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PODCAST

Unpacking Ideas

Unpacking the most influential ideas from the past to make them more accessible in the present. To read along with us visit www.unpackingideas.com/podcast

society & culture philosophy

All Episodes

01:23:41

39. Erving Goffman on The Performative Self

Unpacking Ideas ·

2025/07/14

In this episode we unpack American Sociologist Erving Goffman's 1954 classic, "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life."This book explores...* The art of impression management*The desire to maintain consistent performances*The self as a social constructHost: Zach Stehura ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UnpackingIdeas.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest: Jason DoeIntro Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Polyenso⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free PDF of the book: ⁠free pdf*note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode!Timestamps0:00:00

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01:32:48

38. Plato on Platonic Love

Unpacking Ideas ·

2025/06/09

In this episode we unpack The Symposium by the Greek Philosopher Plato.This dialogue explores...* The Nature of Eros*The Human desire for immortality*The Guru Disciple RelationshipFree Pdf of The Symposium*note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode!Host: Zach Stehura ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UnpackingIdeas.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest: Kilaya Ciriello Author of: Socrates Guru: Plato's Spiritual Philosophy in Comparison with the Indian TraditionThe Fundamentalist Plato (blog/substack)Music:

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01:14:04

37. Dante Alighieri on Paradise

Unpacking Ideas ·

2024/12/23

In this episode we unpack Paradiso from The Divine Comedy by Italian Poet, Dante Alighieri.This Poem Explores... -The Limits of Language and The Importance of Experience -Divine Justice & The Problem of Evil -Dante's Vision of God and The Returning of the Boon Links to Books/Articles Mention in the Episode ⁠⁠The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri⁠⁠ ⁠The Aeneid by Virgil⁠ ⁠The Great Course Plus-Dante's Divine Comedy Lecture Series⁠ *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach

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01:27:34

36. Dante Alighieri on Purgatory

Unpacking Ideas ·

2024/12/04

In this episode we unpack Purgatorio from The Divine Comedy by Italian Poet, Dante Alighieri.This Poem Explores... -The Severity of the Sin of Pride -The Significance of Momentum When Climbing the Mount of Purgatory -The Importance of Humility When Reforming the Soul Links to Books/Articles Mention in the Episode ⁠⁠The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri⁠⁠ ⁠The Aeneid by Virgil⁠ ⁠The Great Course Plus-Dante's Divine Comedy Lecture Series⁠ *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host:

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01:16:20

35. Dante Alighieri on Inferno

Unpacking Ideas ·

2024/12/03

In this episode we unpack Inferno from The Divine Comedy by Italian Poet, Dante Alighieri from 1321. This Poem Explores... Why One Must Journey Through Hell Before Entering Heaven Why Fraud is the Considered the Most Severe Sin How Earthly Love Can Inspire Divine love Links to Books/Articles Mention in the Episode ⁠The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri⁠ The Aeneid by Virgil The Odyssey by Homer *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach Stehura

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01:05:44

35. G.H. Hardy on The Beauty of Mathematics

Unpacking Ideas ·

2024/11/12

In this episode we unpack, British Mathematician, G.H. Hardy's classic book, "A Mathematician's Apology" written in 1940.This book explores -The Permanence of Mathematical Discovery -The Metaphysics of Mathematical Reality -The Moral Responsibility of the Mathematician Links to Reading & Articles mentioned A Mathematician's Apology by G.H. Hardy The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker Good Will Hunting (movie) Euclid's Proof of Infinitely Many Primes (explained) Pythagoras's Proof of Irrationality

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01:18:29

34. Marie-Louise von Franz on The Problem of the...

Unpacking Ideas ·

2024/06/17

In this episode we unpack, Swiss Psychologist, Marie-Louise von Franz's classic book, "The Problem of the Puer Aeternus" from a series of lectures she gave in 1959.This book explores -The Eternal Child Archetype -The Mother Complex (Jungian) -The Loss of Initiation Rituals in the Modern Age Links to Reading & Articles mentioned The Problem of the Puer Aeternus by Marie-Louis von Franz The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery *note* reading is not required to enjoy this

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01:16:20

Ep. 33 Dante Alighieri on Inferno Pt.1

Unpacking Ideas ·

2024/05/01

In this episode we unpack the Inferno section of The Divine Comedy by Italian Poet Dante Alighieri.This Books Explores... The Structure of Dante's Hell The Medieval stance on Suicide Why Fraud is considered the worse sin Links to Reading & Articles mentioned The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri (John Ciardi Translation) *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach Stehura ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UnpackingIdeas.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Guest: Phil Kobasov Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Polyenso⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Time

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01:14:10

32. Thomas Paine on Tyranny

Unpacking Ideas ·

2023/12/21

In this episode we unpack "Common Sense" by English-American Political Activist Thomas Paine.This Books Explores... The Functions of Society and Government The Evils of Monarchy The Path Forward for the American Colonies Links to Reading & Articles mentioned Common Sense by Thomas Paine *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach Stehura ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UnpackingIdeas.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Guest: Jared Shoup Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Polyenso⁠⁠⁠⁠ Time Stamps 0:00:00 Introduction 0:05:01

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01:20:53

31. Carl Jung on The Significance of Dreams

Unpacking Ideas ·

2023/10/23

In this episode we unpack several essays from Swiss psychologist Carl Jung's Collected Works on Dreams. These Essays Explore... The Differences between Freudian and Jungian Dream Interpretation Why Common Symbols and Themes Show up in our Dreams The Benefits of Making Dream Material Conscious Links to Reading & Articles mentioned Dreams (excepts from collected works) by Carl Jung Memories, Dreams, and Reflections by Carl Jung Man and His Symbols by Carl Jung The Interpretation of

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01:02:26

30. The Bhagavad Gita on Nonattachment

Unpacking Ideas ·

2023/08/21

In this episode we unpack The Bhagavad Gita from The Mahabharata written circa 500-200 BCE. This Book Explores... Karma Yoga & Non-attachment The Link Between Right Understanding and Right Action The Interconnectedness of All Things Links to Reading & Articles mentioned The Bhagavad Gita (Translation: Gita Press) The Bhagavad Gita (Translation: Eknath Easwaran) Bhagavad Gita Lecture Series by Gandhar Mandlik *youtube* *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach

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00:54:02

29. Friedrich Nietzsche on Guilt & Bad Conscience Pt.2

Unpacking Ideas ·

2023/07/10

In this episode we unpack the Second essay in German Existentialist Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's classic work "The Genealogy of Morals" from 1887. This Essay Explores... The Origins of Punishment The Psychology of Guilt The Link Between Civilization and Bad Conscience Links to Reading & Articles mentioned ⁠On the Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche⁠ *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach Stehura ⁠⁠⁠UnpackingIdeas.com⁠⁠⁠ Guest: Samuel Le

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01:04:23

28. Friedrich Nietzsche on The Origins of Morality Pt.1

Unpacking Ideas ·

2023/06/12

In this episode we unpack the first essay in German Existentialist Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's classic work "The Genealogy of Morals" from 1887. This Essay Explores... The Etymology of the words 'good', 'bad', and 'evil' Nietzsche's Concepts of Master & Slave Morality Which type of Morality is dominant in the Western world today Links to Reading & Articles mentioned On the Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche The Vocation Lectures by

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00:49:47

27. Viktor Frankl on Man's Search for Meaning

Unpacking Ideas ·

2023/05/08

In this episode we unpack Jewish-Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's classic book "Man's Search for Meaning" from 1946. This Book Explores... What happens when our will to meaning has become suppressed How we can derive meaning from our suffering Why 'what is the meaning of life?' is a bad question Links to Reading & Articles mentioned Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl The Last Day of a Condemned Man by Victor Hugo The Tin Drum by Gunter

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01:01:15

26. Henri Bergson on The Philosophy of Laughter

Unpacking Ideas ·

2023/01/26

In this episode we unpack French Continental Philosopher Henri Bergson's classic essay "Laughter" from 1900. This Essay Explores... What are the common characteristics in all things funny? What are the differences between Tragedy and Comedy? What function does laughter serve for society? Links to Reading & Articles mentioned Laughter by Henri Bergson Truth in Comedy by Charna Halpern & Del Close Brain Droppings by George Carlin How to be Funny by Steve Allen Night at the

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01:04:12

25. Marcus Aurelius on Self-Control

Unpacking Ideas ·

2022/12/27

In this episode we unpack Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher Marcus Aurelius's classic book "Meditations" from 170 AD. This book explores... Seeing Things as They Really Are Focusing Only on What is in Your Control Remaining Calm Through Turbulent Times Links to Reading & Articles mentioned Meditations by Marcus Aurelius The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin Principles by Ray Dalio Silence of the Lambs (movie) *note* reading is not required to enjoy this

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01:31:45

24. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross on The Five Stages of Grief

Unpacking Ideas ·

2022/11/21

In this episode we unpack Swiss Psychiatrist and Author Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's classic book "On Death and Dying" from 1969. This book explores... The Fear of Death in the Modern Age The Five Stages of Grief Advice for Navigating the 5 Stages of Grief Links to Reading & Articles mentioned On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross The Trauma of Birth by Otto Rank Uses of the Erotic by Audrey Lorde Illness as Metaphor by Susan Sontag Empathy vs. Sympathy by Brene Brown (video) *note*

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00:55:03

23. John Muir on Finding God in Nature

Unpacking Ideas ·

2022/10/17

In this episode we unpack American Naturalist and Environmental Activist John Muir's Spiritual Writings from 1867-1915. These letters explores... The Revitalizing Effects of Wilderness on the Body and Spirit The Interconnectedness of All Things in Nature Finding Gratitude in the Big and Little Things in Life Links to Reading & Articles mentioned Spiritual Writings by John Muir Man and Nature by Alan Watts Chief Seattle full Speech 1854 Cinderella Man (film) *note* reading is not required

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00:58:56

22. Aldous Huxley on Altered States of Consciousness

Unpacking Ideas ·

2022/09/19

In this episode we unpack British novelist and public intellectual Aldous Huxley's 1954 essay "The Doors of Perception." This essay explores... Huxley's experience on Mescalin The Reducing Valve Theory of Consciousness The human desire to transcend self-conscious self-hood The ethics of the contemplative life Links to Reading & Articles mentioned The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley General Resonance Theory (paper) Entropic Brain Hypothesis (paper) Pivotal Mental States

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01:04:31

21. Eric Berne on Games People Play

Unpacking Ideas ·

2022/09/02

In this episode we unpack Canadian psychiatrist and analyst Eric Berne's 1964 book "Games People Play." This book explores... The 6 different types of social interactions The most common games people play What intimacy is and why it is so rare Links to Reading Games People Play by Eric Berne *note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode! Host: Zach Stehura UnpackingIdeas.com Guest: Sonya @selfhelpsonya on TikTok & Instagram Theme Music: Polyenso Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:04

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