🎙 The Jason Cavness Experience Daniella Mestyanek Young (The Knitting Cult Lady)

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📚 About Daniella

Daniella Mestyanek Young is a cult survivor, U.S. Army veteran, Harvard-trained organizational psychologist, and the author of two books on high-control groups:

• Uncultured — her critically acclaimed memoir
  
  

• The Culting of America — coming January 20, 2026
  📖 Pre-order here → knittingcultlady.com/products/the-culting-of-america
  
  

Born into the infamous Children of God cult — known for weaponizing religion, sexuality, and isolation — Daniella escaped at 15, only to enter another high-control institution: the U.S. Army. There, she became one of the first women on an integrated ground combat team, serving as an intelligence officer studying terrorist organizations.

She has spent her career connecting the dots between cults, terrorist groups, the military, and corporate culture, uncovering the uncomfortable similarities in how they shape human behavior.

Whether on stage, in her writing, or knitting on TikTok while explaining everyday cult dynamics, Daniella explores leadership, identity, group psychology, and coercive control — always asking:

Why do we give ourselves over to groups, and how do we get our power back?

 

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🎧 Episode Summary

From escaping a cult to breaking barriers in the U.S. Army, Daniella’s story is one of resilience, identity, and reclaiming power.
In this conversation, we explore:

• Her path from isolation to belonging
  
  

• Lessons from military service and combat
  
  

• How cult psychology shows up in workplaces and politics
  
  

• Building authentic communities online
  
  

• Why knitting grounds her creativity and advocacy
  
  

• Navigating vulnerability, writing, and public criticism
  
  

• Strategies for protecting your time and labor
  
  

It’s an unfiltered, inspiring discussion on growth, purpose, and making an impact — even when the odds are stacked against you.

 

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🗒️ Key Topics We Cover

• High School Struggles & Culture Shock
  
  

• Finding Belonging in College
  
  

• Embracing Unique Identity
  
  

• The Power of Storytelling
  
  

• Social Media & TikTok Growth
  
  

• Understanding Cults and Their Impact
  
  

• Military Experiences and Reflections
  
  

• Parenting and Personal Growth
  
  

• Entrepreneurial Journey & Future Goals
  
  

• Knitting as a Creative Process
  
  

• Balancing Business with Creativity
  
  

• Navigating Publishing Challenges
  
  

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