In this episode, Sarah Green joins us to share what it was like growing up inside the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps (ACMTC), a closed religious community led by her mother Deborah Green, a self-proclaimed prophet. Her family’s story began in the 1960s hippie scene and the Bear Tribe, then shifted into missionary life and a growing apocalyptic group—where homeschooling, isolation, exorcisms, and the rule that Mom was never wrong gradually squeezed out any chance to question or just be a kid.
Sarah talked about longing for an education, trying to leave, and eventually escaping with almost no money or paperwork, determined to build a safer life and become a midwife. She also recounts the heartbreaking attempt to reunite with her children, the FBI investigation and court case that followed, and how she found the courage to keep going—and to remind others that asking for help is allowed. The episode connects her story to The Oracle’s Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult, past ALBC guest Harrison Hill’s book about Sarah’s family. It explores religious abuse, coercive control, survival, and the long road toward reclaiming your life.
Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of child abuse, educational neglect, religious and spiritual abuse, exorcisms, isolation, family separation, homelessness, death, weapons, and distressing court proceedings.
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.
Buy the A Little Bit Culty paperback, ebook, or audiobook on Amazon or order a signed copy.
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 and administrator: Sandra Nomoto
Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane
Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
If you’ve been waiting to start therapy, BetterHelp works with more than 125 health plan networks, and eligible members have an average copay of just $23 per session with insurance. Don’t have insurance or live outside the U.S.? You can still get 10% off your first month.
Visit BetterHelp.com/culty to explore your payment options.
Download Whatnot today and get $20 off your first purchase. Search Whatnot in the app store, sign up, and start finding the best deals on the products you love with $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.