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A Little Bit Culty

Child Labor, Tom Cruise, and Space Erotica: Marc Headley on Escaping Scientology (Part 1)

A Little Bit Culty

Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames

True Crime, Society & Culture, Education

4.62.7K Ratings

🗓️ 29 September 2025

⏱️ 49 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This episode is a conversation between a former member of the Sea Organization, an elite group within the Church of Scientology, and a host, Marc Headley. Part 1 of this discussion covers the former member's experiences in Scientology, including his family's involvement, the numerous relocations during his childhood, and working at Scientology's international base. Marc details the manipulation through family ties, the rigorous daily routine, and the psychological control employed by the organization. It also touches on the controversial beliefs and practices within Scientology, such as the infamous story of Lord Zenu. Moreover, the episode hints at a cliffhanger involving a significant encounter with Tom Cruise, promising more detailed revelations in Part 2. 


Menu: 

  • 00:00 Reunion in Vancouver
  • 00:09 Diving into the Book
  • 00:28 Life in Scientology
  • 03:26 The International Base
  • 05:31 The Secret Government Facility
  • 06:46 Old Man Gilman's Scam
  • 07:16 Scientology's Deceptive Purchases
  • 07:55 L. Ron Hubbard's Training Films
  • 15:05 Mark's Journey into Scientology
  • 20:11 Life in Hollywood
  • 22:26 Living the Scientology Way
  • 22:57 Childhood in Scientology
  • 25:28 Working for Scientology as a Child
  • 30:17 The Financial Side of Scientology
  • 33:14 Space Opera and Scientology Beliefs
  • 34:12 Personal Experiences and Reflections
  • 40:24 Family and Social Status in Scientology
  • 41:43 Teaser for the Next Episode


Follow Marc’s work and podcast at theaftermathfoundation.org and blownforgood.com and on YouTube @TheAftermathFoundation and @blownforgood


Also check out our past episodes with ex-Scientologists Mike Rinder and Claire Headley and Marc’s book, Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology.


Also…let it be known that:


The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody’s mad at you, just don’t be a culty fuckwad.


**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here

Check out our amazing sponsors

Join A Little Bit Culty on Patreon

Get poppin’ fresh ALBC Swag

Support the pod and smash this link

Check out our cult awareness and recovery resources

Watch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, Scarred


CREDITS: 

Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames

Production Partner: Citizens of Sound

Co-Creator: Jess Tardy

Audio production: Will Retherford

Production Coordinator: Lesli Dinsmore

Writer: Sandra Nomoto

Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane

Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin



See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:29.8

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal,

0:34.3

medical, or mental health advice. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily

0:38.2

reflect the official policy or position of the podcast and are not intended to malign any religion,

0:43.1

group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone, or anything.

0:58.1

I'm Sarah Edmondson.

1:01.2

And I'm Anthony Nippy Ames, and this is a little bit culty. We woke up from a cult, and that journey was captured in The Vow on HBO and in my memoir, Scard.

1:06.6

Now, in this podcast, we break down the shame and secrets that make these experiences so destructive with honest conversations on how seemingly benign groups can cross into the cultaverse and how to spot and recover from trouble if it happens to you.

1:18.9

Each week, we bring an expert, survivors, and whistleblowers to explore red flags, resilience, and even share a few laughs because sometimes you got to laugh.

1:26.2

Subscribe to our Patreon for early and ad-free listening, some live Q&A and exclusive content

1:30.7

at patreon.com slash A Little Bit Culty.

1:33.2

Welcome to Season 8 of A Little Bit Culty.

1:36.5

Seeking down to the depths of the ocean.

1:41.2

Hanging on to win my love

1:44.5

I'd like all I could leave

1:49.0

But I know

1:50.0

Welcome back to a little bit cult to everybody

...

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