Cults & The Culting of America with Knitting Cult Lady and Scot Loyd | ep 48 | Troubled Teens

In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella Mestyanek Young engage in a profound conversation with Elizabeth Abeysekera, who shares her harrowing experiences in the troubled teen industry. The discussion delves into the impact of cults on children, the complexities of trauma, and the importance of communication in parenting. Elizabeth's journey highlights the need for better support systems for troubled teens and offers valuable insights for parents seeking help for their children. The episode emphasizes the significance of understanding family dynamics and the necessity of creating safe environments for children.

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

Takeaways

• Elizabeth Abeysekera shares her experience of being kidnapped to a troubled teen camp.
• Children often bear the brunt of harm in cult-like environments.
• The troubled teen industry often uses negative reinforcement to control behavior.
• Parents should look at their family systems when addressing children's issues.
• Sending kids away can lead to isolation and lack of support.
• Wraparound care is a more effective approach than sending kids far away.
• Communication and trust between parents and children are crucial.
• Trauma can manifest in various ways, and kids may interpret experiences differently than adults.
• Parents should ensure their children have access to safe and supportive environments.
• Legislation is being pursued to protect children in troubled teen programs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Book Launch
01:50 Introducing Elizabeth Abeysekera
03:07 The Impact of Cults on Children
05:58 The Troubled Teen Industry
10:02 Elizabeth's Personal Experience
15:18 The Aftermath of Trauma
19:04 Understanding Troubled Teen Programs
26:25 The Ethics of Treatment in Troubled Teen Programs
27:53 Understanding the Diverse Backgrounds of Troubled Youth
30:29 Navigating Parental Guidance and Support for Troubled Teens
37:43 The Importance of Community and Family in Treatment
39:36 Resources and Alternatives to Traditional Treatment Facilities
44:51 Fostering Open Communication and Trust with Children

Produced by Haley Phillips