Эпизоды
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When your mother is a self-proclaimed prophet claiming to channel the ascended master that is your deceased father as she prepares hundreds of followers for the end of the world, mother/son time isn’t baking cookies - it’s begging her not to summon nuclear holy fire so you can maybe live another day.
In Part 2 of Sean Prophet’s quite literally unbelievable story, we enter the “end times” phase of CUT (Church Universal and Triumphant) - a group that, at its peak, had thousands of members, global spiritual centers, and over $50 million in real estate. We’ve got multi-million dollar underground bunkers, military-grade weapons, mass doomsday drills, and a mother decreeing her way out of a failed apocalypse that - spoiler - never came.
Sean walks us through the harrowing logistics of leading hundreds of followers into bomb shelters, his mother’s unshakable belief in prophecy, and the moment he finally walked away - for good.
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Sean’s new memoir, My Cult, Your Cult, is out now. Order here.
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Join hosts Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore as they take you deep into the world of the most notorious crimes ever — where a single clue can crack a case wide open.
From shocking murders to serial killers, Clues dives into all the forensic details and brilliant sleuthing of the world's most infamous cases. CLUES is a Crime House Original, powered by PAVE Studios. Follow and listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
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Пропущенные эпизоды?
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He didn’t just join a cult. He was born a "prince" in one.
In this two-part mind-bender, we welcome Sean Prophet, son of Mark Prophet and Elizabeth Clare Prophet—founders of the Church Universal and Triumphant (aka CUT). At its height, this doomsday spiritual empire commanded tens of millions in real estate, a global following, and enough freeze-dried food and ammo to survive a nuclear winter.
In Part 1, Sean takes us from his early days living in a 17,000-square-foot mansion filled with unpaid devotees, to being groomed as the next “Messenger” of God…
…until a $1.5 million lawsuit shifted everything.
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Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult
Sean’s new memoir, My Cult, Your Cult, is out now. Order here.
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Have a cultic experience you want to share on the show?
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Today’s guest, Sara, didn’t just wear a cult uniform—she sewed it. Raised in a conservative faith that slowly morphed into a cult, Sara’s life went from dairy cows and barefoot summers to head coverings, spiritual “consequences,” and Levitical purity laws enforced with spray bottles and shame.
What started as a desire to live a devout and simple life spiraled into isolation, abuse, and an absurd set of rules that dictated everything from her hair part to her menstrual cycle. Her story—equal parts heartbreaking, enraging, and at times darkly hilarious—includes butchering chickens in the dark, scraping cowhides in the cold, and somehow finding her way to freedom, laughter, and ice cream cones.
Follow Us for More Culty Content:
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Support the Show:
If Was I In A Cult? has impacted you, moved you, or made you laugh-uncomfortably-in-public, please rate & review—it helps new listeners find us.
Want ad-free episodes + bonus content? Join our Patreon!
Share Your Story:
Have a cultic experience you want to share on the show?
Email us at [email protected]
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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In our first-ever live episode, your favorite mediocre cult leaders take the stage in Napa, California to indoctrinate the masses—err, entertain a crowd. Tyler and Liz welcome comedian and actor Moses Storm (HBO’s Trash White) to tell his jaw-dropping story of growing up in a failed (as he puts it) doomsday cult… started by his great uncle. A live audience, Tyler showed off an old pair of magic underwear, Liz recruited a willing participant into a fake cult, and Moses brought the house down. This is Was I In A Cult? like you’ve never heard it before.
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Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacult
Follow our guest Moses Storm: @mosesstorm
Need an acting coach? Tyler recommends @mikeostroski / mikeostroski.com
Support the Show:
If Was I In A Cult? has impacted you, moved you, or made you laugh-uncomfortably-in-public, please rate & review—it helps new listeners find us.
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Have a cultic experience you want to share on the show?
Email us at [email protected]
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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This week we're diving into the cultish side of wellness culture. Liz sits down with Dr. Laura Erlich, DTCM, LAc, FABORM — a licensed acupuncturist and fertility specialist who spent decades bridging Eastern and Western medicine… until the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the dangerous cracks beneath the surface.
Laura shares her deeply personal story: growing up with health-conscious "hippie" parents, enduring the trauma of losing both parents young, and building a career dedicated to healing and helping. But when misinformation about vaccines and COVID exploded within her professional circles, Laura found herself isolated from a community she once considered home.
LINKS & RESOURCES
Find Dr. Laura:
www.mothernurturela.com
Follow Dr. Laura:
Instagram/Facebook: @mothernurturewellness
Dr. Laura’s Recommendations:
Books:
Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel's Autism by Peter Hotez
Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure by Paul Offit, MD
Podcasts:
Conspirituality (an unbiased science podcast)
Maintenance Phase (debunking wellness and diet culture myths)
Science Influencers to Follow:
@drnoc@niniandthebrain@epidemiologistkat@unbiasedscipod@your_local_epidemiologistUnbiased Vaccine Resources:
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP Vaccine Education Center)
Skeptical Raptor
Vaxopedia
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Instagram/TikTok: @wasiinacult
Support the Show:
If Was I In A Cult? has impacted you, please take a moment to rate and review — it helps new listeners find us!
Want ad-free episodes and bonus content? Join our Patreon
Share Your Story:
Have a cultic experience you want to share? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out at [email protected].
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Today’s guest thought she was just signing up for a summer job. And then, years later, she thought she was just joining a church. What she got instead?
Cults. TWO OF THEM.
Meet Aydrea — writer, stepmom, and lover of rules. In college, she joined a company that promised purpose, leadership, and a paycheck. Instead, she got cold showers, commission-only “training,” and a summer knocking on strangers' doors… while carrying 40 pounds of encyclopedias.
But plot twist: just when she thought she’d moved on, community came calling again. This time through a church weight loss group, …where Diet Mountain Dew became her spiritual practice, and hunger was a sign of holiness.
Funny, sharp, and disarmingly honest, Aydrea shares what it’s like to look back and realize oh, cool cool… I joined TWO cults. And maybe more importantly, how the craving for belonging can sneak us into places we never meant to be.
LINKS:
LIVE SHOW! April 25th at Napa Valley Streaming Fest — with special guest Moses Storm. Info & tickets: napavalleystreamingfest.com
Follow Aydrea: Tiktok @disappointingmyancestors
Follow us for more culty content: insta/tiktok — @wasiinacult
Support the show: If Was I in a Cult? has impacted you, please rate and review—it really helps more people find us! And consider joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more.
Have a story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to: [email protected]
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse, exploitation, and trauma. Please listen with care.
Frankie thought she was chosen. That she was being trained to be a healer, a mystic, a disciple of spiritual truth. But the truth was far more harrowing.
In Part 2 of her story, we follow Frankie deeper into Morningland—where obedience meant servitude, sexual violence was disguised as divine initiation, and isolation was absolute. What began as New Age mysticism spiraled into total control, lasting trauma, and the systematic dismantling of a family.
But through pain, there is power. And Frankie’s voice, now, is stronger than ever.
LINKS:
LIVE SHOW! April 25th at Napa Valley Streaming Fest — with special guest Moses Storm. Info & tickets: napavalleystreamingfest.com
Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Support the show: If Was I in a Cult? has impacted you, please rate and review—it really helps more people find us! And consider joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more.
Have a story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to: [email protected]
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Crime House True Crime Stories is the ultimate destination for true crime fans. Every episode
features two notorious cases from that week in crime history, tied by a common theme like
infamous serial killers, mysterious disappearances, tragic murders, and more. Every Monday,
uncover the full stories behind the headlines as host Vanessa Richardson takes you through
high-profile investigations like the murder of Gabby Petito, the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart,
and the mass suicide of the Heaven's Gate cult. Follow Crime House True Crime Stories — a
Crime House Original — wherever you listen to podcasts.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of child abuse and sexual coercion.
It started with a pizza party for single moms. But soon, there were purple-lit temples, custom medallions, and a man who called himself “Donato the Christ”. What could possibly go wrong?
In Part 1 of Frankie Tease’s gripping story, we follow her teen years inside Long Beach, California’s Morningland—a so-called spiritual community where rituals masked control, and devotion was slowly weaponized.
Manipulation. Isolation. Grooming disguised as enlightenment—and a disturbing undercurrent of coercion that only grew darker with time. Frankie lived it all. And this is just the beginning.
Next week brings even more revelations… as well as Frankie’s road to freedom.
LINKS:
Come see us LIVE April 25th at the Napa Valley Streaming Festival!
Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Support the show: If Was I in a Cult? has impacted you, please rate and review—it really helps more people find us! And consider joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more.
Have a story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to: [email protected]
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Whitney wanted a Friday night dress. She got a pink Cadillac and a cult instead.
At 21, she joined Mary Kay just trying to pay her $200 rent. What she got was a crash course in manipulation disguised as empowerment, a swirl of culty catchphrases, and a trunk full of sparkle-dusted dreams.
In this episode, Whitney takes us on her journey from California cake decorator to one of Mary Kay’s youngest Sales Directors—and eventually, to the other side, where she finds healing, purpose, and a life that’s truly her own.
No pins. No pearls. No plastic praise.
LINKS:
Come see us LIVE at the Napa Valley Streaming Festival!
Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Support the show: If Was I in a Cult? has impacted you, please rate and review—it really helps more people find us! And consider joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes and bonus culty goodness.
Have a dark and sparkly story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Reach out anytime: [email protected]
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Today, we’re taking it back to where it all began: our very first episode. Meet Johanne Hanks, who went from BYU grad to plural wife to party planner for Jesus in a yuppie Mormon doomsday group called The True and Living Church. You know… TLC.
Faced with the fear of an impending apocalypse, Joanne and her husband move to a small Utah town to live "Mormonism on steroids", which means wearing long underwear, communicating with the dead, prophetic visions, odd temple rituals, cookies with Jesus, and the law of celestial marriage (aka polygamy).
We’ll be back next week with one of the OG MLMs… May Kay. Pucker up for that one.
Come see us LIVE at the Napa Valley Streaming Festival!
Johanne’s Book: “It’s Not About the Sex, My Ass”
Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Support the show: If Was I in a Cult? has impacted you, please rate and review us—it truly helps! And consider joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes and a cult-free community.
Have a story of your own? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at [email protected]
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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As Tyler owns up to overlooking a crucial part of Orange County's troubling past, Liz is secretly grateful for his mistake—for without it, they might never have met today's inspiring guest, Vida.
Growing up in South Central LA, Vida's father found salvation in a Pentecostal church led by a self-proclaimed prophet. For Vida, the church was initially a comforting community, offering structure and belonging. But over time, it became clear that what she knew as normal was deeply damaging: fasting replaced freedom, demons blamed for everyday struggles, and poverty persisted despite relentless donations. Vida shares her journey from unquestioning devotion to courageous self-discovery, ultimately reclaiming her life from the tangled legacy of faith, trauma, and generational pain.
Thank you, Vida, for your courage, your honesty, and your wisdom—and yes, for challenging Tyler's musical tastes.
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**Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
**Support us: If 'Was I in a Cult?' has impacted you, please rate and review us—it truly makes a difference! And consider joining our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more community connection.
**if you have your own story of navigating spiritual trauma or culty family dynamics, reach out to us at [email protected]—we'd love to hear from you!
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You’ve heard of doomsday cults and self-help cults… but what about an alien cult? This week, we’re taking you on a journey beyond the stars—or at least, beyond logic—as we explore The Raelians.
This episode is love bombing at its best and most seductive form.
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Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Have you ever been love-bombed into a belief system that felt too good to be true? Or maybe you’ve found yourself drawn into a group that promised cosmic truths, only to leave you questioning everything? We’d love to hear your story—email us at [email protected]
Want ad-free episodes? Support us on Patreon and help fund our de ep dives into the culty corners of everyday life—because sometimes, the things we accept as 'normal' deserve a second look.
Link to register for Writing Symposium
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Fine dining is all about precision, artistry, and luxury on the plate—but behind those kitchen doors, the pressure, hierarchy, and chaos tell a very different story.
This week, we sit down with Chef Amber Evans, who opens up about the unspoken rules of the industry, the reality of life inside a Michelin-starred kitchen, and the moment she realized she had become the very thing she once feared. Could it be that she had been in … a cult?
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Follow Chef Amber for mouth-watering content! @chefamberevans
Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Have you ever worked in a high-pressure, high-control environment that blurred the lines between passion and exploitation? Or maybe you’ve broken free from a system that demanded your total devotion? We’d love to hear your story—email us at [email protected]
Want ad-free episodes? Support us on Patreon and help fund our de ep dives into the culty corners of everyday life—because sometimes, the things we accept as 'normal' deserve a second look.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Crystal was born into a world where women obeyed, children served, and questioning authority was a sin. Raised under the oppressive rule of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP)—yes, the same Christian fundamentalist cult as the Duggars, “Shiny Happy People”—she spent her youth cleaning toilets, raising her mother’s children, and being prepped for a life of submission.
But Crystal had other plans.
This is the ultimate rags-to-riches story. She didn’t just escape the cult—she obliterated every expectation it had for her. From eating half-eaten Snickers bars out of the trash to becoming a wildly successful entrepreneur, from being promised to a 30-year-old man at 15 to discovering (in the most hilariously ways possible) that she really enjoys sex—Crystal’s life is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
At times hilarious, at others absolutely heart-wrenching, Crystal shares with raw honesty how indoctrination shapes identity, how control distorts self-worth, and how breaking free comes at a cost. But she also proves that no matter how deep the conditioning, you can defy every expectation, reclaim your power, and build a life beyond your wildest dreams.
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You can find Crystal Ball on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn
Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Have your own story about high-control groups, or breaking free from an oppressive system? Email us at [email protected] —we’d love to hear it.
Want ad-free episodes? Support us on Patreon and help fund our cult-unmasking, truth-telling, freedom-fighting journey.
Liz on “What Came Next”
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There was no commune. No matching robes or group chants. A charismatic leader? Yes. But no room full of followers. This is a story about a cult of one — a lesser-known, yet perhaps more common, type of cult.
When Alex first met her college advisor, she thought she’d found a mentor—someone brilliant, charismatic, and seemingly invested in her success. But behind the charm lay something much darker. Slowly, methodically, he pushed boundaries under the guise of guidance and concern—first emotionally, then physically—until she was isolated from friends and family, no longer trusting her own judgment.
In today’s episode, we explore how one-on-one cults operate using the same tactics as larger cults—love-bombing, coercion, and manipulation—but in the intimate, hidden space between just two people.
This is a chilling tale of how a trusted authority figure became a master manipulator, pulling the strings until Alex’s world was no longer her own. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes the most dangerous cult leader isn’t the one standing on a stage—but the one sitting across from you, offering a warm smile and a seemingly harmless invitation to talk.
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Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Got a story about manipulation, power dynamics, or your own cult of one? Email us at [email protected]
Want ad-free episodes? Support us on Patreon and help fund our cult-unmasking, truth-telling, boundary-protecting journey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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What happens when your dreams of becoming a therapist are unexpectedly dashed and a TIkTok astrologer promises to solve all your problems? Meet Taylor Marie, who found herself in an online cult that claimed to have "the only astrology system that works." Led by a charismatic married couple, this group charged outrageous prices for "life-altering" astrology readings, promised entrepreneurial and personal success, and preached that all other astrologers were frauds.
Taylor’s story is a cautionary tale about online communities, manipulation, and the dangerous power of social media cults. In this episode, she shares how she got entangled in the group, how it slowly consumed her life (and bank account), and the toxic breaking point that forced her to see the truth and get out. Her exit isn’t pretty — the leaders fought back with lawsuits, public smears, and astrology-based threats.
But today, Taylor has reclaimed her power, faced the fear-mongering from the cult head on, and found her true purpose—one that wasn’t predicted by a TikTok “guru.”
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Follow Taylor’s NEW account: @taylormarietherapy
Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult
Got a story that’ll make us say, “The stars did NOT see that coming”? Email us at [email protected] —we promise we won’t charge $555 for it.
Want ad-free episodes? Support us on Patreon and help fund our cult-unmasking, truth-telling, astrology-free-but-still-fun journey.
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When the pandemic hit, Aaron found himself isolated and searching for community. So when he discovered an online occult group, he thought he’d finally found his spiritual people. What he didn’t expect? Signing an NDA, pledging allegiance to a self-proclaimed “Master,” and being told he was destined for an apocalyptic battle… alongside seven ancient space dragons.
At first, the group felt like a place of deep discussion, curiosity, and meaning. But as the leader’s grip tightened, so did the demands for obedience. And when the leader finally revealed his true agenda—a disturbing spiritual “shadow ritual,” Aaron realized he wasn’t just in a mystical study group—he was in a full-blown cult.
So how did he go from believer to whistleblower? Listen now, because—like we always say—you can’t make this shit up.
LINKS:
Find Aaron’s anti-cult shared profile page: https://www.facebook.com/Michelle.rugsby
And the group email: [email protected]
Follow us for more culty goodness: @wasiinacult
Got a story that’ll make us say, “Wait… WHAT?!” Spill the tea at [email protected] —we promise we won’t make you sign an NDA
Want ad-free episodes? Support us on Patreon and help fund our cult-unmasking, story-telling, snack-buying habits.
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In Part 2 of her jaw-dropping story, actress and writer Danielle Nicolet continues to unpack her harrowing experience in a cult disguised as a new-age hypnotherapy practice—led by a woman who shattered families, implanted false memories, and turned lives upside down.
Danielle’s journey resumes as she’s sent back to Ohio to live with her father, forced to leave behind friends, gymnastics, and the group she had come to see as family. But instead of healing, the damage only deepens. Alienated from her dad and entangled in her mother’s unraveling, Danielle finds herself emancipated at just 16, navigating the cutthroat world of Hollywood while still grappling with the scars of her past.
Danielle’s story is one of resilience and transformation. Her ability to turn deep trauma into a life of joy, creativity, and meaning is nothing short of remarkable. She inspires us, and we’re honored to have her share this story with the world for the first time on our show.
LINKS:
Find Danielle: @daninicolet
Follow us: @wasiinacult
Have your own story? Email us: [email protected]
Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys): https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult
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