Seize the Moment Podcast
229 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsSeize the Moment Podcast, hosted by Leon Garber and Alen Ulman, is a project centered around making the most important and useful ideas in psychology, philosophy, and personal development mainstream. We feature guests from all walks of life whether they be artists, musicians, comedians, entrepreneurs, philosophers, psychologists and many more. There is a saying, “the most essential knowledge is not yet made widely accessible.” We want to make that information accessible and change as many lives for the better as possible.
Leon Garber is a philosophical writer, contemplating and elucidating the deep recesses of man's soul. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Psychotherapist — specializing in Existential Psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma Therapy — and manages a blog exploring issues of death, self-esteem, love, freedom, life-meaning, and mental health/mental illness, from both empirical and personal viewpoints.
Alen Ulman is a content creator and life long auto-didact. Alen manages the page Ego Ends Now which is a growing community for expanding consciousness with vital information about science, medicine, self actualization, philosophy, psychology and methods to overcome identification with compulsive thought. The purpose of Ego Ends Now is to make sure to give everyone in it's community every tool available to add levity in their own lives, making it a very real possibility for them to create a life of their own design, and help impact the world and our global community positively.
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Episodes
Mark Tuitert - From Olympic Champion to Stoic Philosopher: The Stoic Mindset | STM Podcast #211
March 24, 2024 15:25 - 1 hour - 90.7 MBOn episode 211, we welcome Mark Tuitert to discuss stoic philosophy, Mark winning the Olympic gold medal in speed skating in 2010, our cultural obsession with winning, why success doesn’t lead to long-term happiness, the stoic focus on character in cultivating a good life, Mark’s relationship with his dad and how suspending judgment improved it, if one can be a stoic and a winner at the same time, perverting stoicism in an attempt to control how successful you are, Mark’s reframe of his moth...
Sabrina B. Little - Running Toward Virtue: Guide to Ethical Athletics | STM Podcast #210
March 17, 2024 16:55 - 59 minutes - 81.4 MBOn episode 210, we welcome Sabrina Little to discuss the virtues of ultramarathon running, the importance of desire in being good, the deification of American sports, if excellence in performance and good character are mutually exclusive, using envy to better oneself, the mindsets of Tom Brady and Michael Jordan, Sabrina’s athletic achievements, if there’s an objective basis for defining the good life, and how to become more community-oriented individuals. Sabrina B. Little is an Assistant...
Robin Reames - From Aristotle to Twitter: The Timeless Tactics of Rhetoric | STM Podcast #209
March 10, 2024 14:15 - 1 hour - 98.4 MBOn episode 209, we welcome Robin Reames to discuss how the art of rhetoric is used to spread misinformation, how the concept of truth evolved from Ancient Greece to us, confronting fact-resistant individuals, the spectrum of misinformation and how some use science to mask it, cultivating negative emotions while offering harmful solutions to them, Donald Trump as a truth-teller and how that influences his audience, how con-men use our values against us, and how to help people distinguish whic...
Louis King - Aim4theheart: How 2Pac & Emotional Literacy Inspire My Mission | STM Podcast #208
March 03, 2024 21:16 - 1 hour - 104 MBOn episode 208, we welcome Louis King to discuss Aim4theheart, working with Leila Steinberg, how 2Pac inspired Louis and Leon, emotional literacy and learning how to access and understand feelings, meeting Edi Mean of the Outlawz, Louis’ musical roots, how the music industry shortchanges its artists, selling music as crypto and empowering them, and Louis’ work as a music teacher helping underprivileged children. Louis King is the director of outreach, assemblies, and concerts at the AIM 4 ...
Constantine Sandis - From Thought to Action to Ethics | STM Podcast #207
February 25, 2024 20:22 - 1 hour - 121 MBOn episode 207, we welcome Constantine Sandis to discuss free will and determinism, the Libet experiments and criticisms of them, weakness of will and whether belief in it stems from a lack of understanding decisions, the difficulty in separating external and internal reasons for acting, self-deception and whether we can overcome it, if self-knowledge is possible and actually aids understanding, the psychological effects of priming, the significance of distinguishing the process of doing fro...
Mark D. White - Dissecting Antitrust: Balancing Rights and Welfare | STM Podcast #206
February 18, 2024 21:29 - 1 hour - 115 MBOn episode 206, we welcome Mark White to discuss the drawbacks of antitrust laws, what rights consumers actually have, if trusts are unfair and unjust, the utilitarian argument against those laws, the flawed healthcare insurance system in the US and how its consumers struggle, whether it’s feasible to constantly have new entrepreneurs challenging trusts, the trading system in the NFL and how it prevents unfair competition, and what the economy could look like if antitrust laws are relaxed ...
Jack Symes - Does God Exist? Debating Religion, Evil, and Atheism | STM Podcast #205
February 11, 2024 13:30 - 1 hour - 104 MBOn episode 205, we welcome Jack Symes to discuss the possible existence of god, the strongest arguments for it, whether Pascal’s Wager justifies belief in god, the different religions and whether they make belief in god irrational, god necessarily existing and being all good, how evil can stem good, whether evil even exists, the simple god hypothesis, if atheism is epistemically justifiable, the debate between Richard Swinburne and Richard Dawkins, Jack’s philosophical development, and wheth...
Aaron James - The Variety of Assholes | STM Podcast #204
February 04, 2024 21:53 - 1 hour - 96.6 MBOn episode 204, we welcome Aaron James to discuss assholes, who they are and how they think, the difference between a regular asshole and someone with narcissistic personality disorder, whether all politicians are narcissistic and if regular people ever seek power, if assholes understand and care about the rules, how narcissists use the cover of autism to hide their bad behavior, using entitlement to disregard others’ feelings, the messiah figure and our pull toward it, why people love Donal...
EDI Mean - Street Fame: The Ecstasies and Perils of Hip Hop | STM Podcast #203
January 29, 2024 01:50 - 1 hour - 83.3 MBOn episode 203, we welcome EDI Mean to discuss his book ‘Street Fame’, how it mirrors and differs from the music industry, EDI’s love of hip-hop and his warnings to up and coming rappers, what made 2Pac special, whether conscious rappers can thrive in the current market, how EDI’s understanding of mental health and trauma evolved, meeting the rest of the Outlawz, EDI’s rules for living and his legacy, what he enjoys about podcasting, EDI’s passion for writing and why this book is important t...
Michael Amster - The Power of Awe: How Simple Moments Can Transform Your Life | STM Podcast #202
January 24, 2024 15:44 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBOn episode 202, we welcome Michael Amster to discuss the A.W.E. method, how changing your perspective and seeing miracles in the everyday alleviates suffering, how feeling awe interacts with chronic pain, the vagus nerve and the physiological affects of awe states, personality changes that can occur with psychedelics and meditation practices, what stepping away from the ego looks like, and how limiting and dysfunctional thinking shifts when experiencing awe. Michael Amster, MD, is a physic...
J. Aaron Simmons - Philosophy in the Wild: On 'Camping with Kierkegaard' | STM #201
January 14, 2024 18:17 - 1 hour - 98.6 MBOn episode 201, we welcome J. Aaron Simmons to discuss why we’re so unhappy, the limitations of pursuing external success, faith as risk with direction, Kierkegaard and the aesthetic life, status obsession as a form of avoidance, why cultivating good relationships may be more challenging than becoming rich, the archetypal seducer, becoming trapped in the goal-oriented mindset, and the meaning of authentic friendship. J. Aaron Simmons is a Professor of Philosophy, a widely published author,...
Tom Morris & Gregory Bassham - The Metaphysical and Practical Philosophies of Stoicism | STM #200
January 07, 2024 23:10 - 1 hour - 96.7 MBOn episode 200, we welcome Tom Morris and Gregory Bassham to discuss stoic philosophy, radical acceptance and its relationship with the divine, what the stoics believed about god and the afterlife, the four cardinal virtues and why one needs to cultivate all of them, whether the stoics actually sought to eliminate negative emotions, how they addressed death and grief, explore what we can and can’t control, the stoic conception of good and bad, why being good was their purpose for being, Marc...
Jeff Fuhrer - Fixing Our Broken Economy: Insights from 'The Myth That Made Us' | STM Podcast #199
December 31, 2023 15:25 - 1 hour - 90.6 MBOn episode 199, we welcome Jeffrey Fuhrer to discuss the fallacy of trickle down economics and the self-made myth, what companies actually do with tax breaks, the distinct perspectives of the flaws of human nature in communism and capitalism, the wealth gap and racial income disparities, what happens when governments intervene with subsidies for poor people, the hubris of corporations in zero-sum thinking, Leon’s exit from libertarianism and the usual mental gymnastics of libertarians, culti...
Mark D. White - Unmasking Daredevil: A Deep Dive into Philosophy and Comics | STM Podcast #198
December 24, 2023 05:43 - 1 hour - 99.1 MBOn episode 198, we welcome Mark White to discuss the philosophy of Daredevil, applying utilitarianism and deontology to his vigilantism, his apparent OCD-like tendencies and inability to make firm decisions, Kant’s understanding that ethical decisions are ultimately our own, why Daredevil didn’t often include others while making choices, his apparent inability to work within the legal system and going beyond it, his ruminations about not being a good person, the concept of satisficing in beh...
Roberto Olivardia - The Hidden Battle: The Adonis Complex and Male Body Image Challenges | STM Podcast #197
December 17, 2023 14:30 - 58 minutes - 80.5 MBOn episode 197, we welcome Roberto Olivardia to discuss the Adonis Complex and muscle dysmorphia, how men become obsessed with becoming more muscular, whether the obsession is about attracting a potential mate or something else, Leon’s personal history of muscle dysmorphia and Alen’s past preoccupations with his body image, the importance of focusing on underlying values and highlighting better strategies in treatment, the distorted thinking and perceptual errors involved in body dysmorphia,...
Richard Deming - Loners, Outcasts, & Creativity | This Exquisite Loneliness | STM Podcast #196
December 10, 2023 20:23 - 1 hour - 91 MBOn episode 196, we welcome Richard Deming to discuss chronic loneliness, being lonely around people, Richard’s past tendency to avoid it with excessive alcohol use, loneliness as an existential fact of life as opposed to an illness to be remedied, how it fosters creativity, how writing bridges the gap between people, the different layers of intimacy, writing as inspiration for others, Rod Serling and the expressions of his chronic loneliness on The Twilight Zone, and why all of us appreciate...
Eric G. Wilson - Deconstructing Trauma and Revenge in Point Blank | STM Podcast #195
December 03, 2023 21:43 - 1 hour - 85.4 MBOn episode 195, we welcome Eric G. Wilson to discuss the cult classic ‘Point Blank’, toxic masculinity and its deleterious mental health effects, what made the protagonist so appealing, Lee Marvin’s real-life war trauma, the obsession with revenge and if it ever resolves pain, the unpredictability of the universe and our never-ending quest for control, if one can ever offset trauma, the nature and purpose of flashbacks in PTSD, the comedy in the film and the inherent lunacy of payback, decis...
Tom Morris - The 7 Cs of Success and Early Days of Public Philosophy | STM Podcast #194
November 26, 2023 13:59 - 1 hour - 94.5 MBOn episode 194, we welcome Tom Morris to discuss his 7 C’s of Success, developing confidence in the face of difficulties, the importance of consistency and finding meaning outside of the hoped for results, Alen and Leon’s podcast journey and the hyper-competitiveness of podcasting, the importance of mentorship amid struggles, Tom’s initial foray into public philosophy and doing speaking engagements for free in the late 80s, passion and enjoyment as necessary contributors to success, why majo...
Al Snow - Breaking Down the Ring: Wrestling's Realities and Myths | #193
November 20, 2023 00:41 - 1 hour - 107 MBOn episode 193, we welcome Al Snow to discuss the Netflix documentary series ‘Wrestlers’, what makes Ohio Valley Wrestling special, the trajectory of Al Snow’s wrestling career, why his earlier WWF characters weren’t appealing, the creation of Al Snow and Head and how a severely mentally ill character became popular, the current trend of wrestlers focusing more on their in-ring skills rather than emotionally connecting with the crowd, his struggles with younger wrestlers on his roster, why t...
Eric Gosselin - The Reality of the Ring: 'Wrestlers' & the Heart of Professional Wrestling | STM Podcast #192
November 12, 2023 21:41 - 1 hour - 86.1 MBOn episode 192, we welcome Eric Gosselin to discuss the Netflix show ‘Wrestlers’, the history of Ohio Valley Wrestling, the documentary series as a human interest story and microcosm of capitalism, succeeding in wrestling and why being great is often not enough, Al Snow’s journey in the WWE and pivoting after being released, the documentary exhibiting the complexities of its characters, why the best wrestling shows and rivalries have some elements of truth, HollyHood Haley J and her rivalry ...
Dannagal G. Young - Info Wars: The Battle Against Misinformation | STM Podcast #191
November 05, 2023 20:06 - 1 hour - 106 MBOn episode 191, we welcome Dannagal Young to discuss our susceptibility to misinformation, how she fell for and later abandoned conspiracy theories, the hidden incentives behind the media’s extreme partisanship, Covid as an indicator that most people form their beliefs based on their tribes, the clout chasing behind the extreme stances in the Israel/Palestine conflict, the types of misinformation various political groups are susceptible to, why conspiracy theorists are “losers,” the necessar...
Claire Jean Kim - Understanding Structural Racism and Anti-Blackness | STM Podcast #190
October 01, 2023 18:25 - 1 hour - 91.1 MBOn episode 190, we welcome Claire Jean Kim to discuss affirmative action and the arguments for and against it in recent Supreme Court cases, the history of Asian minorities in the US being weaponized against Black minority groups for political ends, if institutions should be considered as contributing to a racist society if some minority groups prosper within them, the economic ceiling of non-white groups in the US, the flaws of diversity programs and the superiority of reparations programs,...
Roy Richard Grinker - Nobody's Normal: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness | STM Podcast #189
September 24, 2023 15:13 - 1 hour - 91.4 MBOn episode 189, we welcome Roy Richard Grinker to discuss the cultural differences of conceptions of mental illness, the WEIRD model of mental health and its limitations in helping us understand it, the false dichotomy of the social/cultural and biological models of psychological disorders, the limits and benefits of using the DSM, how the model of neurodivergence doesn’t negate the existence of emotional struggles, Roy’s grandfather undergoing treatment with Sigmund Freud and why he conside...
Wendy Dio - Rock's Power Couple: My Life with Ronnie James Dio | STM #188
September 17, 2023 15:06 - 1 hour - 83.1 MBOn episode 188, we welcome Wendy Dio to discuss her marriage to and career managing Ronnie James Dio, Dio’s relationship with Ritchie Blackmore and time in Rainbow, moving on to Black Sabbath and whether he was intimidated by replacing Ozzy Osbourne, his refusal to write commercially focused music and how that caused him to form his own band, the meaning of Dio’s music and the themes of magic and good and evil, creating music for the underdogs of the world and his songs about mistreated chil...
Katie Palmer - Behind the Curtain: Directing 'The Nobodies Who Were Everybody' | STM #187
September 10, 2023 15:29 - 1 hour - 91.8 MBOn episode 187, we welcome Katie Palmer to discuss the lack of social funding for the arts, theater as philosophy and how it teaches us to become better thinkers, how the visceral theater experience cultivates empathy and a sense of belonging, theater as a necessity for a flourishing democracy, the Federal Theatre Project and how it’s national director Hallie Flanagan shaped it, why governments should support art, the Matthew Effect and how it stifles untapped talent, the message of the play...
Krista K. Thomason - The Myth of Emotional Harmony: Rational and Irrational Emotions | STM Podcast #186
September 03, 2023 04:36 - 1 hour - 108 MBOn episode 186, we welcome Krista Thomason to discuss the ways we tend to address our negative feelings, using techniques in positive psychology and stoicism to suppress them, psychotherapy’s divergent stance in seeking to manage them instead, the shame we experience about feeling them, the myth of harmonizing and unifying our emotional and rational sides, why it’s difficult and maybe even erroneous to distinguish the rational emotions from the irrational ones, the beliefs and worldviews und...
David R. Samson - Redefining Tribalism for Good: Discussing 'Our Tribal Future' | STM Podcast #185
August 27, 2023 18:18 - 1 hour - 96.4 MBOn episode 185, we welcome David Samson to discuss our current understanding of how tribes form, tribalism as political polarization, why the Bloodline storyline in the WWE is so popular, why some of the smartest people are also the most irrational, the consequences of our tendency to prioritize group loyalty over truth, the label of ‘critical thinker’ and why it’s another cognitive trap, our tendency to favor broader groups over those closest to us, what to do when you’re loyal to opposing ...
Barry Mauer - The Tumor of Denial: Exploring Metaphorical Growth into Delusions | STM Podcast #184
August 20, 2023 19:02 - 1 hour - 116 MBOn episode 184, we welcome Barry Mauer to discuss using the medical model of metastatic cancer to explain how false beliefs spread, Barry's view that institutions are more important than personal responsibility in inoculating minds from delusional beliefs, the tumor as a metaphor for denial and its growth as symbolizing its transformation into a delusion, free speech absolutism and whether debates are good protections from propaganda, the issue with platforming bad faith actors and Ice Cube'...
Sander van der Linden - Battling Fake News: Foolproof Strategies | STM Podcast #183
August 13, 2023 20:43 - 1 hour - 104 MBOn episode 183, we welcome Sander van der Linden to discuss how to spot and protect yourself from falling for disinformation, the emotional reasons that sustain and prevent people from changing their false beliefs, the psychological foundations of conspiratorial thinking, conspiracy theories as easy to digest explanations for reality despite their complexity, why examining each conspiracy theory is unfeasible, the tendency of charlatans to impersonate experts, and how polarizing and emotiona...
Melanie Trecek-King - Charlatans Exposed: On the Art of Deception | STM Podcast #182
August 06, 2023 14:37 - 1 hour - 98.2 MBOn episode 182, we welcome Melanie Trecek-King to discuss the power of critical thinking, how she transformed her science-based curriculum into one more focused on teaching thinking tools, beliefs in witchcraft and how experiential beliefs tend to mislead us, leaving religion, the importance of learning how to argue for and understand your opponents’ perspectives, the theory of mental immunity, why anyone of us can be duped by charlatans, our minds’ preference for simplistic and and logical ...
Dan "Nitro" Clark - Cheating Death, Loving Life: Muscles, Mayhem, and Meaning | STM Podcast #181
July 30, 2023 13:30 - 1 hour - 95 MBOn episode 181, we welcome Dan ‘Nitro’ Clark to discuss being one of the main athletes on American Gladiators, how watching his brother die instilled in him an obsession with success, the difference between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism, entering therapy to overcome his fears of vulnerability and intimacy, abandoning fame for more authentic forms of happiness, Dan’s battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, teaching his son the importance of hard work, why being on American Gladiat...
Andy Norman - Mental Immunity & Infectious Ideas: Debunking Disinformation and Cult Leaders | STM Podcast #180
July 23, 2023 22:31 - 1 hour - 107 MBOn episode 180, we welcome Andy Norman to discuss the principles of mental immunity, how ideas spread like viruses, why critics of the paradigm believe the fear of widespread misinformation is another overblown moral panic, learning how to play role of devil’s advocate effectively and ethically, how gurus and cult leaders attract their audience, whether we should debate fringe theorists, Alen’s tendency to empathize with every perspective and how doing so hurts and helps him, if people like ...
Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling - From Quacks to Cures: Inside the World of Alternative Medicine | STM Podcast #179
July 16, 2023 19:10 - 1 hour - 116 MBOn episode 179, we welcome Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling to discuss the alternative medical industrial complex, the proliferation of ‘One True Cures’ and why people are attracted to them, how the elitism and esotericism of mainstream medicine contributed to the rise of modern-day quackery, Robert O. Young and the pH cure, the appeal of Jim Humble and the marketing strategies of charlatans, RFK Jr.’s descent into Covid conspiracy theories, the PR blunders and legal limitations of the FDA, why alte...
Lee McIntyre - Democracy at Risk: Exposing the Threat of Disinformation | STM Podcast #178
July 09, 2023 15:22 - 1 hour - 104 MBOn episode 178, we welcome Lee McIntyre to discuss the viral spread of disinformation and the motivators behind it, combating science denialism and Lee’s foray into the world of Flat-Earthers, how to distinguish between real and fake conspiracies, whether we should debate science deniers and the RFK Jr scandal, why Leon abandoned the conspiratorial mindset, the criticisms of cognitive immunology, the correlations of cognitive inoculation and psychotherapy, changing the law to account for bia...
David Edmonds - The Moral Maze: Exploring Derek Parfit's Vision of Ethics | STM Podcast #177
July 02, 2023 23:36 - 59 minutes - 82.1 MBOn episode 177, we welcome David Edmonds to discuss the life and philosophy of Derek Parfit, his quest for the ultimate proof of objective morality, the evolutionary basis of moral arguments and how it can even lead us astray, whether morality ought to be based on or divorced from personal desire, the repugnant conclusion and how Derek struggled to resolve it, Derek’s neurodivergent traits, identity and Derek’s belief that psychological continuity defines us, beginning the Philosophy Bites p...
Julia Keller - The Myth of Perseverance: Discovering the Benefits of Quitting | STM Podcast #176
June 25, 2023 20:48 - 1 hour - 91.5 MBOn episode 176, we welcome Julia Keller to discuss the importance of knowing when to quit, the history of the self-help industry, how the notion of ‘grit’ helps sustain elitism and privilege, the cultural and internal shame surrounding the desire to quit, quitting as embedded in human nature and what animal studies teach us about it, the quitting formula and realizing that a decision is ineffective, the neuroscience of quitting and the brain chemicals related to it, Julia’s cynicism and how ...
Dr. Judith Herman - Reimagining Justice: Insights from Truth and Repair | STM Podcast #175
June 11, 2023 15:49 - 1 hour - 83.5 MBOn episode 175, we welcome Dr. Judith Herman to discuss her work with survivors of rape, what rape culture is and how it enables victimization, the evidence that rape victims aren’t vengeful, how the criminal justice system marginalizes and silences survivors, the role of the moral community in healing, restorative justice and how it differs from our adversarial system of punishment, the significance of changing hyper-masculinity from the top down and how elder males can help foster change, ...
Michael Ignatieff - On Consolation: Navigating Dark Times | STM Podcast #174
May 28, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 93.1 MBOn episode 174, we welcome Michael Ignatieff to discuss the consolation of philosophy, the difference between comfort and consolation, distinguishing between false and true consolations and how they affect those suffering, the various secular and religious consolations, the purpose of hospice care and how it helps people die well, using one’s death to create meaning, consolations as myths and why it doesn’t matter if they’re true, the impossibility of moral purity and Michael’s regrets as a ...
Valerie Tiberius - Discovering Your Values and Aspirations | STM Podcast #173
May 14, 2023 22:03 - 1 hour - 99.1 MBOn episode 173, we welcome Valerie Tiberius to discuss the significance of cultivating a system of personal values, values as opposed to goals, Valerie’s clash of values - between being a good woman and a good philosopher, self-enhancing beliefs and how they preclude us from knowing what we’re actually capable of, searching for approval from those who don’t want what’s best for us, focusing on your values to motivate yourself to complete mundane tasks, strategies for discovering what’s meani...
Vanessa Patrick - Saying No Without Guilt: Strategies for Setting Boundaries | STM Podcast #172
May 07, 2023 16:39 - 1 hour - 83.9 MBOn episode 172, we welcome Dr. Vanessa Patrick to discuss the impact of people-pleasing behavior on mental health and relationships, learning to say no to break the cycle, the importance of setting boundaries, the role of cultural and societal expectations in making it difficult for individuals to say no, strategies for navigating these pressures, the relationship between saying no and decision-making and how it can help individuals make more intentional and purposeful choices, the differenc...
James Hibbard - Cycling as Self-Expression: Finding Philosophy, Meaning, and Personal Growth | STM Podcast #171
April 30, 2023 22:57 - 1 hour - 127 MBOn episode 171, we welcome James Hibbard to discuss the philosophy of cycling and using it for self-creation; the business of cycling and why the sport no longer produces individual riders; whether American capitalism can be escaped by specific individuals; Nietzsche and the existential, human ideal; America’s obsession with winning and winners, and whether anyone is really happy; James’ cycling career and his realization that being an athlete was no longer sustainable; coping with existenti...
Edith Shiro - Turning Pain into Purpose & Transforming Trauma: Exploring Posttraumatic Growth | STM Podcast #170
April 23, 2023 19:23 - 1 hour - 85.2 MBOn episode 170, we welcome Edith Shiro to discuss the five step model of post traumatic growth, what trauma is and the social and psychological contributions to PTSD, how culture silences victims, Alen and Leon’s struggles with emotional expression, the importance of turning to the right people for healing, why we need others to help us overcome our traumas, transforming from trauma as opposed to returning to baseline functioning, using podcasting to spread information we wish we had, how th...
Dean Rickles - Learning How to Embrace the Shortness of Life | STM Podcast #169
April 16, 2023 16:59 - 1 hour - 90.5 MBOn episode 169, we welcome Dean Rickles to discuss existential, death anxiety and its utility in helping us lead more meaningful lives; narcissism and the bulletproof vest; how our egos preclude us from taking important risks; Michael Shermer’s conception of Alvy’s Error; the importance of cultivating self-esteem according to mice experiments; the downside of being a child prodigy; creating a meaningful life though community engagement; whether narcissism is on the rise and how it’s perpetua...
Chuck Wisner - Conscious Conversations: The Key to Deepening Relationships & Fostering Understanding | STM Podcast #168
April 09, 2023 21:35 - 1 hour - 94.6 MBOn episode 168, we welcome Chuck Wisner to discuss the importance of conscious conversations in building deeper connections and understanding between people, the role of active listening in conscious conversations, how it can transform our relationships and interactions, strategies for cultivating empathy and compassion during conversations, why these qualities are essential for effective communication, how ego and internal storytelling disrupt relationships, how practicing mindfulness can i...
Chuck Thompson - Changing Tides: The Evolution of Culture and Status in the 21st Century | STM Podcast #167
April 03, 2023 00:04 - 1 hour - 110 MBOn episode 167, we welcome Chuck Thompson to discuss the evolution of status and popularity, our tendency to believe it indicates inherent value, true art as opposed to popular art, status and its intrinsic association with self-esteem, whether status-seeking is bad, if human hierarchies are natural and our tendency to compare ourselves to others, the neuroscientic findings underpinning status-seeking behaviors, the problems stemming from excessive pride, if corporations will always co-opt t...
Adam Sandel - Finding Happiness in the Present Moment: The Balance of Achievement & Presence | STM Podcast #166
March 26, 2023 20:51 - 1 hour - 90.7 MBOn episode 166, we welcome Adam Sandel to discuss the consequences of obsessive striving, how the philosophy of the enlightenment helped create a culture obsessed with social progress, why a good life shouldn’t only entail endeavors to make the world or our lives better, enjoying activities for their own sake, the transitory nature of success and Adam’s gaining and losing the Guinness world pull-ups record, why happiness is unpredictable and we’re often happier with imagined success, critici...
Eric G. Wilson - Unleashing Your Unique Self: Insights from How to Be Weird | STM Podcast #165
March 19, 2023 21:40 - 53 minutes - 74.1 MBOn episode 165, we welcome Eric Wilson to discuss how to embrace the weird parts of ourselves and why it’s important to do so, various exercises to help us along the way, why being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder caused Eric to feel like an incompetent father, how psychotherapy helped him embrace the parts of himself that could make him feel like a good dad, our fear of the strange and attraction to it, the importance of creating new habits to cultivate new parts of yourself, why there’s no ...
Natalia Petrzela - America's Exercise Obsession: The History of American Fitness | STM Podcast #164
March 12, 2023 16:18 - 55 minutes - 75.6 MBOn episode 164, we welcome Natalia Petrzela to discuss America’s obsession with fitness; fitness as a symbol of status and its expression on social media; masculinity’s historical aversion to fitness; Alen’s fitness weight-loss journey; issues around race, gender, and class it relates to exercise; the covid-19 pandemic’s effect on our relationship to fitness; the various forms of exercise; how fitness become synonymous with self-actualization; whether fitness is anti-feminist; how access to ...
Elizabeth Cobbs - From Abigail Adams to Beyoncé: The Evolution of Feminism | STM Podcast #163
March 05, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 99.9 MBOn episode 163, we welcome Elizabeth Cobbs to discuss the history and necessity of feminist thought, the contrasting lives of Abigail Adams and Abigail Bailey, the nefarious reason feminism became a dirty word, the historical and modern examples of sexist laws, the widespread adoption of feminism as a means of signaling safety for women wanting to report abuse, the beginnings of Me Too, the divisiveness and self-defeatism of labeling people bad feminists, Beyoncé’s adoption and adaptation of...
Joseph L. Graves Jr. - Social Justice and the Biology of Race & Gender | STM Podcast #162
February 26, 2023 22:01 - 1 hour - 104 MBOn episode 162, we welcome Joseph Graves to discuss biological determinism and the purported links between race and IQ, the hypothesis that IQ increased in individuals living in colder weather climates, challenging the assumptions of the popular book ‘The Bell Curve’, environmental factors contributing to educational attainment, the significance of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study for understanding the economic outcomes of different populations, how racism contributed to Joseph ...