Was I In A Cult?

Today's episode dives into the extraordinary story of Ashleigh Teeter, who grew up in the World Wide Church of God... a cult in its own right. But when the church splits due to a new leader’s ideas, Ashleigh’s world gets turned upside down. She witnesses her own father become a cult leader, and then get ostracized from her nuclear family for almost 25 years. Why? Listen to find out. ——  Ashleigh hosts her own podcast about her upbringing. It’s called “The Cult Next Door” and is available wherever you get your podcasts. ——  Thanks to everyone who supports our show. It really helps!  If you don’t yet, but would like to, head to our Patreon  Follow us: instagram/TikTok @wasiinacult Listen to Ashleigh’s podcast: The Cult Next Door @cultnextdoorpodcast (insta/tiktok) Follow Ashleigh: @ashleighrb5 Have your own story and want to be on our show?  Email us: info@wasiinacult.com ——  Try VIIA Hemp! https://bit.ly/viiainacult and use code INACULT! (15% off)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

WARNING: This episode discuss sexual assault. A girl with a dream, Amanda was recruited from high school into what she thought would be the path to fulfilling that dream. But a superior's abuse of power forced her life in a different direction. This is a powerful and important story shared from an often underrepresented perspective: a woman in the US military. Told with grace, strength, humility, and humor, it is an absolute pleasure providing Amanda with a platform to let her story be known.  ___ Thanks to everyone who supports our show. It really helps! If you don’t yet, but would like to, head to our Patreon (thank you and thank you) Follow us: instagram/TikTok @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to PART 2 of Jessica Hopper’s journey into and out of a pole dancing cult. This episode takes us to the peak of the cult, including protégés, unpaid labor, surreal bookclubs, emotional breakdowns, and coercion retreats. The leader, Sheila, is quite “pole"-arizing, to say the least. Jessica’s breaking point, comes at an unexpected but important time in history, and leads to her eventually breaking free. A wonderfully articulate soul who shares her story with a no-holds-bar type of attitude, Jessica’s wit and vulnerability shine through in her retelling. Thank you again for showing us, Jessica, that cults can live literally anywhere.  Support us and our show on Patreon  Follow us: instagram/TikTok @wasiinacult Follow Jessica: instagram: @jesshopperpole Have your own story and want to be on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet the very funny and very bold Jessica Hopper, as she dives into her bizarre and unexpected journey into a pole dancing cult. Yes, a pole dancing cult at a studio called S-Factor in Los Angeles, CA. What began as a fun pole dancing class turned into an intense, all-consuming experience. Jessica shares her story of quitting her job, enduring rigorous and costly training, and grappling with the beginnings of the cult-like culture within S-Factor. With humor and honesty, Jessica reveals the highs and lows, the camaraderie and the disillusionment. This is just PART 1 of her illuminating experience. Thank you, Jessica. You are an absolute hoot, and it was so fun to have you on the show.  Support us and our show on Patreon  Follow us: instagram/TikTok @wasiinacult Follow Jessica: instagram: @jesshopperpole Have your own story and want to be on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

WARNING: This episode contains graphic discussions of abuse and self-harm.  Raised by a single mother in the Muslim community, Samir Ahmed was sent to a Tablighi Jamaat-focused madrasa at age 11, a religious boarding school for boys under 15. With good intentions and pressure from the community, his mother hoped this would keep her son away from drugs and knocking up girls. What transpires is one of the most harrowing stories we have ever featured on this show. But as Samir recounts his traumatic experiences with remarkable vulnerably and poise, listeners will hear the resilience and strength that define him. With his huge heart, Samir proves that your voice is one of the most powerful tools you own. Thank you again, Samir. It was an honor to share your story.  Support us and our show on Patreon  Follow us on Instagram/TikTok: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com Try VIIA Hemp! and use code INACULT! (15% off)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we pay homage to Memorial Day by uncovering the bizarre and captivating tale of the John Frum Movement. Yes, that’s ‘from’ with a ‘u’, homies.  We dive into the South Pacific volcanic island of Tanna, where WWII soldiers inspired a cult devoted to a mystical American GI promising endless cargo. Yup, infinite Spam. Think of it as Amazon Prime meets religious zeal. Join Tyler & Liz as they explore this fascinating slice of history, filled with bamboo runways, makeshift military drills, and a whole lot of hope.  If you’re ready for a wild ride through the enchanting and eccentric world of cargo cults, buckle up. We’re sorry—and you’re welcome. Don’t forget to join “Tyler’s Boring Book Club” by supporting his book recommendations here: "Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond  "Prisioners of the Castle" by Ben Macintyre And support us on Patreon to keep the weirdness coming Follow us: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SHOWNOTES:  "A ballet cult?” We asked the same thing. But today’s brave guest, Summer Smith, shares what happens when the world of pliés and pirouettes meets dogmatic devotion. Raised in a strict religious family and molded by the intense world of competitive ballet, Summer's journey takes a surprising twist when she joins Ballet 58, a seemingly innocuous Christian ballet company in Chicago. Soon devotions blend with dance routines, and artistic discipline intertwines with cult-like control. As Summer navigates the thin line between dedication and manipulation, you'll be left questioning just how far the influence of a charismatic leader can reach.  LINKS: Follow Us: Instagram/Tik Tok: @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email Us: info@wasiinacult.com Find Summer and all the ex Ballet 58’ers sub Reddit:  https://www.reddit.com/r/ex58/ Watch In The Balance: https://vimeo.com/535912792/7551d1ed90See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet Rachael Reign, a tenacious activist battling to dismantle a billionaire megachurch cult. The cult that once owned her life. From her innocent introduction to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in South London as a 13-year-old girl, to devastating financial coercion and insidious practices, including exorcisms and grooming to become a pastor’s wife, Rachael's journey is one of transformation from victim to advocate. Through her story, she exposes the cult’s billionaire leader, Edir Macedo, and the exploitation under the guise of religion. With unwavering determination, Rachael empowers survivors and fights for justice, symbolizing the triumph of the human spirit over oppression. She's an inspiration for reclaiming freedom and standing against abuse. And she was a delight to have on the show. LINKS: Follow Us:  Instagram/Tik Tok: @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email Us: info@wasiinacult.com Follow Rachael: Instagram : @msrachaelreign Follow her movement: Instagram/Tik Tok: @survivinguniversaluk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our youngest guest to-date, Aliya Kasabian recounts her chilling involuntary initiation into the Boise Girls Academy, an institution that masquerades as a haven for troubled teens. From controlling communication with families to enforced silence and the denial of basic necessities like tampons, Aliya’s story exposes the depths of manipulation and coercion wielded by the program’s directors. But resistance only extends your time at this prison-like “healing facility.” So, eventually, Aliya discovers that if she is ever to be free, the only way out is to become… a true believer.  LINKS: Follow Us: Instagram/Tik Tok: @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email Us: info@wasiinacult.com Follow Aliya: Instagram/Tik Tok : @sandb0xb0y Try VIIA Hemp! https://bit.ly/viiainacult and use code INACULT! (15% off) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

**NOTE: This episode originally ran in 2023** **NEW EP DROP NEXT WEEK MONDAY MAY 6TH** Imagine having to ask a group of eco-farmers for permission to have sex. And when granted permission, your options of consummation include… the back of a van or the loft of a goat barn. Well that's what happened when Helen Zuman, a spelling bee whiz looking to explore her interest in eco-farming, visited Zendik Farm in North Carolina shortly after graduating from Harvard. A two-week experience turned into years of her life. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you spell C-U-L-T.  Support Was I In A Cult? on Patreon for goodies & extra content: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult (https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult) Follow us on Instagram: @wasiinacult  Contact us: Have a cult story of your own and want to share it on our show? Send us an email: info@wasiinacult.com.  MORE ABOUT HELEN: https://helenzuman.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.