Wandering Thoughts

wandering thoughts

🎙️ Podcasts with experts in Science, Philosophy & more 📺 YouTube, Spotify & all major platforms

  1. 4日前

    How the Fear of Death Shapes Our Lives | Prof. Jeff Greenberg

    In this episode, Professor Jeff Greenberg and I explore Terror Management Theory, the fear of death, and how our awareness of mortality influences human behaviour. Beginning with the work of Ernest Becker, Professor Greenberg explains how cultural worldviews, self-esteem, religion, and the pursuit of symbolic & literal immortality help us manage death anxiety and find meaning in life. We then discuss how these psychological defences can contribute to prejudice, ideological conflict, and extremism, while also motivating constructive achievements and relationships. Building on this, we explore existential isolation, love, psychological security, and the tension between accepting reality and maintaining beliefs that protect our well-being. Professor Greenberg also explains the experimental research behind Terror Management Theory, including the concept of mortality salience and how reminders of death influence our attitudes and behaviour. Finally, we discuss psychedelic experiences, social media, misinformation, and political polarisation, before considering whether we can genuinely accept our mortality and how to live a meaningful and purposeful life despite knowing that we will die.

  2. 10月30日

    Stoicism, Emotions & the Good Life | Dr. John Sellars

    In this episode, Dr. John Sellars and I explore Stoicism, its origins in ancient Greece, and its development as both a philosophical system and a practical guide to living well. We begin by discussing its central teachings, including the relationship between logic, physics, and ethics, before addressing common misconceptions about Stoic emotions and how our judgements shape our responses to everyday experiences. Building on this, we explore practical Stoic exercises, the distinction between what is and is not up to us, and the importance of developing a virtuous character. We then examine the Stoic understanding of happiness and flourishing, including whether it is possible to live a good life despite suffering, and compare these ideas with Aristotle and Epicureanism. Finally, we discuss modern Stoicism, its limitations, and how Stoic philosophy approaches grief, mortality, and coming to terms with death.

  3. 10月25日

    Heroism, Love, Art & Censorship | Angie Hobbs

    In this episode, Professor Angie Hobbs and I explore Plato’s philosophy, heroism, celebrity, love, friendship, art, censorship, and the relevance of ancient Greek philosophy to modern life. Continuing our previous conversation on her book *Why Plato Matters Now* , we discuss how ideas of heroism have changed since ancient Greece, why we look up to particular individuals, and what our admiration of celebrities, billionaires, and powerful figures reveals about society’s values. We also explore Plato’s psychology, the importance of role models, and how social media can influence our character and understanding of success. We then discuss the power of myth, Plato’s allegory of the cave, misinformation, and the importance of distinguishing truth from falsehood. Professor Hobbs explains Plato’s views on art and censorship, how they differ from Aristotle’s, and the relationship between artistic expression, moral development, freedom, and personal responsibility. Finally, we explore friendship, romantic love, Platonic love, Plato’s *Symposium*, the ladder of love, codependency, and what ancient philosophy can teach us about loving others and living well.

  4. 10月24日

    Economic Fables: Game Theory, Rationality & Reality | Ariel Rubinstein

    In this episode, Professor Ariel Rubinstein and I explore economic theory, game theory, bargaining, bounded rationality, decision-making, language, and the relationship between economic models and the real world. Professor Rubinstein explains his view of economic models as mathematical stories or fables that can illuminate aspects of human behaviour without necessarily providing accurate descriptions or predictions of reality. We discuss what makes an economic model valuable, different approaches to economic theory, rationality, equilibrium, repeated games, and how people make decisions when their time, attention, and cognitive abilities are limited. We also explore the role of language and framing in decision-making, how patience and alternative options affect bargaining, and the distinction between economic models based on voluntary agreement and those based on power. Finally, Professor Rubinstein discusses the limitations of economic theory, the dangers of treating mathematical models as unquestionable scientific truths, the importance of intellectual curiosity, and his continuing work on alternative approaches to understanding economic interactions.

  5. 10月10日

    Buddhism, Emptiness & the Illusion of Self | Prof. Jay Garfield

    In this episode, Professor Jay Garfield and I explore Buddhist philosophy, Nagarjuna, emptiness, the two truths, no-self, compassion, and cross-cultural philosophy. We begin with his journey from logic and cognitive science into Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan epistemology, and his studies in India. Professor Garfield then explains the scale and diversity of Buddhist philosophy, including Theravada, Mahayana, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Chinese Buddhism, Zen, and Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. We discuss Buddhism as an atheistic and naturalistic religion, Nagarjuna’s account of emptiness, why emptiness is not nihilism, and what it means to say that emptiness itself is empty. We also explore the ethical implications of interdependence and no-self, the distinction between conventional and ultimate truth, how Buddhist practice turns intellectual understanding into perceptual expertise, and why compassion is better understood as active care for the welfare of others.

  6. 10月9日

    OCD, Intrusive Thoughts & Living With Uncertainty | Prof. Jon Abramowitz

    In this episode, Professor Jon Abramowitz and I explore OCD, intrusive thoughts, compulsions, anxiety, uncertainty, reassurance, and exposure and response prevention. We discuss what OCD is, why it is much more than being tidy or washing your hands, and how intrusive thoughts can become distressing obsessions when they are treated as dangerous, meaningful, or morally important. Professor Abramowitz also explains why OCD often attaches itself to the areas of life people value most. We also discuss diagnosis, uncertainty, reassurance, relationship OCD, shame, disclosure to family and friends, and how loved ones can support someone without feeding compulsions. Finally, Professor Abramowitz explains ERP, why response prevention matters, how therapy helps people approach feared situations without rituals, and why successful exposure is about learning, not simply making anxiety go down.

  7. 10月8日

    Stoicism, CBT & the Good Life | Tim LeBon

    In this episode, Mr. Tim LeBon and I explore Stoicism, CBT, philosophical counselling, Stoic Week, and how ancient philosophy can be used practically in modern life. We discuss his work as a psychotherapist and CBT therapist, his involvement in Modern Stoicism, and the origins of Stoic Week as an experiment in trying Stoic exercises for everyday life. Mr. LeBon explains Stoicism as a philosophy of living well through virtue, wisdom, courage, self-control, justice, Stoic mindfulness, and learning to distinguish what is up to us from what is not. We also discuss the Stoic Attitudes and Behaviours Scale, the relationship between Stoicism and wellbeing, and how Stoic ideas connect with CBT. Finally, we discuss anxiety, depression, anger, intrusive thoughts, happiness, meaning, values, wisdom, ethical development, and philosophical counselling. Mr. LeBon also explains practical Stoic exercises such as morning premeditation, evening review, “minding the gap” between stimulus and response, and the STOIC framework for applying Stoic ideas in real time.

  8. 10月1日

    How to Feel Loved | Prof. Harry Reis

    In this episode, Professor Harry Reis and I explore love, relationships, intimacy, listening, vulnerability, attachment, loneliness, and his new book How to Feel Loved. We discuss the difference between being loved and feeling loved, why relationships are central to happiness and meaning, and why trying to “make” someone love you is usually the wrong approach. Instead, we explore how curiosity, listening, compassion, and warm conversation can create a stronger sense of connection between people. We also discuss what makes someone a good listener, why feeling understood is so closely linked to feeling loved, and how vulnerability needs to develop gradually, with the right person, at the right time, and in the right context. Professor Reis explains partner responsiveness, intimacy, capitalization, self-disclosure, and how attachment styles shape the way people approach closeness. Finally, we explore chronic versus short-term loneliness, why loneliness can sometimes motivate connection, and why long-term loneliness can become deeply harmful.

查看全部 (62)

關於

🎙️ Podcasts with experts in Science, Philosophy & more 📺 YouTube, Spotify & all major platforms

資料

  • 創作者
    wandering thoughts
  • 活躍年份
    2026年
  • 單集
    62
  • 分級
    兒童不宜
  • 版權
    © wandering thoughts
  • 節目網站
    Wandering Thoughts

你可能也會喜歡