Infamous Podcast: “OneTaste—The Startup That Went Too Far”

Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Natalie Robehmed (with co-hosts Vanessa Grigoriadis, Gabriel Sherman)
Guest: Ellen Hewitt (Bloomberg journalist, author of Empire of Orgasm)
Main Theme:
An in-depth investigation into OneTaste, the controversial orgasmic meditation (OM) startup led by Nicole Daedone. The episode unpacks the rise and fall of OneTaste, the personality behind its cult-like status, and the criminal charges that ultimately brought it down.

1. Episode Overview

The episode explores the history and practices of OneTaste, a company that grew from Bay Area fringe to global wellness phenomenon—before being exposed for alleged cult-like manipulation, sexual exploitation, and eventually convicted on forced labor conspiracy. Veteran journalist Ellen Hewitt recounts years of reporting on OneTaste, her new book, and her pivotal role in catalyzing the FBI’s investigation into the group.

2. Key Points & Discussion Segments

A. What Is OneTaste? Orgasmic Meditation Explained

• Definition of OM:
  OM (Orgasmic Meditation) is a 15-minute partnered practice where a clothed “stroker” (usually male) strokes the unclothed clitoris of a woman, all with the supposed goal of focused awareness on sensation—no orgasm required.

  “Orgasmic Meditation is a 15 minute practice in which a stroker, usually a man, is fully clothed... and then strokes the clitoris of a woman who is naked from the waist down… Both parties have no goal other than to notice and meditate on the sensations…” —Ellen Hewitt (03:17)

• Public Demos & Radical Appeal:
  The group performed OM in public to shock and attract onlookers, positioning OM as an empowering tool to close the “orgasm gap” between men and women.

  “They were really trying to do this radical thing, which was like leaning all the way in—this practice that is only focused on female pleasure.” —Ellen Hewitt (04:36)

B. Nicole Daedone: Visionary or Manipulator?

• Unusual Backstory:
  Nicole Daedone, OneTaste’s charismatic founder, wove a narrative of sexual exploration, spiritual seeking, and trauma from her childhood into her leadership.

  “I get the sense from all my reporting that she was someone really dedicated to trying to understand herself by pushing herself to her extremes…” —Ellen Hewitt (08:12)

• Complex Past, Complex Persona:
  Ellen discusses Daedone’s uncertain history of abuse by her father and how Daedone used her own darkness to relate to followers seeking healing from sexual trauma.

  “She would project this story of having been in that darkness and being able to understand it... But what’s hard to reconcile is also these stories... who said that Nicole or OneTaste abused them or perpetuated a cycle of abuse.” —Ellen Hewitt (11:36)

C. Origins: OM’s Roots & Bay Area Counterculture

• Not Original to Daedone:
  OM originated with local sex communes including Welcomed Consensus and Morehouse, where Daedone learned “deliberate orgasm” before rebranding it.

  “She was first exposed to this mindful clitoral stroking practice by two other groups... She rewrote the origin story to be more related to her.” —Ellen Hewitt (15:10)

• Innovating For Mainstream Acceptance:
  She developed “guardrails” (gloves, lube, scripts, 15-minute limit) to make it seem safe and enticing to the wellness world.

D. Inside OneTaste: Courses, Communes, and Assignments

• From Classes to Cult-like Communes:
  OneTaste students moved into large, wall-less warehouses, living communally and often being assigned sexual practices or life “experiments” by Nicole or her deputies.

  “You would experience a social culture in which you would do these life experiments… Often they were sexual, but not always...” —Ellen Hewitt (22:56)

• Push to the Edge:
  Assignments became more extreme: daily sex with new partners, 30 straight days of oral sex (“cock sucking,” as they deliberately called it), and even handcuffing fighting couples together.

  “There was a story…a couple... assigned to be handcuffed together for a week... But I think if you were living in this world... people actually respond quite strongly to the incentives and structures of the world that is directly around them.” —Ellen Hewitt (24:42)

• Aversion Practice:
  A central philosophy was that “pushing past aversion” led to growth—even as it blurred, or erased, consent.

  “Aversion practice was used as a justification to push people to do things that they did not want to do... How can you consent if what you’re being taught is that you should say yes... because you don’t want to do it?” —Ellen Hewitt (28:33)

Notable Quote:

“Desire does not make any promises to protect you or keep you safe... Desire is an extreme sport in that way.” —Nicole Daedone (26:54)

E. Wellness Branding, Celebrity Endorsements, and Mainstream Expansion

• OneTaste became embedded in the Silicon Valley wellness boom, attracting endorsements from Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim Ferriss, and even Khloe Kardashian.
• They sold ever-pricier transformation seminars and leveraged girl boss messaging about female power, sexuality, and productivity.
• “Their office on Market street is across the street from Uber... Twitter... right in the heart of the early 2000 and tens tech boom.” —Ellen Hewitt (20:26)

F. The Investigative Unraveling

• Hewitt’s reporting began after a PR pitch painted OneTaste as “a fast growing, woman-led wellness startup.”

  “This group is not at all what it seems. I feel like I was exploited financially and psychologically... I really feel like they’re predatory.” —Ellen Hewitt, source paraphrased (33:35)

• Over six months, Ellen spoke to a growing network of former members alleging manipulation, pressure, and abuse (financial, sexual, emotional).

• Her 2018 story broke the façade and sparked law enforcement action; OneTaste soon suspended in-person activities as the FBI investigation ramped up.

• “That first story kicked off a bunch of things at Onetaste. They actually stopped offering in person classes. They kind of went into hibernation.” —Ellen Hewitt (35:41)

G. Legal Reckoning: FBI Raid and Forced Labor Convictions

• In 2023, Nicole Daedone and her deputy Rachel Churwitz were indicted and later convicted for forced labor conspiracy.

• Ellen attended the trial:

  “It was. I mean, I had, like, shivers all over my body... I felt like I had dedicated a lot of time to trying to understand her, but I had never met her in person...” —Ellen Hewitt (38:46) “She sees me, she immediately smiles and waves... looks me in the eye, and says, ‘We have a strange intimacy.’” —Ellen Hewitt, on meeting Nicole (39:00)

• Both women remain jailed while awaiting sentencing (facing up to 20 years in prison), as OneTaste’s remains still attempt to rebrand.

• “OneTaste does still exist… they announced that they are reviving a version of what they used to call their coaching program... Nicole and Rachel have been in jail in Brooklyn since then.” —Ellen Hewitt (41:25)

H. Broader Reflections: Consent, Community, and Manipulation

• The case raises core questions about consent, community, and the seductive power of fringe wellness:

  “A bad idea is a good idea taken way too far. And that’s at the core of so many of the teachings... of alleged cults in general.” —Ellen Hewitt (28:33)

• Parallels are drawn with NXIVM and other modern cults, especially in their manipulation of boundaries for “personal growth.”

3. Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker & Quote | |------------|-----------------| | 03:17 | Ellen Hewitt: “Orgasmic Meditation is a 15 minute practice…” | | 06:28 | Ellen Hewitt: “A woman's erotic power can unlock many other powers in her life…” | | 11:36 | Ellen Hewitt: “She would project this story of having been in that darkness and being able to understand it...” | | 15:10 | Ellen Hewitt: “She was first exposed to this practice by two other groups…” | | 26:54 | Nicole Daedone: “Desire does not make any promises to protect you...” | | 28:33 | Ellen Hewitt: “A bad idea is a good idea taken way too far... that’s at the core of so many of the teachings...” | | 35:17 | Nicole Daedone (clip): “My topic is female orgasm... there is a cure, and that cure is orgasm.” | | 39:00 | Ellen Hewitt: “She sees me, she immediately smiles and waves… [and says] ‘We have a strange intimacy.’” | | 41:25 | Ellen Hewitt: “One Taste does still exist... Nicole and Rachel have been in jail in Brooklyn since then...” |

4. Key Segment Timestamps

• What is OM & OneTaste? (03:07–06:45)
• Nicole Daedone’s Backstory & Leadership Style (07:08–12:51)
• Origins in Bay Area Sex Communes (14:58–17:00)
• Life Inside OneTaste—Assignments & Group Dynamics (22:25–28:33)
• Aversion Practice and Consent Manipulation (28:33–31:24)
• Wellness Branding & Celebrity Endorsements (20:18–22:56, 35:17)
• Investigative Breakthrough & Legal Fallout (33:35–38:27)
• Trials, Conviction, and What’s Next (38:27–43:37)

5. Conclusion & Call to Action

Natalie thanks Ellen for her reporting and promotes the new book Empire of Orgasm, observing its vital role in illuminating what happens when startup culture, power, and sexual politics mix unchecked.

This summary captures the nuanced rise and sharp fall of OneTaste, underlines Ellen Hewitt’s role as lead investigator and chronicler, and reflects the original podcast’s probing, occasionally irreverent tone. The episode is essential listening (or reading) for anyone who wants to understand how wellness trends can drift into dangerous cult dynamics with real-world consequences.