The Observing I Podcast

First episode of 2025, and we're not f*****g around. We're going straight into Philip K. Dick's Exegesis. Eight thousand pages of late-night scrawling where one of sci-fi's most unhinged geniuses tried to figure out what the hell happened to him in 1974.

Dick had a vision. Or a breakdown. Maybe both. For the rest of his life, he couldn't stop writing about it. Obsessively circling questions about reality, God, time, whether we're living in ancient Rome with a corporate skin stretched over it, and whether his own mind had shattered into pieces or expanded into something else entirely.

We're looking at how Dick's personal unraveling, or awakening, depending on your perspective, bled into everything he wrote. Ubik warps reality until you don't know what's solid anymore. VALIS turns the search for God into a paranoid detective story. His fiction became the testing ground for ideas too weird for philosophy departments but too persistent to ignore.

And here's the thing: Dick's questions hit different now. We're building AIs that might be conscious. We're half-serious about living in a simulation. The world feels more fake every day. Dick was asking "What is real?" before it became our daily condition.

This isn't about answers. Dick didn't have them, and neither do we. But if you want to sit with the discomfort of not knowing, if you're drawn to the big metaphysical questions that won't leave you alone, or if you just want to understand why this dead sci-fi writer still matters, this one's for you.

We're going into the Exegesis. Bring a flashlight.

Much love, David x

PS: Buy my book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D54FV5D5

In today's episode, we're talking about Immanuel Kant, the philosopher with ideas so big, they’re still shaping how we think centuries later. We take a deep yet approachable dive into Kant’s life, his revolutionary ideas, and his surprisingly modern legacy.

Join us as we explore his daily routine of clockwork precision, his ground-breaking “Copernican Revolution” in philosophy, and his ethical framework that challenges us to act with universal respect. We also tackle his reflections on beauty and the sublime, debunk popular myths about his work, and uncover how Kant became a favourite of pop culture and meme creators alike.

Whether you're a seasoned philosopher or a curious beginner, this episode offers fresh insights into why Kant remains one of history’s greatest thinkers, and why his ideas are more relevant. Hit play and step into the mind of the original over thinker.

Much love,David

Exploring Becker’s central ideas, we uncover how the awareness of mortality shapes human behaviour, fuels creativity, and drives us to seek meaning in a transient world.

Join us as we examine heroic projects, the role of culture and religion in coping with death anxiety, and the dark consequences of avoiding mortality - from tribalism to perfectionism. We also dive into the critiques of Becker’s work and discuss how his ideas remain deeply relevant in today’s age of consumerism, technology, and social media.

More importantly, we look at what it means to authentically embrace mortality. How can facing our fears of death liberate us from distractions and bring greater clarity, purpose, and connection to our lives?

Much love, David x

Get full access to The Observing I at https://theobservingi.com.

He's also one of the few living philosophers that we've covered so far (the other being Alain de Botton, go check out that episode as well).

Have you ever felt that time is slipping away from you whilst simultaneously piling up like a never ending quagmire? Like reality itself has become a fragmented, chaotic rush of content, to-dos, and things vying for your attention? This is the essence of Rushkoff's idea Present Shock, and it's reshaping how we experience time, connection, and meaning in the digital age.

We'll explore Rushkoff's ideas of narrative collapse, digiphrenia, and overwinding, and the impact that these have on our mental health, relationships, and sense of purpose. We'll get into the philosophical and psychological side of these ideas (quelle surprise), and offer some advice on how to handle that gnawing sense of Present Shock.

Discover how to slow down, reconnect with what truly matters, and live with intention in a world that seems designed to pull us apart.

Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience.

If you like what you hear, there's a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called "The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life". You can buy it on Amazon.

Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app.

Much love, David

What if a demon could teach you philosophy? In today's episode, we delve into the world of Buer, the Demon of Philosophy, as described in the Ars Goetia. Known for his teachings in moral philosophy, natural sciences, and medicine, Buer is more than just a demon - he’s a symbol of humanity’s complex relationship with knowledge.

We'll explore Buer’s historical and symbolic significance, the ethical dilemmas of summoning him, and his surprising relevance in the modern world. From the risks of forbidden knowledge to the moral grey areas of modern technology and medicine, this episode unravels the timeless questions Buer raises about power, wisdom, and responsibility.

Would you summon Buer to gain his wisdom? And what might you be willing to risk in the pursuit of truth? Join us for a journey into philosophy, demonology, and the human condition.

Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience.

If you like what you hear, there's a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called "The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life". You can buy it on Amazon at

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/

Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app.

Much love,David

In today’s episode, we’re getting into the voxel world of Minecraft. Far more than just a video game, Minecraft stands as a mirror to the human experience. It challenges us to consider very human ideas of purpose, creativity, and resilience.

Through the lens of philosophy and psychology, we’ll look at what this creative sandbox can teach us about existential freedom, the inevitability of loss, and the human condition.

📔 If you like what you hear, there's a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called "The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life". You can buy it on Amazon at

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/

🎙️ Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app.

Much love,David

What does it mean to craft a set of beliefs and values that truly reflect who you are? Why is it important in today’s fast-paced, often chaotic world? And how can it help you navigate life with more clarity, purpose, and resilience?

Join me as we dive deep into the process of developing a personal philosophy, the challenges you might face along the way, and how to bring it to life in your everyday actions. Whether you’re looking to gain more self-awareness, make intentional decisions, or simply understand yourself better, this episode will inspire you to take the first steps toward creating your own inner compass.

Tune in to explore how a personal philosophy can help you live with authenticity and meaning - not just today, but for a lifetime.

Much love,David

While Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus practiced Stoicism as a guide to ethical living, duty, and interconnectedness, today’s interpretations frequently reduce it to a toolkit for personal resilience and self-mastery, often leaving out its core values of community and service.

Join me as we go back to the roots of Stoicism to uncover what’s been lost in translation. We’ll examine how ancient Stoicism emphasised humility, compassion, and collective responsibility, and we’ll discuss practical ways to bring these values back into our lives. If you’re looking to move beyond individual self-improvement and embrace Stoicism as a path to living with greater purpose, connection, and service to others, this episode is for you.

🔔 Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience.

📔 If you like what you hear, there's a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called "The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life". You can buy it on Amazon at

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/

🎙️ Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app.

Much love,David

In today's episode, we delve into the ancient world of Merkabah mysticism. Originally rooted in early Jewish mystical practices, the Merkabah—meaning “chariot”—has captivated spiritual seekers, philosophers, and even modern New Age practitioners for centuries. But what is the Merkabah, really? Is it a symbolic pathway to the divine, a powerful tool for psychic awakening, or even a connection to realms beyond our own?

Join me as we explore the mystery of the Merkabah, uncovering its sacred geometry, its use in magical practices, and its surprising connections to extra-terrestrial theories.

🌟 And just to let you know, we won the Hubhopper Podcast Awards 2024 for the best in Health and Wellness category, so a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us and gave their support. Your efforts are hugely appreciated.

🔔 Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience.

📔 If you like what you hear, there's a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called "The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life". You can buy it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/

🎙️ Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app.

Much love,David

Today, we're doing a high speed birds-eye view of the major philosophies from the pre-Socratic philosophers like Thales and Pythagoras, through the middle ages, into the renaissance and enlightenment, and all the way up to the contemporary philosophers of the 21st century.

We'll look at how philosophy has changed over the years, and how it's both influenced the society of the times and been influenced by it. And we touch on a bit of contemporary philosophy, and how our zeitgeist has altered how we think about our world.

🔔 Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience.

📔 If you like what you hear, there's a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called "The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life". You can buy it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/

🎙️ Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app.

Much love,David