Was I in a Cult?18 Elo 2025

The Cult of American Apparel: "Sweatshop or Sex Shop?"

It was one of the coolest jobs you could get in the 2000s. The swoopy bangs. The gold lamé leggings. The sexually charged ads. American Apparel wasn't just a brand — it was a vibe. And today's guest, Zsuzsi was on the front lines of it all. From art school to assistant manager to overseeing a hot New York City store, she was living the dream… until it started to feel more like a fever dream — and eventually, a cult.

Today's story is about what happens when the "American dream" disguises exploitation in trendy cotton basics — and how one man's charisma fueled a culture of unchecked abuse, manipulation, humiliation, and grooming… all hidden behind the label "Made in the USA."

And the worst part? He's still at it.

___

COME SEE US LIVE!!!

Los Angeles • September 9, 2025

With special guest: comedian Moses Storm

@ Dynasty Typewriter

VIP "Meet & Greet" tickets available!

Not in LA? No prob — livestream available too!

Instagram & TikTok → @wasiinacult

Find Zsuzsi: @hdbyz & @hellozhia / https://www.hdbyz.com & https://www.hellozhia.com

Support the Show:

If you learned something, felt something, or are angry too and want to make a little noise — share this episode. Leave a review. Send it to a friend. And maybe… make a call to:

(213) 275-3120

Just for some light, constructive feedback.

Thank you to our Patreon members — we appreciate the hell out of you.

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Share Your Story:

Had a culty experience of your own? We want to hear it.

Email us: info@wasiinacult.com

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Jaksot(169)

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21 Syys 1h 20min

Children of God PT2: "Witnessing... But With Chicken"

Daniella Mestyanek Young was born three generations deep into the Children of God and today, she finally gets out. At 15-years-old, she lands in Texas with no real education, no money and no friggin'...

14 Syys 1h 13min

Children of God PT1: Sex Cult Math

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7 Syys 53min

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At 21, Stephanie Vaughn wanted to make some extra money. Then she won a "raffle" at her gym for a free case of energy drinks. Lucky her, that free case won her entry into one of the biggest and most i...

24 Elo 1h 6min

A Single-Family Cult: "Beyond The Front Door"

Every cult calls itself a family. Audrey's actually was one. For Audrey, there was no guru, no religious doctrine, and the only members were her ten other siblings. And the leader? Her parents, par...

17 Elo 1h 2min

Gloriavale: "Gloria Fail" (UPDATE)

**NOTE: This episode originally aired in 2024, but a LOT has happened inside this cult since then. None of it surprising, all of it sick, and we'll fill you in on all of it. Jason Christian was bo...

10 Elo 1h 8min

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Everyone gathered on the deck the day Yo promised the mothership was finally coming. They waited… but alas, it never came. In PART 2, the magical fairy tale capsizes. Laurien becomes one of Yo's chos...

3 Elo 51min

UFO-Tantric-Doomsday-Alien-Fairy-Angel-Sex Cult - Pt1: "Whatever Floats Your Pleasure Boat"

Laurien had already been in one cult before she was old enough to understand what a cult was. At 22, she was invited onto a fleet of white "pleasure" yachts traveling the rivers of Europe, not knowing...

27 Heinä 53min