About this episode
The episode discusses the challenges of civic engagement in the face of fear and passivity, featuring insights from activist Nathan Allenby.
In this lively episode of Food for Thought Radio, I welcome back longtime activist Nathan Allenby to unpack a central theme shaping our times: passivity and fear in public life. We discuss why once-simple acts of civic engagement now feel risky, how cancel culture and job insecurity chill participation, and why many supporters stop at applause rather than action. Nathan reflects on 38 years of activism—from stopping toxic and clinical waste incinerators on Tyneside to practical lessons like postcards over petitions—and shares pragmatic strategies for building influence without courting danger, including using cash, understanding local processes, and setting achievable, concrete asks. We explore the collapse of local journalism and the rise of curated, censored narratives that hamper organising, the limits of protest as an end in itself, and the power of community-first solutions. Listener questions spark a deeper dive into how real change happens—cooperatives, mutual aid, and local self-reliance—alongside a spirited debate with guest “Survival Steve” on natural law, unity consciousness, and why politics cannot fix spiritual and moral problems. We round off with practical tips for…
People in this episode
Host: Eric von Essex
Guests: Nathan Allenby, Survival Steve
Topics covered
- activism
- civic engagement
- cancel culture
- community solutions
- local journalism
- mutual aid
Keywords
- activism
- civic engagement
- cancel culture
- local journalism
- community solutions
- mutual aid
- neighbourly bonds
- public life
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