Naked Humanity
121 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 71 ratingsExistentialist philosophers such as Albert Camus and Hannah Arendt once said the modern world has rendered us naked: we are stripped of traditional beliefs, grasping for truths constantly out of reach, and devastatingly aware of our finitude. Is this true? Where do we go from here? Who are we? Who COULD we be? For Season I of this podcast (all currently posted episodes) I ask historians, psychologists, sociologists, and biologists: what does it mean to be human in the modern world?
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Episodes
37: Are We Brainwashed? with Abel James
August 31, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 47.5 MBIn today’s episode, Stefani chats with New York Times best-selling author Abel James. After having careers as a musician, a corporate consultant, an award-winning podcast host, a reality TV star, and a fitness guru, to name a few--James has developed a fascinating take on what’s wrong with the modern world. At the core of James’s vision is the idea that humanity has strayed from a core inner subjectivity and truth, which makes us vulnerable to brainwashing via advertisements, media, propagan...
Has White Bias Ruined Philosophy?
August 31, 2020 05:00 - 24 minutes - 41.1 MBIn today’s podcast I take another deep and careful dive into a sensitive topic: whiteness. I explore how white bias in philosophy is not just wrong because bias itself is wrong, but also because white bias has stunted our theories of human nature, human society, and moral action. If we want to do good philosophy, be good people, and live rich spiritual lives, then we MUST examine whiteness. We must look at the ways in which dominance affects all of society and all of our ideas on subconsciou...
Finding Meaning in Coronavirus
March 23, 2020 05:00 - 23 minutes - 39 MBI have taken a pause from our regular programming to respond to the flood of people asking me to talk about coronavirus. In the beginning of this episode I briefly address anxiety and coping strategies. But because I believe these are addressed widely elsewhere, I then move on to what I can truly lend to you: perspective. This podcast focuses on the ways in which the Western world’s technologies and spiritualities have blinded us to some of the realities of what it means to be human. Tune in...
What Makes Things Funny? with Alex Farrow
March 09, 2020 05:00 - 59 minutes - 95.9 MBAlex Farrow is both a philosophy teacher AND a really extraordinary stand up comedian (I’ve seen his show live!) so this is a heck of a podcast. Alex and I chat about what he learned teaching philosophy to high schoolers in London, what makes something funny, the precise science of crafting a joke, and the shifting landscape of political correctness in comedy today. Check out the night he runs in Oxford @ http://www.jerichocomedy.com/ Find him on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/alex_farrow ...
If I were Emperor for a Day...
March 02, 2020 06:00 - 15 minutes - 25.8 MBA listener wrote in and asked me: Stefani, if you were Emperor of the World for a day, what would you do? I sat down and put some thought into the question, and came up with a list of four things involving education, safety, freedom, and meaning. Take a dive into the fun question with me, and hope over to Insta or Facebook to chime in in the discussion. --- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen ...
The Lost Art of Logic with Steve Patterson
February 24, 2020 16:26 - 45 minutes - 76.8 MBThis week I have the enormous pleasure to chat with freelance philosopher Steve Patterson, who studied philosophy and became an expert in logic entirely outside of the academy. Steve and I chat about his adventurous career, as well as the state of logic in our world today. Steve chats with me about what the philosophy of logic can teach us about quantum mechanics, about economic systems, and about our abilities to know and love one another. Steve is the host of Patteron in Pursuit, a top ra...
Living Outside the Philosophical Box
February 17, 2020 06:00 - 15 minutes - 25.2 MBOur society says you are who you are because of your beliefs, butt how much does that confine you, restrict you, draw you too much in the ilnes, and hinder your growth? In last week’s question, a listener claimed that we were polar opposites.But what does this mean? I don't consider myself ppolar opposites from ANYBODY unless they hate listening and empathising. In this episode, I talk about how I don't identify myself with BELIEFS, but instead with how carefully I hold and question them. I ...
The State of Philosophy Today with John Perry
February 10, 2020 06:00 - 52 minutes - 82.5 MBToday I chat with one of the pioneers of philosophy podcasting, John Perry. But Professor Perry is such a pro that he’s not actually a podcaster: he hosted the philosophy radio show Philosophy Talk for decades. We chit chat about the state of philosophy today. Tune in for an entertaining dip into how philosophers today are wrestling with what it means to be true, and John’s thoughts on free will, logic, and the value of procrastination. http://John.j.perry.net http://Philosophytalk.org ...
Intersectionality: Truth vs. Misconceptions
February 03, 2020 06:00 - 25 minutes - 19.2 MBA listener writes in and asks me to unpack intersectionality (which is basically the idea that categories of marginalisation on the basis of group identity such as gender, race, and ability can intersect to create unique sociopolitical situations). I start at the bottom, telling you all about the origins of the term and its legal implications. Then I explore what it means now, which involves explaining how people in different groups (generally, progressives and conservatives) relate to the i...
Yoga in the West: Scam or Sacred Practice? with David Garrigues
January 27, 2020 06:00 - 46 minutes - 35.4 MBWhat’s up with yoga as a spiritual practice? Is it legit, or just wishy washy new age woo woo? In this podcast I chat with long-time yoga advocate David Garrigues. We get to the heart of what yoga can do for you, as well as talk about how issues of appropriation, consumerism, and trendiness affect (or don’t) this centuries old sacred practice. Links: Books, retreats, articles: http://davidgarrigues.com Youtube: http://davidgarrigues.com/youtube Podcast: http://davidgarrigues.com/podcas...
Why You Think You're Right but Probably Aren't
January 23, 2020 06:00 - 16 minutes - 12.5 MBA listener writes in and asks, how do I know if I’m objective? I say right off the bat: you aren’t. Period. No such thing truly exists. BUT, this doesn’t mean you should take offense (because we’re all just human), or lose hope. Truth exists - we are simply all on a journey toward it. In this podcast, I explain why we all think we’re right but probably aren’t, then provide my 4 ways of trying to seek truth and be as objective as possible. ------ To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE boo...
Using Feminism to Question Society and Yourself with Hannah McGregor
January 20, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBFinally, a Naked Humanity episode devoted to feminism! I chat with scholar-activist Professor Hannah McGregor, and we get to the heart of feminism and why it matters in today’s world. We talk about misconceptions of feminism, how feminism can be useful for your daily life, and how feminism helped Hannah figure out why she was getting impolite with airport security. -------- Links: http://hannahmcgregor.com http://secretfeministagenda.com https://twitter.com/hkpmcgregor Care Work book: ...
4 Steps to Overcome Alienation and Nihilism
January 16, 2020 06:00 - 19 minutes - 33.1 MBAlright, four steps might be a *hair* of an oversimplification, but not by too much. In this episode, a listener writes in and tells me she feels listless, uninterested in life, meaningless, and alienated from the people around her. What gives? Is there anything she can do to fix this existential malaise? Drawing on my experiences working with biochemistry and nutrition alongside my philosophical work, I provide four categories of approach I think are useful for addressing such down and list...
Using Empathy to Improve yourself and the World with Daryl Cameron
January 13, 2020 06:00 - 52 minutes - 84.9 MBEver shocked by people’s complete lack of empathy? In this episode, I chat with experimental psychologist Dr Daryl Cameron, who runs a lab at Penn State that investigates empathy. What circumstances enhance or diminish our capacity to be empathetic? Many of us think that having empathy is difficult - but why? Can this difficulty be overcome? Could understanding empathy help us unlock our potential to be good humans and live more satisfying lives? ----- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FR...
Can Multiple Religions be True?
January 09, 2020 06:00 - 21 minutes - 36.2 MBA listener writes in and asks, can multiple religions be true at the same time? I respond by describing what I think are four different ways of thinking about religious truths and beliefs: metaphysically assertively (I’ll explain this in the podcast!), symbolically, as gesturing towards a universal truth, and with mystery. I happen to personally like the last three pretty equally, and enact each of them to some degree or another in my personal life. Tune in to learn more about what I believe...
Making Meaning Before you Die with Jessie Dezutter
January 06, 2020 06:00 - 50 minutes - 86.7 MBThis week I have on experimental psychologist Jessie Dezutter of KU Leuven University in Belgium, who studies how people make meaning, with a focus on how people deal with existential concerns later in life. We chat about how humans need to tell their stories, how Alzheimer’s and later life experiences shape emotions, the importance of acknowledging and accepting death, and how you can build your own personal feelings of meaning so that life (and death) are less scary. This was a really enli...
Pros and Cons of Eckhart Tolle & Other Spiritual Gurus
December 19, 2019 06:00 - 14 minutes - 10.8 MBEckhart Tolle is the famous spiritual guru who wrote “The Power of Now” - a book about being present, letting go of your ego, and becoming a happier and better person. Is it all BS? Or is it worthwhile? In this X episode I respond to a listener question about whether she should like Tolle. I use it as an opportunity to talk about what Tolle has in common with Christianity and Buddhism, and I argue in favour of universal love, care, and forgiveness, no matter which spiritual form it takes. -...
Nietzsche, the Death of God, and Donald Trump with Hugo Drochon
December 16, 2019 06:00 - 52 minutes - 39.6 MBFriedrich Nietzsche is a controversial figure. He proclaimed “God is dead!” and has often been held up as a hero of Nazis and the alt-right. A closer look at Nietzsche reveals however that what he said is actually really valuable and relevant to our modern moment. In this chat with political and historical theorist Hugo Drochon, I get to the bottom of Nietzsche and how he was able to predict so much about today’s landscape from 150 years back. We discuss the death of God, the “ubermensch,” r...
Why You Shouldn't Rely Only on Reason
December 12, 2019 06:00 - 20 minutes - 15.7 MBA listener writes in and asks, why are some people so obsessed with reason? He asks the question because “prioritizing reason to know the world” is listed as a mission statement of a church he tried going to. I respond. I talk about limitations to reason and the kinds of danger we get in (including really big political danger) when we get obsessed with our own rationality. It’s a dense podcast, but it’s really important for anyone who’s interested in a few different things: gender stereotype...
Are Robots the Next Gods? with Dr. Beth Singler
December 09, 2019 06:00 - 55 minutes - 42.1 MBSuper-intelligent machines are coming - but what does that mean for us? Will they become like Gods? Maybe. Will we treat them like Gods? Some people are already doing it. In today’s fascinating episode, Dr Beth Singler and I talk about how some people are already worshipping technology, how humans tend to mirror religious myths in other kinds of stories, and what kinds of dangers are involved when we try to predict the future. --------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a...
Philosophical Perspective on Slut Shaming
December 05, 2019 06:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBA listener writes in and asks: am I a slut? I use what I know about the histories of religion, philosophy, and culture to explain why the idea of a slut exists at all, and options for handling it. I also argue that we need to get rid of shame based on promiscuity and instead pay attention to how well we treat people. Some monogamous people, for example, treat their partners terribly, and some promiscuous people treat them with great love and care. This observation can teach us much about how...
The Compatibility of Christianity and Science with Tom McLeish
December 02, 2019 06:00 - 54 minutes - 39 MBOne of the biggest misconceptions in the world today is that religion is irrational, or disproved by science. Wrong. When you actually study religion and science, like I have, you learn that it’s a much more complex and potentially harmonious picture. Today’s guest, Tom McCleish, is a renowned physicist who also writes books about science and his faith. Tune in to learn how the histories of Christianity and science were mutually beneficial up until about 200 years ago. See the world through ...
What You Need to Know about Postmodernism
November 21, 2019 06:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBPostmodernism has been rumored to be BOTH the cause of Donald Trump’s popularity as well as the movement that will ultimately be the ruin of him. How could it be both at once? In this episode I respond to a listener who wrote in and asked: “What the heck is postmodernism?” I set the record straight. In it you’ll learn not just how postmodernism got started but also whether it’s to blame for the mess we’re in it. ------ To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the pod...
Philosophical Answers to the Meaning of Life with Iddo Landau
November 18, 2019 06:00 - 49 minutes - 35.7 MBWhat is the meaning of life? You might not know it, but you probably assume a lot of things that affect your feelings about meaning. For instance, it is a very common bias for people to think that life is meaningful for others, but not necessarily for themselves. Philosopher Iddo Landau asks, Why is this the case? Why do so many people today think life is meaningless? What’s the difference between people who think life is meaningful and people who don’t? I chat with Iddo and he explains what...
The Insignificance of Humanity
November 11, 2019 17:14 - 20 minutes - 15.4 MBThis week a listener asks, does humanity seem small and insignificant to you? Does it scare you? I reflect on how modern humans are more worried about insignificance than any before, and I describe two primary philosophical ways of solving the problem. You could very generally describe them as ‘eastern’ and ‘western.’ I share which I prefer and why it works for me. (Note: this is an "x" episode and the only episode this week!) ---- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a rev...
Our Untold and Uncomfortable Histories with the Uncomfortable Oxford Project
November 04, 2019 06:00 - 58 minutes - 44.6 MBWe grow up hearing about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, the midnight ride of Paul Revere. These are glorious tales of courage and triumph. But what other stories aren’t being told? Today I chat with the co-founders of Uncomfortable Oxford, an organization that leads walking tours around Oxford showcasing the less comfortable bits of Oxford’s history: moments of racism, sexism, classism, colonialism. I and the founders Olivia Larsson and Paula Durand chat about the ugly parts of our pa...
How Healthy are Your Coping Mechanisms?
October 31, 2019 05:00 - 19 minutes - 14.4 MBFor this episode, a listener writes in and asks: is it a problem that I go shopping every time I get bad news or have a bad day? This listener isn’t alone - #primetherapy is a hashtag that trends on social media on a regular basis. So what gives? Why are humans constantly medicating and anaesthetizing with shopping, with social media, with TV, with exercise addiction, with food, with alcohol, gambling, drugs, and more? I respond to the listener question drawing on personal experience and on ...
The Nuance you Miss in Political Opponents with Feminist Libertarian Cathy Reisenwitz
October 28, 2019 05:00 - 51 minutes - 38.7 MBMany people think that libertarianism are selfish misers who like free markets because it helps make them rich. But that’s a radical misperception. In today’s episode, I chat with political commentator Cathy Reisenwitz, who identifies both as a libertarian and as a feminist who cares about racism, privilege, and many other issues commonly identified with the “left.” Cathy is the perfect example of how dangerous it is to over-simplify the political “other”. Cathy and I also discuss what’s wro...
What Everyone gets Wrong about Political Differences
October 24, 2019 05:00 - 15 minutes - 11.8 MBA listener writes in and asks: I think my family’s political views are backwards--how do I deal? I talk about her own experiences of dealing with political difference. I also describe how we can--no, must--use political difference NOT as an opportunity to change other people’s minds, but rather as an opportunity to grow in our own practices and values. -------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a scr...
Religions are Often Bad for the Environment: Here's Why with Bron Taylor
October 21, 2019 05:00 - 53 minutes - 39.8 MBPope Francis might try to make Catholicism more green, and priests and pastors all over the world might make their churches recycle, and many small groups and individuals might try very hard to help, but in today’s podcast specialist in religion and the environment Bron Taylor reveals the truth: as much as we want traditional religions to be progressively environmental, across the board they exhibit inertia and struggle. Modern, traditional religions seem to inhibit environmental progress. W...
Religions are Often Bad for the Environment: Here's Why, with Bron Taylor
October 21, 2019 05:00 - 53 minutes - 39.8 MBPope Francis might try to make Catholicism more green, and priests and pastors all over the world might make their churches recycle, and many small groups and individuals might try very hard to help, but in today’s podcast specialist in religion and the environment Bron Taylor reveals the truth: as much as we want traditional religions to be progressively environmental, across the board they exhibit inertia and struggle. Modern, traditional religions seem to inhibit environmental progress. W...
42x: Why so many People Struggle with Purpose
October 17, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 10.1 MBFor this episode a listener writes in and asks, how do I figure out what to do with my life? Why is it so hard to feel purposeful? Stefani reflects on the current cultural moment, explains why so many people struggle with finding a “purpose” these days, and provides three ways to respond to the problem depending on your own personality type and experience of meaning. ----------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper...
Why so many People Struggle with Purpose
October 17, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 10.1 MBFor this episode a listener writes in and asks, how do I figure out what to do with my life? Why is it so hard to feel purposeful? I reflect on the current cultural moment, explain why so many people struggle with finding a “purpose” these days, and provide three ways to respond to the problem depending on your own personality. ----------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your...
42: How Marketing Shapes our World with Kaila Tova
October 14, 2019 05:00 - 55 minutes - 42.5 MBIs there a way to advertise to people that is ethical, or are we basically doomed to forever con one another into buying our services? On today’s podcast, Stefani chats with drag king, burlesque dancer, and PhD student Kaila Tova about the ways in which marketing influences our decisions and the shape of our worlds. Kaila is the host of the podcast “Your Body, Your Brand,” which explores the ways in which people--often women--end up selling health and fitness online. Kaila knows ALL about th...
How Marketing Shapes our World with Kaila Tova
October 14, 2019 05:00 - 55 minutes - 42.5 MBIs there a way to advertise to people that is ethical, or are we basically doomed to forever con one another into buying our services? On today’s podcast, I chat with drag king, burlesque dancer, and PhD student Kaila Tova about the ways in which marketing influences our decisions and the shape of our worlds. Kaila is the host of the podcast “Your Body, Your Brand” that explores the ways in which people--often women--end up selling health and fitness online. Kaila knows ALL about this after ...
Is Life Worth Living?
October 10, 2019 05:00 - 18 minutes - 13.6 MBToday’s episode goes deep. A listener writes in with the question: is life worth living? This is not an uncommon question. But, have people always struggled with life’s worthwhileness and meaning? I talk about the idea of meaning and why people today are more convinced life is meaningless than ever before. I also offer some surprising paths forward out of the philosophical abyss. (Important note, I don't presume to be able to solve mental health disorders and wouldn’t dare to.) --------...
41x: Is Life Worth Living?
October 10, 2019 05:00 - 18 minutes - 13.6 MBToday’s episode goes deep. A listener writes in with the question: is life worth living? This is not an uncommon question. But, have people always struggled with life’s worthwhileness and meaning? Stefani talks about the idea of meaning and why people today are more convinced life is meaningless than ever before. She also offers some surprising paths forward out of the abyss. (Important note, Stefani doesn’t presume to be able to solve mental health disorders and wouldn’t dare to.) ----...
The Historical Era that Made us Who We Are with Brad Gregory
October 07, 2019 05:00 - 58 minutes - 44 MBDid you know that relativism, capitalism, and consumerism were all born at the same time? It was in the 1500s, during the period we now know as the Protestant Reformation. This Reformation started humbly: people like Martin Luther just wanted Church officials to be less corrupt. But it ended up creating spiritual, philosophical, and economic chaos from which we have not--and may not ever--recover. Are we in a climate crisis because of some 400 year old religious disputes? Today I have on his...
41: The Historical Era that Made us Who We Are with Brad Gregory
October 07, 2019 05:00 - 58 minutes - 44 MBDid you know that relativism, capitalism, and consumerism were all born at the same time? It was in the 1500s, during the period we now know as the Protestant Reformation. This Reformation started humbly: people like Martin Luther just wanted Church officials to be less corrupt. But it ended up creating spiritual, philosophical, and economic chaos from which we have not--and may not ever--recover. Are we in a climate crisis because of some 400 year old religious disputes? Today Stefani has o...
40x: Why Trying to be Happy Makes you Sad
October 03, 2019 05:00 - 16 minutes - 12.6 MBThis week a listener asks Stefani about how to be happy. She’s got a steady job, friends, romance--what gives? Why isn’t she happy? Stefani talks about advertising in the modern world, the demand that you be happy, the illusions of social media, and why chasing happiness makes you sad. She reflects on her own journey and argues that the secret to happiness isn’t to seek it, but to seek something far more important instead. --------------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book,...
Why Trying to be Happy Makes you Sad
October 03, 2019 05:00 - 16 minutes - 12.6 MBThis week a listener asks me about how to be happy. She’s got a steady job, friends, romance--what gives? Why isn’t she happy? I talk about advertising in the modern world, the demand that you be happy, the illusions of social media, and why chasing happiness all make you sad. I reflect on my own journey and argue that the secret to happiness isn’t to seek it, but to seek something far more important instead. --------------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a revie...
40: The Religious Causes of Violence with Mark Juergensmeyer
September 30, 2019 05:00 - 51 minutes - 38.2 MBMark Juergensmeyer is a leading expert on religion and violence. In today’s episode, Professor Juergensmeyer and Stefani dig deep into the psychology of violence in religion: what is it about religion that enables, facilitates, and exacerbates violence? What is it about humans that make us so susceptible to violent narratives? They also chat about American politics, the dangers of globalization, and how to turn a terrorist into a mechanic. --------- To enter the weekly giveaway fo...
The Religious Causes of Violence with Mark Juergensmeyer
September 30, 2019 05:00 - 51 minutes - 38.2 MBMark Juergensmeyer is a leading expert on religion and violence. In today’s episode, Professor Juergensmeyer and I dig deep into the psychology of violence in religion: what is it about religion that enables, facilitates, and exacerbates violence? What is it about humans that make us so susceptible to violent narratives? We also chat about American politics, the dangers of globalization, and how to turn a terrorist into a mechanic. --------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE bo...
Why You Should Care about String Theory with Tasneem Zehra Husain
September 16, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 46.5 MBTasneem Zehra Husain is the first female Pakistani string theorist, and if that’s not impressive enough, she’s also the author of an extraordinary work of fiction. In this episode Dr. Husain and I chat about the role of exploration and discovery in the creation of our modern world, focusing on the deep emotional bonds Dr. Husain and other scientists end up building with their work. Also on the table are flaws in the public understanding of science, the power of storytelling, and how multiver...
39: Why You Should Care about String Theory with Tasneem Zehra Husain
September 16, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 46.5 MBTasneem Zehra Husain is the first female Pakistani string theorist, and if that’s not impressive enough, she’s also the author of an extraordinary work of fiction. In this episode Stefani and Dr. Husain chat about the role of exploration and discovery in the creation of our modern world, focusing on the deep emotional bonds Dr. Husain and other scientists end up building with their work. Also on the table are flaws in the public understanding of science, the power of storytelling, and how mu...
38x: The Busyness Epidemic
September 12, 2019 05:00 - 14 minutes - 11.3 MBAre you constantly busy? Stressed? Over-worked and over-committed? In this episode, a listener asks Stefani how to balance commitments so she can be less stressed and feel better. Stefani responds by questioning the idea of keeping busy altogether. Being busy for the sake of busyness is practically a national past time--but it’s far from healthy. What we should do instead is ask what is worthwhile and good, and learn to prioritise meaningful acts, while letting others slide. ------------...
The Busyness Epidemic
September 12, 2019 05:00 - 14 minutes - 11.3 MBAre you constantly busy? Stressed? Over-worked and over-committed? In this episode, a listener asks me how to balance commitments so she can be less stressed and feel better. I respond by questioning the idea of keeping busy altogether. Being busy for the sake of busyness is practically a national past time--but it’s far from healthy. What we should do instead is ask what is worthwhile and good, and learn to prioritise meaningful acts, while letting others slide. ------------------------...
38: Trusting Strangers: Why it Matters and How it can be Created and Destroyed with Peter Thisted Dinesen
September 09, 2019 05:00 - 55 minutes - 41.2 MBHow much do you trust other people? The answer depends on where you live. Today, political scientist Peter Thisted Dinesen tells Stefani all about the importance of trust for a functioning society. Some societies, like Denmark, have uniquely high amounts of social trust. Unfortunately, many of the world’s most powerful countries are seeing unprecedented amounts of distrust, the United States in particular, which might be why the world is falling apart at the seams. ---------------------- ...
Trusting Strangers: Why it Matters and How it can be Created and Destroyed with Peter Thisted Dinesen
September 09, 2019 05:00 - 55 minutes - 41.2 MBHow much do you trust other people? The answer depends on where you live. Today, political scientist Peter Thisted Dinesen tells me all about the importance of trust for a functioning society. Some societies, like Denmark, have uniquely high amounts of social trust. Unfortunately, many of the world’s most powerful countries are seeing unprecedented amounts of distrust, the United States in particular, which might be why the world is falling apart at the seams. ---------------------- To ...
How to Quit Religion
September 05, 2019 05:00 - 20 minutes - 15.7 MBThis week, X episodes turn into listener questions! Our first listener question is from Suzy. Suzy gave up Catholicism, but now she’s worried about losing her friendships and finding her way without traditional religion. I share what I know about religious communities and beliefs in the modern world, and offer a few potential solutions to optimize happiness, friendship, and spiritual fulfillment moving forward. --------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of...