Was I In A Cult? – Details, episodes & analysis

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Was I In A Cult?

PodcastOne

Comedy

Frequency: 1 episode/15d. Total Eps: 88

Hosted by Tyler Measom and Liz Iacuzzi, Was I In A Cult? is a documentary-style podcast showcasing individuals who have been in, and most importantly, successfully left a cult. Told first-hand by the experiencer themself, these are raw, riveting and inspirational tales of what it means to be a survivor. Using levity and info-tainment, the show humanizes the cultic experience and may leave some of our listeners asking themselves…“Wait…Was I In A Cult?” If you or someone you know has been in a cult and want to share your story, contact us at info@wasiinacult.com. We'd love to hear from you.

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🇨🇦 Canada - comedy
25/02/2025
#99

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https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult
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https://www.instagram.com/wasiinacult
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https://www.instagram.com/daninicolet
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https://www.instagram.com/lovejessjoan
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Score global : 54%

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Shiny, Happy People: “Shiny, Happy Lies”

Monday, February 24, 2025 • Duration 54:41

Crystal was born into a world where women obeyed, children served, and questioning authority was a sin. Raised under the oppressive rule of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP)—yes, the same Christian fundamentalist cult as the Duggars, “Shiny Happy People”—she spent her youth cleaning toilets, raising her mother’s children, and being prepped for a life of submission.

But Crystal had other plans.

This is the ultimate rags-to-riches story. She didn’t just escape the cult—she obliterated every expectation it had for her. From eating half-eaten Snickers bars out of the trash to becoming a wildly successful entrepreneur, from being promised to a 30-year-old man at 15 to discovering (in the most hilariously ways possible) that she really enjoys sex—Crystal’s life is nothing short of jaw-dropping.

At times hilarious, at others absolutely heart-wrenching, Crystal shares with raw honesty how indoctrination shapes identity, how control distorts self-worth, and how breaking free comes at a cost. But she also proves that no matter how deep the conditioning, you can defy every expectation, reclaim your power, and build a life beyond your wildest dreams.

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Have your own story about high-control groups, or breaking free from an oppressive system? Email us at info@wasiinacult.com —we’d love to hear it.

Want ad-free episodes? Support us on Patreon and help fund our cult-unmasking, truth-telling, freedom-fighting journey.

Liz on “What Came Next”

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A Cult of One: "The Professor Will See You Now"

Monday, February 17, 2025 • Duration 01:02:47

There was no commune. No matching robes or group chants. A charismatic leader? Yes. But no room full of followers. This is a story about a cult of one — a lesser-known, yet perhaps more common, type of cult.

When Alex first met her college advisor, she thought she’d found a mentor—someone brilliant, charismatic, and seemingly invested in her success. But behind the charm lay something much darker. Slowly, methodically, he pushed boundaries under the guise of guidance and concern—first emotionally, then physically—until she was isolated from friends and family, no longer trusting her own judgment.

In today’s episode, we explore how one-on-one cults operate using the same tactics as larger cults—love-bombing, coercion, and manipulation—but in the intimate, hidden space between just two people.

This is a chilling tale of how a trusted authority figure became a master manipulator, pulling the strings until Alex’s world was no longer her own. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes the most dangerous cult leader isn’t the one standing on a stage—but the one sitting across from you, offering a warm smile and a seemingly harmless invitation to talk.

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Got a story about manipulation, power dynamics, or your own cult of one? Email us at info@wasiinacult.com

Want ad-free episodes? Support us on Patreon and help fund our cult-unmasking, truth-telling, boundary-protecting journey.

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The BDSM Kink Scene PT2: “My Kink is Not Your Kink”

Monday, November 25, 2024 • Duration 48:33

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses sensitive and potentially triggering topics around sex and sexual dynamics.

Amelia returns to share the conclusion of her story, exposing the hidden dangers she encountered within the BDSM kink scene in the UK. While this subculture promised sexual liberation and empowerment, Amelia reveals how it often justified harmful dynamics and enabled exploitation.

In this episode, Amelia reveals the unsettling realities of concepts like ‘dark age play’ and ‘consensual non-consent,’ where blurred boundaries and the guise of consent are used to excuse abuse and shield predators from accountability. Her candid account delves into the manipulation, cult-like groupthink, and the profound psychological toll of her more than 10-years immersed in the scene.

Through her story, Amelia highlights the importance of questioning systems that silence dissent, the slippery slope of power dynamics, and the courage it takes to finally shut the door for good on an environment that no longer reflects your values. Amelia's journey serves as a reminder that true empowerment comes from recognizing harm, standing against exploitation, and reclaiming your voice—even when it means walking away from the spaces you once called home.

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Resist aging at the cellular level, try Qualia Senolytic. Go to Qualialife.com/CULT for up to 50% off and use code “CULT” at checkout for an additional 15% off.

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The BDSM Kink Scene PT1: “Don’t Yuck My Yum”

Monday, November 18, 2024 • Duration 55:14

***Head to squarespace.com/INACULT to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code INACULT.***

Content Warning: This episode discusses sex and adult themes.

Amelia King spent over a decade immersed in the UK’s BDSM scene, an underground world of role play, power dynamics, and boundaries—both pushed and broken. In this candid conversation, Amelia sheds light on how what began as playful exploration became a subculture steeped in manipulation, exploitation, and troubling parallels to cult-like behavior. From “munches” to “play partners,” she shares the layers of the scene’s allure, hierarchy, and darker truths.

This is the first of a two-part series delving into Amelia’s story. Next week, we’ll explore the deeper, more sinister aspects of this subculture.

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Donate to CUDDLY today! Head to cuddly.com/CULT and help make a difference!

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Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys): patreon.com/wasiinacult

Merch is here! wasiinacult.com

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BONUS: Bethany Joy Lenz on “The Big House Family”

Monday, November 11, 2024 • Duration 55:30

In this special bonus episode, Liz sits down with actress, writer, and singer Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill) to discuss her harrowing and deeply personal journey through a Christian cult called “The Big House Family.” Having recently published her New York Times bestselling memoir, Dinner for Vampires, Joy opens up about how the group’s leader preyed on her longing for deep connection, manipulated her emotions and exerted financial control— eventually isolating her from her family and friends. From years of spiritual gaslighting to reclaiming her identity as an artist and mother, Joy’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of reclaiming one’s voice.

Want more? Patreon members can access the full, extended interview HERE

Buy Joy’s memoir, Dinner For Vampires HERE.

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Find Joy (see what we did there?): @msbethanyjoylenz

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Dollar Bill’s Cult: “My Father Stole My Wife”

Monday, November 4, 2024 • Duration 01:02:55

In this heart-wrenching continuation of Emily Maldonado’s story, we delve into the life of her brother, Drew Matthews. Drew grew up under the domineering influence of his father, “Dollar Bill” Matthews, a pastor whose self-interest knew no bounds. From childhood indoctrination to traumatic "exorcisms" and endless demands for loyalty, Drew was constantly searching for the love and acceptance his father never offered.

This episode unravels a tale of betrayal on every level—Drew’s own father not only controlled his life but ultimately orchestrated the unthinkable: the estrangement of Drew’s wife and daughter. As Drew sought refuge in the military, hoping to escape his father’s grip, his father seized the opportunity to drive a permanent wedge between him and his family by doing the unthinkable.

Drew’s resilience and strength in the face of unimaginable loss serve as a powerful testament to the endurance of the human spirit. We are in awe of you, Drew!

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Try VIIA! www.viiahemp.com/inacult and use code: inacult

Visit www.uncommongoods.com/cult for 15% off!

Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code Inacult LumeDeodorant.com! #lumepod

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Follow Drew on TikTok: @notreallysur.e / Instagram: @dapper_mann

Solid Rock Church: “My Dad, the Cult Leader”

Monday, October 28, 2024 • Duration 01:13:41

What happens when your father becomes your pastor and eventually your cult leader? In this episode, Emily Maldonado shares the raw truth about growing up in a cult led by her own dad. From staged exorcisms to discovering that love and freedom could only come by breaking every rule, Emily’s story is heartbreaking and inspiring. With gripping honesty, she unpacks the jaw-dropping moment she knew she had no choice but to leave… and for Emily, leaving meant losing her entire family. With humor and profound resilience, Emily shares how she escaped a life dictated by manipulation—and found the strength to rebuild a life of joy and authenticity.

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Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code “inacult” LumeDeodorant.com! #lumepod

Follow Emily on Insta/Tiktok: @styledmicasa

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys): https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

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QAnon: “Control + Alt + Deception”

Monday, October 21, 2024 • Duration 01:04:33

Ashley takes us inside the twisted world of QAnon—an online cult that spread like wildfire during the pandemic, offering false hope through dangerous conspiracies to those seeking community, connection and autonomy in an unraveling world. Ashley reveals how fear tactics and manipulation lured her into a space where JFK Jr. was alive, Tom Hanks was an international trafficker, and every catastrophe was proof of an elite plot.

From Instagram rabbit holes to FOIA requests about hot dogs at the White House, Ashley unpacks the absurdity and real danger behind QAnon’s grip. This is not just a story of strange beliefs—it’s a story of control, trauma, and ultimately, resilience. Join us as Ashley explains how she reclaimed her mind, her sanity, and her life—one hard truth at a time.

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Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys): https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

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Falun Gong P2: “Falun Gone… For Good”

Monday, October 14, 2024 • Duration 56:39

In Part 2 of Angela's story, the realities of Falun Gong’s grip on her family deepen. Angela reflects on the emotional toll of a cult that prioritized spiritual salvation over physical health—even as her mother’s condition worsens. But escaping isn’t easy when your family remains deep in the cult’s ideologies… Angela’s journey out of this cult is filled with heartbreaking revelations and the resilience that defines a true “surthirver.”

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Donate to CUDDLY today! Head to cuddly.com/CULT and help make a difference!

Angela on TikTok/Instagram: @workplace_doodles

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys)

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

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Falun Gong P1: “Karma Claus... He’s Always Watching"

Monday, October 7, 2024 • Duration 50:21

When her mother fell sick, young Angela had no idea that she would spend her childhood growing up in a dangerous cult. Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual movement-slash-religion-slash-cult, known for its Shen Yun dancers and its ties to 'The Epoch Times’ entangled her family in its facade of meditation and enlightenment. In this two-part episode, Angela recounts her experience in a world where karma is not just a bitch, but a force that can dictate life and death… with suffering seen as path to salvation and modern medicine demonized as an obstacle to spiritual purity. And just when you think it can’t get any wilder, the Capitol Insurrection storms into the story…

Stay tuned next week for Part Two.

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Angela on TikTok: @workplace_doodles

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys): https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

Tyler’s Boring Book Club addition: "How We Got to Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World"

Was I In A Cult? – Details, episodes & analysis

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Was I In A Cult? – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other39

Patreon1

Instagram8

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

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Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other39

Patreon1

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