Was I In A Cult?

• The Cult of American Apparel: “Sweatshop or Sex Shop?”

  It was one of the coolest jobs you could get in the 2000s. The swoopy bangs. The gold lamé leggings. The sexually charged ads. American Apparel wasn’t just a brand — it was a vibe. And today’s guest, Zsuzsi was on the front lines of it all. From art school to assistant manager to overseeing a hot New York City store, she was living the dream… until it started to feel more like a fever dream — and eventually, a cult. Today’s story is about what happens when the "American dream" disguises exploitation in trendy cotton basics — and how one man's charisma fueled a culture of unchecked abuse, manipulation, humiliation, and grooming… all hidden behind the label “Made in the USA.”And the worst part? He’s still at it.___COME SEE US LIVE!!!Los Angeles • September 9, 2025With special guest: comedian Moses Storm@ Dynasty TypewriterVIP “Meet & Greet” tickets available!Not in LA? No prob — livestream available too!Follow Us for More Culty Content:Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacultFind Zsuzsi: @hdbyz & @hellozhia / https://www.hdbyz.com & https://www.hellozhia.comSupport the Show:If you learned something, felt something, or are angry too and want to make a little noise — share this episode. Leave a review. Send it to a friend. And maybe… make a call to:(213) 275-3120Just for some light, constructive feedback.Thank you to our Patreon members — we appreciate the hell out of you.Want ad-free episodes & exclusive content? → Join our Patreon.Share Your Story:Had a culty experience of your own? We want to hear it.Email us: [email protected] 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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• Armstrongism: “Saving For the Feast” [UPDATE]

  **Note: This episode originally aired in February 2022**COME SEE US LIVE!!! In LA on Sept 9, 2025 with special guest, comedian Moses Storm @ Dynasty Typewriter. LINK TO TICKETS!! A humble upbringing is an understatement for Dan McIntrye. Canada born and bred, Dan's cult journey took him from guitar god, to free desserts to cult escape, only to land him right in the arms of... another one? A double survivor. A triple thriver. And one extremely nice guy. Damn, Canadians, you really are as kind as they say. ——COME SEE US LIVE!! In LA on Sept 9, 2025 with special guest, comedian Moses Storm @ Dynasty Typewriter. LINK TO TICKETS! VIP meet n greet available… see you then!Follow Us for More Culty Content:Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacultSupport the Show:This show is listener-powered. If Dan’s story got you thinking—rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon.Share Your Story:Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it.Email us: [email protected] 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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• Zen Master Rama’s Meditation/Computer Programming Cult: “Going For the Gold!”

  This week, meet Jim Picariello, who, in the early ’90s as a hopeful college kid hyped up on way too much coffee, thought he was signing up for a meditation class… and ended up in a tech-driven, enlightenment-seeking, quasi-Buddhist spiritual cult. Yeah… this one was a new one for us too. Led by Frederick Lenz - aka Rama - aka Zen Master Rama - aka the most spiritually enlightened dude who could glow gold - shapeshift into Egyptian gods, and… also totally needed your entire paycheck in order to - oh wait, hmm, we forgot… but we’re sure it was very spiritually necessary.___Follow Us for More Culty Content:Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacultConnect w/ Jim: Instagram: @jimpicarielloBluesky: @jimpicariello.bsky.socialLinkedIn: Jim Picariello Support the Show:This show runs on listener energy (and we promise we don’t drain it like a cult leader).If Jim’s story got you thinking - rate, review, and share.Big love to our Patreon members… you’re the real gold.And if you want ad-free episodes and exclusive content, come join us on Patreon. Enlightenment not included.Share Your Story:Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it.Email us: [email protected] 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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• The Cult of Warren Jeffs’ FLDS PT2: “The Great Escape”

  Last week, we met Jorjina Broadbent — mother of twelve, former sister-wife, and low-key badass hiding in plain sight.This week? She stops hiding.We pick up where we left off: deep inside the world of Warren Jeffs’ FLDS cult — a place where girls are married off as teens, obedience is salvation, and hairstyles left something to be desired… like choice. But for Jorjina, something inside her starts to shift. As the leash tightens and the rules get crueler, the exit comes into view.What follows is a breathless series of near-escapes, terrifying threats, and secret plans that might as well have been scribbled on fast food napkins. Also, Tyler’s gorilla-style documentary filmmaking at its most high-stakes gets to be part of it all. How will she make it out? And all her children?Get the popcorn ready… This is Part Two of Jorjina’s extraordinary story.___Follow Us for More Culty Content:Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacultWATCH THE FILM:Sons of Perdition (Tyler’s baby)Stream on Amazon, Tubi, Apple TV, YouTube TV, Sling, PlexFREE for Patreon members!Help Jorjina get some Abba shoes! (Venmo @Jorjina-Broadbent)Support the Show:This show is listener-powered. If Jorjina’s story moved you—please rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon.Share Your Story:Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it.Email us at [email protected] 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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• The Cult of Warren Jeff’s FLDS Pt1: “Keep Sweet”

  Before he was your favorite podcast host, Tyler Measom was… just a dude with a camera and a crush.It was 2005, and Tyler found himself driving deep into FLDS polygamist territory - with his co-director-slash-maybe-love-interest (hey, Jennilyn) - to make a documentary about the "Lost Boys" exiled from a fundamentalist Mormon cult run by none other than slimeball Warren Jeffs. That little film? Sons of Perdition premiered at Tribeca. And one of the mothers at the heart of that story? Jorjina Broadbent.This week, Jorjina, mother of twelve (yes, twelve), former sister-wife - joins us to recount what life was really like inside the FLDS: arranged marriage, relentless obedience, magical underwear, and raising a family in a trailer where babies sometimes had to sleep in drawers.And the escape is hair raising. And Tyler was there to capture it.This is Part One of Jorjina’s extraordinary story.___Follow Us for More Culty Content:Instagram & TikTok: @wasiinacultWATCH THE FILM:Sons of Perdition (Tyler’s baby)Stream on Amazon, Tubi, Apple TV, YouTube TV, Sling, PlexFREE for Patreon members!Support the Show:This show is listener-powered. If Jorjina’s story moved you - please rate, review, and share. Thank you to our Patreon members!! We appreciate you. And if you would like ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider joining our Patreon.Share Your Story:Have a cultic experience of your own? We want to hear it.Email us at [email protected] 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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