In this episode, we speak with Lucy Biggers, head of social media at The Free Press and a former climate activist who has completely rethought the story she was telling the world and herself. Lucy shares how she went from a left-wing digital newsroom steeped in oppressor–oppressed ideology and climate doomsday content to slowly “re-educating” herself, especially after COVID lockdowns made her question what the climate movement was really asking of ordinary people.
We talk about how smart, idealistic young people get pulled into movements, from climate activism to “Free Palestine” marches and democratic socialists like AOC and Zohran Mamdani, often in search of purpose, belonging, and someone to blame. Lucy walks us through the emotional cost of changing her mind in public, losing old followers, gaining new ones, and learning to stand on principle instead of group approval.
We also go bigger: what’s happening in our universities and K–12 schools, the rise of extreme voices on both the woke left and the conspiratorial right, and why Lucy still believes in American exceptionalism, free thinking, and the courage to say, “I was wrong” as an act of wisdom, not shame.
Key Timestamps 01:10 — Why We Wanted Lucy On
Polina & Yelena describe the fear-based worldview among younger generations—climate panic, campus politics, and rising democratic socialism.
01:52 — Lucy’s Political Journey: From Left Activist to Free Thinker
Lucy describes becoming left-wing in her 20s, influenced by the Iraq War, the financial crisis, and progressive newsroom culture.
02:30 — Inside the Newsroom Groupthink
Lucy details the oppressor–oppressed ideology, white privilege training, and what felt like intellectual Marxism infiltrating media.
03:50 — Her Climate Activism Years
Lucy shares how covering protests and joining the movement gave her meaning, identity, and moral purpose.
05:01 — COVID Breaks the Spell
Seeing the entire world shut down while emissions drop only 5% becomes Lucy’s “crack in the facade.” She begins questioning whether the climate movement’s end goals were even desirable.
05:45 — Quietly Leaving the Movement
Lucy steps away from her climate series, stops posting online, and begins reading widely (Schellenberger, Koonin, etc.).
06:49 — Going Public With New Beliefs
Lucy talks about the emotional risk of speaking out, losing followers, and bracing for backlash.
07:05 — How Brainwashing Happens
Lucy explains how smart, well-meaning young people fall into movements due to:
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desire for meaning
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group belonging
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fear of social disapproval
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lack of global context
09:28 — Re-Education & The Books That Changed Her Mind
She shares the resources that helped her unlearn fear-based ideology.
10:17 — Can Universities Be Saved?
A discussion on Qatar influence, ideological capture, and whether reform is possible.
11:05 — Why Young People Hate the West
Lucy argues that many lack global context and don’t understand comparative freedoms.
12:43 — How Bad Ideas Spread Online
CNN headlines, social media doom loops, and why young people accept fear as fact.
16:49 — Losing Followers & Building a New Audience 19:35 — Friendships & Family After a Political Shift
What stayed the same, what changed, and who stuck by her.
20:46 — Are Climate Activists Becoming Today’s “Free Palestine” Protestors?
Lucy explains how the same psychological patterns show up in new movements.
21:58 — Social Media Censorship Before 2021
She describes how discussing climate nuance could get you banned.
23:12 — Basic Climate Facts No One Teaches
Lucy reveals what shocked her most:
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0.04% CO₂
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coral reefs at all-time highs
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cold kills 6x more people than heat
25:04 — Why Activism Feels Like a Religion
Young people adopt causes to feel grounded, connected, and good.
26:51 — The Bigger Ideology Behind It All
Lucy now believes she witnessed cultural Marxism before she had language for it.
27:33 — What Gives Her Hope
More people are waking up, and individuals standing up create a ripple effect.
30:23 — Mumdani, AOC & the Future of Democratic Socialists
Why this movement appeals to disaffected youth, and why Lucy believes it “never works.”
33:11 — How AOC Got Locked Into Her Own Brand
Lucy reflects on covering AOC early in her career.
34:09 — What Do We Do About K–12 & Universities?
Ideas for reform, alternative programs, and possible “Free Press University” models.
36:13 — The Rise of Tucker, Candace & the Far-Right Reaction
Lucy expresses concern about extremism on the right mirroring extremism on the left.
39:01 — Why It’s Hard to Push Back on the Right
Fear of harassment from “groypers,” conservative cancel-culture trauma, and the vacuum created by Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
41:48 — Identity, Victimhood & Personal Accountability
Why blame-based politics on either side leads nowhere.
42:47 — John Fetterman & Standing on Principle
An example of a politician who didn’t shift values for approval.
43:22 — Where to Follow Lucy
Links to her Free Press work, Instagram, Substack, and Twitter.
43:52 — Polina Wraps With a Message on Wisdom
Why changing your mind—publicly—is a mark of intelligence, not weakness.
⭐ MEMORABLE QUOTES On Changing Your Mind
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“The definition of intelligence is being able to change your mind when you have access to new information.”— Polina Rubin
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“I wasn’t deprogrammed overnight — I had to re-educate myself page by page.” — Lucy Biggers
On Fear-Based Activism
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“I lived half my twenties in a fear-based groupthink where I believed the world was burning and America was evil.” — Lucy Biggers
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“That ideology makes you hate everything — including yourself.” — Lucy Biggers
On Climate Narratives
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“The world shut down during COVID and emissions only dropped 5%. What exactly does the climate movement want from us?” — Lucy
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“I wasn’t a climate denier — but the facts I found contradicted the fear.” — Lucy
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“CO₂ is 0.04% of our atmosphere. How did I not know that after years of covering climate?” — Lucy
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“Most extreme weather records come from the 1800s or 1930s — long before climate change was a buzzword.” — Lucy
On Universities & Ideology
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“Six billion dollars from Qatar went into our universities. Money goes a long way.” — Polina
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“There are powerful forces trying to take over the minds of American youth — and with a lot of success.” — Lucy
On Groupthink & Identity
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“I’ll do anything to fit in — that’s how groupthink hooks smart, well-meaning young people.” — Lucy
On Politics & Extremes
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“What freaks me out is that some people now think Trump isn’t right-wing enough.” — Lucy Biggers
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“The Groypers sound like basement dwellers. I want to be on the side of builders.” — Lucy Biggers
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“Each side is always looking for someone to blame instead of taking accountability.” — Yelena Mugin
On America
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“America is imperfect — but exceptional. Most of the world cannot tell their children to ‘follow your dreams.'” — Lucy
On Hope & The Future
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“When one person stands up, it creates a resonance — it gives others permission to do the same.” — Lucy
