The Loneliness Industry

Part II in the series on narcissism and society. In this episode of The Loneliness Industry, we dive deep into the impact of narcissism and perfectionism in today’s society and how they contribute to loneliness. Exploring the damaging roles we’re pushed into by both familial and societal systems, we unpack how narcissistic power shapes us into false selves, often leaving us disconnected from others and ourselves.

But here’s the twis...

What if society is gaslighting you — just like a narcissistic parent would?This episode exposes how Western culture mimics covert narcissistic abuse: demanding performance over authenticity, shaming your needs, rewarding image over connection, and leaving you with chronic loneliness and self-doubt.Discover how narcissistic traits like gaslighting, blame-shifting, triangulation, and emotional manipulation are not just personal — the...

Why do we feel unseen — even when we’re surrounded by people? And why does connection so often feel like a performance? This episode of The Loneliness Industry dives deep into the structural roots of loneliness — showing how Western capitalist values like independence, competition, control, and self-sufficiency actively undermine our ability to form meaningful connection. We explore how cultural scripts, stereotypes, and socially a...

Why does loneliness persist, even after all the therapy, self-help, and "inner work"?This episode of The Loneliness Industry dives deep into the structural roots of loneliness—showing how Western capitalist values like independence, competition, control, and self-sufficiency actively undermine our ability to form meaningful connection.

This episode tells you what the self-help world won’t:Loneliness isn’t just emotiona...

Is competition really driving us forward—or quietly pulling us apart? In this episode of The Loneliness Industry, we dig deep into how comparison culture, capitalist values, and performative selfhood are making us lonelier than ever. From office sports metaphors to narcissistic self-help mantras, we unpack the hidden psychological and philosophical costs of a society obsessed with winning.Expect critical insights from thinkers like...

The Lie of Cognitive Primacy — Why Your Feelings Matter More Than You’ve Been ToldWhat if the real reason you feel broken... isn’t you?In this episode, we confront one of the most insidious myths of modern life: cognitive primacy — the belief that our thoughts should govern our emotions, that logic is superior to feeling, and that healing means "thinking better."But this isn’t just bad psychology. It’s a cultural weapon —...

In this episode of The Loneliness Industry, we unpack how “control” is sold as empowerment in Western capitalist culture—but often acts as a hidden tool of ideological control and social division.

We explore how the pursuit of control offers comfort, but also fuels toxic self-blame, empathy gaps, and the myth that people ‘deserve’ their suffering. This episode challenges the narrative that personal failure is always personal—and ask...

In this first full episode of The Loneliness Industry, we dive into the philosophical roots of loneliness in Western culture—starting with individualism and the hero narrative that props it up.

Through the lens of pop culture, consumerism, and critical theory, I explore how Western capitalist ideology encourages us to see ourselves as lone protagonists on a personal quest—detached, self-sufficient, and responsible for everything. It...

 Welcome to the first episode of The Loneliness Industry, where we explore the real causes of loneliness in today’s world. I’m Jordan, and I’m here to help break the stigma around loneliness, unpack its societal roots, and offer a more nuanced conversation about isolation. As someone who has personally navigated the complexities of loneliness, I want to create a place where we don’t blame ourselves but instead look at the cultural,...