The Social Delusion

PSA: this is going to be our last ever podcast episode! Over the last few months there's been a lot going on for the guys here at The Social Delusion, so we've decided to put the podcast in the backseat while we focus on exciting things to come.In this episode we talk one last time about what's happening in the news- from the new vaccine (& whether we'll take it!) to coming out of lockdown again... as well as the Sainsbury's Christmas ad that caused so much controversy.We end the episode reminiscing on the whole experience of doing a podcast together & discussing what comes next for us all. We hope you've loved this journey as much as we have, & thank you for rocking with us this year. It's truly been a pleasure... Over & out!

As we're now approaching the festive season, our TV screens & social media feeds are becoming filled with Christmas adverts from all of our favourite brands & retailers. In this episode, we take a look at changing buying habits as consumers start to spend more (even during a pandemic!). We consider the possible correlation between social media and today's spending psyche - where there seems to be more of a need to have the latest items & keep up to a lifestyle that's possibly not sustainable. We also discuss some of the financial & environmental implications this mentality is having on our society.

The constant awareness of our physical appearance has never been so intensified due to the socially charged world that we live in. In today's episode, we open up about how our appearances have affected us personally as guys and what the road looks like when it comes to self-love and finding peace in ourselves. We also discuss some of our concerns for the younger generation who live in a digital age that is constantly feeding them a false preconception of beauty & the implications of that.

We're stepping into a week where the government have just announced a month-long national lockdown & America are about to find out who's going to be their president for another 4 years. TIP: It's a lot to deal with all at once & disconnecting from social media might just be the ideal remedy for our well-beings. We look at whether we needed another lockdown or if the government have once again acted a tad too late. Also, with our friends across the pond on the cusp of finding out the results of the elections this week, we discuss if the saying “better the devil you know than the angel you don't” (as Toni puts it) has any truth in it.

In a world that constantly requires us to seek validation and recognition from our social circles, we unpack the idea of being a people pleaser; where does it stem from? Is it something that we can just switch off? Is it just an insecurity problem or is the root of the issue deeper than that? We discuss some of our experiences and how we're learning when to say yes and how to say no in order to take control of our lives.

With Covid cases shooting up once again in the UK & the government introducing a 3-tier system nationwide to reduce the spread of the virus, we discuss the impact of these new restrictions on an already high unemployment rate. A cyber ad that was back by the government which insinuated that creatives need to rethink their careers in this current condition caused a lot of controversy, especially in the performing arts industry. In this episode, we evaluate whether the government are right to raise this concern to an industry that's been seriously affected by the pandemic, or if it was an insult to the creative industry which is somewhat under-appreciated.

In our first episode under our new name, it was only right to discuss a social dilemma that a lot of people face- sharing their relationship to the entire online community. We talk about some of our experiences of when we felt it was the right time to do this & to what extent do we take it to when it comes to sharing such information. We also look at what the actual point of doing this is & the possible implications that comes with that new territory.

Yeah you heard it right, Rest In Peace to BGST - but just the name!! We aren't going anywhere! Today we reflect on what's been going on with the podcast over the last couple of weeks & the new direction that we're taking it. We also have a brief conversation on some of the latest government guidelines & who's really to blame for all the confusion.

The search for a partner can sometimes feel like criteria checklist- How tall are they? Can they cook? Are they religious? Do they make enough money? Today we discuss some of our non-negotiables (do we even have any?), as well as some of the generic ones we normally hear about. We also ask the question if a non-negotiable can be flexible as well as what's the fine line between staying true to who you are, & changing certain traits of oneself as a result of being in a relationship with someone.

Welcome to the digital age. Our conversation today may make you want to run away and with nothing but a tin foil hat! We discuss some of the hidden dangers and realities of social media...especially since we all can't live without it. We talk about some of the ways we can be conscious about what we consume and social media companies really see us. Also we have fun struggling to keep Jack's mic in position.

Still on the conversation of digital minimalism, we discuss how we've somewhat become overly reliant on technology to carry out even the most mundane & simple tasks. With the ever-growing presence of social media in our lives, we talk about some of the negative ways social media affects us as guys which begs to ask the question- “Is the digital domain becoming the new metrics of defining self worth?”

After another police shooting in the USA, we discuss the influences of social media and the responsibility of tech companies with content monitoring and sensitivity. We also delve into the negative perceptions of police and the dangers of the broken relationship between that authority and the general public. What is the best way to deal with police brutality in America? And what is the role that social media can play in fixing the issue?

We use technology an incredible amount in our modern world. From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed, we check our phones and plug ourselves into Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. and connect immediately with the rest of the world - but how much is too much? What boundaries do we set ourselves? Do we eat dinner with friends while staring at our phones? Can we carry normal conversations without the need for an emoji or a 10 minute break to formulate your answer? We have the tools to be close to each other all the time but are we really further than ever? Let's talk tech...

The world is speeding up, & we're keeping up... barely. In this episode, we discuss some of our experiences of burning out and the effect it can have on us physically & mentally. In a society that is plagued with the notion of  working tirelessly & relentlessly as the only path to success, how do we balance work and rest, while staying sensitive to our mental health & working smart?

It's our 30th episode!! In this light-hearted session, we spend some time looking back at some of our favourite moments since we started recording together, some of the challenges we've faced quite early into this podcast journey and some of the lessons we've learnt so far!

Coronacast makes a cameo this week as we seemingly head towards another spike. We discuss how the UK & the government has handled the pandemic, the implications of delaying lockdown & how lockdown rules could've been enforced differently. Can common sense override decisions made by the government? We also turn our attentions (very briefly!) over to our friends across the pond to discuss Trump's latest agenda...

Relationships aren't black and white. They take hard work, commitment, compromise and a lot of other really difficult things. But what about when you're both different - not just in gender, but in race and culture? Is dating outside of your race just a fancy or a fetish? What difference does it make to not come from the same place? How big an impact can little differences make? How do we navigate the already futile world of committed romantic relationships with people that are socially divergent from ourselves? All on this weeks episode!

How do we handle the job market in the modern world? More specifically, how do we handle the job market with Corona Virus shaking things up almost daily? We talk about working corporately vs through self-employment, multiple income streams and sacrificing to build towards the future. 

On the latest episode, we discuss the modern form of boycotting, which our generation calls “Cancel Culture”.  We look into the issues with the cancel culture & how it can be linked with online shaming.. but also raise the questions- does this generation grant people the space to grow and change and should companies/celebrities be held accountable for their actions? If so... what's the healthiest approach to this?!

Colourism is a facet of racism that exists both internally and externally to ethnicities. It has a subconscious effect on how we see and engage with people everyday. This week we carry on our conversation on what that means for us and where we draw these assumptions and unconscious baises from and how tightly it is linked to imagery, culture and history.

Colourism is a facet of racism that exists both internally and externally to ethnicities. It has a subconscious effect on how we see and engage with people everyday. This week we look at what that means for us and where we draw these assumptions and unconscious baises from and how tightly it is linked to imagery, culture and history.

What are stereotypes really and what purpose do they serve? Should we be scared of being labelled? Are stereotypes always wrong? We have a look at the role that stereotyping has to play in the Postmodern West and whether it is always something we should run from.

We extend our conversation to this week with the media's part to play in racism. From inequality in news representation to the importance of language in the media when referring to people from different ethnicities. We also talk about the morality behind pulling down statues and hiding from our history

This week's episode takes a nose dive into the depths of the media and how racism plays a part in distorting its purpose. We discuss what visual media is useful for, how misrepresentation and underrepresentation may play a role in our interracial interactions and the importance of role models in the related industries.

At the time of this episode releasing, we're coming off a HEAVY week of acknowledging racial injustice in our world. We decided it would be good to talk about racist culture, white privilege and inherent biases in our own experiences. As mates from very different backgrounds, this issue effects us deeply and is very close to our hearts. We tackle this huge matter in the hopes of all growing together and being stronger for this rather than more divided.

In this episode, we discuss at length the meaning of success. How far would we go to to achieve it? Is it worth all our time, resources, energy and relationships? We look at the lives of some high-profile individuals and see how their success in the professional realm has impacted other areas of their lives. How much is too much? And in the end, what do we gain from it all?

Long-distance relationships are an oxymoron. The aim or a relationship is to always strive to be closer and more intimate...surely? So in the world of online dating, pandemics and modern technology, why should we get closer when there are so many good excuses to be further apart? We chat with our mate George on today's podcast to discuss his personal experience with long-distance relationships and how him and his girlfriend (now wife) made a two year separation from the other side of the world work.

Back to a longer pod today; we talk about what we wanna do when lockdown ends. Travel countries, plan a wedding and pick up some new hobbies. We talk about the NHS clap, Jack's swear jar, media morals, smart business spending and Toni's Playbook. A standard conversation for us lads on a Saturday afternoon...

We spend a bit of time chatting about what this season has meant to us. Although we're all stuck in a pretty terrible situation, this episode looks at how some aspects of "lockdown" have helped us grow and maybe find new perspectives on the world around us. Perhaps we can be ready to return to our everyday lives even better than before?

A brief exploration into the meme of the week. How do we navigate our relationships with our exes/people we used to like? Is it a big deal? Do we need to cut them out of our lives completely when we enter into another relationship? Why is there so many questions here? Dive into today's pod and find out!

Is it too late now to say sorry? We look at forgiveness from the perspective of the forgiver. It's rarely easy, so why do it at all? What holds us back? Should we always forgive and forget? Is there a wrong way to forgive? How many times is too many? Who is forgiveness really about? All on this weeks pod!

On this week's pod we discuss the developing symptoms of social isolation. As the cabin fever sinks in and we get over the novelty of the new normal of our lives, we chat about ways in which we can not just survive this season, but maybe even grow and thrive through a change in perspective and priorities.

We had the incredible privilege of having our first guest on the podcast to further our discussion on dealing with the effects of Covid-19; this week exploring how this season of self-isolations and quarantines are affecting our psychological wellbeings. Angelica is an accredited CBT Therapist and trainee clinical psychologist and brings so much to the topic of anxiety, loneliness, working through emotions and coping strategies as we battle through this pandemic.

The world has turned upside down in a week. Life can be a little bit volatile sometimes. That's ok, we're still here to bring you some laughs and talk to you about what is helping us get through this season of chaos. How to navigate family, friends and complete social isolation; it's all here on this week's pod.

Honesty is the best policy...until it isn't. In this episode we talk about what you should and shouldn't share with your partner. How much info is too much info? Should the toilet seat be left up or down? A little bit of light-hearted discussion to break up your Corona flow.

How far would you go to help someone in need? Too far? Can you help too much? Should you just help anyone and everyone? Does trying to help always help? We take some time to discuss what carrying someone else's burden should look like and how best to help people; all whilst having a big-picture perspective and long-term heart for their lives instead of finding quick fixes.

Continuing on our recent pattern of discussing relationships, we delve into the idea of "chivalry"; its origins and its usefulness. Is it outdated? Is it chauvinism? Or are we doing away with potentially beneficial social constructs/instincts that allows us to interact with the opposite gender effectively? As guys, should we treat men and women differently? If so, why?

We take a quick episode to answer some of your questions. Keep sending us more. We love answering them.

Picking your mates, the ones you can trust, the ones you can rely on, the ones you can banter and be honest with; these ones seem increasingly difficult to find. With the last British prime-minister appointing the first ever "Loneliness Minister", feelings of loneliness and insignificance are now being described as an epidemic. We look at the friendship portion of our relationships and try to figure out what makes for great friends, why they are important and what good they can do for us.

The dreaded and inescapable "friendzone" - but can you escape it? This episode we talk about the origin of this axiom and how it impacts the pursuit of relationships. We share from personal anecdotes and discuss how to deal with it, whether it exists at all and if as guys it is a helpful relational label.

We continue the conversation on dating in the modern world; exploring the concept of "the one", delving deeper into the effects of social media on dating and how the world of filters and online culture promotes our pursuit for perfection. We also talk about the importance of confidence in who you are and the impact that has on a guys search for a partner. This is part 2 of our look into dating.

What does it mean to date someone and why the heck do we do it? How do we as men pursue romantic relationships in the 21st century, with the death of formal courting and rise and evolution of dating culture? We talk about our personal views and experiences when it comes to finding partners as well as glancing into the effects of internet dating and hook-up apps. More to be said - listen out for Part 2...

As guys, we don't always enjoy the process of expressing our feelings, working out what they mean for us and dealing with them in a healthy way. In this episode, we practise honesty and humility in dealing with some pretty tough issues with very personal hurts and loss; in an effort to actualise the thoughts in our heads, learn from them, and not be controlled by them.

So here we are, its the first episode! The first step to dealing with something is knowing it needs to be dealt with in the first place, and the second is asking for help. In this episode we'll be chatting about what this looks like in real life, how awkward it can be and what we need to do to get over that hurdle. Dotted with a few anecdotes and tangents, we'll be expressing our thoughts behind professional and pastoral mentors, therapists and cultural perceptions when it comes to seeking help.

Who we are, what we're doing and why we're doing it; an explanation for where we came from and what possessed us to record our conversations and share it with the world.