Today, Explained: "Crashing Out" Episode Summary

Released on July 25, 2025 | Hosted by Sean Rameswaram and Noel King | Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network

Introduction to "Crashing Out"

In this episode of Today, Explained, hosts Noel King and Sean Rameswaram delve into the trending phenomenon of "crashing out." Originating from youth vernacular and amplified by social media platforms, "crashing out" refers to emotional meltdowns or reaching one's emotional limit, often expressed publicly.

Defining "Crashing Out"

Kendall Cunningham, Vox's culture reporter, provides a comprehensive definition of "crashing out." She explains it as having a meltdown, emotionally reaching one's limit, or losing control, either privately or publicly.

Kendall Cunningham [02:10]: "It's a pretty broad term. It basically means to have a meltdown, to reach your limit emotionally, to lose your cool. You can either do it privately or publicly."

Real-World Examples and High-Profile Cases

The discussion highlights several high-profile instances of "crashing out," illustrating its prevalence:

• Hunter Biden's Interview: A snippet from Hunter Biden's interview showcases initial small talk that quickly devolves into an emotional outburst.

  Hunter Biden [00:22]: "I hear Rahm Emanuel is gonna run for president. Like, oh, boy, there's the answer. There's the fucking answer."

• Justin Bieber's Social Media Behavior: Justin Bieber has been noted for his emotionally raw and bizarre posts, deemed as public "crashing out."

• Love Island Contestant Huda: On the reality show Love Island, contestant Huda exhibited an unwarranted emotional reaction after being coupled off, later apologizing for her outburst.

  Huda [05:07]: "I was having a crash out. I'm sorry that I was mean."

The Role of Social Media and Gen Z

A significant portion of the episode examines how social media, particularly TikTok, has popularized and normalized "crashing out." Gen Z, being the most active demographic on these platforms, is both the primary exhibitor and consumer of such emotional displays.

Kendall Cunningham [06:18]: "Gen Z specifically has been more encouraged to go to public platforms to express their emotions."

Key points include:

• Visibility on TikTok: "Crashing out" content is ubiquitous on TikTok's "For You" and "Explore" pages, making it a normalized behavior among younger users.

  Kendall Cunningham [04:23]: "It's hard to scroll through your for you page, your explore page, without seeing people talking about crashing out."

• Public vs. Private Emotional Expression: While earlier generations might have kept meltdowns private, Gen Z leverages social media to seek immediate validation and connection.

  Kendall Cunningham [07:58]: "Spur of the moment content... people filming themselves right after they've gotten to an argument... very raw, diaristic content."

Impact on Emotional Regulation and Mental Health

The episode explores the implications of "crashing out" on emotional regulation and overall mental health, particularly among Gen Z.

Kendall Cunningham [17:07]: "We're not getting it in real life as much as we used to."

Key insights include:

• Desensitization and Overexposure: Constant exposure to emotional outbursts can desensitize individuals, making genuine emotional regulation more challenging.

• Short-Circuiting Emotional Processing: Reliance on digital platforms to express emotions may prevent individuals from developing healthy coping mechanisms.

  Kendall Cunningham [17:42]: "We almost just sort of short circuit it and distract ourselves and numb out."

Therapy Culture and Its Double-Edged Sword

The conversation shifts to the role of therapy in the context of rising emotional displays online.

Kendall Cunningham [23:07]: "Group therapy would be a really good alternative to individual therapy."

Key points discussed:

• Increased Awareness vs. Mental Health: While therapy and mental health awareness have risen, studies indicate that increased focus on mental health issues can sometimes exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression.

  Kendall Cunningham [21:18]: "Sometimes what it actually does is it draws more and more attention to what might be wrong."

• Individual vs. Group Therapy: Cunningham advocates for more group therapy sessions to foster relational skills and outward-focused emotional processing, countering the inward-turning nature of individual therapy.

Future Outlook: The Intersection of AI and Emotional Needs

Looking ahead, the episode speculates on how advancements in artificial intelligence might further shape emotional expression and regulation.

Kendall Cunningham [23:36]: "AI is going to become so deeply embedded into our day to day lives... as a confidant, as a friend, as a therapist."

Concerns raised include:

• Changing Relationship Expectations: Reliance on AI for emotional support may alter how individuals perceive and engage in human relationships, expecting constant validation and hyper-responsiveness.

• Erosion of Distress Tolerance: As AI provides immediate comfort, individuals might find it harder to endure and process uncomfortable emotions independently.

Conclusion: Navigating Emotional Expression in a Digital Age

The episode concludes by acknowledging the inevitable nature of emotional expressions and meltdowns, emphasizing the need for balanced emotional regulation and human connection in an increasingly digital world.

Noel King [10:50]: "We're all going to the psychologist."

Key Takeaways

• "Crashing out" is an emotionally charged meltdown expressed publicly, gaining traction among Gen Z through platforms like TikTok.
• Social media fosters a culture of immediate emotional validation, potentially hindering the development of healthy emotional regulation.
• While therapy culture promotes mental health awareness, it also presents challenges, such as increased anxiety from overdiagnosis.
• Future interactions with AI may further influence emotional expression and relationship dynamics, highlighting the need for balanced digital and real-life connections.

Produced by Rebecca Ibarra and Devin Schwartz. Edited by Aminah El Saadi. Fact-checked by Myles Bryan. Special thanks to the production team, including Hadi Mwagdi, Peter Balanon Rosen, Denise Guerra, Patrick Boyd, Gabrielle Burbe, Avishai Artsy, Jolie Myers, and executive producer Miranda Kennedy.

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