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.
Chart trend
Position in the Comedy chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#100#199JunJulAugSep
#107
all-time peak
228
days in the top 200 since Nov 2024
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Children of God PT1: Sex Cult Math
Daniella Mestyanek Young was born three generations deep into the Children of God, yet somehow, that was only the beginning.
She would go on to become a US Army intell
Sep 7 53 min
Amway: "Sleep is for Sissies... and Diamonds'
At 21, Stephanie Vaughn wanted to make some extra money. Then she won a "raffle" at her gym for a free case of energy drinks.
Lucky her, that free case won her entry in
Aug 24 1 h 06 min
A Single-Family Cult: "Beyond The Front Door"
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. An
Aug 17 1 h 02 min
Gloriavale: "Gloria Fail" (UPDATE)
**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
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.
Aug 3 51 min
UFO-Tantric-Doomsday-Alien-Fairy-Angel-Sex Cult - Pt1: "Whatever Floats Your Pleasure Boat"
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 t
Jul 27 53 min
"The Fleetwood Mac Star Who Vanished Into a Cult"
Before Stevie Nicks. Before Lindsey Buckingham. Before Rumours.
There was another Fleetwood Mac. And one of its lead singers was a young guitarist named Jeremy Spencer.
Jul 20 1 h 05 min
International Socialists (Amsterdam): "How Come We're Socialists But We're Not Social?"
In 2007, at 19-years-old, Hella had a boss who molested her at work, and no one to turn to. Then one day, walking through her university square in Amsterdam, she met a gr
Jul 13 51 min
Hoyt Richards: After the Beauties
Hoyt Richards, a "Was I in a Cult?" legend, is back.
After our original three-part series, Hoyt returns to talk about Bring Me The Beauties, the new HBO documentary abo
Jul 6 59 min
[ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt3: "To Thine Own Self"
A dear friend of the show, Hoyt Richards, who we had on the show back in 2023, has a new HBO docuseries "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" featuring his story. We caug
Jun 29 55 min
[ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt2: "Vanity Un-Fair"
A dear friend of the show, Hoyt Richards, who we had on the show back in 2023, has a new HBO docuseries "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" featuring his story. We caug
Jun 29 47 min
[ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt1: "A Man From Nantucket"
A dear friend of the show, Hoyt Richards, who we had on the show back in 2023, has a new HBO docuseries "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" featuring his story. We caug
Jun 29 57 min
The Organization: "Magic is Real"
As Cassie on Skins and Gilly on "Game of Thrones," Hannah Murray spent years stepping into other people's pain, other people's stories, other people's worlds. But after s
Jun 22 1 h 03 min
Hare Krishna—Pt2: "Thank You For Not Drowning Me in a Bucket"
*CONTENT WARNING: *This episode contains discussions of child marriage, sexual assault, domestic abuse, homelessness, parental abandonment, and religious trauma. Please t
Jun 15 1 h 04 min
Hare Krishna—Pt1: "Who Gives This Child Away?"
*CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussions of child abuse, child sexual abuse, rape, child marriage, neglect, religious trauma, and family trauma. Please take ca
Jun 8 48 min
OneTaste: "Empire of Orgasm"
NOTE: This episode discusses sex, sexual exploitation, coercion, and sexual abuse.
What happens when female empowerment, Silicon Valley startup culture, spiritual enli
Jun 1 58 min
Swartzentruber Amish — PT2: "Promoted to Wearer of Jeans"
CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses sexual assault. Not in graphic detail, but please listen accordingly.
For 19 years, Lizzie Ens lived in one of the most conserva
May 18 59 min
Swartzentruber Amish — PT1: "Promoted to Housework"
Many people picture a peaceful, technology-free life of butter churning, candle making, and horse-drawn buggies. But for today's guest, the reality behind the plain dress
May 11 1 h 02 min
Christian Patriarchy: "The OG 'Trad Wife'"
Four hours into a hostage situation between a man and a woman, the man walks out the door. In that moment, the woman's primal instinct kicks in: "Grab your kids and RUN."
May 4 57 min
Shen Yun/Falun Gong is Still a Cult! Pt2 [UPDATE]
**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.**
_
Apr 13 59 min
Chart positions
Where Was I in a Cult? ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 10, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I love connecting to the guests and their stories. I’ve thankfully never found myself in a cult, but I’m gullible, and feel like I can learn from the horrors others have endured. And I definitely aspire to the strength and bravery it takes to get out and move past life in a cult. Liz and Tyler are quite funny, and are doing a good thing in sharing these experiences. Thank you!
Mdolphin88 · Nov 2024
This podcast is like group therapy with snacks—hilarious, insightful, and just the right amount of “Wait, what?!” The hosts nail the balance between comedy and compassion, making cult stories weirdly fun to listen to. If you love wild stories and awkward laughs, you’ll be hooked.
Katwonderful · Nov 2024
I really enjoy the silly and relaxed unselfconscious commentary by the hosts. They handle hard topics with humor and empathy. Really well edited too which is not super common in podcasts.
elkoster · Nov 2024
A heavy topic handled with humor and kindness. The banter between the hosts seems to reflect an authentic, sweet friendship.
@heatherredshoes · Nov 2024
In the most recent episode, “embracing the death culture,” the interviewee is a woman who had sex with a 16yo boy when she was 27. The hosts do not question this and even talk about how the boy probably had a nice butt.
That is child abuse and statutory. I am shocked that this not only went unaddressed but was also joked about.
I used to have a lot of trust in this team and the work you put out, now I am deeply disappointed. You’ve perpetuated the cultural narrative that boys can’t be r*p*d. I work with children who have been abused and this kind of toxic masculinity harms boys (and girls) every day. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS IN YOUR NEXT EPISODE.
camocarmelcamel · Dec 2024
I’ve enjoyed this podcast since it first came out but the BDSM episode was really bad and disappointing. You told the story like 12 year of boys - cracking jokes and kink shaming. I get wanting to be funny and make light of difficult situations but you didn’t do that in this episode. instead, you both acted childish and turned me off from the podcast all together. This was a serious matter and should’ve been treated as such and not used for cheap one liners. Do better you two.
Bubbels123 · Dec 2024
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Was I in a Cult?, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
