『Cults and the Culting of America』のカバーアート

Cults and the Culting of America

Cults and the Culting of America

著者： Daniella Claire Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd
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概要

 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 社会科学
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  • Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady & Dr. Scot Loyd | 65 | The Children of AA

    Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady & Dr. Scot Loyd | 65 | The Children of AA
    2026/02/03

    Content warnings: discussion of child abuse, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, trauma, recovery culture, substance abuse, and high-control groups.

    In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella and Scot are joined by Violet, a writer and creator who grew up immersed in 12-step programs from infancy. Violet shares her lived experience of being raised in Alcoholics Anonymous, examining how recovery culture, often treated as sacred and beyond critique, can function as a high-control system, particularly for children. The conversation explores themes of indoctrination, isolation, shame, hierarchy based on "time sober," and the normalization of trauma exposure. Drawing parallels between AA, religious movements, cult dynamics, and other institutional systems, the hosts and Violet interrogate why these programs resist scrutiny, how harm is minimized in the name of "saving lives," and why children are consistently deprioritized. The episode closes with a clear call to keep children out of adult recovery spaces and to critically evaluate systems that claim moral authority while causing lasting harm.

    CONNECT WITH DANIELLA

    • GoFundMe for Culting of America: https://tr.ee/fldwYRFTJI
    • Autographed book: https://uncultureyourself.com/pages/uncultured-autographed
    • From Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/104058/9781250280114
    • Daniella's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GroupBehaviorGal
    • Daniella's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@knittingcultlady?lang=en
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/daniellamyoung_/
    • Unamerican Videobook: https://tr.ee/ODM-qtUJaR
    • Secret Practice Videobook: https://tr.ee/DGEY3IeQQm

    CONNECT WITH SCOT:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@thescotloyd

    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    • Children raised in 12-step environments are exposed to adult trauma, inappropriate conversations, and unsafe situations.
    • Alcoholics Anonymous and similar programs often function as high-control groups with informal hierarchies based on "time sober."
    • Shame, guilt, and thought-stopping tactics are commonly used to suppress criticism within recovery culture.
    • Harm caused within these systems is frequently minimized "for the good of the group."
    • Isolation from alternative worldviews is especially damaging to child development.
    • A system can help some people while still being deeply harmful to others—both can be true.
    • Critiquing AA is culturally taboo due to its outsized influence on American recovery narratives.
    • Parents are encouraged to prioritize sobriety and the group mission over their children's needs.
    • Recovery does not need to involve lifelong submission to a single belief system.
    • Protecting children should be a non-negotiable boundary, regardless of a program's stated benefits.

    CHAPTERS

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests

    01:53 Violet's Early Life in 12-Step Programs

    03:05 Questioning the 12-Step Programs

    06:52 Childhood Experiences and Observations

    11:27 The Impact of Trauma on Children in Recovery Programs

    13:35 The Concept of Guilt and Shame in Recovery

    20:50 The Hierarchy and Power Dynamics in 12-Step Programs

    28:02 The Religious Aspect of 12-Step Programs

    30:55 The Role of Meetings in Recovery

    32:05 Isolation and Its Impact on Development

    33:50 Indoctrination Through Community Activities

    35:07 Questioning Authority and the Reaction

    36:18 Cultural Influence of Alcoholics Anonymous

    39:18 Personal Struggles with Family Dynamics

    40:30 Recognizing the Harm in Recovery Programs

    48:45 The Importance of Protecting Children

    50:59 Balancing Personal Missions and Parenting

    Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann
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    57 分
  • Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 64 | Power Coalition and Getting Involved

    Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 64 | Power Coalition and Getting Involved
    2026/01/27
    In this special edition of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella speaks with Ashley Shelton, founder of the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice in Louisiana, about organizing, democracy, and what it actually means to fight authoritarianism in real life. Ashley draws on her background in philanthropy, disaster recovery, and voter engagement to explain how Black and Brown communities—particularly in Louisiana—have long relied on mutual aid and organizing because government support has historically been absent or extractive. The conversation connects current political threats, including voter suppression, Medicaid cuts, ICE activity, and the erosion of due process, to broader patterns seen in authoritarian regimes. Together, they argue that elections still matter, collective action works, and community-based organizing is one of the strongest tools available to resist democratic backsliding. The episode emphasizes empowerment over despair, calling listeners to engage locally, vote strategically, and stop treating elected officials like friends instead of employees. https://powercoalition.org/ Daniella's Links: Order Culting of America: The Culting of America – 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 Key Takeaways Organizing doesn't require ideological purity—just shared problem-solving and community trust. Black and Brown communities are often more prepared for mutual aid because government abandonment isn't new to them. Louisiana's political and economic structure (resource extraction + poverty) forces community interdependence. Federal budget cuts—especially to Medicaid—will have life-or-death consequences in poorer states. Elections are flawed but still one of the most powerful tools available to protect democracy. Disengagement and political helplessness are intentional outcomes of authoritarian strategy. Collective pressure (calls, protests, organizing) does move even extreme politicians. The erosion of due process affects everyone eventually—citizenship protections are more fragile than assumed. Authoritarianism thrives when communities stop talking to one another. Social media and decentralized platforms now rival traditional media in shaping public accountability. Democracy defense looks different for everyone—craftivism, education, calling reps, organizing all count. Accountability matters more than forgiveness; reconciliation without change enables harm. Pocketbook politics (healthcare, food, housing, utilities) cut through manufactured culture wars. History shows progress is fragile—and can be reversed if not actively defended. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ashley Shelton and the Power Coalition 01:47 Ashley's Journey into Organizing 02:54 The Importance of Community Support 05:03 Challenges in Louisiana and Community Resilience 08:50 Empowerment Through Voting and Civic Engagement 15:43 The Role of Elections in Democracy 19:05 Hope and Collective Action for Change 22:06 Engaging Well-Meaning Allies in the Fight 27:21 Communication Breakdown in Politics 28:11 The Reality of Accountability 29:52 The Stakes of Political Decisions 31:13 Understanding Class Warfare 33:05 The Meaning of Citizenship 36:45 Confronting America's History 38:00 Defining Moments in American History 39:30 Activism Through Craftivism 41:32 The Power of Social Media 45:26 The Role of Curiosity in Understanding Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann
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    52 分
  • 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
    2026/01/06
    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 分
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