Best Alen Ulman, Leon Garber Podcasts (2024)

1
Tom Chivers - From Science to Daily Life: The Impact of Bayesian Thinking | STM Podcast #214 1:08:21

3h ago1:08:21

1:08:21

On episode 214, we welcome Tom Chivers to discuss Bayesian statistics, how their counterintuitive nature tends to turn people off, the philosophical disagreements between the Bayesians and the frequentists, why “priors” aren’t purely subjective and why all theories should be considered as priors, the difficulty of quantifying emotional states in ps…

1
Ed Simon - Faust in the 21st Century: Have We Made a Deal with the Devil? | STM Podcast #213 1:04:45

12h ago1:04:45

1:04:45

On episode 213, we welcome Edward Simon to discuss the mythological history of the tale of Faust and Mephistopheles, god and the devil in theology, whether both figures can represent internal struggles between right and wrong, why so many identify with Faust’s decisions, whether the story implies that willful ignorance is just as evil as maliciousn…

1
Mark L. Ruffalo - The Myth of the Medical Model of Mental Illness | STM Podcast #212 1:11:36

8d ago1:11:36

1:11:36

On episode 212, we welcome Mark L. Ruffalo to discuss the misunderstanding of the so-called “medical model” of psychiatry, why there’s a gap between mainstream medicine and trauma-informed care, the ways in which biology and environment interact to produce mental illness, the difference between responsibility and blame, Judith Herman and the histor…

1
Mark Tuitert - From Olympic Champion to Stoic Philosopher: The Stoic Mindset | STM Podcast #211 1:05:57

2M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

On 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…

1
Sabrina B. Little - Running Toward Virtue: Guide to Ethical Athletics | STM Podcast #210 59:12

2M ago59:12

59:12

On 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…

1
Robin Reames - From Aristotle to Twitter: The Timeless Tactics of Rhetoric | STM Podcast #209 1:11:34

2M ago1:11:34

1:11:34

On 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, D…

1
Louis King - Aim4theheart: How 2Pac & Emotional Literacy Inspire My Mission | STM Podcast #208 1:15:33

2M ago1:15:33

1:15:33

On 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…

1
Constantine Sandis - From Thought to Action to Ethics | STM Podcast #207 1:28:00

3M ago1:28:00

1:28:00

On 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-knowle…

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Mark D. White - Dissecting Antitrust: Balancing Rights and Welfare | STM Podcast #206 1:23:28

3M ago1:23:28

1:23:28

On 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 t…

1
Jack Symes - Does God Exist? Debating Religion, Evil, and Atheism | STM Podcast #205 1:15:44

3M ago1:15:44

1:15:44

On 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 hypothes…

1
Aaron James - The Variety of Assholes | STM Podcast #204 1:10:17

3M ago1:10:17

1:10:17

On 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 au…

1
EDI Mean - Street Fame: The Ecstasies and Perils of Hip Hop | STM Podcast #203 1:00:33

4M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

On 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 …

1
Michael Amster - The Power of Awe: How Simple Moments Can Transform Your Life | STM Podcast #202 1:05:32

4M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

On 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 …

1
J. Aaron Simmons - Philosophy in the Wild: On 'Camping with Kierkegaard' | STM #201 1:11:42

4M ago1:11:42

1:11:42

On 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 …

1
Tom Morris & Gregory Bassham - The Metaphysical and Practical Philosophies of Stoicism | STM #200 1:10:25

4M ago1:10:25

1:10:25

On 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 addres…

1
Jeff Fuhrer - Fixing Our Broken Economy: Insights from 'The Myth That Made Us' | STM Podcast #199 1:05:58

5M ago1:05:58

1:05:58

On 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 po…

1
Mark D. White - Unmasking Daredevil: A Deep Dive into Philosophy and Comics | STM Podcast #198 1:12:08

5M ago1:12:08

1:12:08

On 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 appare…

1
Roberto Olivardia - The Hidden Battle: The Adonis Complex and Male Body Image Challenges | STM Podcast #197 58:40

5M ago58:40

58:40

On 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 focusi…

1
Richard Deming - Loners, Outcasts, & Creativity | This Exquisite Loneliness | STM Podcast #196 1:06:17

5M ago1:06:17

1:06:17

On 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 intimac…

1
Eric G. Wilson - Deconstructing Trauma and Revenge in Point Blank | STM Podcast #195 1:02:10

5M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

On 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 cont…

1
Tom Morris - The 7 Cs of Success and Early Days of Public Philosophy | STM Podcast #194 1:08:49

5M ago1:08:49

1:08:49

On 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 in…

1
Al Snow - Breaking Down the Ring: Wrestling's Realities and Myths | #193 1:18:16

6M ago1:18:16

1:18:16

On 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 …

1
Eric Gosselin - The Reality of the Ring: 'Wrestlers' & the Heart of Professional Wrestling | STM Podcast #192 1:02:41

6M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

On 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 exhibit…

1
Dannagal G. Young - Info Wars: The Battle Against Misinformation | STM Podcast #191 1:16:51

6M ago1:16:51

1:16:51

On 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 Israe…

1
Claire Jean Kim - Understanding Structural Racism and Anti-Blackness | STM Podcast #190 1:06:20

7M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

On 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 pro…

1
Roy Richard Grinker - Nobody's Normal: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness | STM Podcast #189 1:06:33

8M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

On 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…

1
Wendy Dio - Rock's Power Couple: My Life with Ronnie James Dio | STM #188 1:00:32

8M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

On 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 m…

1
Katie Palmer - Behind the Curtain: Directing 'The Nobodies Who Were Everybody' | STM #187 1:06:49

8M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

On 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 dire…

1
Krista K. Thomason - The Myth of Emotional Harmony: Rational and Irrational Emotions | STM Podcast #186 1:18:51

8M ago1:18:51

1:18:51

On 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 rationa…

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David R. Samson - Redefining Tribalism for Good: Discussing 'Our Tribal Future' | STM Podcast #185 1:10:10

9M ago1:10:10

1:10:10

On 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 thin…

1
Barry Mauer - The Tumor of Denial: Exploring Metaphorical Growth into Delusions | STM Podcast #184 1:24:08

9M ago1:24:08

1:24:08

On 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 de…

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Sander van der Linden - Battling Fake News: Foolproof Strategies | STM Podcast #183 1:16:04

9M ago1:16:04

1:16:04

On 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 …

1
Melanie Trecek-King - Charlatans Exposed: On the Art of Deception | STM Podcast #182 1:11:31

9M ago1:11:31

1:11:31

On 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 opponent…

1
Dan "Nitro" Clark - Cheating Death, Loving Life: Muscles, Mayhem, and Meaning | STM Podcast #181 1:09:12

9M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

On 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 f…

1
Andy Norman - Mental Immunity & Infectious Ideas: Debunking Disinformation and Cult Leaders | STM Podcast #180 1:17:41

10M ago1:17:41

1:17:41

On 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, wh…

1
Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling - From Quacks to Cures: Inside the World of Alternative Medicine | STM Podcast #179 1:24:15

10M ago1:24:15

1:24:15

On 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 th…

1
Lee McIntyre - Democracy at Risk: Exposing the Threat of Disinformation | STM Podcast #178 1:15:44

10M ago1:15:44

1:15:44

On 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…

1
David Edmonds - The Moral Maze: Exploring Derek Parfit's Vision of Ethics | STM Podcast #177 59:46

10M ago59:46

59:46

On 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…

1
Julia Keller - The Myth of Perseverance: Discovering the Benefits of Quitting | STM Podcast #176 1:06:39

11M ago1:06:39

1:06:39

On 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 f…

1
Dr. Judith Herman - Reimagining Justice: Insights from Truth and Repair | STM Podcast #175 1:00:51

11M ago1:00:51

1:00:51

On 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 o…

1
Michael Ignatieff - On Consolation: Navigating Dark Times | STM Podcast #174 1:07:48

12M ago1:07:48

1:07:48

On 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…

1
Valerie Tiberius - Discovering Your Values and Aspirations | STM Podcast #173 1:12:11

12M ago1:12:11

1:12:11

On 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 …

1
Vanessa Patrick - Saying No Without Guilt: Strategies for Setting Boundaries | STM Podcast #172 1:01:04

1y ago1:01:04

1:01:04

On 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, …

1
James Hibbard - Cycling as Self-Expression: Finding Philosophy, Meaning, and Personal Growth | STM Podcast #171 1:32:50

1y ago1:32:50

1:32:50

On 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, an…

1
Edith Shiro - Turning Pain into Purpose & Transforming Trauma: Exploring Posttraumatic Growth | STM Podcast #170 1:02:02

1y ago1:02:02

1:02:02

On 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 ou…

1
Dean Rickles - Learning How to Embrace the Shortness of Life | STM Podcast #169 1:05:52

1y ago1:05:52

1:05:52

On 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 …

1
Chuck Wisner - Conscious Conversations: The Key to Deepening Relationships & Fostering Understanding | STM Podcast #168 1:08:55

1y ago1:08:55

1:08:55

On 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 th…

1
Chuck Thompson - Changing Tides: The Evolution of Culture and Status in the 21st Century | STM Podcast #167 1:20:14

1y ago1:20:14

1:20:14

On 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, …

1
Adam Sandel - Finding Happiness in the Present Moment: The Balance of Achievement & Presence | STM Podcast #166 1:06:03

1y ago1:06:03

1:06:03

On 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 A…

1
Eric G. Wilson - Unleashing Your Unique Self: Insights from How to Be Weird | STM Podcast #165 53:56

1y ago53:56

53:56

On 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…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Alen Ulman, Leon Garber Podcasts

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