Religion on the Mind “Sexual Wellness” or Spiritual Abuse? (#361)
Nov 17, 2025
Ellen Hewitt, an investigative journalist and author of Empire of Orgasm, dives into the controversial rise and fall of OneTaste, a wellness startup promising enlightenment through orgasmic meditation. She shares the dual role of founder Nicole Daydon, examining how spiritual language veiled exploitation. The conversation explores how implicit manipulation kept members engaged, the blend of ancient spiritual practices with modern marketing, and reveals the alarming connections between startup culture and cult dynamics.
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Spiritual Framing Created Exclusivity
- OneTaste used spiritual language and symbols (OM, 'One Taste', 'sutras') to imply ancient authority and exclusivity.
- That framing created a belief that the group's experience was uniquely transformative and hard to leave.
Power Of Implicit Influence
- Nicole favored implicit influence over explicit commands, using praise, attention, and subtle shaming to shape behavior.
- Implicit pressure made participants feel they chose actions themselves, increasing compliance and loyalty.
The 'Unconditional Sex' Story
- Nicole described an 'unconditional sex' experiment she had done, which she used as an implicit model for followers.
- Students later felt pressured to emulate that experiment, even when uncomfortable.
