Adulthood Friends

Adulthood Friends

By Aya and JoshSociety & Culture
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Adulthood Friends episodes

  • Episode 54: Astronomy vs. Astrology (Part 1)
    Special Guest: Dr. Grant Vezina. Do the stars influence our lives? Is there any scientific basis to astrology? In this episode, Aya and Josh are joined by longtime friend Grant Vezina as they chat about high school and delve into the origins of — and differences between — astronomy and astrology, exploring the dichotomy between science and pseudoscience, horoscopes, the PT Barnum Effect, the precession of the equinoxes, orbital changes and paleoclimatology, comparing the scientific basis (or lack thereof) of astrology to the rigor of astronomy and the scientific method, while also touching on the potential for relativistic speeds and interstellar travel, the vastness of the universe, and the power of science fiction to inspire and predict the future.
    1 hr 12 min
  • Episode 53: Stability
    What makes someone feel stable? How do they maintain it? In this welcome-back episode, Aya and Josh discuss the four main types of stability (physical, mental/emotional, financial, relationship/social), stability vs. stagnation, long-term vs. short-term stability, improving stability (medication, exercise, yoga, healthy eating, meditation, nurturing relationships), imposing our own definitions of stability on others, instability, clinical trials, the Sit-to-Stand Longevity Test, and stability in connection to age, productivity, career, and comfort.
    1 hr 10 min
  • Episode 52: Domestic Abuse (Part 2)

    How do you recognize abuse? Can men be victims of domestic violence? In this episode, Aya and Josh continue their discussion on domestic abuse in context of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial as they explore the cycle of abuse, signs of abuse, history of abuse, characteristics of abuse victims, power dynamics, misogynistic vitriol, believing survivors, spotting deception (body language/behavior analysis), false accusations, the plausibility of mutual abuse, abuse of the #MeToo movement itself, and Josh and Aya's own experiences with domestic abuse (Josh's parents, Aya's friends and volunteer work). [CW // physical abuse, emotional abuse]

    52 min
  • Episode 51: Domestic Abuse (Part 1)
    What constitutes abuse? Did Johnny Depp deserve to win his defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard? In this episode, Aya and Josh discuss the reality of domestic abuse/intimate partner violence against the backdrop of the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial, characteristics of abuse victims vs. perpetrators, whether men can also be considered victims, healthy vs. toxic reactions to the trial (internet mockery), the #MeToo movement, Cluster B personality disorders (Borderline, Histrionic, Antisocial, Narcissistic), the “narcissist’s prayer,” and wielding mental health as a weapon to discredit DV survivors vs. using diagnoses to explain abusive behavior. [CW // sexual abuse, physical abuse]
    1 hr 24 min
  • Episode 50: Expectations
    How do you avoid disappointment? Are low expectations the key to happiness? In this milestone episode (50!), Aya and Josh talk about expectations, including about the podcast itself, how Covid has ruined expectations, the concept of meeting expectations, betraying expectations, exceeding expectations, subverting expectations, magical expectations, childhood expectations, relationship expectations, societal expectations, shifting expectations, managing expectations, hope vs. expectations, positive vs. negative expectations, reasonable vs. unreasonable expectations, communication vs. expectation, and expectations of yourself vs. others.
    59 min
  • Episode 49: Words
    What’s in a word? Can words hurt you? In this episode, Aya and Josh discuss the power of words themselves, including favorite words, ugly-sounding words, swear words, names, puns, semantic satiation, language/linguistics, trying to find the right words, word/definition debates (“man,” “woman,” “antisocial”), words in different languages, words in a screenplay, hurtful words, adverbs, the word “literally,” subject-verb agreement, word pronunciations, how words get into the dictionary, how laws are informed by words, colloquial words (slang), judging people by their words, words with positive vs. negative connotations, using words to manipulate, having “a way with words,” dyslexia, internal monologues, and casting spells.
    1 hr 15 min
  • Episode 48: Healthcare (Part 2)
    Special Guest: Dr. Simone Mendel. What does Covid look like from the perspective of those working in hospitals? How has the pandemic revealed/exacerbated existing problems in our healthcare system? In this episode, Aya and Josh continue their discussion on healthcare with childhood friend Simone Mendel, further contrasting the US and Canadian systems (Progressive vs. Conservative views, taxation, empathy, health outcomes, strategies for improvement), getting an insider perspective on Covid in hospitals (ICU overflow, outbreaks, protesters, progression of illness, putting people on ventilators, benefits of vaccination, Covid/vaccine myths, myocarditis, patient regrets about not getting the vaccine), alternative treatments (Vitamin C, Ivermectin), palliative care, abortion, bedside manner, breaking the news of a patient’s death/prognosis to their family, and facing the death of a loved one as a healthcare provider, family member, or both.
    58 min
  • Episode 47: Healthcare (Part 1)
    Special Guest: Dr. Simone Mendel. What makes a good healthcare system? Is healthcare a right or a privilege? In this episode, Aya and Josh are joined by childhood friend Simone Mendel, who shares her insights as an internal medicine doctor in Canada, as they reminisce about their shared history and the paths they took, examine the accuracy of TV medical dramas (House, Chicago Med), and discuss various aspects of the healthcare systems in the US and Canada, including health outcomes, waiting times, health insurance, tiered systems, clinical trials, inefficiencies, billing structure, necessary vs. elective surgery, calling an ambulance, public vs. private healthcare, shift work, different departments/specialties, foreign healthcare systems, and fighting cancer.
    1 hr 16 min
  • Episode 46: Ego

    How can the ego sabotage us? Is having an ego always a bad thing? In this episode, Aya and Josh break down the ego and explore their own egotistical tendencies as they discuss self-promotion, seeking validation vs. feeding the ego, ego vs. insecurity, conditional ego, the real meaning of humility, Freudian Psychoanalysis (Id, Ego, Superego), narcissism, self-esteem/self-worth, worrying about what others think, healthy ego, egotistical celebrities (Kanye West, Russell Brand), egotistical world leaders (Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Adolph Hitler), fragile egos, naming children, the ego's effect on growth, protecting other people's egos, ego defenses, and the ego's response to therapy.

    1 hr 26 min
  • Episode 45: Following Your Passion (Part 2)
    Special Guest: Brad Bangsboll. Can a job ruin your passion? What are the consequences of not following your passion? In this episode, Aya and Josh continue their discussion with Brad on following your passion, hustling, "climbing the ladder" (background acting, assistant directing) vs. "going in the side door" (independent filmmaking), facing setbacks and financial considerations, employing your passion (working in the Toronto film industry), feeling fulfilled, meeting your heroes, maintaining the "magic," getting jaded, working strategically toward your goals, networking, proving yourself, comfort vs. happiness, TV shows/movies Brad has worked on (The Boys, Kim's Convenience, Reign, What We Do in the Shadows, Lost Girl, Heroes Reborn, The Expanse, Moore's Void, Titan Down), and the things Brad and Josh envy about each other.
    1 hr 5 min

About Adulthood Friends

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Aya and Josh have known each other all their lives, but they weren’t always friends. Listen as they get to know each other as adults and explore the ways our thoughts, values, and priorities shift…