Cults and the Culting of America
Daniella Claire Mestyanek Young and Scot LoydDaniella 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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 70 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | EducationSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella and Scot speak with Dr. Cheyenne Gunn, a social media strategist and former member of the online activist network Operation Olive Branch. Cheyenne shares how she was recruited into the gro... more
Edward Francis joins Daniella and Scot to explore the cult-like dynamics inside drum corps and competitive marching arts. A former performer, judge, and designer deeply embedded in the activity for 25 years, Edward unpacks how high-control structures... more
In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella speaks with Allison Powell, a longtime election judge from Illinois who has worked elections for nearly three decades. Allison explains how local elections actually function behind the sce... more
CONTENT WARNINGS: Political extremism, fascism, authoritarianism, military force, war, January 6th, detention centers, corruption, sexual misconduct references (Epstein), strong language.
In this special unscripted episode, Daniella speaks with fe... more
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Reviews
- Please fix audio quality
Interesting podcast but difficult to enjoy due to poor audio quality.
Apple Podcasts4JWDox
United States3 months ago - Intelligent and Empathetic Look at the lives of cult survivors
I love this podcast and I love Daniella’s work in general. Y’all have some very thoughtful guests and do some very thorough breakdowns on these topics.
I will say, though, that the audio quality could use some improvement. Daniella’s audio is noticeably fuzzier a lot of the time, and I notice a lot of overlapping audio when multiple people are talking and no one is willing to pause to let someone else finish their sentence. This stuff really needs to be cleaned up in post because it’s really ha... more
Apple Podcasts4dickvanSIKEUnited States3 months ago - Always on point
With anything Daniella discusses always relevant, informative and helpful
Apple Podcasts5ms.smortion
Australia7 months ago - Thank you
Excellent. Verifiable research, and personal experience delivered with authenticity.
Apple Podcasts5Ketra412United States10 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 Podcasts5S. IrvingUnited Statesa year ago
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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?
This series centers on cults, high-control groups, and the social dynamics that sustain them, with a strong focus on personal narratives from survivors and critical analysis of recovery movements, belief systems, and leadership manipulation. Episodes frequently examine how charismatic leaders, social isolation, and systemic biases shape belonging, identity, and community across settings—from recovery cultures to political activism and education. Notable strengths include rigorous, survivor-informed perspectives and a willingness to challenge mainstream narratives about “cult” dynamics, making the show a potentially valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and advocates seeking to understand manipulation tactics and protective strat... 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. Conspirituality
3. If Books Could Kill
4. Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan
5. You're Wrong About
How many episodes of Cults and the Culting of America are there?
Cults and the Culting of America launched 2 years ago and published 70 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. Allison Powell
2. Daniella Mestyanek Young
3. Angry Male Vet
4. Knitting Cult Lady
5. Michaela Jackson
6. Ashley Shelton
7. Sprite the Emcee
8. Thomas Kelly
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