Daniella Mestyanek Young was born three generations deep into the Children of God and today, she finally gets out. At 15-years-old, she lands in Texas with no real education, no money and no friggin' idea how life on the outside works. But true to form, she badasses her way through it. And excels. Somehow, the girl who escaped one extreme, hierarchical world becomes an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army, deploys to Afghanistan, and helps make history for women in combat. But on her very first day of basic training she thinks: "Oh... I've joined another cult." Part Two of Daniella's incredible story is about what happens after you escape. Because getting out of a cult is one thing. Figuring out who the hell you are once you're free is another. _________ FOLLOW DANIELLAHer website → Knitting Cult Lady Instagram → @daniellamyoung_ YouTube → @KnittingCultLady Her books, Uncultured and The Culting of America → here FOLLOW US Instagram → @wasiinacult TikTok → @wasiinacult SUPPORT THE SHOW Join our Patreon! Ad-free episodes, bonus content, behind-the-scenes conversations, and our forever gratitude. HAVE A CULTY STORY? Email us → [email protected] SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Boll & Branch makes organic cotton sheets woven to keep you cool all night. 15% off plus free shipping → bollandbranch.com/cult, code: CULT Quince makes elevated everyday essentials at 50-80% less than similar brands. Free shipping and 365-day returns → quince.com/cult

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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