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Was I in a Cult?

Was I in a Cult?
Cults
Mental Health
Scientology
Child Abuse
Zendik Farm
Polygamy
Multi-Level Marketing
Abuse
Cult Dynamics
Mormonism
Sexual Abuse
Falun Gong
Family Dynamics
Christianity
Munchausen By Proxy
California
Spacex
Jehovah's Witnesses
Children Of God
Psychological Manipulation

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 ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes172Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyTrue Crime

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Artwork for Was I in a Cult?

Latest Episodes

Shira was the youngest of seven, the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, and riddled with guilt. Because growing up Orthodox Jewish in Brooklyn, she wasn't supposed to question the life she'd been given.

But she did.

And the incessant amount o... more

When we left Evie, she had just landed in Germany with Mary and Liam on a mission from "the gods" to save the world… only to have her money, passport, ID and credit cards disappear almost immediately.

And then somehow, things manage to only get wor... more

Evie was only 17 when she met Mary. First, Mary was her friend. Then her girlfriend. Then her friend again. And eventually... her cult leader.

Evie didn't know it then, but apparently there was something about Mary.

Something that got Evie to mes... more

By high school, church wasn't just Shannon McElroy's faith, it was her community and her future. She was going to be a Christian counselor.

Then her youth group took her to something called "Acquire the Fire": a massive Christian youth conference t... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Shannon McElroy
Full-time professor, therapist, and former Teen Mania intern
Alabama (based)
Episode: Teen Mania: "I Clean Sh*t For God"
Daniella Mestyanek Young
Cult survivor, author, and speaker
Author of Uncultured; former member of Children of God
Episode: Children of God PT2: "Witnessing... But With Chicken"
Stephanie Vaughn
MLM survivor in Amway, recounting nine years inside and eventual exit
Was I In A Cult? episode guest
Episode: Amway: "Sleep is for Sissies... and Diamonds'
Audrey Egan
Oldest of 11 siblings, TikTok storyteller about a single-family cult
Episode: A Single-Family Cult: "Beyond The Front Door"
Jason Christian
Guest sharing his experience growing up in Gloria Vale
Gloria Vale (cult)
Episode: Gloriavale: "Gloria Fail" (UPDATE)
Jeremy Spencer
Former Fleetwood Mac lead singer who joined the Children of God
Children of God
Episode: "The Fleetwood Mac Star Who Vanished Into a Cult"
Hella Stromquist
Activist who joined the International Socialists in the Netherlands
International Socialists / Netherlands activist
Episode: International Socialists (Amsterdam): "How Come We're Socialists But We're Not Social?"
Hoyt Richards
Former model and cult survivor
Independent
Episode: Hoyt Richards: After the Beauties
Hannah Murray
Writer, former actor
Episode: The Organization: "Magic is Real"

Hosts

Tyler Measom
Host and documentary-style interviewer with a focus on survivor stories and investigative context.
Liz Iacuzzi
Co-host and conversational guide, known for balance of humor and empathy in survivor-focused narratives.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 8.2k ratings
  • So funny!!

    I have listed to all episodes and this is my cult now. you should join it too.

    Audible
    5
    Gwenfron
    United Statesa month ago
  • What started off as a good podcast has developed into clingy liberal boomers who spend more time talking about themselves than the actual story. Basically it's Jerry Springer meats the View.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Jon from Ga
    a month ago
  • Such a difficult subject, looked at with sensitivity and humor

    Love Liz and Tyler! They keep things from getting too dark and are soo hilarious

    Audible
    5
    Meg
    United States4 months ago
  • Thank You So Much

    I love the show. You are doing a great service by exposing these groups for what they really are.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gino848
    United States7 months ago
  • Capron

    I also tried to go to the site.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tacoqueen68
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are varied and the storytelling is respectful and insightful.
Listeners value the balance of education and entertainment, plus actionable takeaways for awareness and safety.
Humor balances heavy topics without diminishing survivor stories.
Few complaints about tone; many praise accessibility and depth

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#93
Belgium/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#95
Russia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#114
New Zealand/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#162
South Africa/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#180
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#185
Israel/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Orthodox Judaism: "Thank You For Not Making Me a Woman"
Q: Were you in a cult?
Shira considers her experience in Orthodox Judaism a cult, but does not describe Judaism itself as a cult. She says she felt women were expected to have children and care for their families, and that leaving helped her feel her own opinions and identity mattered.
Polycule Coven Cult - PT1: "There's Something About Mary"
Q: Why were you moving? Why Germany?
Mary said a vision quest and the spirits indicated that the group had to go to Germany to save the world, warning that bad things would happen if they did not go.
Polycule Coven Cult - PT1: "There's Something About Mary"
Q: What did you believe growing up?
Evie attended church and church camp for the social connection, but says she never believed in Christianity.
Polycule Coven Cult - PT2: "Do the Gods Provide Housing?"
Q: And if you could go back to that teenage girl who picked Mary up and drove her everywhere and did whatever ritual in the dark, what would you tell her if you could?
Evie would tell her that the friendship was unhealthy and would keep demanding more from her, even after she left.
Polycule Coven Cult - PT2: "Do the Gods Provide Housing?"
Q: Did she pressure you into doing sex work?
Evie says Mary initially framed the work as modeling and then pushed her toward cam work, with set hours and income expectations. Evie says she felt uncomfortable but continued because the group needed money and she believed the gods wanted her to stay in Germany.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Was I in a Cult?

What is Was I in a Cult? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A documentary-style series that centers survivors who have left high-control groups, spanning religious cults, MLMs, doomsday communities, and extremist movements. Episodes blend firsthand testimonies with contextual analysis of manipulation, recruitment tactics, and exit strategies, often interweaving historical or cultural notes to illuminate broader dynamics. The show balances serious topics with humor and candid storytelling, which helps make difficult experiences accessible to a wide audience. Noteworthy elements include long-form survivor interviews, cultural commentary, and a consistent emphasis on resilience and rebuilding after coercive environments, which may appeal to listeners interested in psychology, social dynamics, and real-... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Was I in a Cult??

These podcasts share a similar audience with Was I in a Cult?:

1. A Little Bit Culty
2. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
3. Life After MLM
4. Cults to Consciousness
5. Scamfluencers

How many episodes of Was I in a Cult? are there?

Was I in a Cult? launched 5 years ago and published 172 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Was I in a Cult??

Recent guests on Was I in a Cult? include:

1. Shannon McElroy
2. Daniella Mestyanek Young
3. Stephanie Vaughn
4. Audrey Egan
5. Jason Christian
6. Jeremy Spencer
7. Hella Stromquist
8. Hoyt Richards

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