The Zizians: A Murderous Transgender Vegan Cult?

Content Warning:  This episode discusses murder, suicide, and other sensitive or controversial topics. Ooof. This one is a full-blown inferno, and it is STILL DEVELOPING. Meet the Zizians—who refer to themselves as—wait for it—the Vegan Siths. *Cue "The Imperial March"* This case unravels the shocking layers of a radical faction of rationalists who, despite preaching altruism, have left a trail of brutality in their wake. With at least four brutal murders and two additional deaths linked to the group, their ideology has mutated from intellectual posturing into a twisted labyrinth of suicide, faked deaths, crime, deception, and murder. This culty group, led by the enigmatic Jack Amadeus “Ziz” LaSota, the Zizians believe they are the masterminds of a better world—until their so-called rationalism turned into something totally irrational, super warped, and very, very dangerous. Murders, fugitives, and a tangled mess of legal chaos later, the question remains: Were these people already broken before they found rationalism, or did rationalism break them? And with some members still at large, is the story really over? Buckle up—because this isn’t just another cult story. This is a real-time unraveling of a belief system gone deadly.   Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow/subscribe to WILDCIDE on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please rate and leave us a review – we would really appreciate it! You can also visit our website at www.wildcidepodcast.com (merch now available!) Make sure to get updates by following us on Instagram (@wildcidepodcast) and Facebook (Wildcide Podcast).  Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST. Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff ([email protected]). ​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.  More Rationalist Insights: LessWrong References: Associated Press. (2025, February 18). A timeline of cultlike 'Zizian' group tied to killing of a Border Patrol agent in Vermont. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/a-timeline-of-cultlike-zizian-group-tied-to-killing-of-a-border-patrol-agent-in-vermont Ratliff, E. (2025, February 21). The delirious, violent, impossible true story of the Zizians. WIRED. https://www.wired.com/story/delirious-violent-impossible-true-story-zizians/ LessWrong. (n.d.). J. LaSota (Ziz). https://www.lesswrong.com/w/j-lasota-ziz Romano, A. (2025, February 25). The post-rationalist murder spree’s so-called “cult” leader has finally been arrested. What? Vox. https://www.vox.com/culture/400722/zizians-ziz-murders-cult-what-happened Cavallier, A. (2025, February 23). Zizians crime rampage: How six deaths in three states came to be linked to a cult-like group. The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/zizian-cult-murders-jack-lasota-b2701886.html USA Today. (2025, February 19). Inside the Zizian movement: A cult-like group’s rise and unraveling. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/19/zizian-cult-like-group-details/79108035007/ Chamings, A., & Dowd, K. (2025, February 27). 'Show her the body': Alleged kill orders, cult behavior inside the Bay Area Zizians. SFGate. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/alleged-kill-orders-cult-zizians-bay-area-20184964.php Associated Press. (2025, February 17). Cult leader arrest | Cultlike 'Zizian' group leader linked to multiple killings in the US arrested, police say. ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. Police say they've arrested apparent Zizian group leader | AP News Start Insight. (n.d.). Zizians: The rise of the vegan cult – From philosophy to violence. https://www.startinsight.eu/en/zizians-the-rise-of-the-vegan-cult-from-philosophy-to-violence/