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Cults and the Culting of America

Cults and the Culting of America

Auteur(s): Daniella Claire Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd
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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 Sciences sociales
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  • Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady & Dr. Scot Loyd | 63 | NA vs Opportunity

    Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady & Dr. Scot Loyd | 63 | NA vs Opportunity
    Jan 6 2026
    In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd are joined by hip-hop artist, author, and activist Spryte the Emcee, who shares her deeply personal journey through addiction, recovery, and eventual deconstruction from Narcotics Anonymous. Spryte recounts a childhood shaped by trauma, loss, and instability, followed by immersion in NA after a near-fatal overdose. While the program initially provided safety and structure, it later became increasingly coercive and controlling, particularly when Spryte pursued higher education and personal growth. The conversation explores how high-control dynamics mirror those found in religious cults and the military: rigid hierarchies, fear-based retention, conditional community, and the prioritization of the institution over individual wellbeing. Spryte describes being discouraged from trauma-informed therapy, pressured into unpaid labor, silenced after reporting sexual assault, and threatened with relapse and death when she chose to leave. Daniella and Scot contextualize these experiences within broader patterns of cult behavior, emphasizing that lifesaving support and systemic harm can coexist. Together, the hosts and guest examine exit costs, the myth of unconditional community, and why institutions react so aggressively when former members tell their stories. The episode underscores the importance of autonomy, access to outside information, and the courage required to reclaim one's narrative after leaving a high-control group. Connect with Spryte: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAEKbb7_CXqw3YR0-9bIXUw https://music.apple.com/us/artist/spryte-the-emcee/1570347589 https://open.spotify.com/artist/778OSUERPBwTmqkPoQ8IQg Daniella's Links: Preorder for Culting of America: The Culting of America PRE-SALE (SHIPS BY JANUARY 20, 2026) – Knitting Cult Lady Daniella Mestyanek Young's book: From Bookshop.org Uncultured Autographed: Connect with Daniella on social media TikTok Patreon Instagram Youtube Other Podcasts Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women Scot's Socials TikTok: @thescotloyd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thescotloyd Haley's Tiktok @nuancedmasculinities Key Takeaways Two things can be true at once: a group can provide real help while still being deeply harmful. 12-step programs can function as high-control groups when they rely on fear, hierarchy, and coercion. Conditional community is a major red flag—support often disappears once someone leaves. Trauma-informed therapy, not ideology, was key to Spryte's long-term healing. Institutions often react more strongly to members leaving than to harm happening within the group. Reporting abuse inside high-control groups is frequently discouraged or actively suppressed. Fear-based narratives about life "outside" are used to prevent people from leaving. Hierarchies, tokens, ranks, and longevity are used to enforce conformity and obedience. Telling one's story threatens institutions more than it threatens individuals. True recovery and growth require autonomy, not lifelong submission to a system. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Pushup Challenge 02:55 Sprite the MC: A Journey of Resilience 05:48 The Impact of Trauma and Recovery 08:35 Breaking Free from Cult Mindsets 11:22 The Struggles of Leaving a Support Group 14:12 The Cost of Leaving: Community and Isolation 17:12 The Reality of Support in Recovery 20:01 The Courage to Share Stories 22:51 Reflections on Personal Growth and Healing 25:00 The Illusion of Achievement in Recovery Programs 26:51 Hierarchies and Control in Group Dynamics 29:24 Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs 30:57 The Disconnect Between Online and Real Life 33:03 The Impact of High Control Groups 35:51 Navigating Trauma and Personal Stories 39:33 The Healing Power of Sharing Experiences 41:41 Resilience and the Journey of Recovery Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann
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    50 min
  • Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 62 | Cognitive Dissonance Fact Check

    Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 62 | Cognitive Dissonance Fact Check
    Dec 16 2025
    In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella sits down with political scientist Thomas Kelly to revisit one of the most foundational ideas in cult studies: cognitive dissonance. Their conversation centers on Leon Festinger's famous book When Prophecy Fails, which is often cited to explain why cult members double down on beliefs after predictions don't come true. Thomas walks through his research uncovering serious methodological and ethical problems with that original study, arguing that the historical record actually shows the opposite of what Festinger claimed. Rather than reinforcing belief, failed prophecy most often leads to attrition, disillusionment, and collapse. Together, Daniella and Thomas explore why this misunderstanding has shaped decades of cult research, how survivor voices were sidelined during the "cult wars," and why failed prophecies tend to wound groups far more than scholars once believed. The discussion expands into broader questions about coercive control, survivor testimony, ethical research methods, media involvement, and why people want prophecies to come true. The episode ultimately challenges listeners to rethink how we explain belief, persistence, and exit in high-control groups—and to be more skeptical of tidy psychological theories that ignore lived experience. Daniella's Links: Preorder for Culting of America: The Culting of America PRE-SALE (SHIPS BY JANUARY 20, 2026) – Knitting Cult Lady Daniella Mestyanek Young's book: From Bookshop.org Uncultured Autographed: Connect with Daniella on social media TikTok Patreon Instagram Youtube Other Podcasts Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women Scot's Socials TikTok: @thescotloyd Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thescotloyd Haley's Tiktok @nuancedmasculinities Key Takeaways When Prophecy Fails is deeply flawed and misrepresents what actually happened in Dorothy Martin's UFO cult. Historical evidence shows most groups do not grow stronger after failed prophecy; they fracture or dissolve. Festinger and his team interfered with the group they were studying, compromising the research. Cognitive dissonance as a concept does not stand or fall on this study, but the case should no longer be used as proof of belief "doubling down." Survivor voices were largely ignored during the development of cult scholarship, especially during the cult wars. Failed prophecy outcomes depend heavily on whether the prophecy is tied to a single charismatic authority or a broader interpretive framework (like scripture). Media attention played a significant role in shaping the cult's behavior before and after the prophecy failed. People in cults often want the prophecy to come true—it represents hope, purpose, and meaning. Coercive control is better understood through tactics and dynamics than rigid definitions of "cult." Studying real-world "natural experiments" may offer better insight into belief and compliance than lab psychology studies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cognitive Dissonance and Cults 01:21 Exploring 'When Prophecy Fails' and Its Implications 03:27 Critique of Festinger's Research and Methodology 06:28 Key Figures in the Study and Their Influence 07:56 Patterns in Cult Behavior and Promises of Space Travel 09:43 Failed Prophecies and Group Survival 10:56 Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research in Cult Studies 13:19 Ethical Considerations in Cult Research 17:55 The Complexity of Defining Cults 20:48 Cognitive Dissonance: Current Perspectives and Future Directions 27:44 The Quest for Belief: Cults and Prophecy 29:11 Media Influence on Cult Dynamics 30:31 After the Prophecy: Coping with Disappointment 32:24 The Psychology of Hope and Belief 34:06 Cognitive Dissonance: Understanding Belief Systems 36:59 Rethinking Cognitive Dissonance Studies 39:54 The Complexity of Cult Membership 43:44 Humanizing Cult Experiences 45:56 Personal Reflections on Cults and Immunity 51:14 Future Directions in Cult Research
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    53 min
  • Cults & The Culting of America w/ Dr. Scot Loyd | 61 | Jewish Black Supremacy Cult

    Cults & The Culting of America w/ Dr. Scot Loyd | 61 | Jewish Black Supremacy Cult
    Dec 10 2025

    In this episode, guest Ara Jade shares her seven-year experience inside a high-control religious group adjacent to the Hebrew Israelite movement, known as the Israel of God. She recounts how she was drawn in through family influence, biblical study practices, and a strong sense of community, only to later encounter manipulation, racism-based doctrine, misogyny, surveillance, fear tactics, and emotional control. Ara describes specific red flags, including purity rules for women, the weaponization of Black identity, pressure to obey male authority, and her arranged-like marriage. She explains how her awakening unfolded through personal losses, marital betrayal, and finally being dismissed by leadership when seeking protection. Ara concludes with thoughtful advice for people questioning their involvement in high-control groups, emphasizing listening to intuition, seeking outside perspectives, asking hard questions, and being gentle with oneself during the process of leaving and grieving.

    Daniella's Links:

    Preorder for Culting of America: The Culting of America PRE-SALE (SHIPS BY JANUARY 20, 2026) – Knitting Cult Lady

    Daniella Mestyanek Young's book:

    • From Bookshop.org

    • Uncultured Autographed:

    Connect with Daniella on social media

    • TikTok
    • Patreon
    • Instagram
    • Youtube

    Other Podcasts

    Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women

    Scot's Socials

    TikTok: @thescotloyd

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thescotloyd

    Haley's Tiktok

    @nuancedmasculinities

    Key Takeaways

    • The Israel of God mirrored Hebrew Israelite theology but distanced itself publicly while maintaining similar doctrines.

    • Black identity and biblical narratives were used to create belonging while simultaneously controlling members.

    • Fear-based teachings (hell, end times, impurity) played a key role in keeping members obedient.

    • Women were subjected to strict purity laws, gender hierarchy, and were often treated as property for marriage.

    • The community structure relied heavily on surveillance, gossip, and punitive social consequences.

    • Ara experienced pressure to marry men she did not choose, reflecting the group's patriarchal control.

    • Her father leaving the group, her grandmother passing away, and her husband's infidelity created a tipping point.

    • Church leaders minimized abuse, discouraged outside help, and expected spiritual authority over personal safety.

    • Leaving the group resulted in shunning but also clarity and relief.

    • Ara encourages listeners to trust gut feelings, seek outside information, and allow themselves compassion while exiting.

    • Missing aspects of the community after leaving is normal and part of healing.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Ara Jade's Journey
    03:08 Understanding Hebrew Israelites and Their Beliefs
    05:43 Ara's Experience with the Israel of God
    08:33 Initial Attraction and Community Building
    11:12 Red Flags and Cognitive Dissonance
    13:56 The Weaponization of Fear and Control
    16:30 Identity Stripping and Community Dynamics
    18:54 The Role of Forgiveness in Manipulation
    27:14 The Toxic Environment of the Cult
    29:50 Questioning Beliefs and Doctrines
    35:02 The Impact of Relationships and Marriage
    39:32 Realizations and Leaving the Cult
    46:12 Advice for Others in Similar Situations

    Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann
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    52 min
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I love the organisational perspective on this topic. It's a framework that helps you better understand the sometimes fine lines between healthy and unhealthy groups.

A new perspective

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