When Stephanie Sibbio, owner of Glowing Mama Fitness in Toronto, livestreamed herself harassing workers in her local health food store over COVID policy, the world was introduced to a now-familiar archetype: the petulant anti-masker who cares as little about science as she does about others. Sibbio has since developed this role with gusto, becoming a minor celebrity in the Canadian antivax movement. Recently, she threw her support behind the Occupation of Ottawa.

But everyone comes from somewhere: a family, a network, a circle. Beneath a persona hardened by the social media spectacle, there’s a person to be known, remembered, and perhaps welcomed back.

Today Matthew sits down with four friends who have known and loved Stephanie since junior high school. They share stories of the bonds they nurtured growing up, and how quickly and violently antivax ideology and social media smashed their circle.

An honest and transparent discussion about the emotional and social costs of conspirituality.

Show Notes

Glowing Mama Anti-Masker. Toronto Influencer Socially Toilets in…

The Unbearable Feelings of the Anti-Masker

Oppression Fantasies of White Anti-Vax Moms

That Time When I Was in a Cult and Got a Loving Letter from a Friend

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Original music by EarthRise SoundSystem

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