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Was I in a Cult?

Was I in a Cult?

By: Liz Iacuzzi
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Hosted by Tyler Measom and Liz Iacuzzi, Was I In A Cult? is a documentary-style podcast showcasing individuals who have been in, and most importantly, successfully left a cult. Told first-hand by the experiencer themself, these are raw, riveting and inspirational tales of what it means to be a survivor. Using levity and info-tainment, the show humanizes the cultic experience and may leave some of our listeners asking themselves "Wait, Was I In A Cult?" If you or someone you know has been in a cult and want to share your story, contact us at info@wasiinacult.com. We'd love to hear from you. True Crime
Episodes
  • [ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt2: "Vanity Un-Fair"

    [ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt2: "Vanity Un-Fair"
    Jun 29 2026

    A dear friend of the show, Hoyt Richards, who we had on the show back in 2023, has a new HBO docuseries "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" featuring his story. We caught up with Hoyt to discuss everything. But before we air that, we're going to re-releasing our original three-parter we did on his incredible story.

    Before the footage, before the headlines, before the world could see the jawline for themselves, Hoyt shared his story with us.

    Listen here, watch the doc, and come back next week for our brand-new interview with Hoyt about what it's like to have a hit documentary about your very personal life out there for the world to see.

    THIS IS PART 2 ...

    The now quasi-famous group takes it to the next level. They get a name, a book, a show, a hit song, and a distant star doomsday getaway. Hoyt, meanwhile, becomes his own star, modeling for millions but returning home to sleep on the floor. All is going well (or so they think) until the group puts a well-known phrase to the test. Is there really no such thing as bad press?

    FIND HOYT:

    • Website (speaking, blog & cult-recovery resources): https://www.hoytrichards.com
    • Instagram: @hoytrichardsofficial

    Watch his new HBO docuseries

    "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" — directed by Chris Smith (Fyre, Bad Vegan, American Movie), streaming now on HBO Max.
    ___________________________________

    FOLLOW US → For more culty content — follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult

    SUPPORT THE SHOW
    Join our Patreon! Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. (And our forever gratitude)

    HAVE A CULTY STORY?

    Email us → info@wasiinacult.com
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • [ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt1: "A Man From Nantucket"

    [ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt1: "A Man From Nantucket"
    Jun 29 2026

    A dear friend of the show, Hoyt Richards, who we had on the show back in 2023, has a new HBO docuseries "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" featuring his story. We caught up with Hoyt to discuss everything. But before we air that, we're going to re-releasing our original three-parter we did on his incredible story.

    Before the footage, before the headlines, before the world could see the jawline for themselves, Hoyt shared his story with us.

    Listen here, watch the doc, and come back next week for our brand-new interview with Hoyt about what it's like to have a hit documentary about your very personal life out there for the world to see.

    THIS IS PART 1 ...

    It was 1978, and the effortlessly handsome Hoyt Richards was a 16-year-old football talent summering in Nantucket. Chasing girls and free beer was about all on this young boy's mind. So when he meets a man on the beach who was rumored to throw great parties, Hoyt thinks nothing of it. Little did Hoyt know & he had just come face-to-face with a budding cult leader that would take his life in a direction he never could've dreamed.

    FIND HOYT:

    • Website (speaking, blog & cult-recovery resources): https://www.hoytrichards.com
    • Instagram: @hoytrichardsofficial

    Watch his new HBO docuseries

    "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" — directed by Chris Smith (Fyre, Bad Vegan, American Movie), streaming now on HBO Max.
    ___________________________________

    FOLLOW US → For more culty content — follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult

    SUPPORT THE SHOW
    Join our Patreon! Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. (And our forever gratitude)

    HAVE A CULTY STORY?

    Email us → info@wasiinacult.com
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • [ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt3: "To Thine Own Self"

    [ENCORE] Eternal Values - Pt3: "To Thine Own Self"
    Jun 29 2026

    A dear friend of the show, Hoyt Richards, who we had on the show back in 2023, has a new HBO docuseries "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" featuring his story. We caught up with Hoyt to discuss everything. But before we air that, we're going to re-releasing our original three-parter we did on his incredible story.

    Before the footage, before the headlines, before the world could see the jawline for themselves, Hoyt shared his story with us.

    Listen here, watch the doc, and come back next week for our brand-new interview with Hoyt about what it's like to have a hit documentary about your very personal life out there for the world to see.

    THIS IS PART 3 ...

    The final part of Hoyt Richards' incredible journey into and out of a UFO doomsday cult. The damning Vanity Fair article throws Hoyt's family into chaos as they attempt to intervene. And right when you think he might finally be getting out, his fellow brothers go to extreme lengths to keep their financial backer from leaving. And it works. Until it finally doesn't. Thank you again, Hoyt. He is a brave and inspirational human, and we loved having him on the show.

    FIND HOYT:

    • Website (speaking, blog & cult-recovery resources): https://www.hoytrichards.com
    • Instagram: @hoytrichardsofficial

    Watch his new HBO docuseries

    "Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult" — directed by Chris Smith (Fyre, Bad Vegan, American Movie), streaming now on HBO Max.
    ___________________________________

    FOLLOW US → For more culty content — follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult


    SUPPORT THE SHOW

    Join our Patreon! Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. (And our forever gratitude)

    HAVE A CULTY STORY?

    Email us → info@wasiinacult.com
    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
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I love the presenters, they make me laugh all the time. This is a great podcast. Thank you Liz and Tyler.

Love you guys

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I only listened to one episode, I did want to know how the story ended buy I really could not bear another instalment of the presenters' style, which I found over the top and inappropriate for the seriousness of the stories told. The light hearted intent is fine, but the actual delivery would be better if toned down a few notches (excess mockery and loughing)

Good story, annoying presenters

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