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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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À propos de cet audio

 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 | 58 | America Branded Fascism

    Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 58 | America Branded Fascism
    Nov 18 2025
    Content Warnings: Sexual assault and child sexual abuse Sex trafficking and the Epstein list Cult dynamics, coercive control, and brainwashing White supremacy, racism, xenophobia, and fascism Historical violence, genocide, Nazism, U.S. colonial atrocities, police violence Political extremism, MAGA, Trump administration actions Death, including anticipated death of a political figure Domestic extremism, ICE raids, and militarized responses Cult-related childhood trauma and labor camp environments In this episode Daniella ("Knitting Cult Lady") and historian Amanda Nelson dive into the deep historical currents beneath modern American politics, arguing that the chaos of the Trump era isn't unprecedented but deeply rooted in American history. They examine how panic, white exceptionalism, and a lack of historical education shape public reactions to authoritarian behavior. The conversation highlights parallels between MAGA and cult structures, emphasizing how "mission collapse" (such as the refusal to release the Epstein documents) destabilizes the movement. They explore how white Americans often misunderstand authoritarianism because they have been insulated from state violence, and how whiteness itself is a tool that can be used both to maintain oppressive systems and to dismantle them. They discuss protest strategy, noting that mass participation by everyday "normies"—especially white women—has historically been one of the few things authoritarian regimes respond to, even during Nazi Germany. The two discuss the limits of political institutions, the psychology of cult disengagement, and the likelihood that Trump himself will avoid legal accountability. They explore whether JD Vance would be "worse," ultimately concluding he would be more strategic but less chaotically dangerous. The episode closes with reflections on justice, narcissism, and the strange, painful reality that cult leaders often die unpunished, even as their followers suffer. Amanda's Links: tiktok instagram threads youtube facebook 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 Panic feels productive but is politically ineffective; organized, sustained action is what matters. White American panic often reflects unfamiliarity with state violence experienced by others. U.S. authoritarianism has deep historical precedents, not just recent ones. Americans default to Nazi comparisons due to limited education and universal patterns of authoritarianism. National exceptionalism is a major red flag for cult-like thinking. White women have historically not shown up in protest movements despite their cultural protection and organizing power. Regimes often back down when "normies," especially white women, show up en masse to protest. MAGA operates like a cult with a charismatic leader, transcendent mission, and predictable collapse pattern. Trump's refusal to release the Epstein files broke the core promise of "drain the swamp," damaging the movement's internal stability. People rarely leave cults with dramatic awakenings; exits are quiet and painful. White women can use their social protection to shield more vulnerable groups during protests. The U.S. population size and armed citizenry make totalitarian consolidation unstable and unsustainable. JD Vance would be strategically dangerous but less chaotic and impulsive than Trump. Cult leaders often avoid punishment; public anticipation of their downfall may be its own form of consequence. The patriarchy is deeply entrenched, but mass exposure of crimes (like Epstein files) could destabilize political power. Lack of historical literacy prevents people from recognizing authoritarian patterns. "Normie-led" protests are historically what end authoritarian pushes. The MAGA movement is fracturing due to mission collapse and internal contradictions. The conversation emphasizes harm reduction rather than fantasies of quick political salvation. Mass organization, not despair, is the path to meaningful opposition. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to American History and Culture 02:48 Understanding Panic and Historical Precedents 05:52 The Role of Race and Identity in American History 08:32 The Puritans and American Exceptionalism 11:28 Xenophobia and the American Identity 14:06 Protests and the Role of White Women 17:10 The Complexity of American Values 19:55 Cults, Authoritarianism, and American Politics 22:46 The Power of Collective Action 25:45 Conclusion and Call to Action 29:42 The Role of White Allies in Activism 34:03 The Power...
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    55 min
  • Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady & Dr. Scot Loyd | 57 | Born and Razed

    Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady & Dr. Scot Loyd | 57 | Born and Razed
    Nov 11 2025
    Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of religious and institutional abuse, child abuse, disordered eating, family estrangement, mental illness, trauma recovery, and medication withdrawal. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Dr. Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young speak with Beth Granger, author of Born and RAZED: Surviving the Cult Was Only Half the Battle. Beth shares her experience growing up at Grenville Christian College, a Canadian boarding school later revealed to be a religious cult connected to the Community of Jesus. She describes the systematic control, emotional and physical abuse, and the long process of recovery and rediscovery that followed her escape. The conversation dives into the complexities of grief, family estrangement, and the enduring impact of coercive religious systems. Beth also discusses her role as a representative plaintiff in a landmark class-action lawsuit against the institution, and how advocacy, writing, and community have shaped her healing. The episode ends with a reflective discussion about deconstruction, the search for meaning after leaving high-control groups, and what it means to "live with it" as an adult survivor. Disclaimer: This conversation is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical, legal, or therapeutic advice. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources are available: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (US) National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237 Beth's Book: Amazon 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 Religious abuse can hide in plain sight: Grenville Christian College operated for decades as a "prestigious" Anglican school while functioning as a coercive cult. Systemic control dismantled family bonds: Children were separated from parents, spied upon, and punished under the guise of spiritual discipline. Recovery is lifelong: Leaving a cult is only the beginning—true healing often unfolds over decades. Grief is complex for survivors: Survivors grieve not only their past but also the version of themselves and families they never got to fully have. Weaponized religion causes lasting harm: Faith can be used as a tool of control, and rebuilding a healthy spiritual or secular identity takes time. Community resilience matters: The class-action lawsuit gave survivors both validation and voice, setting legal precedent in Canada. Art and storytelling as healing: Beth's memoir and Daniella's creative work illustrate how expression can help survivors reclaim their narratives. Ambiguity is part of recovery: Many survivors find peace not in certainty, but in learning to live with doubt. Intergenerational healing is possible: Rebuilding family connection and emotional fluency can break the cycle of silence. Living with it: Healing doesn't erase trauma—it integrates it into a fuller, more authentic life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cult Experiences 01:39 Beth Granger's Journey as a Cult Survivor 03:02 Life Inside the Cult: A Personal Account 05:16 Surviving and Recovering from Cult Life 10:17 The Importance of Recovery Narratives 11:27 The Breaking Point: Realizations and Escape 18:44 Grief and Loss After Leaving the Cult 24:43 Navigating Faith and Doubt Post-Cult 26:37 Navigating Personal Beliefs and Cult Influence 31:30 The Role of Music in Healing and Identity 37:36 Grief and Family Dynamics Post-Cult 40:59 Community Resilience Against Coercive Organizations 47:54 The Impact of Trauma and the Journey to Healing Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann
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    52 min
  • Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 56 | Brazilian Dictatorship and Resilience

    Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 56 | Brazilian Dictatorship and Resilience
    Nov 4 2025
    In this special episode, Daniella Mestyanek Young ("Knitting Cult Lady") speaks with Dr. Bryan Pitts, Assistant Director of UCLA's Latin American Institute, about the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964–1985) and how studying Brazil's political history can help Americans understand current threats to democracy. They compare U.S. and Brazilian political systems, the cultural myths that obscure inequality (the "American Dream" vs. Brazil's "racial democracy"), and the interplay between religion, class, and authoritarianism. The discussion explores how political elites, class structures, and the military shaped Brazil's dictatorship and its fall, how the U.S. normalizes corruption through legality, and why Americans struggle to recognize creeping authoritarianism. The episode ends with reflections on community resilience, the dangers of individualism, and lessons from Brazil on defending democracy. Dr. Pitts' Book: Amazon 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 U.S. comparisons to Nazi Germany miss nuances—Latin American dictatorships, especially Brazil's, offer more relevant parallels. Brazil's 1964 coup was not purely CIA-driven but enabled by U.S. encouragement and anti-communist ideology. The Brazilian dictatorship's fall was driven by local politicians regaining influence and citizens mobilizing for democracy. Brazil's political class and military were both hereditary systems that reinforced inequality and control. Corruption in Brazil was often criminalized campaign funding—whereas in the U.S., "legal corruption" (e.g., Citizens United) plays a similar role. National myths—America's "classless society" and Brazil's "racial democracy"—mask systemic inequality and prevent honest reckoning. Daniella and Bryan compare cult structures to political systems: authoritarian control thrives on isolation, hierarchy, and sacred assumptions. Bureaucracy and decentralization (local politics, paperwork, institutional rules) often protect democracy better than charismatic leadership. The Brazilian opposition's shift from abstract "save democracy" rhetoric to focusing on people's material needs (poverty, inequality) was pivotal to defeating authoritarianism. Americans may not recognize creeping dictatorship because they lack collective memory of one; Brazil's experience offers a warning and a roadmap. The U.S. military's apolitical stance may protect against coups but limits civic intervention when democracy erodes. Building community and mutual aid networks is crucial as a counter to isolation and authoritarian individualism. Both guests reflect on how growing up in cults or authoritarian systems gave them insight into manipulation, obedience, and ideological rigidity. Authoritarianism can appear on the left or right; unquestioning certainty is itself cult-like. Brazilians unified quickly to defend democracy after Bolsonaro's attempted coup—contrasting sharply with U.S. responses after January 6th. Americans over-trust institutions and underestimate the need for civic defense of democracy. Brazil's "relative democracy" under dictatorship reveals how regimes justify authoritarian control in the name of "protection." Structural inequality, not individual failure, drives poverty—an insight both guests developed from missionary childhoods. Both guests emphasize that understanding other nations' histories is vital to preventing tyranny at home. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation 02:18 Personal Backgrounds and Cultural Insights 11:40 Understanding Brazil's Military Dictatorship 18:33 The Role of the Political Elite in Brazil 24:25 Class and Military Dynamics in Brazil and the US 29:06 Sacred Assumptions and the American Dream 30:28 The Decline of the American Dream 31:41 Comparing Dictatorships: The U.S. and Latin America 35:07 Cultural Diversity and National Identity 38:37 Birthright Citizenship and Its Implications 42:48 Political Maneuvering During Dictatorship 52:04 Lessons from Brazil's Political History 55:03 The Role of Community in Political Change 56:01 Introduction to Authoritarianism and Democracy 58:33 The Role of Institutions in Protecting Democracy 01:01:36 Military's Role in American Politics 01:04:22 Cult Dynamics in Military and Academia 01:07:19 Experiences of Extremism and Authoritarianism 01:10:15 The Importance of Community and Resistance Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann
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    1 h et 15 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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