Ghost Work: The Trauma and Job Loss Hidden Inside AI's Magic
Behind every chatbot lies a human story. Often, a horrifying one.In this episode, we uncover the invisible world of AI ghost workers-the people paid pennies to sift through the darkest corners of the internet to keep your tech "safe." Think beheading videos, child abuse content, racial slurs, suicide instructions-all reviewed by real people in Nairobi, Manila, Bogotá, and beyond.These workers face nightmares, flashbacks, and emotional breakdowns just so your chatbot doesn't turn toxic. And just as they're being broken by the machine, they're being replaced by it too.We ask: What happens when AI's progress is built on invisible suffering? And what does it mean when the machines start taking the jobs of the very people who trained them?⚠️ This is not a story about the future. This is a story about the price we're already paying.
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Red Pill, Real Pain: Inside the Conspiracy Fuelling Toxic Masculinity and Incel Violence
Beneath viral rants about "alpha males" and "female privilege" lies a conspiracy theory gripping millions of men: the belief that women secretly run society, rigging dating, sex, and power in their favor. It's called the "feminist gynarchy," and it's turning heartbreak into hate-and sometimes into violence.In this episode of The Brink, we expose the myths behind hypergamy, red pill ideology, and the booming manosphere economy. From lonely forums to deadly attacks, we trace how modern masculinity is being rewritten-and ask: can we pull men back from the brink?
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Gen Z vs. Therapy: Is Digital Healing Enough?
Hey there, and welcome to The Brink, where we dive deep into the biggest cultural shifts shaping how we live, connect, and make sense of ourselves. I'm Matt, and today we're talking about something that hits right at the heart of our times: therapy-and why so many in Gen Z are walking away from it.For older generations, therapy was the place you went when life felt too heavy to carry alone. A softly lit office, a calm stranger who listened, and the hope that talking might help. But for Gen Z? Therapy's starting to feel... cringe.A new survey found that over a third of Gen Z sees going to therapy as a sign of weakness. And while they're fluent in therapy-speak-words like "boundaries," "gaslighting," and "trauma responses"-many are choosing TikTok, Reddit, and Discord over a professional's couch.So why is therapy losing Gen Z's trust? What's replacing it-and is it enough? Today, we'll unpack the data, the memes, and the quiet crisis hiding behind viral confessions. Because this isn't just a story about therapy-it's about what it means to heal in the digital age.Stay tuned.
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Numb, Not Broken: Why We’re Folding In - And How to Feel Human Again
We're not falling apart - we're folding in. In this episode, [Your Name] unpacks why so many of us feel emotionally numb in an age of endless crisis, digital overload, and a culture that's mining our inner lives for profit. From melancholy and powerlessness to the quiet radicalism of showing up, discover why your numbness might not be brokenness - but wisdom. And how we can start feeling human again.
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Why Men Are Choosing Pain Over Peace: Inside the Rise of Hardness Culture
Why are so many men swapping softness for structure, and comfort for cold plunges? In this episode of The Brink, Matt explores the rise of "hardness culture"-a fast-growing, male-coded approach to wellness rooted in control, discomfort, and performance.From dopamine detoxes and fasting windows to ultra-marathons and testosterone tracking, this isn't your typical self-care. But behind the spreadsheets and Spartan routines lies something more human: a quiet search for meaning, safety, and emotional permission in a world that rarely offers it.We unpack the cultural shifts, psychological roots, and emotional undercurrents driving this trend-and ask a deeper question: what happens when healing looks more like discipline than softness?If you've ever wondered why some men turn to structure instead of support, or whether there's room in wellness for both grit and gentleness-this episode is for you.In this episode:Why "hardness" is trending in male wellnessThe rise of cold plunges, biohacking, and dopamine fastsHow control becomes a coping mechanismThe hidden emotional needs behind performance-based self-careWhat a softer, more sustainable version of male healing could look likeMentioned in this episode:Andrew HubermanSacred Sons, Ed Mylett, Lewis HowesData on cold plunge and ultra-endurance trends🎧 The Brink is where culture, mental health, and meaning intersect. Subscribe for more conversations that go beneath the surface.
The Brink is a weekly podcast all about the mysteries of what goes on inside our heads. There are many myths surrounding psychology, psychiatry and therapy, and this podcast is going to help sort that all out for you.
If you're interested in therapy, mental health and the mysteries of the brain, this one is for you. Written, produced and presented by Matt Hussey, a qualified therapist and journalist with more than 20 years experience.
Ireland