Renegade Ape - Psychology, Philosophy, and the Overton Wasteland

In today's episode Dr. William Epstein joins us to explain why he believes psychotherapy is not only ineffective and possibly even harmful, but why it is little more than a civil religion reflecting the principles of radical self-invention and self-reliance deeply embedded in the modern psyche.

*** BOOKS MENTIONED ***

"The Illusion of Psychotherapy" by William Epstein https://amzn.to/2xvDxVu

"Psychotherapy as Religion" by William Epstein https://amzn.to/2LKvbMT

"The Denial of Death" by Ernest Becker https://amzn.to/2JqOOLq

"On Bullshit" by Harry G. Frankfurt https://amzn.to/2sqM6w6

"Power, Interest and Psychology" by David Smail https://amzn.to/2Hhdwc2

"Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov https://amzn.to/2JgnaNS

"The Discovery of the Asylum" by David Rothman https://amzn.to/2HfDNb0

"The Shrinking of America" by Bernie Zilbergeld https://amzn.to/2Jk8u3V

*** DONATE OR SUBSCRIBE ***

http://myownworstenemy.org/support

*** SOCIAL MEDIA ***

Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

*** CREDITS ***

Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Podcast Image: Jenavieve https://flic.kr/p/88PSfA

DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

In this months AMA episode I cover the following topics as requested by my listeners:

• I tell the story of my pathetic attempt to sell a screenplay in Hollywood.

• How do I win back my wife of 9 years after being caught having an emotional affair?

• Why is sleep so important to mental health and what is your sleep routine?

• Any tips or techniques for getting started with meditation?

• And I also have a crack at answering a bunch of “Truth or Dare” questions, including… “If you had to hook up with one of your past guests who would it be?”, “If you could become a woman for a day what’s the first thing you would do?”, and “What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?”.

In this months AMA episode – available exclusive to subscribers – I cover the following topics as requested by my listeners:

• I tell the story of my pathetic attempt to sell a screenplay in Hollywood.

• How do I win back my wife of 9 years after being caught having an emotional affair?

• Why is sleep so important to mental health and what is your sleep routine?

• Any tips or techniques for getting started with meditation?

• And I also have a crack at answering a bunch of “Truth or Dare” questions, including… “If you had to hook up with one of your past guests who would it be?”, “If you could become a woman for a day what’s the first thing you would do?”, and “What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?”.

Subscribers can listen to the full episode here: https://www.myownworstenemy.org/premium/ask-me-anything-april-2018/

Not already subscribed? Gain access to our exclusive content for as little as £2 per month!

Sign-up here: www.myownworstenemy.org/support/

Greg Sadler is a philosopher, academic entrepreneur, founder of ReasonIO and editor of Stoicism Today.

In today’s episode we explore the various causes and manifestations of anger, the difference between chronic and acute anger, and the relationship between anger and vengeance.

We discuss why some people’s anger becomes directed inwards, towards the self, while other people’s anger is directed towards other people and the outside world, why anger can sometimes be a productive or even an enjoyable experience, and we close up by turning to stoic philosophy for some tips and advice on how to avoid hitting the roof when you’re absolutely fucking steaming.

*** BOOKS MENTIONED ***

"Of Anger" by Seneca https://amzn.to/2Jeu45Y

"The Republic" by Plato https://amzn.to/2HjVXxb

"Nicomachean Ethics" by Aristotle https://amzn.to/2K38brs

"Discourses" by Epictetus https://amzn.to/2HiL4aG

*** DONATE OR SUBSCRIBE ***

http://myownworstenemy.org/support

*** SOCIAL MEDIA ***

Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

*** CREDITS ***

Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Podcast Image: Fred https://flic.kr/p/KyffcB

DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

In this months AMA episode I answer the following questions emailed in by listeners:

• You claimed in a past episode that you don't have any friends. Is this really true, and if so, why?

• If you could only give one piece of advice to someone suffering with depression, what would it be?

• How can I learn to deal with being considered a failure by both my family and society?

• How do I find my passion and turn it into a business?

• What's the most disgusting joke you've ever heard?

• I also submit myself to "17 'Would You Rather' Questions That Are Impossible To Answer"!

Roland Griffiths, Ph.D. is Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where he conducts pioneering research into the psychological and therapeutic effects of the hallucinogen psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced in psilocybin mushrooms, known colloquially as magic mushrooms.

In today’s episode we explore the origin and history of psilocybin research, what it looks like to experiment with psychedelics in a clinical setting, the nature of the hallucinations experienced by participants, and the potential for psilocybin to produce long term, clinically significant reductions in depression and anxiety, along with increases in quality of life, life meaning, and optimism, with just one single dose.

*** BOOKS MENTIONED ***

"Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor Frankl: https://amzn.to/2H2ZYT0

"Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari: https://amzn.to/2IhSHyo

"Feeling Good" by David Burns: https://amzn.to/2H32NUb

"Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life" by Stephen Hayes: https://amzn.to/2pWQh0h

*** DONATE OR SUBSCRIBE ***

http://myownworstenemy.org/support

*** SOCIAL MEDIA ***

Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

*** CREDITS ***

Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Podcast Image: Bernard Spragg. NZ https://flic.kr/p/e8PVQ3

DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

In this months AMA episode - available exclusive to subscribers - I answer the following questions emailed in by listeners:

• You claimed in a past episode that you don't have any friends. Is this really true, and if so, why?

• If you could only give one piece of advice to someone suffering with depression, what would it be?

• How can I learn to deal with being considered a failure by both my family and society?

• How do I find my passion and turn it into a business?

• What's the most disgusting joke you've ever heard?

• I also submit myself to "17 'Would You Rather' Questions That Are Impossible To Answer"!

Subscribers can listen to the full episode here: https://www.myownworstenemy.org/premium/ask-me-anything-march-2018/

Not already subscribed? Gain access to our exclusive content for as little as £2 per month!

Sign-up here: https://www.myownworstenemy.org/support/

Dr. John Cromby joins us to explore the concept of power and responsibility in mental health.

In today's episode we discuss why the origins of psychological distress lie outside the individual, why modern psychology tends to overstate the amount freedom and flexibility that people have in responding to negative circumstances, why notions such as willpower and resilience are more likely the byproduct of prior advantage than voluntary acts of will, why discussions about economic, political and ideological influence are sorely lacking in discussions around mental health, and why acknowledging the limits of our own personal power can actually prove quite liberating.

*** BOOKS MENTIONED ***

"Power, Interest and Psychology" by David Smail: https://amzn.to/2G7DIq0

"Why Therapy Doesn't Work" by David Smail: https://amzn.to/2G49Ajl

"The Nature of Unhappiness" by David Smail: https://amzn.to/2DRcYrV

"Feeling Bodies" by John Cromby: https://amzn.to/2pGfb59

*** DONATE OR SUBSCRIBE ***

http://myownworstenemy.org/support

*** SOCIAL MEDIA ***

Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

*** CREDITS ***

Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Podcast Image: Taecilla https://flic.kr/p/yZQqc

DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

What does it mean to be middle aged, when does middle age start and why does it matter?

In today's episode Dr. Christopher Hamilton joins me to discuss the relationship between the midlife crisis and such things as loss of identity, the search for meaning, and the fear of death.

We ask why the crisis of middle age tends to be a uniquely male phenomenon, whether or not our cultural worship of youthfulness is justified, reasons why the midlife crisis can sometimes find expression in immature and reckless behaviour, but also, why purchasing a leather jacket and a convertible sports car might not necessarily be such a bad thing.

*** BOOKS MENTIONED ***

"Middle Age" by Christopher Hamilton: http://amzn.to/2oXdr77

"How to Deal with Adversity" by Christopher Hamilton: http://amzn.to/2GajBYT

"A Philosophy of Tragedy" by Christopher Hamilton: http://amzn.to/2FGuEvi

"A Confession" by Leo Tolstoy: http://amzn.to/2GbGlId

"Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy: http://amzn.to/2FFuww8

"Uncle Vanya" by Anton Chekov: http://amzn.to/2tvo3yK

*** DONATE OR SUBSCRIBE ***

http://myownworstenemy.org/support

*** SOCIAL MEDIA ***

Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

*** CREDITS ***

Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Podcast Image: Ubi Desperare Nescio https://flic.kr/p/5hmrUg

DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.

Personal trainer, health coach and fitness ambassador Luis Trigo joins us to share his weightloss journey from 400lbs and 65% bodyfat, down to just 155lbs.

In today's episode we explore Luis experiences dealing with obesity from childhood, how being overweight affected his social life in high school, and how a health crisis and relationship breakdown in his mid-20's inspired him to finally turn things around.

Luis also shares some basic diet and exercise principles for anyone getting started on their own fitness journey, how to cultivate patience and self-compassion, and the biggest determining factor in any fitness endeavour, how to master consistency.

Follow Luis on Instagram: http://instagram.com/savageresolve

*** BOOKS MENTIONED ***

"The China Study" http://amzn.to/2CTs5Rf

*** SUBSCRIBE ***

http://myownworstenemy.org/support

*** SOCIAL MEDIA ***

Facebook: http://facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

*** CREDITS ***

Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Podcast Image: Luis Trigo

DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.