You’ve seen the headlines, maybe even watched the documentary—but what’s missing from the noise surrounding Lily Phillips’ viral stunt is a truly nuanced conversation. In this nearly four-hour deep dive, we strip away the sensationalism to uncover the layers of complexity behind one of the most polarizing stories of the year. This isn’t about villainizing or victimizing. It’s about holding the tension of opposites, the messy intersection of choice, consequence, and survival. From the logistical chaos of Lily’s 100-men challenge to the emotional toll she could no longer hide, we leave no moment unexamined.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• A close look at sex as self-harm: How societal narratives and personal trauma intersect in ways that shape our most intimate choices.

• The myth of empowerment: Is the modern feminist ethos failing us? And what does empowerment look like when it’s wrapped in performance and commodification?

• Dissociation and identity: Through Lily’s own words, we unpack the ways detachment becomes a coping mechanism—and a tool for survival.

This isn’t just about Lily. It’s a reflection on the systems we’ve built, the narratives we perpetuate, and the ways we consume each other in a hyper-connected world. If you’re looking for an unflinching, human-centered take that challenges the way we think about agency, exploitation, and empowerment, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

Click here to watch Josh Pieters’ original YouTube documentary.

Craving more? Become a Premium Submarine. Join an exclusive community and unlock hundreds of hours of members-only content: full-length episodes, deep-dive series, guided meditations, and more—all for the cost of a couple of coffees a month. Start exploring at backfromtheborderline.com.

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