The Freaked Out Issue
States of Fear: Americans reveal their deepest anxieties in a divided nation
Phobia USA — When photographer Mike Belleme set out to capture a portrait of America in 2016, he found a nation teetering on a precipice of change and riddled with insecurity. But unlike the hard lines of black-and-white campaigns, fear in the heart is a nuanced spectrum.
Written by: Mike Belleme
Story Behind the Still: The defiant joy of Afghan refugees arriving on Lesvos
Reframing the refugee crisis — Two Afghan boys wearing Real Madrid T-shirts pose for a picture minutes after their boat landed on Skala Sykaminias beach on the Greek island of Lesvos. Hundreds of refugees, make this journey every day, boarding overcrowded inflatable boats to flee war and violence. But in the eyes of right-wing anti-immigration groups, this twosome are something to be feared. This is the story behind one of the boldest image in Huck’s Freaked Out Issue.
Written by: Jack Richardson
Big Momma is the Florida Rapper tapping into the dark horrors of life
"The voice of the voiceless" — Rapper Big Momma, aka Maurice Montgomery, has always been something of an outsider. As a child he was fascinated by serial killers, bullied by his peers, the only black kid on his scene. With an aesthetic he describes as a combination of Lil' Kim and WWE's The Undertaker, his music sings to a harrowing past and a difficult future.
Written by: Edward Siddons
Here's how to stop the coming dystopia (and Donald Trump)
The Optimist's Guide to Tomorrow #3 — We've faced our demons and come out fighting. Even Trump can't get us down. Join us as we close off Generation Why Not - our series on millennial hopes and fears - with a celebration of people power.
Written by: Ed Gillespie and Mark Stevenson
More proof that it's never too late to stop destroying the planet
The Optimist's Guide to Tomorrow #2 — We've spent all week contemplating our fears. Here are two more reasons to be hopeful.
Written by: Ed Gillespie and Mark Stevenson
Saying goodbye to job security to find a more affordable life
Generation Why Not — After studying fashion at university, Tim Whitehouse turned his back on a creative career for the security of teaching. But something wasn’t right. He quit his job to set up The Hub, a live/work warehouse space that enables emerging creatives – like younger brother Joshua Whitehouse (vocals More Like Trees, lead actor Northern Soul) – to survive in unaffordable London.
Written by: Amrita Riat
Six reasons to not freak out about the future
The Optimist's Guide to Tomorrow #1 — If, like us, you lose sleep at night worrying about the future, it’s worth knowing that some good news lies on the horizon. We found two experts who amid all the doom-and-gloom have found reasons to be optimistic. In this three-part series, they'll break down some of your deepest, darkest fears.
Written by: Ed Gillespie and Mark Stevenson
How this social entrepreneur overcame her fear of not making a difference
Generation Why Not — With a stellar education in politics and investment management, 25-year-old Paula Schwarz was destined for a successful career in financial consultancy. Instead, she launched a social initiative, which is now helping to tackle one of the greatest crises facing mainland Europe since the Second World War.
Written by: Daniel Tapper
The self-taught bike builder who left his dead-end job behind
Generation Why Not — A near-death experience inspired former factory-worker Ricky Feather to leave his dead-end job and follow his dreams. It was a gamble that paid off. Without any formal training, Feather has built a career as one of the world’s most respected young bike builders.
Written by: Daniel Tapper (interview)
The fifteen-year-old environmental activist fighting to save our future
Generation Why Not — An environmentalist veteran at just fifteen, Xiuhtezcatl is the face of Earth Guardians, a collective of young activists determined to prevent the world from plummeting into further environmental disaster. Now he’s suing the US government for endangering his future.
Written by: Adam White
Busting myths and reminiscing with Hunter S. Thompson's son
Son of a Gun — Hunter S. Thompson lived his life on the verge, surrounded by guns, booze and drugs, and people who never made it. But the gonzo persona was just one layer of a man who put writing before anything else. Now his son, Juan F. Thompson, is peeling back the myth of an icon who once famously said: never turn your back on fear.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray
The self taught-coder overcoming fears of not being good enough
Generation Why Not — An enviable CV doesn’t make you immune from feeling inadequate. Under pressure to work harder and longer, talented young coder Maxim Cramer, 25, transformed the way she lived, resulting in a healthier, happier and more productive approach to her career.
Written by: Daniel Tapper