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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes165Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyTrue Crime

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Artwork for Was I in a Cult?

Latest Episodes

Every cult calls itself a family. Audrey's actually was one. For Audrey, there was no guru, no religious doctrine, and the only members were her ten other siblings. And the leader? Her parents, particularly her mother. But from the outside, they look... more

**NOTE: This episode originally aired in 2024, but a LOT has happened inside this cult since then. None of it surprising, all of it sick, and we'll fill you in on all of it. Jason Christian was born into Gloriavale — a self-proclaimed utopic Christia... more

Everyone gathered on the deck the day Yo promised the mothership was finally coming. They waited… but alas, it never came.

In PART 2, the magical fairy tale capsizes. Laurien becomes one of Yo's chosen women, and soon finds out exactly what that c... more

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

Key Facts

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

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Cults to ConsciousnessShelise Ann Sola, Jonathan C Rosales
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Recent Guests

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"
Ellen Huet
Investigative reporter, Bloomberg News; author of Empire of Orgasm
Bloomberg News
Episode: OneTaste: "Empire of Orgasm"
Lizzie Ens
Former Amish woman who shares her escape and healing journey
Self/Health Advocate
Episode: Swartzentruber Amish — PT2: "Promoted to Wearer of Jeans"
Lizzie Enns
Former Swartzentruber Amish, storyteller and interview guest
Amish community (Swartzentruber)
Episode: Swartzentruber Amish — PT1: "Promoted to Housework"
Tia Levings
New York Times bestselling author of A Well-Trained Wife; survivor of Christian patriarchy and IBLP
Author, Survivor of Religious Trauma
Episode: Christian Patriarchy: "The OG 'Trad Wife'"
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"

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 States2 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 States4 months ago
  • Capron

    I also tried to go to the site.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tacoqueen68
    United States5 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 States5 months ago
  • Caperons.com/cult

    I tried to go to the site yall 😑

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cassieon Craft
    United States5 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
#198
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#186
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#233
Italy/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#121
Belgium/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#145
New Zealand/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#173
Brazil/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt2: "Vanity Un-Fair"
Q: What makes a cult a cult, and how does this one distinguish itself from a regular group or religious movement?
The host and guest discuss how charismatic leadership, a clear us-vs-them dynamic, a rigid system of punishment, and controlled information create a cult. They emphasize the role of a single leader who pathologizes members' personal ambitions and channels loyalty into a heightened collective identity, making rational critique difficult for members.
Christian Patriarchy: "The OG 'Trad Wife'"
Q: First of all, would you just please introduce yourself?
I'm Tia Levings, author of A Well-Trained Wife and I Belong to Me, a survivor of religious patriarchy who shares her journey from oppression to recovery and growth.
The Organization: "Magic is Real"
Q: How did you deal with that instant fame?
Hannah describes the surreal nature of sudden recognition and growing discomfort with the attention, while continuing to pursue acting, which gradually exposed the downsides of fame and pressure.
"The Fleetwood Mac Star Who Vanished Into a Cult"
Q: What drew Jeremy Spencer to leave Fleetwood Mac and join the Children of God?
A combination of spiritual searching, desire for meaning, and a recruitment moment that framed the group as a freeing alternative to rock life, ultimately pulling him away from fame.
Hare Krishna—Pt2: "Thank You For Not Drowning Me in a Bucket"
Q: What was the turning point that allowed Vilas to leave the Hare Krishna movement?
Her experiences accumulating over years, including abuse and exploitation, followed by a harsh realization of the impossibility of continuing in that life, plus exposure to the outside world and supportive individuals, led her to ultimately seek independence and safety for her daughter and herself.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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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. A Little Bit Culty
2. The Cult Next Door
3. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
4. Cults to Consciousness
5. Life After MLM

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

Was I in a Cult? launched 5 years ago and published 165 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. Jeremy Spencer
2. Hella Stromquist
3. Hoyt Richards
4. Hannah Murray
5. Ellen Huet
6. Lizzie Ens
7. Lizzie Enns
8. Tia Levings

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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