In this month’s Live + Unfiltered, we were planning to look at the theme of cultural tipping points. What we hadn’t anticipated was the tragic and brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk this week during a Utah college event. We felt we had to discuss this, in addition to the original plan: talking about Malcolm Gladwell’s unexpected confession that he had been pressured into stating that trans women should participate in women’s sports.
The fragility of knowledge and reality
Sasha and Stella explored the unsettling effect of living in a world where knowledge feels unstable and endlessly debatable. Stella gave the striking example of her own son insisting that 5-year-olds can get pregnant—an illustration of how quickly basic facts become distorted when the exception undermines “the rule.” Sasha noted that when “everything is subjective,” young people are left vulnerable to radicalization and manipulation online.
Radicalization and online distortion
In the darker corners of the internet, young people can be pulled into echo chambers that warp their sense of reality. Sasha suggested that the young man who shot Charlie Kirk may have been radicalized in such spaces, according to emerging reports. Stella emphasized that it doesn’t matter whether radicalization leans left or right—what matters is that online spaces often erode trust and leave kids open to any narrative.
Polarization and the danger of labeling
One of the themes running throughout the discussion was the way political opponents are increasingly described as “evil.” Stella called this a “medieval leap”—a dangerous shift from judging people’s behavior to condemning their very being. Sasha and Stella both emphasized that the habit of calling people “Hitler-like” or beyond redemption only drives more division.
Malcolm Gladwell and the pathway back
Sasha highlighted Malcolm Gladwell’s admission that he once caved to pressure while moderating a panel and publicly affirmed something he didn’t believe. That moment, she suggested, may mark a cultural tipping point. If even prominent figures begin admitting past silence, perhaps it will become safer for others to do the same. Sasha and Stella agreed on the importance of offering a “pathway back” for those who want to re-enter honest conversation without shame—even though it can be extremely challenging not to shout, “We told you so!”
Can we trust “evidence-based care”?
We also spent some time discussing the remarkable interview with Gordon Guyatt, conducted by Stella and Mia Hughes on the Beyond Gender Podcast. Guyatt is considered the “father of evidence-based medicine.” He and his team at McMaster University had been commissioned, by the Society of Evidence Based Gender Medicine in 2023, to conduct independent reviews of the literature on key aspects of gender-affirming care. Unsurprisingly, they found, as did others who looked at the evidence, that GAC is supported by very weak evidence. After publishing their preliminary findings, they came under attack from trans activists who, by his account, succeeded in “traumatizing” his team. He then proceeded to malign SEGM (Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine), completely distance himself from the group, and called them “problematic.” Guyatt seems to be attempting to control how his research reviews are used, as he has stated repeatedly he doesn’t agree with legislative bans on GAC. But in this remarkable move (which seems purely motivated by political interests), Guyatt has severely undermined his own reputation and credibility as an unbiased source.
Free speech, law, and media shifts
Stella described the enormous fallout of Graham Linehan’s recent arrest in the UK, connecting it to broader trends of people being detained for online speech. Sasha noted that radicalized online discourse often bleeds into real-world consequences. Yet, paradoxically, both have seen mainstream media outlets showing a new, if cautious, interest in perspectives they once ignored—suggesting that even the media landscape may be tipping.
In-person connection as antidote
We closed on a hopeful note: the irreplaceable value of in-person gatherings. Stella described her anticipation for upcoming conferences as a reminder that human connection restores dignity and humanity to conversations that often get flattened online. Sasha reflected that even difficult discussions with friends land more effectively face-to-face than in group chats.
Announcements and upcoming events
Albuquerque Conference (Sept 27–28): Featuring Lionel Shriver, Lisa Littman, Abigail Shrier, Patrick Lapert, Quinton van Meter, and detransitioner voices.
Anchored Parent Retreat (Austin, TX | Nov 2025): Sasha and Lisa Marchiano host our final Wider Lens retreat.
The Metaphor of Gender YouTube Channel: Sasha’s new project continues to grow—subscribe and share if you haven’t already.
The Beyond Gender Podcast (Stella, Bret + Mia) “What’s Really Going on with Gender?” - Please like and subscribe
Next Live + Unfiltered: Our October event will take place Friday the 24th. Details coming soon!
More Resources to Check Out
Gordon Guyatt on Beyond Gender
Jesse Singal: The Disaster at McMaster, Part 1 and Part 2
Lisa Selin Davis: From the Birthplace of Evidence-Based Medicine, a Gender Medicine Clusterfuck
Megyn Kelly interview with Graham Linehan
👉🏼 Tell us in the comments:
What topics should we discuss next?
Do you have a favorite GWL Episode that we should analyze?
What trends or cultural tipping points are you observing in your families, communities, schools, and with your own kids?
Until next time,
Sasha & Stella
Oh my goodness!! I just listened to the absolutely astonishing Beyond Gender interview with Gordon Guyatt last night. I have to confess that I spent the majority of the time listening with my hands over my eyes and shrieking out loud at some of the things coming out of his mouth 🤣
I thought both Mia Hughes and Stella were amazing- the way you courageously yet respectfully drilled down on his pontificating and attempts to absolve himself from any responsibility or accountability was incredible, and a masterclass on interviewing technique.
He seemed particularly rude to Mia, and extremely defensive right out of the gate. Being so clearly uncomfortable, I’m not sure if Gordon Guyatt was brave to talk to you both, or incredibly arrogant!
His admission at the end of the interview that he didn’t read or agree with the letter he signed absolutely took my breath away!!! (Shrieking aside 🤣)
He seems to have disassociated completely from reality. His brain must be a very uncomfortable place to be in at the moment.
Reminds me of the George Orwell quote;
'The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.'
Crazy times indeed.