The System Wasn’t Built for People Like Us - Katriona O'Sullivan

In this episode of Made in Chaos, Ryan Curtis sits down with
bestselling author and academic Katriona
O’Sullivan for a powerful conversation about poverty,
education, inequality, and survival.


Katriona challenges the idea that success is simply about hard
work, explaining why “choice is a myth” for
people growing up in poverty. Drawing on lived experience,
neuroscience, and education research, she explores how
undernourishment, trauma, and broken systems shape behaviour,
decision-making, addiction, and long-term outcomes.


This episode unpacks why personal responsibility is often
overestimated, systemic failure is underestimated, and why
success stories can sometimes be used to unfairly judge those
still struggling. It’s an honest discussion about opportunity,
support, gratitude, and what real social change actually
requires.