notion that anyone you meet wants to feel heard and seen and worthy. In this episode I dive into the ways that I implement this into my life. I hope it helps.2021-05-2126 minTHE MORE YOU NOECommunity & HobbiesIn this episode I talk about a conversation I recently With another mother in my life. We talked about things that we were lacking in our lives and wanted more of and we came up with two big areas for improvement. I wanted to share these two things with you guys because I don’t think it’s just for us mothers I think these two things are very necessary in order for us to feel happy content in hole in our lives. I hope this helps you as much as it help me.2021-05-1018 min
My Favorite Haunting56 - Cats'N'Covid56 - Cats’N’CovidWe’re goofy and have some cat news, if you’re interested. If you’re not, scrub up to 12:12 to get straight into the nitty gritty!Calcasieu Courthouse, Calcasieu, LALogan Inn, New Hope, PAFair warning: at 46:42, we have a tanget about Supernautural. Normally we’d let it ride but hate mail is so exhausting you guys, so if you don’t want to hear it, it lasts 57 seconds, so either laugh along or scrub through, this is the beautiful part of free will.Follow us on T...2021-05-051h 16THE MORE YOU NOEFight, flight, or freezeFight flight or freeze are an automatic response that we have been conditioned to use over the history of humanity. I would argue that in today’s day and age this response is unnecessary most of the time. Even though I believe this I am also aware that our patterns are strong. Even though this response is no longer necessary our bodies and minds love things that are familiar So we continue to go there even though it may be at our detriment. In this episode I share some tools and coping mechanisms that have helped me bring myself back on...2021-05-0115 min
A Little Bit CultyIllusion of Hope: Douglas Brooks On MLMsA Little Bit Culty – If you’ve ever lost a friendship or a small fortune to a multi-level marketing organization, this episode of “A Little Bit Culty” is here to help un-gaslight you. Douglas Brooks, an attorney who represents victims of deceptive schemes, knows that getting caught up in one can be devastating. For the better part of 3 decades, he’s dedicated a significant portion of his practice to representing the victims of deceptive MLM schemes, including cases such as Webster v. Omnitrition International, Rhodes v. Consumers' Buyline, Inc., and Jacobs v. Herbalife International. He’s interviewed or deposed hundreds of p...2021-04-051h 16
Gratitude to LatitudeShe Makes Her Dad Proud!Jodi and Hope Loves Company Ambassador Samantha Mongiello sit down to chat about ALS, gratitude, journeys and celebrating the little things in life.2021-03-3030 min
Gratitude to LatitudeTwo Kevins, One Journey of HopeJodi sits down with Laurice Duffy, a new friend with many connections. In this episode, Jodi and Laurice remember their late husbands, who were both named Kevin and who also died of ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease, and checking the widow box for the very first time.2021-03-2028 minTHE MORE YOU NOEFear & DeathThis is a deep one. Please be sure you are emotionally available before giving it a listen. This is simply my perspective on death and fear. I hope it helps someone else get closer to what this means for them.2021-03-0318 min
Gratitude to LatitudeKicking-off Her New Podcast—Gratitude to Latitude, Stories of Resilience and HopeJodi talks about the WHY of her new podcast and why you should tune-in!
Jodi O'Donnell-Ames is a national speaker, empowerment and wellness coach and tireless advocate for Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). She is also the founder of Hope Loves Company, a non-profit organization committed to providing educational and emotional support to children and young adults who have had or have a loved one battling ALS in their lives. She lives with her husband Benton in Titusville, NJ. Their children, all young adults, have lost a parent to ALS before the age of 11. ...2021-02-0704 minTHE MORE YOU NOENotifications turned OFF indefinitelyMy number one goal in this life is to be fully present as it unfolds. To actually LIVE this life with all of my five senses engaged. In this episode I share one of my tips that has helped me take back control. It’s an easy way to set boundaries around your cell phone usage. Hope this helps someone out there. I know it’s made all of the difference for me.2021-01-2011 minTHE MORE YOU NOEDietsMy thoughts on diets, nutrition and exercise. I take you through my own journey of unpacking with health and fitness means to me. I’ve found great freedom and peace by simply trusting in my ability to know what’s best for me and my ability to act accordingly. My hope is to give you back your power and start believing in your ability to discover what’s health looks like for you.2020-10-3129 minTHE MORE YOU NOEReviewing my Pregnancy now that Baby has ArrivedIn this episode I share all of the shifts in perspective now on Pregnancy now that baby has arrived. I share a lot of lessons and mindset shifts as well as some pregnancy details I’ve never shared before! Hope you love it!2020-10-2128 minTHE MORE YOU NOEPacking your Labor + Delivery Hospital BagWhat do you bring to the hospital when you’re going to deliver your baby? I had no idea. But now that I’ve given birth — I wanted to pay it forward and share with you what you absolutely need and what you can go without. Hope this helps any first time moms out there!2020-10-1212 min