In this episode, Scott and Daniella engage with Brianna, who shares her profound journey through the world of yoga and her experiences at Yogaville, a yoga community that turned out to be more complex than it seemed. Brianna discusses her initial attraction to the community, the positive aspects she encountered, and the darker realities that unfolded over time, including manipulation, abuse, and the psychological toll of being involved in a cult-like environment. The conversation emphasizes the importance of trust, intuition, and the need for open discussions about both the good and bad experiences within such organizations.

Briana's Podcast

Surviving Satchidananda

Haley's Tiktok

@nuancedmasculinities

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

@thescotloyd

Takeaways

• Brianna's journey began with a search for community and healing through yoga.
• Yogaville initially provided a sense of belonging and support for Brianna.
• Cults often exploit individuals during vulnerable times in their lives.
• Positive experiences in cults can make it difficult to recognize abuse.
• Secrecy and misinformation are common tactics used by cults to maintain control.
• Brianna experienced both joy and trauma during her time at Yogaville.
• Trusting one's intuition is crucial when something feels off.
• Cults can provide a sense of purpose but often at a significant cost.
• The psychological impact of cult involvement can be profound and long-lasting.
• Advocacy and sharing stories are essential for healing and awareness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 02:02 Brianna's Journey into Yoga and Yogaville 06:04 The Allure of Community and Spirituality 10:01 Unraveling the Dark Side of Yogaville 14:07 Experiences of Abuse and Control 20:02 The Struggle to Leave and Labor Exploitation 24:35 Control and Autonomy in Cults 28:44 Unraveling the Truth: Personal Experiences 32:44 The Role of Secrecy and Deception 39:29 Navigating Relationships After Leaving 41:04 Creating Awareness and Sharing Stories 42:45 Trusting Your Intuition and Finding Balance

Produced by Haley Phillips