Meet Mattie Lasiter and Ashleigh Teeter. Their father, a charismatic but enigmatic figure, led a doomsday cult in Russellville, Arkansas that consumed the lives of its members.

Co-Host Mattie Lasiter

I spent the first 32 years of my life in religious cults, the majority of that time in a group led by my father.  My wife,  Liz, and I have been married for seven years and we have two dogs that we consider family. I’m a cinematographer and audio engineer by trade with nearly two decades of experience. I enjoy honing my skills & learning new techniques. My family is my world and with them I love traveling, experiencing new places, and finding the best food. 

My goal in speaking out in this way is to give other survivors of spiritual and narcissistic abuse the validation and community that I found so vital when I was in the process of breaking free. My hope is that I can continue to heal and grow through this process and that our listeners can do the same. 

 

Co-Host Ashleigh Teeter

 

As the co-host of The Cult Next Door Podcast, my hope is to shed light on the intricacies of cult tactics, manipulation, and undue influence. I believe that by sharing my own experiences of spending much of my life in a cult and experiencing the destructive effects of spiritual abuse, purity culture, and narcissistic abuse, I can provide validation for others who have experienced similar trauma. I believe that speaking to and naming shame has a way of diminishing its power while empowering the individual. And, the more empowered we become, the more present we are in our own lives.

Passionate about creating meaningful experiences and making positive impacts, I am the owner of Starlit Running Co, an event production business which hosts the Joplin Turkey Trot, and the owner of the national race series, the Wizard Run.

Balancing my time between Joplin, MO and Bentonville, AR, I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This academic pursuit stems from a deep-rooted desire to help others overcome challenges, particularly in the realm of religious trauma recovery. Additionally, I am an RN (not currently practicing) and a Chopra certified meditation instructor. When I have my license to counsel, I plan to incorporate mindfulness techniques such as mediation and breath work into client treatment plans, focusing on a holistic approach to health.

My hobbies include running, spending time with my kids, traveling, drinking coffee, and being a foodie with my husband.