The Vancrux Podcast - Host Jeevan Matharu

Jeevan Matharu

The Vancrux Podcast explores the ideas, experiences, and turning points that shape who we become. From psychology and philosophy to success stories, history, spirituality, and even conspiracies, this podcast is for thinkers, seekers, and those questioning the world around them. We feature a mix of in-person guest conversations, virtual interviews, and solo episodes that break down powerful ideas around mindset, identity, meaning, and personal transformation. Our Guests come from all walks of life—sharing raw insights, hard-won lessons, and perspectives that challenge conventional thinking. Vancrux is a coined word: “Van” — to rise, go beyond, or overcome“Crux” — a critical moment or turning pointTo Vancrux is to vanquish at the crucial time—when challenge meets choice. This podcast blends self-improvement with deep philosophical inquiry, grounded in freedom of thought and intellectual honesty. It’s not about motivation alone—it’s about clarity, courage, and becoming your best self when it matters most. Welcome to The Vancrux Podcast. Your turning point starts here. Formerly known as The Vanquish Podcast.

  1. 1d ago

    Tragic choices, The Repugnant conclusion, and Dirty Hands

    What happens when every available choice involves a moral cost? From impossible decisions in organ transplants and lifeboat scenarios to the trolley problem, self-driving cars and wartime dilemmas, we explore The Tragic Choice. We examine the Repugnant Conclusion, Luvuyo Gantsho’s argument that self-driving cars should sometimes use random selection when deciding who lives and dies, and Michael Walzer’s concept of Dirty Hands. Can a decision be morally justified yet still leave us feeling guilty? Is saving the greatest number always the right thing to do? And are some moral dilemmas genuinely impossible to resolve without sacrificing something important? An exploration of morality, responsibility, fairness and the uncomfortable reality that sometimes there is no perfect answer. 🔥 Useful Links: 📘 Become a Person of Value by J.S. Math — https://amzn.to/4cJjMbu 📗 A Question a Day Journal — https://amzn.to/3Xbkxo0 📕 Daily Quotes of Wisdom — https://amzn.to/4cKiltb 📘 The Ruse of Gottlob — https://amzn.eu/d/03dYzepb 📘 The Tale of Rusty and Grimble’s Snare — https://amzn.eu/d/0ft2A8kP 📕 Philosophical Questions: Volume I – Reality and Mind: Metaphysics, Epistemology and Consciousness — https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Philosophical-Questions-Epistemology-Consciousness/dp/B0HH862LNG 🌍 Transformational Coaching & Courses – The Vancrux Label — https://www.thevancruxlabel.com/ 🧢 The Vancrux Clothing Brand – Wear the Mentality — https://www.thevancruxlabel.com/store 📸 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/the_vancrux_label/

    Tragic choices, The Repugnant conclusion, and Dirty Hands
  2. 2d ago

    Stoicism and the myth of Sisyphus - with Shermin Kruse

    What does Stoicism teach us about dealing with life's challenges, developing the right mindset, and becoming better leaders? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, I sit down with Shermin Kruse to explore Stoic philosophy, the myth of Sisyphus, and how seemingly bad experiences can ultimately become opportunities for growth. We discuss resilience, leadership, mindset, and how to find meaning in the challenges life throws at us. 🔥 Useful Links: 📚 Stoic Empathy: The Power of Influence, Self-Leadership, and Integrity — https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stoic-Empathy-Influence-Self-Leadership-Integrity/dp/1401979947 📘 Calm Within: Stoic Staying Steady — https://www.amazon.com/-/he/Calm-Inside-Stoic-Staying-Steady/dp/1963981103 📘 Become a Person of Value by J.S. Math — https://amzn.to/4cJjMbu 📗 A Question a Day Journal — https://amzn.to/3Xbkxo0 📕 Daily Quotes of Wisdom — https://amzn.to/4cKiltb 📘 The Ruse of Gottlob — https://amzn.eu/d/03dYzepb 📘 The Tale of Rusty and Grimble’s Snare — https://amzn.eu/d/0ft2A8kP 📕 Philosophical Questions: Volume I – Reality and Mind: Metaphysics, Epistemology and Consciousness — https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Philosophical-Questions-Epistemology-Consciousness/dp/B0HH862LNG 🌍 Transformational Coaching & Courses – The Vancrux Label — https://www.thevancruxlabel.com/ 🧢 The Vancrux Clothing Brand – Wear the Mentality — https://www.thevancruxlabel.com/store 📸 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/the_vancrux_label/

    Stoicism and the myth of Sisyphus - with Shermin Kruse
  3. Oct 19

    What happens if we imagine Earth as a game?

    In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, we explore life as a game we never chose to enter, with rules we didn’t create and starting positions we couldn’t control. From genetics, environment and social hierarchies to success, freedom, morality and the search for purpose, we examine how we develop our characters and make choices within the limits of the world we inhabit. Drawing on ideas such as John Rawls’ veil of ignorance, we consider what makes a fair game, why cooperation matters, and how each generation shapes the world for the next. We may never discover who designed the game—or whether there is a designer at all—but perhaps the real objective isn’t simply to win. It’s to create value, leave a legacy, and leave the game better than we found it. 🔥 Useful Links: 📘 Become a Person of Value by J.S. Math — https://amzn.to/4cJjMbu 📗 A Question a Day Journal — https://amzn.to/3Xbkxo0 📕 Daily Quotes of Wisdom — https://amzn.to/4cKiltb 📘 The Ruse of Gottlob — https://amzn.eu/d/03dYzepb 📘 The Tale of Rusty and Grimble’s Snare — https://amzn.eu/d/0ft2A8kP 📕 Philosophical Questions: Volume I – Reality and Mind: Metaphysics, Epistemology and Consciousness — https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Philosophical-Questions-Epistemology-Consciousness/dp/B0HH862LNG 🌍 Transformational Coaching & Courses – The Vancrux Label — https://www.thevancruxlabel.com/ 🧢 The Vancrux Clothing Brand – Wear the Mentality — https://www.thevancruxlabel.com/store 📸 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/the_vancrux_label/

    What happens if we imagine Earth as a game?
  4. Oct 15

    The Psychological Techniques Spies Use — with Trenton Miguez

    How do spies gain information, influence people's behaviour, and persuade others to reveal things they would normally keep secret? In this episode of The Vancrux Podcast, I sit down with Trenton Miguez to explore the psychology and techniques used in intelligence operations, from gathering information and handling assets to understanding human behaviour and building influence. We discuss Myers-Briggs personality types, conversational mapping, and RICE — Reward, Ideology, Coercion and Ego — a framework for understanding what motivates people and how those motivations can be used to influence their decisions. We also explore how governments use intelligence, persuasion and psychological strategies to achieve their objectives. A fascinating conversation about human psychology, persuasion, manipulation, intelligence gathering and the hidden forces that shape our decisions — with lessons that may be just as relevant to everyday life as they are to the world of espionage. 🌐 Follow Trenton Miguez: 🕵️ Everyday Spy https://everydayspy.com Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/45cuYfY Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/ Listen to the podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast Learn from a CIA Spy: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante 🔥 Useful Links: 📘 Become a Person of Value by J.S. Math https://amzn.to/4cJjMbu 📗 A Question a Day Journal https://amzn.to/3Xbkxo0 📕 Daily Quotes of Wisdom https://amzn.to/4cKiltb 📘 The Ruse of Gottlob https://amzn.eu/d/03dYzepb 📘 The Tale of Rusty and Grimble’s Snare https://amzn.eu/d/0ft2A8kP 📕 Big Philosophical Questions: Volume I – Reality and Mind: Metaphysics, Epistemology and Consciousness https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Philosophical-Questions-Epistemology-Consciousness/dp/B0HH862LNG 🌍 Transformational Coaching & Courses – The Vancrux Label https://www.thevancruxlabel.com/ 🧢 The Vancrux Clothing Brand – Wear the Mentality https://www.thevancruxlabel.com/store 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_vancrux_label/

    The Psychological Techniques Spies Use — with Trenton Miguez

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About

The Vancrux Podcast explores the ideas, experiences, and turning points that shape who we become. From psychology and philosophy to success stories, history, spirituality, and even conspiracies, this podcast is for thinkers, seekers, and those questioning the world around them. We feature a mix of in-person guest conversations, virtual interviews, and solo episodes that break down powerful ideas around mindset, identity, meaning, and personal transformation. Our Guests come from all walks of life—sharing raw insights, hard-won lessons, and perspectives that challenge conventional thinking. Vancrux is a coined word: “Van” — to rise, go beyond, or overcome“Crux” — a critical moment or turning pointTo Vancrux is to vanquish at the crucial time—when challenge meets choice. This podcast blends self-improvement with deep philosophical inquiry, grounded in freedom of thought and intellectual honesty. It’s not about motivation alone—it’s about clarity, courage, and becoming your best self when it matters most. Welcome to The Vancrux Podcast. Your turning point starts here. Formerly known as The Vanquish Podcast.

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