Content warning: domestic violence, intimate partner violence, narcissistic abuse, cultic abuse, cults, and sexual abuse.

Liz Iacuzzi is an athlete, writer, performer, and personality who focuses  on exploring uncomfortable subject matter through comedy. However, it wasn’t until extricating herself from an acting class-turned-cult that she would eventually discover her next passion: educating the masses about cultic abuse. She does so on her podcast, Was I in a Cult? on which she helps other cult survivors share their stories for awareness. We are so grateful Liz was willing to share her journey with us today, especially because it is one of the first times she’s publicly divulged it at-length.

Was I in a Cult? Podcast: https://www.wasiinacult.com/

Was I in a Cult? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wasiinacult/

Liz's Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theiacuzzi

For a list of resources and related non-profit organizations, please visit http://somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Content warning: substance abuse, suicidal ideation, domestic violence, child abuse, childhood sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sexual abuse.

Mike Sacks is a hockey player, telecommunications engineer, founder of the non-profit organization, Survivors for Change, and a true change-maker. Through Survivors for Change, it has become his personal mission to aide survivors of sexual abuse and assault in their journey of healing, alongside Kelly Gee, whose story has also been featured in What Came Next episodes 51 & 52. But before Mike was able to begin helping others, he had to come to terms with his own abuse and begin healing from his childhood experiences. In these episodes, Mike candidly shares about his struggles, the healing process, and what it’s like traversing the media in an attempt to improve procedures in the athletic world. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply grateful for Mike’s time, energy, and the ability to amplify his efforts towards curating change for athletes around the world.

Resources:

Survivors for Change: https://www.survivorsforchange.org/

Survivors for Change on FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheS4C

WCN E51: [Kelly Gee] Against Big Odds // Part 1

WCN E52: [Kelly Gee] What Happens Next // Part 2

For additional resources and a list of related non-profit organizations, please visit http://somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Sources:

Goldberg, R. (2020, May 28). USA Hockey Pres. Jim Smith’s Handling of Alleged Sexual Misconduct Investigated. The Bleacher Report. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2893866

Illinois General Assembly - Illinois Compiled Statutes. (n.d.). Illinois General Assembly. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=073500050K13-202.2

Schulte, S. (2017, August 14). Illinois wipes out statute of limitations for child sex abuse. ABC13 Houston. https://abc13.com/illinois-sex-abuse-statute-of-limitations/2310638/

Strang, K. (2020, February 21). Former players say Chicago area hockey coach sexually abused them. The Athletic. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1591547/2020/02/21/former-players-say-chicago-area-hockey-coach-sexually-abused-them/

Content warning: substance abuse, suicidal ideation, domestic violence, child abuse, childhood sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and sexual abuse.

Mike Sacks is a hockey player, telecommunications engineer, founder of the non-profit organization, Survivors for Change, and a true change-maker. Through Survivors for Change, it has become his personal mission to aide survivors of sexual abuse and assault in their journey of healing, alongside Kelly Gee, whose story has also been featured in What Came Next episodes 51 & 52. But before Mike was able to begin helping others, he had to come to terms with his own abuse and begin healing from his childhood experiences. In the following episodes, Mike candidly shares about his struggles, the healing process, and what it’s like traversing the media in an attempt to improve procedures in the athletic world. The Broken Cycle Media team is deeply grateful for Mike’s time, energy, and the ability to amplify his efforts towards curating change for athletes around the world. 

Resources:

Survivors for Change: https://www.survivorsforchange.org/

WCN E51: [Kelly Gee] Against Big Odds // Part 1

WCN E52: [Kelly Gee] What Happens Next // Part 2

Sources:

Goldberg, R. (2020, May 28). USA Hockey Pres. Jim Smith’s Handling of Alleged Sexual Misconduct Investigated. The Bleacher Report. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2893866

Strang, K. (2020, February 21). Former players say Chicago area hockey coach sexually abused them. The Athletic. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1591547/2020/02/21/former-players-say-chicago-area-hockey-coach-sexually-abused-them/

For additional resources and a list of related non-profit organizations, please visit http://somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Content warning: intimate partner violence, domestic violence, and murder.

Stacy Kaiser is a licensed psychotherapist, relationship expert, author, and speaker. She was drawn to Psychology in youth and finds deep value in helping others navigate some of the hardest portions of their lives. In this thoughtful conversation, Stacy shares about the field of psychology, offers tips on finding the right therapist, and divulges how she’s utilized her expertise both in-front of the camera and behind-the-scenes of some of true crime’s most well-known docuseries. The Broken Cycle Media team extends our intense gratitude to Stacy for her work, time, energy, and advocacy in this episode and otherwise.

Stacy's website: http://www.stacykaiser.com

Stacy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestacykaiser/

For a list of related resources and non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

 Thank you again to Apostrophe for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget, to get started just go to apostrophe.com/wcn and click get started, then use our code WCN at signup and you'll get your first visit for only five dollars.

*Content warning: car accidents, medical trauma, stalking, medical fraud, doula fraud, birth worker abuse, domestic violence homicide, murder, legal abuse. 

Please sign Amy’s petition to keep Jesse Winnick in Prison:

[Amy B. Chesler - Evil Lives Here] This Sh*t Doesn’t End - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amy-b-chesler-evil-lives-here-this-sh-t-doesnt-end/id1674051643?i=1000602598564 

[Amy B. Chesler - Evil Lives Here] The Darkest Times Are All Behind Me - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/amy-b-chesler-evil-lives-here-the-darkest-times-are/id1674051643?i=1000612743331 

[John-Michael Lander] An Athlete’s Silence - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-michael-lander-an-athletes-silence/id1674051643?i=1000619765637 

[John-Michael Lander] Episode 22 Updates // Part 1 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-michael-lander-episode-22-updates-part-1/id1674051643?i=1000662000663 

[John-Michael Lander Hosts] WCN E1 & E13 Updates // Part 2 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-michael-lander-hosts-wcn-e1-e13-updates-part-2/id1674051643?i=1000662716253 

[WCN Presents] SWW S19 Updates - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wcn-presents-sww-s19-updates/id1674051643?i=1000667242886 

For a list of related free and confidential resources, please visit: http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources 

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): https://www.ic3.gov/ 

Website: somethingwaswrong.com 

IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast

TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast 

Website: tiffanyreese.me 

IG: instagram.com/lookieboo 

[email protected] 

The SWW theme Song is U Think U, by Glad Rags. 

The S21 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart. 

Content warning: sexual assault, physical violence, brutality, and murder.

Karie Kroll is a nurse of over 30 years, a family woman, and a co-victim of murder from Iowa. She found her passion for nursing at a young age and pursued a degree in the medical field out of college. However, it was not long into her professional trajectory that her family experienced a devastating loss: the horrific 1996 murder of her sister, Amanda. In this episode, Karie describes all that came next for her family while navigating the criminal justice system throughout the last 30 years, and the drastic changes they experienced just last year. The Broken Cycle Media team is incredibly grateful for Karie's candidness, advocacy, and her willingness to share her sister's memory with our audience. This episode is in loving memory of Amanda Michelle Folker.

Sources:

Registrant Information. (2024). In Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database. https://isp.illinois.gov/MVOAY/Details/X16B2238

For a list of non-profit organizations and related resources at http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Content warning: gun violence, armed robbery, grand theft, and home invasion.

Milena Monrroy is a Los Angeles-based producer and the co-host of the podcast Latina Life with Jen and Milena. Her life has been largely influenced by her roles as a single mother and a storyteller, but her trajectory took a drastic turn when she became a victim of a home invasion and armed robbery in January of 2022. The months following would be filled with not only immense stress, upheaval, and fear, but also a taxing legal battle to receive justice. The Broken Cycle Media team is so grateful for Milena’s vulnerability and raw accounts of all that’s came next for her over the last two years, in hopes of bringing awareness to our audience.

Milena’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/milenaonair

Latina Life with Jen and Milena: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-latina-life-with-jen-and-m-89358863/

Latina Life with Jen and Milena on IG: https://www.instagram.com/latinalifepodcast

Sources:

Burglary Statistics. (2024, July 19). The Zebra. https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/burglary-statistics/

Home Invasion Statics By State. (2024, April 11). Consumer Affairs. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/home-invasion-statistics-by-state.html

For additional resources and a list of related non-profit organizations, please visit http://somethingwaswrong.com/resources

Content warning: suicidal ideation, intimate partner violence, criminal threats, domestic violence, physical, mental, emotional, and psychological abuse, and gun violence.

As shared in part one of her story, Elle Gargano is an entrepreneur, writer, survivor, and victim advocate from Southern California. She originally began sharing her story of resilience after attending the Las Vegas Route 91 festival and surviving a gunshot wound to the head. After enduring several surgeries and physically recovering, Elle began to realize she still had more trauma to digest. After escaping an abusive, nine-year relationship that persisted throughout her entire healing journey, Elle’s path of sharing has evolved and now allows her to advocate for domestic violence victims. The Broken Cycle Media team is so very grateful for Elle’s tenacity, resilience, and willingness to share so much of what came next for her with our audience today.

Elle’s website: https://www.ellegargano.com/

Elle’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ellegargano

Elle's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellegargano

Brave the Label: https://bravethelabel.com/

For a list of related non-profit organizations that can help, visit http://www.somethingwaswrong/com/resources

Content warning: intimate partner violence, domestic violence, physical, mental, emotional, and psychological abuse, gun violence and mass murder.

Elle Gargano is an entrepreneur, writer, survivor, and victim advocate from Southern California. She originally began sharing her story of resilience after attending the Las Vegas Route 91 festival and surviving a gunshot wound to the head. After enduring several surgeries and physically recovering, Elle began to realize she still had more trauma to digest. After escaping an abusive, nine-year relationship that persisted throughout her entire healing journey, Elle’s path of sharing has evolved and now allows her to advocate for domestic violence victims. The Broken Cycle Media team is so very grateful for Elle’s tenacity, resilience, and willingness to share so much of what came next for her with our audience today. 

Elle’s website: https://www.ellegargano.com/

Elle’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ellegargano

Elle's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellegargano

Brave the Label: https://bravethelabel.com/

For a list of related non-profit organizations that can help, visit http://www.somethingwaswrong/com/resources

Thank you again to Mint Mobile for sponsoring this episode. Don't forget to visit mintmobile.com/wcn to cut your wireless bill to $15 a month!

Content warning: domestic violence, physical violence, murder, and mass murder.

Kyleigh McPeek  and Grace Carroll are recent graduates of Stanford University. While they were students there, they launched an honors project that took podcast form. In this special episode of What Came Next, they share about their work on the True Crime Podcast Podcast, and their goal to promote awareness about the impact of - and ethics in - the true crime podcasting industry. The Broken Cycle Media team is not only incredibly grateful for their time and energy, but also for the advocacy and awareness they're promoting through their podcast platform.

The True Crime Podcast Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-podcast-podcast/id1763286752

The True Crime Podcast Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/_podcastpodcast

Know My Name by Chanel Miller: https://amzn.to/3VAatEO

Sources:

Boling, K. S. (2022). “It’s that ‘There but for the Grace of God Go I’ Piece of It”: Domestic Violence Survivors in True Crime Podcast Audiences. Mass Communication and Society, 26(6), 991–1013. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2022.2061359

For a list of related resources and non-profit organizations who can help, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resources