Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

Chris flipped my worldview upside down. The podcast plus the book Civilized to death changed my entire trajectory. Very important work teaching human beings to be true to ourselves.

I came across this podcast at a time in my life where travel and change wasn’t possible, but in my mind and in many dark lonely nights Chris would take me with him to meet many friends through his interviews, and was able to travel through his stories. I was able to dream, grow, and imagine and this year I became an empty nester, freed myself from the corporate career, and now moving forward in the direction I always imagined. Words can’t express my gratitude for everything Chris has done for my life, happiness, and mental well-being over the years. I am ending 2023 in a completely different space than I started it, and I’ve never been more excited about the future. The highlight of my year was finally meeting Chis at a retreat this summer and thanking him in person. It was kind of surreal to hear and see him in person all week instead of just listening through the podcast. Chris will always have a special place in my heart and has given me courage to step into myself.

The podcast I’ve listened to the most within the past 3+ years. Hours a day for a podcast addict like me. While living abroad, traveling, and otherwise, it brings me solace.

As a regular and formerly appreciative listener, the most recent episodes have left a sour taste in my mouth. Chris has hosted a steadily upbeat, considerate and bohemian ensemble. He has championed a message about love and hosts an imperfect but wholesome dialogue about real joys, challenges and culture in changing times. In the past two episodes, Chris has engaged in a conversational turn, voicing the views I hear most often from my self-described libertarian friends. In a defense of his appreciation of Andrew Tate, Chris wanders far afield through fairly weak and ethically light ruminations on politics, race, cancel culture and more. We have less in common than I thought, and now he’s shared more of his inner voice than I had hoped to hear. Time to look elsewhere for the bohemian positivity and forward looking community I hope to find.