This week on Cults and the Culting of America, we're turning the mic toward someone you all know well—our beloved cohost, Scot Loyd. With no guest this episode, Daniella takes the opportunity to spotlight Scot's powerful personal journey and upcoming book, The God That I Was Given.
In an open and layered conversation, Scot reflects on his years inside the United Pentecostal Church, his rise to leadership, and what it meant to deconstruct the faith and ideologies that shaped him. He and Daniella discuss the gendered nature of cult experiences, the silence often expected of men, and how writing becomes both a weapon and a lifeline for survivors.
They also dig deep into the racist roots of Pentecostalism, the enduring myth of white Christian victimhood, and how cult dynamics echo through American politics today.
Whether you've been here since episode one or are just tuning in, this intimate episode offers a closer look at Scot's story and the broader systems of power so many of us are still trying to untangle.
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: https://bit.ly/4bwvNC0
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 TikTok
Haley's Tiktok
Takeways
Even Survivors Can Be Complicit
Scot reflects on how he not only endured harm within the United Pentecostal Church but also perpetuated it as a preacher and leader. His journey involves confronting both victimhood and complicity—a nuanced look at accountability in high-control systems.
Patriarchy Shields Men from Cult Harm—and From Speaking Out
The conversation explores why fewer men write cult survivor memoirs: patriarchal systems often cushion men from the worst abuses and discourage emotional vulnerability, leaving their stories underrepresented.
Faith Deconstruction Is Not Bitterness—It's Clarity
Scot addresses the accusation that leaving high-control religion makes you "bitter." Drawing on biblical stories (like Naomi in Ruth), he reframes bitterness as a justified and even holy reaction to harm—and a fuel for transformation.
Cults Mirror American Systems of Power
The episode draws strong parallels between cult dynamics and systemic issues in the U.S., including white supremacy, evangelical nationalism, and the cult of personality around political figures like Donald Trump.
Telling the Truth Is a Radical Act
Both hosts emphasize the importance of sharing honest, unvarnished stories to give future generations language and context for their own experiences—and to challenge whitewashed versions of history.
The Tools Used to Indoctrinate Can Be Used to Liberate
Scot talks about reclaiming the skills he developed in church—preaching, writing, public speaking—to critique the very systems that shaped him. Daniella echoes this with her own story, highlighting the healing power of storytelling.
Cult Experiences Are Strikingly Universal
While each cult has its own doctrine or dogma, the episode highlights the common traits—performance culture, black-and-white thinking, suppression of autonomy—that unite cult survivors across backgrounds.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Book Projects
03:26 Exploring Gender Perspectives in Cult Experiences
06:37 The Unraveling of Beliefs and Personal Reflection
09:27 The Role of Education in Leaving Cults
12:20 Writing as a Tool for Healing and Reflection
15:36 Navigating the Complexity of Cult Narratives
18:24 Confronting the Charge of Bitterness
21:17 The Power of Personal Stories in Cult Recovery
24:25 The Importance of Documenting Experiences for Future Generations
31:56 The Burden of Representation in Cults
35:18 Historical Narratives and Cultural Spin
39:56 The Roots of Pentecostalism and Racism
44:39 The Legacy of Racism in American Christianity
49:40 Cult of Personality vs. Cult of Ideas
56:11 The Current Political Climate and Its Cult-like Dynamics
Produced by Haley Phillips
