Daniella Mestyanek Young: Life Lessons from a Religious Sex Cult

04/09/23 • 27 min

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DANIELLA MESTYANEK YOUNG is the author of “UNCULTURED: A Memoir”. She tells a harrowing story about growing up among pedophiles in the notorious Children of God sex cult, escaping at the age of 15, and eventually joining the US Army. Daniella talks to former news producer Frank Silverstein about being completely unprepared for life in an American public high school where she panicked over the simplest things, such as naming her favorite rock star. On the other hand she tells about having no trouble with basic training where the physical endurance requirements hobbled many of the other recruits. These are remarkable stories from a resilient survivor.

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If your ears perk up when you hear at a remarkable real-life story, AuthorTopia is for you. Starting April 10, this podcast will bring first-person adventures and stories told by people who have written about the surprising twists and turns their lives have taken. AuthorTopia is hosted by Frank Silverstein, a former network TV news producer.

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Tessa Fontaine: Freak Show Sanctuary

TESSA FONTAINE is the author of “THE ELECTRIC WOMAN: A Story in Death Defying Acts”. She tells of her days spent on the road with a traveling carnival sideshow. Tessa talks with former news producer Frank Silverstein about how she learned to eat fire, hypnotize snakes and charm the money from the pockets of total strangers. She also explains how the carnival sideshow provides a haven to a community of social misfits. It’s a safe place where performers can earn a living throwing knives at each other among other spectacles, for 14 hours a day. Tessa learned to conquer some of her own fears by working with people who face physical danger every single day. These are dramatic stories from an adventurous life.