Protect Your Noggin

Lao Tzu explains how to cook a small fish and govern a great nation. A discussion of how the Tao Te Ching has been seen differently over the ages, due to different emphases throughout the commentary traditions. Regardless of whether one assumes that the ghosts of our ancestors and the demons of our human nature are literal or figurative (or somewhere in between) this chapter teaches warns against authoritarianism and aggressive governments.

Toward the end, there's a discussion of the ways in which Ancient Chinese shamanism might have conceived of spirits and demons.

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Drawing from Tao Te Ching 59, we critique the idea that cultures have a fixed life span. Surveying the longevity of various societies from the Indigenous Australians to the end of Imperial China in the twentieth century, we suggest that Lao Tzu was right that a deeply rooted, maternal, nurturing society that is adaptable and respects its natural resources can restrain its predation and outlast drastic changes. We also discuss why education in America doesn't just get a nice aesthetic boost from the humanities and creative art but depends on such things for its long term survival.

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Jeff and Stacie discuss Tao Te Ching 58's second half, which says the experts don't even know how history will play out in a certain situation. They share their plan for surviving the economic challenges ahead. Jeff explains the concept of "late stage capitalism."

By the way, if you are serious about considering living a different lifestyle, in terms of your domicile, feel free to reach out and we will be glad to share what we've learned about living non-conventionally.

The song at the end is a song Jeff wrote for a winter musical. He offers the script and music to anyone who might use and adapt it for educational or nonprofit purposes.

For show notes and more: https://www.protectyournoggin.org

For other services provided by Stacie and Jeff: https://www.taosurfers.com 

For Stacie and Jeff’s rendering of the Tao Te Ching, click here. 

Jeff and Stacie share what’s been going on in their lives since their last episode. Then they launch into part one of a discussion of TTC 58 and it’s relevance these days.  What if libertarians of various stripes banded together to resist authoritarianism and build networks to care for all members of community in need?

Protect Your Noggin is a show about the pursuit of happiness amid the ruins of politics an religion.

For show notes and more: https://www.protectyournoggin.org

For other services provided by Stacie and Jeff: https://www.taosurfers.com 

For Stacie and Jeff’s rendering of the Tao Te Ching, click here. 

How might working with the gig economy factor into the pursuit of happiness and freedom? What are the similarities and differences between the Aristotelian tradition on happiness and that of Lao Tzu?

Singer and songwriter Jenna joins us to discuss finding one's voice and addressing life traumas with the healing medicine of music. We share her newly released single "Trigger" which is now available online.

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A survey of several issues in the news and reflection on how a warrior perspective might help us think about engaging issues of our day, albeit in nonviolent forms of "battle." Why the culture wars matter. Sinead O'Connor, and the hearings regaring UAE (UFO) technology.

The warrior archetype and why peace loving people might need to be ready to be more engaged on behalf of vulnerable groups in our precarious times. Part one is a general discussion of the theme and what the Tao Te Ching teaches about engagement with an enemy. Part two will survey some current events that arguably require a warrior's perspective.

Stacie leads us through three chapters from the Tao Te Ching that discuss the mysterious mother. What does this archetype and symbol say about our perspectives on femininity, society and the sacred? How does this differ from traditional American evangelical views of women and feminine characteristics of the divine? Is there a difference between being a source and being a creator? How can we let children and the things we cultivate grow spontaneously rather than through our constant control?

A discussion of some of Jeff’s recent poetry related to the ways in which spirituality can influence ideas about political freedom and unpacking authoritarian ideology can help understand the ways in which religion can endorse and prop up unjust systems.