Hey White Women w/ Knitting Cult Lady and White Woman Whisperer | ep49 | Un-Gaslighting Whiteness
Hey White Women
This episode brings Daniella Mestyanek Young and Rebecca into a candid conversation about cult dynamics, purity culture, whiteness, and the process of building communities rooted in truth rather than secrecy or shame. They unpack how cult logic—like the weaponization of secrets, unquestioned authority, and worship of the written word—maps onto broader systems like white supremacy and American culture. Daniella reflects on her work writing Uncultured and her upcoming projects, highlighting how her extreme experiences serve as an entry point for others to recognize parallels in their own...
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Hey White Women with Knitting Cult Lady and White Woman Whisperer | ep48 | Purity Prison
Hey White Women
In this episode, Daniella and Rebecca dive into themes of creativity, body image, cultural conditioning, and the lingering impacts of cult and purity culture. Daniella shares her journey of transforming clothing and crafts as a form of healing, while Rebecca draws connections between whiteness, consumerism, and self-imposed restrictions on bodies and identities. Together, they unpack how purity culture manifests in practices like “purity balls,” clothing expectations, and even shower habits, connecting these to deeper systems of control rooted in patriarchy, whiteness, and colonization....
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Hey White Women with Knitting Cult Lady and White Woman Whisperer | ep47 | Main Characters
Hey White Women
In this episode, Rebecca and Daniella (Knitting Cult Lady) dive into the intersections of social conditioning, cult dynamics, whiteness, and language. The conversation begins with Daniella’s reflections on color, identity, and creativity, connecting personal expression (knitting, design, aesthetics) to larger cultural narratives. Together, they explore how white women are socialized into “Sleeping Beauty” and “main character” frameworks—delusions that foster passivity, entitlement, and distorted views of desirability. From there, they interrogate purity culture and linguistic...
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Hey White Women with Knitting Cult Lady and White Woman Whisperer | ep46 | Communalism
Hey White Women
In this rich and emotionally resonant conversation, Daniella Mestyanek Young and Rebecca dive deep into the intersections of community, capitalism, creativity, and healing. They explore how authentic relationships—both personal and professional—can serve as a foundation for meaningful work and social change. From profit-sharing models to communal living, from the trauma of systemic abuse to the joy of unexpected gifts, the episode is a tapestry of lived experience, vulnerability, and visionary thinking. The conversation organically weaves through topics like: The difference between...
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Hey White Women with Knitting Cult Lady and White Woman Whisperer | Episode 45 | Paperwork Privilege & More
Hey White Women
In this episode, Rebecca and Daniella weave between personal stories, cultural critique, and nuanced discussions of race, privilege, and community building. Daniella shares her upcoming RV book tour, the planning quirks of packing crafting supplies, and the deliberate choice to travel through Canada to avoid unsafe environments in the U.S. The conversation pivots into an exploration of “paperwork privilege,” contrasting how bureaucratic systems treat white people versus Black people, and the mental toll of anticipating discrimination even when no harm occurs. They address audience...
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Hey White Women with Knitting Cult Lady and White Woman Whisperer Episode 44 | Community is inconvenient
Hey White Women
In this rich, wide-ranging conversation, Daniella and Rebecca reflect on systems of power, whiteness, deconstruction, and community. They begin by discussing "front-of-room advantage"—how audiences are conditioned to trust authority figures just because they're positioned at the front. This leads into critiques of white supremacy, especially how it shapes comfort, trust, and the way people engage with authority, learning, and community. They emphasize that community is inconvenient—it requires work, discomfort, and relationship with those who challenge you. Daniella speaks from her...
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Episode 43 | Detangling White Supremacy
Hey White Women
This episode is a wide-ranging conversation between Daniella and Rebecca about power, privilege, whiteness, and the dynamics of control in both personal and societal contexts. They share personal stories and cultural analysis to unpack how whiteness shapes perspective, behavior, and expectations; the illusion of confidence in white male leadership; and why fear of hypothetical harm dominates many white cultural narratives. The discussion explores the American Dream as a harmful myth rooted in capitalism and scarcity mindsets, and draws parallels between cult tactics and systemic control...
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Episode 42 | The Language of Systems
Hey White Women
This episode dives into the cultural and personal narratives around productivity, storytelling, and the illusion of being “caught up.” Rebecca and Daniella explore the language we use—like “caught up,” “trappings of success,” and “by the book”—and unpack how these phrases reveal underlying systems of control and whiteness. They discuss the tension between wanting to create art and resisting the structures that commodify it, the permanence (and pressure) of publishing books versus the fluidity of online work, and the ways capitalism and cult-like systems shape our ideas of...
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Episode 41 | George Washington Didn't Have Wooden Teeth
Hey White Women
In this fiery, funny, and no-holds-barred conversation, Rebecca and Daniella go deep on why everything in America feels like a cult. From MLMs to marathons, publishing to patriotism, they expose the unspoken systems that keep us exhausted, competitive, and obedient. Together, they unpack the cult of white womanhood, the lie of the silver bullet of success, and the performance of exceptionalism that so many white institutions demand. Connect with Rebecca at: Connect with Daniella at: You can read all about that story in my book, Uncultured-- buy signed copies here....
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Episode 40 | Is Whinnie the Pooh A WS Cult?
Hey White Women
In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Daniella Mestyanek Young unpacks how cult dynamics shape everyday life—from the military to motherhood, from corporate jargon to childhood punishments over “scowling at the Word of God.” She and Rebecca dig into the subtle and overt ways white supremacy trains white women into compliance and calls it safety. Daniella also breaks down the coded messages in American media—including her darkly hilarious theory that Winnie the Pooh is a cult. Through stories of her upbringing, military career, and anti-racism work, Daniella helps listeners...
info_outlineIn this conversation, Rebecca and Daniella explore themes of empowerment, self-expression, and the societal narratives that shape our identities. They discuss the impact of fashion on self-perception, the dangers of conspiracy theories, and the importance of community and networking. The conversation also delves into the dynamics of motherhood, parenting, and the influence of cult-like structures on family life. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for individuals, particularly white women, to take action against oppression and challenge the narratives that confine them. In this engaging conversation, Rebecca and Daniella explore a range of themes including political dynamics, cultural reflections, the metaphorical significance of games, and the complexities of identity and self-discovery. They discuss the importance of resilience in the face of failure, the role of community in navigating fear, and the journey towards authenticity. The dialogue emphasizes the need to challenge societal norms and redefine success, encouraging listeners to embrace imperfection and creativity in their lives.
Connect with Rebecca at:
The White Woman Whisperer Website
The White Woman Whisperer Patreon
The White Woman Whisperer TikTok
Connect with Daniella at:
You can read all about that 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/3V6GK6k / KnittingCultLady
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
Takeaways
- Fashion can be a powerful form of self-expression.
- Many women feel restricted by societal expectations regarding color and style.
- The damsel in distress narrative perpetuates victimhood.
- Networking can be awkward but is essential for community building.
- Conspiracy theories often stem from a desire for comfort in fear.
- Military aviation safety has declined due to cultural issues within the military.
- Propaganda can manipulate emotions without providing actionable information.
- Cultural narratives shape our identities and perceptions of self.
- Motherhood often comes with societal pressures to conform to specific roles.
- Parenting should focus on nurturing individuality rather than enforcing strict rules.
- Political bloviation often leads to unexpected outcomes.
- Cultural history shapes our understanding of current events.
- Games like Monopoly can reflect societal values and conflicts.
- Competition in childhood can teach valuable life lessons.
- Learning to navigate failure is crucial for personal growth.
- Identity is fluid and shaped by experiences and choices.
- Creativity can emerge from embracing imperfection.
- Authenticity is a journey, not a destination.
- Fear can hinder community building and personal agency.
- Challenging societal norms can lead to personal empowerment.
Chapters
00:00 The Power of Color and Self-Expression
04:08 Damsels in Distress: The Role of Victimhood
07:27 Taking Charge: Empowerment and Agency
10:14 Conspiracy Theories and Comfort in Fear
13:23 Reality vs. Conspiracy: Understanding Aviation Safety
16:06 The Role of Media in Shaping Perceptions
19:19 Cultural Narratives and Personal Identity
22:10 Motherhood and Societal Expectations
25:05 Community, Ownership, and Parenting Responsibilities
30:21 The Scary Facade of Cults
31:55 The Role of Whiteness in Cult Dynamics
34:11 Discipline and Control in Cults
37:13 Breaking Free from Cult Mentality
40:26 Calling the Bluff: Resistance Strategies
43:12 The Game of Life: Winning vs. Losing
54:06 Creating Culture Through Conflict
55:46 Exploring Identity Through Art
58:39 Breaking Free from Cultural Norms
01:01:17 The Journey of Self-Discovery
01:03:30 Navigating Change in Relationships
01:06:18 Crafting as a Metaphor for Life
01:09:49 Confronting Fear and Reality
01:12:22 The Power of Community and Resilience
01:15:20 Embracing Change and Uncertainty
01:19:10 Reframing Fear and Control
01:21:54 Challenging the Status Quo
Produced by Haley Phillips