Will Storr

Will Storr, an author and journalist, joins Mitch Saunders, a longtime friend of John Vasconcellos, to explore the fascinating rise and fall of the self-esteem movement. They dive into Vasconcellos's transformative journey from a troubled upbringing to a charismatic political figure who championed self-esteem as a public policy tool. Listeners learn about the controversial impacts of self-esteem initiatives in schools and the cultural backlash that followed. Storr and Saunders reflect on the complexities of self-worth, ultimately questioning whether elevating self-esteem is truly beneficial.

Join award-winning journalist Will Storr as he explores our collective self-obsession in the age of social media. He dives into the roots of the neoliberal self and questions whether we’re inherently self-obsessed or if it's a learned behavior. Storr discusses the clash between our idealized identities and reality, highlighting the dangers of perfectionism and how social media fuels unhealthy comparisons. He also examines cultural differences in self-perception, urging us to embrace our strengths within realistic limits for genuine fulfillment.