**Attention the audio goes out of sync at certain parts of this episode (no I will not fix it) and for this reason we recommend just listening to the episode**

What is it like to be born into a cult in Mexico, move to Taiwan as a child missionary, and eventually land in a French-immersion school in Quebec? This week, Montreal comedian Eman Belanger joins the Drunk by Noon podcast to share one of the most unbelievable life stories we’ve ever heard.

Iman breaks down his upbringing within a cult, the cultural whiplash of moving between three continents, and how he transitioned from a high-control religious environment to the Montreal stand-up comedy scene.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Cult Origin Story: Growing up in an American fundamentalist group in the Mexican Yucatan.

• Missionary Life in Taiwan: Spreading the word as a child and the "spicy chicken" memories.

• Cultural Whiplash: The shock of moving from Taiwan to Sherbrooke, Quebec.

• Health & Scandals: Why the WHO says cold cuts are the new cigarettes and the truth about the McDonald’s Monopoly "scam."

• Legal Traps: The terrifying reality of Disney+ legal waivers and the fine print we all ignore.

• Comedy: Finding humor in the dark moments and starting a career in the Montreal open mic scene.

Timestamps:00:00 - Welcome back to Drunk By Noon Episode 34! 00:22 - Meeting Eman Belanger: The mystery of the "Eman" name 01:12 - Cultural Whiplash: Living in Taiwan as a kid 01:41 - Mexican Catholicism, Santeria, and "Evil Dead" vibes 02:35 - Weird History: The Nazis and Norse mysticism 03:19 - Dropping the Bomb: Growing up in an American cult in Mexico 05:54 - Fast Food in Asia: KFC Japan vs. 21st Century Chicken 07:42 - Meeting his biological father: A weirdly emotional encounter 09:18 - The Yucatan: Why cartel bosses hide their families there 10:20 - Moving to Quebec: The nightmare of French Immersion 12:50 - Horror Movie Vibes: "Orphan" and Jason Bourne damages 16:30 - Health Alert: Cold cuts are the new cigarettes? 18:40 - The McDonald’s Monopoly Scam & App Terms of Service 20:49 - Disney Plus vs. Lawsuits: Waving your rights for a login21:28 - Calling the CEO of Rebel News for $25 23:48 - Moving to Montreal to start Stand-Up Comedy 24:49 - Deep Dive: The reality of living in a fundamentalist cult 28:30 - Making tragedy funny: The struggle of "Cult Comedy" 31:21 - Flirty Fishing: The bizarre tactics of cult "outreach" 31:55 - Child Marriage Laws in Iraq and the Middle East 34:10 - Escaping at 21: How he finally got out 35:54 - Christian Light Education: Outsourcing school to Mennonites38:40 - Life in the "Home": The militarized structure of a cult cell 40:53 - Harrison Ford: The legendary pilot who doesn't give a f*** 42:25 - The YouTube "Narcissist" trend & arm-chair psychology 44:30 - Rumspringa: Why 99% of people actually go back47:00 - The Fall of the Founder: Paranoia, millions, and the end of an era 49:02 - Socials & Outro: Where to find Eman Belanger

Whether you're interested in cult deconstruction, international travel stories, or the behind-the-scenes life of a Montreal comedian, this episode is a deep dive into a truly unique perspective.