Most people don’t realize how being trapped in an eating disorder is like being trapped in a cult.
— both offer a sense of control, belonging, and identity at a dangerous cost. In this eye-opening episode, Carolyn Costin welcomes Megan Elizabeth, a survivor who has escaped both worlds and studied their surprising similarities.
Meagan is co host of "Trust Me", a podcast all about cults and has a lot to share about the mindset involved revealing how the obsession with thinness and perfection mirrors cult-like control, and how shame, rituals, and identity shape both struggles. You'll discover how controlling beliefs and rigid rules fuel cycles of self-destruction, and the importance of reconnecting with your soul self to break free.We break down the sneaky tactics cults and eating disorders use: the illusion of control, tight groups of influence, fear-based rules, and identity entrapment.
Meagan shares her personal journey from a childhood immersed in a death-focused religious cult, through her own eating disorder, to recovery, highlighting the critical steps to reclaim your authentic self. You’ll hear about the frameworks for understanding and busting out of control—like questioning rules, fostering trust, and building the healthy self you thought was lost.This episode underscores why awareness matters: without it, it’s easy to stay trapped in patterns that feel safe but slowly take over. But it also offers hope—showing that real recovery is possible by strengthening your inner voice, creating new rituals of connection, and learning to trust yourself again.
Whether you’re battling an eating disorder, supporting someone who is, or a clinician seeking deeper insight, this conversation offers a powerful guide to escaping the cult of control and reclaiming a life with meaning, purpose, and freedom.
Meagan Elizabeth is a writer, producer, artist, and co-host of the hit podcast Trust Me. With a master’s degree in psychology and a background in journalism and entertainment, she combines investigative storytelling with humor and empathy to explore belief, human behavior, and extraordinary lives. Based in Los Angeles, she develops original film, television, and podcast projects that entertain, challenge, and spark conversation.
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