Was I In A Cult?

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: @wasiinacultSupport 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 info@wasiinacult.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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._______**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 info@wasiinacult.com—we'd love to hear from you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. _____________ 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 info@wasiinacult.com  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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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?  ________ 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 info@wasiinacult.com  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.

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. __________________ 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 info@wasiinacult.com —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” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.  _____ Follow us for more culty content: @wasiinacult  Got a story about manipulation, power dynamics, or your own cult of one? Email us at info@wasiinacult.com 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.

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.” _____ 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 info@wasiinacult.com —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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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: holybullcrapclub@gmail.com Follow us for more culty goodness: @wasiinacult  Got a story that’ll make us say, “Wait… WHAT?!” Spill the tea at info@wasiinacult.com —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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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: info@wasiinacult.com Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys): https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult  Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You may know Danielle Nicolet as Cecile Horton on the CW’s “The Flash,” but long before Hollywood, her life was far from scripted. At just ten years old, Danielle’s world was turned upside down when her mother fell under the influence of Judith—a therapist turned guru turned cult leader. Judith used hypnosis to “recover” memories, shattering families and exploiting Orange County housewives by diagnosing them with multiple personality disorder for her own gain. But Judith’s influence didn’t stop with her mother—Danielle herself was pulled into Judith’s orbit. Encouraged to reject modern medicine, she found herself reciting affirmations to cure strep throat and believing the fabricated traumas that demonized her own family.  In Part 1 of Danielle’s story, we follow her journey from gymnastics prodigy in small-town Ohio to navigating the unsettling extremes of 1980s Orange County, an affluent and conservative enclave where she was one of the only Black kids at her school—all while having to cope with a mother who now has eight additional personalities. _______ Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code Inacult at Lumepodcast.com/Inacult! — #lumepod _______ LINKS: Find Danielle: @daninicolet  Follow us: @wasiinacult  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): https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult  Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.