Cults and the Culting of America

• Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 56 | Brazilian Dictatorship and Resilience

  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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• Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 55 | The Power of Story Telling

  In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella Mestyanek Young (aka Knitting Cult Lady) speaks with Chicago educator and social work student Jamal Bruce about his experiences teaching, navigating race and identity, and how her memoir Uncultured influenced his career pivot from education to social work. Their conversation explores how America's educational and social systems function as cult-like institutions that condition compliance, suppress individuality, and reflect deeper cultural hierarchies. Together, they draw parallels between trauma survival, masking behaviors, racial inequity, and the ways storytelling can challenge systemic norms. They also discuss how white privilege manifests in subtle daily ways, the importance of listening across difference, and the transformative power of reading beyond one's own identity. 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 Autograph:  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: Jamal Bruce, a Black high school teacher in Chicago, found Uncultured profoundly validating and inspiring, prompting his shift toward social work. Daniella and Jamal discuss how schools often mirror cult-like systems that demand conformity and suppress individuality. Both highlight how trauma survivors often overachieve as a coping mechanism—seeking safety in perfection and compliance. Educators of color are more likely to "see" marginalized students and advocate for them because of shared systemic experiences. The U.S. educational model has roots in Puritan indoctrination and continues to prioritize obedience over humanity. White privilege shows up in small, everyday ways—like who gets questioned, believed, or celebrated for multilingualism. The conversation emphasizes the need to believe marginalized voices rather than debate their experiences. Daniella reflects on how publishing, like education, gatekeeps whose stories are told and deemed "marketable." Both guests stress reading broadly and engaging with diverse perspectives as a way to dismantle bias and foster empathy. Uncultured demonstrates how personal trauma can illuminate collective social conditioning, inviting broader discussions of power, race, and belonging. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Uncultured Perspectives 02:41 The Role of Educators in Social Change 05:26 Personal Stories of Advocacy and Support 08:19 The Cult-like Nature of Education 11:20 Navigating Identity and Trauma in Education 14:10 The Intersection of Race and Education 16:44 The Impact of Trauma on Academic Performance 19:35 The Complexity of Privilege and Identity 22:33 The Need for Authenticity in Education 25:27 Conclusion: Shared Experiences and Collective Growth 29:03 Finding Your Audience in Storytelling 30:25 Relating Through Shared Emotions 32:33 Understanding Different Perspectives 34:53 The Importance of Believing Experiences 37:32 Recognizing Privilege in Society 40:32 Bilingualism and Perceptions of Intelligence 44:06 Challenging Gender and Racial Stereotypes 48:18 The Journey of Deconstructing Worldviews 51:06 The Power of Diverse Narratives Produced by Haley Phillips, Lizy Freudmann, and Meghan Picmann

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• Cults & The Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady & Scot Loyd | 54 | Join A Club, Not A Cult

  In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella and Scot talk with brother-sister filmmakers Rebecca and Pete Davis, co-directors of the documentary Join or Die. The film explores the steep decline in civic engagement across America and how rebuilding community is the antidote to the loneliness, polarization, and manipulation that make people vulnerable to cults. Together, they discuss the connection between isolation and extremism, how everyday community life has eroded over decades, and why showing up for local action is both a civic duty and a personal safeguard against coercive control. From Bowling Alone to the "cult of media," this conversation challenges listeners to ask one question: What am I doing alone that I could be doing together? Pete and Rebecca's Links: Website Movie Daniella's Links: Preorder for Culting of America: The Culting of America PRE-SALE (SHIPS BY JANUARY 20, 2026) – Knitting Cult Lady Go Fund Me for Culting of America: https://tr.ee/fldwYRFTJI Daniella Mestyanek Young's book:  From Bookshop.org Uncultured Autograph:  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 ultimate inoculation against bad community is good community. 43% of Americans report belonging to zero community groups — a sign of deep civic decline. Cults exploit the human need for belonging that isolation leaves unmet. Healthy communities build "social capital" — the foundation of both democracy and resilience. Television, air conditioning, and social media each contributed to the privatization of daily life. Online groups offer connection but lack the embodied care of local, face-to-face relationships. "Civic reforestation" starts small — hosting a club, joining a group, showing up in person. Conflict isn't bad; learning to have it well is a democratic skill. Attention is power — Americans spend about 10 hours a day consuming media instead of creating community. Every movement in history began with about 1% of people showing up. Cult-proof your life by diversifying your relationships and commitments. Start where you are: know your neighbors, host a screening, join something local. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Introductions 02:00 – Why We Need Good Communities 04:00 – Isolation as a Weapon 05:30 – A 75-Year Decline in Connection 09:00 – Democracy and Social Fabric 12:00 – Air Conditioning, Modernity, and Lost Stoops 14:00 – What Are You Doing Alone That You Could Be Doing Together? 17:00 – From Online to Embodied Community 19:00 – The Cult of Media & Attention Theft 22:00 – Mono-Focus and Cult Vulnerability 26:00 – Why We Have Fewer Friends Now 30:00 – Learning the Lost Art of Organizing 33:00 – Lessons from History 36:00 – Conflict Is Good in a Democracy 40:00 – How to Watch or Host "Join or Die" 42:00 – Showing Up: The Real Inoculation 45:00 – Closing Reflections Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann  

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• Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Loyd | ep53 | The God Scot Was Given

  In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young unpack Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's recent dystopian-sounding address to military leadership, examining it through the lens of cult psychology, gendered standards, and authoritarian control. Daniella dissects how "standards" and "professionalism" in the military are tools to maintain patriarchal and racial hierarchies, using examples like grooming policies and "gender-neutral" male standards. She argues that rhetoric like Hegseth's is part of a broader movement toward Christian nationalism and toxic militarized masculinity, dubbing it the "Mojo Dojo Casa Military." Together, they explore whether the U.S. military could ever be used against American citizens, why cult-like obedience structures are dangerous, and how individual ethics, diversity, and generational change make full-scale authoritarian control unlikely. The conversation then shifts toward Scot's new book, The God That I Was Given: Looking for Faith After Losing My Religion. Daniella and Scot discuss faith deconstruction, privilege, and how to hold space for both pride in one's past and critical honesty about harm. They reflect on storytelling, accountability, and how both military and religious institutions reward conformity and punish introspection. Daniella's Links: You can read all about my story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here. https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured   For more info on me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella's Tiktok: Knitting Cult Lady Instagram:  https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_  Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 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 "Standards" are culturally constructed — often used to uphold existing power structures under the guise of objectivity. "Gender neutral" usually means "male" — erasing femininity and reinforcing patriarchal norms. Hegseth's rhetoric reflects toxic masculinity, racial dog whistles, and authoritarian nostalgia for a "Department of War." Military culture mirrors cult structures, but its guiding "cult" is loyalty to the Constitution — not to any single leader. Younger service members (Millennials & Gen Z) are reshaping the culture toward diversity, empathy, and critical thinking. Brainwashing tactics from abusive systems and cults were deliberately baked into modern military training. Deconstruction is not destruction — you can be proud of aspects of your experience while acknowledging systemic harm. Both hosts connect cult dynamics across institutions — religion, the military, and politics all rely on controlling narratives. Writing memoirs like Uncultured and The God That I Was Given provides a model for honest reflection that includes both pride and pain. Truth-telling invites criticism, but it's vital for cultural healing and understanding. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 00:53 Military Standards and Gender Equality 03:43 Rhetoric and Leadership in the Military 06:29 Concerns Over Military Use Against Citizens 09:21 Basic Training and Military Culture 12:08 The Role of Experience in Military Leadership 14:54 Political Rhetoric and Military Professionalism 17:51 Diversity in the Military and Its Implications 20:39 Public Perception and Military Loyalty 23:23 Historical Context of Military Orders 26:09 Conclusion and Future Implications 28:18 Generational Perspectives in the Military 32:50 The Culting of America: A Deeper Dive 37:16 Navigating Privilege and Perspective 41:48 The Complexity of Faith and Deconstruction 47:06 The Power of Storytelling and Truth 54:22 Closing Thoughts on Diversity and Listening Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann

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• Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Loyd | ep52 | Veterinary Medicine

  In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Daniella Mestyanek Young and Scot Loyd welcome Dr. Jo, a veterinarian from New Orleans, to explore the surprising overlaps between veterinary medicine and cultic dynamics. The conversation highlights how overwork, guilt, and moral injury can act as control mechanisms in "helping professions" like veterinary care—mirroring high-demand group tactics. Dr. Jo discusses the emotional toll of her work, including the constant oscillation between joy (new puppies) and grief (euthanasia), the high suicide rate among veterinarians, and the systemic lack of self-care built into the profession. Daniella connects these patterns to her broader analysis of institutional cultures that exploit compassion, while Scot reflects on similar burnout dynamics from his time as a pastor. The trio also dives into capitalism's role in normalizing self-sacrifice, the ethics of euthanasia, empathy toward animals and humans, and the need for structural—not just individual—change to protect caregivers from exploitation. The episode ends with a reminder: veterinarians are humans too, carrying invisible emotional burdens. Daniella's Links: You can read all about my story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here. https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured   For more info on me: Patreon: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Cult book Clubs (Advanced AND Memoirs) Annual Membership: https://bit.ly/YTPLanding Get an autographed copy of my book, Uncultured: https://bit.ly/SignedUncultured Get my book, Uncultured, from Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4g1Ufw8 Daniella's Tiktok: Knitting Cult Lady Instagram:  https://bit.ly/4ePAOFK / daniellamyoung_  Unamerican video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/YTVideoBook Secret Practice video book (on Patreon): https://bit.ly/3ZswGY8 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 Veterinary medicine shares cult-like traits such as overwork as virtue, guilt-based control, and moral self-sacrifice. Emotional compartmentalization is required—vets may euthanize a long-time patient then pivot to a joyful new-pet visit minutes later. The suicide rate among veterinarians is alarmingly high, often tied to compassion fatigue and systemic overextension. Capitalism reinforces burnout, framing constant labor and self-denial as moral goodness. Many vets struggle to find balance between client care and self-care, often skipping breaks or feeling guilty for resting. COVID-19 worsened burnout by increasing pet ownership while reducing staff capacity. Financial misconceptions persist: veterinary procedures are costly but still drastically cheaper than equivalent human care. Euthanasia ethics are complex—vets must navigate between mercy, owner intent, and lack of viable alternatives. Empathy erosion in cults and capitalism parallels how systems dehumanize caregivers and animals alike. Real solutions require institutional change, not just resilience training for individuals. Simple kindness from clients can profoundly impact veterinary workers' wellbeing. Professional roles and uniforms can dehumanize caregivers—remembering their humanity matters. Helping professions often attract perfectionists and empaths, making them more vulnerable to exploitation. Both hosts link these patterns to broader social "meta-cults"—capitalism, productivity culture, and religious ideology. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Rapture Day 01:09 Meet the Veterinarian: Jo's Journey 03:09 Cults and Veterinary Medicine: Unlikely Parallels 05:21 Expectations vs. Reality in Veterinary Medicine 08:34 The Emotional Toll of Veterinary Practice 11:13 Navigating Client Relationships and Misinformation 15:14 Cults and Empathy: A Unique Perspective 18:41 The Ethics of Pet Ownership and Care 21:10 Coping Mechanisms in Veterinary Medicine 25:00 Community Support and the Burden of Service 28:09 The Burnout Epidemic in Veterinary Medicine 30:18 Understanding the Costs of Veterinary Care 35:28 Quality of Life Conversations with Pet Owners 43:28 Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout in Veterinary Practice 49:08 The Human Side of Veterinary Medicine Produced by Haley Phillips

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