Todd Sampson, known for his roles on shows like "Gruen" and "The Project," has released a new ABC series titled "Why." In this series, Sampson explores various individuals and groups considered to be on the "edges" of society, including doomsday preppers, members of a UFO-worshipping church, serial sperm donors, and Base jumpers.
Series Focus
The central aim of "Why" is to delve into the underlying human needs that motivate these individuals and to illustrate the commonality that often exists beneath seemingly unusual behaviors.
Sampson asserts that many extreme behaviors are driven by fundamental human desires such as belonging, control, or a search for worth.
For example, Sampson examined a serial sperm donor, Ari, whose actions appeared motivated by a desire to help others and, as suggested by his father, a potential search for love. During his time with doomsday preppers, Sampson observed that a shared need for control in an unpredictable world often fueled their extensive preparations.
Personal Motivations and Approach
Sampson states that his work is driven by curiosity and a quest for worthiness, which he links to early life experiences including his mother's addiction and suicide, and a working-class background.
He denies being an adrenaline junkie, despite having undertaken challenging feats such as climbing Mount Everest and performing high-wire walks. Sampson highlights that his investigative style differs from that of Louis Theroux, emphasizing that he approaches communities without judgment and often seeks to learn from their perspectives.
His previous science series, including "Redesign My Brain" and "BodyHack," involved Sampson using himself as the subject. He notes that his wife and children do not typically watch his shows.
Sampson also recounted that he often experiences deep emotional connections with individuals during filming, finding it a form of "intimacy without risk."
Reflecting on his Everest climb, Sampson indicated that his primary focus was on safe descent rather than the thrill. He identifies a combination of a fear of heights and an "extreme optimism bias" as characteristics that have shaped his life.