Unscripted with Will Dobud

About Unscripted with Will Dobud

Asking unscripted questions is one of the first steps towards positive deviance. Join author, practitioner, and researcher Will Dobud for unscripted conversations with experts in their respective fields and some interesting conversations. willdobud.substack.com (https://willdobud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Asking better questions. Having deeper conversations. Creating impact.

Category

health & fitness · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Jun 2025

Latest episode

16 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Jun 2026

   What Government Social Media Bans Really Say about Us Adults

   No show notes are necessary for this short piece. Just watch Isabella's brilliance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willdobud.substack.com (https://willdobud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   7 Feb 2026

   How the Moral Panic Around Kids and Technology May Lead to Harmful Treatments.

   In this episode, Graham Pringle and I dissect a new Australian news segment promoting a military-style bootcamp for so-called tech-addicted teens. Drawing on our outdoor therapy work, we critique the program’s coercive tactics, lack of evidence, and outdated values like forced resilience and teamwork. We provide another an alternative based on trauma-informed, choice-driven approaches. From historical pitfalls of bootcamp approaches to the dangers of adult-imposed “fixes” for youth issues, we examine why these methods often backfire and advocate for engaging, voluntary outdoor experiences instead. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willdobud.substack.com (https://willdobud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   13 Nov 2025

   Moral Panics and Social Media with Dr. Chris Ferguson

   You saw my Substack about pinball? My follow-up about the kaleidoscope? That was inspired when I learned about Dr. Chris Ferguson’s work. I was hooked. I’m stoked he came to chat with me. Chris is a psychologist, researcher, and author known for challenging cultural panics about media and youth. We touch on why every generation seems convinced the next one is doomed. From the “pinball bans” of the 1940s to today’s debates about social media and mental health, Chris has shown me a long history of adults blaming new technologies for society’s ills. The conversation dives into what actually drives these moral panics: fear, nostalgia, and the mistaken belief that correlation equals causation. That’s the original sin for a researcher to commit, but it doesn’t change the fact that most legislation and bans relating to social media and kids these days are committing this. Chris explains how weak or misinterpreted data often fuels sweeping claims about video games, smartphones, and youth behavior. Good science actually tends to tell a calmer story. We explore how media narratives amplify anxiety, how policymakers respond to public pressure, and what happens when we mistake moral outrage for meaningful solutions. Chris offers a hopeful, evidence-based reminder that young people are far more resilient than we’re led to believe, and that moral panics reveal more about adults than adolescent fragility. The episode closes with a thoughtful look at how parents, educators, and policymakers can keep perspective, foster agency, and focus on what actually helps kids thrive. If you’re a parent, practitioner, or simply curious about why “kids these days” keep getting blamed for cultural shifts, this episode offers both insight and relief. It’s a funny, myth-busting conversation about media, morality, and the timeless cycle of panic that says more about us than about them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willdobud.substack.com (https://willdobud.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   29 Jun 2025

   Academic Integrity & the Troubled Teen Industry with Dr. Graham Pringle (Part 1)

   Host Will Dobud interviews Dr. Graham Pringle, who explores ethical challenges within outdoor therapies and the troubled teen industry, revealing the dire consequences of inadequate standards and the need for rights-based practices.

5. 

   10 Jun 2025

   A Very Bad Therapy Reprise

   Host Will Dobud interviews Ben Fineman and Carrie Wiita, creators of the Very Bad Therapy podcast, about the power dynamics and cultural forces that shape therapists' beliefs, ultimately inviting reflection on ethical and effective mental health practices.

Who has been a guest on Unscripted with Will Dobud

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Graham Pringle
• Ben Fineman
• Carrie Wiita

Podcast Authority Score: 8 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

16

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Unscripted with Will Dobud

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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