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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. Laura E. Anderson, a licensed psychotherapist, trauma resolution coach, and founder of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Dr. Anderson specializes in religious trauma, adverse religious experiences, and the impact of high-control systems.

She’s also the author of When Religion Hurts You: Healing From Religious Trauma and the Impact of High-Control Religion. Together, they explore the unsettling rise of Christian Nationalism and its impact, particularly on survivors of high-control religion. Dr. Anderson shares her insights into why this political and religious ideology can feel especially triggering, evoking feelings of fear, grief, and loss of autonomy for those with lived experiences of coercion and authoritarianism.

Highlights of the conversation include: Understanding what Christian Nationalism is and how it differs from other religious and political expressions. Exploring why this ideology feels particularly devastating to survivors of religious trauma. Discussing the "us vs. them" mentality central to high-control religion and its political implications. Strategies for coping with feelings of helplessness, including finding "glimmers" of hope amidst overwhelming fear. The critical role mental health professionals play in helping people navigate the intersection of trauma and political fear.

This is a must-listen for anyone grappling with the emotional fallout of the recent election or seeking to understand the deep psychological effects of high-control religion and Christian Nationalism.

Find Dr. Laura Anderson at: Website: www.drlauraeanderson.com Instagram: @drlauraeanderson Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: www.traumaresolutionandrecovery.com Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who may find it helpful. Your support helps us continue amplifying voices and stories that matter.