The psychology of Bad Vegan: Sarma on narcissistic abuse, her new book, and why she hates the movie

Did you see the documentary Bad Vegan? It covers Sarma Melngailis’s nightmarish journey from successful New York City restaurant owner to inmate jailed for stealing millions. How did this happen? Sarma was the victim of a narcissistic con man named Anthony Strangis, who manipulated her into believing a number of wild, delusional ideas (like that he might be a non-human being with immense, other-worldly powers). He used this strange hold over her to persuade her to give him large amounts of money (much of which he blew at casinos). I talk to Sarma about her experience. We talk about: what led to her being so emotionally vulnerable that someone like Strangis could manipulate her; the factors that can lead someone to believe things that most people can see as obviously ridiculous lies; why she dislikes the “Bad Vegan” documentary maker for editing choices he made; the very difficult work of trying to survive and rebuild after such horrible and humiliating events.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices