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Was I in a Cult?

Liz Iacuzzi
Cults
Mental Health
Scientology
Child Abuse
Zendik Farm
Polygamy
Abuse
Cult Dynamics
Mormonism
Multi-Level Marketing
Sexual Abuse
Falun Gong
Family Dynamics
Christianity
Munchausen By Proxy
California
Spacex
Jehovah's Witnesses
Psychological Manipulation
Emotional Abuse

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes162Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeComedy

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Artwork for Was I in a Cult?

Latest Episodes

Laurien had already been in one cult before she was old enough to understand what a cult was.

At 22, she was invited onto a fleet of white "pleasure" yachts traveling the rivers of Europe, not knowing the warm, beautiful, angelic fairies gazing dee... more

Before Stevie Nicks. Before Lindsey Buckingham. Before Rumours.

There was another Fleetwood Mac. And one of its lead singers was a young guitarist named Jeremy Spencer.

This week, we goes deep into a strange, dark, and almost unbelievable chapter... more

In 2007, at 19-years-old, Hella had a boss who molested her at work, and no one to turn to. Then one day, walking through her university square in Amsterdam, she met a group of people full of conviction. Passionate about the injustices in the world. ... more

Hoyt Richards, a "Was I in a Cult?" legend, is back.

After our original three-part series, Hoyt returns to talk about Bring Me The Beauties, the new HBO documentary about his life inside, and eventual escape from, the cult known as Eternal Values. more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Was I in a Cult?
Was I in a Cult?Liz Iacuzzi
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Recent Guests

Darls Centola
Trauma therapist and former Jehovah's Witness who was indoctrinated as a teenager
Trauma recovery professional / author
Episode: Jehovah's Witnesses: "Michael Jackson Was Just 'Michael' to Me"
Celeste Mott
Celeste Mott, storyteller of the episode, a survivor who describes her involvement in an Anne Rice-inspired online vampire community.
Independent survivor and writer
Episode: Online Vampire Cult - Pt2: "404: Vampire Not Found"
Michelle Dowd
Author, survivor of the Boys Christian League/Field
Author of A Forager, Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult
Episode: Boys Christian League: "Training Boys for God's Army"
Star Stone
Poet, actress, writer and comedian; performer of Click Cult
Star Stone (artist)
Episode: OneTaste: "Was I in a Sex Cult?"
David Archuleta
Former American Idol contestant and singer, known for his powerful voice and struggles with his identity as a gay Mormon
Episode: Mormonism w/David Archuleta-PT1: "America's Mormon Idol"
Jeremy Tucker
A former member of The Order, grew up in the cult and shares insight on child labor and the mining experience.
Episode: The Order: "Feel Like a Number" [Re-Release]
Lindsay Hansen Park
Co-producer and podcaster known for stories of Mormon polygamists and fundamentalists.
Year of Polygamy
Episode: The Order: "Feel Like a Number" [Re-Release]
Liz Gale
A third-generation Scientologist and author who shares her experiences growing up in the Scientology religion.
Episode: Scientology - Pt1: "Mom, I Am Your Mother"
Angel DeSantis
Survivor of The Children of God cult, storyteller
Episode: Children of God: "You're Enough as You Are" [RE-RELEASE]

Hosts

Tyler Measom
Co-host with a background in investigative documentary storytelling and survivor-centered perspectives.
Liz Iacuzzi
Co-host and host with deep involvement in survivor storytelling and cult education.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 8.1k ratings
  • 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 Statesa month 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 States4 months ago
  • Capron

    I also tried to go to the site.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tacoqueen68
    United States4 months ago
  • Darls Centola episode

    FYI, I think that Paul Revere and the Raiders was a pretty popular band. I loved the song “Indian Reservation“ as a kid! Also, I was a fan of the Jackson 5 but I am the same age as your guest, Darls.

    I love your show! Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Diamonds and Rust
    United States4 months ago
  • Caperons.com/cult

    I tried to go to the site yall 😑

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cassieon Craft
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback notes calls for tighter focus on topics over banter and fewer jokes but overall strong engagement.
Audience appreciates survivor-first storytelling and practical takeaways.
Listeners praise the show for handling difficult topics with humor and sensitivity.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#149
United Arab Emirates/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#157
Netherlands/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#202
Israel/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#212
Denmark/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#220
Singapore/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#223
Brazil/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jehovah's Witnesses: "Michael Jackson Was Just 'Michael' to Me"
Q: What was the turning point that made you realize you were in a cult?
Reading the banned book I Was A Watchtower Slave and seeing the systematic manipulation exposed the truth to her, prompting her decision to resign and confront the organization.
OneTaste: "Was I in a Sex Cult?"
Q: How did OneTaste recruit you and what did you think it offered at first?
It offered belonging and healing through a community and a spiritual framing around sexuality, which appealed to her desire for connection and empowerment before she realized the coercive dynamics.
Scientology—Pt2: "Not Today, Xenu"
Q: When did you know it was a cult?
Liz realized it when she was prompted to look up the definition of 'cult' and recognized the reality of her experiences.
Scientology—Pt2: "Not Today, Xenu"
Q: What can we do?
Liz mentions engaging in conversations and raising awareness among mothers about the manipulative practices in Scientology.
NXIVM Aftermath - Jessica Joan Returns: "Not My Monkey, Not My Circus"
Q: So how did you get there specifically with Alison? Because she was the one that harmed you the most. How did you get to that version of forgiveness for her?
I did that work with my mother. Doing that with Alison was something that I could do. I had to feel the rage. I had to feel the anger.

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 show focused on survivor stories from people who've left high-control groups, exposing tactics used in manipulation, coercion, and recruitment. Episodes blend personal testimony with investigative context, touching on religious movements, online cults, polygamy, doomsday groups, and wellness/fitness communities that morph into controlling environments. The hosts mix rigorous questions with humor and warmth, often amplifying survivor resilience and recovery paths, which makes the series both informative and relatable for listeners exploring cult dynamics, personal autonomy, and healing. Noteworthy is the breadth of guests—from religious movements and cybercult communities to celebrity-era disclosures—providing a wide spec... 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. Was I in a Cult?
2. A Little Bit Culty
3. Life After MLM
4. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
5. The Cult Next Door

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

Was I in a Cult? launched 5 years ago and published 162 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. Darls Centola
2. Celeste Mott
3. Michelle Dowd
4. Star Stone
5. David Archuleta
6. Jeremy Tucker
7. Lindsay Hansen Park
8. Liz Gale

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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