Show notes
Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Cults and the Culting of America" podcast! Join hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young as they dive into the fascinating world of cults, extreme groups, and toxic leadership. In this episode, Daniella shares her journey from growing up in the notorious Children of God cult to joining the U.S. Army and becoming a scholar of cult dynamics. Discover the psychological tactics used by cults to control and manipulate followers, and learn how these methods appear in everyday groups and systems. Scot and Daniella discuss why cults are a hot topic today and explore the societal changes making people more vulnerable to cultic influences. Tune in for an insightful discussion on recognizing and understanding the toxic elements in groups and the importance of individual awareness. Don't miss this engaging introduction to a series that will unpack the complexities of cult behavior and its impact on society. Be sure to like, rate, and share this episode to help spread the word. Follow Daniella on social media and check out her books "Uncultured" and "UnAmerican" for more in-depth insights. Join us on this journey to uncover the truth about cults and their pervasive influence. Connect with Scot at: https://www.tiktok.com/@thescotloyd Connect with Daniella at: My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GroupBehaviorGal TikTok: @daniellamestyanekyoung Instagram: @_daniellamyoung https://www.uncultureyourself.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFRBZ2w3QsYs7Km69keHsg UnAMERICAN Videobook Get the book: UNCULTURED: A Memoir "A propulsive memoir delivered in the honest tones of a woman who didn't always think she'd live to tell her story." --NYT See a Sample Chapter in Rolling Stone Magazine See a Sample Chapter in The Sydney Herald Words in: Newsweek & Narratively Get a copy of UNCULTURED: Digital, Audio, or Hardcopy or preorder the paperback as a holiday gift for a friend. Get an Autographed copy here: https://uncultureyourself.com/pages/uncultured-autographed Transcript Scot: Welcome to the "Cults and the Culting of America" podcast! I'm your host, Scott Lloyd, and I'm here with Daniella Mestyanek Young, a scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. Daniella, how are you today? Daniella: I'm doing great, Scott! How about you? Scot: I'm good, thanks! I see you've been super busy lately. Every time I open Instagram or TikTok, you're going live. How do you manage to talk so much from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.? Daniella: (Laughs) It's funny you mention that. When recording the audiobook for "Uncultured," I discovered I have no trouble talking for seven to nine hours a day. While others worry about losing their voice, that wasn't the hard part for me. Right now, I'm talking to a lot of people about cults, which are a hot topic these days. Historically, cults thrive during times of societal change because people crave clarity and leadership. Scot: That makes sense, given everything going on. Your book, "Uncultured," is fantastic and really sheds light on your experiences growing up in the Children of God cult and later joining the Army. I recently moved to Springfield, Illinois, and saw your book featured as a must-read at Barnes & Noble. Congrats on all the success! Daniella: Thank you so much! I love seeing those photos of "Uncultured" in the wild. I appreciate the introduction. As you mentioned, I grew up in the Children of God cult, which is one of the worst you'll hear about on this podcast. I later joined the U.S. Army and earned a master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Harvard Extension School. Now, I'm a scholar of cults, extreme groups, and extremely bad leadership. I compare what I do to an intelligence officer's work, helping people understand group behavior and recognize cult tactics in everyday life. Scot: Absolutely. Your book has been a great resource in understanding my own experiences with the United Pentecostal Church, which had many cult-like behaviors, especially in policing the bodies of women. These groups often use appearance and attitude policing to control individuals, stripping away their individuality. Daniella: Exactly. Cults exist for labor and control, using predictable patterns of coercive control. Appearance and attitude policing are key tactics. We'll discuss this more in our episode on self-sacrifice, but the goal is always to erase the individual for the group's or leader's benefit. Scot: That loss of individualism is a common thread in many cults and extreme groups. For example, in the Pentecostal church, the exuberant worship practices often lead to a collective loss of self, making individuals more susceptible to groupthink and control. Daniella: Yes, chanting and group activities make us highly susceptible to suggestion. It's a common tactic in cults and other controlling environments. We'll explore this further in the podcast, breaking down my 10-part definition of cults and comparing these tactics to behaviors in everyday groups and systems. Scot: I'm thrilled about this podcast and the opportunity to learn from you. Why do you think cults are such a hot topic right now? Daniella: America is going through significant societal changes, similar to the 70s. People are seeking clarity and community, making them more vulnerable to cults. Additionally, we're revisiting social issues and questioning longstanding systems like patriarchy, racism, and capitalism. Cult tactics are everywhere, and it's crucial to recognize them to navigate these systems better. Scot: Well said. This podcast aims to educate and help people understand the toxic elements in groups and systems. I invite everyone to join us on this journey. Like, rate, and share this episode to help us spread the word. Daniella, thank you for sharing your insights. Daniella: Thank you, Scott. To our listeners, get my book "Uncultured" wherever books are sold, or check out my second book, "UnAmerican," on Patreon. Follow us on social media for more updates, and stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll dive deeper into what makes a cult a cult. For Daniella, I'm Scott. See you next time on "Cults and the Culting of America"!