The Gray Area with Sean Illing takes a philosophy-minded look at culture, technology, politics, and the world of ideas. Each week, we invite a guest to explore a question or topic that matters. From the the state of democracy, to the struggle with depression and anxiety, to the nature of identity in the digital age, each episode looks for nuance and honesty in the most important conversations of our time. New episodes drop every Monday.
…
continue reading
Hi Light Beam! Welcome to the SOUL DEEP Podcast! This podcast is all about helping you make sense of your spiritual dance as you nagivate the highs and lows of yours ascension. It’s where the conversations are raw, vulnerable and mystical. A space where we discuss all things woo woo, ascension, psychic gifts, spiritual awakening and everything in between. So expect tears, laughs, high vibes and a hell of a lot of vulnerability as we transition through the different levels of the spiritual re ...
…
continue reading
Do you find yourself slumped on the sofa after a twelve-hour shift at work, mindlessly scrolling through your phone, too exhausted to get up and enjoy dinner with your family? Or, do you feel lost for words when trying to comfort a co-worker who's just faced a tough call, not knowing what to say to help them without making them relive the ordeal? As a retired first responder and crisis interventionist, I know what it’s like to spend your days juggling back-to-back calls from clients in crisi ...
…
continue reading
Connect and Support: - Book 1-on-1 Sessions via Email: consultations@virtuousteacher.com - Book Guest Appearances via Email: bookings@virtuousteacher.com - Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Cwv3VKpEAZLRYc8EbXRkt?si=7e3b1d0ed1074d73 - Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-virtuous-teacher-podcast/id1650300607 - Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@virtuousteacher - Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtuousteacher - Follow on TikTok: htt ...
…
continue reading
Have you ever wondered how some people make eating healthy, exercise and managing stress look so easy? You can too. Wellness Wisdom Host and Self-Care specialist, Camille Kennard, and her guests will guide and empower you with the confidence to make wise health choices, see results and make lifestyle changes that last a lifetime. Camille is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Health and Wellness Coach who believes that well-being begins in the mind. Camille shares her own journey ...
…
continue reading
Are you anxious about what life will be like after you retire? In this episode, Dr. Medina Baumgart, author of the book Surviving Retirement: Finding Purpose and Fulfillment Beyond the Badge, shares practical strategies to help you survive and thrive in retirement. Have you ever wondered what life will look like after you hang up your uniform for t…
…
continue reading
Sean Illing speaks with poet and historian Jennifer Michael Hecht, whose book The Wonder Paradox asks: If we don't have God or religion, what — if anything — do we lose? They discuss how religion accesses meaning — through things like prayer, ceremony, and ritual — and Jennifer speaks on the ways that poetry can play similar roles in a secular way.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Thwarting Unwanted Sexual Advances From a Co-Worker
21:33
21:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:33
Connect and Support: - Book 1-on-1 Sessions via Email: consultations@virtuousteacher.com - Book Guest Appearances via Email: bookings@virtuousteacher.com - Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Cwv3VKpEAZLRYc8EbXRkt?si=7e3b1d0ed1074d73 - Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-virtuous-teacher-podcast/id1650300607 - W…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
This Is Why You Were Chosen to Be a Teacher
15:11
15:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:11
Connect and Support: - Book 1-on-1 Sessions via Email: consultations@virtuousteacher.com - Book Guest Appearances via Email: bookings@virtuousteacher.com - Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Cwv3VKpEAZLRYc8EbXRkt?si=7e3b1d0ed1074d73 - Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-virtuous-teacher-podcast/id1650300607 - W…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Handle Difficult Students
18:52
18:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:52
Connect and Support: - Book 1-on-1 Sessions via Email: consultations@virtuousteacher.com - Book Guest Appearances via Email: bookings@virtuousteacher.com - Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Cwv3VKpEAZLRYc8EbXRkt?si=7e3b1d0ed1074d73 - Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-virtuous-teacher-podcast/id1650300607 - W…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
These Tips Will Turn You Into a Master Teacher
31:16
31:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:16
Connect and Support: - Book 1-on-1 Sessions via Email: consultations@virtuousteacher.com - Book Guest Appearances via Email: bookings@virtuousteacher.com - Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Cwv3VKpEAZLRYc8EbXRkt?si=7e3b1d0ed1074d73 - Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-virtuous-teacher-podcast/id1650300607 - W…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Supporting Your Family While Protecting Others
42:43
42:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:43
Join Bart Leger as he interviews Tiffany Atalla, a trauma therapist specializing in first responder family support. Learn how Tiffany combines her personal experience and professional expertise to strengthen first responder families and provide innovative trauma care techniques. What does it take to support first responders and their families in th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The jazz musician’s guide to the universe
57:28
57:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:28
How is the origin of our universe like an improvised saxophone solo? This week, Sean Illing talks to Stephon Alexander, a theoretical physicist and world-class jazz musician. Alexander is the author of The Jazz of Physics and his most recent book, Fear of a Black Universe. This episode features music by Stephon Alexander throughout, from his latest…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Integrating Physical and Spiritual Health
54:38
54:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:38
Navigating the intense challenges of being a first responder requires more than just physical strength. Matt Domyancic, a chaplain and former SWAT officer, shares his unique approach to wellness and spiritual care, blending fitness, mindfulness, and proactive support. Are you facing the pressures of a high-stress career and wondering how to maintai…
…
continue reading
Sean Illing talks with Glory Liu, the author of Adam Smith’s America: How a Scottish Philosopher became an Icon of American Capitalism. Smith is most well-known for being the “father of capitalism,” but as Liu points out in her book, his legacy has been misappropriated — especially in America. They discuss his original intentions and what we can ta…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The 3 "F's" for Mental Wellness with Dr. David Weill
39:27
39:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:27
Are you struggling to leave the emotional weight of your job at work? Join Dr. David Weill, former director of Stanford’s Center for Advanced Lung Disease, as he shares how to manage the mental and emotional strain of high-stress careers using his three F’s method—Family, Friends, and Faith. Do you find it difficult to separate your work stress fro…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
EP 53. I JUST REACHED 200,000 FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM AND HERE’S MY TOP 5 LESSONS.
13:12
13:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:12
In this episode, I share my most powerful lessons I learned as I built my followers to 200K on Instagram. How surrendering and being your beautiful unique self can be one of the most life defining moments of your life. This episode is all about YOU. The 200K of you that have supported my Instagram account and 5 things I learnt along the way in buil…
…
continue reading
Sean Illing speaks with marriage and family therapist Vienna Pharaon, whose book 'The Origins of You' aims to help us identify and heal the wounds that originated from our family, which shape our patterns of behavior in relationships and throughout our lives. Sean and Vienna talk about how we can spot and name our "origin wounds," discuss practical…
…
continue reading
In an Orwellian twist, the word “Orwellian” has been misused so much over the decades that it’s essentially lost its meaning. But George Orwell, author of the classics Animal Farm and 1984, was very clear in his beliefs. While he was progressive and prescient in many ways, he wasn’t without his flaws. This week, Sean Illing explores the real George…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Your Survival Guide for Navigating Department Politics
18:34
18:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:34
Navigating workplace politics can be a minefield. In this episode, discover practical tips to maintain your integrity and thrive in your role without getting sucked into the drama of organizational politics. Ever feel like you’re caught in the crossfire of workplace politics? Navigating the tricky waters of organizational politics can be overwhelmi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The timebomb the founding fathers left us
50:55
50:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:55
The US Constitution is a brilliant political document, but it’s far from perfect. This week’s guest, Erwin Chemerinsky, argues that many of today’s threats to democracy are a direct result of compromises made by the Founding Fathers centuries ago. Those mistakes have come back to haunt us, and they might destroy our democracy. Erwin Chemerinsky’s l…
…
continue reading
Ever faced a split-second decision that goes against your values or witnessed a tragedy you couldn’t prevent? Join us as we explore moral injury, its impact on mental health, and practical strategies to cope. Have you ever made a split-second decision that went against your values or witnessed something that left you feeling deeply conflicted? If y…
…
continue reading
You can’t drop an f-bomb on the radio, but fortunately for our guest, you can say anything you want in a podcast. This week, host Sean Illing talks to philosopher Rebecca Roache, author of For F*ck’s Sake: Why Swearing Is Shocking, Rude, and Fun about the philosophy and linguistics of swearing, and why certain four-letter words hold the magical pow…
…
continue reading
Sean Illing talks with political science professor Matt McManus about the political thought of Friedrich Nietzsche, the 19th-century German philosopher with a complicated legacy, despite his crossover into popular culture. They discuss how Nietzsche's work has been interpreted — and misinterpreted — since his death in 1900, how his radical politica…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
10 Strategies for Dealing with Missing Family Events
8:39
8:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:39
Missing family events due to shift work can be tough. Discover practical strategies to stay connected with loved ones, even when you can’t be there in person, from using technology to creating flexible celebrations. Are you struggling to stay connected with your family due to the demands of shift work or being on-call? Missing out on family events …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What India teaches us about liberalism — and its decline
46:48
46:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:48
Authoritarian tendencies have been on the rise globally and the liberal world order is on the decline. One hotspot of this tension lies in India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi employs autocratic language and tactics to maintain power. But a recent election may indicate that voters are losing interest in this style of rule. Guest host Zack Beau…
…
continue reading
We’re living in an era of extreme partisan politics, rising resentment, and fractured news media. Writer John Ganz believes that we can trace the dysfunction to the 1990s, when right-wing populists like Pat Buchanan and white supremacist David Duke transformed Republican politics. He joins Sean to talk about the 1990s and how it laid the groundwork…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How to Deal With Generational Differences in the Workplace
18:44
18:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:44
Generational clashes at work can be a major headache. Today’s episode of “Surviving Your Shift” dives into why Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z often clash and how to turn those differences into your team’s biggest strength. Do you ever feel like you’re speaking a different language when talking to your coworkers? Maybe you’ve got older …
…
continue reading
Nathalie Etoke joins The Gray Area to talk about existentialism, the Black experience, and the legacy of dehumanization. Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area Guest: Nathalie Etoke. Her book is Black Existential Freedom. Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Be the first to hear new epis…
…
continue reading
Starting a career as a first responder is tough, but knowing these ten things before you run into trouble can make all the difference. Tune in to episode 15 to learn how to stay healthy, avoid common rookie pitfalls, and thrive in your career. What are the ten things every rookie needs to hear? Starting out as a first responder, you face intense ch…
…
continue reading
A mile of pure fire. A flash that melts everything — titanium, steel, lead, people. A blast that mows down every structure in its path, 3 miles out in every direction. Journalist Annie Jacobsen spent years interviewing scientists, high-ranking military officials, politicians, and other experts to find out how a nuclear attack would be triggered, th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Stop Trying to Balance Work and Home Life. Here's Why
15:19
15:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:19
Feeling like you're constantly juggling work and home life, but still ending up feeling guilty and stretched too thin? Still trying to balance it all? If you're tired of feeling guilty and exhausted, it's time to explore a more effective approach to work-life balance. Do you ever feel like you're juggling too many balls, trying to give equal time t…
…
continue reading
Albert Camus was a Nobel-winning French writer and public intellectual. During Algeria’s bloody war for independence in the 1950s, Camus took a measured stance, calling for an end to the atrocities on each side. He was criticized widely for his so-called “moderation.” Philosophy professor Robert Zaretsky joins Sean to discuss Camus’s thoughts on th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
5 Things You Need to Do Before You Retire
21:18
21:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:18
Are you looking forward to retirement but wondering if you’re fully prepared? The thought of retirement can be both exciting and scary. Bart, our host, has successfully made the transition into retirement, and he will share how you can, too. Are you worried about navigating the transition to retirement smoothly? Don’t be that person who gets to ret…
…
continue reading
Old people have always worried about young people. But psychologist Jonathan Haidt believes something genuinely different and troubling is happening right now. He argues that smartphones and social media have had disastrous effects on the mental health of young people, and derailed childhood from real world play to touchscreens. He joins Sean to ta…
…
continue reading
Dealing with emotional pain and suicidal thoughts is incredibly challenging, but this episode offers hope and practical steps if you are facing these struggles. Listen now as Bart provides guidance and support for you if you’re overwhelmed by the pressures of the job and life. Are you thinking of suicide, feeling like the weight of the world is on …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Can’t Turn Off Intrusive Memories? Listen to This
20:55
20:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:55
Intrusive memories and images from the job can be a daily struggle for first responders. In this episode, Dr. Bart J. Leger shares practical strategies to manage these persistent thoughts and reclaim your peace of mind. Ever find yourself haunted by intrusive memories and images from the job that keep popping up when you’re just driving down the ro…
…
continue reading
Sebastian Junger came as close as you possibly can to dying. While his doctors struggled to revive him, the veteran reporter and avowed rationalist experienced things that shocked and shook him, leaving him with profound questions and unexpected revelations. In his new book, In My Time of Dying, Junger explores the mysteries and commonalities of pe…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Can the Department Chaplain Help Me Even Though I’m Not Religious?
50:07
50:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:07
You may have never thought your agency’s chaplain had anything to offer you. But today’s guest, Jim Bontrager may surprise you with how down-to-earth and practical your chaplain can be when you really need them. Have you ever wondered what a chaplain is good for? You’re not the first to think your organization’s chaplain can’t help you because you’…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How Can I Make a Difference as a First Responder?
44:55
44:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:55
Are you wondering if you’re still making a difference as a first responder or other frontline professional? Join me as I sit down with Mike Baldwin, a 20+ year veteran first responder as he shares how to know you’re making a difference. What does it take to maintain humanity and empathy as a first responder? Many first responders reach a point in t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Is There Such a Thing as Psychological Body Armor?
40:33
40:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:33
Being a first responder or working on the front lines means you’re facing stuff most people can’t imagine. Today, I’m talking with Dr. George Everly, Jr with ICISF, as he discusses how to develop what he calls Psychological Body Armor. Are you feeling overwhelmed by stress in your frontline career? You might be missing crucial techniques to manage …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How to Build a Bullet-Proof Mind with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
56:13
56:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:13
In this episode of Surviving Your Shift, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a pioneer of the "bulletproof mind," talks about mental resilience and self-control for first responders. Join us as he shares insights from his extensive experience in law enforcement training, focusing on how to thrive both on duty and beyond. Are you constantly jumping from one eme…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
5 Steps to Reignite Your Passion for the Career You Used to Love
18:42
18:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:42
Rediscover the joy and passion in your career with today's episode of Surviving Your Shift. Dive deep into practical strategies for overcoming burnout and rekindling that initial spark that drew you to your job. Feeling drained and disconnected from the job you once loved? You're not alone. The daily grind can often leave us feeling burnt out, sapp…
…
continue reading
Does every workday feel like you're just going through the motions, drained of the passion that once fueled you? In this episode, you’ll discover 3 powerful strategies to rekindle your drive and reignite the fire within - renewing your sense of purpose and enthusiasm for the career you've chosen. When was the last time you felt really engaged and m…
…
continue reading
If you’ve ever worried about life after retirement, today’s guest can help. After 21 years in the Coast Guard, Kenneth Macgregor was medically retired, and he’s here to share his journey of adapting to this major life transition and how he found a new purpose. Are you struggling to find purpose and identity after a major life transition? For many v…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Stop Letting Rotating Shifts Rob You of Sleep
45:53
45:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:53
Sleep impacts every aspect of our lives, but many struggle to get quality rest, especially shift workers. Today’s guide, Dr. Phillip Conner, discusses common sleep issues, provides practical tips for better sleep hygiene, and explains how insufficient sleep can dangerously impair performance. Are you having trouble feeling rested and alert during t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Is There Someone Who Understands Me? Find Out with Cherie Castellano
43:05
43:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:05
If you’ve ever wondered whether there are other people who truly understand the challenges of your career and life, this is the episode for you. Today’s guest, Cherie Castellano, shares how to harness the power of connection through shared experiences and peer support. When was the last time you felt truly understood? As a professional with a high-…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Snapping at Your Family After Shift? Try This
19:22
19:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:22
For many people, it can be challenging to leave work stress at the office and fully embrace your downtime. But this episode of Surviving Your Shift tackles that very challenge and shares a powerful Transition Ritual to help you flip the switch from your professional to your personal life. When was the last time you wasted an entire evening or weeke…
…
continue reading
Ozempic and other new weight loss drugs are being touted as potential miracle cures for diabetes and obesity. Journalist Johann Hari experimented with the drug and dropped 40 pounds. In his new book, Magic Pill, Hari discusses his experience with Ozempic and speaks to many of the leading scientists to better understand how the drug works. He joins …
…
continue reading
Religious studies professor Diana Pasulka was a total nonbeliever in alien life, but she began to question this after speaking with many people who claim to have had otherworldly encounters. She also noticed how these accounts parallel the foundational texts of many religions. She has since written two books on the topic, the most recent of which i…
…
continue reading
Most of us don’t know how to truly listen, and it’s causing all sorts of problems. Sean Illing is joined by journalist Kate Murphy, the author of You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, to discuss what it means to be a good listener, the problems that are caused when we don’t listen to each other, and the positive impacts on o…
…
continue reading
The internet has fractured our world into a million little subcultures catering to the specific identities and habits of everyone online. Writer Derek Thompson believes this has led to a widespread cult-like mentality that has crept into all facets of modern life — pop culture, media, politics, and religion itself. He joins Sean to explain this the…
…
continue reading
Do you feel like your high-stress career as a first responder or frontline professional is sucking the life out of your life? Join host Bart Leger on "Surviving Your Shift," where he unveils upcoming practical strategies and personal stories to help you thrive in your high-demand career and finish strong. Liked this episode? Share it and tag me @ba…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Fareed Zakaria on our revolutionary moment
45:08
45:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:08
Is it possible that we are living through one of the most revolutionary periods in human history? CNN’s Fareed Zakaria believes that we are and argues that the convergence of AI and the global backlash against liberal democracy are upending political orders around the world. He joins Sean to talk about how this period relates to history’s most impa…
…
continue reading
Philosophy may seem like a theoretical or abstract discipline in which unanswerable questions are debated to the point of tedium. But MIT professor Kieran Setiya believes that philosophical inquiry has a very practical and applicable purpose outside of the classroom — to help guide us through life’s most challenging circumstances. He joins Sean to …
…
continue reading