Episode 23 | Tia Levings Author of "A Well Trained Wife"

In this episode of Cults and the Culting of America, hosts Scot Loyd and Daniella engage with Tia Levings, a New York Times bestselling author and cult survivor. They discuss Tia's journey of writing her memoir, the impact of Christian patriarchy, and the allure of traditionalism in modern society. Tia shares her insights on the dynamics of complementarianism, the consequences of perfectionism, and the importance of storytelling in healing. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and empowerment among those affected by high-control groups, while also exploring the complexities of societal change and the role of women in shaping the future.

Tia's Links

https://tialevings.com/

https://tialevings.substack.com/

Instagram @tialevingswriter

Threads @tialevingswriter

TikTok @tialevingswriter

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/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

Other Podcasts

Daniella's other podcast: Hey White Women

Takeaways

• Tia's book started as therapeutic journals recommended by her therapist.
• The journey to writing a memoir can take years and evolve over time.
• Christian patriarchy influences many aspects of American culture.
• The concept of a 'cult without walls' highlights the pervasive nature of these deologies.
• Traditionalism can appear attractive but often masks deeper issues.
• Perfectionism is a significant burden for survivors of cults.
• The most vulnerable individuals often bear the brunt of abuse in high-control groups.
• Hope and empowerment are crucial in the face of societal chaos.
• People should always come before ideas in any belief system.
• Bitterness can serve as a powerful tool for healing and empowerment.

Sound Bites

"Welcome to 2025: A New Beginning"
"It took years to tell my story"
"Hope is stubborn and necessary"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context of 2025
03:39 The Journey to Writing a Memoir
06:25 The Impact of Christian Patriarchy
09:30 The Connection Between Personal Experience and Cultural Issues
12:25 The Allure of Traditional Gender Roles
15:27 Nostalgia and Misconceptions of the Past
18:15 Facing the Truth of Domestic Discipline
21:30 The Importance of Sharing Stories
24:14 The Dynamics of Complementarianism
27:14 Recognizing Abuse and Empowering Individuals
31:20 Breaking Free from Perfectionism
33:39 Childhood Vulnerability in Cults
35:53 The Future of Cults and Youth Movements
37:18 Chaos and Fundamentalism
38:02 Narcissism and Cult Leadership
39:29 Women's Empowerment and Resistance
40:27 Surviving Authoritarianism
41:53 The Power of Storytelling
43:16 Bitterness as Empowerment
52:59 People Over Ideas: A Fundamental Principle

Produced by Haley Phillips