The Turning - Seasons 1, 2 & 3
Episode: S3:EP4 - Predator and Prey
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Hosts: Erica Lance and Aelin Lance Lesser

Introduction

In Season 3, Episode 4 of "The Turning", titled "Predator and Prey," hosts Erica Lance and Aelin Lance Lesser delve deeper into the harrowing experiences of Lindsay Tornambe and Krista Lester within the River Road Fellowship cult. This episode unpacks the intricate dynamics of control, abuse, and the desperate yearning for freedom that defined Lindsay's and Krista's lives.

The Life of Maidens in River Road Fellowship

Role and Responsibilities

At its core, River Road Fellowship imposed strict roles on its members, particularly the young girls designated as Maidens. Lindsay was chosen at 13 to become one of the youngest Maidens, a role that came with significant responsibilities and manipulation.

[03:21] Lindsay: "It always seemed like the musicians were kind of put on a pedestal too, you know, like it was just something."

Music was not merely an activity but a strategic tool used by Victor, the cult leader, to exert control and instill a sense of purpose. The Maidens were central to the cult's operations, tasked with creating and performing music that Victor deemed essential for their spiritual warfare against evil spirits.

Music as a Tool for Control

Through music, Victor maintained a facade of piety and community. However, it also served as a battleground for Lindsay's internal struggles, where she grappled with fear, hope, and the desire for escape.

[03:46] Lindsay: "With the music. A lot of times, he said, it was a battlefield, and playing music for God is a battle against spirits."

Relationships and Personal Bonds

Lindsay and Jess' Friendship

Amid the oppressive environment, Lindsay found solace in her friendship with Jess. Their bond was a beacon of normalcy and mutual support, providing a rare sense of safety and understanding.

[05:23] Lindsay: "She and I were bonded from the beginning."

Their shared passion for music became their sanctuary, allowing them moments of reprieve from the constant scrutiny and fear imposed by Victor and the cult leadership.

Krista's Outsider Experience

Contrastingly, Krista Lester, a peer of Lindsay, never received the same recognition or favoritism. Her exclusion from the Maidens' inner circle fostered feelings of isolation and inadequacy.

[10:04] Host 1: "Krista Lester pitch, the girl whose books were burned to please Victor, was around the same age as Lindsay. She wasn't chosen to be a maiden. She was on the outside looking in."

Control and Abuse by Victor and Leadership

Enforced Rules and Appearance Standards

Victor's regime was marked by an array of stringent rules designed to suppress individuality and enforce conformity. Maidens were required to adhere to strict dress codes and grooming standards, with any deviation viewed as a moral failing.

[11:21] Aelin Lance Lesser: "So what I'm picturing is kind of like little house on the prairie FLDS type garb."

Extreme Diets and Physical Abuse

Victor's disdain for overweight women manifested through extreme dietary restrictions and physical punishments. Lindsay recounts the damaging effects of these practices on her physical and mental health.

[22:20] Host 1: "I was put on a diet that was known as the rotation diet, which is a calorie deficit program. I was 12 years old and I was being fed as little as 600 calories a day."

Surveillance and Manipulation

The cult employed constant surveillance, moving members frequently to prevent the formation of supportive external relationships. Lindsay describes the intrusive oversight and the psychological toll it took.

[12:57] Aelin Lance Lesser: "I have a suspicion it was to spy on us and report back to leadership."

Personal Struggles and Mental Health

Lindsay’s Internal Battle

Lindsay's role as a Maiden was a constant source of internal conflict. The music that was meant to be a source of solace became a medium through which her internal battles were fought.

[03:54] Erica Lance: "But over the coming years, for Lindsay, music wasn't just a battle against spirits, but a battle within herself."

Krista’s Feelings of Inferiority

Krista's exclusion from the Maidens fostered a pervasive sense of inadequacy. The enforced hierarchy left her feeling unworthy and perpetually striving to meet unattainable standards.

[24:06] Host 1: "My whole being felt like there was something about me that just wasn't good enough because that literally was how I was treated."

Attempted Escape

Planning to Escape via Pregnancy

Desperate to escape the cult's clutches, Lindsay and Jess contemplated using pregnancy as a means to secure help from the outside. Lindsay recounts this pivotal moment of bravery and desperation.

[32:44] Lindsay: "I thought that if I were pregnant, then I'd have to go to the hospital and then someone there could help me. This was my chance to get out."

Despite meticulous planning, their attempts were thwarted by Victor's ever-watchful eye, resulting in deeper control and manipulation.

[34:51] Lindsay: "She had to do what he said. Her plan wasn't going to work."

Forced Recommitment and Further Control

Lindsay’s Brief Freedom

Lindsay briefly experienced freedom when she was sent home, but the return was anything but liberating. Home no longer felt like a safe space, overshadowed by the stigma of being rejected by the Maidens.

[43:53] Lindsay: "I didn't get to say goodbye to the maidens at all."

Recommitment to Being a Maiden

Victor's insidious manipulation forced Lindsay back into the role of a Maiden, this time with an elevated status implying greater responsibility and control over others.

[52:10] Lindsay: "He told me, no matter what time of year it is, when you look up, Lyra will always be overhead in the sky."

Through this forced recommitment, Victor reinforced his dominance, ensuring that Lindsay remained ensnared within the cult's oppressive framework.

Conclusion and Reflection

Lindsay’s Transformation into Lyra

Victor bestowed upon Lindsay the name Lyra, symbolizing her elevated role within the cult and cementing her position as a leader among the Maidens. This renaming was not just a title but a tool of further control, binding her identity to the cult's ideology.

[52:25] Aelin Lance Lesser: "He told her, no matter what time of year it is, when you look up, Lyra will always be overhead in the sky."

Realization of Being Prey to Victor

Ultimately, Lindsay's journey in "Predator and Prey" illustrates the intricate mechanisms of control and the psychological traps that kept her and others imprisoned. Her transformation underscores the profound impact of cult dynamics on personal identity and the relentless struggle for autonomy.

[52:48] Lindsay: "I think about that night, I remember in that moment feeling really special. But also when I think of it now, it was almost like he prophesied his own demise for all those years. You know, Victor was the predator and I was the prey. And then he became the prey."

Notable Quotes

• Lindsay on Music as a Battlefield:
  [03:46] Lindsay: "With the music. A lot of times, he said, it was a battlefield, and playing music for God is a battle against spirits."

• Krista on Feeling of Unworthiness:
  [24:06] Host 1: "My whole being felt like there was something about me that just wasn't good enough because that literally was how I was treated."

• Lindsay on Forced Recommitment:
  [52:10] Lindsay: "He told me, no matter what time of year it is, when you look up, Lyra will always be overhead in the sky."

Final Thoughts

Episode "Predator and Prey" offers a poignant exploration of the psychological and emotional turmoil endured by members of the River Road Fellowship. Through Lindsay's and Krista's narratives, listeners gain a profound understanding of the complexities of cult dynamics, the struggle for personal identity, and the desperate quest for freedom against insurmountable odds.

For those yet to listen, this episode serves as a compelling testament to resilience and the human spirit's capacity to seek liberation in the darkest of circumstances.