Things Fell Apart

British-American writer Jon Ronson has made a career out of telling complicated stories. He investigates fringe politics and conspiracy theories, often embedding himself in his journalism without ever claiming to hold an objective opinion. So why does his work, notably his most recent podcast, feel so even-handed?

Things Fell Apart is a show about the “culture wars” in the West. After an acclaimed first season, Ronson has returned with eight episodes on hot topics including vaccine skepticism and hysteria about the threat of Antifa. These are stories we’ve heard before, but Ronson tells them a little differently. He goes back to the beginning, to the origin stories if you will. He finds the people at the heart of these conspiracies and traces their journey from normie to radical. Ronson asks thoughtful questions, offering his opinion only when necessary. Often, we don’t know how his subject got involved until near the end, giving us time to empathize with them.

Click the link to listen: Things Fell Apart on Apple Podcasts