Filmmaker Jade Osiberu has sparked a conversation about the increasing trend of airing intimate trauma on podcasts, questioning whether public confession is taking the place of therapy and community support.

In a post on the popular microblogging platform, X (formerly Twitter), she recounted listening to a podcast where a female guest tearfully shared painful details of her marriage and divorce.

Osiberu admitted to sympathizing with the guest but expressed unease about how society appears to be replacing genuine support systems with the catharsis of publicly exposing those who have wronged us.

She also wondered if such revelations offer real healing or if they risk crossing the line between speaking one’s truth and exacting public revenge.

She wrote:
“I have a lot of sympathy for her, but I can’t shake the feeling that as a culture we’re slowly replacing solid community, or even seeking therapy, with the catharsis of publicly naming and shaming the people who have hurt us and seeking public sympathy.”

“I’m really curious about whether the people who go on these podcasts actually find any healing from it.”

“I also understand the usefulness of people sharing their experiences so others don’t feel alone, but I often wonder if there’s a thin line between ‘speaking your truth’ and wanting to hurt the person who hurt you.”