You're Not My Daddy: Veena Dinavahi Survives “The True Happiness Company” (Part 1)

What happens when the story you thought you were living collides with a reality you can’t ignore? Kicking off Season 8 of A Little Bit Culty, we sit down with author, mother of three, and fashion writer Veena Dinavahi for part one of a powerful conversation about growing up in a white American suburb with a high suicide rate. Veena shared her journey meeting “Bob,” the leader of a Mormon-adjacent self-help group she calls “the true happiness company,” at 19 years old, and the red flags that kept her trapped in the group for years. This convo’s raw, real, and exactly the kind of courageous storytelling that keeps this community going. Stay tuned for Part 2 when Veena shares how she woke up, spoke out, and found her voice after years of the control systems that tried to take it away.  Buy Veena’s book, The True Happiness Company and follow her on Instagram @veenawriteswords. Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of suicide. 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. **PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book here 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 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: Sandra Nomoto Social media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke Keane Theme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel Asselin SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Find the one, with Betterhelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/culty. Keep it classic and cozy this fall—with long-lasting staples from Quince. Go to Quince.com/culty for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Right now as a listener of our show, you can get cozy—and spooky—for less with deals up to 50% off at MeUndies.com/culty and enter promo code culty. Don’t let financial opportunity slip through the cracks. Use code CULTY at MonarchMoney.com in your browser for half off your first year.  “Cozify” your space with Wayfair’s curated collection of easy, affordable fall updates. From comfy recliners to cozy bedding and autumn decor. Find it all for way less at Wayfair.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.