Badass Confidence Coach | Your Personal Trainer for Your Mind

244. Schadenfreude, Shame, and the Cost of Going Viral

Anna Marcolin Episode 244

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What is it about someone else’s downfall that feels so satisfying? In this episode, Anna and Tim unpack the viral Coldplay concert scandal that had 62 million people watching (and judging!). But this isn’t about gossip. It’s a deeper look at schadenfreude, the shadow parts of ourselves, and why public shame has become a form of sport.

Join them as they explore how social media turns private pain into public spectacle, and why so many of us secretly relish watching others fall. From jealousy and moral superiority to emotional regulation and cultural conditioning, this conversation holds up a mirror. Can you look at it?

This Episode Covers:

  • The psychology behind delighting in someone else’s misfortune
  • How social media makes people feel like avatars, not humans
  • The cultural comeback of public shaming
  • What it means to take the high road when it’s hard
  • How shadow work can reveal envy, insecurity, or resentment
  • The concept of “downward social comparison” and why it soothes us
  • When humor becomes a mask for judgment
  • A challenge to move from voyeur to validator in your own life

Until next time, here's to deeper connections and personal growth.
Mad love!

The podcast is now on YouTube! If you prefer to watch, head over to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw3CabcJueib20U_L3WeaR-lNG_B3zYqu

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