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Cults and the Culting of America

Cults and the Culting of America

De: Daniella Mestyanek Young
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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 Ciencias Sociales
Episodios
  • Cults and The Culting of America with Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Lloyd | Episode 45 | Sunday Brunch: The Musical

    Cults and The Culting of America with Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Lloyd | Episode 45 | Sunday Brunch: The Musical
    Jul 30 2025
    In this episode, Scott Loyd interviews the creators and a performer from Sunday Brunch: The Musical, a new theatrical work that humorously explores cult dynamics through a family brunch gone spectacularly wrong. While cult expert and regular host Daniella Mestyanek Young is absent due to technical difficulties, she sends in praise for the team’s viral “cult song,” noting how deeply it resonated with survivor experiences. Guests Ernie Bird (composer/co-writer), Rachel Abramon (lyricist/co-writer), and Gabrielle Filloux (performer) delve into the creative origins, songwriting process, and comedic construction of the show. Originally written during a jobless winter break as a fun project between friends, Sunday Brunch grew into a layered musical exploring dysfunction, privilege, and the absurdities of cult logic—all grounded in levity and genuine empathy. Their viral charm song features an escalating back-and-forth between two characters trying to one-up each other’s trauma—with one repeatedly revealing that every family member is, in fact, in a cult. The group discusses the delicate balance of comedy and respect, how cult themes naturally wove into the narrative, and how they may expand the story into a larger universe featuring the three-headed bear deity and warring cults. The episode also explores broader insights into cult dynamics, including the “meta-cults” of capitalism, white supremacy, and toxic workplace culture. Each guest shares personal brushes with high-control environments, even if not officially in cults, reinforcing the pervasiveness of coercive systems in everyday life. Keep up with the Musical: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundaybrunchthemusical/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erniebored Ernie’s site: https://imerniebird.com 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: Knitting Cult Lady 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 Scot's TikTok @thescotloyd Haley's Tiktok @nuancedmasculinities Key Takeaways 🥞 Sunday Brunch is about more than brunch: What began as a casual writing experiment became a thoughtful and absurdist musical that explores cult dynamics through comedy. 🎶 The “Cult Song” hit a nerve: The viral charm song resonated deeply with survivors—especially its honest portrayal of how absurd (and painful) cult logic can be when juxtaposed with “normal” life. 🎭 Comedy with respect: The team imposed structural rules (e.g., every chorus must mention the cult) that challenged them to find humor without mocking trauma—highlighting the difficulty and importance of “punching up.” 🧠 Art can offer catharsis: Humor becomes a vehicle for emotional release, empathy, and representation of marginalized experiences—including those of cult survivors. 🐻 There’s lore now?! The writers accidentally created rich backstory (e.g., cult wars, a three-headed bear god, a waitress married to a cult leader) and are considering a spin-off musical set fully inside the cult. 💬 Cult experiences exist on a spectrum: Even without direct cult involvement, all guests reflected on how systems—like oppressive workplaces or nationalist ideologies—can mimic cult behavior. ❤️ Creative partnerships matter: Ernie and Rachel’s deep friendship and comedic trust allowed for bold, weird, and eventually impactful storytelling. 📢 Support artists: Follow Sunday Brunch: The Musical on Instagram and TikTok [@sundaybrunchthemusical], and look out for their official demos coming soon to Spotify. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sunday Brunch Musical 02:59 The Creative Process Behind Sunday Brunch 05:54 Character Development and Song Composition 08:56 Exploring Themes of Cults in the Musical 12:05 Comedy in Musical Theater 15:10 Personal Experiences with Cults 17:57 The Role of Art and Comedy in Society 21:09 Future Projects and Aspirations 24:01 Conclusion and Call to Action Produced by Haley Phillips
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    43 m
  • Episode 44 | The Cult of Capitalism

    Episode 44 | The Cult of Capitalism
    Jul 22 2025
    This episode of Cults and the Culting of America features guest Kelvin, a political scientist and community organizer, in a deep dive on whether capitalism functions as a cult and how overlapping systems like patriarchy, white supremacy, and religion have historically reinforced each other. The hosts, Scot and Daniella, explore the evolution of these frameworks—from European colonialism and the doctrine of discovery to modern American politics—and discuss how these systemic beliefs sustain cult-like behaviors in society. The conversation covers the historical hijacking of Christianity, education as a control mechanism, the cult of Americanism, and the psychological and political strategies that uphold oppressive systems. The episode closes with an optimistic note about generational shifts, the decline of white supremacist capitalism, and practical advice on grassroots activism. 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: Knitting Cult Lady 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 Scot's TikTok @thescotloyd Haley's Tiktok @nuancedmasculinities 🔑 Key Takeaways Capitalism as a Social Framework (Not Just Economics) Capitalism is more than markets; it’s a way of being that shapes education, infrastructure, and social values. Systems like schooling and urban planning are designed to sustain capitalist efficiency, not holistic human development. The “Cult of Americanism” American identity was built on the fusion of capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy, forming a powerful social order. These ideologies served as tools to consolidate and distribute power, functioning like a macro-level cult. Religion as a Tool of Oppression Early Christianity advocated communalism and equity, but the Roman Empire co-opted it into a hierarchical system for control. Similar hijacking occurs today: religious rhetoric justifies policies that maintain systemic inequality. Historical Continuity of Control From feudal Europe’s restricted education to modern book bans and anti-CRT measures, elites have always used education to control narratives. Missionary work historically served as an agent of colonialism, reinforcing white supremacist dominance. Cult Dynamics in Modern Politics Donald Trump leveraged pre-existing ideological “mini cults” into a cult of personality. Fear-mongering and disinformation perpetuate obedience, especially among poor whites who vote against their own interests. Intersection of Racism, Class, and Patriarchy Patriarchy incentivizes Black men’s alignment with conservative politics despite racial oppression, framing it as access to power. Economic myths—like the American Dream—sustain loyalty to capitalist structures even among those it exploits. Signs of Systemic Decline Demographic shifts and younger generations’ progressive values suggest that white supremacist capitalism is in “death throes.” Cults collapse when they lose control of youth—an encouraging sign for future equity. Action Step for Listeners “Find something you care about and show up where it’s happening.” Collective action grows when individuals commit to causes aligned with their values. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Launch 03:02 Exploring Capitalism as a Social Framework 05:44 Cults and Cultural Frameworks 08:51 The Cult of Americanism 11:50 Racism and Colonialism in America 14:52 The Evolution of Christianity and Power 17:50 Missionaries and Colonialism 20:59 The Arrogance of White Supremacy 23:45 Closing Thoughts on Education and Power 29:12 The Role of Education in Society 31:21 Questioning Authority and Personal Experiences 35:09 The Impact of Capitalism and White Supremacy 39:13 The Illusion of the American Dream 43:52 The Death Throes of White Supremacy and Capitalism 48:55 Shifts in Political Support Among Black Men 53:25 Hope for the Future and Community Engagement Produced by Haley Phillips
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    57 m
  • Episode 42 | "Not My Church": Plausible Deniability in High-Control Systems

    Episode 42 | "Not My Church": Plausible Deniability in High-Control Systems
    Jul 1 2025
    In this revealing and emotionally rich episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Cynthia Williams joins hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young to unpack her journey through—and out of—the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI). Cynthia shares how, like many others, she once believed that her local church was different. The rules were strict, yes, but they felt spiritually justified—until the cracks began to show. As Cynthia puts it, the realization came slowly: “I think it's probably just in the last two years… that I finally was like, wait a minute, I think I was in a cult.” That moment of clarity is a turning point in the episode, as the conversation explores how UPCI and similar groups protect themselves through plausible deniability. “Not my church,” people say—oblivious or unwilling to confront the broader systemic harm. Cynthia describes how Bible college exposed her to both a deeper version of indoctrination and—paradoxically—the seeds of her exit. Through theology classes and critical thinking challenges, she began questioning the very doctrines that once gave her purpose. The episode also dives into her experience witnessing the tragic death of a teenage girl at Bible school—a loss that the church quickly co-opted into a martyrdom narrative, silencing Cynthia’s voice and rewriting the truth. Alongside moments of grief and spiritual disillusionment, the hosts discuss cult tactics like toxic positivity, spiritual bypassing, gendered control, and the recurring pattern of falling into other high-control environments even after leaving religion. From the military to corporate America, Cynthia’s story traces how these systems echo one another—and how healing requires naming those echoes for what they are. With warmth, honesty, and shared survivor wisdom, this episode is a candid look at what it means to say, “Maybe it was my church after all.” 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: Knitting Cult Lady 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 Scot's TikTok @thescotloyd Haley's Tiktok @nuancedmasculinities Key Take-Aways 🚩 On Cult Dynamics in UPCI: Rules varied by pastor but enforced absolute obedience, reinforcing the illusion of autonomy while maintaining tight control. Women were subjected to extreme modesty standards, with the specifics often shifting—creating confusion and deep internalization of shame and obedience. Plausible deniability ("not my church") was used to disguise systemic problems across UPCI. 👩‍🦰 On Gender & Power: Women in UPCI were expected to be either angelic “saints” or demonized “Jezebels”—no in-between. Women showing independence or intellect were often ostracized or tightly policed. Cynthia’s racial identity and outsider status gave her marginal freedom to step outside strict gender molds—but also made her invisible in some ways. 🧠 On Deconstruction & Identity: Bible school inadvertently helped Cynthia develop critical thinking, ultimately aiding her exit. Leaving the group meant not just losing community, but also certainty, purpose, and a framework for meaning. Like many ex-cult members, Cynthia found herself repeatedly drawn to similarly high-control environments even after leaving UPCI. 💥 On Trauma & Abuse: The murder of a student Cynthia mentored was mishandled by the church, which spun the event into a martyrdom narrative—silencing Cynthia and distorting the truth. This cover-up became a breaking point, highlighting the institution’s willingness to exploit tragedy for control and propaganda. Cynthia shares how old coping strategies like breaking into church songs still emerge under stress—signs of deep conditioning and dissociation. 🧵 On Community & Healing: A strong, emotionally safe partnership is key in Cynthia’s healing journey. Daniella highlights the concept of being an “invisible immigrant”—growing up in an insular religious world without cultural references or grounding in the outside world. They celebrate the comfort and solidarity found in the “ex-cult sisterhood”—a chosen family of people who get it. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cult Experiences 03:10 Personal Journeys in the United Pentecostal Church 06:01 Expectations and Restrictions for Women 08:46 Identifying Cult-like Behaviors 11:54 The Role of Education in ...
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    58 m
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