As a born in this is all knew. When i realized ttatt i didnt feel embarrassed because its how i was raised but i can understand why some may feel that way if they were sucked in as an adult. I dont think its justified, mind you, but i can understand why someone may feel that way.
part of what you describe may be more accurately described as personal growth and looking back from a more mature place, cult or no. I have certainly felt that as ive grown but again thats not tied to the cult so much as its just normal human maturation.