I Was In a Cult - A Podcast by Freddie FORTE

05/05/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨NEW EPISODE🚨🚨🚨🚨

“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.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-43---Steve-e1i3j8l

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 whi...

03/05/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨NEW EPISODES🚨🚨🚨🚨

“Kate”

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.

Part 1: https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-41---Kate-Part-1-e1i0dlb

Part 2: https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-42---Kate-Part-2-e1i0e16

20/04/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨NEW EPISODES🚨🚨🚨🚨

“Tasha”

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.

Part 1

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-39---Tasha-Part-1-e1hdghq

Part 2

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-40---Tasha-Part-2-e1hdlp1

11/04/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨New Episodes🚨🚨🚨🚨

“Joanna”

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.

Part 1:

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-36---Joanna-Part-1-e1h0qse

Part 2:

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-37---Joanna-Part-2-e1h0rfv

Part 3:

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-38---Joanna-Part-3-e1h0rtv

09/04/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨New Episodes🚨🚨🚨🚨

“J.C”

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

Part 1:

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-34---J-C--Part-1-e1gvise

Part 2:

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-35---J-C--Part-2-e1gvjok

07/04/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨NEW EPISODES🚨🚨🚨🚨 Apple Podcast Listeners!

"Freddie"

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.

Apple Podcast listeners—

Part 1:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-was-in-a-cult/id1607879118?i=1000556487324

Part 2:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-was-in-a-cult/id1607879118?i=1000556487130

31/03/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨NEW EPISODES🚨🚨🚨🚨

“Jessica”

In this 3-Part series, Jessica shares how she joined the organization needing something different from her sheltered life, and ended up learning tough lessons, battled through health issues, and was forced to deal with being called a "high maintenance" team member.

Part 1:

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-29---Jessica-Part-1-e1ggtkd

Part 2:

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-30---Jessica-Part-2-e1ghs4o

Part 3:

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-31---Jessica-Part-3-e1ghsl9

26/03/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨NEW EPISODES🚨🚨🚨🚨

“Jack”

In this 3-Part Series, Jack shares his experience of nearly 5 years in the organization, and how he felt he had something to prove throughout his entire time there--from leadership enforcing penalties due to petty "infractions", to not being willing to take pressure off himself during tragic moments in his life causing him to lose his team, to redemption--Jack's story shows how pride can wreck many people, even oneself.

Part 1
https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-26---Jack-Part-1-e1ga518

Part 2
https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-27---Jack-Part-2-e1ga76e

Part 3
https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-28---Jack-Part-3-e1ga7c5

24/03/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨New episodes🚨🚨🚨🚨
“Keri” (Part 2)
In this 2-Part Series, Keri shares how she navigates through being used by leadership for information to shame other teammates, being penalized for doing the right thing, and her journey back from being indoctrinated by the cult to reconciling with her family.

https://anchor.fm/.../Episode-25---Keri-Part-2-e1g2hbl

24/03/2022

🚨🚨🚨🚨New episodes🚨🚨🚨🚨
“Keri” (Part 1)
In this 2-Part Series, Keri shares how she navigates through being used by leadership for information to shame other teammates, being penalized for doing the right thing, and her journey back from being indoctrinated by the cult to reconciling with her family.

https://anchor.fm/.../Episode-24---Keri-Part-1-e1g2flv

24/03/2022

Episode 23 - "Caleb"

In this episode, Caleb shares how he went from being groomed for leadership during his training camp to having passive aggressive acts done to him when he decided to leave after one year.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-23---Caleb-e1fv794

24/03/2022

Episode 22 - “Setting the Record Straight”

In this episode, I express why the phrases like “it’s in the past” and “let it go” are harmful to those you truly mean to help. This one is for my friends from the cult who have been chastised by other former members for bravely recapping their past trauma.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-22---Setting-the-Record-Straight-e1fttt3

24/03/2022

Episode 21 - "Ben"
In this episode, Ben describes his own experience, and how he had to own up to his "Moral Failure" while leadership failed to own up to theirs.
https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-21---Ben-e1fqt0t

23/03/2022

Episode 11 - "Dear Molly"
In this episode, I read an Open Letter to Molly, the 25-year old teacher who only lasted in the cult for 24 hours. She inspired me more than she will ever know.
https://anchor.fm/.../epi.../Episode-11---Dear-Molly-e1emqf6

23/03/2022

Episode 12 - "Lindsay" Part 1
In this 2-Part series, Lindsay joins the podcast to discuss how she was affected by the cult with their odd practices, misogyny, prideful leadership unwilling to accept financial help, and more.
https://anchor.fm/.../Episode-12---Lindsay-Part-1-e1f2jgh

23/03/2022

Episode 10 - “Daniela” (Part 3)

In this 3-Part series, Daniela shares her experience with the cult, from how she was recruited, and how she was lied to and manipulated once she got there.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-10---Daniela-Part-3-e1eiabs

In this 3-Part series, Daniela shares her experience with the cult, from how she was recruited, and how she was lied to and manipulated once she got there.

23/03/2022

Episode 9 - “Daniela” (Part 2)

In this 3-Part series, Daniela shares her experience with the cult, from how she was recruited, and how she was lied to and manipulated once she got there.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-9---Daniela-Part-2-e1ei9nh

In this 3-Part series, Daniela shares her experience with the cult, from how she was recruited, and how she was lied to and manipulated once she got there.

23/03/2022

Episode 8 - “Daniela” (Part 1)

In this 3-Part series, Daniela shares her experience with the cult, from how she was recruited, and how she was lied to and manipulated once she got there.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-8---Daniela-Part-1-e1ei9bc

In this 3-Part series, Daniela shares her experience with the cult, from how she was recruited, and how she was lied to and manipulated once she got there.

22/03/2022

Episode 7 - “Jojo” (Part 3)

In this three-part series, I welcome my long time friend Amy Jo, also known as Jojo, another former member of the cult, as she shares her two year experience within the organization, along with how their influence affected her long after her time in Tennessee came to an end.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-7---Jojo-Part-3-e1e9e9v

In this three-part series, I welcome my long time friend Amy Jo, also known as Jojo, another former member of the cult, as she shares her two year experience within the organization, along with how their influence affected her long after her time in Tennessee came to an end.

22/03/2022

Episode 6 - “Jojo” (Part 2)

In this three-part series, I welcome my long time friend Amy Jo, also known as Jojo, another former member of the cult, as she shares her two year experience within the organization, along with how their influence affected her long after her time in Tennessee came to an end.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-6---Jojo-Part-2-e1e9dug

In this three-part series, I welcome my long time friend Amy Jo, also known as Jojo, another former member of the cult, as she shares her two year experience within the organization, along with how their influence affected her long after her time in Tennessee came to an end.

21/03/2022

Episode 5 - “Jojo” (Part 1)

In this three-part episode, I welcome my long time friend Amy Jo, also known as Jojo, another former member of the cult, as she shares her two year experience within the organization, along with how their influence affected her long after her time in Tennessee came to an end.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-5---Jojo-Part-1-e1e9dl1

In this three-part episode, I welcome my long time friend Amy Jo, also known as Jojo, another former member of the cult, as she shares her two year experience within the organization, along with how their influence affected her long after her time in Tennessee came to an end.

21/03/2022

Episode 4 - “Body Image and Forced Labor”

In this episode, I speak about maintaining certain images, how people were body shamed into those images, and the conditions of the housing facility we lived at, plus the renovation work that we as “volunteers” had to do while making $15/week.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-4---Body-Image-and-Forced-Labor-e1dkrdm

In this episode, I speak about maintaining certain images, how people were body shamed into those images, and the conditions of the housing facility we lived at, plus the renovation work that we as “volunteers” had to do while making $15/week.

21/03/2022

Episode 3 - “Rituals and Forgiveness”

In this episode, I explain some of the weird practices we encountered, including the Forgiveness Principle, and how they induce trauma into young minds.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-3---Rituals-and-Forgiveness-e1dg15e

In this episode, I explain some of the weird practices we encountered, including the Forgiveness Principle, and how they induce trauma into young minds.

21/03/2022

Episode 2 - “How I ended up in Texas”

In this episode, I recap how was manipulated into being on a road team to “impact Black kids” to being knocked off my team because “two Black people can’t be on the same team”.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-2---How-I-ended-up-in-Texas-e1dasd0

In this episode, I recap how was manipulated into being on a road team to “impact Black kids” to being knocked off my team because “two Black people can’t be on the same team”.

21/03/2022

Episode 1 - “How I Found Out About the Cult”

In this episode, I explain how I found out about the cult, and some perks of joining. Basically, I tell you how they lured us in.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/Episode-1---How-I-Found-Out-About-the-Cult-e1d8sbu

In this episode, I explain how I found out about the cult, and some perks of joining. Basically, I tell you how they lured us in.

21/03/2022

Welcome to the OFFICIAL page for the “I Was In A Cult” podcast!

To get you caught up on the episodes, I am posting them here every two hours starting at 10 AM each morning until all of them have been featured here.

I look forward to sharing our story with the world! Cult organizations have to be stopped, and while this one may not be on the level of Jonestown or Heaven’s Gate, the practices followed definitely caused a lot of damage.

Stay tuned!

21/03/2022

"Intro"

Introducing my time in a traveling ministry/assembly group, and how their practices were that of a cult.

https://anchor.fm/iwiac/episodes/I-Was-In-A-Cult-Intro-e1d8m55