Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

Brian MacKenzie and I had a good chat about how "working out" should be more like play, how psychological issues manifest in our physiology, and how rejection can hit the body like a car wreck. Brian is the Founder & CEO of Shift. He is also the President and Co-Founder of The Health and Human Performance Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to researching how breath and innate tools can optimize and help health and human performance. Brian has also co-authored the book Power Speed Endurance, The New York Times Best Seller UnBreakable Runner, and UnPlugged, which assesses the integration of emergent technology and human performance. Brian on Instagram, Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Move with Me" by Nena Cherry; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Christa is a PhD student at UC Santa Cruz, researching endangered species and the stressors on ecosystems that lead to extinction events. She schools me on everything from evolutionary theory to the fascinating worlds of viruses and bacteria to what it's like to hang from tall trees in Madagascar. My favorite kind of podcast: a chance encounter leads to a surprising conversation with a very smart person. I've got the best job in the world! Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Nganga Kisi" by Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

As a kid Sean was fascinated by the look of the cars that were built in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. The shape and design gave each one it’s own personality. He never would have imagined that he would one day make a living off of them the way he does. Using cut up sections of those old brilliant chrome bumpers, he reshapes and welds their pieces into larger than life sculptures, preserving their essence. Follow Sean on Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Lost Cause," by Beck; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Daniele Bolelli is a writer, martial artist, university professor, and host of two excellent podcasts: The Drunken Taoist and History on Fire. He was born in Italy and currently lives in Ojai, CA. He's also a great dad and an awesome friend. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Civilized to Death," by Jack Stafford; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Nate Hankes is founder of the Veteran Artist Residencies nonprofit, a scientist, and bestselling author of the adventure travel and war memoir Waking Up On the Appalachian Trail. To learn more about artistic residency opportunities for post-9/11 veteran writers and how to support them, visit veteranarts.org. Follow the journey @nbhankes Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "War Rages On," by Jordie Lane; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Michael worked his way down from the treetops with a chainsaw hanging from his belt to owning a company (Ponderosa Millworks) that repurposes urban trees, making uniquely gorgeous tables, chairs, bars, countertops, etc. But he's so much more than a businessman. Michael is a guy who GETS THINGS DONE. He's got tremendous energy and a tremendously generous spirit. He's a lovely man, teaching us all better ways to interact with each other and the other living things around us. (Photo) Check out some of Ponderosa Millworks' creations on Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Fuzzy Freaky," by David Byrne; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Kyle Kingsbury is a guy you want on your side when the shit goes down. Big, strong, smart, kind, and thoughtful, he's a good example of how to do this thing called being a man. A former UFC fighter, Kyle now works at Onnit, and hosts a podcast. Kyle on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "My Baby Blue," by John Hiatt; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Tony Gonzalez is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League for 17 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. Widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends of all-time, Gonzalez played college football and college basketball at University of California, Berkeley. Since retiring, he has served as an analyst for Fox Sports. Gonzalez, a 14-time Pro Bowl selection and six-time first-team All-Pro, holds the NFL records for total receiving yards (15,127) and receptions by a tight end (1,325). Known for his durability and rarely fumbling, Gonzalez missed two games between 1997 and 2013 and lost only two fumbles on 1,327 touches. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Beyond all that, Tony is smart, curious, and totally into challenging his assumptions and biases. I have no idea why a guy like this agreed to do my podcast, but I'm honored that he did. Tony on Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Star People," by George Michael; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Joe Yannetty has been around the block a time or two. He's been doing standup comedy around the world for a couple decades, as well as writing for film and TV. Amidst all that, he went through a cancer ordeal and emerged a better man. Thoughtful, funny, and deeply kind, Joe is an inspiration. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "A Good American Life," by Ed Dupas; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Miguel Romero is my pal in Mexico City. He writes for The Daily Grail, does graphic design, and has interests ranging from crop circles to psychic phenomena to UFOs to ... you get the idea. He's a smart dude with informed, thoughtful perspectives on the current mess we're in. Miguel on Twitter and Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Three Stripes on a Cadillac," by Otis Taylor; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

I first met Richard Schweid over a poker table many moons ago. A native of Nashville, he has lived in Barcelona for a good spell. He is a founder and senior editor of the city magazine Barcelona Metropolitan. His previous books include Consider the Eel, Hereafter: Searching for Immortality, and The Cockroach Papers: A Compendium of History and Lore. He served as production manager for the Oscar-nominated film Balseros, a documentary feature about Cuban refugees. Richard's latest book is The Caring Class: Home Health Aides in Crisis. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "He was a Friend of Mine," by Willie Nelson; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Buddies since their tours in Iraq in the Marines, Joe and Jesse founded Solution Point + in order to use their experience as police officers to bring better training models to police departments around the country. Their approach relies on collaborative partnerships within local communities and prioritizing behavioral and cultural change within law enforcement agencies to better handle calls involving mental health crises. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "101 (The Good Stuff)" by Knowmads; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Tao Ruspoli is a dear friend of mine and one of the most creative, magical people I know. He makes films, music, photographs, festivals ... worlds. We had this conversation in the music studio (former garage) at his compound near Joshua Tree, CA. Tao's podcast is called Being in the World. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "A Thought is Just a Passing Train" by John Moreland; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Kraig Adams is a filmmaker, hiker and minimalist living in New York City. I like this dude. Kraig on Instagram and YouTube. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Little Gardens," by Eric Vitoff; "Faith," by Joshua Redman; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Paul Saladino is the author of The Carnivore Code: Unlocking the Secrets to Optimal Health by Returning to Our Ancestral Diet. He has used the carnivore diet to "reverse autoimmunity, chronic inflammation and mental health issues in hundreds of patients, many of whom had been told their conditions were untreatable." In addition to his personal podcast, Fundamental Health, he can be found featured on numerous podcasts including The Minimalists, The Model Health Show, Bulletproof Radio, The Dr. Gundry Podcast, The Ben Greenfield Podcast, Dr. Mercola, Health Theory, Mark Bell’s Power Project, and many others. Paul on Twitter on Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. The article I discuss from The Washington Post is here. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Fake Woke," by Tom MacDonald; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. Carsie's tour dates are here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Dean Radin, PhD, is Chief Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and Associated Distinguished Professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He earned a BS in electrical engineering (magna cum laude, with honors in physics), and then an MS in electrical engineering and a PhD in psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Before joining the IONS research staff in 2001, Radin worked at AT&T Bell Labs, Princeton University, University of Edinburgh, and SRI International. He has given over 600 talks and interviews worldwide, and he is author or coauthor of over 300 scientific and popular articles, four dozen book chapters, two technical books, and four popular books translated into 15 foreign languages: The Conscious Universe (1997), Entangled Minds (2006), Supernormal (2013), and Real Magic (2018). Dr. Radin on Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Living in a Dream," by Kbong; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

A few amazing intro snips from listeners (including a guy up a tree rescuing a cat), some talk about the nature of "friendship" in Hollywood, and an in-depth rant about this article and the problem with contemporary tendencies to argue backwards from a desired belief, rather than forward from data. Music: "Beyond Belief," by Elvis Costello. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Here's the audio from this month's video ROMA that I make for supporters of the podcast. No video for you (!) but some extras, including talking about when/how to offer advice to friends, and how sometimes it's not about what the friend needs, it's what YOU need. Plus, what to do when you can't find your path, how to negotiate (or not) at the beginning of a relationship, and lots of other interesting issues. Music: "The End," by the Stereo MCs; "Daniela," by the John Butler Trio. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

ERIC BERKOWITZ is a writer, lawyer, and journalist. He has a degree in print journalism from University of Southern California and has published in The Los Angeles Times and The Los Angeles Weekly, and for the Associated Press. He was an editor of the West Coast’s premier daily legal publication, The Los Angeles Daily Journal. He lives in San Francisco. He is the author of: The Boundaries of Desire: Bad Laws, Good Sex, and Changing Identities and Sex and Punishment: Four Thousand Years of Judging Desire. His new book, Dangerous Ideas: A Brief History of Censorship in the West, from the Ancients to Fake News is out now. Eric on Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "A Little Bit of Soul," by Kid Loco; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Jamie is an expert in peak performance and leadership, specializing in neuroanthropology––the intersection of culture, biology and psychology. He is the co-author of the global bestseller and Pulitzer Prize nominated Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, Navy SEALs and Maverick Scientists are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work and the founder of the Flow Genome Project, an international organization dedicated to the research and training of ultimate human performance. His new book, Recapture the Rapture: Rethinking God, Sex and Death in a World That's Lost Its Mind is now available. This episode is sponsored by Lelo, makers of the world's best erotic devices. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "There will Be a Light," by Blind Boys of Alabama; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

"Tracy Clark-Flory grew up wedged between fizzy declarations of “girl power” and the sexualized mandates of pop culture. It was “broken glass ceilings” and Girls Gone Wild infomercials. With a vague aim toward sexual empowerment, she set out to become what men wanted—or, at least, understand it." Tracy's book, Want Me: A Sex Writer's Journey Into the Heart of Desire, is intimate, courageous, vulnerable, and beautifully written. Follow Tracy on Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Dancing in the Moonlight," by King Harvest; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Steven Donziger is a renowned lawyer, writer, and public speaker with a focus on addressing human rights abuses and corporate malfeasance. He is part of the team working with indigenous and farmer communities in an area of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest suffering from high cancer rates and other health ailments related to the massive oil pollution caused by Texaco, now owned by Chevron. Due to highly suspicious legal maneuvers on the part of Chevron and their lawyers, Steven has been under house arrest since August, 2019. Please support Steven's case here. Follow Steven on Twitter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Robert Wright is an American journalist and author who writes about science, history, politics, and religion. He has written five books: Three Scientists and Their Gods: Looking for Meaning in an Age of Information (1988), The Moral Animal (1994), Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny (1999), The Evolution of God (2009), and Why Buddhism is True (2017). He is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Bloggingheads.tv and the founder and editor-in-chief of Meaningoflife.tv. (Conversation begins at 35 minutes in.) Bob on Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Fair Game," by CSN; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Rafe Kelley is an unusual guy. As focused on ideas as he is on physical movement, Rafe has studied martial arts, philosophy, parkour, anthropology, gymnastics, and evolution. He comes from an unusual family background (to put it mildly), and now teaches natural movement to everyone from UFC fighters to retired grandmothers. Super interesting, introspective, honest guy. Rafe on Insta and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range;"The Way You Move" by Outkast, "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

This is one of those "flush the pipes" ROMAs, where I talk about a slew of things that seemed unrelated until I started talking about them. By the end, I realized that they're all aspects of the same issue. Anyway, it goes from a defense of Dan Savage to the demise of organized religion to the necessary irrationality of group identity to institutional momentum to whether sex and gender are biological or merely cultural phenomena. This episode is sponsored by Lelo, creator of the world's most amazing pleasure machines. Use the code: CHRISRYAN at checkout to get 20% off full priced items through the end of March, 2021. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range;"It's Different for Girls," by Joe Jackson. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Jenny is a multi-disciplinary artist and writer based in Oakland, California, whose work generally involves acts of close observation, whether it's birdwatching, collecting screen shots, or trying to parse bizarre forms of e-commerce. Her work has been exhibited at many prestigious museums and galleries, and she was the artist in residence at the San Francisco dump! Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Believer, The Paris Review, McSweeney's, SFMOMA's Open Space, The Creative Independent, and Sierra Magazine. Her NYT bestselling book, How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy, was published by Melville House in 2019. Jenny, on Twitter, and Instagram. Check out Trends with Benefits. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range;"Mouhamadou Bamba," by Orchestra Baobab; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Brian Hare is a core member of the Center of Cognitive Neuroscience, a Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology, and Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University. He received his PhD from Harvard University in 2004, and in 2005, following his work at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig was awarded the Sofia Kovalevskaja Award, Germany’s most prestigious award for scientist under 40. In 2007, Smithsonian Magazine named Hare one of the top 35 scientists under 36. Hare has published over 100 scientific papers and his research has received consistent national and international attention. In 2019, Hare and his research were featured in Steven Speilberg’s documentary series Why We Hate. Hare’s first book with co-author Vanessa Woods, The Genius of Dogs is a New York Times Bestseller. Brian's Twitter feed is here. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range;"Seamus," by Pink Floyd; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Roger Nygard is perhaps best known for his acclaimed documentary Trekkies, about the most obsessive fans in the Universe. Nygard’s previous documentary The Nature of Existence, addressed the subject of the world’s philosophies, religions, and belief systems. Nygard has also directed television series such as The Office and The Bernie Mac Show. His work as a film editor includes Grey’s Anatomy, The League, and Emmy-nominated episodes of Who Is America? and Veep and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Nygard has made several other award-winning films, including the car-salesman cult-film Suckers, and a profile of UFO fanatics Six Days in Roswell, and now the documentary The Truth About Marriage, accompanied by The Truth About Marriage book. Most recently he co-produced and edited The Comedy Store, a documentary about the comedians who came though this world-famous LA club, as well as editing scenes from Borat 2 (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). Roger on Twitter and Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Check out Trends with Benefits. My chat with Anya Kaats is here, and my chat with Brett Newski is here. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range;"Life Upside Down," by Brett Newski; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Bryan Callen is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, podcaster, and a friend of mine. Bryan, on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range;"Sometimes," by Daniel Lanois; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

John Colapinto is a journalist, author and a staff writer at The New Yorker. In 2000, he wrote the New York Times bestseller As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl, which exposed the details of the David Reimer case, a boy who had undergone a sex change in infancy—a medical experiment long heralded as a success, but which was, in fact, a failure. In 2007, The New Yorker published John's fantastic story of his time in the Amazon with the Pirahã people and linguist Daniel Everett. John's latest book is This is the Voice. John's Twitter feed. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Say Goodbye," by Eva Cassidy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Over the past few years, people keep asking me if I'd read The Way of the Superior Man, by David Deida. Having long ago given up on being a superior man, I hadn't. Finally got around to reading it, and as you'll hear in this episode, I have some things to say about what I think Mr. Deida gets right and some equally passionate thoughts on what he gets very, very wrong. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. This episode is sponsored by Lelo, maker of the world's best sex toys. Use the code CHRISRYAN at checkout for 20% off all full-priced items. You can also enter a give-away this month. Details on my Instagram feed. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"She Drives Me Crazy," by The Fine Young Cannibals. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Niles is a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and essayist who's work focuses around themes of ageless wisdom for our modern times. Sharing insights in his films, spoken-word essays, podcast "An Infinite Path," alternate media appearances, street photography blog "Philosophical Photography," and in mentorships with others. He is the director of the feature film Transmutation, the documentary series Shamans of The Global Village, the shorts Balanced Opposites and Mystery of History, and a collection of short-form documentary narrations. (from nilesheckman.com) Find me on Instagram or Twitter. This episode is 100% commercial free. Sponsored by listeners. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Slow Down," by The Grid; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

What a woman! Deborah Copaken has slept in caves in Afghanistan, produced documentaries, raised three kids, and written best-selling books on the A train under the cold streets of Manhattan. She's smart, funny, tough, and honest. A perfect podcast guest, in other words. Deborah on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. This episode is sponsored by Lelo, maker of the world's finest sex toys. Use the code ChrisRyan at checkout to get 20% off any and all full-priced items. Enter this month's giveaway of a Soraya 2 (details on my Instagram feed). Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Go with God (Topless Shoeshine)," by Joe Henry; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to another Ramblin' ROMA. Lots to cover in this one. I talk about: Current events (of course); How/why to compliment the women/men in your life; Why we need to think globally, but act locally; The life and death of my friend Diego Fresco; Why there's no shame in changing course in life; Some suggestions for taking advantage of COVID; Ideas for how to communicate with people enthralled with conspiracy theories; A new consulting service I'm offering, here; Some ideas for seminars I'm considering offering online. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"You Make Loving Fun," by Fleetwood Mac; "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin," by Colin Hay; "N Dey Say," by Nelly; "Playaz Club," by Rappin' 4-Tay. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Hear that? That's the sound of shit hitting the fan. In this episode (not for the faint of heart), I trace current events back to the marriage of modern advertising and politics in the 1980s and the fragmentation of media. We're in for a wild ride, folks. It's just beginning. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"American Kid," by Carsie Blanton; "If I had a Rocket Launcher," by Bruce Cockburn; "Blind Willie McTell," by Bob Dylan. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Eleanor Janega is a very smart, very funny medieval historian, specializing in late medieval sexuality, apocalyptic thought, propaganda, and the urban experience in general, and in central Europe more particularly. She teaches medieval and early modern history at a number of universities across London. She considers herself to be "a sad, sad medievalist," who hopes to "explain the medieval influences on the everyday world, and hopefully to get people through the quotidian grind of life in late stage capitalism." A worthy cause if ever there was one! Dr. Janega's site, Twitter feed, and Patreon account. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"The Summer of My Mind," by Highly Portable; "Star People 97," by George Michael. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I answer listener questions about whether to savor or defend a world that may be dying, how to be single but not alone, how to choose a safe place to make a stand, and my feelings about the holiday season. Check What Makes This Thing Great? Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about how to think independently, why it's an important skill, and how to cultivate it -- all while dipping in and out of Paul Graham's essay, "How to Think for Yourself." Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Disturbed," by Peter Gabriel; "Distinto," by Orishas; "Graceland at 4AM," by Bobby Weidman. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Anya and Erin are two of my all-time favorite people. Whore Rapport is their podcast, where they explore and discuss a version of sexuality that is healthy, strong, and aware, by "delving into topics such as gender, orientation, intimacy, and power without pathologizing desire, victimizing femininity, or demonizing masculinity." Follow Whore Rapport on Instagram and Patreon. This episode sponsored by Lelo -- maker of the world's best sex toys. Use the code ChrisRyan for 20% off all full-priced items. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Sexual Healing," by Ben Harper; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

For my money, Rick Beato is the most knowledgeable, most enthusiastic, most open-hearted guide to the world of music. Dude can break a song down to its essence without draining its magic and beauty. Quite the opposite, in fact. After a few episodes of What Makes This Song Great?, you'll understand music -- and hear it -- in a whole new way. Here's a link to our previous conversation. Follow Rick on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Pygmy Lullaby," by Jan Garbarek; "Don't Fear the Reaper," by Blue Oyster Cult. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Ted Achacoso attained a college degree in biology at the age of 18 and a doctor of medicine at the age of 22. A polymath who has professionally trained in interventional neuroradiology, pharmacology, neurology, medical informatics, neuro-interventional radiology interventional endocrinology, and nutritional medicine. Dr. Achacoso's current mission revolves around HOMe: "Health Optimization Medicine". Instead of waiting for a patient to develop a reason for medicine, Dr. Achacoso hopes to swing the pendulum towards optimizing health by detecting and correcting imbalances in your body (hormones, nutrients, toxins, etc). Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range, “Where Is the Love?,” by Black Eyed Peas; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

"Hey Chris, this is Whitney. I love the podcast! You should come visit me in the pyramid next time you're in Montana." It had been four decades since I'd heard from Whitney Lake, who was a legend at Cazenovia High School in 1979-80. His reputation for brilliant disruption greeted me when I moved to town, halfway through senior year. He still excels at brilliant disruption. He lives in a pyramid he designed himself, is a multi-instrumentalist, designs and builds string instruments, wind turbines, and various other devices (patents pending). Dude is mad smart, funny, charming, and generous. And his BBQ sauce is amazing! Learn more about his work at AERI.net. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range, “Drinkee,” by Sofi Tukker. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Chad came to my attention via his always thoughtful, articulate posts on the Tangentially Speaking subReddit. I wanted to know the guy behind this intelligence. I'm really glad he agreed to come on the podcast. Chad's musings on Substack can be found here. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range, “You Haven't Done Nothing,” by Stevie Wonder. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Rutger Bregman is a historian and author. He has published five books on history, philosophy, and economics. His books Humankind (2020) and Utopia for Realists (2017) were both New York Times Bestsellers and have been translated into more than 40 languages. He also dared to speak truth to billionaires at Davos and provoked Tucker Carlson to melt down into a pool of frustration and rage. Rutger's site and Twitter feed. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range, “Son of a Preacher Man,” cover by Menno Roymans. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

My fetid thoughts on the perfect sh*tstorm that is sweeping through America in 2020. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Morning in America,” by Durand Jones and the Indications. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

After extensive adventures in Europe, Joey Rositano found himself on Jeju Island, South Korea, teaching English. During those initial years he heard about a mysterious practice of shamanism on the island that he decided to explore for himself. What he found was the fascinating world of mystical shrines, indomitable grandmas, and spirits among us. Rositano set out to record the voices and stories of the island in his documentary Spirits and the associated photobook. Joey's work, on Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Big Sky Blues," by Phil Griffin. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Tim Cahill is one of the best writers of his generation. His work is funny, surprising, and deep. I first read him back in the 80s, when I was a young dirtbag hitchhiking to Alaska in search of adventure and a disgusting job. (Found both.) He's inspired generations of writers, travelers, and humorists. Here's a link to Tim's conversation with Kyle Thiermann. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Side of the Road," by Jemma and the Good Thing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Eric Weiner is a popular speaker and author of the New York Times bestseller The Geography of Bliss, Man Seeks God, The Geography of Genius and The Socrates Express. He is a former foreign correspondent for NPR and the author of numerous articles about travel and culture. He spent a decade overseas for NPR, based in New Delhi, Jerusalem and Tokyo. This episode is sponsored by Lelo. Find Eric on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Big Jet Plane," written by Angus and Julia Stone, performed by Tuka. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

I respond to some of the feedback I've received in the past day or two in response to my posts on wearing masks. The article I mention in Nature is here. Music: "I Don't Think You Understand," by Goliath Flores. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Some thoughts on the difference between ignorance and stupidity, competing authority figures, the corruption of institutions, and the role of common sense in navigating all of the above. Music: "Watch it Fall," by Billy Strings. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe