Jon Ronson on curiosity, compassion, and the stories that shape us

Joining us this week is a master of observation – an author, journalist and documentarian whose work has delved into the furthest margins of modern life. From conspiracy theorists to the inner world of psychopaths, his stories always keep one foot in the world of misfits and outsiders. It’s the brilliant Jon Ronson!

In this episode, Jon reflects on his remarkable journey from a bullied teen in Cardiff to one of the most distinctive non-fiction storytellers of our time. He shares how a squatting stint in London and a chance role in the Frank Sidebottom band helped him find his tribe, and how a single regretful sentence written in his twenties changed his entire approach to journalism.

Jon also reflects on how being fired from a local Manchester radio station became a painful but pivotal moment that reshaped both his career path and creative outlook. He goes on to explore how his work has evolved alongside the shifting media landscape – from his early days at Smash Hits, to creating the acclaimed BBC podcast Things Fell Apart – and shares why he remains optimistic about the future of factual storytelling, even in the age of AI.

Tickets for Psychopath Night, Jon’s latest live UK tour, are available now. You can also catch up on both series of Things Fell Apart on BBC Sounds.

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