Decoding the Gurus

Christopher Kavanagh and Matthew Browne

An exiled Northern Irish anthropologist and a hitchhiking Australian psychologist take a close look at the contemporary crop of 'secular gurus', iconoclasts, and other exiles from the mainstream, offering their own brands of unique takes and special insights. Leveraging two of the most diverse accents in modern podcasting, Chris and Matt dig deep into the claims, peek behind the psychological curtains, and try to figure out once and for all... What's it all About? Join us, as we try to puzzle our way through and talk some smart-sounding smack about the intellectual giants of our age, from Jordan Peterson to Robin DiAngelo. Are they revolutionary thinkers or just grifters with delusions of grandeur? Join us and let's find out!

  1. 1D AGO · BONUS

    Supplementary Material 39: Bad Guys, Panpsychists, and Sensemakers

    Chris and Matt walk into a bar with an atheist sensemaker, an Ayurvedic Guru, and a Christian Apologist, and predictable frivolities ensue. Featuring not one but two good-natured, robust exchanges of opinion between our two hosts. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (1 hour, 42 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 39: Panpsychics, Sensemakers, and Bad Guys 00:00 Introduction 01:17 AI and the Music Industry 05:34 Is Chris a Bad Guy? 10:44 Vibe Physics with Travis Kalanick 16:10 Efforts to Falsify and AI 21:02 Gordon Pennycook with Sean Carroll: Vibes vs Analysis 32:44 Libertarianism and Personal Beliefs 35:10 A mini-debate on internal consistency 42:49 Matt's Personal Philosophy 44:16 Philosophical Feedback on the Sensemakers 55:06 Atheist vs Christian vs Spiritual Thinker 57:03 Dr. K's Role in the Discussion 01:09:01 Alex's Stance on Purpose 01:12:31 Dr. K's Perspective on Purpose 01:23:45 Dr. K and the Atheist pose 01:34:29 Philosophical Musings on Panpsychism 01:41:18 Outro Sources Angela Collier: Conspiracy physics and you (and also me)All In Podcast: Travis Kalanick talks about AI (July 11, 2025)333 | Gordon Pennycook on Unthinkingness, Conspiracies, and What to Do About ThemPennycook, G., Cheyne, J. A., Barr, N., Koehler, D. J., & Fugelsang, J. A. (2015). On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound b******t. Judgment and Decision Making, 10(6), 549-563.The Diary of a CEO: Atheist vs Christian vs Spiritual Thinker: Is Not Believing In God Causing More Harm Than Good?!

    38 min

  2. 4D AGO · BONUS

    Required Readings: The Genius Myth by Helen Lewis

    In another exciting Required Reading episode, Chris and Matt offer their penetrating, high IQ thoughts on the latest book by journalist and podcast quizmaster, Helen Lewis. Titled 'The Genius Myth: The Dangerous Allure of Rebels, Monsters, and Rule Breakers', the book tears into some of the long-enduring myths surrounding historical and contemporary geniuses from Picasso to Elon Musk. It's a critical dissection of gurus and devoted fans, so very on topic! And yes, it is better than Cod... Full episode is available to Patreons on the Revolutionary Genius tier! (1hr 13 mins). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Links The Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea by Helen LewisSnippy Review at The Philosophers MagazineLess snippy review at the Observer Required Reading: The Genius Myth 00:00 Book Review: Genius Myth 04:11 The Genius Myth: Book Thoughts! 07:02 Exploring the Concept of Genius 08:49 IQ Tests and High IQ Societies 10:55 Social Perception of Intelligence 12:20 Elon Musk and Modern Genius 16:08 Historical Perspectives on Genius 18:42 The people behind the Geniuses 25:15 The Role of Context and Luck 27:44 Mythmaking and Cultural Icons 45:01 The Flawed Genius Stereotype 50:50 What about Tim Robinson? 52:51 The deranging impact of attention 01:03:33 Overall Thoughts 01:12:44 Better than Cod

    17 min

  3. 5D AGO

    Discussing Nazis and Gurus with Al Murray

    We welcome Al Murray, the comedian who might just be your new favourite historian, to Decoding the Gurus. In a crossover you probably didn’t expect, we discuss World War II, Wehraboos, gurus, and the contemporary comedy scene... something for all the family. Along the way, we touch on British nostalgia, military fetishism, and self-styled “truth tellers”. A chat about history, humour, and hubris, not necessarily in that order. Links We Have Ways of Making You Talk – Al Murray & James HollandAl Murray’s YouTube channelFollow Al on X (Twitter)

    1h 7m

  4. OCT 26

    Keith Raniere: The Serpent and the Cognitive Fog

    Kicking off cult season, Chris and Matt take a dip into the manipulative world of NXIVM founder and self-proclaimed 200-IQ “Vanguard,” Keith Raniere, as he talks with his then-disciple and ex-Hollywood actress, Allison Mack. Through a haze of pseudo-profound musings and decorative scholarship, Raniere sermonises on creativity, authenticity, and the human spirit, all while orchestrating a coercive sex cult built on obedience, sleep deprivation, and... volleyball. Matt and Chris lament how his wordy self-help cosmology mirrors the rhetorical habits of secular gurus: the cultivation of parasocial intimacy, the disdain for anything mainstream, and the promise of “revolutionary” insights that will reveal your true self (for a fee). From the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to “authentic soulfulness”, it’s a masterclass in generating pseudo-profound semantic fog, where love and pain blur into one transcendent teaching. By the end, you may find yourself sharing Raniere’s final revelation about what it truly means to feel… nauseated. Sources YouTube: Keith Raniere, Ringleader of NXIVM Sex Slave Cult, Interviewed by Allison Mack, Top Cult Member

    3h 9m

  5. OCT 18

    Lab Leak Fever with Philipp Markolin

    Join Matt and Chris as they dive into the controversy-ridden world of the lab leak theory, accompanied by biochemist-turned-author Philipp Markolin. Philipp details his journey into the abyss of lab leak lore and sensationalist media, documenting how thorough research was pushed aside in favour of conspiratorial discourse. For those who dream of a world where science triumphs over sensationalism, this episode is your bittersweet symphony. Links Philipp's SubstackLab Leak Fever Book SiteNew Documentary Movie about the Lab LeakOur previous episode on the Lab LeakBad Boy of Science: Sam Gregson's channel that includes many interviews with Philipp and relevant scientists

    1h 14m

  6. OCT 14 · BONUS

    Supplementary Material 38: Toxic Mould Symbiosis, Mild Phrenology, and the Best People in the World

    We end the futile struggle, embrace the toxins, and become one with our mould brethren. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 38 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 38 00:00 Intro 02:54 Boomer Matt reacts to Twitter videos 07:31 Shellenberger and Tucker discuss the 9/11 Files 12:42 Eric's Google Ngram Investigations 17:08 Vindication on the Elephant Graveyard 22:00 Eric's ARC lecture goes viral 25:24 Andrew Huberman is NOT a phrenologist... 29:06 Eric Weinstein vs. Piers Morgan 33:44 Everyone knows Eric is a serious thinker 46:09 Peterson is taken out of the Gurusphere by Demons and Toxic Mould 52:09 Gurus and Bespoke Alternative Health 57:00 Social Contagion Hypocrisy 01:02:55 Toxic Mould Symbiosis? 01:04:46 Pewdiepie, Diogenes, and the Seeker Mindset 01:16:14 The Wisdom of the Ancients 01:21:01 The Meaning Crisis and Christian Pivots 01:22:29 Konstantin Kisin's surprising Christian pivot 01:25:17 The best person Konstantin ever met (not Francis) 01:30:22 The Fifth Column Agrees with Megyn Kelly 88% of the time 01:33:07 Megyn Kelly explains how the Democrats crossed the line and must pay 01:41:35 Intellectual Clerics for MAGA 01:43:16 Slightly Adversarial libertarians for hire 01:47:00 Drew Pavlou and Fluid Populism 01:50:17 Two Varieties of Online Derangement: Noah Smith's Hot Takes 01:53:57 Need for Attention = Desire for Virality 01:57:23 Status Seeking Networkers vs Paul Bloom 02:01:27 Reflecting on the Al Murray Interview 02:02:22 The struggle of podcasters 02:04:52 Paul Bloom: The best person in the world? 02:06:00 Mike Israetel's Thesis Controversy 02:10:30 What does a PhD mean? 02:16:55 David Deutsch visits Curt Jaimungal 02:22:32 The Dangers of Doubling Down: Pirate Software 02:23:32 Hasan Piker and Shock Collar-gate 02:27:15 Matt's Take on Shock Collars 02:33:51 Dystopia Update: Putin wants Trump to win the Nobel Prize 02:37:11 Outro Sources Shellenberger and Tucker discuss the CIA’s role in 9/11Grok pressing Eric to get specificThe Elephant GraveyardViral post about Eric’s ARC speech on scienceHuberman’s phrenology endorsementJordan Peterson’s Health Update from MikhailaChris Williamson: It’s time to talk about my health.Chang, C., & Gershwin, M. E. (2019). The myth of mycotoxins and mold injury. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 57(3), 449–455.Borchers, A. T., Chang, C., & Eric Gershwin, M. (2017). Mold and human health: A reality check. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 52(3), 305–322.a...

    50 min

  7. SEP 25

    A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 2: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall

    Matt and Chris once again take up their oars and plunge deeper into the recursive whirlpools of contemporary sensemaking. Picking up where Part 1 left off, having grappled with conscience, touchstones, hierarchies, and normativity, we return to the sensemaking labyrinth to see just how many more words and concepts the combined powers of Peterson, Vervaeke, and Hall can stretch to breaking point. This second leg of the voyage allows us to chart more of the universal sensemaking grammar, with its biblical scaffolding, liberal use of metaphors, and frequent exhortations to ascend Jacob’s ladder. But alongside Peterson's predictable biblical musings, you can also thrill at unexpected treats like John Vervaeke unveiling how finite transcendence connects to inexhaustible intelligibility and Jordan Hall explaining that even silence can be a form of sensemaking. Expect symbolic snakes, dangling ropes, and ecological psychology refashioned for mystical ascent, Augustine rediscovered through Plato, and culture reframed as an alcoholic parent. Or if you prefer, enjoy detours into atheists and their Luciferian egos, the sacred role of play, and the profound revelations that can be drawn from childhood disappointments at McDonald’s and grandfathers complaining about Nixonian duplicity So join us for the final leg of the Sensemaking Odyssey. Sharpen your mind, get ready to traverse through 3D space, and prepare for an encounter with the Logos... in the context of listening to a podcast. Sources A Dialogue So Dangerous, It Just Might Bring You Wisdom | John Vervaeke and Jordan Hall | EP 532

    2h 37m

  8. SEP 20 · BONUS

    Supplementary Material 37: Public Murder Discourse, Heterodox Psychodramas, and Generous Tit for Tat-ers

    Why are we never invited to these dinners? We wonder if it was something we said or if our invitation just got lost in the mail, as we endure the inevitable discourse wave that followed in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 21 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 37 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Cooking Gurus? 05:39 Sensemaking Overindulgence 07:19 Feedback on The Elephant Graveyard Segment 14:07 Gary is awarded an Honorary Doctorate by SOAS 19:15 On the Murder of Charlie Kirk 24:49 Murder is Bad & Charlie Kirk was a Polemicist 38:07 Hypocritical Calls for Violence: Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson 41:32 The Superficial Celebrations of Luigi Mangione 44:52 Michael Shermer is an entirely non-skeptical partisan 47:16 Eric Weinstein and the rush to post 49:48 Joe Rogan argues with his friend on vaccines 58:11 Predictable Pivot 01:05:30 Blocked and Reported discuss the Interpersonal Psychodramas of the Heterodox 01:07:07 The Thick Skin of Michael Shellenberger 01:11:41 Being Bret Weinstein's +1 01:13:39 Dave Rubin does not appreciate public criticism 01:16:29 A Heterodox DM encounter 01:21:01 Money and Macro's Video on Gary's Economics 01:27:56 The DTG approach vs Debunking 01:29:43 The Nature of Expertise and Criticism 01:31:17 Researching Guru Claims 01:36:37 Destiny invokes the Prisoner's Dilemma and Tit for Tat strategies 01:40:59 Generous Tit for Tat 01:46:28 Konstantin Kisin's warning about alternative media 01:54:26 Konstantin's "Consistency" 02:01:44 Next Gurus and Fake Outro 02:03:44 Decoding the Gamers: Caves of Qud and Two Point Museum 02:08:11 Retro School Games: Drug Wars, Beachhead and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? 02:11:53 Real Outro Sources SOAS honorary awardees for 2025What did Elon Musk say at far-right UK rally and did his remarks break the law?“We Either Fight Back or Die” – Elon Musk's Fierce Speech at London 'Unite The Kingdom' Rally | APTShermer's tweet after Charlie Kirk's murderJoe Rogan and Bryan Callen on vaccinesHe Had One Product, $80K in Funding, and One Influencer - And Unilever Just Acquired His Company for 9 FiguresMichael Shellenberger Mixed Up Two Guys With Sorta Similar Names And Falsely Told His Readers — And Congress — One Of Them Might Be A Spy As A ResultBlocked and Reported Premium: Taylor Lorenz And The Perils Of Journafluencing (Part...

    42 min
See All (214)

Hosts & Guests

4.2
out of 5
926 Ratings

About

An exiled Northern Irish anthropologist and a hitchhiking Australian psychologist take a close look at the contemporary crop of 'secular gurus', iconoclasts, and other exiles from the mainstream, offering their own brands of unique takes and special insights. Leveraging two of the most diverse accents in modern podcasting, Chris and Matt dig deep into the claims, peek behind the psychological curtains, and try to figure out once and for all... What's it all About? Join us, as we try to puzzle our way through and talk some smart-sounding smack about the intellectual giants of our age, from Jordan Peterson to Robin DiAngelo. Are they revolutionary thinkers or just grifters with delusions of grandeur? Join us and let's find out!

Information

  • Creator
    Christopher Kavanagh and Matthew Browne
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    214
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Christopher Kavanagh and Matthew Browne
  • Show Website
    Decoding the Gurus

You Might Also Like