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.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Polycule Coven Cult - PT1: "There's Something About Mary"
Evie was only 17 when she met Mary. First, Mary was her friend. Then her girlfriend. Then her friend again. And eventually... her cult leader.
Evie didn't know it then,
Oct 12 56 min
Teen Mania: "I Clean Sh*t For God"
By high school, church wasn't just Shannon McElroy's faith, it was her community and her future. She was going to be a Christian counselor.
Then her youth group took he
Sep 21 1 h 20 min
Children of God PT2: "Witnessing... But With Chicken"
Daniella Mestyanek Young was born three generations deep into the Children of God and today, she finally gets out.
At 15-years-old, she lands in Texas with no real edu
Sep 14 1 h 13 min
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
Chart trend
Position in the Comedy chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#100#199JulAugSepOct
#107
all-time peak
233
days in the top 200 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Was I in a Cult? ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 13, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I'm fascinated by cults of all kinds. I love the people Liz and Tyler bring in to interview. They handle serious topics but also provide necessary comic relief. It's educational - but they know their audience and aren't here to lecture. I love their banter and truly don't want to miss an episode!
Culteriffic · Jul 2026
I love this podcast, the hosts are a ton of fun. Funny but serious were they need to be, I enjoy the banter. The only problem I have is the add placement which can happen mid word. We need a much better transition to the adds.
tsar1900 · Jul 2026
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!
ceebreezyyy · Mar 2026
This is my favorite podcast. I usually only listen to cult podcasts (also used to be Mormon), and this is, by far, the best one out there. I love the format, and these hosts always give me a little chuck chuck!
Read!! :) · Feb 2026
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
This use to be one of my favorite pods. But it’s almost hard to listen to now. It’s so much talking by the hosts, and I get they need to lighten up some of the material, but it’s endless. I fast forward every time I hear their voices bc it’s just so unnecessary 75% of the time. I really only listen when I finish the rest of my podcasts for the week.
MHouston26 · Sep 2026
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.
