Was I in a Cult?

Swartzentruber Amish — PT1: "Promoted to Housework"


Listen Later

Many people picture a peaceful, technology-free life of butter churning, candle making, and horse-drawn buggies. But for today's guest, the reality behind the plain dresses and pastoral image was far more restrictive, and far more dangerous.

Lizzie grew up in one of the strictest Amish sects in the country: the Swartzentruber Amish. No electricity. No indoor plumbing. No music. No photographs. No Rumspringa. And absolutely no preparation for life outside the community.

In this first part of a two-part conversation, Lizzie shares what it was like growing up under intense control, the rigid rules imposed on women, and how isolation and fear kept members obedient. She also opens up about the early cracks in her belief system—and the impossible choices that eventually led her to attempt an escape. __________________________________

FIND LIZZIE:

Instagram: @lizzieens_wellness / TikTok: @lizzieh_wellness

Book: Amish Renegade: The Anthropology of an Amish Girl Turned Global CEO

Website: undietyou.com

_____________________________________

FOLLOW US → For more culty content — follow us on Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult

SUPPORT THE SHOW Join our Patreon! Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes conversations. (And our forever gratitude)

HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → [email protected]

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Was I in a Cult?By Liz Iacuzzi

  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3

4.3

16 ratings


More shows like Was I in a Cult?

View all
This Is Actually Happening by Audible

This Is Actually Happening

10,430 Listeners

PRETEND by Creative Babble, LLC

PRETEND

2,489 Listeners

Morbid by Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart

Morbid

99,724 Listeners

Something Was Wrong by Broken Cycle Media

Something Was Wrong

25,824 Listeners

Strictly Stalking by Strictly Stalking

Strictly Stalking

2,537 Listeners

Chameleon by Audiochuck | Campside Media

Chameleon

8,099 Listeners

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation by Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation

2,434 Listeners

A Little Bit Culty by Sarah Edmondson & Anthony “Nippy” Ames

A Little Bit Culty

2,878 Listeners

Life After MLM by Roberta Blevins

Life After MLM

1,093 Listeners

Sounds Like A Cult by Studio71

Sounds Like A Cult

4,147 Listeners

Was I in a Cult? by Liz Iacuzzi

Was I in a Cult?

75 Listeners

Scamfluencers by Audible

Scamfluencers

7,343 Listeners

Nobody Should Believe Me by True Story Media

Nobody Should Believe Me

3,057 Listeners

Infamous by Campside Media / Sony Music Entertainment

Infamous

1,166 Listeners

The Girlfriends: Spotlight by iHeartPodcasts and Novel

The Girlfriends: Spotlight

5,610 Listeners