The Cult Next Door

Leave us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCultNextDoor Join our Patreon: patreon.com/TheCultNextDoorPodcast About Today's Episode: Our guest is Margarit Davtian, a social science researcher and content creator passionate about social change innovation. She actively works to raise consumer awareness about cult of personalities in the media, high-control group dynamics, unethical market...

Leave us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCultNextDoor Join our Patreon: patreon.com/TheCultNextDoorPodcast About Today's Episode: Our guest is Margarit Davtian, a social science researcher and content creator passionate about social change innovation. She actively works to raise consumer awareness about cult of personalities in the media, high-control group dynamics, unethical market...

Leave us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCultNextDoor Join our Patreon: patreon.com/TheCultNextDoorPodcast About Today's Episode: In this episode, Mitzi and Jordan dive into the messy reality of leaving high-control religious environments and the "rot at the core" of systems that prioritize conformity over people. They reflect on the absurdity of purity culture—specifically revisitin...

Leave us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCultNextDoor Join our Patreon: patreon.com/TheCultNextDoorPodcast About Today's Episode: In this episode, Mitzi and Jordan open up about the painful reality of leaving their church and the "gut punch" of realizing they could no longer belong to that system and themselves at the same time. They discuss the heavy silence that follows walking awa...

Leave us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCultNextDoor Join our Patreon: patreon.com/TheCultNextDoorPodcast About Today's Episode: Jordan and Mitzi return to share the exhausting reality of living under the constant surveillance of church leadership, where every personal choice—from the music you listen to, to the "wrong kinds of kids" you attract to your youth group—is subject to an...

Leave us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCultNextDoor Join our Patreon: patreon.com/TheCultNextDoorPodcast About Today's Episode: Jordan and Mitzi open up about the brutal physical and mental toll of full-time ministry, and what happens when your entire life is graded on an invisible social scorecard. They don't hold back on the reality of that world—from the "Monday migraines" that...

Click here to leave us a voice message!   In this episode, Ashleigh & Mattie  sit down with Mitzi and Jordan to explore the complex layers of growing up in high-control religious environments. Mitzi shares her journey from a fundamentalist upbringing in Alberta and Missouri—where horror movies were banned but Enya was "safe"—to her current work as a portrait photographer and coach helping othe...

Click here to leave us a voice message! We’re back! After being on break since last Halloween, we’re finally jumping back in to "get our feet wet" and remember how our microphones work.  In this episode, we catch you up on our seven-month hiatus, from finishing a master’s in counseling to our travels in Paris and the culture shock of returning to the U.S. We also have a real conversation about the...

Click here to leave us a voice message! Welcome back for a spooky episode that digs into the absolute dread of our childhood Halloweens! We kick off with teachings warning that a "prowling lion" (Satan) is out to devour us, and that our children must not "identify with the pagan holiday" of trick-or-treating. We then reveal the extreme fear culture we were raised in, where everything from an antiq...

😱 Scary news... but only for a week! We’re taking a short break from releasing episodes, but don’t worry — we’ll be back next week with our Halloween special: Everything Is Demons. 👻 In this one, we’re diving into the fear, superstition, and control that came from being told the world was full of demons — and how that shaped the way we saw everything from movies to music to holidays. So stay tun...

Click here to leave us a voice message! In this final part of Mindy’s story, the truth finally comes crashing down—and her father literally runs from it. What began as suspicion turns into undeniable proof of a shocking betrayal: her dad, the pastor, pursuing a relationship with his own daughter-in-law just months after her mother’s death. From the bizarre family “meeting” meant to confront him, t...

Click here to leave us a voice message! In our 2nd episode with Mindy, she shares her journey growing up in a strict religious environment where purity culture shaped her early decisions, including marrying young at 19. She recounts the challenges of marrying a man struggling with alcoholism, the painful experience of domestic violence, and the difficult decision to divorce despite the heavy shame...

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. Mindy describes strict rules, harsh punishments, and emotional and physical abuse, alongside the influence of charismatic ministries and the chaotic "holy laught...

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 controlling Acts 29 church and the quiverful movement, leading to raising eight children under strict patriarchal rules.  Liz struggles with her identity outside th...

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 inappropriate behavior and enduring harsh treatment from elders, while Liz reflects on being seen as the favored "golden child".  They discuss the strict rules around musi...

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 strict hierarchy, and the intense teachings focused on being “set apart” and striving for sinless perfection. From attending conventions to eventually moving to a...

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 emotional challenges of breaking free from deeply ingrained beliefs. Topics include questioning religious dogma and critical thinking, learning about evolution and i...

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 and misdeeds of history’s most notorious criminals, as well as some of the wildest crimes you’ve never heard of. Fraud, theft, murder, and worse — whatever the...

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 and extreme dogma to the suspension of critical thinking and the burden of proof in faith, this conversation exposes the harmful ideologies ingrained in some Chr...

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 again, symbolizing her first step toward personal freedom and self-expression. She discusses the fear of rejection rooted in her family and religious teachings,...

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 father who became deeply involved in fundamentalist and patriarchal teachings, Luna experienced the strict discipline, purity culture, and submission expected of...

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 high-control religious movement masquerading as Christianity. LaNisa shares what it was like growing up in what she unapologetically calls a “boring-ass racist...

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 religion. Blake shares his continued struggles, breakthroughs, and what true freedom looks like for him now. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for update...

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 of navigating recovery after leaving a high-control environment. He also shares his hopes for the future and the ongoing process of rebuilding his life. Follow...

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 away gave her the space to think for herself, reshape her beliefs, and redefine her relationships with faith, family, and life as a whole. Don’t miss this power...