The Cult Next Door

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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 others find their authentic selves. 

The conversation dives deep into the psychological toll of "fitting in" to religious roles, discussing how the relief of finally belonging can often mask the reality that the environment is "killing you inside".

Jordan, an ex-pastor, provides a unique perspective on the "calling to ministry," revealing how it often stems from a genuine desire to be a refuge for others while simultaneously seeking parental and community approval.

The duo shares both poignant and humorous anecdotes, from the sleep-deprived "Cry Nights" at youth conventions to the absurd moment a youth pastor used The Matrix to warn them about the devil. Together, they navigate the "uncertainty" of life post-cult, offering a raw look at deconstruction, the search for stability, and the spiritual experiences that shaped their path toward authenticity. 

Find Mitzi here: https://www.mitzistarkweather.com/

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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 "felt sense" of navigating high-control patterns in today’s world and share the lifelines keeping us grounded—like baking two dozen baguettes and our new obsession with "thinking putty".

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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