Ellen Hewitt

Ellen Hewitt, investigative journalist and author of Empire of Orgasm, walks listeners through OneTaste’s rise from Silicon Valley sex startup to scandal. She breaks down orgasmic meditation, the group’s in-group language and consent shifts, the leadership dynamics, and how wellness, sales tactics, and growth ideologies masked harm. Short reflections warn how similar movements can adapt online.

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.