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OneTaste

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OneTaste
Company typePrivate
FounderNicole Daedone and Robert Kandell
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
,
United States
Number of locations
8 (2016)
Area served
Key people
Anjuli Ayer (CEO)
Revenue$6.5 M[1] (2014)
Number of employees
28[1] (2014)
Websiteonetaste.us

OneTaste Incorporated, currently operating as The Institute of OM,[2][3] is a business primarily dedicated to promoting orgasmic meditation (OM), an activity in which an often male participant masturbates a female participant while she concentrates on the resulting physical sensations.[4][5][6] OneTaste was founded by Nicole Daedone and Robert Kandell in San Francisco.[7] OneTaste and independent affiliates had operated in multiple cities, including London, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco.[8][9] By selling courses and retreats, the company claimed to have generated $12 million of revenue in 2017.[8][10] Daedone sold her OneTaste shares to three members for $12 million in the same year.[8][11]

As OneTaste grew and received more media attention, the organization was accused of cult-like operations, similar to Lafayette Morehouse, an intentional community of which Daedone was formerly a member.[12][13][7] An exposé by Bloomberg News in 2018 led to OneTaste being investigated by the FBI for sex trafficking, prostitution, and violations of labor law.[2] Shortly thereafter, OneTaste closed all of their U.S. locations and stopped hosting in-person classes.[14] The FBI investigation resulted in an indictment in 2023 of Daedone and her former head of sales on forced labor charges,[15] and a trial which started in May 2025.[16]

History

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Nicole Daedone
Co-founder Nicole Daedone in 2024

OneTaste was cofounded in San Francisco by Robert Kandell and Nicole Daedone. Daedone stated that a man introduced her to orgasmic meditation before she started OneTaste.[17] The Daily Telegraph reported that Daedone changed her description of the man upon retelling the origin story, having portrayed him on different occasions as a Buddhist, a monk, and "a cute guy" who said "the best pickup line I'd ever heard".[18]

OneTaste originally operated two communal-style "urban retreat" centers, one in San Francisco's Soma District and another in Lower Manhattan.[19] OneTaste then expanded to Los Angeles and London.[14] The company produced media, workshops, weekend retreats, and a coach training program. In 2014, OneTaste was listed as an Inc. 5000 fastest growing company.[20] Daedone sold her ownership of OneTaste to three participants for $12 million in 2017; the company stated that it received $12 million in revenue during the same year.[11]

Bloomberg Businessweek published an exposé of the company in June 2018. According to the report, OneTaste offered orgasmic meditation courses for $499 to $16,000, as well as a $60,000 annual subscription that included access to all courses.[8] In October 2018, OneTaste closed all of their U.S. locations and stopped hosting in-person classes.[14] By 2022, OneTaste rebranded itself as The Institute of OM.[2][3]

In October 2022, MendoFever reported that the Mendocino County Jail discontinued its partnership with Unconditional Freedom, an organization associated with OneTaste. Unconditional Freedom had the same Employer Identification Number as the OneTaste Foundation, shared a mailing address with OneTaste, employed eight volunteers who have worked for OneTaste, and was promoted on OneTaste's website.[21]

A Netflix documentary film about OneTaste and its controversies, Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste, was released on November 5, 2022. Prior to the release, fourteen former OneTaste members filed a lawsuit against Netflix, seeking a temporary restraining order and the removal of sexually explicit imagery that was allegedly "misappropriated" by a former OneTaste employee.[22] Their request was denied by a Los Angeles judge.[23] According to The Daily Beast, a former OneTaste employee stated that the lawsuit was "a last-ditch effort by OneTaste to protect its reputation" and "may be nothing more than an attempt to silence its victims, some of whom have accused the company of functioning like a cult".[24] The plaintiffs withdrew their lawsuit after the documentary was released with their faces obscured.[25]

In January 2025, CEO Anjuli Ayer stated that OneTaste had released a new app and website, and intended to adopt a franchise-based business model.[11]

Orgasmic meditation

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OneTaste is centered around orgasmic meditation (OM), an activity in which a clothed and usually male "stroker" masturbates a female "strokee" by softly fingering the upper-left section of her clitoris for a timed 15 minutes.[11] Prior to physical contact, the stroker describes the appearance of the strokee's vulva to her and puts on a lubricated glove.[26]

The company markets OM as a mindfulness practice in which both participants focus their attention on the sensation with the stated goal of developing "connective resonance" between themselves. Daedone described her own work as "one that places a near-exclusive emphasis on women's pleasure — in which love, romance and even flirtation are not required." After, both partners discuss their experiences verbally.[12] Orgasmic meditation borrows from yoga and meditation.[27][verification needed] According to Daedone's former associates, orgasmic meditation was derived from "deliberate orgasm" (DO), a similar masturbation activity created by the Welcomed Consensus, an alleged sex cult based in San Francisco that Daedone was previously a member of.[28][18]

Proponents state that orgasmic meditation encompasses more than just orgasm and that it encourages greater emotional awareness, connected relationships, and sense of fulfillment.[29] The organization's stated goal is "to create a clean, well-lit place where sexuality, relationship, and intimacy could be discussed openly and honestly."[19] Daedone draws parallels between slow sex and the Slow Food movement associated with chef Alice Waters.[30] With sex as with food, she says, people can overindulge without getting nourishment, or go from one extreme of consuming mindlessly to the other extreme of self-denial.[27][verification needed]

Reception

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Several journalists have compared OneTaste to a cult and pyramid scheme.[12][7][31] "As with many a commune before it, the leader of OneTaste, Ms. Daedone, is a polarizing personality, whom admirers venerate as a sex diva, although some former members say she has cult like powers over her followers... Much of the community's tone revolves around Ms. Daedone, a woman of considerable charm, although detractors regard her as a master manipulator."[12] In a New York Times interview, Daedone insists she does not aspire to guru status, while acknowledging that "there's a high potential for this to be a cult."[12]

A New York Times article led to several critical blog and opinion columns. An article in GoodTimes Weekly, "The Big OM", refers to "cult allegations" by posters on Yelp.com,[7] as did one on Vice,[32] and on Salon.[33] A 2016 episode of the podcast Love + Radio is dedicated to the experience of a woman who had increasingly fraught relations with OneTaste.[34] An article in The Cut stated that "some cult experts have linked Daedone with Victor Baranco," the cult leader who ran Lafayette Morehouse, and also suggest that it may be a pyramid scheme.[13] Similarly, an article in The Frisky described OneTaste as "Landmark Forum for the clitoris."[31] A Refinery29 article cited the organization's "potentially aggressive sales tactics."[35] Playboy Magazine compared OneTaste to Scientology and Landmark Forum, saying it had a "pyramidal pricing structure". For example, a week-long training with Nicole Daedone was advertised at $36,000. The Playboy writer noted behaviors that were "cultish", for example, "the way the volunteers serve the leaders, jumping at their every demand to 'get me water' and 'move that stool'... the full-court sales pitch from the minute you walk in... I leave early and I'm furious." The author implies she was gaslighted when she disagreed with the leaders. She writes that she was re-traumatized "for weeks" as memories of her past sexual trauma were triggered by a business promising female empowerment but "people probably just want your money."[36]

The book Sensation by Isabel Losada ends with a "Warning" about "'hard sell" techniques... 'One Taste' (like many businesses) offer a wide range of courses which are outside the price range of most bank accounts. I'll say it again. Please don't spend money that you don't have."[37]

Around universities, students are drawn to free OneTaste events with ad boards such as "Tired of Swiping Left? Let's Talk Real Intimacy!" or "You Do Yoga. You Meditate. Now try #OrgasmicMeditation". A year-long, $60,000 premium membership is sold by the company since 2014.[8] OneTaste teaches their members that money is just an emotional obstacle, which led some of them down to thousands of dollars in credit card debts.[8] In June 2018, Bloomberg Businessweek published an article chronicling recent training changes and that was critical of how the company treated its employees and consultants, often pressuring them to take expensive courses, programs, and retreats that drove them into debt.[8]

In November 2020, BBC Radio 4 released a 10-part investigative podcast entitled The Orgasm Cult that spoke to former workers of the company, detailing allegations of emotional, financial and sexual abuse, with some saying that OneTaste’s teachings and practices gaslit many women, leaving them with symptoms of PTSD. The podcast also spoke to experts about how the medical establishment’s dismissal of women’s health concerns pushes many women towards the growing and unregulated wellness industry and companies like OneTaste.[38]

Federal investigation and litigation

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OneTaste drew international media attention, controversy, and then an FBI investigation and indictment of Daedone and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz on forced labor charges.[39][40]

In 2015, OneTaste paid a former employee a six-figure settlement for enduring sexual assault, harassment, and labor law violations. The settlement was confidential until the 2018 Bloomberg report.[8]

After the 2018 Bloomberg article, the Federal Bureau of Investigation opened a probe into OneTaste for prostitution, sex trafficking, and violations of labor law.[2] In June 2023, Daedone and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz were indicted on charges of forced labor.[40][41] As of February 2024, a federal judge in Brooklyn set a tentative trial date for January 2025.[42] The defense claimed that FBI Special Agent Elliot McGinnis, who reportedly led the investigation for five years, undermined the case's integrity by advising witnesses to destroy evidence, mishandling privileged materials, and presenting misleading information in sworn affidavits.[43][44] However, Judge Diane Gujarati denied a motion to dismiss, ruling that the defense had not sufficiently demonstrated bad faith or that these issues prejudiced the prosecution's case, but did push back the trial, initially scheduled for January 13, to May 5.[45]

On March 17, 2025, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York announced that they will not use a key witness's journals in the case. The witness had falsely presented them as written about the time she was a OneTaste member, but instead had "physically copied the relevant portion of the Handwritten Journals after typing the Typewritten Journals".[46] The defense argued that the fraudulent evidence had been used as the foundation of the case, saying “The government would have presented perjured testimony from its star witness at trial, potentially leading to a wrongful conviction of the defendants.”[47][48]

The trial started on May 5, 2025. During the trial, former CTO Christopher Hubbard described OneTaste as a "sex cult", and stated that he and Daedone arranged BDSM activities for a male OneTaste investor, in which most of them involved the investor "either giving or receiving some form of sexual activity" with OneTaste members. A member testified that she was told to have sex with the investor as part of her role in the organization.[16]

See also

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  • Neotantra – Western interpretation of Tantra
  • One taste – Union of wisdom and emptiness
  • Sex cult – Trade of sexual slaves
  • Sex-positive movement – Ideology supporting healthy sexual norms

References

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  1. ^ a b "OneTaste - San Francisco, CA". Inc.com. 2015. Retrieved February 29, 2016. Inc. 5000 #537 2015
  2. ^ a b c d Harrison, Ellie (November 4, 2022). "'It went from utopia to a hell hole': The bizarre story behind Netflix's Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste". The Independent. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Hahn, Jason (November 4, 2022). "Lawsuit Seeks to Block Release of Netflix Doc About 'Orgasmic Meditation' Group OneTaste". People. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  4. ^ Ensor, Josie (May 7, 2025). "OneTaste 'orgasm and masturbation cult' was forced-labour, trial told". The Times. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  5. ^ Shugerman, Emily (March 5, 2025). "Controversial company OneTaste selling Mendocino property". The San Francisco Standard. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Clark-Flory, Tracy (March 17, 2009). "All hail the female orgasm". Salon. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  7. ^ a b c d Ramey, J. D. (November 14, 2013). "The Big OM". Good Times. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Huet, Ellen (June 18, 2018). "The Dark Side of the Orgasmic Meditation Company". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  9. ^ "Eastern District of New York | OneTaste Founder and Former Head of Sales Indicted for Forced Labor Conspiracy | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. June 6, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  10. ^ "Founder of SF-based sexual wellness startup OneTaste charged with exploiting abuse victims". The Mercury News. June 7, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d Ramey, Corinne (January 25, 2025). "She Made Orgasmic Meditation Her Life. Not Even Prison Will Stop Her". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e Brown, Patricia Leigh; Pogash, Carol (March 15, 2009). "The Pleasure Principle". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  13. ^ a b Stoeffel, Kat (October 16, 2013). "Techies Predictably Eat Up Orgasmic Meditation Lifestyle". The Cut. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  14. ^ a b c Huet, Ellen (October 19, 2018). "OneTaste Stops 'Orgasmic Meditation' Classes, U.S. Locations Set to Close". Bloomberg News. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  15. ^ Meko, Hurubie (June 6, 2023). "Founder of Sexual Wellness Company Indicted On Forced Labor Charges". The New York Times. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Pullano, Nina (May 13, 2025). "Bay Area 'sex cult' workers forced to service wealthy clients sexually: Witnesses". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  17. ^ Weiss, Suzannah (August 23, 2016). "Can You Orgasm Your Way to Enlightenment?". Complex. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  18. ^ a b Brown, Mick (April 24, 2021). "Inside the multi-million dollar orgasm cult endorsed by Hollywood". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  19. ^ a b "OneTaste". OneTaste Incorporated. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  20. ^ "OneTaste - San Francisco, CA". Inc.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  21. ^ Reith, Sarah (October 6, 2022). "'Prison Monastery' Linked to Multi-Million Dollar Orgasmic Meditation Cult Suspended from County Jail". MendoFever. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Stelloh, Tim (November 2, 2022). "Lawsuit asks Netflix to release documentary 'Orgasm Inc.' without 'misappropriated' sexually explicit material". NBC News. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  23. ^ Stelloh, Tim (November 4, 2022). "Judge denies request to block sexually explicit images in Netflix documentary about 'orgasmic meditation'". NBC News. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  24. ^ "Former OneTaste Staffer Says Netflix Lawsuit Is an Attempt to Silence Victims". The Daily Beast. November 3, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  25. ^ Manno, Adam (November 7, 2022). "Ex-OneTaste Members Drop Lawsuit Against Netflix Over 'Orgasm Inc' Documentary". The Daily Beast. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  26. ^ Schwartz, Alexandra (October 10, 2016). ""Future Sex": Adventures in an Erotic Wonderland". The New Yorker. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  27. ^ a b Cometto, Maria Teresa (April 20, 2008). "Vuoi fare OMing con me?". Grazia (in Italian). pp. 93–94.
  28. ^ Johnson, Sydney (August 28, 2023). "Is a San Francisco 'Sex Cult' Subjecting People to Abuse?". KQED. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  29. ^ Gordon, Daphne (May 6, 2008). "More to sex than intercourse". The Toronto Star. Retrieved September 21, 2009.
  30. ^ Spicuzza, Mary (April 4, 2007). "Sex and Sensuality". San Francisco Weekly. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  31. ^ a b Vrzic, Lana (January 26, 2020). "7 Things To Know About Orgasmic Meditation". The Frisky. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  32. ^ Vice staff (October 29, 2013). "Orgasmic Meditation Is a Whole New Way to Stroke Pussy". Vice. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  33. ^ Gummow, Jodie. "The sexy new fad for mindful living: Orgasmic meditation". Salon. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  34. ^ "Upper Left | Love + Radio | Listen with headphones on". loveandradio.org. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  35. ^ Barcella, Laura (March 1, 2014). "The Strange Truth About Orgasmic Meditation". Refinery29. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  36. ^ Phetasy, Bridget (March 24, 2017). "The Cost of Healing: What Everyone Ignores About Orgasmic Meditation". Playboy. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  37. ^ Losada, Isabel (2017). Sensation : adventures in sex, love and laughter. London, UK: Watkins Media. p. 313. ISBN 978-1786780935. OCLC 970027456.
  38. ^ "The Orgasm Cult". BBC. December 16, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  39. ^ Huet, Ellen (November 13, 2018). "FBI Is Probing OneTaste, a Sexuality Wellness Company". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  40. ^ a b "US founder of 'orgasmic meditation' startup indicted on forced labor charges". The Guardian. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  41. ^ Peltz, Jennifer (June 13, 2023). "Founder, ex-executive of edgy sexual wellness company OneTaste charged with forced labor conspiracy". ABC News. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  42. ^ Scharf, Rachel (February 1, 2024). "OneTaste Forced-Labor Trial Unlikely To Start Before 2025". Law360. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  43. ^ "FBI Told OneTaste Witness To Delete Evidence, Ex-Execs Say - Law360". www.law360.com. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  44. ^ Engelmayer, Juda (December 3, 2024). "Defense in OneTaste Related Case Alleges Evidence Tampering and Prosecutorial Misconduct". EIN Presswire. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  45. ^ "OneTaste Execs Say Former Member's Journals Fabricated - Law360 Pulse". www.law360.com. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  46. ^ Jones, CT (March 17, 2025). "DOJ Won't Use Journal Evidence in 'Orgasm Cult' Case". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  47. ^ Barrett, Devlin (April 4, 2025). "Key Evidence Thrown Out in Jolt to 'Orgasmic Meditation' Conspiracy Case". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  48. ^ Brown, Elizabeth Nolan (March 19, 2025). "FBI failed to spot faked evidence in case against alleged orgasm cult". Reason.com. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
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