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What It Was Like

Superreal
Mental Health
Serial Killers
Hollywood
Social Media
Survival
Murder
PTSD
Australia
Forgiveness
Trauma
Grief
Bali Bombing
Sex Work
Robert William Fisher
Order Of the Solar Temple
Relationships
Mass Shooting
New South Wales
Storm Chasing
Dirty Dancing

Conversations with people who have lived through extreme events. Some stories are dark and twisted, others are light and funny. In all cases, we get an intimate portrait of 'what it was like' to be there.

Find us on TikTok: @whatitwaslikepodcast

Find us on Youtube: @whatitwaslikepodcast

Follow us on Instagram: whatitwaslikepodcast

Hosted by Julian Morgans

This is a Superreal production

Hosted o... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes184Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureDocumentary

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Artwork for What It Was Like

Latest Episodes

In 2019, Matthew Thomas thought he was joining a Bible study group. Instead, he was sucked into Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive Korean cult known for coercive control and bankrupting its members. Over the next four years, Matt lost himself a... more

In 2004, Jon Romano brought a shotgun to school intending to take his own life. One person was injured before he was tackled to the ground. Today, Jon reflects on the path that led him there—and what he wishes he’d told the people around him sooner. more

YouTube

In 2003, Jayson Blair was a rising star in journalism, until he got caught plagiarising stories and inventing details. What followed was one of the most high-profile downfalls in modern media. In this ep, Jayson reflects on why he lied, how he got aw... more

YouTube

After Brooke Knisley fell from a tree, she couldn’t walk, talk, or remember anything—or anyone. So when a man appeared claiming to be her boyfriend, she believed him. What followed was months of manipulation, as she slowly uncovered who he really was... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jon Romano
Mental health advocate and survivor of a 2004 school shooting attempt
Episode: I Committed a School Shooting
Jayson Blair
Former New York Times reporter, subject of the episode
New York Times (historical)
Episode: I Got Caught Fabricating Stories for the New York Times
Judy Stropus
Timekeeper and race car team member for the 1972 Cannonball Run; prominent female figure in racing
Cannonball Run participant
Episode: Pink Jumpsuits, a Limo, and the Wildest Race in America
Edna Cowell Martin
Ted Bundy's cousin
Episode: Growing Up With My Cousin, Ted Bundy
Brett Grimes
Blue-collar worker who took the Mount Shasta digging job
Individual
Episode: Dig a Secret Hole on a Volcano and Don't Ask Questions. That Was the Job
Fé Seymour
American woman who joined the raft in her early 20s
Raft crew member on the Akali Raft Experiment
Episode: Mutiny on the Sex Raft
Robert Powell
British yachtsman who describes his attack by orcas in 2024
Independent yachtsman (Portugal voyage)
Episode: Whales Are Sinking Boats and No One Knows Why
Dr. Naomi Rose
Marine mammal scientist and expert on whale behavior
University of California? (as described as leading marine mammal scientist in transcript)
Episode: Whales Are Sinking Boats and No One Knows Why
Carol Vaughn
American-born journalist and former theatre performer who covered the case in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Star
Episode: The Millionaires Who Went Mad in Their Jungle Fortress

Host

Julian Morgans
Host of What It Was Like; long-time interviewer known for calm, exploratory questions and relational approach to guests.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.4k ratings
  • Outstanding

    I'm so impressed with this podcast. Great host, great guests and true food for thought.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amanda Emblem
    Australia8 days ago
  • Missing Scientists Episode

    Why ask Bernadine Beyale to be on this episode when Thomas McNally spoke the entire time? If you are going to highlight the work she does then give her some air time and recognize that the high rate of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls isn’t new, it has been and still is a crisis.

    While the episode was specific to Melissa Casias, she’s an indigenous woman, and the lack of attention and effort by law enforcement is important to recognize —— not as a single incident but a widesprea... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NitpickingNick
    United States10 days ago
  • This guy is such a bad host

    Thank god his interview subjects are interesting, because this guy is such a bad interviewer it's astounding. Has the most bizarre questions and reactions to everything, and seems absolutely humorless on top of it. It's like if AI was trying host a a true crime show.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Hamburger Jones
    United States23 days ago
  • New fav podcast!

    This podcast is my new favorite binge! Such fascinating stories and the host is an expert interviewer while staying so personal and fun.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maiyita
    United Statesa month ago
  • Spirit dead

    The woman telling her story about three people dying at a spiritual retreat was so disconnected. Bizarre!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maxtopia
    Australiaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners dislike the perceived paywalls and occasional pacing critiques, but still stay engaged.
Overall sentiment centers on high-quality storytelling and human-centered perspectives.
Fans value the diverse range of extreme experiences and well-researched storytelling.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful, non-dramatic interview style and ability to let guests lead.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

I Committed a School Shooting
Q: What led you to decide to go through with it that day?
A feeling of abandonment and a long history of feeling unheard by the school and system, plus the belief that this act would force people to confront my pain and finally acknowledge me and what I'd been through.
I Committed a School Shooting
Q: Just walk me through it in as much detail as you remember. What happened next?
I carried the shotgun into the school, stood in the bathroom, waited for the moment, then stepped out into the hall where a student and teacher were nearby; I fired twice as fear and adrenaline collided with the reality of the situation, and then I surrendered after being tackled by the assistant principal.
Mutiny on the Sex Raft
Q: How did you feel about the scientific basis of the project as it unfolded?
There was growing skepticism as the data collection revealed personal agendas and ethical concerns, casting doubt on whether the research was genuinely objective or merely a stage for conflict.
Mutiny on the Sex Raft
Q: Were you excited when you were chosen for the mission?
Yes, Fé was excited and believed it would be a unique adventure and an opportunity to contribute to science, despite uncertainties about the project.
Mutiny on the Sex Raft
Q: What kind of questions were you being asked at the start and how did they evolve?
Initial questions probed basic preferences and personalities, then evolved into more intimate topics, but the participants felt the process revealed both data and tensions that could affect group dynamics.

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 What It Was Like

What is What It Was Like about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners are drawn to intimate, in-depth conversations with people who have lived through extraordinary and often harrowing events. Episodes span crime, survival, cults, trauma, exploration, and paranormal experiences, with a focus on the human dimension—the why and how of extreme moments, resilience, and personal transformation. A distinguishing factor is the host's calm, thoughtful interviewing style that centers guests' voices while unpacking broader cultural and societal contexts. A recurring strength is mixing high-stakes storytelling with practical takeaways, whether for understanding trauma, safety, or survival, making it appealing to curious, effect-driven listeners and potential sponsors looking for serious, narrative-first conten... more

Where can I find podcast stats for What It Was Like?

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How many listeners does What It Was Like get?

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How many subscribers and views does What It Was Like have?

To see how many followers or subscribers What It Was Like has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to What It Was Like?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What It Was Like:

1. True Crime Conversations
2. Australian True Crime
3. Secrets We Keep
4. The Case Of
5. I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin

How many episodes of What It Was Like are there?

What It Was Like launched 4 years ago and published 184 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact What It Was Like?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on What It Was Like?

Recent guests on What It Was Like include:

1. Jon Romano
2. Jayson Blair
3. Judy Stropus
4. Edna Cowell Martin
5. Brett Grimes
6. Fé Seymour
7. Robert Powell
8. Dr. Naomi Rose

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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