Was I In A Cult?

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.

In today’s spellbinding episode, Melissa, a self-proclaimed millennial misfit, shares her journey into a Wiccan coven that took a hard left towards culty. Melissa’s tale brews up all the ingredients for a wild cauldron of a story: witchy retreats, trance magic, Norse gods, and even perfume-making. What began as a quest for spiritual identity one day led her down a winding path of manipulation, dashed promises and blind devotion. She follow the yellow brick road, only to discover that the Great and Powerful Oz was just a woman charging $90 a week for unlicensed therapy while dangling the carrot of future financial success through channeling Norse deities. But fear not—this episode isn’t all toil and trouble. Melissa’s sharp wit and self-awareness make her story as empowering as it is entertaining. Plus, she managed to turn her culty coven experience into a thriving perfume business (fittingly named Sif Sniffs). Proof that even the wildest detours can lead to a magical comeback. _______ January is CBD Awareness month! We love our sponsor VIIA Hemp. Try VIIA today! viiahemp.com and use code INACULT! ________ LINKS: Follow Melissa on Instagram @sifsniffs Melissa’s Perfume Company: Sif Sniffs  Melissa’s Forbes article  Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @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.

Today we’re joined by Finrod Jellybottoms, a chosen elf who escaped Santa’s magical workshop. Beneath the candy-striped facade lies a grueling cultic system of manipulation, free labor, and fear-based loyalty. Finrod shares his harrowing journey from a hopeful young elf in Frost Hollow to years of exploitation under Santa’s rule, uncovering the dark truths behind the “joy” of Christmas and the infamous Elf on a Shelf. We are glad Finrod got out and is able to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas…  Happy holidays everyone! Thank you for your continued support. We’ll be back JAN 13th 2025!!! Until then, stay safe and out of cults!  _______ We love our sponsor VIIA Hemp. Try VIIA today! www.viiahemp.com and use code INACULT! ________ Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @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.

In the gripping conclusion to Jeanne Nolan's story, the idyllic facade of Zendik Farm finally shatters. Beneath its promises of revolution and a self-sustaining community lies a darker reality: broken families and devastating power plays. Jeanne recounts her heart-wrenching separation from her baby, the unraveling of relationships under the commune’s twisted rules, and her ultimate escape after 17 long years. Through painful truths and a hard-won sense of clarity, Jeanne forges a new life outside the cult, turning trauma into a legacy of love, family, and a thriving organic gardening business that inspires others to embrace sustainability, growth, and connection… and all in a very healthy and not-at-all culty way of course. This is a story of resilience, transformation, and the extraordinary ability to cultivate beauty from even the darkest of places. _____ Buy Jeanne’s book here!!  Jeanne’s incredible business “The Organic Gardener” https://www.theorganicgardener.net/  And if you want more Zendik, read Helen Zuman’s memoir, “Mating in Captivity” _____ Stop Scooping! With the Littler Robot. As a special holiday offer, Whisker is offering up to $100 off Litter-Robot bundles. AND as a special offer to listeners, you can get an additional $50 off when you go to stopscooping.com/CULT .  _______ Get holiday gifts here! Quince.com/CULT  _______ Resist aging at the cellular level, try Qualia Senolytic. Go to Qualialife.com/CULT for up to 50% off and use code ‘CULT' at checkout for an additional 15% off. ________ Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @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.

What happens when an idealistic teen swaps suburban comforts for a “revolutionary” arts cooperative promising harmony with the Earth, free love, and organic farming? Jeanne Nolan thought she’d found utopia at Zendik Farm—a bohemian paradise where creativity and sustainability reigned supreme. But behind the lush gardens and groovy slogans lurked manipulation, sexual politics, and a strict hierarchy led by two enigmatic leaders. In part one of this captivating two-parter, Jeanne reveals her journey from wide-eyed seeker to “Zendik warrior,” the allure of life on the fringe, and the cracks that began to form in the farm’s idyllic facade. Was Zendik Farm truly a haven, or just another cleverly veiled cult? Let’s dig into the dirt. _____ Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code inacult at Lumepodcast.com/inacult! #lumepod  _____ This holiday season, gift yourself some peace of mind. If you’re 21+, head to Viiahemp.com and use the code [inacult] to receive 15% off. Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @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): patreon.com/wasiinacult  Merch is here! wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses sensitive and potentially triggering topics around sex and sexual dynamics. Amelia returns to share the conclusion of her story, exposing the hidden dangers she encountered within the BDSM kink scene in the UK. While this subculture promised sexual liberation and empowerment, Amelia reveals how it often justified harmful dynamics and enabled exploitation. In this episode, Amelia reveals the unsettling realities of concepts like ‘dark age play’ and ‘consensual non-consent,’ where blurred boundaries and the guise of consent are used to excuse abuse and shield predators from accountability. Her candid account delves into the manipulation, cult-like groupthink, and the profound psychological toll of her more than 10-years immersed in the scene. Through her story, Amelia highlights the importance of questioning systems that silence dissent, the slippery slope of power dynamics, and the courage it takes to finally shut the door for good on an environment that no longer reflects your values. Amelia's journey serves as a reminder that true empowerment comes from recognizing harm, standing against exploitation, and reclaiming your voice—even when it means walking away from the spaces you once called home. ____ Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code “INACULT” at LumeDeodorant.com!   ____ Resist aging at the cellular level, try Qualia Senolytic. Go to Qualialife.com/CULT for up to 50% off and use code “CULT” at checkout for an additional 15% off.  ____ Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @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): patreon.com/wasiinacult  Merch is here! wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

***Head to squarespace.com/INACULT to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code INACULT.*** Content Warning: This episode discusses sex and adult themes.  Amelia King spent over a decade immersed in the UK’s BDSM scene, an underground world of role play, power dynamics, and boundaries—both pushed and broken. In this candid conversation, Amelia sheds light on how what began as playful exploration became a subculture steeped in manipulation, exploitation, and troubling parallels to cult-like behavior. From “munches” to “play partners,” she shares the layers of the scene’s allure, hierarchy, and darker truths. This is the first of a two-part series delving into Amelia’s story. Next week, we’ll explore the deeper, more sinister aspects of this subculture. ____ Donate to CUDDLY today! Head to cuddly.com/CULT and help make a difference! ____ Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @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): patreon.com/wasiinacult   Merch is here! wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special bonus episode, Liz sits down with actress, writer, and singer Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill) to discuss her harrowing and deeply personal journey through a Christian cult called “The Big House Family.” Having recently published her New York Times bestselling memoir, Dinner for Vampires, Joy opens up about how the group’s leader preyed on her longing for deep connection, manipulated her emotions and exerted financial control— eventually isolating her from her family and friends. From years of spiritual gaslighting to reclaiming her identity as an artist and mother, Joy’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of reclaiming one’s voice.   Want more? Patreon members can access the full, extended interview HERE  Buy Joy’s memoir, Dinner For Vampires HERE.  ___ Find Joy (see what we did there?): @msbethanyjoylenz  Follow us on Instagram/TikTok/FB: @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.