PODCAST

The Observing I

David Johnson

A podcast about philosophy, psychology, and the human experience. Pirate radio for the mind. New episode each Friday.

society & culture

All Episodes

33:00

The modern wisdom of Alain de Botton

The Observing I ·

2024/05/10

In today's episode, we're exploring the world of Alain de Botton, the philosopher who makes old ideas feel fresh. We'll explore how he takes complex concepts and brings them down to earth, showing us how they can be applied to our everyday lives.Whether you're struggling with love, work, or just the general feeling of being overwhelmed by the modern world, de Botton offers a unique perspective that can help us understand ourselves and the world around us a little bit better. We'll also delve into

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The Way of Zen: Alan Watts' Legacy

The Observing I ·

2024/05/03

In today’s episode, we delve into the life, philosophy, and enduring influence of one my favourite modern philosophers - Alan Watts. He was an incredible figure who spoke with eloquence and clarity, integrating Eastern and Western thought in a way that had never been done before.Trained as an Episcopal priest, he left the church and went on to become a spiritual luminary in California in the height of the 60s counter culture movement. If you’re interested in Eastern philosophy, this man is the most

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24:11

The Way of Zen: Alan Watts' Legacy

The Observing I ·

2024/05/03

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The philosophy of Diogenes of Sinope, the man who...

The Observing I ·

2024/04/26

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the life and philosophy of the famous cynic Diogenes of Sinope, possibly one of the most eccentric philosophers in history.Known for his extreme cynicism and audacious public antics, Diogenes challenged the social and moral norms of his time with a philosophy that is as radical today as it was over two thousand years ago. From living in a ceramic jar to asking Alexander the Great to move because he was blocking the sun, Diogenes' story is a beautiful exploration

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20:30

The philosophy of Diogenes of Sinope, the man who...

The Observing I ·

2024/04/26

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David Hume: The Philosopher who shook the world

The Observing I ·

2024/04/19

In today’s episode, we’re venturing into the sceptical world of the 18th Century philosopher David Hume.Hume shook the foundations of science, morality, and our sense of self and identity. From his early philosophical crisis, to his critique of the traditional notion of causality, we’ll be exploring how his sceptical mind questioned the limits of human knowledge.We’ll look at how his ideas can be applied to our lives today, through tools such as emotional awareness, critical thinking, and the

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20:47

David Hume: The Philosopher who shook the world

The Observing I ·

2024/04/19

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Hermes Trismegistus: Unlocking the Secrets of the...

The Observing I ·

2024/04/12

In today’s episode, we explore the curious case of Hermes Trismegistus, a philosopher who lived at the convergence of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman culture.We'll explore who this mysterious figure might have been (*clue: it wasn’t Thoth), the core principles of Hermetic philosophy, and how they've shaped thinkers from the Renaissance to the present day.We’ll talk about how Hermeticism can be useful in our lives today, and some of the potential pitfalls and critiques of the philosophy. Such as quiche

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36:59

Hermes Trismegistus: Unlocking the Secrets of the...

The Observing I ·

2024/04/12

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The Pursuit of Authenticity: Exploring Nietzsche's...

The Observing I ·

2024/04/05

In today’s episode, we explore the life and philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, the 19th-century thinker who challenged traditional morality and championed individual self-creation.We dive into his core ideas surrounding “the death of God”, the Rise of the Ubermensch, the Will to Power, and his Revaluation of Values. We talk about how to live authentically, according to Nietzsche, and then see how his ideology can be applied to our lives today.There is, however, no advice offered on how to grow an

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19:00

The Pursuit of Authenticity: Exploring Nietzsche's...

The Observing I ·

2024/04/05

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Albert Camus, The Stranger, and absurd existentialism

The Observing I ·

2024/03/29

Ever feel lost in a universe that seems indifferent to your existence? This week on The Observing I, we delve into the world of existentialism and the notion of the absurd, explored through the life and work of Albert Camus. We'll unpack the core themes of existentialism – freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. Then, we'll meet Meursault, the enigmatic protagonist of Camus' groundbreaking novel The Stranger, and see how his story embodies the themes of

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23:17

Albert Camus, The Stranger, and absurd existentialism

The Observing I ·

2024/03/29

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A crash course in Stoicism

The Observing I ·

2024/03/22

It’s time for a change in direction. Today marks the first episode in our Philosophical Deep Dives, where I pick a certain school of thought and explore what it’s about, where it came from, and how it’s relevant today.This week, as I mention it in almost every episode, you’re getting Stoicism. I talk about the core tenets of the philosophy (wisdom, courage, virtue, and temperance), take a look at the lives of those who influenced it back in Greece and Rome, and then see what Modern Stoicism has to

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39:05

A crash course in Stoicism

The Observing I ·

2024/03/22

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Mastering self control

The Observing I ·

2024/03/15

In this episode, I’m doing my damnedest to help you take control over what can be our biggest adversary - our “self”. I'll be exploring the benefits and the challenges we may face, throw a bit of neuroscience in there to make me sound like I know what I’m talking about, and examine various philosophical outlooks on the idea of self control throughout the ages.This is the final episode in our Beyond Resolutions series. I hope you’ve found the topics that we’ve covered over the past few months

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21:11

Mastering self control

The Observing I ·

2024/03/15

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Developing a growth mindset

The Observing I ·

2024/03/08

In this episode, we’re getting into the belly of the growth mindset. It’s all about the power of “if I’m consistent and put the effort in, I can do this”, versus the trap of “Nah, I’m good, I don’t like being uncomfortable”.We talk about what a growth mindset is, explore some philosophical ideas that support it (quelle surprise, Stoicism turns up), and look at some strategies for how you can action it in your own life.Hopefully, we’ll leave you with a roadmap for getting on the path to being

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27:36

Developing a growth mindset

The Observing I ·

2024/03/08

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A deep dive into procrastination

The Observing I ·

2024/03/01

In this episode, we explore the topic of procrastination, examining its psychological underpinnings and the effects it has on our mental health, personal success, and interpersonal relationships. We look at some strategies you can employ in your own fight against procrastinatory behaviour. And, of course, it wouldn’t be an episode of the Observing I if we didn’t get into some philosophical outlooks and perspectives around the topic at hand.Much love,David

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The Observing I

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