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Artwork for Cults and the Culting of America

Cults and the Culting of America

Daniella Claire Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd
Cults
Children Of God
Self-Sacrifice
NXIVM
Capitalism
United Pentecostal Church
Patriarchy
High Control Groups
Psychology
Emotional Manipulation
U.S. Military
Heaven's Gate
Social Issues Of the 1970s
White Supremacy
Total Institutions
Identity Formation
Military
Us Versus Them Mentality
Narcissistic Families
Roe V. Wade

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 Extensi... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes50Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Cults and the Culting of America

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young (“the Knitting Cult Lady”) interview Ruwan, a former member of OneTaste, a so-called “orgasm cult” centered around female sexuality and human connection... more

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In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Daniella Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd welcome Sydney, a member of the Cult Book Club, to share her personal story of growing up in the shadow of a multigenerational cult. Sydney recounts her... more

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In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young engage in a profound conversation with Elizabeth Abeysekera, who shares her harrowing experiences in the troubled teen industry. The discussion delves i... more

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This episode of Cults and the Culting of America features guest Jess M. (aka White Mess Express), a former nurse, alongside hosts Daniella Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd. The conversation explores how the U.S. healthcare system—particularly nursing—re... more

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Recent Guests

Cynthia Williams
Former member of the United Pentecostal Church, sharing her experiences and insights on cult behavior and control dynamics.
United Pentecostal Church International
Episode: Episode 42 | "Not My Church": Plausible Deniability in High-Control Systems
Hillary Giovale
Interdisciplinary scholar focusing on indigenous relations and author of 'Becoming a Good Relative'
Good Relative
Episode: Episode 41 | Decolonizing Yourself with Hilary Giovale
Dr. Scott Culpepper
History professor and researcher of the satanic panic
Christian university in Northwest Iowa
Episode: Episode 39 | "Satanic Panic" Facts and Fiction
Casey Saganaro
Former Starbucks barista and store manager, now a speech therapist
Episode: Episode 38 | Starbucks and Corporate Cults
Jonathan Hirsch
Former cult member and author of 'The Mind is Burning'
Simon & Schuster
Episode: Episode 37 | Caring For Relatives When They Didn't Care For You
Andi Wiseman
A frontline worker in the mental health and addictions field and author
Author of The Unsubtle Art of Unfucking Your Life
Episode: Episode 35 | AA From an Addiction Specialist
Benjamin John
An advocate against predatory self-help practices and mentor culture
Episode: Episode 33 | Improvement Gurus
Lydia Knight
Author, professional speaker, executive coach, and recipient of the Sacred Service Award.
The She Center
Episode: Episode 32 | Satanic Panic Debunked
Scott Okamoto
Author and educator exploring the intersections of faith and identity in pre-dominantly white evangelical contexts.
Episode: Episode 29 | Asian American Apostate

Hosts

Scott Lloyd
Co-host and fellow cult survivor, engaging in discussions about cult dynamics and sharing his experiences for educational purposes.
Daniella Mestyanek Young
Co-host and expert on cult dynamics, scholar, and author with personal experience in cults and the military, provides insightful perspectives on social issues related to control and manipulation.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 197 ratings
  • Always on point

    With anything Daniella discusses always relevant, informative and helpful

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ms.smortion
    Australia19 days ago
  • Thank you

    Excellent. Verifiable research, and personal experience delivered with authenticity.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ketra412
    United States4 months ago
  • Worth listening!

    I never thought I knew it all about cults but I have been learning about them ever since leaving one in 1979. Daniella’s insights are remarkable and she consistently makes new observations - like the “skinny white woman” role in a cult. I like that she challenges us to think about the cult dynamics that come up in society more broadly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    S. Irving
    United States9 months ago
  • Excellent Resource

    This podcast is an excellent resource for anyone trying to understand cults. It does seem that episode 7 (on isolation) is missing, which is a shame. I was looking forward to hearing what they had to say on this topic.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    208Hansen
    United States9 months ago
  • Recognize Coercive Patterns of Control

    This is not a trauma-🌽 cult podcast—Daniella’s unique perspective as a third-gen cult-kid offers much more than novelty. Where most post-cult entertainment content focuses heavily on the joiners—‘how could they ever?!’—Daniella’s work focuses on the cult-like patterns that *perpetrators* exhibit. Which is to say, the focus is directed in the correct direction.

    This, crucially, allows us a clear view of who these harmful leaders are and how we can arm ourselves against the tactics they and many ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    videoej
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its authentic storytelling and nuanced discussions on complex topics like cult manipulation and psychological impacts.
Many highlight the insightful perspectives of the hosts as both survivors and scholars, providing depth to personal and societal issues.
Audiences find the blend of personal anecdotes and broader analyses of cult behavior particularly engaging and thought-provoking.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cults and The Culting of America with Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Lloyd | Episode 47 | The Cultiness of Nursing
Q: What advice do you have for those looking to become better patients in the healthcare system?
Patients should approach their healthcare with gratitude, advocate for themselves, and recognize that healthcare professionals, although trained, are not infallible and should be engaged with critically.
Cults and The Culting of America with Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Lloyd | Episode 47 | The Cultiness of Nursing
Q: Why is nursing more intense and more culty than doctors?
Doctors are typically in a position of power, while nurses are expected to follow orders and carry the burden of patient care, which leads to a culture of self-sacrifice and marginalization.
Cults and The Culting of America with Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Lloyd | Episode 46 | The God I Was Given book coming out soon!
Q: What God were you given?
Scott discusses how his geographical and familial context shaped his understanding of God and religion.
Cults and The Culting of America with Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Lloyd | Episode 46 | The God I Was Given book coming out soon!
Q: What's your biggest fear in the book coming out?
Scott expresses a fear of being misunderstood and hopes that readers will take time to appreciate the depth and layers in his writing.
Episode 38 | Starbucks and Corporate Cults
Q: Can you explain how Starbucks promotes its leadership programs?
Casey explained that while Starbucks presents leadership programs as beneficial, they are often more about enhancing organizational needs rather than genuinely developing individuals.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cults and the Culting of America

What is Cults and the Culting of America about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content explores the intricate dynamics of cults, spanning personal narratives, academic insights, and critiques of broader societal structures. Particular focus is placed on high-control groups, manipulation, and the lasting psychological impacts experienced by survivors. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with guests who range from former cult members to experts in related fields, exploring topics like corporate cult behavior, societal pressures surrounding masculinity, and the psychological mechanisms behind cult-like recruitment tactics. The podcast provides a unique blend of personal testimony and scholarly analysis, aimed at fostering a better understanding of cults and the pervasive nature of manipulative practices in various ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cults and the Culting of America?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cults and the Culting of America:

1. Hey White Women
2. A Little Bit Culty
3. Cults to Consciousness
4. IndoctriNation
5. The Cult Next Door

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Cults and the Culting of America launched a year ago and published 50 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Cults and the Culting of America?

Recent guests on Cults and the Culting of America include:

1. Cynthia Williams
2. Hillary Giovale
3. Dr. Scott Culpepper
4. Casey Saganaro
5. Jonathan Hirsch
6. Andi Wiseman
7. Benjamin John
8. Lydia Knight

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