Kevin is one of the smartest, most thoughtful people you’ve never met. His 15 minutes of fame came when he and his daughter were featured on a TV show, focusing on his technique of helping her overcome fear by balancing on his hand. Formerly a leader in the world of Techno Optimism, being a dad has led him to rethink some of his previous positions. We talk about everything from God to AI to drugs to the importance of podcasting. This episode sponsored by SunBasket. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast on Patreon.  This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. 
 Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; “Studebaker,” by Jordan Zevon; “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton. 

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388 - Kevin Russell (Former TechnoOptimist)

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A few months ago, someone mentioned that a dude had walked to Crestone from Colorado Springs — which is a SERIOUS walk over some very rugged mountains — and that he was some kind of Sasquatch expert. I was intrigued, but I have to admit that I assumed the guy was a wild-eyed wayward soul who’d had a bit too much psilocybin and not enough common sense. Then I met Mateo at a party and after chatting with this totally chill, reasonable, obviously smart dude for a while, I realized … wait a minute, THIS is the Squatch dude? So I’d like to introduce you to yet another fascinating Crestonian. You can learn more about Mateo and his exploits at modernexplorer.me. Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Forest,” by David Beckingham; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton. 

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607 - Gone Squatchin' with Mateo Argüello

Following the birth of their daughter, Jack McClure and his wife Alana decided to continue their life of adventure. They set their sights on thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico as a family, beginning when their daughter was 9 months old. What followed was a 1,500 mile odyssey filled not only with primeval forests and sweeping mountain vistas but also countless lullabies, hundreds of diaper changes and innumerable tears shed. Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “A Way Back Home,” by Give Me Motion; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton. 

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606 - Jack McClure (Author: You Carry the Tent, I'll Carry the Baby: One Family's Journey on the Pacific Crest Trail)

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* Can/should we slow down the development of AI? * Frans de Waal: “Because the role of sex in society is such a loaded and controversial issue, scientists have tended to downplay this side of bonobo behavior…. Sexual encounters of the bonobo kind are strikingly casual, almost more affectionate than erotic.” * Andrew…

605 - ROMA 72

Adam’s name comes up a lot in Crestone. He and his family have been around for a long time, he runs a local business, currently serves on the Town Board of Trustees, is running for County Commissioner, and seems to be admired and respected by pretty much everyone. This is my favorite kind of podcast to bring you, where I’m getting to know the guest at the same time you are. Among lots of other stuff, we talk about: * what it was like to be a quirky, sensitive kid in Texas (not great), * who then moved suddenly to Madrid, Spain (much better); * his complex relationship with his father and masculinity; * the challenges of trying to help kids navigate the world as it is now; * the experience of spending months on horseback, riding through backcountry reservation land. 

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

604 - Adam Kinney (Who Buys a Horse at a Yard Sale?)

Michael Henry Dunn is a guy who has been around the block a few times. He’s a classically trained actor, having studied at Juilliard. He’s a musician and an activist. He’s an author, journalist, Substacker and scholar who has delved deeply into the controversies around Shakespeare’s true identity, the Code of Chivalry and global human rights. And he’s a really nice guy who happens to live in this funky little town in the Colorado high desert. Go figure. Information about the retreat in Montana is here. Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton. 

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

388 - Kevin Russell (Former TechnoOptimist)

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