The Cult Next Door
Hosted by Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter, siblings who were separated for more than 25 years due to the shadow of their shared past.Their father, a charismatic but enigmatic figure, led a cult that consumed the lives of its members, leaving their family torn apart and forbidden from contact.They have reunited to share their journey with you while unravelling the haunting tales of cults from around the world, shedding light on the warning signs that can help prevent others from falling into their grasp.
Episodes
Ep.67: " He Always Wanted the Weird Stuff"
Click here to leave us a voice message!Our guest, Mindy shares her experience growing up in a cult-like family led by her controlling pastor father. The family moved often due to financial struggles and her father’s various church roles. Mi…
Ep.66: "That’s How My Brain Was Wired"
Click here to leave us a voice message!Liz and Mel share their journeys after leaving high-control churches. Mel finds initial comfort in a non-denominational church, marries, and starts a family, but later becomes involved in another contr…
Ep.65: "The Farm"
Click here to leave us a voice message!In this episode, Liz and Mel open up about their contrasting experiences growing up on a highly controlled religious farm. Mel shares the difficulties she faced, including being accused of inappropriat…
Ep.64: "The Move of God"
Click here to leave us a voice message!In this episode, sisters Liz and Melanie share their intertwined journey growing up in a high-control religious group known as "the Move." They discuss their family’s early involvement, the group’s str…
Ep.63: "Dogma & Doubt"
Leave us a voice message here!In this episode, Taylor shares her journey of deconstructing a high-control religion and escaping cult-like environments. She discusses her struggles with faith, reconciling science and religion, and the emotio…
American Criminal: NXIVM & Keith Raniere
Here's a special episode of American Criminal: NXIVM From our friends at Airship — the studio behind American Scandal, Business Movers, and History Daily — comes an exclusive episode of American Criminal. The show dives deep into the lives …
Ep.62: "Biblical Lens Only, Please"
Leave us a voice message here!In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the challenges of growing up within a strict religious environment that demands viewing the world solely through a biblical lens. From the impact of purity culture an…
Ep.61: "Pants of Rebellion"
Leave us a voice message here!This is part 2 of our conversation with Luna, where she shares her journey of leaving a high-control church and beginning to question long-held beliefs. A key moment in her story is the decision to wear pants a…
Ep.60: "Long-Haired Hippie Jesus Movement"
Leave us a voice message here!In this episode, our guest Luna Whitlock shares her compelling story of growing up immersed in the Jesus movement and navigating life within multiple high-control religious groups. Raised by a former hippie fat…
Ep.59: "Boring-Ass Racist White Church"
Leave us a voice message here!In Ep. 59: "Boring-Ass Racist White Church," we’re joined by actor, writer, and podcast host LaNisa Renee Frederick for a bold and unfiltered conversation about her upbringing in the Worldwide Church of God—a h…
Ep.58: "Breaking the Shackles"
Leave us a voice message here!In Ep. 58: "Breaking the Shackles," we conclude our follow-up conversation with Blake Moorer as he reflects on his healing journey and the work it takes to break free from the lasting grip of high-control relig…
Ep.57: "Substituted Therapy"
Leave us a voice message here!In Ep. 57: "Substituted Therapy," we reconnect with Blake Moorer for a follow-up conversation about where he is now in his healing journey. Blake opens up about what has helped, what hasn’t, and the challenges …
Ep.56: "Room To Think"
Leave us a voice message here!In Ep. 56: "Room To Think," our final conversation with Mandy Jones, we continue her story from her previous episode, diving into her journey of leaving high-control religion behind. Mandy shares how stepping a…
Bonus Ep: "Fear & Loathing in Big Sandy"
Leave us a voice message here!Bonus Episode: "Fear & Loathing in Big Sandy" – Seth Forrestier had more to say, and so did we! In this special bonus episode, we dive into a fun, freewheeling conversation with Seth, covering more untold stori…
Ep.55: "Like an Inquisition"
Leave us a voice message here!In Part 1 of our conversation with Mandy Jones, we explore her family’s unique journey through various religious groups, including the Worldwide Church of God offshoots, Messianic movements, and eventually, a b…
Ep.54: "Heavy Petting & Getting Weird"
Leave us a voice message here!In Ep. 54: "Heavy Petting & Getting Weird," our final conversation with Naomi Wright, we explore the path Crusade Church was on and how it reflected the patterns she experienced growing up in her father’s cult.…
Ep. 53: "We Have Your Father Here"
🎙️ Leave us a voice message here! In Ep. 53: "We Have Your Father Here," Naomi Wright returns to share more of her journey, including the unexpected loss of her father—a moment that shattered the very teachings he had preached. After years…
Ep.52: "I Could Have Died"
🎙️ Leave us a voice message here! In Ep. 52: "I Could Have Died," we sit down with Naomi Wright, executive director of BeEmboldened Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing and healing from spiritual abuse. Naomi shares her journey …
Ep.51: "Trust Me, Bro"
🎙️Leave us a voice message here! In Part 2, "Trust Me, Bro," Seth Forrestier dives deeper into his journey of leaving the cult and the struggles that came with breaking free. He reflects on the impact of his past and shares where he stands…
Ep.50: "All Going To Burn"
🎙️ Leave us a voice message here! In Ep.50: "All Going to Burn," we sit down with Seth Forrestier, a former fourth-generation member of the Worldwide Church of God and its offshoots. Seth shares his experiences growing up in these high-con…
Ep.49: "Not In The Right Spirit"
🎙️ Leave us a voice message here! In Part 2, "Not In The Right Spirit," Brittney opens up about the manipulative dynamics of The Love Move, her bold decision to confront the pastor over an inappropriate relationship, and the events that le…
Ep.48: Appointed a Prophetess
🎙️ Leave us a voice message here! In Part 1 of this compelling conversation, we talk with Brittney, a long-time former member of Crusade Church. Brittney shares how she became involved with the church and what life was like during her time…
Ep.47: "Fire Rat From Heaven"
🎙️ Leave us a voice message here! In this largely uncut roundtable discussion, Mattie and Ashleigh sit down with Jen Lewis and Michael Sandow to explore the beginnings of "The Love Move" in Crusade Church. Together, they delve into its ear…
Ep.46: Christian Nationalism w/ Dr. Laura E. Anderson
🎙️ Leave us a voice message here! Season 3, Episode 2: Christian Nationalism and Religious Trauma with Dr. Laura E. Anderson In this powerful episode of The Cult Next Door Podcast, hosts Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter sit down with Dr.…
Ep.45: Back In The Saddle Again
🎙️ Leave us a voice message here! We’re kicking off Season 3 of The Cult Next Door Podcast with a bang! In this episode, Mattie and Ashleigh reflect on the journey so far, share exciting updates, and dive into what’s ahead this season. Fro…
Patreon Exclusive: "This is how was going to fix my life."
Teaser for a Patreon exclusive episode available at patreon.com/thecultnextdoorpodcast#podcast #truecrimepodcast #cultsurvivor #spiritualabuse #religiousabuse #exvangelical #cultstories #applepodcasts #spotifypodcast #podcastrecommendation …
Ep.44: Survivors
In the Season 2 finale of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Survivors," Ashleigh and Mattie take a moment to reflect on the impact of their podcast. They read heartfelt letters and reviews from listeners who share how the stories and disc…
Ep.43: "Guardians of Purity"
In Episode 43 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Guardians of Purity," Jessica Lasiter concludes her story for Season 2. She recounts her difficult exit from Crusade Church, her return after 5.5 years, and the alarming red flags she beg…
Ep.42: "Den of Wolves"
In Episode 42 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Den of Wolves," Jessica Lasiter continues her gripping story, detailing the events leading up to her decision to leave Crusade Church in 2013. Jessica shares the growing realization of th…
Ep.41: "On an Island"
In Episode 41 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "On an Island," Jessica Lasiter recounts the intense 40 Days & 40 Nights involving Chelsie and Mattie, and the turbulent aftermath. As Chelsie ultimately decides to leave Crusade Church, J…
Ep.40: "This Little Light of Mine"
In Episode 40 of The Cult Next Door Podcast Mattie and Ashleigh are joined by their sister-in-law Jessica Lasiter. Jessica shares her unique perspective on growing up within the Crusade Church cult, offering an intimate look at the challeng…
Ep.39: "Limitless"
In Episode 39 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Limitless," Liz returns to share pivotal moments that marked the decline of Crusade Church and her eventual departure. She recounts the unraveling of the cult, highlighting the critical e…
Ep.38: "End Time Training"
In Episode 38 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "End Time Training," Mattie's wife, Liz, joins the podcast to share her insights and experiences with "The Love Move" within Crusade Church. As a previous guest, Liz delves into the intens…
Ep.37: "Spilling The Tea"
In Episode 37 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Spilling The Tea" hosts Ashleigh and Mattie take a break from storytelling to answer listener-submitted questions about the podcast and the captivating narratives shared so far. They prov…
Ep.36: "The Immature Bride"
In the final installment of Blake Moorer's harrowing journey, Episode 36 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "The Immature Bride," Blake delves into the decisive events that ultimately led to his departure from Crusade Church. Blake recou…
Ep.35: "Intense Gaze"
In Episode 35 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Intense Gaze," Blake Moorer continues his gripping account of life within Crusade Church in this second installment of a three-part series. As "The Love Move" gained momentum, Blake detai…
Ep.34: "All Of The Magic"
In Episode 34 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "All Of The Magic," former member Blake Moorer returns to discuss the harrowing intensity of "The Love Move" within Crusade Church. Blake reveals how "The Love Move" was becoming increasin…
Ep.33: When Religion Hurts You: with Dr. Laura E. Anderson
In episode 33 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, "When Religion Hurts You: with Dr. Laura E. Anderson", hosts Mattie and Ashleigh welcome first time guest Dr. Laura Anderson to the CND conversation. Dr. Anderson is a psychotherapist, trauma res…
Ep.32: "A Demon Named Pretense"
In Episode 32 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "A Demon Named Pretense," Michael "Sandy" Sandow concludes his harrowing account of life within Crusade Church. Sandy describes the escalating paranoia of the leader, who began sharing inc…
Ep.31: "Cloaks of Humility"
In Episode 31 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Cloaks of Humility," hosts Mattie and Ashleigh are joined once again by former Crusade Church member Michael "Sandy" Sandow. Sandy recounts the early days of "The Love Move" and the incre…