Home
Categories
EXPLORE
True Crime
Comedy
Society & Culture
Business
Sports
History
News
About Us
Contact Us
Copyright
© 2024 PodJoint
00:00 / 00:00
Sign in

or

Don't have an account?
Sign up
Forgot password
https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/99/ab/5f/99ab5f1d-47c9-9071-429f-df3d096bc7d1/mza_3579495993665788711.jpeg/600x600bb.jpg
Was I In A Cult?
PodcastOne
125 episodes
1 week ago
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.
Show more...
Comedy
RSS
All content for Was I In A Cult? is the property of PodcastOne and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
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.
Show more...
Comedy
Episodes (20/125)
Was I In A Cult?
[UPDATE] Jehovah’s Witnesses: “Shut Up and Be Blessed”
**Note: This episode originally aired in September 2021. Stick around til the end for a catch up interview with Daniel 4 years later.** With rockstar aspirations, Daniel O'Brien wasn't looking for anything but a good time. But when heartbreak rocked his world, he tripped into something that lifted his spirits and rallied his hopes - the Jehovah's Witnesses. Before he knew it, Daniel had traded his guitar for a green Bible and found himself rapidly rising through the ranks of the religion. A wife, and two kids later, he was a fully indoctrinated, high ranking Elder in the church. But when Daniel realizes that he's part of a life much different than the one he originally signed up for, he knows that he must leave. The only problem is... he can't. _____ FOLLOW US For more culty content, follow us on Instagram & TikTok: → @wasiinacult SUPPORT THE SHOW If you believe in what we’re doing — please rate, review, and share the podcast. It helps more than you know. And if you’d like to go a step further, join us on Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and our eternal gratitude for helping us keep these conversations going. → Join us on Patreon. HAVE A CULTY STORY? We’d love to hear from you. → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
1 week ago
1 hour 6 minutes 10 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Jordanian Sufi Cult: “Trapped Between Worlds”
When Raidah left medical school in Sydney to spend the summer at what was promise to be an Islamic utopia in Jordan, she thought she was taking a break to heal. Instead, she found herself inside a high-control religious community led by Nuh Ha Mim Keller — an American-born Catholic convert who reinvented himself as a Sufi sheikh and built a devoted following of Muslims living in Western countries. Through his English-language books, lectures, and retreats, Keller promised these diaspora Muslims a spiritual home — a refuge from Western chaos and Islamophobia. But what Raidah found instead… was a cult. _____ FOLLOW US For more culty content, follow us on Instagram & TikTok: → @wasiinacult FOLLOW RAIDAH SHAH IDIL Follow Raidah on Instagram → @raidahwrites Check out her debut novel How to Free a Jinn — available now from Allen & Unwin (ANZ and Asia) and Simon & Schuster in the U.S READ Storm Without a Port (PDF) — the 77-page survivor testimony compiled by former members of the Jordanian Sufi cult. Visit In Shaykh’s Clothing — a resource for Muslim survivors of spiritual abuse. SUPPORT THE SHOW If you believe in what we’re doing — please rate, review, and share the podcast. It helps more than you know. And if you’d like to go a step further, join us on Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and our eternal gratitude for helping us keep these conversations going. → Join us on Patreon. HAVE A CULTY STORY? We’d love to hear from you. → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
2 weeks ago
1 hour 2 minutes 18 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
[BONUS] Amy Duggar King: “Holy Disruptor”
Today’s story isn’t about a reality TV show—though a lot of people think it starts there. In truth, it began long before the cameras, before the matching outfits and the too-perfect smiles. You know the TLC series 19 Kids & Counting—the Duggars and their seemingly perfect world built within the IBLP. But there was another Duggar—of sorts. Not a sibling. The cousin. Amy. Or as America came to know her, “Crazy Cousin Amy.” Except she wasn’t crazy. Isn’t crazy. Not even close. She just wasn’t in their cult—the IBLP. What no one saw, though, was that Amy—an only child—was surviving her own hell at home. Her new memoir, Holy Disruptor, is a story of breaking cycles, setting boundaries, and finding herself in the aftermath. Today, she joins us to talk about her journey—from the quiet terror of her childhood to life in the public eye, through the scandals that shattered her trust, and toward a life built on truth, healing, and peace… even when it means disrupting “family.” And no, she wasn’t in the IBLP, but by the end, she may just find herself wondering… “Wait—was I in a cult?” ______________ FOLLOW US For more culty content, follow us on Instagram & TikTok: → @wasiinacult FOLLOW AMY DUGGAR KING Folly Amy @amyrachelleking  Get her new memoir: Holy Disruptor — available wherever books are sold. SUPPORT THE SHOW If you believe in what we’re doing — please rate, review, and share the podcast. It helps more than you know. And if you’d like to go a step further, join us on Patreon. You’ll get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and our gratitude for helping us keep these conversations going. → Join us on Patreon. HAVE A CULTY STORY? We’d love to hear from you. → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
3 weeks ago
58 minutes 41 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
Church of the Harvest: “WWJD? Probably Pay His Employees.”
Nine years. One strip-mall church. A duffel bag full of cash, a freezing pool full of goldfish, and a pastor who convinced everyone he had a direct line to God. This week, Alisha takes us inside Church of the Harvest — a charismatic California congregation that promised purpose, purity, and a path to the pulpit… but delivered something far darker. Hazing disguised as holiness, unpaid labor disguised as “discipleship,” and extreme control disguised as dating.   Because when your pastor asks you to “volunteer” full-time, pay tuition to do it, and maybe jump into a swamp at 3 a.m. to save metaphorical fish — you might just be in a cult. ______________________ FOLLOW US For more cult content, behind-the-scenes chaos, and occasional sermons from our strip-mall pulpit: → @wasiinacult on Instagram & TikTok SUPPORT THE SHOW The best way to support our ministry of exposing culty bullshit? Rate, review, and share the pod — it’s free, legal, and no one will ask for your debit card “in faith.” If you do want to tithe a little, join us on Patreon — we promise not to call it “tuition”. You’ll get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and our undying gratitude (no altar required). → Become a member on Patreon. HAVE A CULTY STORY? We want to hear it. → info@wasiinacult.com Follow Alisha:   TikTok/IG @Spillingthekoolaid &  IG: @Ezbakealisha See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
4 weeks ago
1 hour 2 minutes 5 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
SpaceX — PT2: “Mission Aborted”
Last week, we met Paige: a bright-eyed engineer who joined SpaceX believing she was helping to save humanity. In Part 1, we followed her through the seduction — the mission, the 80-hour weeks, the Elon slogans on the walls, the slow loss of self until the job became the identity. This week, the mission meets the myth. Paige helps organize an open letter — a polite but radical act of collective dissent in a cult-like workplace. And almost everyone is too scared to sign it. What begins as a measured plea for change becomes a window into just how deep the fear-mongering and punitive control at SpaceX really run. And soon, Paige learns what every defector from a high-demand system eventually does: that questioning the leader isn’t seen as courage — it’s seen as betrayal. ____ FOLLOW US For more cult content, behind-the-scenes chaos: → @wasiinacult on Instagram & TikTok SUPPORT THE SHOW The best way to fuel our mission? Rate, review, and share the pod with your people — word of mouth is rocket fuel. And if you want to help keep the mics on (without betting on stock options that never vest)? Join us on Patreon. We don’t drain bank accounts — we just give you ad-free episodes, bonus content, and our undying gratitude. → Become a member on Patreon. HAVE A CULTY STORY? We want to hear it.  → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
1 month ago
57 minutes 8 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
SpaceX—PT1: “It’s About to Get Musky in Here”
An ex–SpaceX engineer asks our favorite question: when does mission become mindset—and then eventually something more? Paige was convinced she was helping save humanity by working at SpaceX. In Part 1, she traces the seduction: the purpose, the perks, the “Elon Algorithms” plastered on the wall, the complete devotion, the loss of individuality into one group identity, the isolation, the uncompensated labor, the belief that you are better than the rest… it all started to feel less like a workplace and more like… something else. Today, we follow Paige’s journey into the belly of the rocket factory. And next week? The fallout. When speaking up against the culture didn’t just cost her a job… it made her a target. ——— FOLLOW US For more cult content, behind-the-scenes chaos: → → @wasiinacult on Instagram & TikTok SUPPORT THE SHOW The best way to fuel our mission? Rate, review, and share the pod with your people — word of mouth is rocket fuel. And if you want to help keep the mics on (without betting on stock options that never vest)? Join us on Patreon. We don’t drain bank accounts — we just give you ad-free episodes, bonus content, and our undying gratitude. → Become a member Patreon. HAVE A CULTY STORY? Whether it’s a startup, a church, or just your weird improv troupe — we want to hear it. → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
1 month ago
55 minutes 53 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi: “The Cult FKA Dahn Yoga”
What if the yoga class you signed up for wasn’t yoga at all, but the doorway to something much darker? In this episode, Angel takes us inside Body & Brain Yoga and Tai Chi — a strip-mall wellness studio that seemed harmless enough. Until it wasn’t. Instead of stretching, you’re told to march in circles, punch your stomach, chant about your mother’s failings, and spill your deepest traumas to a room full of strangers. What Angel didn’t know was that Body & Brain isn’t just a quirky yoga chain. It’s a nationwide empire with 70+ locations, millions in revenue, luxury retreats in Sedona — and a founder who flew private while his followers drowned in debt. And that’s just the beginning. Dig deeper and you’ll find that Body & Brain is nothing new at all… it’s the rebranded face of Dahn Yoga — one of the most notorious modern cults. ________ FOLLOW US For more cult content, behind-the-scenes chaos: → @wasiinacult on Instagram & TikTok FOLLOW ANGEL Insta: @mtan_gel SUPPORT THE SHOW You can support this show by rating, reviewing, and sharing it with your people — word of mouth keeps us growing. And if you really want to help keep the mics on? Become a Patreon member. Unlike Body & Brain, we don’t drain bank accounts — we just give you ad-free episodes, bonus content, and our undying gratitude. → Join us on Patreon. HAVE A CULTY STORY? Want to share it? We wanna hear it. → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
1 month ago
1 hour 7 minutes 11 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Cult of Rodney Howard-Browne: “Holy Ghosted”
She thought she was enrolling in a Bible college. Instead, she was signing up to give her identity, her labor, her choice—and her fire—to a man who called himself the Holy Ghost Bartender. At “River University,” worship looked like laughing fits and collapsing bodies. Romance was arranged. Submission wasn’t suggested—it was glorified. And your soul? That was just a tally mark on a clipboard. For Sarah, what started as a mission from God turned into a 12-year descent through emotional control, spiritual abuse, and religious labor trafficking. ___ FOLLOW US for more culty content, behind-the-scenes chaos, and updates from our unholy quest to expose charismatic conmen: → @wasiinacult on Instagram & TikTok SUPPORT THE SHOW: Rodney’s followers emptied their bank accounts at the altar. We just ask you to visit Patreon. If this episode hit you—or made you question the price of obedience—share it, and leave a review. To our Patreon members: You're the real holy fire. Thank you for keeping the mic on and the bullshit detectors charged. Want ad-free episodes and exclusive extras? → Join us on Patreon. HAVE A CULTY STORY? We wanna hear it. → Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
1 month ago
55 minutes 17 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Cult of My Mafia Dad: “An Offer He Couldn’t Refuse”
A limo to Atlantic City. Pizzerias with back rooms. Garbage bags vanishing across boroughs. Comedian Barry Rothbart grew up believing his dad didn’t just live large—he made life larger. Then the tapes surfaced. This isn’t a mob story. It’s what happens when your identity is forged from someone else’s legend—only to discover the legend was a lie. As Barry unravels the mythology, his father’s world curdles into something darker… and uncomfortably familiar to our show. For the full, uncut conversation, hop over to our Patreon. ____ FOLLOW US for more culty content and behind-the-scenes chaos: Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult SUPPORT THE SHOW: Barry’s dad kept his money in stacks above the bed. We prefer Patreon. If this episode hit you—or made you think twice about charisma, cons, or cult leaders—share it and then leave a review (but take the cannoli).  A huge thank you to our Patreon members—your support keeps us making episodes like this one. Want ad-free shows & exclusive extras? → Join our Patreon. CHECK OUT BARRY: Barry Rothbart’s investigative series Searching for Allan Rothbart is exclusively on Audible. It’s equal parts mob tale, family reckoning, and cult-like indoctrination story. Don’t miss it. You can also follow Barry on social media → @barryrothbart HAVE A CULTY STORY? We wanna hear it. Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 7 minutes 6 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Cult of Influencing: “The Algorithm Giveth, The Algorithm Taketh Away”
What happens when your entire life revolves around likes, follows, and perfectly staged smoothie bowls? For Lee Tilghman — better known as @leefromamerica — it meant rising to the top of Instagram’s wellness world… and losing herself in the process. This week, we explore what it means to devote yourself to the cult of social media: when every thought and action becomes about what to post, when friends are replaced by followers, and when your online identity becomes the only one you know. From the outside, the influencer life looks aspirational. But Lee asks: at what cost? ____________ COME SEE US LIVE!! Los Angeles • September 9, 2025 With special guest: comedian Moses Storm @ Dynasty Typewriter VIP “Meet & Greet” tickets available! Not in LA? No prob — livestream available too! FOLLOW US for more culty content and behind-the-scenes chaos: Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult SUPPORT THE SHOW: The average person spends over 2 hours a day on social media. If this episode resonated—or even made you rethink your daily doomscroll—share it, leave a review. Hug a friend IRL.  Huge thank you to our Patreon members—you keep this thing going. Want ad-free episodes & exclusive content? → Join our Patreon. Have a culty story? We wanna hear it. Email us: info@wasiinacult.com And if you want more from today’s guest, Lee from America: Her brand-new book “If you Don’t Like This, I Will Die” is out now Find Lee → @leefromamerica See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
2 months ago
52 minutes 11 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Town In The Shape of a Cross: “Thoughts Are Free”
Michael grew up believing his hometown in Germany was just that — a quiet, picturesque community with cobblestone streets, tidy homes, a school, and a grocery store. At its heart stood the church, looming over daily life. But what looked like small-town order was really something far darker. Built in the aftermath of World War II, by leaders with lingering Nazi ties, the town was engineered for control: walls without walls, designed to keep its people in and the rest of the world out. Years later, in a casual conversation with a sibling, the truth unraveled: This wasn’t just a devout community. It was a cult. COME SEE US LIVE!!! Los Angeles • September 9, 2025 With special guest: comedian Moses Storm @ Dynasty Typewriter VIP “Meet & Greet” tickets available! Not in LA? No prob — livestream available too! Special Thanks: Big thanks to Maura Streppa for her gorgeous rendition of “Die Gedanken sind frei” → Follow Maura on Instagram @maurastreppamusic Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult Support the Show: If this episode moved you — share it. Leave a review. Scream-sing Die Gedanken sind frei in your kitchen. Thank you to our Patreon members — we appreciate the hell out of you. Want ad-free episodes & exclusive content? → Join our Patreon. Share Your Story: Had a culty experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 2 minutes 51 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Cult of American Apparel: “Sweatshop or Sex Shop?”
It was one of the coolest jobs you could get in the 2000s. The swoopy bangs. The gold lamé leggings. The sexually charged ads. American Apparel wasn’t just a brand — it was a vibe. And today’s guest, Zsuzsi was on the front lines of it all. From art school to assistant manager to overseeing a hot New York City store, she was living the dream… until it started to feel more like a fever dream — and eventually, a cult.  Today’s story is about what happens when the "American dream" disguises exploitation in trendy cotton basics — and how one man's charisma fueled a culture of unchecked abuse, manipulation, humiliation, and grooming… all hidden behind the label “Made in the USA.” And the worst part? He’s still at it. ___ COME SEE US LIVE!!! Los Angeles • September 9, 2025 With special guest: comedian Moses Storm @ Dynasty Typewriter VIP “Meet & Greet” tickets available! Not in LA? No prob — livestream available too! Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult Find Zsuzsi: @hdbyz & @hellozhia / https://www.hdbyz.com & https://www.hellozhia.com Support the Show: If you learned something, felt something, or are angry too and want to make a little noise — share this episode. Leave a review. Send it to a friend. And maybe… make a call to: (213) 275-3120 Just for some light, constructive feedback. Thank you to our Patreon members — we appreciate the hell out of you. Want ad-free episodes & exclusive content? → Join our Patreon. Share Your Story: Had a culty experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
2 months ago
1 hour 11 minutes 11 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
Armstrongism: “Saving For the Feast” [UPDATE]
**Note: This episode originally aired in February 2022** COME SEE US LIVE!!! In LA on Sept 9, 2025 with special guest, comedian Moses Storm @ Dynasty Typewriter. LINK TO TICKETS!!  A humble upbringing is an understatement for Dan McIntrye. Canada born and bred, Dan's cult journey took him from guitar god, to free desserts to cult escape, only to land him right in the arms of... another one? A double survivor. A triple thriver. And one extremely nice guy. Damn, Canadians, you really are as kind as they say.  —— COME SEE US LIVE!! In LA on Sept 9, 2025 with special guest, comedian Moses Storm @ Dynasty Typewriter. LINK TO TICKETS! VIP meet n greet available… see you then! Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult Support the Show: This show is listener-powered. If Dan’s story got you thinking—rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon. Share Your Story: Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 7 minutes 50 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
Zen Master Rama’s Meditation/Computer Programming Cult: “Going For the Gold!”
This week, meet Jim Picariello, who, in the early ’90s as a hopeful college kid hyped up on way too much coffee, thought he was signing up for a meditation class… and ended up in a tech-driven, enlightenment-seeking, quasi-Buddhist spiritual cult. Yeah… this one was a new one for us too.  Led by Frederick Lenz - aka Rama - aka Zen Master Rama - aka the most spiritually enlightened dude who could glow gold - shapeshift into Egyptian gods, and… also totally needed your entire paycheck in order to - oh wait, hmm, we forgot… but we’re sure it was very spiritually necessary. ___ Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult Connect w/ Jim:  Instagram: @jimpicariello Bluesky: @jimpicariello.bsky.social LinkedIn: Jim Picariello Support the Show: This show runs on listener energy (and we promise we don’t drain it like a cult leader). If Jim’s story got you thinking - rate, review, and share. Big love to our Patreon members… you’re the real gold. And if you want ad-free episodes and exclusive content, come join us on Patreon. Enlightenment not included. Share Your Story: Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 12 minutes 16 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Cult of Warren Jeffs’ FLDS PT2: “The Great Escape”
Last week, we met Jorjina Broadbent — mother of twelve, former sister-wife, and low-key badass hiding in plain sight. This week? She stops hiding. We pick up where we left off: deep inside the world of Warren Jeffs’ FLDS cult — a place where girls are married off as teens, obedience is salvation, and hairstyles left something to be desired… like choice. But for Jorjina, something inside her starts to shift. As the leash tightens and the rules get crueler, the exit comes into view. What follows is a breathless series of near-escapes, terrifying threats, and secret plans that might as well have been scribbled on fast food napkins. Also, Tyler’s gorilla-style documentary filmmaking at its most high-stakes gets to be part of it all.  How will she make it out? And all her children? Get the popcorn ready…  This is Part Two of Jorjina’s extraordinary story. ___ Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult WATCH THE FILM: Sons of Perdition (Tyler’s baby) Stream on Amazon, Tubi, Apple TV, YouTube TV, Sling, Plex FREE for Patreon members! Help Jorjina get some Abba shoes! (Venmo @Jorjina-Broadbent) Support the Show: This show is listener-powered. If Jorjina’s story moved you—please rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon. Share Your Story: Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us at info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 2 minutes 39 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Cult of Warren Jeff’s FLDS Pt1: “Keep Sweet”
Before he was your favorite podcast host, Tyler Measom was… just a dude with a camera and a crush. It was 2005, and Tyler found himself driving deep into FLDS polygamist territory - with his co-director-slash-maybe-love-interest (hey, Jennilyn) - to make a documentary about the "Lost Boys" exiled from a fundamentalist Mormon cult run by none other than slimeball Warren Jeffs. That little film? Sons of Perdition premiered at Tribeca.  And one of the mothers at the heart of that story? Jorjina Broadbent. This week, Jorjina, mother of twelve (yes, twelve), former sister-wife - joins us to recount what life was really like inside the FLDS: arranged marriage, relentless obedience, magical underwear, and raising a family in a trailer where babies sometimes had to sleep in drawers. And the escape is hair raising. And Tyler was there to capture it. This is Part One of Jorjina’s extraordinary story. ___ Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult WATCH THE FILM: Sons of Perdition (Tyler’s baby) Stream on Amazon, Tubi, Apple TV, YouTube TV, Sling, Plex FREE for Patreon members! Support the Show: This show is listener-powered. If Jorjina’s story moved you - please rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon. Share Your Story: Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us at info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 22 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Holdeman Mennonite Cult: “The Truth Behind the 'Humble' People”
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual abuse. You’ve seen them — maybe at the airport with pamphlets, or quietly shopping at a farmer’s market. Dressed in starched shirts, tie-back bonnets, pressed skirts. Singing in gentle harmonies. Smiling softly. The Holdeman Mennonites, they’ll tell you, are just humble people of faith.  Quiet.  Nonviolent.  Pure. But purity can be a costume. And obedience, a weapon. Today’s guest, Billy Holdeman-Bass grew up in that world. And there were things that didn’t get sung about. Doors that stayed locked. And a question his mother never answered: “Why do you always follow me to the bathroom?” Behind the hymnals and homemade apple pies lies a truth that can’t stay buried forever. In this episode, that truth begins to speak. ________ Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult Support the Show: This show is listener-powered. If Billy’s story moved you—please rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon. Share Your Story: Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us at info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
3 months ago
51 minutes 54 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Cult of Emmanuel David Pt2: “The Cult’s Second Coming”
Content Warning: This episode contains references to sexual abuse, coercion, and emotional trauma. Last week, we met Zipporah—a woman who spent 44 years inside a Utah cult so small and obscure, most people never even knew it existed. That is, until 1978, when a horrific tragedy made national headlines. The cult was led by Emmanuel David, a self-declared prophet who eventually proclaimed himself God. After his suicide, his wife—his most devoted follower—carried out an unspeakable murder-suicide that took the lives of their children. All but one. Their daughter Rachel survived—and in many ways, because she did, so did the cult. It should’ve died with its leader. But for a small group of devoted followers, it didn’t. Zipporah was one of them. This is Part 2 of her story… how the cult kept its grasp on her for the next 40 years until she finally was able to break free.  ________ Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult Support the Show: This show is listener-powered. If Zipporah’s story moved you—please rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon. Share Your Story: Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us at info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
4 months ago
46 minutes 33 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
The Cult of Emmanuel David Pt1: “Life After Death”
In August of 1978, one of the darkest chapters in Utah’s history unfolded. A man claiming to be God became the catalyst for a tragedy that left a city shaken and a family shattered. Emmanuel David—born Charles Bruce Longo—founded a small but insidious cult rooted in offshoot Mormon beliefs, prophetic delusions, and total control. Despite the mass suicide—or murder-suicide, depending on who you ask—the cult didn’t die with its leader. The remaining believers held on. They kept the doctrine alive. And for decades, they waited for their God to return. Today’s guest is one of the few who remained. This is Part 1 of her story. ________ Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult Share Your Story: Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us at info@wasiinacult.com Support the Show: This show is listener-powered. If Zipporah’s story moved you—please rate, review, and share. Want ad-free episodes and exclusive content? Join our Patreon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
4 months ago
49 minutes 1 second

Was I In A Cult?
The Lost Children of Scientology Pt2: “Free At Last”
(Content warning: child abuse, psychological trauma, and forced labor.) What happens when a child escapes a cult… only to be hunted, harassed, and invoiced for the “honor”? In Part 2 of Jamie Mustard’s staggering story, we pick up with his teenage years— going deeper into the reality of life inside Scientology’s Sea Org—the labor, the fear, the indoctrination, and the slow, devastating unraveling of family. But this is more than a story of survival. It’s about a boy who was stripped of education, family, and identity… and still found a way to outsmart the system that tried to erase him. It’s about rewriting your future when you were never taught how to read the past. It’s about the children who were trained to never speak out—and the rare few who do. An unforgettable chapter in one of the most important cult stories we’ve ever told. _____ Come See Us LIVE! Join us in Los Angeles on July 10th at Dynasty Typewriter for our first-ever Was I In A Cult? live show—featuring special guest Moses Storm! GET YOUR TICKET HERE! Pre-Order Jamie’s Book: Jamie Mustard’s powerful memoir Child X drops July 30th. Pre-order now and support his story of survival, resistance, and hard-won freedom. Follow Us for More Culty Content: Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult Share Your Story: Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it. Email us at info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Show more...
4 months ago
52 minutes 24 seconds

Was I In A Cult?
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.