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Was I In A Cult?
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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...
- 55 minutes 30 secondsBONUS: Bethany Joy Lenz on “The Big House Family”
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
Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
11 November 2024, 9:00 am - 1 hour 2 minutesDollar Bill’s Cult: “My Father Stole My Wife”
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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Follow Drew on TikTok: @notreallysur.e / Instagram: @dapper_man
Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/F B: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
4 November 2024, 9:00 am - 1 hour 13 minutesSolid Rock Church: “My Dad, the Cult Leader”
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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Follow Emily on Insta/Tiktok: @styledmicasa
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Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
28 October 2024, 3:10 am - 1 hour 4 minutesQAnon: “Control + Alt + Deception”
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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Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
21 October 2024, 12:59 am - 56 minutes 39 secondsFalun Gong P2: “Falun Gone… For Good”
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
Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys)
14 October 2024, 4:19 am - 50 minutes 21 secondsFalun Gong P1: “Karma Claus... He’s Always Watching"
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
Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com
Tyler’s Boring Book Club addition: "How We Got to Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World"
7 October 2024, 4:22 am - 1 hour 7 minutesWomen Only Secret Society (NXIVM) PT1: “The Magic Sauce” (UPDATE)
**NOTE: This episode originally aired in 2021**
When the LA party scene didn't fit Jessica's lifestyle anymore, she replaced martinis and after-hour clubs with green juices and tonic bars. But the reemergence of a childhood trauma forced her to examine her inner self. One day, a friend told her about a class that could improve her life even more. That class turned out to be part of a larger entity. A self-empowerment company that purported to help you become the master of your own life. A little group called... NXIVM.
Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
30 September 2024, 4:06 am - 1 hour 3 minutesAustralian Vegan Cult: “Lambs on the Lam”
In this week’s episode, Hannah takes us from her Jehovah’s Witness upbringing to a wild journey through the world of an extreme vegan cult. What started as a passion for animal welfare escalated into living on a full fledged animal sanctuary, becoming the hub for Vegan’s of Geelong, and spiraling into breaking and entering in the name of “liberation.” Fueled by conspiracies and paranoia, Hannah’s new “family” pushed the boundaries of activism. With candor and lightheartedness, Hannah shares how she escaped one cult, only to fall into another, and what it took to break free for good.
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Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
23 September 2024, 4:15 am - 59 minutes 46 secondsThe Two-by-Twos: “Be Sad and Die”
Today’s guest, Meagan, host of the "Trust Me" podcast, shares her journey growing up in the secretive Christian cult known as the Two-by-Twos. From a childhood dictated by oppressive rules that governed her every move, she reveals how this “hidden” religion shaped her life. With wit and raw honesty, Meagan recounts the manipulation and isolation she endured, and how she finally found the strength to break free.
And shortly after, when the cult’s darkest truths finally surfaced for all the world to see, her entire idea of her childhood came crashing down. This wasn’t just a tightly controlled Christian sect, but something far more sinister…
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Follow Trust Me: @trustmepodcast
Follow Meagan: @meaganelizabethgrainger
Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys)
16 September 2024, 4:53 am - 51 minutes 54 secondsA Theater Group: “Lights… Camera… Cult!”
They say when you dream, dream big. And teenage Alex did just that. With an accent to die fahhh, this East Bostonian shares his story of joining an acting class with the promise of stardom, only to eventually realize, he was in a manipulative cult. Under the influence of a charismatic coach, Alex and his fellow students were pushed to the brink—endless rehearsals, emotional abuse, and mind games that blurred the line between ambition and exploitation. Alex exposes the dangerous allure of fame when you place the success of your future in the wrong hands... What happens when your dream become a nightmare?
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Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
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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9 September 2024, 4:14 am - 1 hour 4 minutesThe Wolf of Wall Street: “A Cult of One”
Dr. Nadine Macaluso joins us today to discuss our first of its kind on this show… a cult of one. Who exactly was her cult leader? None other than “The Wolf of Wall Street,” her ex-husband, Jordan Belfort. In the movie adaptation of Jordan’s book, “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Dr. Nadine was portrayed by Margot Robbie and had no say in how her life was portrayed. Well, today Dr. Nadine is here to share the truth behind her picture perfect life. On the outside she had beauty, wealth, the doting husband, and two wonderful kids. But today she shares the truth about what was going on behind closed doors: the isolation, the loss of self, the abuse, the control, the manipulation and the gaslighting that kept her in a haze of confusion and pain. But, like every guest on this show, she shares the moment she finally found the strength and courage to walk away for good.
Now a respected therapist, Dr. Nae emphasizes the importance of therapy in her healing process and destigmatizing the experiences of victims of cult leaders or pathological lovers. A Brooklyn gal at heart, Dr. Nae is as real as they get and was an absolute joy to have on the show.
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Follow Dr. Nae: Instagram: @therealdrnadine / TikTok: @drnaelmft
Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys)
2 September 2024, 5:41 am - More Episodes? Get the App
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