Breaking Down: Collapse

Episode 134 - Collapse in 2023

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Climate change consequences, conflict, political turmoil - you name it, 2023 had it. It was a wild year, and we just couldn't let it pass by without a...

Episode 132 - Lobbying

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's pay to play! Apparently it's legal to pay the government to pass (or not pass) desired legislation. This episode focuses on how the wea...

Episode 131 - The Problem with Fast Fashion

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I bet you didn't know that 10% of all emissions come from the fashion industry. Or that 75 million people are employed in manufacturing plants fo...

Episode 130 - The Outlook of Youth

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. How do young adults feel about the future, and how does it compare to their elders? What do they feel ...

Episode 129 - El Niño

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The impacts of climate change dramatically influence and are influenced by cyclical weather patterns.  Future El Niño cycles have major implications...

Episode 128 - Zoonotics and H5N1

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There's been much talk lately about the threat of H5N1 (Avian Influenza). In this episode we talk about what there is (and isn't) to fear ab...

Episode 127 - Heat Pumps

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can technology save us? Nah. Can it help us, though? Sure! Here's an example of a great technology with a lot of potential... but we don't t...

Episode 126 - Eastern Philosophies (Part 1)

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How we cope with the knowledge of the future is deeply personal. In this episode we touch on 2 ancient Eastern philosophies that many use as a source ...

Episode 125 - Homelessness

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret that capitalism doesn't take kindly to those caught in the feedback loop of homelessness. How will collapse affect homelessne...

Episode 124 - Book Review: Chris Hedges "America, The Farewell Tour"

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss journalist and author Chris Hedges and his book "America, The Farewell Tour.Learn More: America: The Farewell Tour | Book by...

Episode 123 - Debt

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Consumer and national debts are growing exponentially.  The unsustainable nature in which we borrow money in order to maintain our economic system is...

Episode 122 - The Future of Ownership

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is the future of ownership? Is it "The Great Reset" or "Feudalism 2.0"? In this episode we look into the direction we're...

Bonus Episode - 80

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here is a sample of our weekly bonus episodes. You can access all 80 of our bonus episodes by joining us on Patreon ($5/month).Kellan runs through sev...

Episode 121 - Artificial Intelligence (Part 2): Dark Potential

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talk about the potentially dark future of AI and what is known as the "singularity", were it able to break the constraints that...

Episode 120: Artificial Intelligence (Part 1): Current Reality

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is a lot of hype, especially recently, around the future of AI. The fact is that AI is present now in our world, for both positive and negative....

Episode 119 - Collapse in 2022

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our second annual installment, discussing the happenings of the previous year and how they relate to collapse. We often forget everything that's ...

Episode 118 - Narcissism in Leadership

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In dire times, such as these, it is more important than ever to have empathetic leaders who strive to do the right thing for their people. So why do w...

Episode 117 - A History of the Railroad and its Strikes in the US

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Relevant in the news recently have been the multiple attempts at railroad strikes by unions. What is the cause of these strikes, what impact would the...

Episode 116 - Infrastructure Deep Dive: Roads and Public Transport

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Infrastructure is the glue that holds our supply chain and economy together. The Army Corps of Engineers rates our roads at a grade of D, and our Publ...

Episode 115 - The Adaptation and Relocation of Fiji and Tuvalu

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We know that sea level rise is a real and accelerating threat - but what are nations doing to respond to it? In this episode, we talk about adaptation...

Episode 114 - Interview with Shaun Chamberlin

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shaun Chamberlin is an author and activist who has been exploring collapse and possible responses for over twenty years.  He is the editor of 'S...

Episode 113 - The Impact of Greenland and Antarctica on Sea Level Rise

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Greenland and Antarctica combine to hold a potential 225 feet of sea level rise. How much of that will be unlocked, and over what time frame? We discu...

Episode 112 - Stoicism

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The ancient philosophy of stoicism offers a great model for coping with collapse. In this episode we discuss its merits, along with its pitfalls.Learn...

Episode 111 - The Rise of Fascism

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fascist ideologies are on the rise around the United States and the Western world. What is fascism, why is it threatening us now, and how does it rela...

Episode 110 - The Collapse of the Overseer Class

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The maintenance cost of capital continues to rise, and the US (along with many places in the world) have tied up so much into their overseer classes, ...

Episode 109 - Raising Children in a Time of Collapse

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's an ugly truth that those with children today will raise their children through extremely difficult times. This episode aims to help give som...

Episode 108 - Interview with "Alone" Season 9 Winner

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we speak with the winner of season 9 of the popular History Channel series "Alone". If you're a fan of the show but hav...

Episode 107 - Peak Phosphorus

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Phosphorus is an essential element to sustain life on earth, from plants to humans. Like oil, it is finite and we're using it an exponentially in...

Episode 106 - Nihilism

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The way individuals view the world shapes the way they cope with the reality of collapse and respond to each crisis that presents itself.  What exact...

Episode 105 - Vertical Farming

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

By 2050, 1/3rd of the world population is expected to live in urban areas. This is just one of the many issues facing humanity regarding food supply. ...

Episode 104 - The Broken US Healthcare System (Part 2)

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While last week we spoke about the inefficiencies in the US healthcare system that have existed for decades, this week we discuss the current state of...

Episode 103 - The Broken US Healthcare System

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is too much to say about why the US healthcare system is awful. This episode discusses broadly some of those reasons, with follow-ups to come on...

Episode 102 - Combatting the Urban Heat Island Effect

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some bold claims are made about many technologies and their potential abilities to combat or adapt to climate change. This week we discuss one that cl...

Episode 101 - The Role of Property Insurance

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As risks from climate change and other collapse factors rise, many people are left wondering: "what will happen to insurance?" We've go...

Episode 100 - The Cooling Paradox

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the planet heats up, air conditioning is becoming more and more necessary for maintaining quality of life and in some cases life itself. All this c...

Episode 99 - How Collapse Effects the Most Vulnerable

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret that collapse effects the poor and minorities first. This episode explains that idea along with some specific examples.Support the...

Episode 98 - The Efforts of Activist Groups

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All over the world you can find groups of people banding together to try and change the system in order to prevent the worst of collapse. In this epis...

Episode 97 - Human Behavior During Disasters

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is a common myth that, generally, people behave savagely towards each other in times of disaster. According to disaster social studies, this cou...

Episode 96: Psychological Barriers to Confronting Collapse

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps the primary reason we continue barreling down the path to collapse is the natural resistance humans have to understanding, accepting, and conf...

Episode 95 - Collapse Happening Today (Part 2)

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a follow up to last week's episode on the same topic, this week we talk about Myanmar, Ukraine, South Africa, and Syria. Last week the countri...

Episode 94 - Collapse Happening Today (Part 1)

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In past episodes we have focused on how societies collapsed historically, but what about countries that are collapsing today? This episode focuses on ...

Episode 93 - Inflation

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation is here and *surprise* - it's not transitory. What causes inflation? What kinds of inflation are there and what comes next?Support the ...

Bonus Episode - 52

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Every so often we publish one of our Bonus Episodes here on the main podcast. This week we discussed an article claiming that "Melting Ice means ...

Episode 92 - The Environmental Impact of Big Data

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Data is a lesser-talked-about element of collapse, but an important one! "The Cloud" is, indeed, not a magical floating database in the sky ...

Episode 91 - Drought

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Entire societies have collapsed due to insufficient access to water - as a matter of fact, drought is perhaps the #1 reason for civilizational collaps...

Episode 90 - The Electrical Grid

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The US electrical grid is known as "the largest machine in the world". It's complex, it's vital, and it's vulernable.  In th...

Episode 89 - Why We're Wrong (or so they say) - Conflict

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the subseries, we talk about the reasons why some believe we won't see conflict in the future. While we don't make any sp...

Episode 88 - "The Changing World Order" by Ray Dalio (Part 2)

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this second episode on Ray Dalio's book "The Changing World Order" Kellan details what Dalio thinks the world will look like in the ...

Episode 87 - "The Changing World Order" by Ray Dalio (Part 1)

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we discuss Ray Dalio's Book titled "The Changing World Order"Support the showPlease join us on Patreon for weekly bonus...

Episode 86 - Anti-Technology and the Unabomber with David Skrbina

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we interview David Skrbina, an author and professor who writes about his anti-technology philosphy. David has written a book with Ted Kazyns...

Episode 85 - Paleoclimatology

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Climate change deniers often ask "How can you possibly know what happened 10,000 years ago?". Paleoclimatology is a fascinating field of stu...

Episode 84 - The Collapse of Education

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"The collapse of education is the collapse of the nation" - maybe Nelson Mandela, maybe not. Either way, it's true, and we'll expl...

Episode 83 - Infectious Diseases (Part 2)

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this second episode on infectious diseases, we discuss the increasing trend in zoonotic diseases, as well as the potential dangers of prion disease...

Episode 82 - Technology Can't Save Us - Recycling

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You've probably heard a considerable amount of conflicting information when it comes to recycling? What's the truth and what's fiction?...

Episode 81 - Resolving Differences during Collapse

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Communication is key to building relationships and resilient communities. The world is full of differing opinions, lifestyles, choices, etc. These dif...

Episode 80 - Interview with Richard Heinberg

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we got to speak with Richard Heinberg about his new book "Power".  Richard Heinberg is Senior Fellow of Post Carbon Institute and...

Episode 79 - Interview with Chase

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An interview with one of our listeners, who has a unique perspective as someone with multiple degrees and experience in permaculture and horticulture,...

Episode 78 - The Global Dimming Paradox

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone knows that we should be making efforts to slow and stop fossil fuel emissions, but not as many are aware of the paradox of global dimming, wh...

Episode 77 - Two Types of Collapse (Voluntary vs Forced)

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've spent 76 episodes discussing the fact that industrialized society will collapse. Most of these episodes have focused on the idea that colla...

Bonus Episode (35)

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Every week we release a bonus episode for our Patrons, and every so often we release one on the main podcast. In this episode we discuss the newest in...

Episode 76 - Facing a Fear of Collapse

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our sub-series on coping with collapse, in this episode we talk about a few strategies for confronting fear and anxiety about the future.Su...

Episode 75 - Mental Health Crisis

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we discuss the ongoing and worsening mental health crisis taking place globally.Learn More:https://www.mhanational.org/issues/state-me...

Episode 74 - Preparation with Margaret Killjoy

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret Killjoy joins us on the podcast to dicsuss community and individual preparedness.  Margaret is a transfeminine author, musician, and podcast...

Episode 73 - Technology Won't Save Us (Carbon Capture)

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are two technologies that techno-optimists love to tout as our saviors, that which will save us in the future: Carbon Capture and Geoengineering...

Episode 72 - Interview with Dr. Joseph Tainter (Complex Societies)

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kellan and I were pleased to interview Dr. Joseph Tainter. The conversation revolved around his widely known book "The Collapse of Complex Societ...

Episode 71 - Mass Migration

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most concerning consequences of the future is mass migration. Mass migration is both a cause and consequence of collapse, creating a positi...

Episode 70 - Pop Culture & Collapse (Interview with The Pop Mythologist)

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we had the opportunity to speak with Daniel J Kim, AKA The Pop Mythologist, about the role that pop culture and works of fiction play when i...

Episode 69 - Why We're Wrong (or so they say) - Climate Change Part 2

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this second installment of our new Why We're Wrong (or so they say) subseries, we're exploring why they say we're wrong about Climat...

Episode 68 - Why We're Wrong (or so they say) - Climate Change Part 1

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this second installment of our new Why We're Wrong (or so they say) subseries, we're exploring why they say we're wrong about Climat...

Episode 67 - Collapse in 2021

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This year we start an annual tradition of discussing how collapse has played out during the year, as well as discussing predictions for the next year....

Episode 66 - Death of Democracy with Haven Scott McVarish

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we were pleased to interview Haven Scott McVarish, who is the founder and director of the non-profit organizations Common Sense Democracy an...

Episode 65 - Methane

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to greenhouse gasses, C02 typically takes center stage. In this episode we take on the 2nd most prolific greenhouse gas, methane, which ...

Episode 64 - Infrastructure Deep Dive (Bridges and Dams)

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Previously (episode 45), we talked about the weaknesses in global infrastructure from a very high level, with the promise to touch deeper on different...

Episode 63 - Why We're Wrong (or so they say): Resource Scarcity

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast, and the exploration of collapse itself, can be a bit of an echo chamber. In this sub-series we want to take an honest look at the counte...

Episode 62: Historical Precedent of Collapse

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

History is full of examples of collapse of all sorts. This week we take a high level look at some of those collapses and attempt to find the parallels...

Bonus Episode 20 - Catastrophes in British Columbia

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is an example of the bonus episodes we release weekly every Friday to our Patreon subscribers. Use the link below to join!Support the showPlease ...

Episode 61 - Interview with Michael Rezl (U/LetsTalkUFOs) | Ladder of Collapse Awareness

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We were pleased to interview Michael Rezl, one of the senior moderators on r/collapse, on his perspective on Reddit, moderating, and getting his insig...

Episode 60 - Sea Level Rise

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It is one of the most talked about aspects of climate change in the mainstream, and yet one of the most misunderstood.  Sea level rise is more than j...

Episode 59 - ARkStorm

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to natural disasters, California doesn't have it easy. Droughts, wildfires, mudslides, The Big One, (and last but certainly not lea...

Episode 58 - Can Technology Save Us? (Part 5 - Electric Vehicles)

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the "Can Technology Save Us?" series up to this point we've taken a look at renewable electricity, nuclear fission, geoengineering, ...

Episode 57 - The True Cost of the US Military

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The US defence budget is enormous - as big as the next 10 countries combined! In this episode we discuss the true cost of the US military, beyond just...

Episode 56 - The Elite Cycle and Limited Upward Mobility

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A recent model predicts civil conflict and even civil war in the United states. A prerequisite for this to happen is that there has to be restrictions...

Episode 55 - Kessler Syndrome

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With increases in technology come increases in complexity. Over the years we've continually added important infrastructure to Earth's orbit,...

Episode 54 - Supply Chain Strain (Semiconductors)

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we take an up-close look at one example of our currently strained supply chains, semiconductors. Why are we running short? What implic...

Episode 53 - Tropical Cyclones

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many parts of the world live in areas heavily impacted by tropical cyclones. Costing 10's and even 100's of billions of dollars per year in ...

Episode 52 - Mental Resilience during Collapse

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mental health and resilience is one of the lesser-spoken-about topics of collapse, but one that is so important as the world around us continually cha...

Episode 51 - A Conversation with Professor Tom Murphy

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We sat down with Professor Tom Murphy to discuss his views on collapse. Tom is a professor in the physics department at UCSD, and recently released a ...

Episode 50 - Losing the Amazon

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We often hear about the importance of the Amazon and that it's in danger. What does that really mean? In this episode we dive into what the futur...

Episode 49 - How to Speak to Others about Collapse

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Collapse is a heavy topic, and many people struggle with how to bring it up to others.  While the situation may not always warrant teaching someone a...

Episode 48 - Waste

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Much of the focus of collapse conversation seems to be growing consumption and the energy resources required to make it possible. Less spoken of, howe...

Episode 47 - Heatwaves and Wet Bulb

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some of climate change's most deadly consequences will come from an increase in deadly heatwaves. In this episode, Kory and Kellan discuss what t...

Episode 46: Can Technology Save Us? (Part 4 - Nuclear Fusion)

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the "Can Technology Save Us?" mini-series Kory and Kellan discuss nuclear fusion - its potential for providing vast amoun...

Episode 45 - Infrastructure

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A functioning civilized society requires an ever-increasingly complex network of infrastructure. As that infrastructure ages, and necessary maintenanc...

Bonus Episode - Leaked IPCC Report

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is a bonus episode, which reflects the weekly bonus episodes we release as a "ThankYou" to our Patreon supporters. This week's top...

Episode 44 - Censorship

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As governments around the world feel the stress of collapse, they will likely attempt to increase control of their people. One of the ways this is don...

Episode 43 - Insect Collapse

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Insects are at the bottom of the food chain, and entire ecoystems rely on them. As human activity continues to fill the corners of the earth and cause...

Episode 42 - Declining Birth Rates

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Birth rates decline for many reasons - both voluntary and involuntary. What are those reasonds, and what does this mean for society and for collapse?S...

Episode 41 - Peak Sand

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many of our scarce resources are known, somewhat mainstream, and fairly obvious. Others, however, are not as apparent. This episode is about the surpr...

Episode 40 - AMOC and Jet Streams

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kory and Kellan describe the reasons for, and potential outcomes of, a slowing AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation).  And no, it's...

Episode 39 - Updates to Limits to Growth

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Referring back to episode 4, Kory and Kellan give an update on the scenarios presented in the book "Limits to Growth", with information from...