I Was In A Cult - podcast cover

I Was In A Cult

Freddie FORTEpodcasters.spotify.com
A podcast where we discuss being a part of religious groups that performed cult practices, and how it affected us then and now.
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Episodes

Episode 62 - "Shiny Happy People" E1 P2

This two-part series focuses on Episode 1 of "Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets." Holli (Episodes 53-54), Katrina (Episodes 59-60), and I discuss the newly released documentary, how the IBLP heavily influences the actions of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, and how it affects their children. To hear Holli's story, click here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/TIYIznYi8Ab To hear Katrina's story, click here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/f0kGPkYi8Ab To hear my story, click here: htt...

Jul 10, 20231 hr 22 minSeason 3Ep. 2

Episode 61 - "Shiny Happy People" E1 P1

This two-part series focuses on Episode 1 of "Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets." Holli (Episodes 53-54), Katrina (Episodes 59-60), and I discuss the newly released documentary, how the IBLP heavily influences the actions of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, and how it affects their children. To hear Holli's story, click here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/TIYIznYi8Ab To hear Katrina's story, click here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/f0kGPkYi8Ab To hear my story, click here: htt...

Jul 03, 20231 hr 24 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Episode 60 - "Katrina" (Part 2)

Born into a super religious family, Katrina, the eldest of five children, endured many heartaches early on in her life, including physical, mental, and sexual abuse. In this 2-Part interview, Katrina shares how music turned her life around and served as the catalyst for leaving toxic church ministries, and how therapy is helping her process a lot of the pain she endured in her youth. TW/CW: Mental, Physical, Verbal & Sexual Abuse. If these topics trigger you, please skip this episode. This e...

May 29, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 2Ep. 15

Episode 59 - "Katrina" (Pt. 1)

Born into a super religious family, Katrina, the eldest of five children, endured many heartaches early on in her life, including physical, mental, and sexual abuse. In this 2-Part interview, Katrina shares how music turned her life around and served as the catalyst for leaving toxic church ministries, and how therapy is helping her process a lot of the pain she endured in her youth. TW/CW: Mental, Physical, Verbal & Sexual Abuse. If these topics trigger you, please skip this episode. This e...

May 22, 20231 hr 3 minSeason 2Ep. 14

Episode 58 - "Derek - Your Favorite Heretics"

In this episode, Derek, one half of Your Favorite Heretics, shares his experience. Your Favorite Heretics are advocates for people in need of finding healing in their deconstruction through curiosity, wherever it may lead. To learn more about their work, follow them on social media. Facebook FB Discussion Group: Instagram : Twitter: Derek's Twitter : This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweeted.com for more details!...

Apr 17, 202356 minSeason 2Ep. 13

Episode 57 - "Chris Sligh"

Chris Sligh has done a lot in his life. He has performed on American Idol. He has put out albums. He's also been a part of some toxic Christian environments, and in this episode, he shares his story. TW/CW: Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Murder & Suicide. If these topics trigger you, please skip this episode. This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweeted.com for more details!

Apr 10, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 12

Episode 56 - "Chris & the Apocalyptic Doomsday Cult" (Part 2)

In this 2-part interview, we hear from Chris, brother of Alison and brother-in-law of Jack (from the organization), and how he went from being born into an extreme religious cult to cult-ran college, and how he got out of it. This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweeted.com for more details!

Apr 03, 202350 minSeason 2Ep. 11

Episode 55 - "Chris & the Apocalyptic Doomsday Cult" (Part 1)

In this 2-part interview, we hear from Chris, brother of Alison and brother-in-law of Jack (from the organization), and how he went from being born into an extreme religious cult to cult-ran college, and how he got out of it. This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweeted.com for more details!

Mar 27, 202359 minSeason 2Ep. 10

Episode 54 - "Holli" (Part 2)

In this episode, Holli shares her experience with two different Christian universities, a troubled marriage, and how she gained the strength to say, "enough is enough!" once and for all. TW/CW: This interview deals with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Please skip this interview if it will do more harm than good. For those needing resources that deal with Domestic Violence and Self-Harm, please check out the following links below: National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.o...

Mar 20, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 2Ep. 9

Episode 53 - "Holli" (Part 1)

In this episode, Holli shares her experience with two different Christian universities, a troubled marriage, and how she gained the strength to say, "enough is enough!" once and for all. TW/CW: This interview deals with Domestic Violence. Please skip this interview if it will do more harm than good. For those needing resources that deal with Domestic Violence and Self-Harm, please check out the following links below: National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ RAINN https://w...

Mar 14, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 2Ep. 8

Episode 52 - "Bob Jones University - Amanda"

On this episode, Amanda shares her experience with Bob Jones University, and how those practices, coupled with the practices of other believers, that began her own personal journey away from the faith. This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweeted.com for more details!

Aug 11, 20221 hr 16 minSeason 2Ep. 7

Episode 51 - "April Ajoy"

On this episode, we hear the story of April, a former staunch conservative Christian who started questioning her beliefs once tragedy occurred. It got more intense once politics and patriotism came to a head back in 2016, and everything she believed needed some recalibration. After going viral and attracting the attention of the likes of Ben Shapiro, Prager U and Greg Locke, April's mission is to show everyone what Evangelical Christianity looks like from the eyes of those who may never step foo...

Aug 01, 20221 hr 18 minSeason 2Ep. 6

Episode 50 - "Liberty University - Erika"

Wanna know what happens when Champions for Christ are failed by fellow students, administration and university law enforcement? Hear Erika, an alumnus of Liberty who endured multiple assaults and was manipulated and gaslit by virtually everyone who should have protected her. TW/CW: Sexual Assault If this content causes you harm, please skip this episode. Your mental health is important to us. This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweeted...

Jul 25, 20221 hr 15 minSeason 2Ep. 5

Episode 49 - "Chloe"

From the West Coast to the Midwest, Chloe has experienced cult practices. Join us as we listen to Chloe share her story about the churches and university she attended, and how she navigated through them all to learn more about herself and how she could truly love others! CW/TW: Homophobia This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweeted.com for more details!

Jul 18, 20221 hr 22 minSeason 2Ep. 4

Episode 48 - "Loxie and Freddie"

In Part Two of this series, our friend Loxie Gant returns to interview Freddie about his own thoughts regarding his cult experience. CW/TW: This episode involves the following topics: Sexual Assault, Depression and Self Harm. If these topics trigger you, please skip this episode. This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweeted.com for more details!

Jul 13, 20221 hr 40 minSeason 2Ep. 3

Episode 47 - "Loxie"

In Part One of this series, Freddie interviews Loxie Gant , Founder of the Coalition for Institutional Child Abuse Prevention . Loxie, who was featured in Episode Three of Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed , has been an advocate for the rights of those whose voices have been silenced ever since an incident that affected herself personally occurred. In this episode, she shares her own experience with cults and how we may not see how many groups/clubs/organizations around us model cult-like behavior....

Jul 06, 20221 hr 18 minSeason 2Ep. 2

Episode 46 - "Erica"

In the Season 2 Premiere, we host the FIRST NON-ORGANIZATION interview. My good friend, Erica, shares her own journey of how she went from the Cult that is being a Jehovah's Witness to finding Christ, only to wind up in yet ANOTHER Cult experience. CW/TW: This episode involves the following topics: Sexual Assault, Depression and Self Harm. If these topics trigger you, please skip this episode. This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Order your treats today! Visit www.getsweete...

Jun 27, 20221 hr 11 minSeason 2Ep. 1

Episode 45 - "Alison"

In this episode, we welcome to the IWIAC our first guest who was NOT a part of the organization, but has ties to it all the same. Alison, Jack's wife, attended the church that hosted the Organization in Tennessee, as was around the team members long enough to know that something was off about their practices, many of which resembled similarities of her own cult experience involving her own family. This episode was brought to you by Harper Rose Sweet Shop. Visit their website at www.getsweeted.co...

May 22, 20221 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 45

Episode 44 - "We Know You're Listening"

In this brief episode, I speak about my friends who have been contacted by former members & staff of the organization, while issuing a challenge/warning to those whose intent is anything less than sincere/remorseful.

May 17, 202212 minSeason 1Ep. 44

Episode 43 - "Steve"

In this episode, Steve share his 3-year experience. Steve recovers from a training camp injury, is involved in a road team accident, and faces obstacles as a non-confrontational team leader. Steve's story and recap of his time within the organization shows that one can have a positive experience while also acknowledging others who weren't fortunate to have the same results.

May 05, 20221 hr 33 minSeason 1Ep. 43

Episode 42 - “Kate” (Part 2)

In this 2 - Part series, Kate shares how she joined the cult with confidence and the support of her loving parents, only to have said confidence shatter after less than a year, coupled with an injury that would force her to leave the organization sooner than she had hoped, but not before being told that she was out of the will of god for deciding to take care of herself rather than remain in a cult with a serious back injury.

May 03, 202257 minSeason 1Ep. 42

Episode 41 - "Kate" (Part 1)

In this 2 - Part series, Kate shares how she joined the cult with confidence and the support of her loving parents, only to have said confidence shatter after less than a year, coupled with an injury that would force her to leave the organization sooner than she had hoped, but not before being told that she was out of the will of god for deciding to take care of herself rather than remain in a cult with a serious back injury.

May 03, 20221 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 41

Episode 40 - "Tasha" (Part 2)

In this 2 - Part Series, Tasha shares her experience, from being lied to about a "promise" leadership made to her, to being threatened to be sent home for failure to submit to men in peer leadership, to her family witnessing senior staff members gambling on a cruise ship during crucial times in the organization where funds where lacking.

Apr 20, 202252 minSeason 1Ep. 40

Episode 39 - "Tasha" (Part 1)

In this 2 - Part Series, Tasha shares her experience, from being lied to about a "promise" leadership made to her, to being threatened to be sent home for failure to submit to men in peer leadership, to her family witnessing senior staff members gambling on a cruise ship during crucial times in the organization where funds where lacking.

Apr 20, 202249 minSeason 1Ep. 39

Episode 38 - "Joanna" (Part 3)

In this 3 - Part series, Alaskan native, Joanna, shares her experience with the organization, and how she navigated through misogyny, ableism, poor leadership on display from the Executive Staff, and ongoing health issues, all in an effort to conform to their high standards.

Apr 11, 202237 minSeason 1Ep. 38

Episode 37 - "Joanna" (Part 2)

In this 3 - Part series, Alaskan native, Joanna, shares her experience with the organization, and how she navigated through misogyny, ableism, poor leadership on display from the Executive Staff, and ongoing health issues, all in an effort to conform to their high standards.

Apr 11, 202250 minSeason 1Ep. 37

Episode 36 - "Joanna" (Part 1)

In this 3 - Part series, Alaskan native, Joanna, shares her experience with the organization, and how she navigated through misogyny, ableism, poor leadership on display from the Executive Staff, and ongoing health issues, all in an effort to conform to their high standards.

Apr 11, 202246 minSeason 1Ep. 36

Episode 35 - "J.C." (Part 2)

In this 2 - Part series, J.C. shares his experience, from having to learn routines in a minimized training camp, to impacting cultural differences, to the organization fumbling the passing of a family member by way of control, favoritism, and financial improprieties.

Apr 09, 202241 minSeason 1Ep. 35

Episode 34 - "J.C." (Part 1)

In this 2-Part series, J.C. shares his experience, from having to learn routines in a minimized training camp, to impacting cultural differences, to the organization fumbling the passing of a family member by way of control, favoritism, and financial improprieties.

Apr 09, 202245 minSeason 1Ep. 34

Episode 33 - "Freddie" (Part 2)

In this 2 - Part series, I share my own experience, from how I desperately wanted to feel loved and included, and instead dealt with racism, identity crisis, isolation, depression, fear of speaking out about injuries, and being mistreated during a family emergency. I also share how I finally said “enough is enough”, and I walked away from the cult for good.

Apr 07, 20221 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 33
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