Sarma Melngailis - Part 2: Isolation, Deeper into the Scam, & Getting Arrested

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

True Crime, Talk Radio, Comedy, Society & Culture

4.4 • 1.9K Ratings

🗓️ 29 October 2025

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In part 2, Sarma Melngailis, subject of the docuseries Bad Vegan and author of The Girl with the Duck Tattoo, tells Lola & Meagan how Mr. Fox consumed her time, overwhelmed her with information, and dangled promises of financial freedom that was always JUST around the corner as a way to get her to send him more and more money.

She’ll share about the fabricated online personas he created as part of the manipulation, how he always knew things it seemed like he couldn’t have known, and the tactics he used to keep her in a constant state of confusion and dependence, driving across the country until they were finally both arrested. Plus, how she felt about her time in Rikers, and the current status of her restaurant.

SOURCES

The Girl With the Duck Tattoo

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This is exactly right.
0:06.0	Looking for some spooky vibes this season?
0:08.3	We are here to tell you about the return of the cozy, creepy horror podcast, Rattled and Shuck.
0:12.8	Rattled and Shook is brought to you by Tenderfoot TV, the creators of the hit horror podcast Radio Rental.
0:18.0	Rattled and Shook is a weekly horror variety show featuring true scary stories,
0:22.0	guests, and more. The show is an ode to radio programs of the past with old-timey music
0:26.2	and a slightly retro feel. In season three, host Meredith Stedman will read and react to
0:31.2	haunting tales that are sent in by real people. We advise you to keep the lights on for these
0:35.4	immersive, sound-designed Tales of Terror.
0:37.7	A new season of Rattled and Shook is available now.
0:40.4	Listen for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:46.3	Trust me.
0:47.5	Do you trust me?
0:49.3	Would I ever lead you astray?
0:50.8	Trust me.
0:51.8	This is the truth.
0:52.9	The only truth.
0:54.5	If anybody ever tells you to just trust them, don't!
0:58.3	Welcome to Trust Me, the podcast about cults, extreme belief, and manipulation from two baddies in debt who've actually experienced it.
1:05.3	I'm Lola Blanc.
1:06.7	And I'm Megan Elizabeth.
1:08.2	Today is part two of our interview with Sarma Melangilis, author of The Girl with a Duck Tattoo,
	...

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