Ever heard an anti-vaxxer tell their story? Matteo speaks to Craig Idlebrook, a former anti-vaxxer turned teacher, father and advocate. From Veganism to Pet Telepathy, Craig describes in great detail his descent into and eventually out of the anti-vax movement, the effects this way of thinking had on himself and his loved ones, and what Craig would tell anti-vaxxers today. Matteo also speaks to Doreen Dodgen-Magee, an expert in conspiratorial thinking and the role of social media in strengthening and spreading these beliefs, about each step in Craig’s story, and the psychological processes that guided Craig’s decision-making along the way.
Media Minded explores the bizarre world of misinformation and conspiracies. Following on from the success of the first season in 2019, each episode platforms a different subject who has previously been a victim of, or a willing participant in, a conspiracy theory… but these lines may be more blurred than you think. Ex-cultists, anti-vaxxers and more describe their slow descent into the untrue, and those who experience the brunt of the lies and hatred explain the effect that the proliferation of these ideas has. All the while, industry-leading academics and experts provide theoretical justifications for the actions taken by all parties.
Presented by Matteo Bergamini
Edited and recorded by Sabina Mckenzie Brown.
This podcast is made possible thanks to the kind support and sponsorship of the US embassy in London.
