Seize the Moment Podcast

On episode 104, we welcome back philosopher Andy Norman to discuss how we can protect ourselves from infectious ideas and mind parasites, the Socratic system of rational inquiry and why it’s the most effective truth detector, how people become conspiracy thinkers, anti-vaxx sentiment and the importance of challenging it by doubting the doubters, how skepticism becomes extreme and useless when we question everything, the political divide and our different standards for accepting propositions, Andy’s appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience and how Joe became a more mature thinker over the years, and how Alex Jones admittedly manipulates his audience. Andy Norman teaches philosophy and directs the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University. He is also known for his guest appearances on the Joe Rogan Experience and the Michael Shermer Show. He is the author of "Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind Parasites and the Search for a Better Way to Think," available now. http://andynorman.org/ Andy Norman | ► Website 1 | https://andynorman.org ► Website 2 | https://cognitiveimmunology.net ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/drandyno ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/andynormanauthor ► Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think | https://andynorman.org/mental-immunity Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment

On episode 103, we welcome back philosopher William Irwin to discuss poetry and philosophy, our reactions to William's new book ‘Both/And’, the battle between continental philosophy and analytic philosophy, why aphorisms and platitudes are effective, the struggle between popularity and authenticity and why Ronnie James Dio left the band Rainbow, popular writing and the importance of clarity in public philosophy, and academia’s move away from esoteric non-fiction to more mainstream and influential material.William Irwin is Professor of Philosophy at King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and is best known for originating the "philosophy and popular culture" book genre with Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing in 1999 and The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer in 2001. William’s latest books are Little Siddhartha (2018) and God Is a Question, Not an Answer (2018). His newest book, out now, is called Both/And.  William Irwin | ► Website | https://staff.kings.edu/sites/wtirwin ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/williamirwin38 ► Book Link for 'Both/And' |  https://amzn.to/3i7jd1u  Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment

On episode 102, we welcome philosopher David Livingstone Smith to discuss the psychosocial mechanisms of dehumanization, how humans can perceive other humans as both human and sub-human, what lynchings were actually like, how Nazis used psychotherapy and pseudo-scientific propaganda to justify anti-Semitic beliefs, the role of motivated reasoning in maintaining wealthy slave states, the subtle, modern manifestations of dehumanization, and how to begin tackling dehumanizing tendencies on both psychological and social levels. David Livingstone Smith is a professor of philosophy at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. He earned his PhD from the University of London, Kings College, where he worked on Freud’s philosophy of mind and psychology. His current research is focused on dehumanization, race, propaganda, and related topics. His books include On Inhumanity, Less Than Human, and his newest book is called Making Monsters: The Uncanny Power of Dehumanization  David Livingstone Smith | ► Website | https://www.davidlivingstonesmith.com ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/DavidLSmith_Iam ► Making Monsters: The Uncanny Power of Dehumanization: Coming End of October! Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment

On episode 101, we welcome Quarterback Brad Johnson to discuss the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers championship run, why the Joe Jurevicius 71 yard catch in the NFC championship game was the greatest play in Buc history, overcoming adversity on the field and dealing with self-doubt, playing under Jon Gruden, how Larry Bird persuaded him to continue playing football when he was ready to give up, his favorite moments on the field, learning about flow states and how that improved his game, the 2020 Bucs’ Super Bowl team and his predictions for this upcoming season, and his advice for people who find it hard to let go of their mistakes. Brad Johnson is a former American football quarterback. During his 15-year career in the National Football League, Johnson played for the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Dallas Cowboys. In the 2002 season, he led the Buccaneers to their first ever Super Bowl championship and earned his 2nd Pro Bowl appearance.  Brad Johnson | ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@bigbadbrad14 ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/Brad_Johnson_14 ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/brad_johnson_14 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment

John D. Bieber is a writer and former international divorce lawyer. After a distinguished career as a UK lawyer, formerly with the celebrated Lord Goodman and later with his own law firm, John D Bieber left full time legal work to focus on family life with his wife Joey and four young children in their farm in the heart of Sussex, England, where he could pursue his passion for writing. John Bieber's perception of the human condition was shaped over decades of witnessing love end. This led John to construct a philosophy that has helped him to live and to love in a way all people desire. His newest book, Am I Loved? The Human Essence, explores this philosophy and much more. John D. Bieber | ► Website | https://www.johndbieber.co.uk/about-john-d-bieber/ ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/johnbieberbooks ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/johnbieberbooks ► Book | https://www.amazon.com/Am-I-Loved-Human-Essence/dp/191007425X Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment #JohnBieber #AmILoved #SeizeTheMoment

On episode 99, we welcome back existential psychologist Emmy van Deurzen to discuss the emotional effects of Brexit, how it compounded with Covid to create an existential crisis for EU nationals living in the UK, Emmy’s personal experience of xenophobia and dealing with the threat of deportation, how existential crises tend to reveal prior problems that were denied, utilizing the catastrophe for growth and psychological transformation, how to deal with populist politics, switching from reactivity to activity, and the importance of re-establishing a sense of community and solidarity to overcome tragedy. Emmy van Deurzen is an existential psychotherapist, philosopher and counselling psychologist. She is Principal of the New School of Psychotherapy and Counseling at the Existential Academy in London and runs her own private therapy practice, Dilemma Consultancy, in London. She is a visiting professor with Middlesex University, for whom she directs several doctoral and master’s programmes. She has published 17 books on existential therapy and the challenges of the human condition. Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages and she has lectured worldwide in more than 35 countries across all continents. Her new book is called Rising From Existential Crisis: Life Beyond Calamity.  Emmy van Deurzen | ► Website | https://www.emmyvandeurzen.com/ ► Website 2 | https://voicesforeurope.com/ ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/emmyzen ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/emmyvandeurzen/ ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/Emmy-van-Deurzen ► Youtube Channel | https://www.youtube.com/user/emmyzen ► Rising From Existential Crisis: Life Beyond Calamity Book | https://amzn.to/3zbjxme Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment

On episode 98, we welcome Pastor Michael Walrond to discuss mental health in the Black community, his medical journey and overcoming death on multiple occasions, how he found faith amidst the vast absurdity of life, becoming inspired by Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, his friendship with Jamal Joseph of the Black Panthers and meeting Afeni Shakur, how Tupac’s music inspired a wave of mental health awareness, and why existential crises tend to create a sustainable sense of purpose.   Michael A. Walrond Jr.—affectionately known as Pastor Mike—is the Senior Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) in Harlem, New York. Pastor Mike is quickly rising as one of the most prolific and sought-after teachers and preachers in the country. Considered a visionary, cultural architect, and game-changer by his peers, Pastor Mike has not only catalytically changed the traditional prospective of black church, but he is innovatively shifting the paradigm of Christian understanding and culture. Within two years of his leadership at FCBC, the church experienced exponential growth, tripling its membership. Over the past eleven years, membership at FCBC has grown from 300 to 10,000 members. Pastor Michael A. Walrond Jr. | ► Website | https://fcbcnyc.org ► Website 2 | https://hopecenterharlem.org ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/mikewalrond ► Twitter 2 | https://twitter.com/FCBCNYC ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mikewalrond ► Instagram 2 | https://www.instagram.com/fcbcnyc ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/FCBCNYC/ ► Youtube Channel | https://bit.ly/3efojXN Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment

On episode 97, Leon chats with philosopher Julian Baggini about the philosophy and wisdom of David Hume, focusing on why he believed we could accept knowing things without knowing their foundations, the natural limitations of reason and need for intellectual humility, the importance of understanding human nature in order to form a coherent system of ethics, the incoherence of the concept of free will and how we can maintain a sense of agency even if our choices are causally determined, the complexity and inherent contradictions of human personalities, why the rational and emotional aspects of our minds are systems that need and check one another, and Hume's psychological perceptions, which were later supported by modern scientific research. | Julian Baggini | ► Website | https://www.julianbaggini.com/ ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/JulianBaggini ► Books | https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691205434/the-great-guide Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment

On episode 96, we welcome James Shakhnovich and James Moreno to discuss drug addiction and hear their stories, how addiction is linked to trauma, the shame and guilt addicts feel despite the common misconception that they’re solely selfish, utilizing character development to overcome addiction, why “once an addict, always an addict” is a myth, how both men struggled with setbacks and used their community at Dynamite Youth Center for support, and the lessons they have for others coping with drug or alcohol addiction. Dynamite Youth Center |  ► Website | https://www.dycinc.org/ ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/dynamiteyouthcenter/ ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/dynamicyouthinc ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dynamiteyouthcenter/ ► Phone | 718-376-7923 James Moreno | ► Website | https://oceansidemusicnow.com/home ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/oceansidemusicnow/ ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/oceansidemusicnow/ ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/Oceanside_Band Where you can find us: Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment

On episode 95, Leon chats with philosopher Andy Norman about mental immunity and how to reason well, what ideologies are and what makes them toxic, the responsibility each of us have to become rational thinkers and why, ethically, we can't just believe what we want to, how repetition fuels delusional beliefs, how we can remain hopeful and optimistic without fooling ourselves, human nature and why it's less awful than we believe, effective teaching methods and how Leon's friendship with Dr. Tim Stroup helped him become more open minded, the ways in which we resist facing reality, why a belief's practical outcomes contribute to its validity as much as its truthfulness, and why reasoning together, as opposed to against one another, can help us create a better world. Andy Norman - ► Website | https://andynorman.org/ ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/drandyno ► Books | https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Immunity-Infectious-Mind-Parasites-Search-ebook/dp/B08G1LQTFG. Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment