The Cult Next Door

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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 antique ring to a shadow in the yard was proof of demons.The irony is strong as we contrast that paranoia with our current, joyous obsession with spooky season (complete with elaborate costumes and yard decorations!). Hear the deeply personal stories of being taught to "rebuke the demons" in dark rooms as kids.

Join us for a bizarre, healing, and honest look at how one group taught that, for them, Everything is Demons!

😱 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 tuned, and maybe keep a light on… this one gets a little eerie. 🖤

#TheCultNextDoor #Halloween #EverythingIsDemons #PodcastUpdate #SpiritualAbuse #ReligiousTrauma #CultAwareness

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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, to his financial exploitation of a vulnerable relative, Mindy walks us through the unbelievable events that followed. It’s a story about confronting power, surviving spiritual abuse, and reclaiming your voice when the people who should’ve protected you become the ones you need protection from.

This one is raw, surreal, and, somehow, still hopeful. #CultNextDoor #Podcast #ExCultMember #CrusadeChurch #TheLoveMove #EndOfTheCult #BreakingFree #SpiritualAbuse #CultSurvivor #ExposingTheTruth #CourageToLeave #CultStories #LifeAfterCult #EscapingControl #TrueStory

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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 and guilt imposed by her community. 

Mindy also opens up about the controlling nature of her family even after moving out, and how she eventually found love again with her current husband, navigating the complexities of relationships within a tight-knit church community. She discusses the family’s belief that sickness was a sign of weak faith, which influenced how her mother’s cancer was handled, leading to secrecy, shame, and ultimately loss.

Mindy reflects on the impact of these experiences on her mental health and personal growth, offering a raw and honest look at life inside and beyond a cult-like religious environment.

#cultleaderfathers #cultleaders #psychologyofcults #authoritarianleaders #highcontrolgroups #religiousabuse #spiritualabuse #familytrauma #generationaltrauma #powerandcontrol #cultsurvivorstories #escapingcults #mindcontrol #psychologicalmanipulation #narcissisticabuse #truecrimepodcast #cultawareness #lifeaftercults #toxicleadership #thecultnextdoor

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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 laughter" movement.

She also discusses her struggles with depression, the complex role of her mother, and how she now fosters openness with her own children. This episode offers a powerful look at the impact of cult upbringing and the path to healing.

#cultleaderfathers #cultleaders #psychologyofcults #authoritarianleaders #highcontrolgroups #religiousabuse #spiritualabuse #familytrauma #generationaltrauma #powerandcontrol #cultsurvivorstories #escapingcults #mindcontrol #psychologicalmanipulation #narcissisticabuse #truecrimepodcast #cultawareness #lifeaftercults #toxicleadership #thecultnextdoor

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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 the church, faces trauma, and endures two abusive marriages before ultimately stepping away from church life altogether. Both sisters reflect on the lasting impact of their upbringing, the challenges of healing, and the importance of self-grace and understanding.

Their stories highlight how shared experiences can lead to vastly different paths and the ongoing process of reclaiming autonomy and trust in oneself.

 #cultleaderfathers #cultleaders #psychologyofcults #authoritarianleaders #highcontrolgroups #religiousabuse #spiritualabuse #familytrauma #generationaltrauma #powerandcontrol #cultsurvivorstories #escapingcults #mindcontrol #psychologicalmanipulation #narcissisticabuse #truecrimepodcast #cultawareness #lifeaftercults #toxicleadership #thecultnextdoor

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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 music, social interactions, and the demanding work of building a tabernacle and managing farm life. The sisters reveal how these experiences strained their relationship and led to emotional challenges. They also talk about the family’s decision to leave the farm due to mistreatment, the resulting shunning by the community, and the struggle to adjust to life outside, including exploring churches they had been taught to avoid.

Mel recounts her time living in Alaska, where she faced further isolation and accusations, ultimately leading to her early return home.

#cultleaderfathers #cultleaders #psychologyofcults #authoritarianleaders #highcontrolgroups #religiousabuse #spiritualabuse #familytrauma #generationaltrauma #powerandcontrol #cultsurvivorstories #escapingcults #mindcontrol #psychologicalmanipulation #narcissisticabuse #truecrimepodcast #cultawareness #lifeaftercults #toxicleadership #thecultnextdoor

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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 commune-style farm, they reveal the increasing control, isolation, and challenges they faced—especially as young women. This candid conversation sheds light on the complexities of life inside a cult and the lasting impact it had on their childhood and family dynamics.
#CultSurvivor #HighControlGroup #ReligiousCult #TheMove #CultAwareness #SurvivorStories #FaithAndControl #PodcastStorytelling #FamilyInCult #CultRecovery

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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 its impact on her worldview, facing fears around faith, death, and loss, and reflections on religious trauma and self-compassion.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates, and support the podcast on Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee to help us continue sharing these important stories! 

 #TrueCrimePodcast #CultSurvivor #ReligiousTrauma #ExposingCults #FaithDeconstruction #CultStories #SpiritualAbuse #ChurchAbuse #LifeAfterCult #BreakingFree #SurvivorStory #TrueStoryPodcast #PodcastRecommendations #HealingJourney #CultAwareness #ExposingTheTruth #CourageToLeave #ManipulationAndControl #ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcast

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 case, whoever the criminal — you don’t know the whole story… until now. Past seasons have covered:

• A series of bombings that shook Salt Lake City, with rare Mormon documents at the center of the mystery.
• The woman who built the modern adoption industry by stealing babies and selling them to desperate parents.
• A serial killer duo who claimed responsibility for as many as 600 murders across the country.
• The shocking assassinations of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers and Harvey Milk.

The newest season investigates NXIVM — the modern-day cult disguised as a self-help seminar business. In 2017, NXIVM suddenly hit front pages nationwide. One day, no one had heard of it. The next, it was being exposed as a cult — with stories of a secret society, psychological manipulation, imprisonment, and sexual abuse. At its center was founder Keith Raniere — a self-styled genius his followers called “Vanguard.” For decades, he used his charisma and manipulation to quietly build an empire. But behind the mask of self-improvement was something much darker: Raniere’s obsession with control over the women in his inner circle. When some began to resist, he tightened his grip, resorting to blackmail and coercion to keep them trapped — until his victims finally spoke out. This is the story of NXIVM. Listen to this exclusive American Criminal episode from Airship on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.