Was I In A Cult?

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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 our listeners asking themselves…“Wait…Was I In A Cult?” If you or someone you know has been in a cult and want to share your story, contact us at info@wasiinacult.com. We'd love to hear from you.

  1. 4D AGO

    Boys Christian League: "Training Boys for God's Army"

    Michelle Dowd was born into a cult that was literally training boys to fight in God’s army when the apocalypse came. It started in sunny Pasadena, California when her grandfather - a former Boy Scout leader - decided the Scouts weren’t strict enough and built his own organization. Boys were recruited young, drilled like soldiers, and raised to believe they were preparing for the end of the world. Michelle grew up inside the group known as “The Field,” running miles before breakfast, enduring military-style obedience drills, selling candy to fund the movement, and eventually living for years on a remote mountain with basically no formal education. What eventually happened is almost unbelievable: a secret college application, a full scholarship, and a cult survivor with no formal education… to becoming a professor teaching critical thinking. Michelle Dowd is now a writer and the author of Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult. _____________________________________ MICHELLE DOWD LINKS → Instagram @michelledowdz |  Subscribe to Michelle's FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Listen to Michelle's book "Forager" on SPOTIFY FOR FREE Pick up a copy of Forager: Field Notes for Surviving a Family Cult" Michelle’s NYT Modern Love essay: “Love in a Time of Low Expectations” *** Tyler’s mascot book mention: Where Are the Fighting Giraffes? by David Winder FOLLOW US  For more culty content - follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult SUPPORT THE SHOW Join our Patreon! Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. (And our forever gratitude) HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 6m

  2. 4D AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: One Decision

    Introducing John Bolton and Operation Iraqi Freedom Commander: The Lessons from Iraq Trump Can't Ignore from One Decision. Follow the show: One Decision Former National Security Advisor John Bolton doesn't mince words: the opening strikes on Iran were just the beginning. In this special bonus episode, Bolton breaks down why he believes the Iranian regime will fragment from within, what the Gulf Arab states are about to do, and how war in Iran affects Russia, Ukraine, and China.  Then, retired Lt. General Mark Hertling brings the view from the ground. A veteran of multiple Iraq deployments and the former Chief of War Plans on the Joint Staff. Hertling has seen this before. He's asking the question nobody in Washington seems to want to answer: Is there actually a plan for the day after the strikes? In this episode: 01:31 John Bolton 04:32 Power Vacuum Risks 08:44 Gulf States Reaction 10:50 Iran Retaliation Strategy 15:16 Israel Influence Question 17:03 Oil Shock And Putin 19:51 China And Taiwan  23:34 Deterrence And Alliances 29:51 Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling 34:28 Decapitation and Unrest 36:24 Iraq Lessons on Disbandment 42:02 Intel Gaps and Planning 52:19 Wider Regional Fallout Show Notes:  Opinion | With attack on Iran, U.S. deterrence is being restored - The Washington Post  Order Mark Harling’s book: If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal Lt. General Mark Hertling recorded on March 2, and Amb. John Bolton recorded on March 3.  Hosted by Sir Richard Dearlove (former MI6 Chief) and Kate McCann (Political Editor at Times Radio).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. MAR 2

    OneTaste: "Was I in a Sex Cult?"

    Star Stone walked into a fluorescent-lit room on Market Street in San Francisco where a man who looked like Mark Zuckerberg stroked a woman's clitoris in business casual while thirty people watched. "This is it. This is what I need," she thought. It wasn't. See, Star didn't join a cult (newsflash, no one does). She joined a sex-positive, orgasm-as-spiritual-practice kind of movement founded by a woman, for women. It was called OneTaste. It promised female empowerment. But what it delivered was sexual trauma. Thanks, Nicole Daedone! Star Stone shares her story with the kind of honesty and dark humor that made us fall in love with her immediately. This isn't trauma porn - this is what happens when groups take your desire for connection, belonging, and sexual empowerment and weaponize it. Star was a joy to have on the show. Be sure to check out her solo comedy show, "Cl*t Cult," premiering this April at New York Fringe. And don't worry... she promised to come back and tell us everything that happened at "the Land" after her show premieres. _____________________________________  GET TICKETS TO CL*T CULT April 2–10 at the Wild Project, East Village, NYC  FOLLOW STAR For more from Star → Instagram @starstonespeaks |  FOLLOW US  For more culty content — follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult SUPPORT THE SHOW Join our Patreon! Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. (And our forever gratitude) HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 7m

  4. FEB 23

    Mormonism w/David Archuleta—Pt2: "Dev-OUT"

    In Part 1, David Archuleta was the church's golden boy - the voice, the fame, the perfect Mormon billboard. In Part 2, that billboard comes down. David goes on a two-year Mormon mission to Chile post fame, confronts the darkest chapter of his life, and finally faces the one thing he spent decades praying would go away. Tyler gets personal about his own loss. And David sings for us again.  DAVID'S NEW MEMOIR DEVOUT  is now available.  FOLLOW US  For more culty content - follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult FOLLOW DAVID @Davidarchie  GET THE BOOK DEVOUT by David Archuleta - available everywhere books are sold. Audiobook includes a bonus EP of original songs. (Squeal!) SUPPORT THE SHOW Join our Patreon! Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. (And our forever gratitude) HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → info@wasiinacult.com If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988. The Trevor Project is available 24/7 at thetrevorproject.org/get-help or text START to 678-678. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 7m

  5. FEB 17

    Mormonism w/David Archuleta-PT1: "America's Mormon Idol"

    David Archuleta was seventeen years old, Mormon to his core, and singing in front of thirty million people on American Idol. America saw the golden boy - the angel voice, the humble smile, the kid who made grown adults cry on national television. What they didn't see was the father who controlled every note, every decision, every version of David he was allowed to be. "I basically was his puppet."  Behind the fame was the sweetest kid grappling with his own sexuality because his church told him who he was allowed to love, and who he wanted to love wasn't on their yes list. David believed that if he just prayed hard enough, God would "fix" the one thing about himself he'd been taught to hate. Spoiler: God had other plans. Today is Part 1 of his story... it wrecked us in the best way.  Part 2 is available NOW exclusively for PATREON members.  DAVID'S NEW MEMOIR DEVOUT  is now available.  FOLLOW US  For more culty content — follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult FOLLOW DAVID @Davidarchie  GET THE BOOK DEVOUT by David Archuleta - available everywhere books are sold. Audiobook includes a bonus EP of original songs. (Squeal!) SUPPORT THE SHOW Get PART 2 of David's story RIGHT NOW a week EARLY by joining our Patreon! Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 5m

  6. FEB 9

    The Order: “Feel Like a Number” [Re-Release]

    When you're numbered among the Lord's anointed, you're supposed to feel special, but for Jeremy Tucker, he was just another mindless cog in the machine of the Kingdom of God. It didn't matter though, he would work hard to do his part, until that hard work nearly cost him his life...   FOLLOW US  For more culty content - follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult SUPPORT THE SHOW Rate, review, share. Join us on Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → info@wasiinacult.com From guest producer Lindsay Hansen Park.   https://www.yearofpolygamy.com/ https://sunstone.org/sunstone-history-podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsayhansenpark?lang=en See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 4m

  7. FEB 2

    Scientology—Pt2: "Not Today, Xenu"

    Her stepfather told her: "Your child will be a fourth generation Scientologist whether you like it or not." That was the threat. This is the fight. In Part 2, Liz Gale tells us what happened to her brother - and what finally made her walk away from everything. Her family. Her inheritance. Land her ancestors homesteaded on the Oregon Trail. All of it. Gone. Because she finally said… Oh, hell no. You got me, but you don’t get my kids.  This episode is a warning. Scientology is still ever-present. They're in your kids' schools. They're hiding behind interfaith councils and "study technology." And the biggest thing standing in their way? Apparently mothers who trust their intuition. Mama bears, this one's for you. FOLLOW US  For more culty content - follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult FOLLOW LIZ GALE  Find Liz on TikTok → @liz_liz_gale_gale & Instagram. Her book Confessions of an Ex-Scientologist Pothead is available now. SUPPORT THE SHOW Rate, review, share. Join us on Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    58 min

  8. JAN 27

    Scientology - Pt1: "Mom, I Am Your Mother"

    This week we're back on Scientology. And until they stop destroying families and draining bank accounts, we'll keep talking about it. Liz Gale, a third generation ex-Scientologist and author of Confessions of an Ex-Scientologist Pothead, grew up privileged in the church in the 80s and 90s - Scientology royalty, some could say, connected to the Miscavige family, boarding schools, the works. But privilege doesn't protect you when the doctrine teaches your mother that loving you too much is dangerous. That comforting you when you're hurt will damage your soul. That sending you away at eight years old is the most maternal thing she can do to protect you from traumatizing you more. This is a story about what happens when a "religion" crawls between a mother and her child and severs the most primal bond we have. Liz is funny as hell. She's also been through hell. And she's not done talking. This is Part 1 of 2. Listen, then call your kids and tell them you love them. FOLLOW US  For more culty content - follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult FOLLOW LIZ GALE  Find Liz on TikTok → @liz_liz_gale_gale & Instagram. Her book Confessions of an Ex-Scientologist Pothead is available now. SUPPORT THE SHOW Rate, review, share. Join us on Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 6m
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Hosts & Guests

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About

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 our listeners asking themselves…“Wait…Was I In A Cult?” If you or someone you know has been in a cult and want to share your story, contact us at info@wasiinacult.com. We'd love to hear from you.

Information

  • Channel
    PodcastOne
  • Creator
    PodcastOne
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 993922
  • Show Website
    Was I In A Cult?

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