Good Vibes Only
Matthew Syed explores why positivity is often the default response to difficult news, and asks whether a culture that celebrates Good Vibes Only is actually making us feel worse.
At some point in our lives, all of us will face difficult news. That was the case for Canadian academic Kate Bowler. She was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, at just 35. When the news hits, the support she receives is overwhelmingly positive. But as well intentioned as those responses are, Kate becomes trapped in a role she doesn’t want to play.
Matthew Syed asks why we reach for positivity so quickly in the face of suffering and where that instinct comes from.
With contributions from Kate Bowler; Dr Stephanie Alice Baker, Professor of Sociology at City St George's, University of London and social psychologist Pr Batja Mesquita, from Leuven University.
Presenter: Matthew Syed
Producer: Julien Manuguerra-Patten
Editor: Katherine Godfrey
Production Manager: Joe Savage
Sound Design and Engineering: Nicholas Alexander
Theme tune by Ioana Selaru
A Novel production for BBC Radio 4
On radio
Broadcasts
- Wed 5 Aug 202609:00BBC Radio 4
- Thu 6 Aug 202605:04BBC Radio 4
- Fri 7 Aug 202616:30BBC Radio 4
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Podcast
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Sideways
Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives, making us see the world differently.
