Breaking Down: Collapse

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Apprehensive about the future? Like many, you likely have a gut feeling that things aren't quite right, but haven’t been able to place your finger on why. That feeling only grows with the increasing political tensions, economic uncertainty, natural disasters, and supply chain disruptions. What do all these challenges mean? And what will be the result of society’s current trajectory? “Breaking Down: Collapse” takes the complex concepts surrounding the ultimate collapse of modern industrial society and simplifies them so they’re easier to learn. The compelling evidence for our inevitable decline is introduced by collapse-aware Kory to his good friend, Kellan, who probably doesn’t realize what he signed up for! Skeptical? Gear up for a paradigm shift!


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Recent Reviews
  • Sweatpants00
    If you want emotive analysis-free hot-breathing, this your podcast
    My sister recommended this podcast as she knows I’m sort of a technocratic in-the-weeds logician. (I listen to local government meetings.) I wanted a thoughtful perspective on Project 2025 so this episode caught my eye. I’m 27 minutes into the Project 2025 episode and the majority is hot breathing and quotations of other partisans. No analysis. Way to go, guys. Now I’m questioning my sister’s sanity. Does she even know me? Has she suffered head trauma? Next she’ll be recommending shows on Bravo and mayonnaise-based foods. They do a lot of quoting of other people talking about it but haven’t really done any analysis on their own and I’m not even sure if they’re citing Project 2025 accurately. The one androgynously-named guy admits to only reading the 17 page Forward. And the other androgynously-named guy, it seems, didn’t even read that! How can you do a podcast analyzing a document yet not read the document?!? So, I question what they deem analysis. Yes, it’s a large document. But this is a podcast about the details of it. If you want to be taken seriously, READ IT! That’s the job. I skimmed a good bit of it and see the logic of most of what I read. That doesn’t mean they have to agree with it. Not at all! I was hoping for piece by piece technical researched deep dive. After 27 minutes of hot breathing and emotional insults while admitting you didn’t actually read the document, it’s clear that isn’t coming. The only citations I heard were the four pillars of the document, which they didn’t actually disagree with, yet strangely read with a disgusted tone! An embarrassing enterprise.
  • Keykeybo
    Instantly enamored
    The closest thing I can feel to warm fuzzies lately is confirmation that what I’m seeing with my eyes is real. I don’t want to be told it’s not happening. I want to dive into what is going on and why it’s unavoidable. Thank you for doing just that.
  • sandcamp7
    Comforting
    I’ve found Kory and Kellan’s banter on the subject of collapse to be enjoyable. If you’ve been paying attention, much of what is discussed will not come as a surprise. I appreciate that they take their time to devote whole episodes to discuss the Kessler effect and abandoned nuclear sites. Many of the topics discussed in previous episodes have indeed come to pass. I really don’t understand what the negative reviewers were expecting here. Maybe skip the review and move along. This is my favorite podcast along with “Fall of Civilizations”.
  • No clans
    Love it
    Awesome!
  • Davidcaamano
    accessible and informative
    personally i think these topics need an intersectional perspective (acknowledging nation state entities, hierarchy, and underlying systemic problems associated w/ the global west) but i completely understand why that’s a barrier for entry and accessibility. acknowledging global truths about politics can easily be a turnoff when those truths are in blindspots for the listener. otherwise, a fantastic access point into our changing climate and the world that will be on our shoulders in only a few yrs time, if not currently
  • Souldiva23
    No surprise on latest releases
    Y’all literally got ahead of yourselves and tried starting another podcast covering a less relevant topic then tried to back track onto this one again because (and I’m just assuming) that the other podcast is not thriving like you hoped (no surprise). I reviewed back when you came out with the “Wrap up” saying exactly this. I have to say the 2 episodes that you released were weak in comparison to earlier episodes and were not information rich. It was also a funny hear you both step around and avoid the topic of ya’ll “wrapping up” like it was temporary the whole time (which honestly just showed that everything did not work out how you thought it would). The weeks since you released those episodes which you used to release every week also shows the decline in quality.
  • castls123
    I’m stupider for having listened to this.
    Wow
  • Mike Griffin77
    Good podcast for a primer
    This podcast covers a wide range of subjects regarding the dire issues facing our planet and people. The coverage is informative at a basic level, but you can listen to the entire series and not get your ankles wet. This is problematic because the gravity of the message (extraordinary claims) requires a deeper and more substantiated discussion (extraordinary evidence). I recommend that folks go to a library and read books by experts, or if you must do podcasts, try Nate Hagens’ “the great simplification”. He’s an expert, interviews experts, and isn’t monetizing his project.
  • Bradmeiklejohn
    Eastern Religion - Buddhism
    Guys, I would send you an email but I can't find an address. Your episode on Eastern Religion where Kellen discussed Buddhism was a very good synopsis. A few tips to clear up some of the points: The First Noble Truth is the statement that suffering exists in the world, not that life is suffering. Each of the truths has 3 aspects that need to be penetrated to or fully experienced. Thus, we have to feel the experience of suffering. The third truth, the cessation of suffering, directs us to experience the end of suffering, which is possible. Once we get intimate with what suffering feels like and how we create it we can also have the experience of not suffering. Cory asked what happens when you achieve enlightenment: no, you don't disappear, you cease to suffer. Karma can be simply understood as cause-and-effect. This causes that. With metta, Brad Meiklejohn Eagle River, Alaska
  • Palchez
    Pretty good
    I’m still in the early 20’s of episodes. Interested to see where the lads get to. Some really big topics haven’t even been mentioned yet.
  • oldtime sp
    Gentle Accessible Presentation of Collapse
    I discovered this Podcast while searching for information about a climate change related situation, the slowing down of the AMOC. Discovered that climate change is but one area where we’ve pushed the limit. Kory and Kelan are two good friends discussing difficult information in a gentle but matter of fact way. Their kindness and compassion come through. I’ve found listening to their voices to be therapeutic. Hearing them makes me feel less lonely more able to carry this heartbreaking knowledge. Note that while they don’t have a science or economics background, this very fact makes their podcast more broadly accessible. Glad to have Kory and Kelan to share the unfolding of the years to come.
  • dareelForestG
    Contrived
    The faux student / teacher structure made this a hard listen for me. As far as the actual content is concerned it's pretty good provided you view global warming, Q, and Russia as existential threats to humanity.
  • QuidProHo
    If Wikipedia and the Collapse subreddit were an audio format.
    This podcast is the Collapse subreddit and Wikipedia presented as an audio medium. The first few episodes were informative but as I kept listening, I realized that the level of research put into each episode is equates to a basic level of googling and wikipedia. The episodes don’t feature any guests with expertise so the information is mostly speculative and opinion based with lots of hypothetical scenarios. There’s much better collapse related podcasts out there: I recommend: 1. “Planet Critical” and “Hot Takes” for environmental collapse. 2. “Current Affairs” for economic collapse. 3. “Gaslit Nation” and “The New Abnormal” for political collapse.
  • MichianaMan
    Cathartic collapse discussion
    These guys are very informed and present an intelligent discussion about the inevitability of humanity’s demise that we’ve caused. I have personally recommended this podcast to a few in my life that are open to the idea because we’re all seeing the writing on the walls.
  • jrost74
    Great Podcast
    I have been feeling concern about the direction of human society for a long time, but I could never quite put it all together. These guys have done that hard work for us. Great job!
  • PlamTina
    Needs a fact checker
    Some facts need more research and fact checking
  • Jeremycw1
    Excellent crash course
    I’ve been interested in these topics for years, but the overlapping issues always get fragmented and hard to piece together. This is a great way to piece it all together, and acts like a springboard to do my own research and learning. I don’t take what Kory says as gospel, but appreciate his way of presenting the issues and his take on it. Very thankful for the time and effort put into this- I’ll be sharing with as many friends as I can.
  • J03J4CK
    Finally! Peace and clarity about the future
    I graduated college in environmental studies in 2010. Even then I had a feeling that humanity was screwed but I held out hope. I ended up building a successful career in software development and had mostly forgotten about my dream to live off grid. I was beginning to feel a bit of dread about future uncertainty and discovering this podcast reminded me that all my concerns are valid and reinvigorated my passion to move off grid. I really love that Kory and Kellan avoid politics and instead stick to discussing scientific literature. They’re not prescriptive and non-judgmental. They do discuss politics as it relates to collapse, but I really wish they would be more honest about the advancing threat of fascism in America fueled by misinformation which are dangerously contagious due to offering oversimplified solutions based on convenient explanations of social issues. I only started listening a couple months ago and I’m currently on episode 46 so maybe they go over this in a future episode.
  • Happiela123
    makes you feel less crazy
    Just started listening and I love it! Been going around saying this stuff to my friends/family for a while and everyone thinks I’m chicken little lol. This pod makes me feel less crazy Also: calling myself a “member of the collapse community” feels cringe, I consider myself a “scholar of the apocalypse”
  • trevorbyrne
    I’ve listened to every episode
    I discovered this podcast in 2021 through reddit, and it has grown to become my favorite. It’s really informative, balanced, and tells it like it is. The guys are realistic—not pessimistic. It’s oddly comforting to hear the threats that we are facing because now I can choose to prepare (or not). Corey and Kellen are just easy to listen to. It’s entertaining (without being cheesy)—like your favorite class in school. You can choose to put your head in the sand, and then be caught off guard when some of these highly predictable scenarios play out. Or, you can be aware of it and make appropriate plans today that will position you to be more resilient tomorrow.
  • Allamerican2209
    Reddit is constantly referenced
    I do agree with the problems that the host is discussing, that our population size is too vast. That the environment is being irreparably damaged. That we are facing an energy crisis. The problem is this, the host constantly references Reddit as if going on Reddit is a good place to begin research. I’ve actively heard the host make mistakes/site “facts” that are erroneous with absolute confidence. Talking about renewables, he talks on them in a minor fashion but basically writes them off as viable because it doesn’t fit his narrative. It makes everything else he says questionable. Then there’s the fact that anyone who disputes what he and his Reddit community have to say are “on hopeium” therefore any information not confirming their confirmation bias is delusional. Who are these people? They sound like 30 year dudes who sit on Reddit and doom scroll. I’d be okay with this if they referenced credible sources, instead of constantly going back to Reddit. Then there’s the “skeptical” cohost. Wow, I’ve never met a more unskeptical person. He’s clearly in the community and because these collapse community people are so insulated they can’t be skeptical. Talking about top soil he said “well I see a lot of open land. Why cant we use that.” The host easy rebuffs that…well what about human innovation. Parts of California and Arizona were deserts and now have people living there. So right now 1/5 of all land has top soil enough to farm on. I’m also skeptical of farmers degrading their own land…that doesn’t make economic sense. To summarize…at least in the first 4 episodes…confirmation bias, Reddit as a reference, and no integration of any information from outside sources…when everything=collapse everything will be collapse. When you research, you don’t have an absolute end in mind…if you do, your research is flawed. I think talking about the possibility of collapse is interesting. Wondering about how the world can be is fascinating BUT the comment that struck me was this “I want to see the disaster coming and be able to plan for it. I don’t want to be slapped in the face with it.” That comment of absolutes is the problem with this podcast. The idea that this ABSOLUTELY WILL HAPPEN is what is wrong with this podcast. They open up the podcast episode 1 saying that they won’t be alarmist and want to build a community that can change these outcomes/slow them down…yet…all they talk about is the inevitability of this. That’s a sad way to live, to not believe in your fellow man so much and making comments like “eat the rich” and mean literally cannibalism…I just don’t put myself around people who believe that to be part of their community, you have to want to hurt another community. 🤷🏻‍♂️
  • Knotty Hearthcraft
    Great content, great presentation
    I have learned so much about collapse in such a short period from these guys. Not alarmist, not hopium. They have great chemistry and a great manner of presenting the information.
  • Milpool32
    Very realistic yet not alarmist
    This podcast is a great way to stay informed about the big issues we are facing. They’re firm in their belief of collapse but not trying to start a panic. Learning about collapse has actually helped improve my mental health so I’m grateful for the work they’re doing.
  • MichelleRene67
    Found It!
    My whole life (Gen x here!), I’ve wondered when this was coming— decades of watching us consume more & more with reckless abandon has always just left me bewildered & I just knew. We can’t keep going down this road forever. Between Covid, social unrest, war in Europe, climate change, the increasing economic dichotomy & vanishing middle class, I do not understand how others don’t see where we’re going. “Normal” may never be normal again. Also, as someone who gave up a pretty typical middle class life on precisely 2/1/2020 (due to divorce), I now REALLY recognize the struggle to carve out & just AFFORD a life amid inflation, housing costs, low wages & shaky social supports— life is tough down here for real!!! Thank you guys for breaking this down for those of us who can see the collapse happening before our eyes! This is EXACTLY the life guide I’ve been looking for 💯
  • Maybe Surely
    Thoughtful, informative, and positivity impactful.
    I’m on episode 56 already and I feel soooo much better about life as weird as that might sound. I was somewhat collapse aware but hadn’t gotten to the acceptance part and this show really has helped. Also my thoughts are better organized, I’m better informed, and will likely be more effective in sharing ideas and info with others in the future. It’s an amazing, thoughtful approach to a difficult subject and I am grateful.
  • KeBoth
    Outstanding!
    This is the best podcast on the subject that I have listened to. And I’ve listened to dozens.
  • hypergraphing
    Great Podcast
    Very informative. It’s tough to emotionally absorb, but I love how they communicate the facts.
  • Madame CCW
    Interesting Show But Not Necessarily Accurate
    The first couple episodes are very interesting and I love how they break down the concept of collapse from different angles. The only issue I have is that sometimes the hosts get a little caught up in their own spin and opinions without taking into account alternate arguments or viewpoints. I’m always skeptical of people who presume to know the future to the degree that these guys and the rest of the collapse aware community do. That said, a lot of what they’re predicting is probable enough to be worth thinking about, even if the vast majority of us can’t really do much to stop it.
  • Nairobi 88
    Calm concern
    I’ve been listening for a few months and this podcast is like a civilized college seminar where someone is unpacking and holding a dialogue around stuff that’s hard to think about but must be looked at. Most convos around collapse feel like freak out frenzies and this one allows people to explore and consider and learn. I’m still a bit freaked but now it’s with a certain momentum and resolve rather than simply throwing my hands up.
  • lizzie:)
    Great podcast
    Great overview of collapse, and surprisingly uplifting, at least compared to doom scrolling. It’s really well organized considering there are (unfortunately) so many aspects to this topic.
  • Summit Seeker CC
    Enjoying it so far
    I’m on episode 4 & am enjoying this podcast. I’m already on board with the idea of collapse but it’s great to learn about more of the details that this will/might involve. One thing though - in episode 3, they say that probably none of their listeners were alive in the 70s. How strange. Why would you think that? Anyway, think again! And don’t discount the actual lived experiences of those of us who remember what those fuel shortages were like. Looking forward to the next episodes, even if the audience is supposed to be younger that I am, ha ha!
  • knocknamey
    Who are “Kory and Kellan”?
    Why so secretive? They want you to give them money via Patreo but there is NO identification anywhere as to who these two people are. No last names! No background offered! Do they have ANY expertise? Who knows! lol Conclusion: just two random dudes with no credentials who cannot be trusted to give safe and accurate information on such an important topic. So I cannot trust the podcast. Should you?
  • Amelia8989
    Not Substantive, Intelligent
    The host’s so-called “skeptic” friend really just accepts pretty much everything and doesn’t ask salient questions. The host doesn’t use enough data, and the data that is used isn’t used in an intelligent way (showing how it proves or at least supports the causal links asserted). I like the premise of the podcast, but if you’re actually skeptical going in or coming at this from a critical perspective, it doesn’t bring much to the table.
  • Faster_than_expected
    The most important podcast you didn’t know you needed to hear
    I thought I had my head wrapped around the climate issues we face before listening, but this podcast really helped me to see our societal issues from a more multifaceted and high level point of view. The information is accessible and presented in a conversational format, which puts you at ease while listening, despite the content being difficult to process emotionally. These guys have done a fantastic job of presenting some heavy topics in a digestible and even enjoyable format, and if you like listening to Stuff you Should Know, you’ll find a lot of similarities here. Please do an episode on aerosol pollution soon, aka “global dimming.”
  • Robert872
    Not sustainable.
    Started out quite well, delineating the issues with a sort of Socratic method, and refreshingly free of the “bro banter” and constant giggling that ruins so many podcasts. They’re focused and dignified in their presentation. Unfortunately, they lost all credibility in episode 15, where veganism got discussed without proper consideration for animal suffering. First eight episodes are good as a collapse primer, but it appears that beyond that early regurgitation, there is not much insight on offer here.
  • Climate Angel
    Great show
    I’ve loved every episode. Highly recommend. Some other suggested topics,… if you are interested. I think it would be interesting to talk about where in the United States (or outside of) people might consider settling in a warming world where it might be safer to avoid damaged property etc. For example, Alaska at first glance seems interesting, but with all of the methane emissions and fires, maybe not. Great Lakes seem interesting, but there is a tremendous amount of rain which is wrecking havoc on the infrastructure. Another issue in the great lakes and presumably east of the Mississippi is rotting trees… trees are dying and falling because of root rot, invasive species. Perhaps The species no longer work in the climate. Stronger winds, much more rain than snow so the roots don’t have frozen ground like they once did. Etc. There are 100+ year old trees throughout the eastern and southern United States that cause tremendous damage when they fall. & yet every time a tree falls, we lose a carbon dioxide machine. Etc. (Trees generally might be an interesting topic) thank you!
  • Soy_Bun
    The podcast everyone needs to be listening to.
    Y’all ever heard of peak soil? episode 33. Or just listen to any one episode and I’m sure you’ll understand why you should listen to them all. Super educational and important stuff.
  • henny in honolulu
    Making Collapse Clear and Accessible
    Awesome podcast that gave me a clear understanding of where we are and what is to come. Thank you!!!
  • aNerdyEngineer
    Excellent
    Well said guys. I appreciate all the hard work and research you both do. This is by far the most approachable introduction to collapse out there. I’ve finally been able to get friends to understand the current predicament thanks to you guys after trying for many years to no avail. Keep up the great work!
  • onkle_schmitt
    Fantastic overview of collapse
    The first 8 episodes are must-listen, after that you can decide whether to continue based on personal taste but those first ones are essential listening. Consistently high-quality podcast!
  • Hendrixsan
    Buckle up for a paradigm shift!
    I like that you two calmly inform us through conversation just how unsustainable our current world paradigm is, without trying to tell us what to do. Description, not prescription! I'm noticing some elements of Catabolic Collapse in many forms of fiction and non-fiction media, but you both do an amazing job with laying out the framework that integrates everything. Your weekly research elaborates on the many aspects of our world that, one way or another, are not balanced and will inevitably fail a little at a time, then all at once.
  • Finoshi
    First 8 Episodes Highly Recommended
    This podcast is the best resource I’ve come across for audio learners on the principles for Collapse 101. There are slight political/economic views (you’ll know it once you hear it) that come off through one or two comments here and there. For the most part though, when they’re talking about collapse, they do provide unbiased and highly researched information that I’m glad to hear someone put in the podcast form. I refer family and friends with free time to spare for the first 8 episodes, and we finally started the first step towards having conversations about these heavy topics. We appreciate you Breaking Down 🙏.
  • Mary Deablo
    More people need to know
    Came across this via the collapse sub on reddit which has been a fascination as covid unfolds. I've been listening nonstop, not as a "doomer" but more as someone who cares about the natural world and wants to know truly what effects humanity have caused.. I don't know how we will all pull through this but denial can't continue to be part of our process. Thanks guys for all the work you've put into this!
  • L Nev
    Exactly what I needed.
    I came across this podcast through a random comment on an Instagram post last night. The first episode put into words for me everything I’ve been feeling. I didn’t realize there is a whole community of collapse-aware people, I didn’t even recognize that as a concept, and it’s somehow comforting knowing I have an outlet for the overwhelming existential dread. I’m looking forward to listening to this. Thank you.
  • CaveAlot
    Great Summary of Collapse
    Not doomism at all. A very rational, unbiased, and realistic take on humanity’s predicament. Probably the best option for helping the sheeple in your life with getting their heads out of the sand.
  • Past The Rabbit Hole Podcast
    New Favorite!
    Has become one of my favorite podcasts as of recently. Totally aligns with my views on what’s going on currently and it’s nice to listen to something besides just conspiracy theory shows💪 Keep doing what yinz do the shows amazing guys!
  • DAHMarket
    Lots of clickbait talk
    I tried to keep listening and made it 5 episodes, but I just got way too frustrated. The total hopium in wanting to getting Covid, the complete failure to see their contradictions in saying one thing one minute and a few minutes later saying something opposite, and their lack of economic knowledge. The inflation get back to the gold standard fearmonging. Maybe they should do some research on why we away from such an outdated system of using gold to control monetary policy. I really would like to know where the MBA grad got his degree because that is a school to be avoided with his total lack of knowledge of economics. Collapse will happen, but this podcast isn’t going to help you.
  • fistofnormalsizedhumans
    Great Podcast
    Definitely worth checking out. These guys are doing a great job putting this information out. Some other reviews have said the guys are biased to the left, and I don’t really see that at all. They do a great job getting into the macro and micro of collapse in its various forms. I have always found collapse to be extremely interesting and have have learned quite a bit more from these episodes. One thing that really stood out to me was how throughout many of the episodes they both bring up that this isn’t a happy subject, and it’s not something that everyone can handle, or that people will handle this information in different ways and to keep that in mind if it when you discuss this topic. Keep up the great work guys, it’s appreciated!
  • Antuanette27
    Phenomenal
    These guys are amazing! They are very knowledgeable and lay everything out in a way that is easy to understand. I’m hooked and have been listening until the wee hours of the morning and any chance I have during the day.
  • da35
    Excellent job guys!
    Excellent format with teacher and skeptical student. Nice to hear data with no fear mongering. I lean toward a harder quicker crash but enjoy this podcast. Good podcast to share with the uninitiated.
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