Allison After NXIVM: “The Monster She Met. The Monster She Became.”

Was I In A Cult?

PodcastOne

True Crime, Comedy, Talk Radio

4.4 • 3.1K Ratings

🗓️ 1 December 2025

⏱️ 73 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When we got the email inviting us to interview journalist Natalie Robehmed about her new CBC + Campsite Media podcast, Allison After NXIVM, we weren’t sure what to do. Talking about Allison Mack — someone who caused very real harm, including to people we’ve had on this show - is complicated.

And honestly? We didn’t want to accidentally platform or sanitize that harm.

But then we listened. And what we found wasn’t a redemption story. It was complexity. It was discomfort. It was a journalist tracing how someone can be both a victim and a perpetrator.

In this conversation, Natalie takes us behind her interviews with Allison: childhood exploitation, Hollywood pressures, the hunger to be “the best,” and the dynamics of NXIVM’s inner circle that turned all of that into something horrifying.

We’re not here to tell you how to feel about Allison Mack.

But we are here to sit in the space where victimhood and violence blur -

the space where a person realizes the monster they were running from is the one they learned to be.

FOLLOW US

For more culty content -

LISTEN TO "ALLISON AFTER NXIVM"

Hear Natalie's full 7-part investigation into Allison Mack (or search Allison After NXIVM wherever you get your podcasts.

SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you believe in what we’re doing - shining a light on manipulation, coercion, and the messy psychology behind it - please rate, review, and share the podcast.

Want to be part of our inner circle?

Join us on Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and our eternal gratitude for helping us keep these stories alive.

HAVE A CULTY STORY?

We’d love to hear from you - drop us a line at [email protected].

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	The weight is over. Dive into Audubles' most anticipated collection, the best of 2025, featuring top audiobooks, podcasts, and originals across all genres. Our editors have carefully curated this year's must-listens, from brilliant hidden gems to the busiest new releases.
0:23.7	Every title in this collection has earned its spot.
0:28.3	This is your go-to for the absolute best in 2025 audio entertainment.
0:31.6	Whether you love thrillers, romance, or non-fiction,
0:33.6	your next favorite listen awaits.
0:38.8	Discover why there's more to imagine when you listen at audible.com slash best of the year.
0:45.0	The views, information, or opinions expressed by the guest appearing in this episode solely belong to the guest and do not represent or reflect the views or positions of the hosts, the show, podcast one,
0:50.8	this network, or any of their respective affiliates.
0:56.8	This episode discusses sexual coercion.
0:58.3	Please listen with care.
1:05.1	You know, I think Allison's experience of sexual exploitation at a young age,
1:10.9	combined with her experience in Hollywood and this competitiveness with other girls,
1:14.2	I think all of that led her to wanting to be the best cult member,
1:17.5	wanting to be the best person in nexium,
1:20.5	which also meant being the worst.
1:23.1	You know, it meant doing the most extreme stuff
1:25.2	to get the most validation from Keith.
1:27.9	And that led to her ending up in prison.
1:41.0	Welcome to was I an occult.
1:43.2	I'm Liz Iakusi.
1:48.7	And I'm Tyler Mism and we are recording this particular episode, the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. However, as you recall, if you listen to last
1:55.0	year's Thanksgiving episode, do you remember what plumbers call today, Liz? Oh, shoot. I don't.
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 13 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from PodcastOne, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of PodcastOne and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.