{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Laura Richards: What Gabby Petito, \u201cDirty John,\u201d and Keith Raniere Have in Common","description":"This episode is sponsored in part by Betterhelp. What do serial killers, cult leaders, and domestic abusers have in common? According to criminal behavior analyst Laura Richards, quite a lot. In this powerful conversation, Laura explains the concept of coercive control\u2014the psychological abuse tactic often at the core of these crimes\u2014and how it plays out across intimate relationships, cults, and high-profile cases. Laura spent a decade at New Scotland Yard investigating rape, murder, and abduction. She went on to found the Homicide Prevention Unit and Paladin, the world\u2019s first national stalking advocacy service. Her work helped reduce the murder rate in the UK by 58 percent and led to coercive control being criminalized there. Now, she\u2019s fighting for similar legal reforms in the U.S. In Part 1 of our conversation, Laura offers insight into the behaviors and warning signs she sees in the cases of Gabby Petito, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, \u201cDirty\u201d John Meehan, British serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, Larry Ray (of the Sarah Lawrence cult case), and NXIVM\u2019s Keith Raniere. This episode gives you a new lens for spotting red flags\u2014and a deeper understanding of how abusers manipulate power and control, so major trigger warning for sexual assault, murder, and domestic violence this week. For more, check out Laura\u2019s podcasts Crime Analyst and Real Crime Profile, find her on IG @laurarichards999 or visit thelaurarichards.com. Also\u2026 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\u2019s mad at you, just don\u2019t be a culty fuckwad. Check out our lovely sponsors Join \u2018A Little Bit Culty\u2019 on Patreon Get poppin\u2019 fresh ALBC Swag Support the pod and smash this link Cult awareness and recovery resources Watch Sarah\u2019s TEDTalk CREDITS:  Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony Ames Production Partner: Amphibian.Media Writer & Co-Creator: Jess Tardy Associate producers: Amanda Zaremba and Matt Stroud of Amphibian.Media   Audio production: Red Caiman Studios Theme Song: \u201cCultivated\u201d by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin   ","author_name":"A Little Bit Culty","author_url":"http:\/\/www.alittlebitculty.com","html":"