The Cult Next Door

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 increasingly frequent and bizarre visions and prophecies he claimed were from God. The leader insisted that high-ranking demons, and even Satan himself, were tryin...

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 increasingly uncomfortable positions that members found themselves in as the movement gained momentum. The episode delves into the cult leader's insistent push for "...

In the concluding chapter of Chelsie's Crusade Church saga, Ep.30 "Let Us Love On You" of The Cult Next Door Podcast, Chelsie recounts a chilling encounter with Pastor Larry. In a final attempt to lure her back to the church, Larry invites Chelsie to meet in his home, cloaking his manipulation in a guise of concern, love and affection. As Chelsie describes the unsettling meeting & the seeminly...

In a gripping continuation of Chelsie's journey, Ep.29: "Never Good Enough delves deeper into the events leading up to her eventual exit and the aftermath of her departure from Crusade Church and the painful repercussions that followed. As Chelsie confronts the harsh reality of being ostracized by friends and family, listeners are invited to witness her resilience and determination to forge a new...

In "The Devil's Playground," listeners are drawn into the harrowing tale of teenage romance turned catastrophic within the confines of Crusade Church and the Lasiter Family. This installment serves as a companion piece to Episode 8, "Forty Days & Forty Nights," offering a new perspective on the events previously recounted by co-host Mattie. Chelsie Ryan, the teenage girl at the center of the s...

In episode 27 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Embracing the Self: Enneagram Insights," hosts Mattie and Ashleigh continue their eye opening conversation with Lindsay Taylor, LMFT, in Part 2 of this enlightening 2 part series. This episode delves into the themes of self-awareness and emotional health within the context of high control groups. The discussion begins with Lindsay explaining the...

In episode 26 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled “Inside the Enneagram: Understanding Cult Influence”, hosts Mattie and Ashleigh dive into the world of cults and undue influence with Lindsay Taylor, LMFT, who brings her expertise in utilizing the Enneagram within her counseling practice. In Part 1 of this two part series, Lindsay sheds light on how susceptibility to high control groups intersec...

In the gripping follow-up to "Snake Oil Salesman," Ep.25 "Red Flags" continues David's narrative as he grapples with the aftermath of uncovering the true nature of Pastor Larry and the toxic environment within Crusade Church. With a newfound sense of clarity, David embarks on a journey of liberation, determined to navigate the treacherous waters of disillusionment and rebuild his life outside the...

In Episode 24 of The Cult Next Door Podcast, titled "Snake Oil Salesman," hosts Mattie, and Ashleigh delve into David Brown's personal journey within the confines of Crusade Church. Initially, David had believed the pastor to be a brother in need of support and encouragement, but over time, he came to a startling realization. Through introspection and observation, David uncovers the true nature of...

In episode 23 of "The Cult Next Door Podcast," hosts Mattie and Ashleigh tackle listener questions, offering insights into personal experiences with cults and the psychology behind group dynamics. They also provide a glimpse into what's to come in Season 2, promising discussions on charismatic leaders and manipulation within cults. With their informative yet engaging approach, the podcast continue...

Season 2 coming April 2024! - Season 1 is complete & now Ashleigh & Mattie will be prepping and recording for Season 2. Stay tuned for more updates & be sure to follow us on Instagram & Tiktok for videos from upcoming episodes!

. In the riveting conclusion of David Brown's narrative on "The Cult Next Door Podcast," hosts Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter present the episode titled "Call Me Big Daddy." This installment explores David's tenure as a member and minister in Crusade Church, unraveling the façade of the charismatic leader, and exposing the control within the cult's family dynamics. Listeners are drawn into the...

In a compelling continuation of David Brown's story, "The Cult Next Door Podcast" presents "The Lone Prophet." We unravel the complexities of David's journey from Worldwide Church of God to a mainstream Christian church, only to be drawn back into Armstrongism and eventually becoming a member and minister in Crusade Church. Listeners are immersed in David's recounting of the conditioning that shap...

In a gripping and deeply introspective episode of "The Cult Next Door Podcast," hosts Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter are joined by special guest David Brown, a former member of both Worldwide Church of God and Crusade Church. Titled "Exploited, Manipulated & Poisoned," this installment delves into David's harrowing journey, exploring the extreme narcissistic abuse he endured within his own...

In a revealing and emotionally charged episode of "The Cult Next Door Podcast," hosts Mattie and Ashleigh Teeter, along with special guest Liz Lasiter, lay bare the intricacies of Liz and Mattie's courtship and engagement within the family cult. Titled "Something's Wrong With Liz," this episode explores the family enmeshment that permeated every aspect of their lives and the erosion of privacy wit...

In a deeply personal and introspective episode, "The Cult Next Door Podcast" takes a closer look at the yet untold story of Liz Lasiter, the wife of co-host Mattie Lasiter, in an episode aptly titled "Cower & Obey." Hosts Mattie and Ashleigh Teeter sit down with Liz as she bravely recounts her entrance into the cult and the profound impact it had on her life, identity, and relationship with Ma...

 In the riveting sequel to "Prince Sandstorm," "The Cult Next Door Podcast" brings back former Crusade Church member Michael "Sandy" Sandow in the episode titled "The Mask Slips." Hosts Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter continue their exploration of Sandy's journey, this time focusing on his experiences in Arkansas after becoming enmeshed in the intricate web of Crusade Church. Listeners are invi...

"The Cult Next Door Podcast" welcomes former Crusade Church member Michael Sandow to the microphone in the episode titled "Prince Sandstorm." Hosts Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter guide listeners through Michael's remarkable journey from a career in the film business to a transformative detox in his father's California home, ultimately leading him to the doors of Crusade Church. Listeners gain...

In the gripping conclusion to the Blake Moorer trilogy on "The Cult Next Door Podcast," hosts Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter delve into the final chapter of Blake's tumultuous journey within the walls of Crusade Church. Titled "The Facade Fades," this episode unveils the stark reality behind the veneer of the seemingly perfect model family and explores the emotional toll of a courtship oversha...

In this follow-up episode to the eye-opening "His Voice Was God's Voice," hosts Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter continue their exploration of the journey of their brother-in-law, Blake Moorer, within the confines of Crusade Church. Titled "Watched Like a Hawk," this episode dives deeper into Blake's personal experiences during his time as a member, shedding light on the intricacies of life with...

In this riveting episode of "The Cult Next Door Podcast," hosts Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter delve into the personal journey of their brother-in-law, Blake Moorer. This episode explores Blake's upbringing in an offshoot of the Worldwide Church of God and the startling revelations that led him to become a member of the enigmatic Crusade Church. Blake opens up about the pivotal moments that le...

Part 2: In the riveting second part of our two-part series, "Pulling On A Thread," hosts Ashleigh and Mattie embark on a deeply personal journey as they explore Ashleigh's profound experience of leaving The Living Church of God, a significant offshoot of the Worldwide Church of God. Like the delicate act of pulling on a thread in a sweater, what begins as a small revelation unravels into a transfo...

In the riveting first part of our two-part series, "Pulling On A Thread," hosts Ashleigh and Mattie embark on a deeply personal journey as they explore Ashleigh's profound experience of leaving The Living Church of God, a significant offshoot of the Worldwide Church of God. Like the delicate act of pulling on a thread in a sweater, what begins as a small revelation unravels into a transformative e...

In this special episode, we take a break from our usual storyline to delve deep into a critical and often overlooked topic: the long-lasting impact of mental and emotional abuse. Titled "Reverberations of Abuse," we explore the profound and enduring ways that abuse can shape an individual's life, influencing how they interact with the world and how their body responds to stress and trauma. Mental...

In this eye-opening episode of "The Cult Next Door", we delve into the intriguing world of the Worldwide Church of God (and it's offshoots) and their unique perspectives on mental health and the impending apocalypse. Join us as we unravel the fascinating history and beliefs of this religious organization in "Demon Problems & Coming Catastrophe." Unlike conventional approaches that seek to addr...