Stoicism may be a philosophy born of ancient times, but it’s recently made a comeback. Designed to make people more resilient, virtuous, and wise, it was once relied on by slaves to help them in dealing with the difficulty in their lives. Now, it’s frequently touted by tech titans and “thought leaders.” Matt and Rob dive into the implications of stoicism in the modern age.

/// Music by Ilithios + El Jezel /// Produced by Stereoactive Media

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Sometimes shame is used to bully, while other times it’s used to teach. Shame has even perhaps worked as a cohesive force on society. In this episode, Matt and Rob discuss the ins and outs of shame and whether it can actually be wielded as a positive force.

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Silent meditation retreats are an immersive way to go deeper into one’s meditation practice – and we mean really deep. In this episode, Rob discusses Vipassana retreats that involve ten days of not talking while Matt explains his experience at a three-day retreat guided by Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg. Is it worth going silent like this? What are the challenges? And just how does one do walking meditation? Tune in to learn all about turning down the volume in your head via Vipassana.

Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic tea from the Amazon has become a trendy, life-altering brew consumed by hipsters, Silicon Valley, and the yoga crowd. Many say it’s the most significant spiritual experience of their lives. Others claim it’s like “10 years of psychotherapy in one night.” But what is it? How do you take it? And how did drinking a South American psychoactive brew become just as popular as microdosing, CBD, and partying in Tulum? Matt and Rob go deep to discuss the benefits and misconceptions surrounding this traditional spiritual medicine. Buckle up.

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Conspiracy theories have gone mainstream. From old standards like Area 51 to relative newcomers like QAnon, people can’t get enough of conspiratorial thinking. Could it be that they’re actually addicted?

In this episode, Matt and Rob examine the concept of conspiracy theory addiction. Along the way, they get into the underlying conditions that may cause conspiracy theories to take root and grab hold of people's attention and, in extreme cases, impact their mental health.

“You 100% should NOT miss this episode!” -The Elders of Zion

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Matt and Rob go for a deep dive into the work of author Michael Pollan and the impact he’s had on how America eats and views psychedelics. They focus on two of Pollan’s seminal books: ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’ and ‘How to Change Your Mind.’

They then debate each other on the efficacy and use of the Headspace guided meditation app. Is it a good way to onboard folks into meditation or does it represent everything that can go wrong when capitalism meets mindfulness?

00:00 - Intro + Disclaimer

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Feels like everyone is switching between fasting and eating on a regular schedule these days. It’s called intermittent fasting. Is it a good idea? Also, Matt explains his newfound life as a runner and what it’s like to use a leading running app like Runkeeper. And Rob roasts the Marshmallow Test, one of the most famous psychological experiments ever conducted. Does it really measure a child’s ability to delay gratification?

01:56 - Intermittent Fasting

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Seems like everybody commits to New Year’s Resolutions. But are they worth it and is it healthy to make them? How do resolutions stack up to setting everyday, achievable goals? 

And what’s up with Tulum? It’s been a popular wellness destination for people looking to experience everything from massive beach festivals to spiritual awakenings. But why did organizers of a recent multi-day arts fest think it was OK to party unsafely during a global pandemic? And how does Tulum reflect our best or worst behaviors?

01:35 - New Year’s Resolutions

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What is nonviolent communication, and could it be violent in the wrong form? Was Dr. Bragg’s championing of apple cider vinegar as a health elixir quackery or visionary? And you’ve likely heard of Marie Kondo’s book, 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up'–how does tidying up actually relate to personal health and wellness?

01:51 - Nonviolent Communication

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At the intersection of belief in conspiracy theories and the search for spiritual meaning exists the hybrid known as “conspirituality.” In our fourth episode, hosts Matt Ruby and Rob Kramer discuss how these two groups manage to come together across political divides to form an interesting, if troubling, new group.

/// Music by Ilithios + El Jezel /// Produced by Stereoactive Media