What does it really mean to be “neutral” in today’s world, and is it even possible?

In this episode, we unpack what it really means to call yourself “apolitical” in a world where politics shapes everything. From activism burnout and information overload to performative allyship and social media pressure, we explore why so many people feel stuck between caring too much and not engaging at all.

This conversation challenges the idea that staying out of politics is ever truly neutral, and asks a harder question: when does not choosing a side become a privilege in itself?

If you’re interested in politics and culture, social justice conversations, critical thinking, media literacy, and what activism looks like in the digital age, this episode is for you.

Sources:

The apathy of being apolitical: Why remaining neutral during times of conflict is not an option. The Phoenix News. (2023). https://www.thephoenixnews.ca/posts/the-apathy-of-being-apolitical-why-remaining-neutral-during-times-of-conflict-is-not-an-option

Dorsey, E. (2025, August 27). Being apolitical is unacceptable in today’s political climate. Collegiate Times. https://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/being-apolitical-is-unacceptable-in-today-s-political-climate/article_9f725a71-eafb-490c-926b-5a96134b9948.html

“First they came....” poem by Martin Niemoller – poem, meaning, summary, and poem analysis. Unread Poets Society. (2022, December 21). https://unreadpoetssociety.com/2022/12/11/first-they-came-poem-by-martin-niemoller-poem-meaning-summary-and-poem-analysis/

Gassam Asare, J. (2023, December 6). Do celebrities like Beyonce have a responsibility to speak about injustice?. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2023/12/06/do-celebrities-like-beyonce-have-a-responsibility-to-speak-about-injustice/

Krishna. (2025). The illusion of being apolitical. The Good Men Project. https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/the-illusion-of-being-apolitical/

Is toxic masculinity fueling the male loneliness epidemic?

In this episode of Fed Up, But Figuring It Out, host Priya Migneault unpacks the complex relationship between toxic masculinity, men’s mental health, and rising loneliness among men. While masculinity itself isn’t inherently harmful, rigid expectations around dominance, emotional suppression, and hyper-independence can leave many men isolated and struggling to connect.

Priya explores how traditional gender norms, like “man up” culture, fear of vulnerability, and the pressure to appear strong, discourage emotional openness and prevent men from forming deep friendships or seeking help. The result? Higher rates of loneliness, depression, substance use, and suicide among men.

If you care about gender equality, mental health, masculinity, and modern culture, this conversation is for you.

Sources:

Connor-Savarda, B.-N. (2023, March 30). Loneliness: One of the consequences of toxic masculinity. Emotion Intelligence Magazine. https://www.ei-magazine.com/post/loneliness-one-of-the-consequences-of-toxic-masculinity

Engaging men in gender equality: End violence against women in Canada. Canadian Women’s Foundation. (2018, January 10). https://canadianwomen.org/blog/comes-toxic-masculinity-lose/

How Toxic Masculinity Harms Men and Boys. Survivors.org. (2025, January 21). https://survivors.org/how-toxic-masculinity-harms-men/

Jones, F., Verity, L., Panayiotou, M., & Qualter, P. (2023). A review of evidence on the link between masculinity, loneliness, and suicide as observed in social media discussions. Current Research in Behavioral Sciences, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crbeha.2023.100129

Reeves, R. (2022, October 17). Toxic masculinity is a harmful myth. Society is in denial about the problems of boys and men. Big Think. https://bigthink.com/the-present/toxic-masculinity-myth/

Salter, M. (2019, February 27). The Problem With a Fight Against Toxic Masculinity. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/02/toxic-masculinity-history/583411/

Suicide in Canada: Key statistics (infographic). Government of Canada. (2023). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/suicide-canada-key-statistics-infographic.html

Wade, D. (2023, March 31). Defining — and Addressing — Toxic Masculinity. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/toxic-masculinity

Are we actually disagreeing—or are we living in completely different realities? In this episode of Fed Up, But Figuring It Out, Priya breaks down how echo chambers, filter bubbles, and algorithm-driven content are reshaping truth, fueling political polarization, and making empathy harder than ever. From social media algorithms and confirmation bias to online radicalization and the January 6 insurrection, this episode explores how personalized media ecosystems distort reality—and why none of us are immune. If you’ve ever felt like the world is spiraling, wondered why conversations feel impossible, or questioned what’s real online anymore, this episode is for you.

Join the conversation on Instagram: @fedup.pod

Sources:

BBC. (n.d.). What are echo chambers?. BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbwkbqt

Levy, G., & Razin, R. (2019). Echo Chambers and their effects on economic and political outcomes. Annual Review of Economics, 11, 303–328. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics-080218-030343

Meacham, M. (2013). The Neuroscience of Engagement. ATD. https://www.td.org/content/atd-blog/the-neuroscience-of-engagement

TED. (2011). Beware online “filter bubbles” | Eli Pariser. YouTube. Retrieved 2026, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ofWFx525s&t=20s.