The Psychology of Pile Ons. Uncut with Clare Stephens
Life Uncut21 Aug 2025

The Psychology of Pile Ons. Uncut with Clare Stephens

Clare Stephens is a writer, screenwriter, editor and podcaster. She’s the former editor-in-chief at Mamamia and host of the podcasts Cancelled and But, Are You Happy? Clare also worked as a writer and producer on the Binge series Strife starring Asher Keddie and is about to publish her first novel, The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done!

It tells the story of Ruby Williams, a young woman working in digital media who publishes an article that sees her at the bottom of an online pile-on. More broadly, it’s about shame - the way it never truly leaves you, and how we bury it. Clare is here to speak about the psychology of pile ons, cancel culture, what type of people handle being cancelled better than others and the media narratives surrounding public shaming!

Today we speak about:

  • Why Clare chose to go out on her own after almost a decade at Mamamia
  • Public shame and ‘metacognition’
  • How the psychology of online debates and conversations is different to in person
  • How it feels to be at the bottom of a pile on
  • How and why some influencers cause pile ons of other people and use outrage to grow their own platforms
  • There’s no good response to a pile on; silence is interpreted as guilt, speaking back causes more headlines and fuel on the fire
  • What makes someone more likely to be cancelled?

You can pre-order The Worst Thing I've Ever Done (out September 30) here.

Follow Clare on Instagram

Subscribe to Clare’s substack

You can watch us on Youtube

Find us on Instagram

Join us on tiktok

Or join the Facebook Discussion Group

Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(899)

INSIDE THE MANOSPHERE - We Have Thoughts!

INSIDE THE MANOSPHERE - We Have Thoughts!

Hey Lifers!Britt has had a bit of a morning. Laura feels like she’s been on a bender from a lack of sleep but she may have found a solution (to knowing how much sleep she’s getting rather than actuall...

17 Mar 47min

Ask Uncut - Is Cheating Acceptable If It's For Spiritual Awakening?

Ask Uncut - Is Cheating Acceptable If It's For Spiritual Awakening?

Welcome back to your ask uncut where we unpack your deep and burning questions!Vibes for the week:Laura - Claude Britt - @rainbowdadsKeeshia - The Dinner Ladies Then we jump into your questions! 6 YE...

15 Mar 50min

Offcuts - Silent Retreats, Penguin Pebbles and Cheaters Forced Into Escape Rooms

Offcuts - Silent Retreats, Penguin Pebbles and Cheaters Forced Into Escape Rooms

Welcome to Offcuts where we chat about whatever piqued our interest this week in a light, fun little package to send you off on your weekend! We chat: Silent retreats Penguins and their pebbles Shoul...

13 Mar 42min

Finally Getting Her Baby Girl - Uncut with Tanya Hennessy

Finally Getting Her Baby Girl - Uncut with Tanya Hennessy

Today’s guest is one of our most beloved comedians, writers, broadcasters and content creators Tanya Hennessy! We first sat down with Tanya just over a year ago when she shared one of the most challen...

12 Mar 55min

Love Story: Hero vs Villain & Are We Only Celebrating the ‘Right’ Milestones?

Love Story: Hero vs Villain & Are We Only Celebrating the ‘Right’ Milestones?

Hey Lifers!Britt is ‘trying something new’ today and she’s been humbled by her closest friends.P*rnhub has locked Aussies out and Britt has revisited her saucy past. Have you ever vetted a nude for a ...

10 Mar 1h

Ask Uncut - Bad Breath, Baby Names and Betrayal 

Ask Uncut - Bad Breath, Baby Names and Betrayal 

Welcome back to Ask Uncut, where we answer your deep and burning questions!Vibes for the week:Britt - Weekender Premium Foldable Travel BagLaura - The Perfect Neighbor on Netflix Keeshia - Lexon Mina ...

8 Mar 50min

Offcuts - Is This The End Of Our Favourite Cheese?

Offcuts - Is This The End Of Our Favourite Cheese?

Welcome to Offcuts where we chat about whatever piqued our interest this week in a light, fun little package to send you off on your weekend! We chat: Laura's protesting a negative review with her ch...

6 Mar 38min

Our First Friday Guest Ask Uncut! With Toni Lodge

Our First Friday Guest Ask Uncut! With Toni Lodge

Hey lifers! We know you love ask uncut! The data tells us that you love ask uncut. They’re our most popular episodes so we have decided that once a month (ish - give or take 😂) we are going to have a...

5 Mar 41min

Populært innen Samfunn

rss-spartsklubben
giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
konspirasjonspodden
popradet
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-henlagt-andy-larsgaard
min-barneoppdragelse
wolfgang-wee-uncut
grenselos
synnve-og-vanessa
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-dannet-uten-piano
fladseth
alt-fortalt
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
rss-frekvens-med-anine-olsen
198-land-med-einar-trnquist