Cults & the Culting of America w/ Knitting Cult Lady | 64 | Power Coalition and Getting Involved

In this special edition of Cults and the Culting of America, Daniella speaks with Ashley Shelton, founder of the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice in Louisiana, about organizing, democracy, and what it actually means to fight authoritarianism in real life. Ashley draws on her background in philanthropy, disaster recovery, and voter engagement to explain how Black and Brown communities—particularly in Louisiana—have long relied on mutual aid and organizing because government support has historically been absent or extractive. The conversation connects current political threats, including voter suppression, Medicaid cuts, ICE activity, and the erosion of due process, to broader patterns seen in authoritarian regimes. Together, they argue that elections still matter, collective action works, and community-based organizing is one of the strongest tools available to resist democratic backsliding. The episode emphasizes empowerment over despair, calling listeners to engage locally, vote strategically, and stop treating elected officials like friends instead of employees.

https://powercoalition.org/

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Key Takeaways

• Organizing doesn't require ideological purity—just shared problem-solving and community trust.

• Black and Brown communities are often more prepared for mutual aid because government abandonment isn't new to them.

• Louisiana's political and economic structure (resource extraction + poverty) forces community interdependence.

• Federal budget cuts—especially to Medicaid—will have life-or-death consequences in poorer states.

• Elections are flawed but still one of the most powerful tools available to protect democracy.

• Disengagement and political helplessness are intentional outcomes of authoritarian strategy.

• Collective pressure (calls, protests, organizing) does move even extreme politicians.

• The erosion of due process affects everyone eventually—citizenship protections are more fragile than assumed.

• Authoritarianism thrives when communities stop talking to one another.

• Social media and decentralized platforms now rival traditional media in shaping public accountability.

• Democracy defense looks different for everyone—craftivism, education, calling reps, organizing all count.

• Accountability matters more than forgiveness; reconciliation without change enables harm.

• Pocketbook politics (healthcare, food, housing, utilities) cut through manufactured culture wars.

• History shows progress is fragile—and can be reversed if not actively defended.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ashley Shelton and the Power Coalition
01:47 Ashley's Journey into Organizing
02:54 The Importance of Community Support
05:03 Challenges in Louisiana and Community Resilience
08:50 Empowerment Through Voting and Civic Engagement
15:43 The Role of Elections in Democracy
19:05 Hope and Collective Action for Change
22:06 Engaging Well-Meaning Allies in the Fight
27:21 Communication Breakdown in Politics
28:11 The Reality of Accountability
29:52 The Stakes of Political Decisions
31:13 Understanding Class Warfare
33:05 The Meaning of Citizenship
36:45 Confronting America's History
38:00 Defining Moments in American History
39:30 Activism Through Craftivism
41:32 The Power of Social Media
45:26 The Role of Curiosity in Understanding

Produced by Haley Phillips, Meghan Picmann, and Lizy Freudmann