Boys Like Me

230

Why are some lonely, young men a growing threat to our safety? In 2018, a Toronto man drove a van down a busy sidewalk, killing 11 people and injuring many more. He was linked to the "incel" movement, a dark online world fueled by violent misogyny, extreme isolation and perceived rejection. In the wake of the attack, Evan Mead discovers a disturbing connection to the perpetrator. They were former high school classmates; both outcasts, existing together on the fringes of social acceptance. How did two young men who started in similar circumstances, end up on such drastically different paths? This five-part series examines how socially-isolated young men can vanish into an online world of nihilism and despair that radicalizes them into angry — potentially deadly — misogynists. Hosted by Ellen Chloë Bateman and produced by Daemon Fairless (Hunting Warhead). For the best in true crime from CBC, ad-free, visit apple.co/cbctruecrime.

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Recent Reviews
  • kjorenby
    Love this series
    This feels like such an important topic right now and the series is excellent.
  • soul24
    Good but preachy at the end
    This was a very well-executed podcast on a subject that I think should be more in the public spotlight. I learned a lot about the incel “movement“ (not sure what else to call it). And I felt like the treatment of incels was as balanced as it could be. At the end though they got into this whole “manosphere” thing which basically in one swoop tried to lump every other male interest group into one violent woman-hating mega movement. Even bodybuilding was lumped in. They lost me. But it still was a good podcast up until that point.
  • hvucyc
    Interesting but frustrating
    This is an informative podcast and topic and it is interesting to see the viewpoint of men who think like that. However, it’s beyond frustrating that it’s always about coddling these type of men for their own insecurities. Another burden women have to shoulder while also being the target of these attacks and potential violence. It’s insane. So infuriating!
  • Mal2348
    Great listen!
    Such an interesting story and well produced!
  • Longship Timemachine
    Sad and terrifying with a compassionate lens
    A subject like this could fill several books. I felt like the presenter did a fine job balancing the sadness and understanding of the incel community compassionately while holding the individual and the violent parts of the culture to account. Solving this societal problem will take a lot of understanding to find solutions that don’t exacerbate the problem.
  • buttonpusher
    Terrifying view of incels
    Terrifying view of the recruitment of young men to misogynist communities and how one young autistic man used incel ideology to justify a mass murder.
  • Greg Loughlin
    Wow
    Very enlightening and extremely well done. I’ve been working to end male violence against women for 20 years, and I learned a lot from this podcast. Thank you! I encourage others to listen.
  • Cakers10
    Weird cadence
    Wish the host’s cadence wasn’t so strange. Had to stop listening because random pauses and weird emphasis on random words was very distracting.
  • Notanappleguy
    Worthless hateful show
    Just bloviating misandrist delusional ramblings
  • AnimatedMeatSack
    No.
    The host uses Evan, her “friend”, as an insider into the life and mind of a spree murder in Canada. The two men, with Asperger’s, were classmates in a special education class together in high school. Evan’s interviews for the show are really irritating. The show doesn’t seem to have any real substance. Just a comparison between two people, one who is a spree murderer, and one with an inflated sense of self importance because of his relationship to the murderer.
  • AZirkle
    More Far Left garbage
    “White male patriarchy” “January 5 riots” “White supremacy” “Racism” (yawn) This podcast does a commendable job at taking a fascinating and concerning topic of the dangers of incel ideology and awkwardly injecting all the very, very tiresome and usual far left talking points. Most are waking up to the reality that honest, unbiased, objective journalism is dead. CBC is on the same path as CNN.
  • Different_Drummer
    Fuel for the Extreme Left Fire
    The host does a great job at attempting to further divide society. Story of this heinous act and explanations are told from a leftist point of view, and do a great job at blaming the extreme right. While this is definitely true, there are also roots to this issue that stem from extreme feminism, political correctness, and a culture that portrays victimization as a virtue that are not explored. If we ever hope to fix societies woes, we have to have an honest conversation why things happen, not just paint a picture that fits a particular political narrative.
  • Annaevamos
    Educational, lyrical
    Sad, and scary. It doesn’t shy away from hard questions. I had some discomfort with the way Evan participated. I felt at times that he was too vulnerable.
  • aroskere
    Interesting story, loved the last episode especially
    I felt uncomfortable listening to this podcast, and I think thats why I liked it so much. I am a woman, but haven’t always fit in, especially as a kiddo. I completely empathize with children who are bullied. But once you enter adulthood, though, letting those feelings boil over into violence… Yeah, I don’t empathize with those people when they commit violence. They become the bullies at that point, period. I don’t believe in good and evil, so I don’t believe the Toronto Van Killer is evil. More than anything else, I believe the actions of these (mostly male) mass murderers are “supremely” immature. I know plenty of neurodivergent adult men. Not one of them has killed. Poor impulse control is not a theme of all autistic people.
  • norobothere914
    A cruel exploitation of a neurodivergent person
    This “ journalist,” takes advantage of her “ friend” on the Autism Spectrum in order to launch a puzzling broadside on, “ incels.” A more intelligent piece would have examined the constant humiliation, bullying, and threats of physical harm that her “ friend,” has suffered. Cruelty towards the disabled is a far greater and pervasive societal problem than “ incels.” Instead, she devotes an entire episode to how “uncomfortable “ wealthy female journalists are now. The ugly and cruel manipulation of her neurodivergent subject ironically leaves the listener closer to sympathy with the extreme elements the incel community. If this is how your “ friend “ treats you, why trust in people? She should be ashamed. Disgusting.
  • NoahLister
    Excellent, compelling, & terrifying
    I cannot tell you how excellent the CBC podcasts I’ve listened to. This podcast had me enthralled from the first episode. I suppose I am more interested than most as my oldest friend in life lost both her children to an attack that was entirely similar to this attack. It’s thought provoking and should be listened to by all who are appalled by these ever increasing acts of violence.
  • GCR64
    Not worth your time
    Slow and poorly told.
  • Smell73112
    Well done
    Very informative and interesting
  • Tulips21
    More Than 5 Stars 🤩
    Excellent investigative reporting! Thank you for showing that people with ASD are multifaceted and may have both “good” and “bad” behavior, people with ASD are, well, people just like everyone else! Highly recommended🥰 and thank you from the bottom of my heart Podcast Team!
  • 226bh
    Terrible
    Terrible
  • lesborebel
    Insightful and honest
    When I was told about this podcast, I initially brushed it off because of the topic, but when explained further that it’s a unique and humanizing perspective of incel culture, I decided to listen. And wow, this is an excellently told story! Definitely recommend! It will expand your mind and heart!
  • CB34761
    Wonderful Podcast!
    This podcast reveals the feelings of many young men, not just those on the autism spectrum Great presentation- I like that it doesn’t fill space by just repeating parts of the story. So many podcasts do that, but not this one
  • Dcottavia
    The Podcast All Citizens Need To Listen To
    The perfect Podcast, by credible sources (those on the spectrum), who provide not only insight into being on the spectrum but the extra vulnerability some can be faced with when it comes to acceptance, dating, wanting to fit in, wanting to be noticed, and sadly, wanting to make a difference. ALL young kids, young adults, and those with any kind of disabilities need to be treated with respect and also need to be protected by those looking to recruit others to do evil.
  • lil8ud
    So good!
    This podcast shows a fuller picture of the people we easily demonize. I found myself both shocked and sympathizing with the interviews. This is a must listen!
  • Chelsea102
    A must listen!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    This is a gem I’m a hardcore podcast listener ! And every so often I come across a podcast that reminds me why I fell in love with them in the first place and this is one of those. Not only does it cover topics that are so important to talk about in this current day and age but it gives you so many different perspectives from so many different viewpoints . Both hosts are awesome so extremely smart and personable 👏.. keep it up you guys!
  • Hellocolie
    Important
    A topic we need to recognize and discuss if we're going to prevent future violence. So well done!
  • OaksKP
    CBC doesn’t sleep
    CBC does it again, great show, I look forward to the episodes!!!
  • Hopey07
    Thought provoking
    This podcast has made me think A lot.. as a woman in the world.. I’ve just finished episode 3 and am reflecting on what I just listened to. I have a lot of different emotions and thoughts. Very good podcast and informative on a community I knew nothing about .
  • CeeBear3
    Important
    This is a great story, told with nuance and care. Loving it so far.
  • bdhdjn zcnvdom xu
    Boys like me
    I absolutely love this podcast. It’s so interesting hearing first person perspective on the social challenges a person with Asperger’s syndrome or autism deal with. The conversations and interviews are so interesting. Bravo!
  • amoe14
    Compelling content
    Compelling theory, new concepts to me, especially the dark web stuff.
  • QR scanerless
    Interesting
    I’m listening and thinking this guy, Evan, has some insight into Alec and what he was going through emotionally because he knew him and they both were on the spectrum, and then he admits Alec reached out to him and Evan ignored him. Then he writes a letter to Alec excoriating him after mowing down people. Yes, what Alec did was evil, but dude, you ignored and excluded him knowing what it’s like to be on the spectrum. It’s got to be horrifically lonely. I’ll continue listening because I’m interested in Alec’s journey into the INCEL movement, why and hopefully there will be some answers as to how to help these very disturbed individuals, but if it’s more about Evan’s feelings and how he’s so much better, I’ll pass.
  • JulyKR
    Looking forward to it
    Super strong intro … looking forward to hearing the whole story
  • Beedpop
    a new favorite
    I’m loving this podcast and feel it’s really important for people to hear. If you’re not someone who has spent a lot of time online, this podcast is doing a great job of exposing part of its chaotic underbelly along with its pipeline that leads certain people to violence. The narrators are also great and you totally want to become friends with them.
  • LPR8501
    Compelling
    As a mother of an adult son on the spectrum I look forward to hearing more after listening to Episode 1.
  • GreenDrum970
    Excellent story telling and production
    Title says it all. Keep up the great work.
  • Scmance
    Conflicted
    I don’t think incels should be humanized. This whole “women don’t like me so I kill them” is very disgusting and erases the people that are impacted by their actions. I hope I’m wrong because I’m only two episodes in.
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