Cults to Consciousness

Escaping CHILDREN OF GOD, the Aftermath (ft. Daniella Mestyanek Young)

December 23, 2023 Shelise Ann Sola/ Daniella Mestyanek Young Season 2 Episode 112
Escaping CHILDREN OF GOD, the Aftermath (ft. Daniella Mestyanek Young)
Cults to Consciousness
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Cults to Consciousness
Escaping CHILDREN OF GOD, the Aftermath (ft. Daniella Mestyanek Young)
Dec 23, 2023 Season 2 Episode 112
Shelise Ann Sola/ Daniella Mestyanek Young

Growing up abroad in the COG cult meant that Daniella Mestyanek Young was isolated from birth to be a subservient, s*x item for the men in the group. At 15, a few months before she was about to be "on the menu" she realized she needed to get out. We talk about how difficult it can be when leaving a cult and rediscovering one's identity along with learning how the world works.

Daniella Mestyanek Young is an Author, a TEDx Speaker, a s*x-cult survivor, a US Army Combat Veteran, an extremely advanced knitter, and someone who studies & thinks a lot about toxic group behavior and leadership demagoguery.

Click here to watch on YouTube

To enter the "Uncultured: A Memoir" book giveaway do the following:
1. On instagram, add a story saying why you liked this episode (video or text is ok)
2. Tag @cultstoconsciousness and  @daniellamyoung_
That's it!

Daniella on social!
TikTok: @daniellamestyanekyoung
IG @daniellamYoung_
Website: https://www.uncultureyourself.com/
Amazon: "Uncultured: A Memoir"

  • How Children of God is a cult
  • Cults often present as "shiny, happy, people"
  • Learning young, how to respond to "outsiders"
  •  Daniella's "ah-hah" moments when she decided to escape
  • Marriage & forced polyamory
  • TW: Mentions of child sex abuse
  • When Daniella starts rebelling to get kicked out
  • How Daniella escaped from Mexico to the US at 15
  • When trauma catches up & finding identity without culture
  • Finding freedom after a cult & pushing back
  • When did the REAL Daniella come out?
  • TW: Mention of suicide ideation
  • Parenting and life for Daniella now
  • Tips from Daniella about finding community after a cult

Our C2C vacation where we can meet you in real life and go on adventures together has 7 spots left!  Click here to go to the official booking page

Our Merch!
Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness
Venmo @sheliseann
Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast
Website CultsToConsciousness.com

Find Shelise on Social media!
Instagram @cultstoconsciousness
Host Instagram @sheliseann
TikTok @cults.to.consciousness
Twitter @cultstocon

Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara

**Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**

Show Notes

Growing up abroad in the COG cult meant that Daniella Mestyanek Young was isolated from birth to be a subservient, s*x item for the men in the group. At 15, a few months before she was about to be "on the menu" she realized she needed to get out. We talk about how difficult it can be when leaving a cult and rediscovering one's identity along with learning how the world works.

Daniella Mestyanek Young is an Author, a TEDx Speaker, a s*x-cult survivor, a US Army Combat Veteran, an extremely advanced knitter, and someone who studies & thinks a lot about toxic group behavior and leadership demagoguery.

Click here to watch on YouTube

To enter the "Uncultured: A Memoir" book giveaway do the following:
1. On instagram, add a story saying why you liked this episode (video or text is ok)
2. Tag @cultstoconsciousness and  @daniellamyoung_
That's it!

Daniella on social!
TikTok: @daniellamestyanekyoung
IG @daniellamYoung_
Website: https://www.uncultureyourself.com/
Amazon: "Uncultured: A Memoir"

  • How Children of God is a cult
  • Cults often present as "shiny, happy, people"
  • Learning young, how to respond to "outsiders"
  •  Daniella's "ah-hah" moments when she decided to escape
  • Marriage & forced polyamory
  • TW: Mentions of child sex abuse
  • When Daniella starts rebelling to get kicked out
  • How Daniella escaped from Mexico to the US at 15
  • When trauma catches up & finding identity without culture
  • Finding freedom after a cult & pushing back
  • When did the REAL Daniella come out?
  • TW: Mention of suicide ideation
  • Parenting and life for Daniella now
  • Tips from Daniella about finding community after a cult

Our C2C vacation where we can meet you in real life and go on adventures together has 7 spots left!  Click here to go to the official booking page

Our Merch!
Patreon: Patreon.com/cultstoconsciousness
Venmo @sheliseann
Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast
Website CultsToConsciousness.com

Find Shelise on Social media!
Instagram @cultstoconsciousness
Host Instagram @sheliseann
TikTok @cults.to.consciousness
Twitter @cultstocon

Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara

**Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**