Surviving Trump: With Democracy On Life Support

Episode 13: Elon Musk: Where it all began

Bella Goode Season 1 Episode 13

Send us a text

Elon Musk is not just a billionaire tech mogul—he’s one of the most polarizing figures of our time. Some hail him as a genius innovator, while others view him as an erratic and dangerous figure who wields too much power. But to truly understand Musk, we need to start at the beginning.

In this first episode of our five-part deep dive, we uncover:

  • Musk’s childhood in South Africa – A life shaped by extreme privilege, emotional abuse, and relentless bullying.
  • His complex family dynamics – A domineering father, a resilient mother, and an early life of emotional isolation.
  • The psychological profile of a tech titan – Asperger’s, OCD, PTSD, and the compulsions that define his leadership.
  • His trauma and survival mechanisms – The roots of his emotional detachment, obsessive work habits, and relentless drive.
  • How childhood shaped his leadership style – From building homemade rockets to running billion-dollar companies, Musk has always thrived on Chaos.

And as a special segment, The Blue Choir weighs in on a fun but revealing Hypothetical:

Musk invites you out for drinks and offers to answer one question. What do you ask? The responses range from biting political jabs to hilariously expensive drink orders—exposing the deep skepticism surrounding Musk’s influence on business, democracy, and the future of America.

Next Episode:

Episode 14 – The Vision of Elon Musk: Savior or Supervillain?

In Part Two of our series, we explore Musk’s grand vision—from Mars colonization to free speech absolutism. Is he truly building a better future, or is he just another billionaire playing god?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

About Bella: Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :