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Nicole Daedone

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Nicole Daedone founded and became the CEO of OneTaste in the San Francisco Bay Area. OneTaste trademarked the "orgasmic meditation" (OM) procedure delivered through the company's classes. Born in Los Gatos, California,[1] she holds a bachelor's degree in gender communications[clarification needed] from San Francisco State University.[2][3] She studied with teachers of yoga and Buddhist meditation, and with Ray Vetterlein, who was in turn inspired by Morehouse, a community of which Nicole was a member.[4][5] Former students of Baranco set up their own practices and groups, among them The Welcomed Consensus. She lived at The Welcomed Consensus, a community formed by former Morehouse students for two years. Morehouse and the Welcomed Consensus, regarded themselves as "the elite connoisseurs of exquisite gourmet sex."[5] "The Welcomed Consensus had no desire to be mainstream. But Daedone had bigger ideas" according to Ken Blackman, a member of Welcome Consensus and later Onetaste.[5]

OneTaste has been investigated by the FBI for prostitution, sex trafficking, and violations of labor law.[6] In June 2023, Daedone and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz were indicted on charges of conspiracy for forced labor.[7] Daedone, who was the company’s chief executive officer, was charged by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York. Rachel Cherwitz, OneTaste’s former head of sales, was also charged. According to the government, Daedone and Cherwitz claimed to be able to help those recover from past sexual trauma or abuse but instead manipulated their victims into debt.[7][8]

The company’s “members” sometimes were told “to engage in sexual acts they found uncomfortable or repulsive as a requirement to obtain ‘freedom’ and ‘enlightenment’ and demonstrate their commitment to OneTaste and Daedone,” the indictment claims, and “resistance … was not tolerated.”[9] Meanwhile, according to the indictment, OneTaste didn’t pay promised wages and commissions to members-turned-workers.[9]

Daedone is the focus of the 2022 Netflix documentary Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste.[10]

Daedone was charged with engaging in a years long conspiracy to manipulate victims of past sexual trauma and abuse into providing forced labor.[11] Former OneTaste sales chief Rachel Cherwitz was arrested in northern California on June 21, 2023. The next status conference is scheduled for Oct. 3.[12] Both were indicted on a forced labor conspiracy charge.[13]

Nicole published her first book, Slow Sex, in 2012. She has since published more than eight books on a range of topics including Orgasmic Meditation and the philosophy of Eros, through a small publishing house called Soulmaker Press.[14] The principles of her philosophy is in her book, Eros Sutras, Volume 1: Principles which has become an Amazon.com best seller in women's spirituality.[15]

Controversy

Former members of the organization testifying about their experience at OneTaste said it "resembled a kind of prostitution ring" where managers frequently ordered staffers to engage in sexual relations with customers. In 2015, a former employee received a six-figure settlement for sexual assault and harassment. The company made $12 million in revenue in 2017.[16]

Publications

  • Nicole Daedone (22 May 2012). Slow Sex: the art and craft of the female orgasm. Grand Central Life & Style. ISBN 978-0446567183.
  • Nicole Daedone (21 June 2023). The Eros Sutras, Volume 1: Principles. Soulmaker Press. ISBN 978-1-961064-00-3.
  • Nicole Daedone (28 July 2023). The Eros Sutras, Volume 2: Tumescence. Soulmaker Press. ISBN 978-1-961064-02-7.

References

  1. ^ Spicuzza, Mary (4 April 2007). "Sex and Sensuality". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2014. Alt URL
  2. ^ Mary Spicuzza (2007-04-04). "Sex and Sensuality". SF Weekly. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  3. ^ "Nicole Daedone". WishSummit.com. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  4. ^ Brown, Patricia Leigh; Pogash, Carol (2009-03-13). "The Pleasure Principle". The New York Times.
  5. ^ a b c Brown, Mick (2021-04-24). "Inside the multi-million dollar orgasm cult endorsed by Hollywood". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  6. ^ "FBI Investigates 'Orgasmic Meditation' Company OneTaste: Report". The Daily Beast. 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  7. ^ a b "US founder of 'orgasmic meditation' startup indicted on forced labor charges". The Guardian. June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  8. ^ "CEO of sexual wellness firm is charged with exploiting clients". Fortune Well. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  9. ^ a b "Founder of sexuality-focused women's wellness company pleads not guilty in forced labor case". NBC News. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  10. ^ "Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste". Netflix Inc. June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  11. ^ "Founder of SF-based sexual wellness startup OneTaste charged with exploiting abuse victims". The Mercury News. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  12. ^ Scarcella, Mike (2023-09-21). "Lawyers for 'orgasmic meditation' company founder refute prosecutors' ethics concerns". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  13. ^ Jennifer, Peltz (2023-06-13). "Founder, ex-executive of edgy sexual wellness company OneTaste charged with forced labor conspiracy". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  14. ^ "Soulmaker Press". Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  15. ^ "Amazon Best Sellers: Best Women's Inspirational Spirituality". p-nt-www-amazon-com-kalias.amazon.com. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  16. ^ Ellen Huet (18 June 2018). "The Dark Side of the Orgasmic Meditation Company". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
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