I really appreciate this podcast, and the honest discussions you’re willing to have in an open setting like this. I also have 5 siblings and while I was really only peripherally involved, I am one generation removed from leaving a high control religion, so your perspectives have really helped me understand my parents and empathize with how they may have (or even still now) felt during that transition out. Thank you!

I love you guys. I’ve never been in a cult, I’ve only been to a church service a handful of times in my life and I’m 52. But the empathy I have for your family and guests on the show can’t be understated. I’m thrilled you found your way out (thank you covid) and so impressed that you are sharing your story in order to help others. I have learned a great deal while falling in love with all of you. This podcast is very well done and much appreciated. Keep on keeping on you guys, I’m 100% rooting for your success. Mr One Star can go jump in the lake of fire!!

You guys are killing it. The tears. The laughter. The sincere acknowledgement. The courage to recall. The safe place you have provided for David and Chelsie and all the others. This takes massive work behind the scenes. Behind the mic. Behind the horror. Behind the lie. We are 2 years into leaving a cult and you are right. The recovery is much harder than the exit. Your podcast has helped me breathe. Thank you. 5 freaking stars and ten thousand more.

I really tried to get into this podcast but after listening to about 5-6 episodes you realize this show is just a substituted therapy for the hosts to talk about how their dad was mean/strict to them.

My husband and I are almost 3 years out of a very abusive church experience. So much of what you discuss on the podcast is word for word things our pastor said to us and others. The tactics used by abusers seems to all be the same. It brings me so much comfort to know that we are not alone and that you are bravely speaking out against abuse! You are an inspiration!

I am a grad student currently studying Social Psychology. I am researching an essay on cults. I am finding your podcast informative and enlightening.

I have not experienced all the same traumas of the hosts, but many experiences & feelings resonate deeply with me. I am grateful to feel less alone while I unpack growing up in high-control religion. Thank you.

Very informative and entertaining. 👍

Much like Mattie and Ashleigh my oldest sister and I were separated for nearly 30 years due to toxic religion. We now have a wonderful relationship as adults. Listening to this podcast has truly helped me continue to process and heal.

This podcast is the only thing that gets me through newborn night feeds! I actually look forward to waking up because I get to listen to this. It’s a great mix of seriousness and humor and Ashleigh and Mattie, and all of their guests, seem so genuine.

“The Cult Next Door” is a binge-worthy, slow-burning, deep dive into a family cult under a narcissistic father. What makes this cult podcast different is the time they take in telling the story chronologically and from multiple perspectives. It’s unusual to hear podcast interviews which allow the subject to talk at length through every detail of a story across multiple episodes, and then bring in a new interview subject to shed a slightly different light on the same story. Most podcasts are edited down to the bare bones of a story and the narrative moves along at a fast pace. But “The Cult Next Door” is the full story you’d get if you actually sat in the hosts’ kitchens with their family and friends over the course of many gatherings and listened to folks talk. It’s so human, and so relatable. I also really appreciate them bringing in a therapist and religious trauma expert and keeping things trauma-informed. Having grown up in semi high-control fundamentalism, I know how easy it is for the religiously traumatized to end up right back in another cult if the right support is not available. This isn’t just a relatable story and good-listen; it’s resourceful and full of solid information about recovery. Thank you for your vulnerability and your hard work in telling these very personal stories. Your podcast is part of my tapestry of healing and you have my deepest respect and gratitude.

Was mostly interesting till they started spewing politics. I don’t lean super left or right particularly, and honestly don’t like either of the options this election. But they just started throwing the N word (narcissist) around because the media tells them that’s what the right political party leader is… stay out of politics and would be an ok podcast

Okay obsessed lol. I met ashleigh awhile ago & I’ve loved listening to their story! She is the sweetest& so strong. one of my favorite people to see 🫶🏼

If you have left a high-control situation and find yourself without community, this podcast will help you feel less alone in the world. Thank you Matthew, Ashleigh and all of your guests for your vulnerability and transparency. You have made an impact on me and I’m sure there are many more who will find a sense of not be the only one on this type of journey.

I didn’t grow up in a high control religion but this is such good insight! Thanks for your efforts and openness.

Ashleigh and Mattie are so vulnerable in each episode. Incredible storytelling. So glad they are healing together <3

Listening to this podcast has been so helpful and healing. I was also raised in a high control religious cult and hearing your stories has helped me address and work through some of the things I had repressed. I’ve been out for nearly 30 years but I’m still working on healing. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories!

So many correlations to my life in these podcasts. I was born into WWCG as my dad was a member until the 90’s when he joined UCG after the changes. I’m so glad I left and my daughters did not grow up in this cult. This cult really did a number on me. Almost all of the friends I had in the church as well as myself are no longer a part of any church. Shame on those in power taking advantage of so many.

This podcast was recommended by a friend and fellow cult survivor. I quickly became mesmerized by your stories and details of the high control group that shaped your childhood and trauma. Even though my story varies greatly from yours, I found solace and comfort knowing that it wasn’t just me who saw the dysfunctional dynamics in a group/family system hailed as “Divinely Created “. Keep speaking out.

Wow, just wow. Hearing their stories and their hurt really humbles me and makes me so much more grateful for my own up-bringing.

I started wwcg at 3 yrs most of my story is horrific. I appreciate your podcast and honesty. I started in 1963.

I grew up in the Arkansas River Valley and had no idea things like this was happening or had happened to people I know. Thank you for sharing stories and for giving a platform for others to be able to share theirs in a safe place. Keep up the great work.

Oh, boy. This podcast is so relatable to how I grew up. I appreciate the perspective you all have and I appreciate the experts you’ve had on the podcast. You have offered insight to help me understand why I am the way that am!

Listening to the stories shared have been so helpful for me. Thank you for your openness.

I encountered this cult while in college. Glad to hear of those that got out. Really appreciate all that contributed to this. Hearing these family members reconciling is good for the soul.

I have become addicted to this podcast. Unbelievable!!!

A 5 star review, for 5 star people. ✨

Discovering your father who is ALSO your pastor, as a malignant narcissist, AND a cult leader, as well as BEING in a wider cult, AND understanding your own individual family is it’s OWN separate cult, is astounding. I grew up in a narcissistic family mode, myself. My father and my extended family had these characteristics. I was never “in line,”however, and always questioned the status quo. Like Ashley, I was also put out of my family, after my non-narcissistic mother died young. She was the only anchor that heal our disparate family as one. I felt so many sad and deep feels during this season one and look forward to season 2. Ironically, I also was susceptible to cults due to this abuse and I ended up in a fundamentalist christian cult— part of the IBLP, as a youth and young adult. I sought our answers and these provided them, as well as control.

Truly a very relatable and informative, endearing podcast. The deep content and vulnerability of the hosts and guests make this podcast one I can’t stop thinking about and coming back to. I relate so deeply, and I want to hug all of you and thank you for being brave and speaking out against all the wrongs that have been done to you.

Great example of family overcoming together.

Thanks. Appreciate your honesty. I love longer episodes than yours, but still like the podcast!

Thank you for sharing the journey.

I’m so proud of these two hosts and their guests for not only navigating the trauma they have been through but also for the way they present their stories in this podcast. They handle it with the care, compassion, and seriousness it deserves while also being able to offer some moments of levity that balance it beautifully. You guys are an inspiration to many!

I am listening to the first episode and the mocking nature of which they are recounting their lack of celebration of Christian holidays and the need to keep the sabbath and follow biblical eating laws is so profoundly disrespectful of observant Jews. Their discussion essentially of Passover during which they had to clean out the crumbs of leavening closely mirrors what many Jews do to prepare and they talk about it like it’s truly insane and signs of a cult. That is a bit sad tricky statement to make.

Anxiously awaiting each new episode now that I’m all caught up! My mom and I are really curious if you think your mom would ever come on as a guest? With our related experiences, my mom only recently “got out” and has been working on building her own life now for about two years, which has brought out some really fascinating and moving conversations for us, where I’m finally able to review all of the history from her perspective. I’m so curious to learn of your Kims current position/feeling on everything?

First thank you and your guests for being so open in telling everything you’ve all been through! Second it’s open mine and my husbands eyes about the church we just left. So thank you again for sharing hard parts of your life.

I’ve listened to every episode and am grateful for the honesty and content

It’s not clear on how this is a cult. I believe it is, just poorly communicated.

Love the honesty and realness yall have while sharing your stories!

I wish I could express just how much I love this podcast. I genuinely am devastated that I have to WAIT for season two. This easily made it onto the top of my podcast rotation. Not only is y’all’s story fascinating, you both are incredibly interesting in of yourselves. The interviews are amazing, and the content is just utter perfection. Pretty pretty please come back soon! I’m counting down the days!

I really love listening to this pod. While I am a survivor of a “cult of one” a lot of what they say really resonate with me.

Such an enlightening podcast. This is in the town where I grew up and work in. And I was even a member of the gym Blake and Sarah owned. I applaud the courage to speak out with such honesty and transparency, but also in a respectful manner. I look forward to each new episode.

More, more, more

Like going down memory lane… I grew up in LCG. It’s really cool to hear the similarities in our stories. Glad y’all got out!

This is a hard listen because of the truth they are telling about their own childhood and trauma, but they tell the honest and vulnerable truth and it is really fascinating. Such a crazy story and helps you to understand what it’s like to grow up in a religious cult where your dad is “next” to God.

I have listen to three episodes and still don’t know the backstory or all the people involved. I need like more family history more history of the individual speakers and more understanding of the cult and its beliefs. Language is very fundamental Christian base so if you don’t know those beliefs well you will be confused at times. It is more of a stream of consciousness of Ashley the speaker so far. Would be helpful if someone not directly involved was guiding the conversation and asking question and clarifications.

Listeners of this podcast access a rare and unfiltered vulnerability. Ashleigh’s story of enduring and escaping the religious cult led by her father is heartbreaking and real. The drama of her story would be reason enough to listen, but it is matched by an empathy and kindness that she and her brother have somehow found within themselves, despite the circumstances of their past. This is the best podcast I’ve listened to in years because it is so real, so raw. And yet, somehow so uplifting. Highly recommend.

Really hanging on every word with this podcast! Well thought out, listeners can imagine being in this situation because of the clarity in which the experience and feelings are shared. Highly recommend!!

it’s an intriguing topic and I feel very badly for the horrors this family experienced, but it’s presented in a very rambling, repetitive manner. It really needed to be edited down. One little nit-pic: The custom about the through cleaning of breadcrumbs isn’t that weird - it’s a Jewish tradition. The unusual part is a Christian group celebrating Jewish holidays.

I’ve been really impressed by this podcast. The two are really professional in their story telling. They stay on point or at lease always bring it back on point. Most podcast hosts have such a hard time with this when recounting life experiences. These two also rarely ever interrupt each other. Man! You never realize how much you appreciate these skills until you hear two hosts that actually know how to produce a podcast conversation. You both are doing such an amazing job listening to each other and adding details in a great partnership. I’m so intrigued by human social behavior stories and cult mentality. So thank you for sharing your story with us. Blessings to you both!