Daniella Mestyanek Young, author of the memoir 'Uncultured,' shares her harrowing journey from a notorious sex cult to the U.S. military. She opens up about the psychological struggles of confronting past traumas during basic training and deployment in Afghanistan. The conversation delves into her battle with PTSD, the pervasive threat of sexual violence, and the emotional complexities of her experiences. Daniella emphasizes the importance of storytelling for healing and advocates for the acknowledgment of victims' narratives in both cults and military environments.

Daniella Mestyanek Young, author of "Uncultured," shares her harrowing experiences growing up in the notorious Children of God cult. She delves into the cult's manipulative beliefs and the traumatic aftermath for its members. Daniella sheds light on the disturbing realities of childhood abuse within the commune, revealing the profound impact on family dynamics. She recounts her journey of escaping strict indoctrination, seeking identity, and finding community while contemplating military service as a means to stability in a new world.

Ep 117: A Tinder meetup leads to a woman’s disappearance and her date on the run. Is it a bad coincidence or something more sinister?This is the Sydney Loofe StorySources for Today's Episode: Klkntv.com An article in People.com An episode of Heartland Homicide Nebraska Supreme Court transcript of appeal Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor, Seiler Burr Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Special Thanks to Mary Ruth Show your Support:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | TwitterPatron Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more! Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeApple Subscriptions Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month. Merchandise For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: Tinder Date, Bailey Boswell, Aubery Trail, Nebraska, Cult Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 116: A battered woman watches a murder in helpless horror. But when her abuser cites her as an accomplice to save his own skin, she’s convicted and sentenced for a crime she didn’t commit.This is the Kelly Harnett storyArticle mentioned in episode: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/kelly-harnett-jailhouse-lawyer-rikers-dvsja-profile.htmlSources for Today's Episode: NYmag https://www.survivedandpunishedny.org/kelly-harnett/ https://thecrimereport.org/2023/01/04/profile-follows-life-of-kelly-harnett-jailhouse-lawyer/ freethemny.com https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/kelly-harnett-jailhouse-lawyer-rikers-dvsja-profile.html Sponsors:(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)Just As Deadly by Marissa Harrison (BOOK) -Pick up a copy of Just As Deadly by Professor Marissa Harrison today, wherever books are sold. You can also listen to Just as Deadly on Audible or wherever you get your audiobooks! Find out more at www.cambridge.org/justasdeadlyCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor,Seiler Burr Script Editor: Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Special Thanks to: Jamie Weiner Show your Support:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | TwitterPatron Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more! Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeApple Subscriptions Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month. Merchandise For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: wrongfully convicted, Rikers Island, Jailhouse Lawyer, domestic violence, Tommy Donovan, Astoria Park, Queens,  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 115: A farewell dinner is hosted by a killer. Where everyone attending, except one person, knows that it will end in murder.This is the Anu Singh storySources for Today's Episode: Crimes that Shook Australia, Season 3, Episode 5 The Daily Mail Nzherald.co.nz The Sydney Morning Herald The Daily Telegraph citing chapter from Libby-Jane Charleston’s book Fatal Females titled Bright Young Things. The Canberra Times Sponsors:(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)Just As Deadly by Marissa Harrison (BOOK) -Pick up a copy of Just As Deadly by Professor Marissa Harrison today, wherever books are sold. You can also listen to Just as Deadly on Audible or wherever you get your audiobooks! Find out more at www.cambridge.org/justasdeadlyCOLD, Season 3 is Here -Follow COLD wherever you get your podcasts.Hey Prime Members, you can binge the entire series ad-free on Amazon Music. Download the Amazon Music app today.Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor,Seiler Burr Script Editor: Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Show your Support:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | TwitterPatron Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more! Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeApple Subscriptions Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month. Merchandise For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: bizarre, Joe Cinque, poisoning, Canberra, Australia, Madhavi Rao, Heroin, Personality Disorder, Manslaughter due to Diminshed Responsbility  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 114: An infant’s tragic death is ruled a homicide, and his grieving mother suddenly finds herself at the mercy of the Justice System.This is the Kristina Kerlus storySources for Today's Episode: Las Vegas Review Journal KTNV Las Vegas https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/InterimCommittee/REL/Document/12765 docket alarm.com Sponsors:(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)Prose -Prose is the healthy hair regimen with your name all over it. Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to Prose.com/women.Daily Harvest -Let Daily Harvest do more so you can do less. Go to DAILYHARVEST.com/women to get up to $40 off your first box.Just as Deadly -Delve into this fascinating account of why women have committed some of the most disturbing serial killings ever seen in the United States.Publishing this month! Order your copy and save 20% with code CRIME20 from www.cambridge.org/justasdeadlyCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Show your Support:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | TwitterPatron Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more! Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeApple Subscriptions Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month. Merchandise For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: wrongful conviction, No-Crime Wrongful Conviction, Las Vegas, Jocai Davis, "Shaken Baby Syndrome", SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Sickle Cell Anemia,  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 113: A brutal assault on two Lululemon employees left one woman dead and the other with an unbelievable testimonyThis is the Brittany Norwood StorySources for Today's Episode: The Washington Post An episode of the show The Price of Duty on Oxygen Transcript from Norwood v. Maryland, Appellate Decision Jayna Murray’s obituary Sponsors:(thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!)Green Chef -Go to GreenChef.com/women60 and use code women60 to get 60% off plus free shippingJust As Deadly: The Psychology of Female Serial Killers -Pick up a copy of Just As Deadly by Professor Marissa Harrison, wherever books are sold. Find out more at www.cambridge.org/justasdeadlyCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor,Seiler Burr Script Editor: Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Show your Support:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | TwitterPatron Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more! Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeApple Subscriptions Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month. Merchandise For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: framed, Lulu Lemon Murders, Bethesda Maryland, Jayna Troxel Murray, Homicide  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s a preview of Deep Cover, a show about people who lead double lives.Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals webs of deception and dark underworlds, through interviews with federal agents and convicted criminals. In Deep Cover’s new season, Never Seen Again, we hear the story of two young women, living on opposite sides of the country, who went missing at almost the exact same time. Seven years later, their stories collided when one of these young women resurfaced – posing as the other. A small town detective became obsessed with the case. He believes he's uncovered an imposter. A fraud. A foreign spy. A nationwide manhunt commences. No one can find her. Twenty years later, that woman is telling Jake her side of the story. Listen to Deep Cover, and get the full story, now at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/dc3?sid=women . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 112: An eight-year-old girl is kidnapped in the middle of the night and left for dead. Miraculously, she survives, but it takes nearly two decades for justice to be served. Is it enough for closure? Or will the trauma always haunt her?This is the Jennifer Schuett storySources for Today's Episode: CBS news People magazine FrankWeberAuthor.com Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor, Seiler Burr Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Show your Support:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | TwitterPatron Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more! Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeApple Subscriptions Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month. Merchandise For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: kidnapping, cold case, Dickinson Texas, Dennis Bradford, DNA, rape, child-abduction  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 111: A young woman’s jealousy over her teenage neighbor’s seemingly perfect life fueled a diabolical plan that would take obsession to the extremeThis is the Caroline Reed Robertson StorySources for Today's Episode: The court transcript from Caroline Robertson’s sentencing on November 29, 2000 The Herald Sun The Daily Mail www.9news.com The Sentencing Benchbook provided online by the Judicial Commission of New South Wales Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor,Seiler Burr Script Editor: Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Show your Support:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | TwitterPatron Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more! Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeApple Subscriptions Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month. Merchandise For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation.For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: international, Melbourne Australia, Rachel Barber, Dance Factory, jealousy, 1999,  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices