(This episode was recorded before 2025’s “Summer of Love” & only contains spoilers for old seasons of #LoveIslandUK and #LoveIslandUSA)

How do humans biologically build attachment? How do popular reality shows (ab)use mammalian attachment to create dramatic moments for entertainment? What happens to our nervous systems as viewers when we watch? What are the narratives that #LoveIsland perpetuates? Who benefits when the collective believes those narratives? In what ways are reality TV shows and their viewership a high demand group? Can we collectively imagine something more liberated?

Kristyn with a Why chats with Jamie and Jason- two of her besties from high school about Secure attachment and Love Island.

0: Intro to episode

9:00: Intro to Jamie and Jason

12:51: Secure Attachment and Contact Nutrition Overview

29:00: Consent, and Contact Nutrition in Love Island

1:02:00: Suicidality, Racism, Patriarchy, and Casa Amor

1:27:45: Favorite Moments on Love Island, and Predictions for upcoming season

1:42:45: Love Village and The Boyfriend as “less culty” Love Island alternatives

1:52:36: Outro

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Grateful for all the learning and inspiration alluded to in today’s episode:

Carmen Spagnola’s Numinous Network for more on Secure attachment and Contact Nutrition, her Numinous Podcast on Fascism, & previous episodes with me here and here.

Alexandra Stein’s book: Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems

Timothy Snyder’s Book: On Tyranny

“The Boyfriend” as the antidote to Love Island

As always:----------------------------------

Thankful for the musical inspiration for the theme song:

Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, specifically “Our Lady of the Underground” and Orpheus’ Song

“Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams

Shout out for the artistic assistance of:

Matt Schubbe (Logo)

Kevin Carlow (Music and sound editing)