logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2022
44m 35s

Thou Shan’t Be Named: “Non-Church Church...

PodcastOne
About this episode

TITLE: Thou Shan’t Be Named: “Non-Church Church” 

Non-Denominational Christianity. Sounds innocent enough, and for many non-denominational churches, it is. But for others, the non-affiliation creates a dangerous pathway to a choose your own adventure “religion.” For Shannon Payton, it was an adventure all right, but not one she necessarily would’ve chosen…if, of course, given the choice. 

 

Shannon has lived more of her life inside the cult than out, but this social media comedian is just starting to scratch the surface of having her voice heard. A voice, of course, that wasn’t allowed to be heard for most of her life. 

 

And trust us, it’s a voice worth hearing.

 

 

Follow Shannon: Insta/ TikTok @officialshannypants

 

Listen to our interview on The Daily Zeitgeist

 

Follow us: insta @wasiinacult

Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

 

Please support Was I In A Cult? Through Patreon

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Jul 8
The Cult of Emmanuel David Pt2: “The Cult’s Second Coming”
Content Warning: This episode contains references to sexual abuse, coercion, and emotional trauma.Last week, we met Zipporah—a woman who spent 44 years inside a Utah cult so small and obscure, most people never even knew it existed. That is, until 1978, when a horrific tragedy ma ... Show More
46m 33s
Jul 2
The Cult of Emmanuel David Pt1: “Life After Death”
In August of 1978, one of the darkest chapters in Utah’s history unfolded. A man claiming to be God became the catalyst for a tragedy that left a city shaken and a family shattered. Emmanuel David—born Charles Bruce Longo—founded a small but insidious cult rooted in offshoot Morm ... Show More
49m 1s
Jun 23
The Lost Children of Scientology Pt2: “Free At Last”
(Content warning: child abuse, psychological trauma, and forced labor.)What happens when a child escapes a cult… only to be hunted, harassed, and invoiced for the “honor”?In Part 2 of Jamie Mustard’s staggering story, we pick up with his teenage years— going deeper into the reali ... Show More
52m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
Cults: Manipulation Tactics, Celebrity Involvement, Escape w/ Lola Blanc + Meaghan Elizabeth
Joining the Deux U classroom this week are Cult survivors Lola Blanc and Meaghan Elizabeth. On their podcast, Trust Me, they talk to fellow survivors, former and current believers, experts, and everyone in between to try to get to the bottom of how extreme belief happens, who's s ... Show More
1h 7m
Aug 2023
Part 2: Father
Simon recounts his earlier calling to the priesthood. Alana sneaks out to church, and meets a controversial priest who advises her on becoming a nun. This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis ... Show More
32m 12s
Aug 2021
The Cult of Celebrity Megachurches
One of our favorite topics to date: In this can’t-miss episode, we’re unpacking the wave of trendy evangelical church groups (like Hillsong, Mosaic, and Churchome), which use Silicon Valley-savvy marketing, celebrity endorsements, charismatic pastors, and a slew of doubtlessly cu ... Show More
38m 43s
Aug 2023
The Cult of Spiritual Scammers (feat. Listener Stories!)
Time to spill some never-before-heard culty tales: This week, Amanda and Isa are reacting to shocking cult stories submitted by you listeners! Many thanks to those who wrote in to share their personal brushes with New Age scams, love-bombing strangers, elementary school rituals t ... Show More
32m 4s
Dec 2020
The Church Ain’t the Building with Pastor Reginald Sharpe Jr.
The church is a pillar in our communities and families, but in the age of information, how do we reconcile what we know with what we believe? This week, Khadeen and Devale talk to Pastor Reginald Wayne Sharpe Jr. (Fellowship Chicago) about what faith and religion really mean in 2 ... Show More
1 h
Sep 2023
Part 7: Notre Dame is Burning
Alana’s newfound love separates her from her church. As Notre Dame Cathedral burns, so does her faith. But as her self-acceptance grows, her life takes a tragic turn. This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Su ... Show More
45m 29s
Mar 2011
Cults: Who is this "The Leader?"
Cults are conventionally understood to be unestablished, non-mainstream religious groups that follow a single leader. So what does it take to be the leader? Tune in as Josh and Chuck take a closer look at cults. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork ... Show More
53m 47s
May 2022
The Cult of True Crime
From voraciously consuming gruesome podcasts by the dozen to amateur sleuthing gone wrong to fetishizing dangerous killers, the world of true crime definitely has a cult following… but does it ever go too far? This episode was chosen by our listener giveaway winner and features N ... Show More
1h 2m