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Was I In A Cult?

PodcastOne
Cults
Mental Health
Zendik Farm
Mormonism
Gloriavale
Scientology
Multi-Level Marketing
Helen Zuman
Cult
New Age Spiritual Cults
Emily Lynn Paulson
Marketing Tactics
New Zealand
Self-Awareness
Narcissistic Abuse
Fear Tactics
Child Abuse
Shannon Payton
Coercive Control
Financial Exploitation

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes148Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Comedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Was I In A Cult?

Latest Episodes

**PLEASE NOTE: This episode originally aired in Oct 2024. Since, there have been quite a few updates to both the cult and story. Tune into the episode to hear more.**

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In Part 2 of Angela's story, the realities of Falun Gong’s grip on her famil... more

**PLEASE NOTE: This episode originally aired in Oct 2024. Since, there have been quite a few updates to both the cult and story. Tune into the episode to hear more.**

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When her mother fell sick, young Angela had no idea that she would spend her... more

As a young teenager, Darls Centola was searching for something steady in a chaotic world. What she found was the Jehovah’s Witnesses—a religion that felt warm, structured, and safe.

What she didn’t expect to find… was him.

Not the King of Pop. Not ... more

If Part 1 was the seduction… this is the unraveling.

By now, Celeste is fully in - the "true believer" phase we like to call it. The relationships feel real. The stakes feel real. And the consequences for questioning it? Also very real.

Because ins... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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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 ex-Scientologist who has shared her personal experiences and written a book about her life and journey.
Episode: Scientology—Pt2: "Not Today, Xenu"
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
Host and co-host of various episodes, bringing a unique perspective to the discussions.
Liz Iacuzzi
Host and co-host known for sharing powerful survivor stories and insights.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 8k ratings
  • Let heavy topics be heavy!

    I love the guest’s stories, but the hosts are so cringey and pointless. The amount of useless jokes when listening to heavy, deep stories is ridiculous. I don’t understand why you can’t just let the topics be emotional without having to add awkward jokes. It ruins it.

    Also, ditch the sound effects.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    i want my 19.99 back
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love it here!

    I’ve been listening since the first episode- I haven’t skipped! This OneTaste has to be top 10 best episodes. Drink & record more often!!! Thank you for the entertainment but more importantly, the education. With so much love and support from NJ!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ceebreezyyy
    United Statesa month ago
  • More Please!

    Thank you for making a podcast that looks at the strength of survivors rather than as pitying victims. There’s a difference, and this podcast exemplifies that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    edevote
    Canadaa month ago
  • AMAZING PODCAST!

    Love the jokes and banter between the hosts; somehow manages to keep serious topics serious but informative and fun all at the same time!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roxy Chandria
    Canadaa month ago
  • Devastating real life stories told with humour and in the participants own words. Funny, Interesting, and a special brand of humour.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Kelminator
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are some criticisms regarding interruptions and perceived self-centeredness of the hosts.
Many reviews highlight the insightful and educational nature of the guest stories.
The hosts are praised for their chemistry and ability to balance tragedy with levity.
Overall, the podcast is described as a necessary exploration of important survivor narratives, often moving and impactful, while also being entertaining.
Listeners appreciate the engaging format that mixes humor with serious topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#164
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#152
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#192
Australia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#244
Italy/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#102
South Africa/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#111
Belgium/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
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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?

The content focuses on personal narratives and experiences from individuals who have left various cults, exploring themes of identity, survival, and the psychological impact of cult dynamics. The narrative style combines intense storytelling with humor, emphasizing both the trauma and resilience of survivors. Conversations often touch on the societal implications of cults, mental health issues, and the personal journeys of reconciliation and self-acceptance. Listeners can expect a thoughtful yet entertaining exploration of what it means to navigate life after experiencing the coercive control of cults. This unique approach blends educational elements with personal anecdotes, making the subject accessible and engaging for a wide audience.

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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. Life After MLM
3. Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation
4. Cults to Consciousness
5. The Opportunist

How many episodes of Was I In A Cult? are there?

Was I In A Cult? launched 5 years ago and published 148 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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