Best Virgil Verax Podcasts (2024)

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#41 – The Masks We Wear 47:37

5y ago47:37

47:37

In this episode, Virgil goes into the idea of wearing masks to hide our real feelings and our true selves. In this discussion, we will investigate the concept of masks and why we choose to wear them. Masks can hurt our relationships and, ultimately, our lives. Masking our emotions is a coping mechanism that stops us from genuinely processing them a…

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#40 – What is Postmodernism? 1:50:53

5y ago1:50:53

1:50:53

In this episode, Vigil and his returning guests, Danny and Matt, discuss the topic of postmodernism. This episode focuses on the differences between modernism and postmodernism and why talking about this topic is essential. The show then goes into whether postmodernism exists only in the realm of art and literary theory, or is it also a social phen…

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#39 – What are Logical Fallacies and Why are they Harmful 51:53

5y ago51:53

51:53

In this episode, Virgil goes over the concept of logical fallacies and the different types used in discourse. Logical fallacies work on people because they make messages feel more persuasive. Ultimately fallacies hurt the trust and credibility of a person making an argument; therefore, the truth isn't the focus. This episode focuses on what logical…

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#38 – What is High and Low Culture? 1:48:59

5y ago1:48:59

1:48:59

In this episode, Virgil and his previous guests Danny and Matt, discuss the concepts of High and Low culture. This episode will focus on discussing why these cultural forces and cultural divisions are important. Through these discussions, we can learn more about our culture, which gives us a more nuanced view of our society. High culture is a colle…

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#37 – Building Self-Confidence in Times of Self-Doubt 1:01:10

5y ago1:01:10

1:01:10

In this episode, Virgil goes over the tools and strategies that we need to build self-confidence in times of self-doubt. Self-confident individuals build trust in their abilities, have a sense of control of their lives. Self-confident people believe they will be able to do what they wish, plan, and expect. Self-confident individuals have realistic …

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#36 – Can You Separate Art from the Artist? 1:58:44

5y ago1:58:44

1:58:44

In this episode, Virgil and his friends, Awkward Hermit, Matt, and Auguste discuss the concept of separating art from the artist. Is it ever possible for us to be able to separate a talented individual and their pieces of art from their harmful, immoral, and at times, criminal behavior? Should we banish all artwork created by individuals that may b…

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#35 – What is the Left and Right: A Conversation About the Right 1:59:09

5y ago1:59:09

1:59:09

In this episode, Virgil continues the discussion about the left and right with his guests D and Matt. In this podcast, we go into more detail of what the term “right” is, particularly in respects to the cultural, moral, social, economic, psychological aspects of the various groups on the right and how they might or might not have something in commo…

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#34 – What is Foreign Policy: Part 1 1:00:39

5y ago1:00:39

1:00:39

In this episode, Virgil and his two previous guests, Matt and Mischa, come on the show to discuss foreign policy. This podcast will focus on the general aspects of foreign policy, U.S. adventurism, the anti-war movement. The main element of this discussion will focus on whether or not Libertarians and Socialist can have an alliance against the curr…

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#33 – What is the Left and Right: Past, Present, and Future 2:06:36

5y ago2:06:36

2:06:36

In this episode, Virgil and his friends discuss the topic of what is the left and right. This podcast is part one of two dive into the political spectrum and political philosophy. In this podcast, former guests D, Pseudo, Danny, and Matt join us to discuss the left and right in respects to their origins, present, and future. We discuss the ideologi…

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#32 – On the Intersection of Class and Taste 57:31

5+ y ago57:31

57:31

In this episode, Virgil and his previous guests, Danny and Matt discuss the intersection of class and taste and how both connect to culture. We each give our ideas on what a social class is and how its represented in our world. We then discuss the concept of taste, its connections to aesthetics, and whether or not its something connected to our evo…

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#31– What Do We Really Know For Certain? 57:28

5+ y ago57:28

57:28

In this episode, Virgil and his two guests, Danny and Matt discuss the topic of knowledge, how we can attain it, and how we can, if possible, be sure of anything. This podcast features three different yet compelling theories of knowledge. We then apply our approaches to the world around us, especially concerning the nature of the universe, Truth, a…

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#30 – Consciousnesses: From Past to Present to Future 1:00:32

5+ y ago1:00:32

1:00:32

In this episode, Virgil and his friend Matt delve into the concept of consciousness. This podcast will is about the origins, development, and future of consciousness. Throughout the podcast, we discuss consciousness and its connection to the world around us and the potential future of how we will alter our consciousness by directing our evolution w…

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#29 – Building Resilience Through Stress Management 1:01:30

5+ y ago1:01:30

1:01:30

In this episode, Virgil goes over the concept of stress management and building resilience to stress in general. This podcast will define what stress is and distinguish the types of stress and the triggers that induce and exacerbate the problem. We also cover the cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms of stress in order to better identify how…

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#28 – Motivation and Leadership 54:19

5+ y ago54:19

54:19

In this episode, Virgil goes over the concepts of motivation and leadership. This podcast is about better understanding the relationship between leadership and motivation and its basis in psychology. This episode also goes into different types of motivational theories, leadership theories/styles, and the qualities of successful leaders. With this k…

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#27 – Jordan Peele's Us and the Significance of Film 59:39

5+ y ago59:39

59:39

In this episode, Virgil and his friend Jay give a film review of Jordan Peele's new film Us. This episode focuses and the films central themes and symbolism that tell a much deeper tale that many people have overlooked. This podcast is about viewing films literally and metaphorically, which offers a deeper message by connecting the two. The episode…

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#26 – How Government Affects Economic Progress 1:01:13

5+ y ago1:01:13

1:01:13

In this episode, Virgil goes into detail about how government affects economic progress for individuals. The government ideally should be promoting economic progress by protecting the rights of individuals and supplying a few goods that are difficult to provide through markets. Government spending is now more than a third of our economy. This fact …

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#25 – Stop Being Your Biggest Critic and Become Your Biggest Fan 52:06

5+ y ago52:06

52:06

In this episode, Virgil goes into the concept of self-criticism and how at times it prevents us from achieving our goals and taking the necessary risks to get there. Being our biggest critic is important insofar as the criticism is based in reality and it's used to make things better and not to put one's self-esteem down. With this rational approac…

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#24 – Economics of Progress and Poverty 44:33

5+ y ago44:33

44:33

In this podcast, Virgil goes into detail about the economics of progress in our society and how certain well-intentioned counterproductive economic policies that hurt those who are impoverished more than help. The desire to help the poor isn't enough for things to change in a meaningful way. We need a society that encourages and incentivizes the ri…

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#23 – New Year, Better You 56:16

5+ y ago56:16

56:16

In this episode, Virgil and his friend and previous guest, Pseudo, talk about the concept of the phrase "New Year, New Me" and its importance in the zeitgeist of today's world. This show picks up where the last episode left off. On the previous episode, Past Year Review, Virgil described his method of how to go through the previous year and determi…

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#22 – Past Year Review: A Meditation on 2018 49:32

5+ y ago49:32

49:32

In this episode, Virgil goes over the idea of a Past Year Review. A Past Year Review (PYR) is a tool used by many famous and successful people such as Oprah, Tim Ferris, and Bill and Melinda Gates. A PYR is an alternate way of achieving what you want in the next year contrary to New Years Resolution. Virgil builds upon Tim Ferris method of conducti…

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#21 – The Shadow and the Self: Light in the Darkness 41:06

5+ y ago41:06

41:06

In this episode, Virgil goes over the fundamentals of Jungian psychology. This discussion is a very basic introduction to Carl Jung and his ideas. In particular, this conversation will focus on a few main themes of Carl Jung's analysis of Archetypes and the Self, including the Ego, Persona, Shadow, and Anima/Animus. The episode then focuses on the …

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#20 – Economics in One Podcast 1:01:57

6y ago1:01:57

1:01:57

In this episode, Virgil goes in the fundamentals of basic economics and its function within our society. Economics is broadly the study of causes and effects. This episode will try to convey the message that economic policies are essential to judge by their consequences and incentives, rather than their goals and motivations. This episode describes…

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#19 – Justice, Rights, and Freedom 1:00:25

6y ago1:00:25

1:00:25

In this episode, Virgil goes into the various ideas of what justice is and how it relates to our everyday lives and the government that rules us. When talking about justice, we are really talking about two interconnected categories: the personal and political. Justice brings up questions of how should we treat one another? What should the law be? H…

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#18 – Stoicism as an Operating System For Life 58:09

6y ago58:09

58:09

In this episode, Virgil goes over the philosophy of Stoicism from past to present. In this episode, Virgil goes into the history of stoicism and some of the major philosophers within the tradition and their contributions to the philosophy. Virgil then goes into the basic fundamentals of stoicism and its application for life and how it can be used a…

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#17 – Art and the Human Condition 47:26

6y ago47:26

47:26

In this episode, Virgil has an intriguing discussion with his friend Awkward Hermet about the importance of art and its place in our society. Awkward Hermet has done all of the artwork for Conversations and Meditations and continues to add value to our brand. In this discussion, they talk about what interested her in creating art as well as some of…

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#16 – Debunking Myths About Economics 1:01:47

6y ago1:01:47

1:01:47

In this episode, Virgil and his friend D debunk common myths about economics, capitalism, and socialism. They both discuss the facts and fallacies of the economics and the history of how we got here today.By Virgil Verax

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#15 – Do You Love Yourself? 57:02

6y ago57:02

57:02

In this episode, Virgil and his friend and former guest, Pseudo, get into the concept of self-love. They discuss their personal difficulties and doubt concerning love for one's self and its importance in self- actualization on the world. Join them while they discuss their continuing journey on the road too self-love.…

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#14 – Finding Harmony Through Cognitive Dissonance 1:00:09

6y ago1:00:09

1:00:09

In this episode, Virgil discusses cognitive dissonance and its effect on our everyday lives. Cognitive dissonance is the state of having inconsistent thoughts, actions, beliefs, or attitudes, most importantly relating to behavior and attitude. Virgil talks about his experience with cognitive dissonance, how it manifests in our lives, and how it can…

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#13 – Why Conspiracy Theories are Toxic 1:03:32

6y ago1:03:32

1:03:32

In this episode, Virgil goes into detail about the conspiracy theorist worldview and the dangers of viewing everything through a conspiratorial lens. Virgil details his prior history with conspiracy theories and his motivations for being a conspiracy theorist in the past. Virgil discusses the turn from the more harmless conspiracy theories to the m…

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#12 – The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem 1:01:34

6y ago1:01:34

1:01:34

In this episode, Virgil goes over the psychotherapists Nathaniel Branden book, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. Nathaniel Branden has been the leading authority on the science of self-esteem and his book has been a significant influence on Virgil and his worldview. Virgil goes into detail what is self-esteem, why its vital, and gives an overview of …

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#11 – A Conflict of Visions 1:00:41

6y ago1:00:41

1:00:41

In this episode, Virgil goes over the Thomas Sowell book A Conflict of Visions and its main themes on why we as a society have major disagreements on politics and philosophies. He goes over the Sowell's concepts of the "Constrained"(Tragic) Vision and the "Unconstrained" (Utopian) Vision of humanity and our nature. Virgil also covers civility and i…

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#10 – Capitalism and Human Progress 1:02:22

6y ago1:02:22

1:02:22

In this episode, Virgil goes into detail on his statement from the last episode, in where he stated that Capitalism has been the greatest tool to help alleviate poverty and suffering in the world so far. Virgil goes into detail on why and how capitalism is allowing people from all over the world to escape extreme poverty and move into the middle cl…

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#9 – Democratic Socialist of America 57:21

6+ y ago57:21

57:21

In this episode, Virgil interviews his friend and former guest Mischa about his political standings and his new membership to the Democratic Socialist of America and what that means to him. They both discuss what Democratic Socialism is and what it isn't. Virgil asks questions and they both get into some principles and policies of Democratic Social…

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#8 – R.I.C.E. – Race, Identity, Culture, Ethnicity 56:21

6+ y ago56:21

56:21

In this episode, Virgil has an interesting conversation with his good friend Auguste on the issues of race, identity, culture, and ethnicity in America. They both utilize their own experiences and identity to speak on the issues we face as a society. They also discuss mental health, suicide its impact on identity and society.…

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#7 – An Antidote to Nihilism and Resentment 56:28

6+ y ago56:28

56:28

In this episode, Virgil gives a more detailed breakdown of nihilism its effects on our lives and the damage it can do to society. Virgil decided to further unpack the concepts he discussed in the last episode on Anxiety and Depression. This is a critical examination on nihilism its connection to pessimism, resentment, and how it causes suffering in…

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#6 – Anxiety and Depression Feeds Your Suppression 49:05

6+ y ago49:05

49:05

In this episode, Virgil and his two friends Mischa and Pseudo have a conversation about anxiety and depression. This conversation is deeply rooted in all of their personal experiences and some foundational ideas that connect us all. Each guest gave a detailed view of their experiences and the mindset that they have in relation to anxiety and depres…

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#5 – Individualism vs Collectivism 58:33

6+ y ago58:33

58:33

In this episode, Virgil goes over the concepts of Individualism and Collectivism. This episode explores the historical, sociological, and psychological effects of Individualism and Collectivism.This episode also explores the cost and benefits on of both the principles. Virgil gives his personal outlook on what it means to be an Individualist or Col…

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#4 – Socratic Questioning and First Principles 59:16

6+ y ago59:16

59:16

In this episode, Virgil goes over Socratic Questioning and its relationship with critical thinking. Virgil explores the origins of the Socratic Method and how it was used and its purpose in finding truth. He also goes over modern applications of First Principles and the Socratic Method that are used.…

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#3 – How to Disagree... Kindly 59:40

6+ y ago59:40

59:40

In this episode, Virgil goes over an Article by British entrepreneur Paul Graham called "How to Disagree" and explains the hierarchy of disagreement that Graham came up with. Virgil also goes over American psychologist Marshall Rosenberg and his creation of Nonviolent Communication and its importance in our world today. Through this conversation, w…