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What It Was Like

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes209Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for What It Was Like

Latest Episodes

"Bring me their ears." That was the order from cult leader Yahweh ben Yahweh, who admitted new members of the Nation of Yahweh into his inner circle only after they'd killed someone and had an ear to prove it. Our guest, Khalil Amani, never killed an... more

YouTube

In 2019, David and Ina Steiner began receiving mysterious packages at their Massachusetts home. Local police sergeant Jason Sutherland was called in to investigate, and eventually traced the harassment back to executives at eBay. In this episode, Ser... more

YouTube

Today, "urbex" (urban exploration) is a global phenomenon with millions of videos online. But few people know it all traces back to a group of teenagers in Melbourne. In the mid-1980s, they founded the Cave Clan, formalising the exploration of storm ... more

YouTube

In 2018, Brittany Todd was a mother of five living in South Carolina. Then one day she came home to find a stranger inside her house who beat her unconscious and abducted her four-year-old daughter. In this episode, Brittany tells us how they got her... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Khalil Amani
Early member of Nation of Yahweh who later became an FBI informant
Nation of Yahweh / Kingdom of Yahweh (religious movement)
Episode: I Joined a Cult That Demanded Human Ears
Jessica Cooley
Former eBay employee who reportedly trained Veronica Zay
eBay
Episode: I Traced a Mystery Stalker Back to eBay’s Corporate Headquarters
Brittany Todd
Guest, survivor of the abduction and mother of the kidnapped child
Private individual
Episode: The Day My Daughter Got Abducted (and How I Got Her Back)
Gerry Kelly
Irish politician and former IRA member
Irish political party (Sinn Féin)
Episode: I Pulled the Largest Prison Break in UK History
Mark S. King
Guest, HIV/AIDS survivor and advocate
Independent activist, writer
Episode: I Somehow Survived the Darkest Years of AIDS
Joseph McCormick
Physician scientist, Ebola and HIV researcher
University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Episode: The Discovery of the Ebola Virus
Dale Wheatley
Writer/Producer/Actor who led the Don's Plum project
Self, Don's Plum project
Episode: How I Lost Everything to Leonardo DiCaprio
Pamela Jones
Escaped polygamist cult member turned entrepreneur
Self (memoir author)
Episode: I Escaped an Abusive Polygamist Cult… and Became a Millionaire
Yossi Ghinsberg
Adventurer, author of Jungle
Independent traveler, author
Episode: A Fatal Search for a Lost City of Gold in the Amazon

Host

Julian Morgans
Host of What It Was Like, interviewer guiding intimate conversations about extreme events

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • Julian is one of the best interviewers ever! I love how he asks for details, this is what I'm missing in other interview podcasts.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    HeavyListener
    12 days ago
  • Poor Sale Wheatley… NOT!

    I don’t know if there is any finer example of a man that CANNOT move on. The fact that Dale is still speaking about it in pained tones says so much about how little he has grown as a human being. I’m embarrassed for the guy after listening to this episode. What an absolute whiner, severely lacking in emotional intelligence. Not only has he not picked himself up by the boot straps, he has made his entire life of roughly the last 30 years about an incident that seems to be missing some very import... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    De Fever
    United States2 months ago
  • Pamela Jones

    Your interviews are all very good- but Pamela’s journey was amazing. I was so impressed with how she learned to love herself first so she could give herself and her nine children a better life. She is an inspiration.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beshya
    United States2 months ago
  • Great content, poor interviewing

    This could be a great podcast. The stories are really interesting. However the interviewer needs a lot of training. It honestly sounds like a school kid interviewing an adult, and it’s really awkward to listen to 😬

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Angchair
    Australia2 months ago
  • Thanks, love!

    This New England Gen X woman, loves this all and then some!!!! Keep it up, wow!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Podcast friend Mass
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many describe the storytelling as respectful, humane, and thought-provoking.
Some listeners wish for more airtime for co-guests and critique the pacing or interview technique.
Listeners praise the host's calm, empathetic interviewing style and the depth of guest stories.

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 Joined a Cult That Demanded Human Ears
Q: So how did you leave? What was the final blow?
He describes the mounting coercion, a failing quota, the brutal Room of Understanding, and a decisive run to safety that culminated in leaving the group, seeking help from the FBI, and eventually testifying in court.
I Traced a Mystery Stalker Back to eBay’s Corporate Headquarters
Q: What changed when the FBI got involved, and how did that affect your role?
Once federal authorities entered, local officers were treated as witnesses and stepped back from the case, but they continued to provide information and later joined interviews in California as part of the broader investigation.
I Traced a Mystery Stalker Back to eBay’s Corporate Headquarters
Q: How did you first connect the dots that tied Veronica Zay to eBay and the stalking incidents?
The officer explains that a combination of surveillance of a Steiner home, plate numbers, and a Veronical Zay connection through Google led to identifying her as an eBay employee, which then framed the entire investigation.
How a Bunch of Australian Teens Invented 'Urban Exploration'
Q: Is the Cave Clan part of your legacy now, or do you see it as something you moved on from?
Dougo reflects that he initially resisted the idea of legacy but now accepts it with pride, recognizing the group's enduring influence on urbex and the shift toward new leadership and renewed energy within the community.
How a Bunch of Australian Teens Invented 'Urban Exploration'
Q: Do you have a message for people who are getting into urbex today?
Dougo advises caution, stressing that locations can be quickly locked down once public attention grows, urges not to rush, and emphasizes looking out for safety and legal boundaries while maintaining respect for sites.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About What It Was Like

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

The show centers on intimate conversations with people who have endured extreme events, offering a human-centered view of trauma, resilience, and survival. Episodes blend first-hand policing, journalism, survivor narratives, and behind-the-scenes professionals, often highlighting ethical questions, media impact, and the psychology of adversity. A notable attribute is the host's calm, curious interviewing style and the breadth of guest backgrounds—from law enforcement to writers, athletes, and trauma survivors—creating a mosaic of hard-hitting real-life experiences told with empathy. Potential listeners may be drawn to meticulous storytelling, serious inquiry into difficult topics, and the opportunity to hear personal perspectives that illum... more

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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. Secrets We Keep
3. Unravel
4. Australian True Crime
5. This Is Actually Happening

How many episodes of What It Was Like are there?

What It Was Like launched 4 years ago and published 209 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 What It Was Like?

Recent guests on What It Was Like include:

1. Khalil Amani
2. Jessica Cooley
3. Brittany Todd
4. Gerry Kelly
5. Mark S. King
6. Joseph McCormick
7. Dale Wheatley
8. Pamela Jones

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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