Cults and the Culting of America

By: Daniella Mestyanek Young
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  • Summary

  • Daniella Mestyanek Young is a captivating figure in the study of cults and group psychology. Raised in the notorious Children of God cult, she escaped as a teenager and later joined the U.S. military, where she specialized in studying terrorists and other extreme groups as a military intelligence officer. Daniella holds a master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Harvard Extension School and is the author of "Uncultured," a critically acclaimed memoir. Today, she is a scholar of cults, extreme groups, and toxic leadership, leveraging her unique experiences to illuminate the dynamics of cults and the manipulative tactics of charismatic leaders. Together with fellow cult survivor Scot Loyd, Daniella delves into the intricacies of some of the world's most notorious cults and reveals how these same manipulative techniques are present in various aspects of our society.
    2024
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Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Episode 25 | Post Traumatic Mistriss Syndrome with Amanda Gross

    Episode 25 | Post Traumatic Mistriss Syndrome with Amanda Gross
    Jan 28 2025
    In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniela Mestyanek Young engage in a profound conversation with Amanda Gross about the intersections of race, privilege, and healing. Amanda discusses her book, 'White Women Get Ready,' which explores the concept of Post-Traumatic Mistress Syndrome and the role of white women in anti-racist movements. The conversation delves into personal histories, the current climate of racism, the importance of community, and the challenges of navigating white privilege. They also touch on the impact of cancel culture and the role of arts in fostering healing and understanding. Throughout the discussion, the hosts emphasize the need for self-reflection, accountability, and the interconnectedness of liberation and healing. Amanda's Links: Book: White Women Get Ready Recommended paired reading: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Dr. Joy Degruy Intagram: @MistressSyndrome TikTok: @MistressSyndrome Patreon: @MistressSyndromeBook Daniella's Links: You can read all about my story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here. https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured For more info on me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/3V6GK6k / KnittingCultLady Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 Other Podcasts Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women Takeaways White women have a crucial role in anti-racist work.Healing is essential for transformative change.Understanding personal history is key to addressing privilege.Community connection is vital for healing and support.Cancel culture often replicates state violence and lacks relationality.Perfectionism can be a form of self-hatred and harm to others.The arts can facilitate difficult conversations and healing.Accountability in relationships is necessary for growth.Racism and white supremacy harm everyone, including white people.Liberation is interconnected and requires collective effort. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cults and Anti-Racism 03:26 Understanding Post-Traumatic Mistress Syndrome 06:19 The Importance of Healing in Anti-Racist Work 09:26 Personal Histories and Their Impact on Activism 12:31 The Current Climate of White Supremacy 15:21 Surprising Discoveries in Personal Ancestry 18:27 The Role of Storytelling in Healing 21:22 The Disconnect of Whiteness and Community 24:37 Backlash Against Diversity and Equity Initiatives 30:20 The Power of Perspective: Learning from Black Women 32:17 Community and Spirituality: Resilience Among Black Women 33:14 Navigating Conversations: White Privilege and Listening 34:56 Courage in Relationships: Honesty and Emotional Safety 38:36 Shame and Growth: Deconstructing Cult Mentalities 40:36 Cancel Culture: Trauma, Accountability, and Community 43:19 Performative Regulation: The Dangers of Policing Each Other 45:31 Intent vs. Impact: The Importance of Acknowledgment 47:43 Building Community: The Role of White Women's Affinity Spaces 51:58 Art as a Medium: Conflict, Healing, and Connection Produced by Haley Phillips
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    59 mins
  • Episode 24 | IBLP and "Shiny, Happy People"

    Episode 24 | IBLP and "Shiny, Happy People"
    Jan 21 2025

    In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young engage with Tara and Floyd, who share their experiences growing up in the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) and the Advanced Training Institute (ATI). They discuss the complexities of deconstruction from fundamentalist beliefs, the emotional toll of leaving a cult, and the impact on family relationships. The conversation also touches on the importance of emotional awareness in parenting and the healing journey after leaving high-control groups. Tara and Floyd reflect on their participation in the documentary 'Shiny Happy People' and the challenges they faced in sharing their story.

    Tara and Floyd:

    Instagram: @advocateaverage

    tiktok: @advocateaverage

    Daniella's Links:

    You can read all about my story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here. https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured For more info on me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/3V6GK6k / KnittingCultLady Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8

    Other Podcasts

    Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women

    Takeaways

    • Deconstruction is a personal journey that varies for each individual.
    • Cults often use contracts and strict rules to control members' lives.
    • The emotional cost of leaving a cult can be profound, affecting family relationships.
    • Parenting styles can be influenced by past experiences in cults.
    • Finding peace and healing is possible after leaving a high-control group.
    • The process of deconstruction can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself.
    • Cults often exploit labor and manipulate finances for their benefit.
    • Sharing one's story can be a powerful tool for healing and connection.
    • The importance of emotional awareness in parenting cannot be overstated.
    • Cults can be seen as criminal enterprises that exploit their members.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Deconstruction
    01:33 Understanding IBLP and ATI
    05:45 The Cult Debate: Is IBLP a Cult?
    12:11 Navigating Different Deconstruction Timelines
    18:27 The Impact of Parenting on Deconstruction
    23:46 Sobriety and the Numbing Process
    28:31 Emotional Suppression in Cults
    31:11 The Birth of a Musical Concept
    32:14 Living with the Pain of Loss
    34:50 Navigating Family Relationships Post-Cult
    37:18 The Complexity of Conditional Love
    40:13 The Struggle of Acceptance and Identity
    43:12 The Irony of Family Dynamics
    46:22 Addiction to Certainty and Superiority
    49:15 Finding Peace in Acceptance
    53:05 The Journey of Healing and Advocacy

    Produced by Haley Phillips
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    58 mins
  • Episode 23 | Tia Levings Author of "A Well Trained Wife"

    Episode 23 | Tia Levings Author of "A Well Trained Wife"
    Jan 14 2025
    In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella engage with Tia Levings, a New York Times bestselling author and cult survivor. They discuss Tia's journey of writing her memoir, the impact of Christian patriarchy, and the allure of traditionalism in modern society. Tia shares her insights on the dynamics of complementarianism, the consequences of perfectionism, and the importance of storytelling in healing. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and empowerment among those affected by high-control groups, while also exploring the complexities of societal change and the role of women in shaping the future. Tia's Links https://tialevings.com/ https://tialevings.substack.com/ Instagram @tialevingswriter Threads @tialevingswriter TikTok @tialevingswriter Daniella's Links: You can read all about my story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here. https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured For more info on me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella’s Tiktok: https://bit.ly/3V6GK6k / KnittingCultLady Instagram: https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_ Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 Other Podcasts Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women Takeaways Tia's book started as therapeutic journals recommended by her therapist.The journey to writing a memoir can take years and evolve over time.Christian patriarchy influences many aspects of American culture.The concept of a 'cult without walls' highlights the pervasive nature of these deologies.Traditionalism can appear attractive but often masks deeper issues.Perfectionism is a significant burden for survivors of cults.The most vulnerable individuals often bear the brunt of abuse in high-control groups.Hope and empowerment are crucial in the face of societal chaos.People should always come before ideas in any belief system.Bitterness can serve as a powerful tool for healing and empowerment. Sound Bites "Welcome to 2025: A New Beginning" "It took years to tell my story" "Hope is stubborn and necessary" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of 2025 03:39 The Journey to Writing a Memoir 06:25 The Impact of Christian Patriarchy 09:30 The Connection Between Personal Experience and Cultural Issues 12:25 The Allure of Traditional Gender Roles 15:27 Nostalgia and Misconceptions of the Past 18:15 Facing the Truth of Domestic Discipline 21:30 The Importance of Sharing Stories 24:14 The Dynamics of Complementarianism 27:14 Recognizing Abuse and Empowering Individuals 31:20 Breaking Free from Perfectionism 33:39 Childhood Vulnerability in Cults 35:53 The Future of Cults and Youth Movements 37:18 Chaos and Fundamentalism 38:02 Narcissism and Cult Leadership 39:29 Women’s Empowerment and Resistance 40:27 Surviving Authoritarianism 41:53 The Power of Storytelling 43:16 Bitterness as Empowerment 52:59 People Over Ideas: A Fundamental Principle Produced by Haley Phillips
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    57 mins

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