Cover art for podcast Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

619 EpisodesProduced by Chris RyanWebsite

Tangentially Speaking is dedicated to the idea that good conversation is organic, uncensored, revelatory, and free to go down unexpected paths with unconventional people. chrisryan.substack.com

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Farewell

February 22nd, 2024

0:39

An important message from RadioPublic

603 - Michael Henry Dunn (Actor, Author, Activist)

March 10th, 2024

1:45:18

Michael Henry Dunn is a guy who has been around the block a few times. He’s a classically trained actor, having studied at Juilliard. He’s a musician …

602 - Liza Marron (Local Foods/Local Politics)

March 4th, 2024

1:12:37

We’ve all heard the adage: “Think globally, act locally.” Liza embodies that perspective. She came to the San Luis valley about 30 years ago to work on a buffalo ranch with her husband. Since then, she’s lived a lot of …

601 - Elliot Swartz (Lab Meat)

February 27th, 2024

1:19:49

Trained as a neuroscientist, Elliot is the Principle Scientist at a nonprofit called The Good Food Institute, which is focused on building an innovation ecosystem that will accelerate the development of alternatives to …

600 - Charles Duhigg (Author of Supercommunicators)

February 21st, 2024

1:21:12

CHARLES DUHIGG is a Pulitzer prize-winning reporter and the author of The Power of Habit, which spent over three years on New York Times bestseller …

599 - "Jordi"

February 18th, 2024

1:02:12
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

“Jordi” has one of the most unusual life stories I’ve ever come across — built around a man’s very pure, very unusual love. We talk …

598 - Wes Atkinson (Sacred Wyld)

February 8th, 2024

1:05:45
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

Wes Atkinson grew up kinda wild and largely unsupervised in a …

597 - Amanda Knox (Labyrinths Podcast)

February 5th, 2024

47:54
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

Amanda Knox is an exoneree, journalist, public speaker, and author of the New York Times best-selling memoir, Waiting to Be Heard. She …

596 - Ian MacKenzie (The Village of Lovers)

January 24th, 2024

1:06:59
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

Ian is a writer, podcaster (The Mythic Masculine), and filmmaker …

595 - ROMA 71

January 19th, 2024

22:29
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

A few of the issues I discuss in this one:

Snoring and sleep apnea.

Is doubt an expression of humility?

Are all emotions, at base, an …

594 - Lama Thupten Dorje Gyaltsen Rinpoche

January 9th, 2024

1:23:15

Teacher, seeker, musician, traveler, visionary, professor, husband, father, scholar…. Lama Thupten is all these and more. I was lucky enough to hang …

593 - Nick Chisari (Nine Seasons in Antarctica)

January 6th, 2024

1:28:47

Nick has spent a good chunk of his adult life on an island off the coast of Antarctica at McMurdo Station. He’s a cool guy who is living an …

592 - "The Break-upisode," with Kyle Thiermann

December 17th, 2023

1:54:52

Kyle Thiermann first made headlines as a teenager when he released a YouTube video detailing how Bank of America was one of the largest financiers of dirty energy worldwide. This video garnered international media …

591 - ROMA 70

December 6th, 2023

32:06
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

American Beauty, Love Has Won, Down By Law, Stranger Than …

590 - Kyle Thiermann (Part 1)

December 5th, 2023

1:25:34
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

You know this guy. Big wave surfer, environmental activist, co-creator of the Motherfucker Awards, world traveler, standup comic, beet …

589 - Matt & Pete (Owner Builders Unite on YouTube)

November 26th, 2023

1:39:31

Matt Evers and Pete Van Horn both moved to Crestone in pursuit of freedom, independence, and community. If those concepts strike you as being in opposition to each other, you may learn something important in this …

588 - ROMA 69

November 22nd, 2023

43:34
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

I talk about some fascinating documentaries I’ve seen lately:

* Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (Amazon Prime)

* 28 Up (Amazon Prime)

* …

587 - Daniele Bolelli

November 14th, 2023

1:39:42

Daniele is one of the deepest, kindest, most thoughtful guys around. He’s an author of several books, a university professor, and the host of the

586 - Anya Kaats (Podcast: A Millennial's Guide to Saving the World)

November 6th, 2023

1:26:14

Anya has produced and hosted her podcast for precisely five years, and she recently decided that was enough. We talk about the experience of letting …

585 - "Aaron" (Mentorship Series #4)

October 21st, 2023

48:12
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

In this episode, I chat with a guy we’re calling “Aaron,” about some of the challenges of life and how I’ve approached them, for better …

584 - ROMA 68

October 10th, 2023

31:59
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

If you saw your friend standing naked on a spire, would you cheer …

583 - Simon King (Dark Comedy Legend to Be)

October 4th, 2023

1:50:42

Simon is a Canadian comic with a particular talent for going places that scare the shit out of most of us. He looks into the shadows and finds the …

582 - Joshua Wright (Documentarian: "Eden's Last Chance")

September 24th, 2023

1:34:05

Joshua Wright grew up living in Africa and Asia. While still a kid, he became an environmentalist watching the timber industry clear-cut around his family home in Washington State. Recognizing the urgency of what was …

581 - Cameron Shayne (Budokon Mixed Movement Arts)

September 6th, 2023

1:55:16
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

Cameron holds black belts in three martial arts, is the founder …

580 - "Nathan" (Mentorship Series #3)

August 21st, 2023

2:08:54

In this third and final (for now) episode with “Nathan,” we talk mainly about the creative process and how to pursue “success” without being ensnared in ego and shallow motivations. What incentives to creativity are …

579 - Michael Harrell (Long-distance Bike Tripper)

August 14th, 2023

1:26:56
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

Michael just got back from riding his bike from Alaska to Chile. …

578 - Hamilton Morris (Psychedelic Researcher)

August 7th, 2023

1:32:45

Hamilton Morris is an American journalist, documentarian, and scientific researcher. He is the creator and director of the television series Hamilton's Pharmacopeia, in which he investigates the chemistry, history, and …

577 - Moby and Lindsay (hosts of Moby Pod)

July 31st, 2023

1:32:05

Moby and Lindsay are pals, neighbors, and amateur tick-removal specialists. We talk about their new podcast, the many uses of dental floss, the mysterious birthday gift I gave Moby years ago and it’s unexpected …

576 - Peter Anderson: The First Church of the Higher Elevations (Crestone Elder Series)

July 26th, 2023

2:24:39

Peter Anderson is an author, traveler, observer, story-teller, and a million other things. He’s the whole package. His books include, Heading Home: …

575 - ROMA 67 (True words and false prophets)

July 20th, 2023

1:05:43

This is a follow-up to ROMA 66, in which I further discuss the dangers of ignoring or silencing people we disagree with. Here’s the profile of Andrew …

574 - ROMA 66

July 15th, 2023

39:41

Here’s the interview with Andrew Tate I mentioned. The Milgram study. The article calling Jonah Hill’s texts “monstrous.” Excellent conversation

573 - Kizzen Laki and Janet Woodman (Crestone Elder Series)

July 12th, 2023

1:28:05

Kizzen and Janet have not only been in and around Crestone for decades, they’ve played a large part in shaping it into the funky, unique little town …

572 - KnowMads (Tom Pepe and Tom Wilson)

July 7th, 2023

1:32:35

I’ve been a big fan of KnowMads for several years now. Finally got to hang with them for a while, if virtually. I’m an even bigger fan now. These …

571 - ROMA 65

July 5th, 2023

52:59

The Unabomber, EarthFirst, the Monkeywrench Gang, and the constant hum of humiliation in 2023. How to live in a shitstorm without getting covered in shit.

Poem: “The Conditional,” by Ada Limón.

Intro music “Brightside of …

570 - Rich Ayers (Muralist)

June 27th, 2023

1:27:27

Rich travels around the US with his dog, Louis, transforming plain, boring walls into scenes of imagination and beauty. Our conversation ranges from what lies on the other side of comfort, to how health challenges can …

569 - Joshua Fields Millburn (Minimalist)

June 21st, 2023

1:45:03

Along with his buddy Ryan Nicodemus, Joshua hit a wall about a decade ago. These friends realized that they had it made, on paper, anyway. They had the money, the “good jobs,” the big house, the cars, the watches, the …

568 - "Nathan" Part 2. (Mentorship Series)

June 11th, 2023

1:06:28
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

Note: If you’re hearing some mess in the first minute or so, please delete and download again (or just jump ahead a few minutes). The …

566 - Miriam Lancewood (World Traveler/Author)

June 6th, 2023

1:26:27

Along with her partner, Peter, Miriam has walked the planet for the past decade or so. India, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Europe. They travel light and spontaneous. Here’s the program that convinced me to reach out …

565 - John Colapinto (Author/Journalist/Sophisticated Gentleman)

May 26th, 2023

1:36:08
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

John Colapinto has written two novels, About the Author (2001) …

564 - ROMA 64

May 18th, 2023

55:15

“The bad news is you’re falling through the air, nothing to hang on to, no parachute. The good news is, there’s no ground.” 

― Chögyam Trungpa

Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “Too Much …

563 - "Nathan" (Mentorship Series, 1 of 3)

May 15th, 2023

1:12:10
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

Trying something a little different here. A guy we’re agreeing to call “Nathan” wrote to me asking for some life advice, but suggested …

562 - Alex Pappademas (Author: Quantum Criminals)

May 11th, 2023

1:31:26

Alex wrote a book called Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan (beautifully illustrated …

561 - ROMA 63

May 3rd, 2023

59:15

Should we be excited or concerned about AI? Is technology learning to mimic us or are we learning to mimic technology? Who’s colonizing whom? I talk …

560 - Turner Osler, MD

April 25th, 2023

1:38:05

Dr. Turner Osler studied anthropology at Princeton, before becoming a surgeon and research epidemiologist. After 30 years working at the University …

559 - He is Risen!

April 19th, 2023

43:51

Hey. I hope you missed me as much as I missed you! This is the podcast where I explain where I’ve been for the past few weeks and why. I also talk about some ways to get in touch with each other, including the retreat

558 - ROMA 62

March 11th, 2023

55:23

Thoughts while driving:

— Why are teenagers so unhappy?

— Are we drowning in a bullshit tsunami?

— Shouldn’t there be a word for the current partner of …

557 - Eric Czuleger (Traveler to Non-Existent Countries)

February 27th, 2023

2:30:40

Eric Czuleger is currently banned from entering Turkey due to an accusation that he is a spy. He is not a spy. He is however, the author of books and …

556 Mike Maher (Take a Deep Breath)

February 22nd, 2023

1:37:20

Mike is a breathwork coach from the UK. After 15 years in the corporate world, Mike decided to leave to teach breathwork full time. Mike has trained …

555 - Marc Elliot (NXIVM - Overcame Tourette's Syndrome)

January 24th, 2023

1:31:46

At age nine, Marc was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome due to incessant vocal and motor tics that interfered with every aspect of his life. Every …

554 - ROMA 61

January 21st, 2023

33:49

Are you a proud optimist? A glass half-full sorta person? How much is too much to spend on feline medical care? Should I stay or should I go? Do we …

553 - Tony Brasunas, Author: Red, White & Blind

January 12th, 2023

1:48:51

Tony grew up in an intentional spiritual community in West Virginia that many called a hippie commune. His new book, Red, White & Blind looks at how censorship, propaganda, and disinformation are woven into American …

552 - Randall Nickerson (Ariel Phenomenon)

January 5th, 2023

1:33:48

On September 16, 1994, sixty-two students at Ariel School in Zimbabwe witnessed something incredible. In his fantastic documentary, Ariel Phenomenon, …

551 - ROMA 60

December 21st, 2022

49:13

In which I respond to a lobster fisherman’s question about why he gets restless in relationships. I yammer on about the difference between a “romantic” approach to loving women vs. an “epic” approach, and how each can …

550 - ROMA 59

November 30th, 2022

34:23
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com

In which I talk about the difference between scarcity and value, and how conflating scarcity with value gets us into trouble. Diamonds …

549 - Charlie Zender (Climate Scientist)

November 17th, 2022

2:06:21

I “met” Charlie when he wrote to gently correct me on some nonsense I’d said on the podcast about climate change. I could tell from the content of …

548 - Allison Pelot (Author of Finally Thriving)

November 2nd, 2022

1:30:06

My friend Allison Pelot was a gymnast from about the age of 5 to 22. Then, she studied pre-physical therapy before switching over to exercise science …

547 - Murphy Pelot (Older and Wiser)

October 19th, 2022

1:22:54

Murphy first appeared on this podcast seven years ago, in episode 121. He was 13 1/2 years old at that time, getting ready to swim across the river …

546 - Stanley Krippner at 90

October 5th, 2022

1:27:36

I’ve known Stanley Krippner since the mid-1990s, when he invited me to join him on a three week trip to Brazil. He’s a world-famous researcher and author who has has hung out with everyone from Timothy Leary to Alan …

545 - Rick Beato in Person

October 3rd, 2022

1:29:44

I love this guy. He exudes kindness, generosity, and intelligence. This is the fourth time Rick’s been on Tangentially Speaking, but the first time we’ve met in person, so it’s a special conversation. We don’t talk …

544 - ROMA 58 (Covid, Camping, Bosom)

September 30th, 2022

38:43

This mini-ROMA was recorded streamside at a Lund Park campground in Oregon. It includes an update on my dance with covid and some thoughts on a very strange word: bosom.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

543 - Deborah Eden Tull (Zen Teacher, Author: Luminous Darkness)

September 6th, 2022

1:30:04

DEBORAH EDEN TULL, founder of Mindful Living Revolution, is a Zen meditation and engaged dharma teacher, public speaker, author, and sustainability …

542 - Alex Cody Foster (Ghostwriter)

August 24th, 2022

1:48:53

Alex Cody Foster’s next book, The Man Who Hacked the World: A Ghostwriter’s Descent into Madness with John McAfee, will be published November 15th …

541 - Katie Halper (Co-host: The Useful Idiots Podcast)

August 19th, 2022

1:33:27

Katherine Halper is an American comedian, writer, filmmaker, podcaster, and political commentator. She is the host of the podcast The Katie Halper …

540 - Zappy Zapolin (Futurist/Psychedelic Advocate)

August 12th, 2022

1:04:05

Zappy Zapolin is driven by his belief that psychedelic medicine is the most powerful tool available to quickly raise consciousness and alter …

539 - Cory Allen (The Astral Hustle Podcast)

August 5th, 2022

1:58:54

I was recently on Cory’s podcast, and I enjoyed our conversation so much that I proposed we keep it rolling on mine. That’s how it works with us …

538 - Frans de Waal (Author & Primatologist)

August 1st, 2022

1:08:14

On his second visit to the podcast, Frans discusses his latest book, Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist, as well as one of my …

537 - Chris and Nani on Lake Eyasi, Tanzania

July 21st, 2022

1:21:05

Chris and Nani manage the amazing Kisima Ngeda Camp, on Lake Eyasi, Tanzania. Chris grew up nearby after his German parents moved to Africa on an …

536 - ROMA 57

July 18th, 2022

56:04

Here’s a ROMA in which I talk about some oddities of backwards greetings in Tanzania, driving in Georgia, the financial realities of world travel in …

535 - Elia Edward Mollel (Tanzanian Guide)

July 12th, 2022

1:04:05

The folks at Gladioloa Adventure in Arusha thought Elia would be a good guide to show us around northern Tanzania for 9 days. They were right. Raised …

Chip Kime (1962 - 2021)

July 11th, 2022

23:32

Chip Kime was an utterly unique young man who was a huge presence in my life once, then he became an abstraction when our paths diverged in our 20s, and now he’s gone. But not really.



This is a public episode. If you’d …

534 - Craig Sholley (Gorilla Researcher)

July 8th, 2022

45:19

Craig's Sholley’s experiences with wildlife and conservation began in 1973 as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zaire. As an L.S.B. Leakey grant researcher …

533 - Dario Pescador

June 25th, 2022

1:34:40

Dario is a science journalist based in Madrid who was instrumental in getting Sex at Dawn published in Spain (En el Principio era el Sexo). We’ve been friends since around 2011, when he interviewed me about that book. …

532 - Kevin Allison (Host of RISK! Podcast)

June 20th, 2022

1:38:06

Kevin is an actor, comedian, and host of the RISK! podcast — which Slate.com called “Hilarious, jaw-dropping and just plain touching,” and Rolling …

531 - Gym Halama (Artist/Adventurer)

June 13th, 2022

I met Gym when I rented her place on Airbnb in Chite, Spain. Just looking at the photos of the funky space she’d created, I had a sense that this …

529 - Debra Berger

June 4th, 2022

My friend Debra is a magical woman living a magical life. She’s the hub of many wheels, the grain of sand in the oyster, the sun in solar systems, …

527 - May BROMA (Part 1)

May 20th, 2022

39:52

In the first part of this month’s bonus ROMA (BROMA), available to everyone, I talk about a new feature to help listeners find each other. I also talk about my thoughts concerning whether we’re all in some kind of …

526 - Robert de Vico

May 19th, 2022

2:20:11

To boil it waaay down … After suffering a freak road-rage incident in LA, Robert came to Spain to visit an old friend seven years ago, then went back …

525 - ROMA 56

April 28th, 2022

1:04:01

Intro messages from Mike in Washington, Adam in the UK, and a human from an undisclosed location. I discuss a few topics suggested by listeners, …

524 - Why Podcast?

April 26th, 2022

16:33

If you’ve read my recent post of the same title, you can skip this one, which is mostly for folks who listen to the podcast, but haven’t checked out …

522 - Zen Rahmoun (Millennial Refugee)

April 17th, 2022

Zen Rahmoun is living what may be the story of our age: that of the refugee. Whether triggered by war, climate change, political upheaval, or …

521 - Simon Rex is Riding a Red Rocket

April 12th, 2022

In the past year or so Simon Rex’s life has changed in ways nobody could have anticipated, but the man himself has changed very little. He’s just as …

520 - Talking About Russia and Ukraine with my buddy Mike Lang

April 7th, 2022

1:32:28

Mike Lang taught me to enjoy beer and Rush when we were 16 years old in 1978. We’ve been brothers-by-choice ever since. In addition to being one of …

519 - Psychedelics and Stars (with Reluctant Astrologer Anya Kaats)

March 20th, 2022

1:50:31

What's the relation between "truth" and meaning? Can we scientifically verify our visions while tripping? Are psychedelics tools or teachers? Is …

518 - ROMA 55 (Lifeguard Lessons, Why Circles Explain More than Lines)

March 15th, 2022

53:53

Should I welcome you, or thank you for welcoming me? My appreciation for the Blindboy podcast. Lifeguard lessons. Why a dog with a bone isn't your …

517 - ROMA 54 (What Would a World without Sexual Shame Be Like?)

February 28th, 2022

36:59

Try to imagine a culture in which children aren't taught that their bodies and desires are dangerous, shameful, and disgusting. What would that be …

516 - ROMA 53 (Wealth in Simplicity/Russia Invades Ukraine/How & When to Hurt Others)

February 22nd, 2022

1:08:02

In this one, I discuss the totally cliche notion that happiness is to be found in simple pleasures (and bodily functions), the strange wisdom of Thai gender identity, the ramifications of the illusion that we can live …

515 - ROMA 52 (Brief Birthday Message to Listeners)

February 13th, 2022

10:38

Made it to 60! Too late to die young. This is just a very brief, very personal message to you, if you listen to this podcast. Many thanks. Intro music: "Brightside of the Sun," by Basin and Range; Closing: "Down in …

514 - ROMA 51 (Rogan, Whoopi Goldberg, Good/Bad Lies)

February 7th, 2022

1:05:11

Coming to you from Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand, in this one I discuss my insights into Joe Rogan (and the current controversy), my thoughts on Whoopie …

513 - Rachel Krantz (Author of Open)

January 30th, 2022

1:34:53

Rachel Krantz is the author of the reported memoir, OPEN: AN UNCENSORED MEMOIR OF LOVE, LIBERATION, AND NON-MONOGAMY (JAN 25, 2022).

She’s the recipient of the Peabody Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and …

512 - Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan (My Back-up Parents)

January 17th, 2022

1:27:29

Meet my Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan, two of my all-time favorite humans. As a little kid, I felt an extra layer of love and protection from these two, knowing that if anything ever happened to my parents, one or both of them …

511- ROMA 50

January 14th, 2022

45:14

Is it really "darkest just before the dawn?" And if things need to get worse before they get better, isn't a step in the wrong direction actually a …

510 - Harley Rustad (Author of Book About Justin Alexander)

January 13th, 2022

1:37:28

Harley is the author of Lost in the Valley of Death, about the life and (probable) death of my friend (and former podcast guest), Justin Alexander. Pico Iyer, one of the best living travel writers, described Harley's …

509 - ROMA 49 (Announcing Some Changes)

January 7th, 2022

33:48

First episode of 2022. We made it through another weird-ass year. Gonna make some tweaks to the podcast. Thanks for taking this ride with me.

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

Please consider supporting this podcast.

508 - Timo (aka Tim Killian: Brilliant Weirdo)

December 26th, 2021

1:29:56

Timo (aka Tim Killian) is one of my favorite people. Former Mormon, long-time political consultant in Washington state (he helped get marijuana …

507 - Blake Webb (Actor)

December 18th, 2021

2:04:21

Blake Webb is an actor originally from Phoenix, Arizona. He lived in Tamaulipas, Mexico for over two years as a Mormon missionary. He later left the …

506 - Rick Beato (Musician/Producer/YouTube Powerhouse)

December 13th, 2021

1:38:20

Rick Beato is the kind of guy who will make you hopeful for humanity. After decades producing and teaching music, he's found a way to spread …

505 - Justin Kaliszewski (Outlaw Yogi)

November 27th, 2021

1:36:49

Justin “Jud” Kaliszewski is an author, artist, and adventurer. The renowned creator of OUTLAW Yoga, he is a best-selling yoga teacher and author of …

504 - Dallas Hartwig (Author, Physical Therapist, Nutritionist)

November 21st, 2021

1:29:29

Dallas is a functional medicine practitioner, Certified Sports Nutritionist, and licensed physical therapist who specializes in treating …

503 - Paul Conti, M.D. (Psychiatrist and Author of Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic)

November 11th, 2021

1:23:55

Dr. Paul Conti is adept at helping people untangle complex problems – and he also happens to be a psychiatrist. Dr. Conti is a graduate of Stanford …

502 - Alex from Caoba Farms (Sustainable Farmer/Restaurant Owner)

November 6th, 2021

1:31:01

Alex owns and runs Caoba Farms, just outside of Antigua, Guatemala. It's a Farm-to-Table restaurant where the tables are literally ON the farm. Best food I had in my two months in Guatemala, hands down. We talked about …

501 - Dave Pell (Managine Editor, Internet)

November 1st, 2021

1:39:59

Dave Pell is a modern-day columnist, meaning that his column is independently produced and distributed as a daily newsletter (NextDraft). He's been …

500 - Episode 500! (Co-hosted with Anya Kaats and Mike Maher)

October 26th, 2021

2:02:14

That's right, this is episode 500, beatches! You can watch the recorded live stream on my YouTube channel, co-hosted by Anya Kaats and Mike Maher

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

Please consider supporting this …

499 - ROMA 48 (From Chappelle to Kissinger)

October 22nd, 2021

48:44

Coming to you from Antigua, Guatemala (the original "banana republic"), in this one, I get a few things off my chest, including American foreign …

498 - Ian Urbina (Journalist / The Outlaw Ocean)

October 19th, 2021

1:02:11

Ian Urbina is an investigative reporter who writes for a variety of outlets, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic. Urbina is the author of The New York Times bestseller The Outlaw Ocean, based …

497 - Andrew Gold (Filmmaker/Journalist)

October 7th, 2021

1:37:17

Andrew is the host of the On the Edge with Andrew Gold podcast. A journalist and TV presenter who speaks 5 languages & lived in 6 countries, …

496 - Tiensirin (Thai/American Insights)

October 4th, 2021

1:14:06

Tiensirin was born and raised in Bangkok, but has been living in the US for most of her adult life. We met by chance at Tao Ruspoli's place in Joshua …

495 - Xande Ribero (Legendary Jiu-Jitsu Master)

September 25th, 2021

1:34:33

Alexandre Ribeiro is a legendary jiu-jitsu competitor and one of the founding members of the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association. Under the tutelage of some of the world’s top coaches, including Royler Gracie, Vini Aieta and …

494 - Christina and Owen Dargatz (The Giving Experiment)

September 16th, 2021

1:49:03

Owen and Christina Dargatz and their brood are pushing the boundaries of what people see as possible with a large family. (Their kids range from …

493 - Tao Ruspoli and Anya Kaats (Is There Free Will in a Shipping Container?)

September 11th, 2021

1:49:39

Three podcasters walk into a shipping container.... Sounds like a joke, right? Tao's podcast is called Being in the World. He's a filmmaker, photographer, AirBnb host, desert dweller, musician, Airstream lover, …

492 - Cameron Shayne (Budokon Movement / Charlie Sheen's Bodyguard)

September 2nd, 2021

2:23:30

Come for the yoga, stay for the Charlie Sheen impersonation. Cameron Shayne is considered the father of the Mixed Movement Arts culture. Based in Los …

491 - Brian MacKenzie (Human Performance Specialist, Sorta)

August 28th, 2021

1:34:47

Brian MacKenzie and I had a good chat about how "working out" should be more like play, how psychological issues manifest in our physiology, and how …

490 - Christa Seidl (Biology Researcher: Endangered Species)

August 17th, 2021

1:39:33

Christa is a PhD student at UC Santa Cruz, researching endangered species and the stressors on ecosystems that lead to extinction events. She schools …

489 - Sean Guerrero (Sculptor / Filmmaker / Rascal)

August 9th, 2021

1:20:27

As a kid Sean was fascinated by the look of the cars that were built in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. The shape and design gave each one it’s own …

488 - Daniele Bolelli (Historian, Writer, Martial Artist, Podcaster)

August 3rd, 2021

1:48:11

Daniele Bolelli is a writer, martial artist, university professor, and host of two excellent podcasts: The Drunken Taoist and History on Fire. He …

487 - Nate Hankes (Author / Veteran)

July 29th, 2021

1:27:02

Nate Hankes is founder of the Veteran Artist Residencies nonprofit, a scientist, and bestselling author of the adventure travel and war memoir Waking Up On the Appalachian Trail. To learn more about artistic residency …

486 - Michael Veneziano (Tree Guy / Entrepreneur / Visionary)

July 23rd, 2021

1:27:08

Michael worked his way down from the treetops with a chainsaw hanging from his belt to owning a company (Ponderosa Millworks) that repurposes urban trees, making uniquely gorgeous tables, chairs, bars, countertops, etc. …

485 - Kyle Kingsbury (Former UFC Fighter / Podcast Host)

July 21st, 2021

1:47:11

Kyle Kingsbury is a guy you want on your side when the shit goes down. Big, strong, smart, kind, and thoughtful, he's a good example of how to do …

484 - Tony Gonzalez (Hall of Fame NFL Player / Actor / Thinker)

July 11th, 2021

1:23:36

Tony Gonzalez is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League for 17 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. Widely recognized as one of the …

483 - Joe Yannetty (Comedian, Writer, Producer)

July 4th, 2021

1:12:30

Joe Yannetty has been around the block a time or two. He's been doing standup comedy around the world for a couple decades, as well as writing for film and TV. Amidst all that, he went through a cancer ordeal and …

482 - Miguel Romero (Absurd by Design)

June 24th, 2021

1:38:37

Miguel Romero is my pal in Mexico City. He writes for The Daily Grail, does graphic design, and has interests ranging from crop circles to psychic phenomena to UFOs to ... you get the idea. He's a smart dude with …

481 - Richard Schweid (Author: The Caring Class)

June 18th, 2021

1:23:51

I first met Richard Schweid over a poker table many moons ago. A native of Nashville, he has lived in Barcelona for a good spell. He is a founder and …

480 - Joe Smarro and Jesse Trevino (Police Reform Advocates)

June 12th, 2021

1:14:58

Buddies since their tours in Iraq in the Marines, Joe and Jesse founded Solution Point + in order to use their experience as police officers to bring …

479 - Tao Ruspoli, In His Lair

June 10th, 2021

1:26:57

Tao Ruspoli is a dear friend of mine and one of the most creative, magical people I know. He makes films, music, photographs, festivals ... worlds. …

478 - Kraig Adams (Filmmaker, Hiker, Minimalist)

May 24th, 2021

2:04:48

Kraig Adams is a filmmaker, hiker and minimalist living in New York City. I like this dude.

Kraig on Instagram and YouTube.

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

Please consider supporting this podcast.

This Amazon …

476 - Dean Radin (Author/Investigator of Psychic Phenomena)

May 10th, 2021

1:45:21

Dean Radin, PhD, is Chief Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and Associated Distinguished Professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He earned a BS in electrical engineering (magna cum laude, …

475 - ROMA 47 (On "The Myth of Black Athletic Superiority")

May 4th, 2021

1:13:33

A few amazing intro snips from listeners (including a guy up a tree rescuing a cat), some talk about the nature of "friendship" in Hollywood, and an …

474 - April Video ROMA 46

April 30th, 2021

1:33:28

Here's the audio from this month's video ROMA that I make for supporters of the podcast. No video for you (!) but some extras, including talking about when/how to offer advice to friends, and how sometimes it's not …

473 - Eric Berkowitz (Author: "Dangerous Ideas")

April 29th, 2021

1:42:59

ERIC BERKOWITZ is a writer, lawyer, and journalist. He has a degree in print journalism from University of Southern California and has published in The Los Angeles Times and The Los Angeles Weekly, and for the 

472 - Jamie Wheal (Author: "Recapturing the Rapture")

April 27th, 2021

1:33:03

Jamie is an expert in peak performance and leadership, specializing in neuroanthropology––the intersection of culture, biology and psychology. He is …

471 - Tracy Clark-Flory (Author of "Want Me")

April 21st, 2021

1:35:35

"Tracy Clark-Flory grew up wedged between fizzy declarations of “girl power” and the sexualized mandates of pop culture. It was “broken glass …

470 - Steven Donziger (Human Rights Lawyer)

April 15th, 2021

57:24

Steven Donziger is a renowned lawyer, writer, and public speaker with a focus on addressing human rights abuses and corporate malfeasance.  He is part of the team working with indigenous and farmer communities in an …

469 - Robert Wright (Author and Journalist)

April 12th, 2021

1:58:20

Robert Wright is an American journalist and author who writes about science, history, politics, and religion. He has written five books: Three …

468 - Rafe Kelley (Evolve, Move, Play)

April 6th, 2021

1:56:55

Rafe Kelley is an unusual guy. As focused on ideas as he is on physical movement, Rafe has studied martial arts, philosophy, parkour, anthropology, …

467 - ROMA 45 (SJWs, Fear of Death, Madness of Crowds)

March 24th, 2021

55:31

This is one of those "flush the pipes" ROMAs, where I talk about a slew of things that seemed unrelated until I started talking about them. By the end, I realized that they're all aspects of the same issue. Anyway, it …

466 - Jenny Odell (Artist and Author of How to Do Nothing)

March 19th, 2021

1:35:58

Jenny is a multi-disciplinary artist and writer based in Oakland, California, whose work generally involves acts of close observation, whether it's

465 - Brian Hare (Scientist. Author. Dog Guy.)

March 10th, 2021

1:41:11
Dr. Brian Hare is a core member of the Center of Cognitive Neuroscience, a Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology, and Psychology and Neuroscience …

464 - Roger Nygard (Director: Trekkies, The Office & Editor: Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm)

March 1st, 2021

2:02:32

Roger Nygard is perhaps best known for his acclaimed documentary Trekkies, about the most obsessive fans in the Universe. Nygard’s previous documentary The Nature of Existence, addressed the subject of the world’s …

463 - Bryan Callen (Comedian and Actor)

February 19th, 2021

1:22:32

Bryan Callen is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, podcaster, and a friend of mine. 

Bryan, on Instagram and Twitter.

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

Please consider supporting this podcast.

This Amazon affiliate …

462 - John Colapinto (Journalist and Author of This is the Voice)

February 18th, 2021

1:59:41

John Colapinto is a journalist, author and a staff writer at The New Yorker. In 2000, he wrote the New York Times bestseller As Nature Made Him: The …

461 - ROMA 44: The Way of the Inferior Man

February 15th, 2021

1:07:21

Over the past few years, people keep asking me if I'd read The Way of the Superior Man, by David Deida. Having long ago given up on being a superior man, I hadn't. Finally got around to reading it, and as you'll hear in …

460 - Niles Heckman (Documentarian, Photographer, Essayist)

February 10th, 2021

2:22:47

Niles is a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and essayist who's work focuses around themes of ageless wisdom for our modern times. Sharing insights in his films, spoken-word essays, podcast "An Infinite Path," …

459 - Deborah Copaken (Author, Photojournalist, Badass)

January 20th, 2021

1:26:30

What a woman! Deborah Copaken has slept in caves in Afghanistan, produced documentaries, raised three kids, and written best-selling books on the A …

458 ROMA 43 (Diego Fresco)

January 17th, 2021

1:37:31

Welcome to another Ramblin' ROMA. Lots to cover in this one. I talk about:

  • Current events (of course);
  • How/why to compliment the women/men in your …

457 - ROMA 42

January 10th, 2021

1:14:34

Hear that? That's the sound of shit hitting the fan. In this episode (not for the faint of heart), I trace current events back to the marriage of …

456 - Dr. Eleonor Janega (Expert on Medieval Sexuality)

January 4th, 2021

1:56:31

Eleanor Janega is a very smart, very funny medieval historian, specializing in late medieval sexuality, apocalyptic thought, propaganda, and the …

455 - VROMA 12.2020 (Audio of Monthly VROMA for Subscribers)

December 22nd, 2020

54:55

In this episode, I answer listener questions about whether to savor or defend a world that may be dying, how to be single but not alone, how to …

454 - ROMA 41 (How to Think for Yourself)

December 18th, 2020

1:35:59

In this episode, I talk about how to think independently, why it's an important skill, and how to cultivate it -- all while dipping in and out of …

453 - Erin Ginder-Shaw and Anya Kaats (Whore Rapport Podcast)

December 11th, 2020

2:14:41

Anya and Erin are two of my all-time favorite people. Whore Rapport is their podcast, where they explore and discuss a version of sexuality that is healthy, strong, and aware, by "delving into topics such as gender, …

452 - Rick Beato Returns (Music Producer and Host of What Makes This Song Great?)

December 2nd, 2020

1:59:02

For my money, Rick Beato is the most knowledgeable, most enthusiastic, most open-hearted guide to the world of music. Dude can break a song down to its essence without draining its magic and beauty. Quite the opposite, …

451 - Dr. Ted Achacoso (Health Optimization Pioneer)

November 30th, 2020

1:29:45

Dr. Ted Achacoso attained a college degree in biology at the age of 18 and a doctor of medicine at the age of 22.

A polymath who has professionally …

450 - Whitney Lake (Inventor & High School Buddy)

November 21st, 2020

2:34:15

"Hey Chris, this is Whitney. I love the podcast! You should come visit me in the pyramid next time you're in Montana."

It had been four decades since …

449 - Chad Hilke (Writer - Hipcrime)

November 13th, 2020

1:24:03

Chad came to my attention via his always thoughtful, articulate posts on the Tangentially Speaking subReddit. I wanted to know the guy behind this …

448 - Rutger Bregman (Historian and Author of Humankind)

November 9th, 2020

1:22:33

Rutger Bregman is a historian and author. He has published five books on history, philosophy, and economics. His books Humankind (2020) and Utopia for Realists (2017) were both New York Times Bestsellers and have been …

446 - Joey Rositano (Documentarian: Shamans of Jeju Island, South Korea)

October 28th, 2020

1:29:28

After extensive adventures in Europe, Joey Rositano found himself on Jeju Island, South Korea, teaching English. During those initial years he heard …

445 - Tim Cahill (Adventure Writer and Co-Founder of Outside Magazine)

October 25th, 2020

1:33:24

Tim Cahill is one of the best writers of his generation. His work is funny, surprising, and deep. I first read him back in the 80s, when I was a young dirtbag hitchhiking to Alaska in search of adventure and a …

444 - Eric Weiner (Author of The Socrates Express)

October 19th, 2020

1:33:24

Eric Weiner is a popular speaker and author of the New York Times bestseller The Geography of Bliss, Man Seeks God, The Geography of Genius and The …

443 - ROMA 39 (Wear a Mask! Pt 2)

October 15th, 2020

34:10

I respond to some of the feedback I've received in the past day or two in response to my posts on wearing masks. The article I mention in Nature is

442 - ROMA 38 (Wear a Freakin Mask!)

October 12th, 2020

27:44

Some thoughts on the difference between ignorance and stupidity, competing authority figures, the corruption of institutions, and the role of common …

441 - (WMTBG?) "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," by Ursula K. LeGuin

October 8th, 2020

1:07:20

This commercial-free episode of What Makes This Book Great? includes listener responses to "Cat Person," and a reading of Ursula K. LeGuin's story, "

440 - Jake Johannsen and Belinda Waymouth

October 7th, 2020

1:51:54

Jake and Belinda are close friends of mine and have been married to each other since before either of them can remember. This is what happens when the three of us hang out WITHOUT wine.

Belinda's show on YouTube, Twitter

439 - TK Coleman (Speaker and Entrepreneur)

October 5th, 2020

1:42:19

TK Coleman is a writer, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, teacher, and a few other things -- but that's enough to give you the idea. He's smart, …

438 - Miguel Romero (Red Pill Junkie)

September 27th, 2020

2:09:36

Miguel has become a good friend, due to his always-smart comments on many episodes of this podcast, his help with editing and graphic design, and his …

437 - Kyle Creek, aka "The Captain" (F*cking History)

September 14th, 2020

1:51:34

Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. Too bad it’s usually boring as sh*t. Enter Kyle Creek, aka "The Captain," the ultimate …

436 - Beth Ryan (My Sister, Stepping Forward LA)

September 12th, 2020

1:43:54

Beth Ryan, my younger sister, has lived in a multitude of places and now resides in Los Angeles. She attended college in Boston and worked for two …

435 - Julie Ryan (My Mom)

September 6th, 2020

1:45:26

Julie Carr married my dad, Frank Ryan in 1960, and had me two years later. My sister, Beth, was born four years after that. While raising us, she …

434 - Monk Yun Rou (Daoist Monk/Martial Artist/Author)

September 1st, 2020

1:29:34

Daoist Monk Yun Rou (his name means Soft Cloud) has been called the new Alan Watts for his Daoist teachings and the zen Gabriel Garcia-Marquez for his works of magical realism set in China. Born Arthur Rosenfeld in New …

433 - Callie Russell (Modern Nomad - Contestant on "Alone")

August 24th, 2020

1:59:39

Callie is the original bada$$. She spends months at a time alone in the wilderness with her goats, living off the land. She was among the last three people on this season's "Alone," on the History Channel, lasting 89 …

432 - Andrew Couch (Vanlifer/Monkey Tooth Podcast)

August 10th, 2020

2:06:33

Andrew has been a pal since he showed up in Topanga in the same van I drive (2006 Dodge Sprinter), with a cool little mutt named Pele and a plan to …

431 - J.R. Martinez (Wounded Vet, Actor, Dancer)

August 7th, 2020

1:58:00

J.R. Martinez is a burn survivor (over 40% of his body) and Army veteran who, after many surgeries and months of healing, went on to win Dancing with the Stars, become a New York Times best-selling author, star in the …

430 - ROMA 37

August 5th, 2020

2:01:06

I've been falling behind on the ROMAs, so here's a mega-ROMA. Lotsa music, lotsa my dumb opinions on things like toilet paper, camp chairs, sexual communication, the Me Too movement, and how to have a good time on a …

429 - Anya Kaats (A Millennial's Guide to Saving the World podcast)

August 3rd, 2020

2:27:34

Anya Kaats hosts A Millennial's Guide to Saving the World podcast, and co-hosts Whore Rapport, with Erin Ginder-Shaw. Anya consistently challenges her listeners to reconsider what's really going on within discussions of …

428 - Kyle Thiermann in CO (Podcaster/Big Wave SurferWriter/)

July 18th, 2020

2:04:06

I guess when you grow up surfing waves taller than the trees that tower over your house, you learn to be careful. Kyle is one of the most deliberate, …

427 - Diana Rodgers (Sacred Cow)

July 6th, 2020

1:09:21

Diana Rodgers, RD, is a “real food” nutritionist and writer living on a working organic farm. She runs a clinical nutrition practice, hosts the Sustainable Dish Podcast, and speaks internationally about human nutrition, …

426 - Fabian Dittrich (Adventurer, Lifeaholic, Digital Nomad)

July 5th, 2020

1:54:19

Fabian has been around. A bout with malaria in Congo somehow led to a high-pressure job in Silicon Valley which somehow led to running a company from a Range Rover while bumping through African backroads. He's now …

425 - Ben Horton (Adventure Photographer/TV Host)

June 29th, 2020

1:45:38

Ben Horton's passion is to use photography as a means to inspire people to take stewardship of the planet. He aims to give people who may not be able to see something for themselves a vicarious experience through his …

424 - Dacher Keltner (Psychology Researcher/Author)

June 19th, 2020

1:37:32

Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at University of California, Berkeley, where he directs the Berkeley Social Interaction Lab. He is also …

423 - Dan Doty (Evryman)

June 12th, 2020

1:33:40

Dan Doty, is an EVRYMAN co-founder and former director of cult hit TV show MeatEater. His many media appearances include multiple segments on the Joe …

422 - Theo Rossi (Actor/Podcast Host)

June 3rd, 2020

1:45:08

Theo Rossi is an American actor, producer, and podcast host (THEOry). He's best known for his portrayal of Juan Carlos "Juice" Ortiz on the FX series Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014). He is also known for his portrayal of …

421 - Krystal Ball (Political Pundit/Author)

May 29th, 2020

1:34:19

Together with Saagar Enjeti, Krystal Ball co-hosts Rising, a show featuring sharp political analysis seemingly free of commercial bias. Ball has …

420 - Rick Beato (What Makes This Song Great?)

May 18th, 2020

1:36:24

Rick Beato is a multi-instrumentalist, music teacher, producer, dad to Layla and Dylan, and host to three deaf animals (2 dogs and a cat). His …

419 - Winston Sterzel & Matthew Tye (China YouTubers)

May 10th, 2020

1:17:05

Matt and Winston lived in China for years, learning to speak the language, love the people, and distrust the government. Their insights are surprising and fascinating. 

This episode sponsored by Kettle and Fire. (Use …

418 - WMTBG? "What You Can't Say," by Paul Graham

May 4th, 2020

1:23:34

A reading and discussion of "What You Can't Say," a very powerful essay by Paul Graham, that shows the importance of tolerating thoughts and …

417 - Bryan Callen (Comedian, Actor, Podcaster, Bon Vivant)

April 28th, 2020

1:13:25

Bryan Callen is an American actor, comedian, and podcaster. He is most known for his recurring role as “Coach Mellor” on ABC’s Schooled and The …

416 - WMTBG? - Cat Person (Part II)

April 19th, 2020

52:14

My discussion of "Cat Person," by Kristen Roupenian. The story offers a subtle, nuanced look at power, eroticism, and the confusion that often …

415 - (WMTBG?) Cat Person - by Kristen Roupenian

April 19th, 2020

1:06:52

"Cat Person" offers a subtle, nuanced look at power, eroticism, and the confusion that often results when a man and a woman try (and fail) to …

414 - (Icey) Mike Imber (Reality Kings & Kimbo Slice's Manager)

April 14th, 2020

1:32:44

Mike had a tennis scholarship to college, but things went a different way. Within a few years, he was helping to run Reality Kings, one of the …

413 - WMTBG? (The Liar, by Tobias Wolff)

April 3rd, 2020

1:22:02

This first episode of What Makes This Book Great (WMTBG) features "The Liar," one of my favorite short stories, by Tobias Wolff.

Music: "Home Again," …

412 - ROMA 36 (COVID 1)

March 29th, 2020

1:08:43

Unhinged opening rant from the good people at Profit-Driven Pharmaceuticals, followed by a mention of this very funny animation of Joe Rogan and I …

411 - Eli Marienthal (Back to Earth)

March 18th, 2020

1:54:39

Eli and his buddy, Jesse, run Back to Earth, an organization created to take groups of boys and young men into the wilderness for ten days and …

410 - Jody Armour (Race, Justice, Law)

March 9th, 2020

2:21:54

Jody Armour is the Roy P. Crocker Professor of Law at the University of Southern California and author of Negrophobia and Reasonable Racism: The Hidden Costs of Being Black in America, but don't think this dude is some …

409 - Zofia (Motorcycle Adventurer)

February 27th, 2020

1:40:29

I caught up with Zofia in Patong, Phuket (Thailand), along her journey from Poland on her motorcycle. She's a fascinating woman, who's been riding …

408 - Richard Bandy (Near Death or Death?)

February 9th, 2020

1:16:10

Richard survived the surgery -- or did he? When he regained consciousness, his memory was wiped clean. Nothing remained of his life before that day. No memory of his wife, children, friends ... nothing. His life was …

407 - Georgy Gusev (Cellist Extraordinaire)

January 27th, 2020

2:00:11

Georgy Gusev is a graduate of the famed Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory and Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. He performs at major music festivals and events around the world. He does things with a …

406 - Tom Sewell and Tao Ruspoli (80 Years of Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places)

January 20th, 2020

1:27:26

Tom Sewell is a multi-media artist, designer, photographer, filmmaker, sculptor, environmental visionary; self-proclaimed "Master of mischief, maker …

405 - Matt Holloway and Michelle Davis (Thug Kitchen)

January 10th, 2020

2:08:36

Matt Holloway and Michelle Davis put the thuggery into Thug Kitchen, a multi-media empire built around the idea of eating like you give a f*ck and …

404 - Michael Trainer (Peak Mind Podcast)

January 5th, 2020

2:00:03

Michael Trainer is a traveler, thinker, and innovator. One of the co-creators of Global Citizen, Michael hosts a podcast called Peak Mind.

Social Media: @michaeltrainer

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

Please consider …

402 - ROMA 35 (From Chiang Mai, Thailand)

December 26th, 2019

54:31

Thoughts on returning to Chiang Mai 30 years after my first visit. Why it's hard to be young. How long should we linger when we travel? Why do people …

402 - Ramesh Srinivasan (Technology's Effects on Politics, Economics, and Culture)

December 22nd, 2019

1:01:45

Ramesh Srinivasan has been a faculty member at UCLA since 2005 in the Information Studies and Design Media Arts departments. He is a surrogate for …

401 - ROMA 34

December 2nd, 2019

50:56

What's the word for your ex-wife's husband, who you love more than a brother? How is "never enough" different from "never too much?"

Music by Sail Cassady, Gypsy Chicken, and Bimini Road.



This is a public episode. If …

400 - Simon Rex (Nervous Rex Podcast)

November 25th, 2019

1:43:01

Simon Rex is utterly unique. Actor, fashion model, MTV personality, rapper, social media star, intellectual, spiritual seeker, goofball, #vanlifer.... There's nobody like him -- or even similar. No category broad enough …

399 - Jon and Cassie Walker (Formerly of Panic! at the Disco)

November 18th, 2019

2:09:22

Jon and Cassie met in high school. Jon played guitar and wrote some songs. One day, he was invited to join a band. That band blew up, and the next …

398 - Akshay Nanavati (Fearvana)

November 4th, 2019

1:55:39

Akshay is an extraordinary guy living an extraordinary life. He's battled addiction, searched for IEDs in Iraq, dragged a sled across Greenland, climbed mountains, and sat in total darkness for 7 days and nights. These …

397 - Mike Brancatelli (Mikeadelic Podcast)

October 13th, 2019

1:53:02

For 3 1/2 Years, Mike was the co-host of the popular libertarian podcast, Part Of The Problem with stand up comic & Fox News regular Dave Smith. …

396 - Video ROMA 1

October 7th, 2019

1:16:55

This is the soundtrack to the first Video ROMA I recorded for the good folks who support the podcast via my new web site. I found the experience to …

395 - Shawn Dinkel (Therapist: Male Rage)

September 30th, 2019

1:42:42

Shawn is a deeply thoughtful man who helps other men confront and tame their demons. He's worked with addiction and men who have been abusive to …

394 - Doreen Stokes (Africa Guide)

September 23rd, 2019

1:05:56

Doreen is a surfer who lives in Montana. She's planted over a million trees, and guides trips to Africa. My kinda woman!

Click here to order my new book Civilized to Death - out now. 

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

393 - Jeff Shapiro (Base Jumper/Wingsuit Flyer)

September 10th, 2019

1:34:15

Jeff is a legend in the extreme sports community. He's one of those seemingly insane guys who jump off cliffs thousands off feet high -- either in a …

392 - Daniel (Former Marine/SWAT member)

September 2nd, 2019

1:46:14

After over a decade carrying a gun (first with the Marines in Iraq and then as a member of a SWAT team), Daniel is now living off the grid in Idaho with his family, starting a different kind of life. We go deep into …

391 - Lierre Keith (The Vegetarian Myth)

August 29th, 2019

1:29:20

Lierre spent twenty years refining and restricting her diet in search of better health -- but her health was getting worse, not better. Finally, a …

390 - Tony Perrottet (Sex Lives of Fidel and Che)

August 22nd, 2019

1:49:50

Tony Perrottet is a journalist and author fascinated by the area where history and sexuality overlap. His latest book, Cuba Libre, includes lots of new material on the sexual lives of Fidel, Che, and the other …

389 - ROMA 33

August 21st, 2019

1:05:45

When is love toxic? Should we insist on the "meaning" of words, or let them change over time and context? Is English the best f*&king language in …

388 - Kevin Russell (Former TechnoOptimist)

August 13th, 2019

2:05:25

Kevin is one of the smartest, most thoughtful people you’ve never met. His 15 minutes of fame came when he and his daughter were featured on a TV …

387 - Nathan Schmidt and Sunil Kumar Aggarwal (AIMS Institute)

August 5th, 2019

2:12:24

Drs. Nathan and Sunil have more degrees and certifications than I can list here. Even more impressive than all that paperwork is the fact that both of them have dedicated their lives to finding innovative ways to help …

386 - Dr. Lori Brotto

July 30th, 2019

1:23:27

Dr. Lori Brotto conducts research on women’s sexual health and difficulties, develops and tests psychoeducational interventions for women with sexual …

385 - Derrick Jensen (Ecological Activist/Author)

July 22nd, 2019

1:48:49

Derrick Jensen is a coauthor of Deep Green Resistance, and the author of Endgame, The Culture of Make Believe, A Language Older than Words, and many …

384 - Michael Ellis (Naturalist & Travel Guide)

July 15th, 2019

1:26:09

Michael Ellis has been around. His goal in life has been to excite and educate people about the rhythms of the natural world and biological …

383 - Astrid Daley (Escaped Abusive Relationship)

July 8th, 2019

2:01:36

Astrid honored me by sharing a story that is both profoundly personal and, in some ways, not terribly uncommon. If you’ve ever felt that a relationship (or partner) was absorbing you into an alternate reality, this …

382 - Seane Corn (No BS Yoga Teacher)

July 3rd, 2019

1:29:53

SEANE CORN is an internationally acclaimed yoga teacher and public speaker known for her social activism, impassioned style of teaching, and raw, honest and inspired self-expression.

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

381 - Mickey Avalon (Glam Rapper)

June 24th, 2019

1:50:01

There’s nobody quite like Mickey Avalon. His perspectives on art, music, fame, performance … are unique, thoughtful, and always sincere. He’s on tour

380 - Hunter Maats (Metacognitivist)

June 16th, 2019

2:44:22

Hunter likes to think about how we think. And he's plenty good at it. 

This episode is sponsored by BMC Bikes.

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

Please consider supporting this podcast on Patreon.

This Amazon affiliate …

379 - Leigh Ann (Former Actress/Pole Dancer)

June 10th, 2019

1:15:53

Leigh Ann is an American dancer and former actress. She is best known for playing Brad's second girlfriend, Ashley, on the sitcom Home Improvement. Also featured as Hannah in the 1994 film, The Favor starring Brad Pitt. …

378 - John Harrison (Therapist and Fugitive from Injustice)

May 21st, 2019

1:45:54

John Harrison has enjoyed much of his time on the planet exploring both the inner and outer landscapes. A therapist with a practice based in San Diego specializing in Addiction Treatment and Personal Transformation, …

377 - Charles Eisenstein (Author/Philosopher)

May 16th, 2019

1:46:02

Charles is a public intellectual, speaker, and the author of five books, including Climate: A New Story, Sacred Economics, and The More Beautiful …

376 - On the Big Island with Kyle and Simon

May 6th, 2019

1:51:51

We recorded this one during a pig hunting trip. Our conversation ranges far and wide, to put it mildly. Check out Simon's podcast, Nervous Rex, and The Kyle Thiermann Show.

This episode is sponsored by SC Medicinals.

375 - Chris Paine (Filmmaker/Environmentalist)

April 27th, 2019

1:40:15

Chris Paine is an American filmmaker and environmental activist. His notable works as director include the documentaries Who Killed the Electric Car? Revenge of the Electric Car and Do You Trust This Computer? Paine …

374 - Daniele Bolelli (Badass Historian)

April 15th, 2019

1:45:50

Daniele Bolelli is a writer, martial artist, university professor, and podcaster. He was born in Italy and currently lives in Los Angeles.

This …

373 - James Ostrer (Artist/Lunatic)

April 7th, 2019

2:20:26

James Ostrer has been known to dress himself in the flayed flesh of pigs and take self-portraits as a commentary on, what? How we're all encased in the suffering of other animals? How humans are both sacred and just …

372 - ROMA 32

April 1st, 2019

1:05:42

In which I call out Gandhi, question the narrative of a recent Hollywood sex scandal, share some thoughts on hunting, and discuss my fear of becoming …

371 - Hawaii Hunt (Special Episode)

April 1st, 2019

2:28:34

This is a somewhat chaotic conversation involving Kyle Thiermann (big wave surfer), Mark Healey (surfing legend), Ben Greenfield (fitness guru), and …

370 - Dan De Lion (Forager)

March 24th, 2019

1:38:49

Dan De Lion is an Earth Herbalist, Forager, Musician, and Teacher dedicated to working with Nature to facilitate the reunion of the people with our planetary purpose.  He teaches through Return to Nature, providing …

369 - Shane Heath (Mudslinger)

March 20th, 2019

1:51:53

Shane wasn’t mad at coffee, he was disappointed. He was sold the dream that coffee would allow him to do more and do it faster. But, he noticed that …

368 - Philip van Wyck (Missionary/Sea Gypsies)

March 11th, 2019

1:23:28

Philip is a South African Christian missionary working with the Moken people (aka Sea Gypsies) on the island of Ko Phayam, in Thailand. When the tsunami in 2004 destroyed their boats, they were forced to live on land. …

367 - ROMA 31

March 5th, 2019

1:13:20

Are vaccines dangerous? Is meat important? If so, why? Does love always have to hurt? What are the dangers of humility? Can people and animals sense your vibe when you're tripping? These and other pressing issues are …

366 - Carsie Blanton (Singer/Songwriter/Troublemaker)

March 4th, 2019

1:19:39

Nobody writes songs like Carsie. They come from straight from her heart, her head, or her ... genital chakra. No filters. No shame. No prepackaged …

365 - Igor Vamos/Mike Bonano (Yes Men)

February 26th, 2019

1:32:32

Mike/Igor is half of the duo known as The Yes Men. These guys combine humor, political outrage, and medial savvy to convey radical ideas through the …

364 - Greg Simmons (Endangered Music)

February 24th, 2019

2:08:37

Greg is a sound engineer who is working hard to try to save some of the endangered music of Asia. We met on Ko Phayam, Thailand, where he’s spent a lot of time with the Moken people (aka “Sea Gypsies”) who have been …

363 - Bruce Carpenter (Art Historian in Bali)

February 4th, 2019

2:13:01

Author and co-author of more than 20 books and numerous articles on Indonesian art, culture and history, Bruce W. Carpenter is considered a leading …

362 - Tony Perrottet (Cuba Libre)

January 28th, 2019

1:43:21

Tony is an old friend of mine and the author of several books of sexy history. Among them are Napoleon's Penis, The Naked Olympics, and most …

361 - Johann Hari (Author: Chasing the Scream)

January 17th, 2019

1:23:50

Johann is a journalist, columnist, and the author of Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, and Lost Connections. His TED …

360 - Greg Lansky (Porn Mogul)

January 7th, 2019

1:47:24

Greg knew he wasn't going to make it in the normal world. He craved the disapproval of hypocrites and scolds. He wanted to be an outlaw, but didn't …

359 - Ben Stewart (Filmmaker/Musician)

January 1st, 2019

2:11:09

Ben Joseph Stewart is a filmmaker, musician, veteran, traveler, thinker.... Lots going on with this guy. Find him on Instagram.

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

Please consider supporting this podcast on Patreon.

This …

358 - ROMA 30

December 26th, 2018

1:02:06

How to laugh on a dying planet? How to lose a dad? What do you wish you'd known when you were young? And 70s party music.

Find me on Instagram or Twitter.

Please consider supporting this podcast on Patreon.

This Amazon …

357 - Jake Johannsen (@JakeThis)

December 20th, 2018

1:19:34

Jake Johannsen is a comedy legend. He was on David Letterman's show 14,682 times (more or less). His standup is so good that I often steal his jokes. And he's one of my closest buds. Join us in Jake's kitchen for a …

356 - Karley Sciortino (Slutever)

December 15th, 2018

2:24:31

Karley Sciortino is a writer, television host, and producer. She is the founder of Slutever, a website that focuses on sex and sexuality, and executive producer and host of the Viceland documentary series of the same …

355 - Janelle Kaz (Motogypsy)

December 9th, 2018

1:45:12

Janelle is a lot more than a pretty face. She spent months exploring Colombia while bringing attention to the problem of illegal trafficking of …

354 - Adam Skolnick (Badass Travel Writer)

December 3rd, 2018

2:16:41

Adam's writing ranges from surprising to insightful to necessary -- normally all of the above. He's been published everywhere from the New York Times …

353 - Connor Jones (Permaculture Farmer)

November 22nd, 2018

1:46:12

Connor lives on a piece of desert that he and his family have shaped and caressed into Paradise. East End Eden is a living, working demonstration of what's possible with knowledge, planning, patience, and hard work. …

352 - Bruce Parry (Explorer/Traveler/Documentarian)

November 18th, 2018

1:44:26

Bruce Parry is an English documentarian, indigenous rights advocate, author, explorer, trek leader and former Royal Marines commando officer. His documentary series for the BBC: Tribe, Amazon, and Arctic have shown …

351 - ROMA 29

November 4th, 2018

1:18:14

Eleven listener messages and my rambling, non-sensical responses. Hey, it's free! Plus, some cool world music: "Tajabone," by Ismael Lo (Senegal); …

350 - Lloyd Kahn (Simple Living/Green Architecture)

October 31st, 2018

1:31:10

Lloyd Kahn is the founding editor-in-chief of Shelter Publications, Inc., and is the former Shelter editor of the Whole Earth Catalog. He is also an …

349 - Stephen Jenkinson (Orphan Wisdom School)

October 29th, 2018

1:55:09

Stephen is a teacher, author, storyteller, spiritual activist, farmer, and founder of the Orphan Wisdom School, a teaching house and learning house …

348 - Wim Hof ("The Iceman"/Human Health Pioneer)

October 23rd, 2018

1:06:58

During his long existential journey, Wim Hof came face to face with nature’s most primordial elements. Staring right back, the merciless cold and …

347 - Charris Ford (Environmental Activist/Rapper/Very Cool Dude)

October 15th, 2018

2:01:39

I first met Charris at a beach party near Barcelona almost ten years ago. He remains one of the most creative, charming, and inspiring people I know. He’s off the grid, in pretty much any sense you can think of. If …

345 - Alexandra Paul (Actress/Activist)

October 4th, 2018

1:35:44

Alexandra played Lt. Stephanie Holden for 5 seasons on Baywatch, and has appeared in over 100 feature films and many TV programs. She's a serious …

344 - Paul Kloppenburg (Crestone Elders Series)

October 1st, 2018

1:52:15

In 1969, 18 year-old Paul left Holland, hitchhiking east, with a vague sense that he wanted to spend time with Tibetans. His life has been a stream …

343 - Mr. Money Mustache (Badass financial advisor)

September 24th, 2018

1:36:02
 

Mr. Money Mustache is a very early retiree who writes about how we can all live a frugal yet badass life of leisure. Based in Boulder, CO, he helps …

342 - Theo Von (Standup Comic / Podcaster)

September 21st, 2018

1:39:33

Theo Von is funny, smart, and deeply kind (and not necessarily in that order). He’s a guy on the fame train, wondering where to get off. I am really enjoying the process of getting to know him better, as you’ll hear. …

341 - Aron Ralston (Played by James Franco in 127 Hours)

September 17th, 2018

1:29:39

Aron Ralston is an avid outdoorsman, author, and motivational speaker. In April of 2003, he dislodged a boulder while descending a slot canyon at …

340 - Ricardo Serpa (Photojournalism/Epic Motorcycle Trips)

September 10th, 2018

2:15:58

Ricardo happened to meet my pal Andrew (host of the Monkeytooth podcast) on the road, and Andrew thought we should hang. So we did. A few hours …

339 - Susan Nemcek (Willow Farm Contemplative Center)

September 5th, 2018

1:17:52

Susan is a healer, therapist, and Zen buddhist chaplain. She is also the founder of Willow Farm Contemplative Center, where she works with people …

338 - ROMA 28

August 29th, 2018

1:06:16

If we don't grieve for the dead, are we necessarily cold-hearted? What's behind the collapse of the American empire? How to deal with the chaos and …

337 - Steve Mullins (Ethnomusicologist / Flamenco Guitarist)

August 27th, 2018

1:32:31

What is music, anyway? Does a Beethoven sonata elicit the same emotions if played for someone who's never heard western music? Do any other animals experience music? Is singing related to crying? To laughing? These are …

336 - The Reverend Duncan Trussell, MD PhD

August 23rd, 2018

1:40:48

Duncan is qualified to receive your reverence. He deserves it, too. You could live many lifetimes without meeting anyone who combines as much humor, …

335 - Adi Jaffe (Addiction Expert / Former Dealer)

August 20th, 2018

1:37:01

Adi Jaffe, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized expert on mental health, addiction and stigma. He lectures in the Psychology department at UCLA. He is …

334 - Weston Trapp (Falconer/Former Sniper)

August 14th, 2018

1:33:20

Weston likes a challenge. He gets things done. At the moment, he's off on a month-long hunting trip in the Colorado Rockies. He took up falconry as a …

333 - Seth (the pizza guy) Buchanan

August 5th, 2018

1:16:28

In his mid-20s, Seth took a look at his life and realized it made no sense. Rather than doubling down on a losing hand, he basically started over. He changed his life and lost half his body weight in the process. Ten …

332 - Layne Kalbfleisch (Neuroscientist)

August 1st, 2018

1:33:33

Layne's research has been focused on extraordinary abilities in people with cognitive deficits. She's recently left a stellar academic career in …

331 - Michael Reynolds (Earthships)

July 26th, 2018

50:05

Michael has devoted his life to the simple, radical notion that a home can provide the essential elements of a good life: shelter, food, water, waste management, and energy. His designs for Earthships provide all of …

330 - Abby Martin (Investigative Journalist /Activist)

July 19th, 2018

1:40:58

Abby Martin is an American journalist who asks questions and challenges assumptions in a way very few journalists ever dare. She speaks truth to power with a snarl. You can see her show, The Empire Files on TeleSur and …

329 - Patrick House (Neuroscientist / Writer)

July 13th, 2018

3:24:10

Patrick House explores the brain, how it works, what it is, and the tiny creatures that invade it and rearrange the furniture. This raises fundamental questions like: What are we? What does it mean to be alive? and How …

328 - Captain James Nash (USMC / Hunting Guide / Rancher)

July 8th, 2018

1:29:42

Captain James Nash is the fifth generation of his family to live on the 6 Ranch, raising cattle near Joseph, OR. James served in the US Marine Corps as a tank officer and fought in Afghanistan after which he was awarded …

327 - Wallace J. Nichols (Marine Biologist - Water Wizard)

June 25th, 2018

2:52:14

From J's site: "Dr. Wallace "J" Nichols - called “Keeper of the Sea" by GQ Magazine, “a visionary" by Outside Magazine and a "water warrior" by …

326 - In Jake Johannsen's Man Cave

June 19th, 2018

1:57:59

I got together with my buddy, world-famous comic Jake Johannsen, to catch up after his tours in Asia and Europe. We cover a lot of ground in this one, mainly focusing on how comedy works (or doesn't) in different …

325 - Raam Seyed-Emami

June 14th, 2018

2:03:22

Raam's father was a prominent Iranian environmentalist who was arrested and interrogated for supposedly being a foreign spy. After he mysteriously died in prison, Raam and his brother decided to pressure the Iranian …

324 - Rayanne Irving (Former Child Prostitute / Horse Trainer / Public Speaker)

June 4th, 2018

2:42:24

Rayanne Irving is an accomplished kickboxer, writer, horse trainer, public speaker, and all-around badass. As a homeless teenager, she was drawn into prostitution in Vancouver, Canada. Her understanding of her own …

323 - Jim Fadiman and Kyle Thiermann

May 27th, 2018

1:46:51

Dr. Jim Fadiman is considered America's wisest and most respected authority on psychedelics and their use. Kyle Thiermann is a professional big wave surfer, documentary filmmaker, and podcast host.

 



This is a public …

322 - Angela White (Porn Powerhouse)

May 21st, 2018

1:22:15

Angela came by to chat. Aside from the harassment we suffered from a very persistent insect, we had a great time talking about her roles as actor, …

321 - Peter Gorman (Amazon Explorer and Psychedelic Expert)

May 16th, 2018

1:42:49

Peter Gorman is an award-winning journalist, former editor of High Times magazine (from 1986-1998), and pioneer in the understanding and use of psychedelic substances from the Amazon, such as ayahuasca and kambo. His …

320 - Ryan Frisinger (Health Consultant)

May 9th, 2018

2:21:14

Ryan is a very smart dude who knows a lot about how the human body works: diet, exercise, healing plants, etc. If you know someone with a medical issue that isn't responding well to conventional approaches, he may be …

319 - Andrew Couch (Monkeytooth Podcast)

May 2nd, 2018

1:39:04

Andrew is living the dream. A few days after recording this, he, his wife, and a dog named Pele set off for Argentina via the Arctic Circle (the …

318 - John Porter (Rattlesnake Expert)

April 25th, 2018

2:36:07

John is fascinated by the things that frighten him -- from nudity to venomous snakes. He's been studying rattlesnakes for around 50 years. He's been bitten 15 times, so far, but has no intention of giving up on the …

317 - ROMA 27

April 20th, 2018

45:59

The abbreviated version, for non-Patreon supporters. I talk about the recent dust-up between Sam Harris and Ezra Klein, the questions around racial differences in "intelligence," and a bit about my thoughts concerning …

316 - Alexandra Snow (Dominatrix and Adventure Seeker)

April 19th, 2018

1:45:18

Alexandra was a nerdy kid who grew up to be a bombshell. No doubt. We get into it all: What it's like to be a pro-dom; Why Star Trek is important; How sex is like travel; The therapeutic aspects of dominance and …

315 - Wednesday Martin (Bestselling Author)

April 9th, 2018

1:11:28

Wednesday Martin is the real deal. Her memoir, Primates of Park Avenue is a hilarious, touching, and insightful look into the exotic world of …

314 - Wil Forbis (Street Philosopher and Musician)

April 2nd, 2018

1:50:52

I came across Wil's blog years ago, while researching primate penises, and have been a fan of his insightful, comic take on life ever since. What …

313 - Tony Drewrey (Terlingua Adventure Beer Company)

March 27th, 2018

55:37

Tony was our door into Terlingua, Texas. Thanks to his quick response to an Instagram, we met all the good folks of that town, and ended up staying …

312 - Cyrus Sutton (Filmmaker and Surfer)

March 21st, 2018

1:34:27

Cyrus believes in creating films which promote curiosity and ecological literacy. He's been directing documentary films for fifteen years since …

311 - Mickey Avalon and Simon Rex (aka Dirt Nasty)

March 16th, 2018

1:14:56

These dudes are smart, funny, and talented. I caught up with them on tour, after their show in San Diego. If you like to have fun, catch them if they come to a town near you!



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

310 - Lisa Menna (Magician/Activist)

March 15th, 2018

1:02:42

Lisa Menna uses the wonder provoked by her magic tricks to trigger real magic: the kinds of thoughts that can make the world a better place. Having performed in over 40 countries, Lisa and her organization (Cause to …

309 - Josh Fox in NOLA (Film-maker & Playwright)

March 7th, 2018

1:15:16

I caught up with Oscar-nominated director Josh Fox in New Orleans (Gasland, How to Let Go of the World and Love All The Things Climate Can't Change), …

308 - Diana Adams (Lawyer/LGBTQ Rights Activist)

February 28th, 2018

1:01:21

Diana is the founder of a boutique LGBTQ family law and mediation firm based in New York City and Frankfurt, Germany, serving primarily same-sex couples and non-nuclear families. Diana is about supporting  healthy, …

307 - Jeff Leach (Microbiome Expert / Anthropologist)

February 26th, 2018

1:42:21

Like millions of people, I first became aware of Jeff Leach when I read about his attempt to transfer a hunter/gatherer's fecal matter to his own …

306 - John Duarte (Photojournalist & Long-Distance Cyclist)

February 26th, 2018

1:01:22

Cassie and I met John Duarte at a highway rest stop in Dateland, AZ. He was riding his bike from El Paso to San Diego, which is a short "training run" for him. Join us for this spontaneous conversation in the van. …

305 - Mike Lang (My Best Buddy)

February 21st, 2018

2:09:05

Mike has been my best-buddy since I was 15 years old. The Mr. Spock to my Captain Kirk, he's kept me marginally out of trouble for 40 years now. …

304 - Zhana Vrangalova (Sex Researcher and Educator)

February 12th, 2018

1:35:12

Zhana is a NYC-based sex researcher, writer, and educator. She has a PhD in Developmental Psychology from Cornell University, where she studied how …

303 - Bruce Damer (Origins of Life/Future in Space)

February 9th, 2018

3:09:14

Bruce Damer is a Canadian-American multi-disciplinary scientist, designer, and author. He collaborates with colleagues developing and testing a new …

302 - Johann Hari (Author/Journalist)

February 6th, 2018

1:59:25

Johann is the author of Chasing the Scream and Lost Connections -- both of which are largely about the traumas created by trying to live in a pathogenic society. He's a brilliant writer and conversationalist. In the …

301 - Steve Silberman (Author/Science Journalist)

January 31st, 2018

1:31:34

Steve Silberman is an award-winning science writer whose articles have appeared in Wired, the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Financial Times, …

300 - Michael Brooks (Talk Show Host/Political Analyst)

January 30th, 2018

1:35:34

Host of the Michael Brooks Show, and contributing host for the four time award winning independent political talk show, The Majority Report, Michael …

299 - Jamie Kilstein

January 25th, 2018

3:09:47

Jamie was a prominent stand-up comic before he drifted into political commentary, eventually becoming a leading voice among the social justice …

298 - David Stansfield (Arabist/Author)

January 22nd, 2018

1:41:42

David Stansfield has spent many years studying Arabic and the cultures of the Middle East. Together with his partner and wife of 42 years, Denise …

297 - David Beckingham (Singer/Songwriter)

January 16th, 2018

1:06:43

David Beckingham is a Canadian musician who drove down to Oregon to catch the eclipse with me this summer. Afterwards, we hung out in the woods and on the slopes of Mount Hood for a few days, where we recorded this …

296 - Charlotte McKinney (Model/Actress)

January 13th, 2018

1:32:31

Charlotte McKinney is a sweet, kind, smart young woman who happens to occupy the sort of body that many men would sell their soul to get close to. To …

295 - Michael Shermer (Author/Skeptic)

January 9th, 2018

1:45:14

Dr. Michael Shermer is the Publisher of Skepticmagazine, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, and a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University …

Happy New Year

December 30th, 2017

18:00

Just a quick message, wishing you a smooth transition to 2018.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

294 - With Kyle Thiermann in Baja

December 26th, 2017

2:16:30

Kyle Thiermann is a professional big wave surfer, Patagonia surf ambassador, documentarian, journalist, and pal of mine. We took a drive down to Baja to get some work done and hang out.

As a correspondent for Discovery …

293 - Malcolm Fleschner and Simon Rex

December 21st, 2017

3:04:21

Just a few dudes talking. @simonrex415 @cultureschlock



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access …

292 - Reza Aslan (Author/Religious Scholar)

December 19th, 2017

1:11:48

Reza is a bestselling author, most recently of God: A Human History



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

291 - Micah Springer (Author)

December 14th, 2017

1:59:08

Micah and a friend had been traveling for a year in Africa when she met a Samburu herdsman and quickly fell in love. Her memoir of that voyage is called The Keepers of The Story.



This is a public episode. If you’d like …

290 - Joe Rogan and Duncan Trussell (Shrimp Parade #10)

December 12th, 2017

4:01:45

Spent 4 hours today in the studio with these two beautiful maniacs. We talked about everything from DMT to the #metoo movement, to the size of Jeff …

289 - To Dana Point with Simon Rex

December 10th, 2017

1:00:04

Simon Rex (aka Dirt Nasty) joined me for a ride down the 405 to visit with Stanley Krippner. Hop in and come along!



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus …

288 - Kelly Brogan (Renegade Psychiatrist)

December 7th, 2017

1:19:22

Kelly Brogan, M.D. is a Manhattan-based holistic women’s health psychiatrist, author of the NY Times Bestselling book, A Mind of Your Own, and …

ROMA 26a

December 4th, 2017

27:28

An addendum for a guy who's a little worried about traveling for the first time. Advice on how to puke, and why anything that's in our gut is kind of outside our body already. 



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

287 - ROMA 26

December 3rd, 2017

59:12

Am I an angry aging hippie? Why do we emulate billionaires instead of real geniuses and visionaries?



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

286 - Jude Angelini (Author & Radio Personality)

November 30th, 2017

1:45:34

Jude grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, near Pontiac, Michigan. He tells it like it is. He brings the same no-bullshit attitude to his writing, …

285 - Liam and Allison

November 28th, 2017

2:14:59

My friends Liam and Allison confronted every parent's worst nightmare when their 8 year-old son fall off a 40-foot cliff, just an arm's length away …

284 - ROMA 25

November 21st, 2017

1:05:58

Another episode full of nonsensical advice from a totally unqualified source: Is it always a lie to say you'll love someone forever? Are poly …

283 - Tim Scully (Orange Sunshine)

November 20th, 2017

1:57:42

Tim Scully produced millions of hits of very pure LSD known as "Orange Sunshine" in the late 1960s, hoping to save the world. He was eventually …

282 - Asa Akira (Porn Star)

November 15th, 2017

1:44:16

Asa Akira could be the girl next door -- if you lived next to a super smart, sexy, funny, open-minded, porn star.



This is a public episode. If you’d …

281- ROMA 24

November 6th, 2017

57:25

Listener emails about travel, woman troubles, tipping, letting kink get out of control, and a few other things I can't remember right now.



This is a …

280 - Michael Aranda (C-List Internet Celebrity)

November 2nd, 2017

1:48:43

Michael is a musician, vlogger, and strikingly deep thinker.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

279 - Cacilda Jetha

November 1st, 2017

1:35:05

This is a special, very personal episode. Cacilda is going to the Amazon in search of new ways to be a "soul doctor" (psychiatrist).



This is a public …

278 - Sol Sebastian (What is Masculinity?)

October 30th, 2017

2:13:34

Sol Sebastian leads small groups of men on journeys into the African bush in search of a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.



This is …

277 - Geoff Dyer (genre-defying author)

October 26th, 2017

1:31:10

Geoff is the author of four novels: Paris TranceThe SearchThe Colour of Memory, and Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi; a critical study of John …

276 - Floating with Duncan Trussell

October 19th, 2017

1:53:26

Duncan is a stand-up comic, writer, actor, podcast host, and occasional summoner of Satan. He's also one of my best friends. We recorded this shortly after giving the keynote presentation together at the annual float …

275 - Jim Fadiman (Psychedelic Researcher)

October 14th, 2017

1:41:55

Dr. Jim Fadiman is a psychologist and author best known for his pioneering psychedelic research -- most recently concerning micro-dosing of LSD and …

274 -- TOMA 17 (Barcelona/Alaska/Snake)

October 11th, 2017

42:27

A long-awaited TOMA episode in which lots of worlds interconnect: an apartment in Barcelona, a drunken night in Kenai, and a snake at a water trough in Sicily.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this …

273 - Neal Brennan (Co-creator of The Chappelle Show)

October 9th, 2017

1:41:25

Neal is a writer, actor, director, and standup comic. He's been involved in everything from Half Baked to The Chappelle Show to Saturday Night Live …

272 - Amy Baldwin (Sex Educator)

October 4th, 2017

2:14:10

Amy Baldwin is a Somatic Sex and Relationship Coach, Certified Sex Educator as well as co-owner of a mother-daughter owned pleasure boutique called Pure Pleasure Shop. Amy has a passion for promoting shame-free, …

271 - ROMA 23

September 26th, 2017

1:21:49

I answer emails about 3-way etiquette, experience vs. thinking, introverts who want to travel, Burning Man, and the Path of Totality.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …

270 - Hunter Maats

September 20th, 2017

2:11:48

Hunter Maats is an author, scholar, and co-host of the Mixed Mental Arts podcast.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

269 - Lyle Estill (Environmentalist & Entrepreneur)

September 18th, 2017

1:34:44

Lyle Estill is a writer, environmentalist, and entrepreneur who thinks way beyond the bottom line. He has founded companies, grown enterprises, and …

268 - Godi Godar (Congolese Environmentalist)

September 11th, 2017

1:45:23

When he was young, Godi had a dream that he would leave his small village far behind, but come back to help. Now he's living that dream by directing …

267 - ROMA 22

September 7th, 2017

1:32:34

Is "pussy" a bad word? Can marriage survive infidelity? Are middle-class white Americans disgusting?



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

266 - Ryan LeCompte & Matt Simpson (VET)

September 5th, 2017

1:26:25

Ryan and Matt (Veterans for Entheogenic Treatment) are working to bring ayahuasca-assisted therapy to veterans suffering from treatment-resistant PTSD. 



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

265 - Michael Wood (Former Drug Detective)

August 28th, 2017

1:59:41

Michael Wood was on the "other side" of the drug war when he realized that it was a colossal waste of money, effort, and time. Rather than just ride …

264 - Kabui (Sparkroot Farm)

August 23rd, 2017

1:20:23

Kabui was born and raised in Kenya. He came to the US to study, and has been based in North Carolina ever since. He's a medical anthropologist, chef, …

263 - Stanley Krippner

August 14th, 2017

1:24:39

Stanley Krippner is one of the most interesting, funny, kind-hearted men I know. We chatted in his room at the Oakland Marriott about channeling spirits, altered states of consciousness, life after death, and the …

262 - Alisa Esposito (Sparkroot Farm)

August 7th, 2017

2:50:54

Alisa's path to the heart of the community at Sparkroot Farm has been winding and hilly, to say the least.  



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus …

261 - Peter Joseph (Zeitgeist Project)

July 31st, 2017

2:03:50

Peter Joseph is an American independent filmmaker and activist. He is best known for the Zeitgeist film series, which he wrote, directed, narrated, scored, and produced. He is the founder of the related The Zeitgeist …

260 - Toby Thiermann

July 24th, 2017

1:33:45

Toby is continuing a family legacy of film-making. He's a cinematographer, director, whatever it takes. He's been traveling the world with a camera for over 15 years searching for the perfect frames and images. His …

259 - Chris D'Elia

July 19th, 2017

1:26:08

Chris D'Elia is an American stand-up comedian, actor, presenter, writer, and comedy singer. He is known for playing Alex Miller on the NBC sitcom …

258 - Jeff McNairy

July 17th, 2017

1:32:51

Jeff McNairy is the Chief Medical Officer at Rythmia Life Advancement Center in Costa Rica. 



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

257 - Gerry Powell (Rythmia)

July 10th, 2017

1:47:59

Gerry made millions, lost them, then made even more. But he was miserable. He'd checked every box on the scorecard of life, but still felt he was losing. Then life took a turn that led him to found the world's first …

256 - ROMA 21

July 10th, 2017

1:04:48

Special 4th of July episode.



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255 - ROMA 20

July 5th, 2017

1:21:59

On the impermanence of love (and everything else), concern for parents, why getting out of the nest can be crucial.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus …

254 - Debra Berger (Actor, Artist, Mother, Traveler)

July 3rd, 2017

1:38:28

When Debra was 17, she fell in love with a man 30 years older than she who happened to be an Italian prince known throughout Europe for his …

253 - Kaj Larsen (Former SEAL, Journalist)

June 26th, 2017

2:02:53

Kaj spent 5 years as a Navy SEAL before getting a Master's from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and then moving into journalism—first with …

252.5 ROMA (Recorded at Rythmia, in Costa Rica)

June 19th, 2017

1:11:25

I talk about the Rythmia Life Enhancement Center (where I recorded this), men's obsessions with their dicks, and my thoughts on male-female relations …

252 - Don Mirra (Photographer, Adventurer)

June 19th, 2017

2:59:57

Don is one of the most well-traveled, thoughtful, talented men I've met in a long time. Join us for a few beers as we talk about his time in the …

251 - Calla Rose Ostrander (Positive Deviant)

June 12th, 2017

1:17:08

Calla Rose is a brilliant, open-hearted woman with a passion to help guide the world toward the light. Her work straddles politics, environmental …

250 - Tom White

June 7th, 2017

2:17:31

Tom is the father of a friend of mine. After chatting with him for a few minutes, I asked if he'd share a bit of his life story on the podcast. I'm glad he did. He's living a life of surprising adventure and depth, as …

249 - Sarah Larsen

May 30th, 2017

1:52:23

Sarah is young, but has covered a lot of ground already. Born and raised in a Mormon community in Utah, she felt compelled to strike out on her own path—a path that's led her as far as Australia, India, Myanmar, and …

248 - Hunter Maats

May 23rd, 2017

2:24:35

Hunter is an author, podcast host, and a very smart guy who has lived all over the world. He's dedicated to clear, critical thinking. We don't agree …

247 - Kyle Thiermann (Pro Surfer/Filmmaker)

May 22nd, 2017

2:30:49

Kyle Thiermann is a professional surfer and filmmaker from Santa Cruz, CA. When he’s not chasing building-sized waves around the globe he works with Discovery Digital Networks as an on-camera correspondent and producer. …

245 - Eddie Ifft (Standup Comic)

May 15th, 2017

2:05:10

Eddie Ifft has been called one of the most underrated comics in America by the Onion and has performed to sold-out crowds in over 15 countries. He is …

246 - ROMA 18

May 14th, 2017

1:46:40

Mostly talk about dysfunctional relationships and the essential sadnesses of modern life.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

244 - Daniel Pinchbeck (Author/Psychonaut)

May 8th, 2017

1:06:22

Daniel has written many books, the most recent being How Soon is Now: From Personal Initiation to Global Transformation. He's spent time with indigenous tribes, done extensive inner work with psychedelics (including an …

243 - Adi Jaffe (Addiction Specialist)

May 1st, 2017

1:39:37

Doctor Adi Jaffe is a UCLA trained addiction expert. But before he got involved in addiction research, he was a drug dealer and meth addict. For over …

242 - ROMA 17

April 23rd, 2017

1:30:44

Love, drugs, travel, money, sex ... the usual. 



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241 - The Minimalists

April 22nd, 2017

1:49:21

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus are spreading the message that finding the good life may require dumping all the unnecessary crap we tend …

240 - ROMA 16

April 12th, 2017

1:38:38

Why not to have kids, misuse of non-monogamy, why not check out of society, the end of friendships, on herpes, abandonment issues, the challenges of life with a beauty queen.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

239 - Ryan Cleek (Mountain Bike Journalist/Filmmaker)

April 10th, 2017

2:11:26

Ryan Cleek (@cleekndestroy) has been on all sides of mountain biking, as a champion racer, journalist, and award-winning filmmaker. We talk about danger, thrills, and what drives someone to try to jump over a canyon on …

238 - Jenny Nordbak (Mistress Scarlett)

April 3rd, 2017

1:34:21

Jenny spent a year and change working for a construction company during the day and moonlighting in a dungeon at night, where she learned a lot about men, sex, power dynamics, and herself. Her book about the experience …

237 - Moshe Kasher

March 26th, 2017

1:48:52

Moshe is a stand-up comedian, writer and actor. He is the author of the 2012 memoir Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16.



236 - Ron Finley (Gansta Gardener)

March 19th, 2017

1:46:36

Ron looked around at his neighborhood and saw a need for nutritious food, community, and knowledge. So he started planting seeds.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …

235 - ROMA 15

March 16th, 2017

1:28:58

What constitutes success? Can a straight woman love a gay man? Is anyone living the American Dream? And a bonus story about watching a Buñuel film on LSD.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with …

234 - Hunter Maats

March 13th, 2017

2:26:12

Hunter Maats is an author, podcast host, and international man of intrigue. He's been around the block a few times, and has given it a lot of thought. 



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

233 - Neil Strauss & Marg

March 6th, 2017

2:06:55

Neil and I are joined by Marg, who helped raise Neil from a young age. We talk about music, books, what it was like to come to the US in 1968, and …

232 - Simon Rex (Dirt Nasty)

February 27th, 2017

1:51:52

Hanging with Simon Rex is like being in a room full of people--all of them hyper-creative and funny as hell. He's an actor, comic, rapper, former …

231 - In Jake Johannsen's Kitchen

February 24th, 2017

1:36:52

Go see Jake if you get the chance. He's a class act, except for when he's hanging out with me. Then he has no class at all. But that's my fault.



This …

230 - Michael Shermer (Author, Skeptic, Atheist)

February 20th, 2017

1:47:19

Michael Shermer is the Publisher of Skeptic magazine, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, and a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University. …

229 - ROMA 14

February 15th, 2017

1:03:16

The anti-Valentine's Day episode. What is love? Should we have kids? What about a three-way marriage?



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

228 - Allan Havey (Actor & Comedian)

February 13th, 2017

1:36:00

Allan has enjoyed a long career as a standup comic and actor. You may have seen him in Mad Men, The Man in the High Castle, Hail Caesar!, and anywhere top notch comics are found.



This is a public episode. If you’d like …

227 - ROMA 13

February 8th, 2017

1:09:51

In which I rant about the usual: Carrie Fisher, Karl Marx, Matt Le Blanc, micro-aggressions, love, sex, passion, and despair.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access …

226 - Robert Clarke (Cannabis Expert)

February 6th, 2017

1:39:40

Robert Clarke is one of the world's foremost cannabis experts and author, most recently, of Cannabis: Evolution and Ethnobotany (together with Mark …

225 - Bryan and Patrick (Bike Across the US)

January 30th, 2017

1:36:51

Patrick and Bryan are brothers who rode bicycles across the US, from Massachusetts to LA. Their trip is documented at livehigh.org.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …

224 - Kelly Hennigan MacNiven (Neuroscientist)

January 24th, 2017

1:46:18

Kelly is a postdoc at Stanford. She's using fMRI to investigate whether cognitive processes may help predict relapse after addiction treatment. But we talk about everything from free will to hallucinogens to how the …

223 - Elena Argento (Indian Sex Workers & Hallucinogens -- corrected file)

January 19th, 2017

1:31:22

Elena is a graduate student at UBC in Vancouver. She spent four months researching sex workers in India, and is now focussed on the therapeutic potential of hallucinogens.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

222 - AJ Leon (Misfit, Inc.)

January 9th, 2017

2:14:19

A.J. walked away from a corner office on Wall Street because he realized that his life was inauthentic. Since then, he's been on a roll. He founded …

221 - Peter Suedfeld (Psychology of Isolation)

January 2nd, 2017

1:58:12

Dr. Suedfeld is a Holocaust survivor whose research is focused on how people experience extreme, unusual, challenging, and traumatic events and …

220 - ROMA 12 (Hypernormalisation)

December 28th, 2016

1:30:27

A bit of a critical look at Adam Curtis's film, Hypernormalisation, and a few totally unqualified responses to listener's emails.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …

219 - Jake Johannsen Blowin' in the Wind

December 28th, 2016

1:53:45

World-famous Jake and I sit in his kitchen, talking about the importance of dicks and complaining about leaf blowers. And other stuff, too.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers …

218 - Neil Strauss on the Sofa

December 19th, 2016

1:12:42

Neil Strauss is the author of 8 bestselling books and was music critic for Rolling Stone, the Village Voice, and the New York Times. We're chilling …

217 - ROMA 11

December 15th, 2016

1:16:15

Emails, most of the "should I stay or should I go" variety.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …

216 - Ted Slingerland (Ancient Chinese Philosophy)

December 11th, 2016

1:39:11

Professor of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia and author of Trying Not to Try: The Power of Spontaneity, Slingerland has a …

215 - Georgina Haig (Actress)

December 4th, 2016

2:06:46

I met Georgina on a plane. Long before the seatbelt sign had gone off, I knew I was going to enjoy chatting with her all the way to LA. Getting to know this smart, funny, candid, and quirky woman, the hours flew by. She …

214 - Wade Davis (Ethnobotanist, Author, Explorer, Photographer)

November 27th, 2016

1:58:07

Wade Davis is an extraordinary guy. He's wandered into nearly every corner of this planet, published a slew of fantastic books (several of which have become films), studied hallucinogenic plants in the Amazon, explored …

213 - ROMA 10

November 15th, 2016

55:50

The tenth episode of Ranting Out My A$$. 



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

212 - Brian Norgard (Tinder)

November 14th, 2016

1:47:18

Brian is one of the top dogs at Tinder. He invited me to headquarters in Hollywood, where we had this candid chat about technology, business, dating, …

211 - Wim Hof & Stanley Krippner

November 7th, 2016

1:48:39

This very special episode features Wim Hof (the Iceman) and Dr. Stanley Krippner discussing extraordinary human capacities. Co-hosted by Sam Lawrence and co-released on his podcast: Grow Big Always.



This is a public …

210 - Darcia Narvaez (Primal Parenting)

October 31st, 2016

1:25:49

Darcia Narvaez teaches in the Psychology department at the University of Notre Dame. She's an expert in how human beings raise children in various …

209 - Josh Fox (Filmmaker: Gasland / How to Let Go of the World...)

October 24th, 2016

2:41:49

Academy award nominee, playwright, banjo player, dancer, rabble-rouser, and kick-ass pasta saucer, Josh Fox is a freakin force of nature. Join us as we talk about the state of the world, how Josh became Josh, and how to …

208 - Deia Schlosberg (Filmmaker, Walked South America)

October 14th, 2016

2:39:54

Deia makes documentary films. She has worked with troubled kids in the remote wilderness and walked from Ecuador to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, through the Andes. We recorded this one floating on a pond in northeast …

207 - TOMA 16 Jaisalmer

October 10th, 2016

59:00

Adventures with camels, mace, and a special woman in Jaisalmer, India.



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206 - Tyler MacNiven (Walked Japan)

October 5th, 2016

2:07:22

Tyler is a filmmaker, entrepreneur, winner of The Amazing Race, and has walked the length of Japan--then made an award-winning documentary about the experience, called Kintaro Walks Japan. Dude is busy! Plus, he's super …

205 - Simon (Marijuana and Birds of Prey)

September 25th, 2016

2:05:33

Simon is a biologist with special interest in birds of prey and marijuana. You'll hear how one led to the other (by way of Zimbabwe). We spent a …

204 - Wim Hof (The Iceman)

September 22nd, 2016

1:34:55

Wim Hof holds a slew of world records and has done things like climb within spitting distance of the summit of Mount Everest in shorts, run marathons …

203 - ROMA 9

September 14th, 2016

1:31:05

The inherently fraudulent nature of fame, fortune, and beauty; premature ejaculation; traditional education; the Unabomber, and existential despair.



202 - Mark Manson Doesn't Give a F*ck

September 11th, 2016

1:33:00

Uber-blogger Mark Manson has a new book coming out called The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, which was inspired by a blog piece he wrote that struck a nerve. 



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this …

201 - ROMA 8

August 31st, 2016

1:17:18

A man in his 30s starts to think he might be gay, a young couple wonder about seeing other people, a couple try to deal with a rape.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …

200 - Willem (Safari Guide in Namibia)

August 28th, 2016

1:32:40

Willem was the guide on my 9-day tour of southern Africa. Over the course of our trip, I grew to know and like him. He's quiet, but runs deep, as you'll hear.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with …

199 - David Ley (Sexologist)

August 22nd, 2016

1:48:36

David Ley is a sexologist, therapist, and author of three important books that challenge mainstream views of human sexuality.



This is a public …

198 - Johann Besserer (Galapagos)

August 14th, 2016

1:49:52

When Johann arrived in the Galapagos for an educational trip, he knew that something important had changed in his life. He's built a life around that recognition.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this …

197 - Rivah Winter (Marine Biologist)

August 7th, 2016

1:15:26

Rivah Winter is a marine biologist specializing in coral reef systems. As of 2017, she'll be at the Frost Museum of Science in Miami, Florida.



This …

196 - Andrew Baker (Marine Biologist)

August 1st, 2016

1:20:07

Andrew Baker teaches at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Miami, FL. He studies coral with a focus on resiliency and …

195 - ROMA 7

July 24th, 2016

1:07:19

I respond to a guy who is mystified at all the people who are taking totally absurd shit seriously. It's the fundamental conundrum all sane people face in an insane society.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

194 - Malith & Izia (World Travelers)

July 19th, 2016

1:10:44

Malith walked away from his home in France about 15 months ago and has been walking ever since. He walked past me last night and I knew I wanted to hear his story. He wandered along the Camino de Santiago then kept …

ROMA 6

July 17th, 2016

1:06:49

I consider the difference between appreciating something and wanting it, porn addiction, the importance of constructive crashing and burning in one's …

192 - Uncle Dan

July 10th, 2016

2:06:40

That Dos Equis guy's role model must have been my uncle Dan. Has Mr. Dos Equis ever delivered babies? Has he piloted several types of planes all over …

191 - Charles (Former Drug Smuggler)

July 4th, 2016

1:20:04

What began with a shrimp boat to Colombia in the late 70s grew into a major drug smuggling operation using a fleet of military transport planes over …

190 - ROMA 5

June 30th, 2016

1:01:47

Listener emails, including a Homeric epic rendering of episode 99 (Justin de Ruyter's brush with death on the Deschutes), intergenerational relationships, how to escape the rat race, and advice for someone else's kid.



189 - Pree Kastelic

June 26th, 2016

1:56:03

Pree spent six months on the Appalachian Trail, searching for organic time and avoiding becoming the kind of person who spends their life wishing …

188 - Tom Spanbauer (Author and Legendary Writing Teacher)

June 19th, 2016

1:35:56

"Tom Spanbauer is the critically acclaimed author and founder of Dangerous Writing. As a writer he has explored issues of race, of sexual identity, of how we make a family for ourselves in order to surmount the …

187 - ROMA 4 (with Justin de Ruyter)

June 12th, 2016

1:24:14

My pal Justin joins me in Spain to talk about prehistoric cave art, his first impressions of Spanish culture, and the challenges of living life to …

186 - Dr. Llamas (Worm Therapy)

June 6th, 2016

1:11:46

Extensive research and clinical trials have demonstrated that the introduction of small doses of intestinal worms may be effective in the treatment of asthma, allergies, and some autoimmune conditions. Dr. Llamas is a …

185 - ROMA 3

May 31st, 2016

33:45

I respond to two listener emails in this one:

1. How to handle old friendships gone sour.

2. How did/do hunter-gatherers treat people with …

184 - In Jake Johannsen's Kitchen

May 30th, 2016

2:52:34

Jake and I drink too much coffee and discuss what to do when you get sand in your twat, the dubious nature of having a circus-sized penis, guaranteed basic income, blind pigs looking for acorns, and the coming Age of …

183 - Dr. Dan Engle (Integrative Psychiatrist)

May 27th, 2016

1:29:52

Dr. Dan Engle, MD is a practicing psychiatrist, board certified in psychiatry and neurology. He graduated medical school at the University of Texas …

182 - Susie Bright (Pioneering Sex Activist)

May 16th, 2016

42:46

Susie has been at the forefront of progressive socio-sexual change for decades. She's written books (most recently, a memoir: Big Sex, Little Death), …

181 - Dan Pardi (Sleep/Health Researcher)

May 9th, 2016

1:50:47

Dan Pardi is one of the most knowledgeable people I know in the
fields of sleep and health research. He does research with the
Psychiatry and …

180 - Reid Mihalko (Sex Geek)

April 30th, 2016

1:38:08

Reid is one of the leading sex educators in the United States.
His humor, thoughtfulness, and common sense have made him a much
sought-after presence …

179 - ROMA 2A (Listener Emails)

April 29th, 2016

1:10:30

In which I respond to listeners' responses to my responses to
listeners.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

178 - ROMA 2 (Listener emails)

April 27th, 2016

57:29

The second episode devoted to responding to
listener emails.



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177 - Bennett Grunberg

April 25th, 2016

1:05:25

This conversation was recorded March 10th, 2016, six weeks
before Bennett died unexpectedly.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

176 - Zach Leary

April 20th, 2016

1:42:43

Zach Leary (like Kelly Carlin, ep #172) managed to grow up in a world somewhat distorted by his father's fame without becoming distorted himself. As …

175 - Charles Johnston (Eagle Scout, former junkie)

April 13th, 2016

2:13:56

Charles was raised as a Mormon, became an Eagle Scout, went to Japan for a while, and then began exploring various consciousness-altering substances. He eventually stumbled into a heroin addiction. From there, things …

174 - ROMA 1 (Listener Emails)

March 31st, 2016

1:08:20

The first episode in which I just rant for a while, then respond to a few of your emails.



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173 - Simon van Gend (Singer/Songwriter)

March 30th, 2016

1:27:07

Somewhere around 2001 or 2002, a friend gave me a cd of some of his favorite tracks, which included a few by a South African singer I'd never heard of named Simon van Gend. Yesterday, I finally met the man who's been …

172 - Kelly Carlin

March 17th, 2016

2:12:48

Kelly grew up in the blinding glare of her father's brilliance and fame. It's been a long road, but she's emerged as a smart, funny, relaxed woman. We talk about her life, her new book, and poker.



This is a public …

171 - Viram (Part II)

March 14th, 2016

1:44:52

After selling his donkey in Pakistan, Viram's adventures continue...



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170 - Viram (Part I)

March 9th, 2016

2:36:19

I met Viram on a beach in Goa, India in 2003 and we've been close friends ever since. He's one of the most interesting men I know, and I'm very happy to be able to share a taste of our friendship with you.



This is a …

169 - Stanley Krippner

March 2nd, 2016

1:30:10

Stanley Krippner is a world-famous authority on parapsychology, altered states of consciousness, mythology, and just about everything else …

168 - Carli Davidson (Animal Photographer)

February 24th, 2016

2:13:44

Carli Davidson is a well-known animal photographer whose career got a huge boost when she recognized the esthetic potential of dog drool. …

167 - Adventures of Justin (from Chiang Mai)

February 18th, 2016

1:33:14

Justin Alexander was on episode 143, and returns now in a two-part conversation. The first part took place on Venice Beach a few weeks ago, and Part II happened here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We talk about Justin's …

166 - Stephan Schwartz (Trend Spotter)

February 15th, 2016

1:37:45

Stephan Schwartz has been involved in trying to make the world a better place for a long time. He's worked in the upper reaches of the defense …

165 - Lodhy

February 8th, 2016

1:47:24

Lodhy is my favorite kind of person. An unassuming man who has lived a life full of adventure, learning, challenges, love, and generosity. His life …

164 - Shane Gardner

February 1st, 2016

1:42:57

Shane's photography combines the natural beauty of women with the beauty of nature. He's got the focus and obsessional creative need of a true artist. Check his work at http://www.thethingsiveseen.com/.



This is a public …

163 - Daniele Bolelli & Thad Russell

January 26th, 2016

2:05:02

Daniele and Thad both teach history in southern California, study martial arts, and have a lot to say about pretty much everything. Join me for this conversation with two of the smartest, most engaging guys I know.



This …

162 - Heather Day (Arkansas Girl Made Good)

January 20th, 2016

1:49:05

Heather was born in Arkansas and grew up with few advantages. But thanks to an indomitable spirit, hard work, and some solid friendships, she's got a …

161 - Jeff Rohrer (Dallas Cowboy)

January 19th, 2016

1:16:50

Jeff went to Yale, where he was a stand-out linebacker and came to the attention of the Cowboys, who drafted him in the second round. He brought his laid-back vibe from the beaches of southern California to the NFL, …

160 - Jake Johannsen (Standup Comic)

January 11th, 2016

2:11:39

Jake Johannsen appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman" 45 times. He has appeared in the “HBO Young Comedian’s Special” and PBS’s “Comedy Tonight” series, and was the host of Comedy Central’s series, “Two Drink …

159 - Martin Polanco & Maria Teresa Chavez (Crossroads Treatment Center)

January 4th, 2016

1:27:55

Martin is the founder and director of the center, and Maria is a counselor helping patients integrate the experiences they have at Crossroads into more healthy lives. They use ibogaine, a very potent African …

158 - Tre Hardson (SlimKid3) -- Founding Member of The Pharcyde

December 28th, 2015

1:45:45

Tre Hardson is "a journalist of the times" who just happens to be a rapper, dancer, musician, and something of a philosopher as well. Best known as one of the founding members of The Pharcyde, his current band is called …

157 - Graham Hancock (Magicians of the Gods)

December 14th, 2015

1:39:10

Graham Hancock became a world famous bestselling author with Fingerprints of the Gods, a book that questioned the mainstream narrative concerning the origins of civilization—among many other things. Now, he's just …

156 - Andy Gurevich (Again!)

December 7th, 2015

1:45:44

This is Part 1. Part 2 is on Andy's podcast: On The Block Radio. Check it out!



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

SOMA 1

December 5th, 2015

1:03:02

First episode of the SOMA series. We start in Norway, head to Mississippi, Mexico, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Senegal, and then back to Rehab Mountain in Malibu.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with …

155 - Lois Ames (Poet)

November 30th, 2015

2:09:14

I met Lois in her 83rd year. We talk about her loves, her passions, some of her famous friends, and reflect on special moments from a very special life.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

154 - Sheldon Solomon (Terror Management Theory)

November 23rd, 2015

1:27:18

Sheldon Solomon is a psychologist and professor of social psychology at Skidmore College, best known for developing Terror Management Theory, along …

153 - Mark Davis (Fecal Transplant Expert)

November 16th, 2015

2:06:32

Mark Davis, ND is a founder and the medical director of Good Life Medicine Center, and his naturopathic practice, Bright Medicine Clinic, focuses on …

152 - Ben (Hasta Alaska)

November 9th, 2015

2:08:43

After spending some time in Thailand teaching tigers not to eat people, Ben went to Chile, bought an old VW camper van, and set off for Alaska.  



151 - Roger Nygard (TV/Film Editor, Writer, Director)

November 2nd, 2015

1:30:59

Roger has worked in film and television as a director, writer, producer and editor. He's worked with lots of famous people (Larry David, David Spade, Leonard Nimoy) and has made a series of unique documentaries about …

150 - Jonathan Legg (The Road Less Traveled)

October 26th, 2015

2:03:18

Jonathan is the host of Outside TV's The Road Less Traveled. We talk about everything from the wonders of Colombian women to the dangers of swimming …

With Neil Strauss & Esther Perel at The Strand in NYC

October 21st, 2015

1:34:23

This bonus episode was recorded last week at The Strand bookstore on Broadway, in New York. The three of us talk about intimacy, sexuality, and the often opposing appetites for novelty and intimacy.



This is a public …

148 - Neil Strauss (The Truth)

October 18th, 2015

1:09:03

Neil and I became friends after he'd already outgrown The Game, his colossal best-seller. The Truth, just released this week is one of the bravest, …

147 - The Dangerz (Minimalist Living)

October 12th, 2015

1:26:28

Jenn and Bryan left the security of good jobs and a nice house in Portland in an old VW van and spent a year meandering south with Karma, their dog.



146 - West (Anthropologist/World Traveller)

October 5th, 2015

2:19:09

West stopped in Portland on his way back to Cambridge from a research trip to the Amazon. This episode features music by his pal, Kim Churchill.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

TOMA #15 (Pushing it in Pushkar)

October 4th, 2015

23:17

It seemed like a good idea at the time.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

145 - Colin Craviero (Man Made Lake)

September 28th, 2015

2:39:26

Lead singer/songwriter of the Canadian band Man Made Lake, Colin is a deep, smart, talented, and very funny man.



This is a public episode. If you’d …

144 - Elliott English (Naval Academy & Air Force)

September 21st, 2015

1:48:09

Elliott graduated from the Naval Academy and worked as an analyst for the Air Force for six years. This is the third in my series of conversations with veterans.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this …

143 - Justin Alexander (Nomadic World Traveler)

September 14th, 2015

2:28:35

Justin has been there and done that. From western Nepal to Sumatran jungles to Black Rock Desert, he's left footprints and gathered memories. A man …

142 - Nathaniel Farmer (PCT)

September 7th, 2015

1:14:03

Nathaniel started at the Mexican border in April and has been walking north ever since. He's covered thousands of miles through deserts, valleys and ridgelines. We talk about the sorts of people he's met on the trail, …

141 - Alice Dreger (Historian of Science)

August 31st, 2015

2:00:21

Alice recently resigned her position as a professor at Northwestern University's Medical Humanities and Bioethics Program over her refusal to surrender academic freedom. She's the author of Galileo's Middle Finger: …

140 - Eric Berkowitz (Author: The Boundaries of Desire)

August 24th, 2015

2:02:25

Eric Berkowitz is a San Francisco-based author and human rights lawyer. His journalistic work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, California Lawyer, and the Washington Post, as well as websites such as …

139 - Jon-Jacob Deal

August 17th, 2015

2:04:48

Jon was an active-duty US Army infantryman from 2003 to 2006. A third generation service member, his first tour was in Korea.  While there, Jon was part of a historic deployment of an already forward-deployed unit that …

138 - Dr. Susan Block (The Bonobo Way)

August 10th, 2015

1:38:07

Susan Block has done everything from organizing orgies to climbing the Golden Gate bridge in the middle of the night. She's an adventurer in many …

137 - Mark Manson

August 3rd, 2015

1:38:56

Mark is a very good writer, blogger, and author. We have a lot to talk about: travel, women, writing, negotiating our need to write about our lives versus the right to privacy of the people in our lives, etc. You can …

136 - Aaron Alexander (Movement Medicine)

July 28th, 2015

1:17:03

Aaron uses various methods to help people inhabit their bodies in the best way possible, from rolfing to massage to structural realignment. We had a …

135 - Rod Dow (Legendary Smoke Jumper)

July 27th, 2015

1:38:02

Rod and Justin (episode 99) met years ago fighting forest fires. Justin and I drove up to Rod's amazing spread east of Mount Rainier and spent a night in Paradise. As you'll see in the photos below, Rod's building …

134 - David Steinberg (This Thing We Call Sex)

July 20th, 2015

2:31:14

David Steinberg is an author, photographer, and a radically sane guy. We talk about his inadvertent work with the CIA, what it was like to be plugged …

TOMA 14 (Kashmir/Deluxe Video Coach)

July 16th, 2015

1:02:32

From a very cold houseboat on Dal Lake in Srinagar to the Deluxe Video Coach, this one is all about changing plans at the last minute.



This is a …

133 - Sonya Lea (Wondering Who You Are)

July 13th, 2015

1:43:16

In their 23rd year of marriage, Sonya's husband, Richard, suffered a brain trauma that erased his memories of their life together. He didn't know her, didn't recognize their children, and had to re-learn how to live his …

132 - Jared (Marine Corps)

July 6th, 2015

1:32:44

Jared joined the Marines just before 9/11, and participated in the invasion of Iraq with the Marine Corps in 2003.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus …

131 - Joe and Shannon (Jambo Superfoods)

June 29th, 2015

2:46:49

Joe Winke and Shannon Drake are partners in crime and commerce. We talk about what it's like to get a socially-conscious business up and running, the winding paths they each took, their aspirations for the future, and …

130 - Devlin Baker (Nuclear Fusion Researcher)

June 22nd, 2015

2:03:31

For just an instant, Devlin Baker created a tiny star in a warehouse outside Bellingham, WA. He's working on a project he (and his backers) hope will …

129 - Kevin Johnson (Floater, Musician, Caver)

June 15th, 2015

1:48:22

Kevin Johnson is a key player in the growing float movement. He designs, sells, and installs the most cutting-edge float chambers all over the U.S. But he's also a very serious musician, songwriter, and cave explorer. …

128 - Bailey Jay

June 8th, 2015

1:41:48

Bailey Jay is a trans woman who is a pornographic actress, adult model, and podcaster. She's very smart, very funny, and pretty much my kinda girl. …

127 - John Kim

June 1st, 2015

1:43:10

John is an in dependent investment advisor based in Bangkok.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

126 - Julie Holland (Moody Bitches)

May 25th, 2015

1:13:30

Julie is a psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology, but her interests extend far beyond pills. She's expert in alternative therapies, …

125 - Brian Bao (Emergency Medicine)

May 18th, 2015

2:14:50

Brian's the kind of guy who gets a PhD while taking a rest from getting an MD—and makes it all look easy. He's currently a resident in emergency medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. If I ever …

124 - Clifford Koufman

May 11th, 2015

1:36:45

Clifford has been studying percussion for over 20 years, including several extended trips to Africa. He teaches in Portland at http://www.soundandrhythm.com.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with …

123 - Elle Stanger

May 4th, 2015

1:44:52

Elle Stanger is a stripper/sex worker/exotic dancer/intimacy therapist/political activist/tattoo fancier. She's busy. And smart, funny, and sexy as …

122 - Nikki Glaser

April 27th, 2015

2:18:53

Nikki Glaser is a stand-up comic who headlines at clubs all over North America. She's found a way to be very funny while fearlessly facing her deepest fears. Plus, she wipes her ass with facewipes.



This is a public …

121 - Murphy Pelot

April 20th, 2015

1:41:39

Murphy is "about thirteen and a half" but has the insightful perspective of someone who's been thinking about life for a lot longer than that. 



This …

120 - Magnus Sullivan (Marriage 2.0)

April 13th, 2015

1:47:47

Magnus is the creator of Marriage 2.0, a revolutionary feature film that treats explicit sexuality as an intrinsic part of the characters' lives, …

119 - Dan Carlin (Hardcore History)

April 6th, 2015

1:57:16

Dan Carlin is an American political commentatoramateur historian, and podcaster. Once a professional radio host, Carlin eventually took his show to …

TOMA 13: Sikh and Ye Shall Find

March 31st, 2015

31:46

I arrive in India and start fucking up big time right away.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

118 - Frans de Waal (Primatologist)

March 30th, 2015

1:05:18

Dr. de Waal received his Ph.D. in Biology and Zoology from Utrecht University, the Netherlands, in 1977. He completed his postdoctoral study of …

117 - Chris Jaymes (2)

March 23rd, 2015

2:17:36

Filmmaker, writer, musician, Hollywood native... Chris Jaymes has a lot going on. We talk about his latest project, which is about the healing power …

116 - Thaddeus Russell

March 16th, 2015

2:18:00

Thaddeus Russell is a renegade historian and author of A Renegade History of the United States. Within minutes, we're comparing Kim Kardashian to the Venus of Willendorf and comparing porn downloads from Pakistan to …

115 - Tao Ruspoli (Film-maker, photographer, prince)

March 9th, 2015

1:44:06

Tao is one of the most interesting people I know. His father hung out with Salvador Dali, Fellini, and Brigit Bardot. He can trace his family back 1200 years, was married for seven years to film/TV star Olivia Wilde, …

114 - Dr. Tanya Luhrmann

March 2nd, 2015

1:03:01

Dr. Tanya Luhrmann is a psychological anthropologist best known for her studies of modern-day witches, charismatic Christians, and psychiatrists. She …

113 - Richard Satnick (Part II)

February 23rd, 2015

1:09:32

My pal, Richard has a talent for noticing where the trends of our society are headed, which makes him a very astute businessman and investor—as well …

112 - Mark Wiener (Political Consultant)

February 16th, 2015

2:35:30

Go on. Google "total assfucker" and see if you don't see an article about this week's guest. If that's not enough to impress you, Mark is a guy who's …

111 - Steve Herman (Sex Abuse Assessment)

February 9th, 2015

2:00:20

Steve Herman consults with legal professionals to help them think more clearly about an issue that all too often blinds even the most level-headed …

TOMA 12 (New York City)

January 31st, 2015

1:02:18

In which I decide to live in New York City and wander into a solid gold trap.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

109 - Dan Piraro (Bizarro)

January 26th, 2015

1:57:43

Dan is a cigar-smoking vegan, animal rights activist, atheist, NRA hating, ex-husband, father, stand-up comedian, painter, former host of FOX TV’s “Utopia,” philosophizing cartoonist who makes his living writing and …

108 - Peter Gray (Free-Range Childhood)

January 19th, 2015

1:24:01

Peter Gray is an American psychologist who currently occupies the position of research professor of psychology at Boston College. He is the author of …

107 - Phil Zuckerman (Secularist Author/Sociologist)

January 12th, 2015

1:09:50

PHIL ZUCKERMAN is a professor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. He is an author and blogs for Psychology …

106 - Jesse Bering

January 5th, 2015

1:12:43

Jesse has published books about sexuality and the biological underpinnings of religious belief. He's a research psychologist with broad experience, a …

105 - John Gowdy

December 29th, 2014

1:18:06

Dr. John Gowdy is Rittenhouse Teaching Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Department of Economics at Rensselaer Polytechnic …

104 - Richard (Japan)

December 22nd, 2014

2:17:22

Richard has lived in Japan for a dozen years, and knows the culture and language well. Since he's particularly interested in language, food, and sex, …

103 - Andy Gurevich's Third Visit

December 15th, 2014

2:03:32

You know Andy. This is his third visit to Tangentially Speaking as the guest. He's also co-hosted several epic episodes. He's a professor of World Religions and World Literature, a fascinating dude, and my pal.



This is …

102 - Daniel Pardi (Sleep Researcher)

December 8th, 2014

1:58:12

From Dan's site: DAN PARDI is passionate about food, movement, and sleep. Interested in developing low-cost, high value health solutions. Also …

TOMA - 11 Unconditional Love

December 7th, 2014

27:46

Love builds on having been loved.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

101 - Doug Fry (Anthropology of Peace)

December 3rd, 2014

1:35:37

Doug Fry has written extensively on aggression, conflict, and conflict resolution. He believes that anthropology holds important current-day lessons: …

100 - Cacilda Jethá

November 25th, 2014

2:50:02

Dr. Cacilda Jethá is unlike anyone you've ever met. Guaranteed. My wife, friend, co-author, and partner in crime for the past 15 years, she can't remember how many people have died in front of her, or how many babies …

99 - Justin de Ruyter

November 17th, 2014

2:14:49

Justin grew up splitting his time between a difficult , not particularly open-minded home situation in rural Washington and weekend visits to his dad …

98 - Rick Doblin (MAPS)

November 10th, 2014

1:19:08

In 1972, Rick decided to dedicate his life to bringing psychedelics out of the shadows and into laboratories and clinicians' offices, where they certainly belong. His persistence is paying off—to the benefit of …

TOMA - 10 (Funkadelic)

November 6th, 2014

33:24

A tribute to Parliament-Funkadelic, with thanks to my friend, Mike, and The Edsel Ford Funk Victory Tape.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, …

97 - Amber Lyon (Journalist/Psychonaut)

November 3rd, 2014

1:11:31

Amber Lyon is a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, filmmaker, photographer, and explorer known for her use of submersion journalism, or becoming part of the story, to find the truth. Lyon is the founder of the …

96 - John Helliwell (Economics of Happiness)

October 27th, 2014

1:14:44

Professor John Helliwell studies what makes people happy, and how we can maximize life-satisfaction. Learn more about his work here.



This is a public …

95 - Hound Tall (Moshe Kasher & Friends)

October 20th, 2014

1:21:57

This is a special episode. I was on stage at the Upright Citizen's Brigade theater in Hollywood with comedians Moshe KasherNicky Glazer, and Nick …

94 - Aidan Raley (Modern Hobo)

October 13th, 2014

1:43:07

When Aidan's car broke down four years ago, that was the last straw. He quit his job, threw his stuff into a bag, and hit the road, where he's been ever since. A young man who is clearly on an authentic quest of some …

93 - Stephen O'Donnell

October 6th, 2014

1:34:28

Stephen O'Donnell paints exquisite "historicized self-portraits" in which his face appears in some unexpected places. Check out his work here.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

92 - Tonia Mills

September 29th, 2014

1:41:15

Dr. Tonia Mills is an anthropologist with an additional degree in child development. She lived for years with the Beaver Indians of British Columbia …

TOMA - 9 (Kodiak)

September 28th, 2014

38:56

My second summer in Alaska. This time, I got a job on a tender, and found myself engaged in an epic struggle for the soul of a young man. Photos at

91 - Thaddeus Russell Returns

September 22nd, 2014

2:25:13

I don't always agree with renegade historian Thad Russell—you'll hear that we disagree passionately about "Death Panels" and whether Americans die in the streets—but I respect his intelligence and ballsy insistence on …

90 - Caitlin Doughty (Smoke Gets in Your Eyes)

September 16th, 2014

1:41:27

You may know her from her very popular web series, Ask a Mortician, from a previous episode of this podcast (#25), or as the author of the fantastic …

89 - Mitch Schultz (DMT)

September 8th, 2014

1:21:22

Mitch Schultz wrote and directed the documentary, DMT: The Spirit Molecule (narrated by Joe Rogan). We talk about consciousness, making movies, and …

88 - Myq Kaplan & Zach Sherwin

September 2nd, 2014

1:33:02

Coupla very smart, very funny guys. They've been on Letterman, Conan, and late night what have you. Zach does crazy videos and rap, while Myq is a wordsmith extraordinaire. If you want to hear the part of the …

TOMA 8 (Chiapas)

August 31st, 2014

44:39

It's 1983, and I'm on my first trip to a foreign culture with a sharpened Kung-Fu star hanging from my neck. One thing leads to another and I realize …

TOMA - 7 (Kenai Packers)

August 27th, 2014

42:18

In which I spend some time working the slime line, scam my way out the door, and wake up on the wrong side of a jealous performance artist.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers …

87 - Mandy

August 26th, 2014

1:54:10

A Korean kid in the American South, adopted by people who probably shouldn't have, lesbian, super-smart Harvard student, stand-up comic, diagnosed …

86 - Richard Satnick

August 18th, 2014

1:07:55

The only man I know who has passed a joint to a chimp sitting next to him in a tree, (or at least, who's admitted it to me!) Richard is a man of many …

85 - Ceara Lynch (Humiliatrix)

August 11th, 2014

1:30:50

Ceara is a sweet, smart, sexy young woman who degrades, dismisses and denigrates men over the internet. And they pay her handsomely to do it! What a world.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with …

84 - Dennis McKenna

August 4th, 2014

2:23:25

One of the leading ethnobotanists in the world, Dennis has just published a fantastic memoir about his fascinating life (much of it shared with his very famous brother, Terence) called Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss.

TOMA 5 (Three Fingers)

August 3rd, 2014

21:59

When the salmon don't come, there's no work to be had in Kenai, Alaska. So what do you do? Get some tequila!



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus …

TOMA 6 (Tikal)

August 3rd, 2014

28:55

I get meta in this one—reading a paper I wrote 20 years ago about a near-death experience that happened to me 25 years ago. Damn, I'm getting old!



83 - Special Edition: Mystery Letter

August 1st, 2014

30:38

I found a mysterious letter on my car this morning. This is what it said.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

82 - Stanley Krippner Returns!

July 29th, 2014

1:57:54

One of my closest friends, Dr. Stanley Krippner returns to Tangentially Speaking, to share his thoughts on the trajectory of history, the nature of consciousness, and his advice to young people after 81 years of living …

TOMA 4 - Fairbanks Correctional Center

July 21st, 2014

35:19

In which Russ and I find ourselves wearing shorts without underwear in a medium-security Alaskan prison.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, …

81 - Geoffrey Miller

July 21st, 2014

1:43:56

One of the leading thinkers in the emerging field of Evolutionary Psychology, Miller has written two well-received books: one on how sexual selection …

80 - Peter Boghossian & Friends

July 14th, 2014

2:34:21

Join Peter, Andy Gurevich, and me at Lompoc Brewing's Hedge House, where we talk about religion, sex, love, and beer. Then some very interesting friends of Peter's show up, including a hot young humiliatrix, named Ceara.

TOMA 3 — To Fairbanks

July 8th, 2014

39:21

From the last stop on the ferry, through the Yukon Territory to Fairbanks. "You guys see the bear I just shot?"

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus …

79 - Andrew Gurevich Returns

July 7th, 2014

1:39:23

Former Christian minister, current pagan madman, Professor Andrew Gurevich is back by popular demand. Many are the tangents we go down in this …

78 - Carsie Blanton Returns!

June 30th, 2014

2:07:14

Join us for this conversation that ranges from the mysteries of the creative process to getting turned on by live performance to why dumb jokes can still be funny. Carsie sings her newest song, To Be Known, which left …

77 - Troy Mitchell

June 23rd, 2014

1:44:50

Fourteen bank robberies landed him in prison for 20+ years. Yoga and self-reflection got him through those years and helped him keep cool on the …

76 - Conrad Schmidt

June 16th, 2014

1:11:45

In addition to writing Workers of the World Relax!, Schmidt created the international clothing-optional World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) in 2004.


In 2003 …

TOMA #2 (Off to Alaska)

June 12th, 2014

47:20

I skip most of my junior year at Hobart College, and head for Alaska. Along the way, I meet a guy named Ed, who tells me a strange and powerful …

75 - Alec Dixon

June 10th, 2014

2:43:01

Get ready to geek out over this crazy conversation with Alec, who helps run one of the largest medical marijuana labs around. In addition to some seriously informative talk about the mysteries of one of the planet's …

74 - Kevin Johnson

June 2nd, 2014

1:28:43

Kevin invited us to a free float at the Zero Gravity Institute. It blew my mind—so much that I asked him to sit down and tell me his story. How's a guy become a float-tank guru? This episode sponsored by HelloFresh. Use …

73 - Josh Mohland (DogeCoin)

May 19th, 2014

1:40:54

Josh is founder and CEO of Wow Such Business, creators of the dogetipbot, which allows people to exchange DogeCoins on Reddit. We talk about BitCoin, DogeCoin, the future of banking, and the effects of the Internet on …

72 - Shrimp Parade (Rogan/Trussell)

May 19th, 2014

2:32:54

In this sixth episode in the Shrimp Parade series, we learn about Joe's grandmother's nasty monkey, Duncan's retreat into the wilds of Big Sur, and the distinction between penises that grow vs. show. 



This is a public …

71 - Andrew Gurevich

May 13th, 2014

2:13:26

Professor of World Religions and World Literature, AG is a very smart dude. But he's much more than just another egg head. The path that brought him to an academic career began on Riker's Island and passed through many …

70 - Tucker Max

May 6th, 2014

1:42:06

Tucker Max famously declared himself an a$$hole. Whatever the veracity of that claim, he's undoubtedly very smart, very funny, and a savvy …

69 - Daniel Vitalis

May 1st, 2014

1:57:08

Happy May Day! Daniel Vitalis is all about rewilding the human species. He wants to go beyond food and exercise to deeper questions about what is the proper and natural way for us to live on this planet.



This is a …

68 - John Durant

April 25th, 2014

1:17:11

Author of The Paleo Manifesto, pal of Steven Pinker, Harvard graduate, John Durant is also a really nice guy — much to my surprise and chagrin. We …

67 - Gone Shootin' with Duncan Trussell

April 17th, 2014

14:50

So this psychologist walks into a firing range with two comedians... Hanging out with Duncan, Joe Rogan, and some big guns.



This is a public episode. …

66 - Arden Leigh

April 7th, 2014

1:23:33

Author, former go-go dancer and professional dominatrix, Arden Leigh has been around. We talk about sleep orgasms, the healing power of BDSM, seducing Sting's son, and compare the seduction styles of Northern vs. …

65 - Pere Estupinya

April 3rd, 2014

1:15:59

Pere is a science journalist who's not afraid to talk about taboo subjects. After finishing a PhD in biochemistry, he spent time at MIT and Harvard, finally deciding that he preferred writing/speaking about science to …

64 - Cesare Romano

March 22nd, 2014

1:18:37

Cesare is a professor of law at Loyola Law School, and an expert in international human rights. We discuss his amazing arrival in New York …

63 - Jincey Lumpkin

March 18th, 2014

1:17:58

Jincey has been called, "the lesbian Hugh Hefner," and named one of the 100 most influential gay people by Out Magazine. We talk about the challenges of being an openly gay lawyer in Jacksonville, FL, whether female …

62 - Conner Habib Returns

March 16th, 2014

2:00:02

LA is black widow country! We talk about disaster tattoos, penis nicknames, Fabio, the dangers of professing certainty in evolutionary theory, how …

61 - Gloria Mattioni

March 6th, 2014

1:38:23

Gloria is Daniele Bolelli's bad-ass mother. We talk about Gloria's fearless approach to motherhood, magical dreams, travel, and the ever-present …

60 - Daniele Bolelli Returns

March 6th, 2014

1:50:56

Daniele and I talk about Guatemalan death squads, the differences between strip clubs in the US and Europe, and his world travels with his mother, Gloria.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with …

59 - Mary Roach

March 4th, 2014

2:05:42

Mary has written a whole slew of bestselling books, including Bonk, Gulp, Stiff, and Packing for Mars. In this IPA-fueled conversation, we range from …

58 - Aubrey Marcus and Whitney Miller

February 28th, 2014

1:41:43

We talk tripping jaguars, Aubrey's four fascinating parents, being a guinea pig for the Los Angeles Lakers, antibiotic-induced impotence and the …

57 - Cindy Gallop

February 24th, 2014

1:01:03

Cindy Gallop went from a high-level position in advertising to starting companies focused on making the world a better place. She's a unique, fascinating woman, bursting with energy and intelligence. Her apartment …

56 - Ginger Norwood

February 21st, 2014

2:01:29

Ginger Norwood is exceptional in many ways. She's a bona-fide mathematical genius, the first woman to have taught at USC's School of Engineering, and …

18 - Daniele Bolelli

February 21st, 2014

1:42:06

... is a self-proclaimed Bad-Ass Historian, as well as an Italian intellectual/martial artist/historian.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, …

55 - Ana Kasparian

February 19th, 2014

1:26:25

We range from Moby's birthday party, the perks of minor-league fame, the upside of living in LA, being up to my neck in salmon mucus, the secret to …

54 - Joe Rogan & Duncan Trussell

February 14th, 2014

2:46:02

If there's anything sweeter than finding a new friend, it's becoming friends with two guys who go way back. Joe and Duncan are old pals, and I'm …

53 - Bruce Lisker

February 11th, 2014

1:36:59

As a 17 year-old, Bruce was sent to prison, convicted of murdering his mother. But he was innocent; something the state of California finally …

52 - Sex Nerd Sandra

February 10th, 2014

1:31:39

To call this conversation with Sex Nerd Sandra "wide-ranging" would be like calling Nepal "hilly." We talk about being hit by lightning, how to use …

51 - Jason Goldman

February 5th, 2014

1:22:44

Dr. Jason G. Goldman is a cognitive scientist and science writer based in Los Angeles. He received his Ph.D. at the University of Southern …

50 - Stanton Peele

February 3rd, 2014

1:49:15

Dr. Stanton Peele is a prominent, outspoken critic of the disease model of addiction and the author of over a dozen books (most recently, Recover!: Stop Thinking Like an Addict and Reclaim Your Life with The PERFECT …

49 - Chris Jaymes

January 27th, 2014

2:27:33

Join me in conversation with one of the most interesting guys I know. Writer, musician, director, Chris Jaymes opens up and shares amazing stories from his life, ranging from being strapped to a gurney in Boston, to …

48 - Betty Dodson & Carlin Ross

January 20th, 2014

1:47:36

Betty Dodson is a well-known pioneer in women's sexual liberation, having sold more than 1 million copies of her first book, Sex for One. Much of her …

47 - Thaddeus Russell

January 14th, 2014

1:53:41

Thad is the author of "A Renegade History of the United States," and teaches at Occidental College. He's also a very smart guy, full of surprises, …

TOMA #1 (Intro and High School)

January 10th, 2014

40:58

In which I introduce the series, talk about why I’m telling these stories, and lay out the ground rules I’ve set for myself. Then, I get into the …

46 - Todd Strauss-Schulson

January 8th, 2014

1:57:54

TSS was born to make movies, and that's what he does. He directed the 3D A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas, as well as a whole slew of other …

45 - Ari Shaffir

December 18th, 2013

1:09:21

Join Ari and me in the bar at The Jane Hotel, in the West Village, where we talk about the debilitating effects of New York weed on Ari’s vocabulary, …

44 - Hugo Chichava

December 10th, 2013

1:20:29

Rapper, entrepreneur, and my son in law, Hugo is part of the new, vibrant Africa that is bursting with energy, creativity, and optimism.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or …

43 - Frank Delaney

December 3rd, 2013

1:29:19

He doesn't drink Mexican beer, but Frank Delaney is definitely one of the most interesting men in the world. His career includes over a dozen best-selling novels, a truck-load of non-fiction books, and a slew of …

42 - Marissa

November 26th, 2013

1:35:53

Marissa was born a boy, but eventually realized she was a girl. She's still got a male side—who comes out when yard work needs doing—but has transitioned primarily to living as a woman. I felt deeply honored to have …

41 - Dan Savage

November 13th, 2013

1:35:27

If you don't know who Dan Savage is, you haven't been paying attention. Sex advice columnist, humorist, political activist ... Dan has spent the past …

40 - Jamy Ian Swiss

October 31st, 2013

1:28:31

Scientist, skeptic, intellectual, magician extraordinaire ... Jamy Ian Swiss is a fascinating man. For a guy who specializes in creating illusions, Jamy has a strikingly deep love and respect for authenticity.



This is a …

39 - Gabor Mate

October 16th, 2013

1:40:10

Dr. Gabor Mate is a Canadian physician and author who specializes in the treatment of addiction and mind-body interaction. He's published four bestselling books (in twenty languages) exploring attention deficit …

38 - Carl Hart

October 3rd, 2013

1:26:44

Dr. Carl Hart is a serious man with a fascinating life. His book, High Price, tells the story of his journey from the bad part of Miami to the upper reaches of Ivy League academia. In this conversation, we talk about …

37 - Dave Asprey

September 16th, 2013

1:41:34

Fifteen years ago, Dave Asprey took a look at himself and didn't like what he saw: he was about 100 pounds overweight, had chronic nosebleeds, slept poorly, and felt like crap. But unlike most of us, he had the time and …

36 - Tim Killian

September 5th, 2013

1:52:31

We talk sparkling water, nitrous oxide, political consulting, Mormonism, strip clubs, the war on drugs, revolution, and murses (man-bags, European …

35 - Kim Airs

August 15th, 2013

1:51:30

Kim Airs is a sex toy entrepreneur (I had to look up the spelling), motorcycle maven, and militantly free spirit. She rode her motorcycle into the depths of Topanga Canyon to chat with me about working for Larry Summers …

34 - Natasha Leggero

July 28th, 2013

1:34:16

Natasha is a very smart high-energy actress/comedian who's blazing a meteoric path across the Hollywood sky. We talk about everything from women's …

33 - Moshe Kasher/Reggie Watts

July 18th, 2013

1:58:39

Man, this one ranges far and wide. We talk comedy (these dudes are hilarious), good ways to use bad words, porn in the Vatican, and what it's like to be raised by deaf parents.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

32 - Conner Habib

July 1st, 2013

2:14:40

Conner Habib is a gay porn star, a scholar of human sexuality, and an evolutionary biologist with thoughtful insights on all those subjects and far …

31 - Ari Shaffir

June 18th, 2013

2:21:40

Comedian, Ari Shaffir and I talk about everything from Elvis, to fat Jesus, to our private fears to advice on peeing in public in this podcast that flows deep and wide as the mighty Mississippi.



This is a public …

30 - Duncan Trussell & Daniele Bolelli

June 5th, 2013

1:44:47

Duncan is the madman who first got me into podcasting, as well as various other kinds of trouble, so it's fitting that he and our mutual pal, Daniele help me celebrate this 30th episode of Tangentially Speaking. There …

29 - Baron Vaughn

May 21st, 2013

2:10:01

Baron Vaughn is a comedian and actor based in Los Angeles. He and Chris talk about comedy, acting, and growing up on the rough side of Vegas.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

28 - Nina Hartley

May 9th, 2013

1:43:53

Nina Hartley is a legendary porn star, actress (Boogie Nights), sex-positive feminist, nurse, and sex educator extraordinaire. In this wide-ranging, intimate, and surprising interview, she talks about her parents' …

27 - Charlie & Liam

April 24th, 2013

1:30:00

Chris is joined by 9 year-old Charlie and 11 year-old Liam in this special episode. Both these guys are wise way beyond their years, and offer …

26 - Nica Noelle

April 18th, 2013

1:27:53

In the first of a series of interviews with high IQ porn stars, Chris is joined by Nica Noelle, who schools him on the many sub-genres of porn as …

25 - Caitlin Doughty

April 11th, 2013

1:46:27

Join Chris and hipster mortician, Caitlin Doughty as they take a shameless look at things we're told to ignore: death, sex, and sexy death.



This is a …

24 - Stanley Krippner

April 4th, 2013

3:03:49

Road Trip! Chris is joined by his amazing friend, 80 year-old parapsychologist, Dr. Stanley Krippner. They're heading south on Route 5, from …

23 - Voodoo

March 28th, 2013

1:16:11

Chris joins Voodoo in his Barcelona tattoo shop for a very tangential conversation between two old friends.



This is a public episode. If you’d like …

22 - Steven Oh and Malcolm Fleschner (Two Young Turks)

March 21st, 2013

1:50:59

Chris is joined by Steven Oh and Malcolm Fleschner, big shots at The Young Turks network, to talk about making TV shows, sex, the challenges of …

21 - Special Sex at Dawn Episode (B): Response to Criticism

March 14th, 2013

52:51

In this special episode, Chris and Ivan Tucakov discuss some of the downsides of writing a popular book: aggressive interviewers, personal questions, …

20 - Special Sex at Dawn Episode

March 7th, 2013

1:12:46

A special edition in which Chris is interviewed by his friend, Ivan Tucakov about writing Sex at Dawn, dealing with criticism, and how writing a best-seller changes one's life.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to …

19 - Charles Grob

February 28th, 2013

1:08:37

Chris is joined by Dr. Charles Grob, who researches the clinical use of psychedelic substances in patients facing terminal cancer, PTSD, and other ailments.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with …

17 - Peter Sagal

February 14th, 2013

1:36:16

Peter Sagal is the coolest dude on NPR. He joins Chris to talk about fitness, the Constitution, and radio fame.



This is a public episode. If you’d …

16 - Richard Schweid

February 7th, 2013

1:11:40

To say that Richard Schweid has varied interests would be understatement. He's published books on eels, chili peppers, Cuban cars, life after death, …

15 - Jaiya Ma

January 31st, 2013

1:10:52

Jaiya is an internationally recognized, award-winning sexologist, author of Red Hot Touch, and the founder of New World Sex Education. She joins Dr. …

14 - Guy New York

January 25th, 2013

1:13:14

Guy New York is a thoughtful sexual adventurer on the loose in the Big Apple.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other …

13 - Kate Bolick

January 17th, 2013

1:18:13

13 - Kate Bolick



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

12 - Tony Perrottet

January 10th, 2013

1:11:59

Tony Perrottet, longtime friend of Chris and author of Napoleon's Privates discuss the sexual habits on the ancient world.



This is a public episode. …

11 - Reid Mihalko

January 3rd, 2013

1:35:49

Dr. Chris Ryan is joined by sex geek Reid Mihalko of ReidAboutSex.com. They go into detail on the boundaries of relationships, applying karate philosophy to sex, morality and we learn about Reid's bisexuality.



This is a …

10 - Pete McCormack

December 20th, 2012

1:23:57

Chris talks about Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, and Islamic lingerie with documentary film-maker, Pete McCormack.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus …

9 - Tracy Clark Flory

December 14th, 2012

1:18:39

Smart and seductive sex writer joins Chris to compare notes on writing about eroticism.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

8 - Carsie Blanton

December 6th, 2012

1:03:24

The songwriter behind Tangentially Speaking's theme song, Carsie Blanton, joins Chris and the two talk about sexuality, her music and the episode ends nicely with a performance. Support Carsie and Dr. Chris Ryan …

7 - Eric Berkowitz

November 29th, 2012

1:07:55

Chris talks with Eric Berkowitz, author of Sex and Punishment: Four Thousand Years of Judging Desire.



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit

6 - Andrew Weil

November 22nd, 2012

1:03:23

One of America's best-known & best-loved physicians, Andrew Weil, joins Chris to chat about alternative medicine, the healing potential of …

5 - Stanley Krippner

November 8th, 2012

1:18:20

Chris drops in on his pal, Dr. Stanley Krippner, one of the world's leading experts on telepathy, shamanism, and consciousness. Their conversation …

4 - Duncan Trussell

November 1st, 2012

1:23:06

The man who got Chris into podcasting, comedian Duncan Trussell, joins Tangentially Speaking! Stand up comedy is compared to geology. Hecklers are …

3 - Tao Ruspoli

October 31st, 2012

55:07

This week, Christopher joins Tao Ruspoli a flamenco guitarist, Italian prince, and accomplished film-maker in Ruspoli's camper van to talk about …

2 - Mistress Kaila Yi

October 25th, 2012

1:07:21

Dominatrix Kaila Yi presents a gripping interview on her sexuality and work then reveals some intimate if not painful details of her life.



This is a …

1 - Neil Strauss

October 18th, 2012

1:13:33

Author of The Game, Neil Strauss joins Dr. Chris Ryan on the premiere episode of his podcast. They talk books and critique each others work. Subscribe on iTunes!



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this …
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