In this episode, Vasily threw Nikita a curveball with a topic that got him thinking. They dove into the unruly world of radical honesty and how it can mess with our relationships. Nikita brought up this idea of "right speech" from Buddhism, which caused Vasily to reflect.

Without intending to, the two friends turned the episode into an example of how radical honesty can be practiced since Nikita wasn’t a fan of how Vasily introduced the topic. Behind the scenes, they had to have a follow-up conversation ensuring their friendship was still strong after this little disagreement. 

Links:

• Book 48 Laws of Power (Wikipedia) 

• Right Speech (on 'Learn Religions')

• Noble Silence in Buddhism (Wikipedia)

• The practice of Circling

• Intro to Internal Family Systems (YouTube) 

In this episode, the hosts have a conversation about the experience of feeling sad without any apparent reason. They discuss practical methods to cope with sadness, such as going for a walk, watching something enjoyable, talking to someone, or engaging in physical activity like going to the gym. They also mention actively meditating on negative emotions, allowing yourself to feel them without judgment.

Drawing from their own experiences, the hosts reflect on the power of self-awareness and recommend books like "Letting Go" and "Busting Loose from the Money Game" as resources for understanding and processing emotions. They emphasize the importance of embracing vulnerability and accepting the natural ebb and flow of emotions in life. They suggest finding solace in uncertainty. They point out that it's okay not always to be happy but to instead embrace and acknowledge their emotions as part of their personal growth journey.

Links:

• Book “Letting Go” by David R. Hawkins https://a.co/d/40lfrcR (Amazon)

• Book “Busting Loose From The Money Game” by Robert Scheinfeld https://a.co/d/cY6LzhO  and The Process (Tools: http://www.robertscheinfeld.com/Scheinfeld-Drilling-Tools.pdf)

• Dr. Joe Dispenza https://www.drjoedispenza.com 

In this episode, the hosts explore how engaging in creative outlets can significantly impact our personal fulfillment. They reflect on their personal journeys of creativity, including writing blog posts, making music, and working on side projects, highlighting how these activities bring them joy and a sense of purpose.

They also touch upon the importance of public sharing and the unique satisfaction that comes from releasing creative work into the world.

While struggling to stay coherent during their conversation, Nikita and Vasily explore the connection between creativity and productivity, questioning whether a certain environment or being surrounded by others influences their motivation and ability to create.

Links:

• Vasily’s blog

• Nikita’s blog post on toxic positivity

• Sonic Focus tune on YouTube (60m)

• Sonic Focus tune on Spotify (12m)

• Happy Maybe Episode 5 'The Never-ending Quest For Home"

Join Vasily, Nikita, and special guest Liya in this fascinating episode of Happy Maybe, where they discuss the difficulties of choosing where to live and the excitement of exploring new things. They talk about the importance of having a community, the thrill of traveling, and finding the right balance between stability and adventure.

We hope this conversation will help you consider new perspectives on where you belong and discover happiness in unexpected places.

Here is the breakdown of the episode.

1. Exploring new places and seeking novelty.
2. Balancing community and the desire for adventure.
3. Challenges of building connections in new environments.
4. Finding stability amidst the thrill of discovery.
5. The influence of the "honeymoon period" on perceptions.
6. The ongoing quest for happiness and fulfillment in choosing a place to live.

In this episode of Happy Maybe, Vasily and Nikita engage in a freeform conversation about the complexities of finding happiness and satisfaction in a seemingly "perfect" life. They explore the pressures of constantly striving for self-improvement and question whether pursuing professional success always leads to happiness. They also delve into the dilemma of whether to push for a salary raise or accept the status quo. Join them for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges our assumptions about what truly matters in life.

Links:

• On WEIRD societies

• Nikita’s blog post on toxic positivity

In this episode of Happy Maybe, Vasily and Nikita engage in a freeform conversation about the connection between inspiration, discipline, and our pursuit of happiness. Nikita shares how his recent trip to Costa Rica inspired him, but his motivation has since waned. Vasily discusses his personal struggle with maintaining a consistent meditation practice and suggests reading books as a more mindful alternative to mindlessly scrolling through social media.

Tune in to this episode and join the freeform conversation between two friends as they share their insights on what drives us towards happiness.

Links:

• Old Chinese tale “The Story of the Old Man and His Horse" (that the hosts called “The Maybe Tale”)

• Internal Family Systems Therapy (article)

In this episode of Happy Maybe, Vasily and Nikita explore the challenges of having an identity as an immigrant. They delve into the complex process of cultural integration and discuss how it can be a never-ending struggle that lasts for years. Drawing from their own experiences, Vasily and Nikita share insights on how to navigate the ups and downs of adapting to a new culture and finding a sense of belonging.

Tune in to this freeform conversation between two friends for a heartfelt and thought-provoking discussion on what it means to have an identity shaped by immigration.

Links:

• Gogol Bordello (band)  

• Gogol Bordello YouTube channel 

In the debut episode of Happy Maybe (which was still an unnamed podcast at the time of the recording), Vasily and Nikita dive into a nuanced conversation about the difficulties of taking sides when faced with two less-than-ideal options. From navigating personal relationships to grappling with divisive political issues, they explore the complexities of making tough choices.

Join them for a gripping conversation on how to find a way forward in a world of competing perspectives.

Links:

• Nikita’s blog https://chepanov.com/ 

• Peace Pilgrim (book) https://www.peacepilgrim.org/translations