Was I In A Cult?

Christina takes us on a harrowing journey trapped in a cult led by (none other than) her husband, who claimed to be the reincarnation of Christ. Of course when they first met, he was a rebel who stole cars and did drugs, but we digress. From manipulation to isolation and justified adultery through 'God’s will,' Christina's story is a rollercoaster of control and resilience. As she faces threats to her family and identity, Christina bravely shares her experiences with humor and hope, showing us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light. LINKS Follow us: Instagram @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com — “This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/INACULT and get on your way to being your best self.”

In the electrifying world of rock ’n roll, Canadian Tal Bachman, son of legendary Randy Bachman from Bachman Turner Overdrive, seemed destined for stardom. Yet, his path was anything but straightforward. For Tal, it was a constant dance between the chords of fame and the doctrines of his devout Mormon upbringing. And as the spotlight beckoned, Tal found himself at a crossroads, as the requirements for stardom clashed with rules of his religion. What led him to step away from the stage? And once he finally breaks free from the cult, does he find his way back?  LINKS: Jingle writer: @angelasoffemusic Tal Bachman: @talbachman Follow us: Instagram @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com — Head to Viiahemp.com and use the code: ‘inacult' to receive 15% off + one free sample of their sleepy Dreams gummies. (21+).

Jason Christian was born into Gloriavale — a self-proclaimed utopic Christian community of more than 500 people on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. His grandfather, Hopeful Christian, was the leader. Shut out from the outside world and forced to work on the farm at the age of six, Jason was primed to live a life without actual freedom, as this group of true believers was all he knew. But when it was time for him to marry a woman in the community that was chosen for him, Jason made a different choice.   LINKS Gloriavale documentary: https://www.gloriavale.com/ Follow us: Instagram @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com — “This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/INACULT and get on your way to being your best self.”

This is Part 2 of Sara Tasneem’s heroic story. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, please start there. This episode reveals Sara’s immense strength, her re-brith, her new found freedom. But after years of imprisionment, the real world isn’t always an easy road… especially when you have mouths to feed. Thank you Sara. You’re an inspiration. Want to help end child marriage? You can! Get involved. It will take us all to finally end child marriages for good. Here are some helpful links to get you started: —  Zonta USA: https://zontausa.org/end-child-marriage-in-the-usa/end-child-marriage-action/ —  Unchained At Last: https://www.unchainedatlast.org/ — The AHA Foundation: https://www.theahafoundation.org/get-involved/ — United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 to end child marriage worldwide by 2030: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal5#targets_and_indicators — Tahirih Justice Center Forced Marriage Initiative: https://www.tahirih.org/who-we-serve/forms-of-violence/forced-marriage/ — Link to HB2924 in California (call your legislator and support this bill!!): https://legiscan.com/CA/text/AB2924/2023 — Sara’s activism: https://www.facebook.com/thrivingaftersurviving & https://tasneemsfadvocacy.home.blog/ — Follow us: Instagram: @wasiinacult — Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult — Have a story to share on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com — “This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/INACULT and get on your way to being your best self.”

Sara Tasneem's journey began in Boulder, Colorado, where she was born into the Islamic faith. However, at the age of five, her parents divorced, causing her faith to split as well. Her mother distanced herself from the religion, while her father delved deeper, immersing himself in a Sufi group that would soon dominate Sara's existence. Then, at the age of 15, Sara's life took an unexpected turn when her father brought her to a conference led by the group's sheikh in Los Angeles, California. Little did she anticipate that this seemingly ordinary weekend would change the trajectory of her life in ways beyond imagination. Find Sara: https://tasneemsfadvocacy.home.blog/ Follow us: Instagram: @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/INACULT and get on your way to being your best self.

Emily Lynn Paulson was a busy, ass-kicking mom to five children when she realized something was missing. Wanting to find a way to enter the workforce again, she met up with an old friend one night who introduced her to some products. Products her friend was selling. Products that Emily could sell too. She could work her own hours, be her own boss, and still spend all the time with her kids. It sounded perfect. And it was. Until… well, it wasn’t. -- Emily’s book, “Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing” was a book of the year pick by NPR for 2023. — LINKS Find Emily: Instagram @emilylynnpaulson Founder of @sobermomsquad Follow us: Instagram @wasiinacult Support Us: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Have a story to share on our show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

**NOTE: This episode originally ran in 2021** **NEW EPS DROP NEXT WEEK MONDAY FEB 5th** Welcome to the worst cult ever (in our humble opinions). This is a story of incredible resilience, bravery, and inspiration. Being born into a cult always comes with its challenges, but learning how to have an original thought in your mid-20s is a rare struggle that most people are fortunate enough to never have to face. This is just one of many obstacles Angel had to overcome as she ventured out of the cult and into the world. But when you've spent over 20 years of your life in a cult and it's all you know, the real world isn't always as sparkly as you hoped. Find Angel: www.theprocessbyangel.com Insta: @whatisangeldoing Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MrAngeladesantis Follow us: Insta @wasiinacult Email us with your story: info@wasiinacult.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wasiinacult

*NOTE: This episode originally ran in 2022* TITLE: Thou Shan't Be Named: "Non-Church Church" Non-Denominational Christianity. Sounds innocent enough, and for many non-denominational churches, it is. But for others, the non-affiliation creates a dangerous pathway to a choose your own adventure "religion." For Shannon Payton, it was an adventure all right, but not one she necessarily would've chosen...if, of course, given the choice. Shannon has lived more of her life inside the cult than out, but this social media comedian is just starting to scratch the surface of having her voice heard. A voice, of course, that wasn't allowed to be heard for most of her life. And trust us, it's a voice worth hearing. Shannon now has her own podcast called: The Shanny Pants Show podcast. Check it out! Find Shannon: www.shannypantsshow.com Follow Shannon: Insta/ TikTok @therealshannypants Follow us: Insta @wasiinacult Email us: info@wasiinacult.com Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wasiinacult

Fresh to the workforce, Amber answered a job posting for a dental assitant: “No experience needed!” Looking for something reliable to support her new life as a single mother, she was thrilled when she got hired. Little did she know, her new job would be more than just dental work! We'll be back in a few weeks with SEASON 3. Thank you for all your love and support! We appreciate you more than you know. To help us continue to create this show, please consider supporting us on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Follow us on Instagram: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on the show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Colorado is known to draw the hippies, the free-thinkers, the adventurous… so when a group of alternative medicine devotees convinces our guest that they can cure her severe back pain, she’s open to suggestion. But soon, she finds herself sleeping in a van and questioning everything that got her to this point. Support us on Patreon!  https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Follow us on Instagram: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on the show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Russell D. Johnson’s story continues. A journey into and out of a martial arts cult. PART TWO So Russell survives his emergency, life-threatening arm surgery, but shockingly, that won’t be the hardest thing. So the next question becomes… Can he survive the stalking and death threats that occur after he speaks up and out against the cult? Well, if anyone can, it's our unassuming Bruce Banner… 'Cause watch out Support us on Patreon!  https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Follow us on Instagram: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on the show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com More Russell: Russell’s podcast: https://www.deceivedpodcast.com Gruesome arm pics (not for faint of heart): https://www.deceivedpodcast.com/gallery

It's the 1970s and Kung Fu is all the rage. So when 16-year-old Russell Johnson looks to channel his (inner) rage, he signs up for a local class to learn how to become a peaceful warrior. Only what he doesn’t know is that what he signed up for would one day almost cost him his life Support us on Patreon! Your donation is our salvation (we made that up but it sounded nice ‘n culty…) Truly, your contributions really do help. https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Follow us on Instagram: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on the show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com Find Russell: https://www.deceivedpodcast.com And as promised, gruesome arm pics (not for the faint of heart): https://www.deceivedpodcast.com/gallery

So you've survived an abusive cult. Now what? What exactly are the legal options available to you? An investigative litigator who represents victims of cultic and religious abuse, Carol Merchasin, sat down with us to discuss just that. She is our hero. - Find Carol at Mcolaw.com. Support us on Patreon! : https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Follow us on Instagram: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on the show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Tamara, the beloved, has just been upgraded from the commune to the big house on the hill with the leader and his multiple wives. But it isn’t long before she realizes that the reason she thought she was brought to live with them is not the reason she is there at all… __ Support us on Patreon! : https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Follow us on Instagram: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on the show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com Follow Tamara: https://tamaramc.com Twitter: @TamaraMCPhD Instagram: @tamaramcphd __ Today's episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit Betterhelp.com/INACULT for 10% off your first month. This episode is also sponsored by Babbel. Purchase a Babbel subscription and get six months for the price of three. Go to Babbel.com and use code INACULT for three free months.

Raised by two Jewish parents, Tamara and her family are splintered when her father finds a new religion. Five-year-old Tamara is now forced to live two separate worlds. One with mom, going to public school & and one with Dad on a strict religious commune. When gifted the name Beloved by the leader, it's not exactly the honor she was expecting. Support us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult Follow us on Instagram: @wasiinacult Have your own story and want to be on the show? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com Follow Tamara:  https://tamaramc.com Twitter: @TamaraMCPhD Instagram: @tamaramcphd