An anxious generation searches for happiness —
Beginning in 2012, a mental health mystery appeared out of nowhere.
Anxiety, depression, and suicide shot up among young people, and nobody knew why. Then one man’s brush with suicide revealed some unexpected clues, and five 20-somethings from around the world began to piece together a solution they hoped would pull themselves out of the darkness.
The Coddling of the American Mind is the new feature documentary by Ted Balaker and Courtney Moorehead Balaker that’s based on The New York Times bestselling book by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt.
The Coddling of the American Mind is the first-ever "Substack Presents” feature documentary.
➔ The film streams exclusively on Substack beginning February 22.
➔ Watch the film today, and subscribe to come along for a first-of-its-kind film release and tour.
➔ For media, screening and other requests or to make a tax-deductible contribution to The Coddling Movie Impact Campaign, please contact SusanLSelf [at] gmail.com
Why subscribe to The Coddling Movie?
Experience a film that offers, not just a one-time event, but an ongoing journey.
Watch the film
It starts by watching the film.
Although Greg and Jon figure prominently, the movie is told mainly through the eyes of a global group of 20-somethings. And the film addresses many of today’s most hotly-discussed topics including the Gen Z mental health crisis, free speech, DEI, and the “oppressor-victim” worldview.
Enjoy exclusive, content, access, and community
You’ll also be able to enjoy exclusive bonus content—video extras, interviews, articles, and more.
Go on tour with the filmmakers, authors, and subjects
Enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access as the film screens on campus and off at locations all over the country.
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Support the mission
Every worthwhile journey needs and mission, and ours comes in two parts:
Improve mental health by spreading the themes of The Coddling book to an even larger audience. That means embracing free speech, free play, and antifragility. It also means resisting the lure of social media and the Three Great Untruths.
Pave the way for other heterodox filmmakers to reach mainstream audiences. The film industry has grown cowardly and conformist, and gatekeepers suppress many worthwhile projects before they ever reach audiences. The Coddling movie filmmakers will share their own run-ins with industry narrow-mindedness, and now is the team is embarking on an experimental release. If successful, it will signal to filmmakers and film lovers that Substack, with its commitment to artistic freedom and intellectual diversity, is a great place to launch and watch a film.
By watching the film, subscribing, and spreading the word, you will help advance the project’s mission.
Founding Members play a unique role because, through their generosity, they allow the film to reach many more viewers and campuses through our non-profit Impact Campaign.
If you choose to support our mission, you’ll help an anxious generation find happiness and help spark a culture of free expression in film.
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