When the pandemic hit, Aaron found himself isolated and searching for community. So when he discovered an online occult group, he thought he’d finally found his spiritual people. What he didn’t expect? Signing an NDA, pledging allegiance to a self-proclaimed “Master,” and being told he was destined for an apocalyptic battle… alongside seven ancient space dragons.

At first, the group felt like a place of deep discussion, curiosity, and meaning. But as the leader’s grip tightened, so did the demands for obedience. And when the leader finally revealed his true agenda—a disturbing spiritual “shadow ritual,” Aaron realized he wasn’t just in a mystical study group—he was in a full-blown cult.

So how did he go from believer to whistleblower? Listen now, because—like we always say—you can’t make this shit up.

LINKS:

Find Aaron’s anti-cult shared profile page: https://www.facebook.com/Michelle.rugsby

And the group email: holybullcrapclub@gmail.com

Follow us for more culty goodness: @wasiinacult

Got a story that’ll make us say, “Wait… WHAT?!” Spill the tea at info@wasiinacult.com —we promise we won’t make you sign an NDA

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In Part 2 of her jaw-dropping story, actress and writer Danielle Nicolet continues to unpack her harrowing experience in a cult disguised as a new-age hypnotherapy practice—led by a woman who shattered families, implanted false memories, and turned lives upside down.

Danielle’s journey resumes as she’s sent back to Ohio to live with her father, forced to leave behind friends, gymnastics, and the group she had come to see as family. But instead of healing, the damage only deepens. Alienated from her dad and entangled in her mother’s unraveling, Danielle finds herself emancipated at just 16, navigating the cutthroat world of Hollywood while still grappling with the scars of her past.

Danielle’s story is one of resilience and transformation. Her ability to turn deep trauma into a life of joy, creativity, and meaning is nothing short of remarkable. She inspires us, and we’re honored to have her share this story with the world for the first time on our show.

LINKS:

Find Danielle: @daninicolet

Follow us: @wasiinacult

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys): https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com

You may know Danielle Nicolet as Cecile Horton on the CW’s “The Flash,” but long before Hollywood, her life was far from scripted. At just ten years old, Danielle’s world was turned upside down when her mother fell under the influence of Judith—a therapist turned guru turned cult leader. Judith used hypnosis to “recover” memories, shattering families and exploiting Orange County housewives by diagnosing them with multiple personality disorder for her own gain.

But Judith’s influence didn’t stop with her mother—Danielle herself was pulled into Judith’s orbit. Encouraged to reject modern medicine, she found herself reciting affirmations to cure strep throat and believing the fabricated traumas that demonized her own family.

In Part 1 of Danielle’s story, we follow her journey from gymnastics prodigy in small-town Ohio to navigating the unsettling extremes of 1980s Orange County, an affluent and conservative enclave where she was one of the only Black kids at her school—all while having to cope with a mother who now has eight additional personalities.

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LINKS:

Find Danielle: @daninicolet

Follow us: @wasiinacult

Have your own story? Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon (we appreciate the hell out of you guys): https://www.patreon.com/wasiinacult

Merch is here! www.wasiinacult.com