Was I in a Cult?

Latest Episodes:

Australian Vegan Cult: "Lambs on the Lam" Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode, Hannah takes us from her Jehovah's Witness upbringing to a wild journey through the world of an extreme vegan cult. What started as a passion for animal welfare escalated into living on a full fledged animal sanctuary, becoming the hub for Vegan's of Geelong, and spiraling into breaking and entering in the name of "liberation." Fueled by conspiracies and paranoia, Hannah's new "family" pushed the boundaries of activism. With candor and lightheartedness, Hannah shares how she escaped one cult, only to fall into another, and what it took to break free for good.

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Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

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The Two-by-Twos: "Be Sad and Die" Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

Today's guest, Meagan, host of the "Trust Me" podcast, shares her journey growing up in the secretive Christian cult known as the Two-by-Twos. From a childhood dictated by oppressive rules that governed her every move, she reveals how this "hidden" religion shaped her life. With wit and raw honesty, Meagan recounts the manipulation and isolation she endured, and how she finally found the strength to break free.

And shortly after, when the cult's darkest truths finally surfaced for all the world to see, her entire idea of her childhood came crashing down. This wasn't just a tightly controlled Christian sect, but something far more sinister…

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Listen to Meagan's podcast, "Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Beliefs, & Manipulation" wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow Trust Me: @trustmepodcast

Follow Meagan: @meaganelizabethgrainger

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys)

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

A Theater Group: "Lights… Camera… Cult!" Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

They say when you dream, dream big. And teenage Alex did just that. With an accent to die fahhh, this East Bostonian shares his story of joining an acting class with the promise of stardom, only to eventually realize, he was in a manipulative cult. Under the influence of a charismatic coach, Alex and his fellow students were pushed to the brink—endless rehearsals, emotional abuse, and mind games that blurred the line between ambition and exploitation. Alex exposes the dangerous allure of fame when you place the success of your future in the wrong hands... What happens when your dream become a nightmare?

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Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys)

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

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The Wolf of Wall Street: "A Cult of One" Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Nadine Macaluso joins us today to discuss our first of its kind on this show… a cult of one. Who exactly was her cult leader? None other than "The Wolf of Wall Street," her ex-husband, Jordan Belfort. In the movie adaptation of Jordan's book, "The Wolf of Wall Street," Dr. Nadine was portrayed by Margot Robbie and had no say in how her life was portrayed. Well, today Dr. Nadine is here to share the truth behind her picture perfect life. On the outside she had beauty, wealth, the doting husband, and two wonderful kids. But today she shares the truth about what was going on behind closed doors: the isolation, the loss of self, the abuse, the control, the manipulation and the gaslighting that kept her in a haze of confusion and pain. But, like every guest on this show, she shares the moment she finally found the strength and courage to walk away for good.

Now a respected therapist, Dr. Nae emphasizes the importance of therapy in her healing process and destigmatizing the experiences of victims of cult leaders or pathological lovers. A Brooklyn gal at heart, Dr. Nae is as real as they get and was an absolute joy to have on the show.

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Follow Dr. Nae: Instagram: @therealdrnadine / TikTok: @drnaelmft

Buy Dr. Nae's book HERE

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys)

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

TITLE: The Mel Lyman Family PT1: "People Get Ready" (UPDATE) Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

**NOTE: This episode originally ran in 2021**

As an actor and writer, Guinevere Turner understands more than most, that some stories just can't be contrived. Because sometimes life is far stranger than fiction. As is the case with Guinevere's upbringing. Not your typical getting out story, it would take years for Guinevere to understand that, no, she didn't grow up on a hippie commune in the 1970s and 80s... she grew up in a cult.

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Follow Guinevere: @guinevereturner

Buy Guinevere's book HERE

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

Link to Spotify playlist for this episode

LISTEN NOW: "Nobody Should Believe Me" Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

Today, we're excited to bring you a special episode from our friend Andrea Dunlop of the "Nobody Should Believe Me" podcast.Last week, Andrea joined us to share her personal story about how Munchausen by Proxy tore her family apart, and the response was overwhelming. We know many of you were left with questions and a desire to dive deeper into this rare and troubling condition. That's why we wanted to share Andrea's own podcast, where she explores these themes in greater depth and answers the questions that our conversation only began to uncover. We hope you find this episode as compelling as we do. We'll be back in two weeks with an all-new episode. Thank you, as always, for your continued support!

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We meet accomplished novelist and loving mother Andrea Dunlop as she embarks on a journey to understand the series of events that tore her family apart. We learn that her older sister has been investigated twice for Munchausen by Proxy abuse, which inspired Andrea to learn everything she could about this complex and misunderstood issue. We see Andrea become captivated by the story of Hope Ybarra and go along with her to meet Hope's father, sister, and brother: the first people Andrea has ever spoken to who've actually lived through a case. But can anything prepare Andrea for the truth?

LISTEN TO "Nobody Should Believe Me" here: https://www.nobodyshouldbelieveme.com/

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Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon

Munchausen by Proxy: "My Sister the Perpetrator" Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

When your sister, whom you love, fabricates a pregnancy with twins, it's alarming. But when you eventually come to discover that your sister is the culprit of Munchausen by Proxy, life as you know it will never be the same.

Today, Andrea Dunlop, a novelist and podcaster of the successful podcast, "Nobody Should Believe Me" joins us to share her personal experience with her sister's Munchausen by Proxy abuse and delves into her family background and where it all began. Fabricated illnesses and surgeries escalate to abuse of her own children. And the question we are all wondering: Are instigators of this disorder aware of what they are doing?? Listen now to find out…

Follow Andrea: @andreadunlop

Listen to "Nobody Should Believe Me" wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow the show: @nobodyshouldbelievemepod

Resources for those dealing Munchausen by Proxy, visit: munchausensupport.com

Andrea's Books:

We Came Here to Forget

Losing the Light

She Regrets Nothing

Women are the Fiercest Creatures

Maum Meditation "Cleanse Mind (aka) Brain Wash" Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Today, Diamond King shares her poignant journey of being ensnared by a meditation cult known as MAUM Meditation. Promising enlightenment, the group diverted her from personal goals and desires, ultimately causing her to completely disassociate from reality. Through the unwavering support of a loved one and diligent personal research, Diamond uncovered the cult's financial and spiritual abuse and manipulation, empowering her to break free. Now a thriving teacher, she travels the world, spreading her wisdom and embracing her authentic self. Diamond shares her cautionary tale with humor and compassion, and it was truly a delight to have her on the show. ___ Find Diamond: @therealdiamondking

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon

We have MERCH! Head to our website for the link: www.wasiinacult.com

Millionaire's Club: "The World Was Gonna Open Up" (UPDATE) Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

**NOTE: This episode originally ran in 2022**

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses sexual assault.

Arianna was a recent college graduate with dreams of one day opening her own marketing company. So when a LinkedIn opportunity for a social media marketing assistant fell into her lap, it felt too good to be true. Soon, she would be brushing shoulders with millionaires, in hopes that some of their mojo would rub off. After all, she had big plans for her future and a self-made father to prove herself to. But, you know what they say about things being too good to be true... They usually are. This brave, inspiring woman is here to share her very important story of what exactly happened when she got involved with this Nashville "Millionaire's Club."

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Arianna on Instagram: @ariannasprabary

Arianna on TikTok: Aristrawberry0

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon

We have MERCH! Head to our website for the link: www.wasiinacult.com

Bikram Yoga: "Smells Like Wet Carpet" Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

After finding her passion in Bikram Yoga while in her 20s, Jennifer Boeder aspires to become a Bikram teacher and plops down $5000 to sign up for the two-month teacher training.

But after only a few days of being trapped in a smelly, windowless warehouse and getting yelled at by sycophantic trainers, she starts to see the truth. Turns out the "great and powerful guru," Bikram Choudhury, is less great and powerful, and more toxic and tyrannical. From the degrading remarks to the unbearable conditions, Jennifer's story highlights the dark side of a supposed path to enlightenment.

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Merch has arrived! Click here to check it out.

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Find Jennifer: @jenniferruth

Have your own story and want to be on our show?

Email us: info@wasiinacult.com