Becoming Creature

Nick has a laid-back conversation with @Virtual1nstinct about:* Music and audio* The self and relationships* Phenomenology and experience* Depression* Salience and association* The future of social mediaand much moreWe hope you enjoy!—NickMentioned in this episode:A null model for Dunbar’s circlesPicasso bullGuernicaMastering the Core Teachings of the BuddhaDhyanaAmirDalton EmeryThe Equitable ProseConversations with TylerTimestamps:1:10 Audio, music, and spotify7:00 Twitter9:50 The self and networks10:40 The self and art13:00 Depressional and personal narrative17:00 Salience22:20 Meditation28:00 Poetry and felt sense31:20 Writing and association34:40 Phenomenology, experience, and consciousness45:00 Post-social environment, social media This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

Nick talks to @MaybeGray about sexuality, relationships, sex positivity, the legal system, and what it was like going to clown school. Don’t miss Maybe at the InterIntellect Salon on January 17th!We cover* Being a Clown* Canadian Law* Emotions* Relationships* Eroticism and Intimacy* Sex Positivity* Hookup culture and consent* Onlyfans and how people relate to porn* Embodiment* Physical and emotional masksand much moreWe hope you enjoy!—NickMentioned in this episode:* InterIntellect Salon* Baker vs. Canada* Anthony de Mello* Visakanv* AellaTimestamps1:10 Clown Workshop3:40 Baker vs. Canada7:40 The messiness and robustness of law12:20 Are the legal system’s flaws essential?14:30 Emotions, and overcoming negativity17:50 The importance of connection and the end of numbness20:45 Eroticism versus Intimacy24:45 What is the interplay between commitment and autonomy?29:45 The monogamy ‘contract’ and polyamorous freedom33:20 Sex positivity and the danger of taboo37:15 Moving away from a culture of hookups41:10 Consent discourse44:40 Is consent a guardrail for dangerous situations?47:15 What do guys need to know about sex and dating?50:55 Onlyfans, masturbation, and porn53:10 Clown dancing drills and embodiment58:50 Clown dancing drills and embodiment1:02:30 The masks we wear and fluidity1:04:55 Interintellect Salon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

Happy New Year!In this special episode of A Becoming Creature, Nick talks to Michael Ashcroft (@M_Ashcroft) about:* Keto* Herbal remedies and Pine Needle Tea* David Perell and Tiago Forte’s course, Write of Passage* Building a Second Brain* Finding your niche* Long-term perspectives* Energy Innovation* The Alexander Technique (is it magic?)* Gendlin Focusing* Coercion* Michael’s BALsand much moreHave an excellent New Year!—NickMentioned in this episode:* Herbalists Grimhood and CK Eternity* David Perell and Tiago Forte’s course, Write of Passage* The Clock of the Long Now* Climate Change Chart* John G. Bennett’s Creative Thinking* Eugene Gendlin’s Gendlin Focusing* The StoaTimestamps1:50 Michael’s 3-day water fast, keto, and health8:50 Supplements and herbals10:20 Pine needle tea12:00 David Perell and Tiago Forte’s Write of Passage17:00 Finding your Niche, architect vs. archaeologist19:50 ‘Clock of the Long Now’ and the long-term perspective21:30 What are you most excited about in energy innovation?24:20 Climate Change26:25 Alexander Technique Introduction30:30 Breaking the reactive loop and renewing presence32:20 Alexander Technique35:40 John G Bennett’s Creative Thinking and Gendlin Focusing39:00 Is AT Magic?41:40 Alternatives to coercion46:00 Clear intentions held lightly51:10 Accessing playfulness53:20 Michael’s BALs and youtube growth This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

On this episode of A Becoming Creature, Nick talks to oil painter Kendric Tonn (@kendrictonn) about: * The life of an artist* The process of creation* How to see like an artist* Taking big life risks* Developing the habit of doing* and so much moreMentioned in this episode:Kendric’s DocumentaryFlorence Academy of ArtPerseus SculptureArtist: Patrick BurkeArtist: E.S. BarkinFind more from Kendric at:His website, Nyx Gallery, and Brandt-Roberts Galleries—Nick Timestamps:2:40 Genitalia in art4:15 The art of controlling attention6:00 Art as an expression of the Platonic10:00 Kendric’s route to becoming a professional artist15:30 How to start important things18:30 Art as Pursuit20:00 Deep Focus21:30 How to decide on a project22:20 Art as a struggle23:00 Being an artist isn’t just one job25:10 How does it feel to part with an art piece?26:30 Developing the habit of Doing28:00 Kendric the Hotelier and AirBnB disaster stories32:35 “A stranger and afraid in a world we never made”34:05 Where does meaning fit in with your art?36:40 Expressing common feelings in art38:15 What’s wrong with “Classics” in literature?39:40 The social side of artistry42:00 Cultivating deep focus44:30 How to see like an artist47:15 Artistic mediums48:30 Artists to watch This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

Happy holidays!In this special Holiday episode of A Becoming Creature, Nick talks to Michael Curzi (@michaelcurzi) about:* The Psychic War* The Moustache* Self Sacrifice* Phenomenology* Meditation* Disassociation* Separation* Splintered Minds* Michael GRILLS MEand much moreWe hope you have a happy holiday!—NickSee more from Michael Curzi:Super PeerTwitchYoutubeSubstackMentioned:Movie: The Family ManPerson: Friedrich HayekPerson: Eugene GendlinYoutube: David Bowie on why you should Never Play to the GalleryBook: Hero with a Thousand FacesTimestamps:1:15 Christmas5:40 Capitalism16:30 The holidays after an insular year20:00 A year of disconnection25:00 The psychic war and consumerism29:00 When your expectations are violated30:50 Eigenrobot asks about The Moustache34:00 Self Sacrifice and Samurai37:40 Rival Voices asks about himself39:10 PrinceVogel asks about Phenomenology43:10 Meditation44:30 Withdrawal, Return, and Disassociation47:10 The value of Separation49:00 Splintered Minds51:30 Shaping one’s soul, Doing vs Contemplating54:40 Openness 58:00 Deeper levels of meaning1:04:00 Proper attention, proper action1:05:00 Grill me!1:11:00 Heroic Sincerity, Mastery, and Skill1:14:00 Quality and Natural Action This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

In this episode of A Becoming Creature, Nick talks to Harvey (@HarveyKrishna_) about* Psychedelics* Spiritual healing* Slowing down* Cultivating wonder* Dance* Non-attachment* Pursuit of joy* The metatribe* Nature and travelThank you for listening!—NickHave feedback? Mail me at becomingcreature@substack.com or message me on twitter @becomingcritter. I’d love to hear from you.Mentioned in this episode: How to Change your Mind Sacred Design LabHow we gatherPhilosophers on Twitch playing Flight SimulatorZen and the Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceTimestamps:1:15 Why Krishna?2:30 Cacao and San Marcos7:00 San Marcos Meditation Disney World9:45 Casual vs. purpose-driven psychedelics12:15 Life difficulties and recovering from downward spiral15:10 Slowing down21:30 Movement, dance, and improvisation29:30 Healthy non-attachment31:45 Pursuing joy and crowding out insecurity34:45 Belonging, becoming, and beyond39:45 Metatribe44:15 Nature, volcanoes, guatemala, and Philosophers on Twitch playing Flight Simulator47:45 Travel49:45 Put the book down This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

In this episode of A Becoming Creature, Nick talks to Kay (@kehwho) aka Jimmy Buckets about SO MUCH. We talk about * the difficulties of acclimation after immigration* developing embodiment* appreciating your ancestors* developing a relationship with nature* returning to small intimate communities* relying on your intuition* engrossing yourself in culture* and much much moreThank you for listening. We hope you enjoy!—NickTimestamps:2:10 Immigration and acclimation9:00 Anxiety and embodiment11:00 The danger of identification14:15 Operating through recognition14:30 What we say creates our world15:10 Appreciating your ancestors19:00 Occult sciences, magic, and embodied relationships20:40 Communion with nature, and how culture reflects the environment23:20 Returning to intimate communities25:00 Alignment of purpose27:00 Zero to one, chaos and order, masculine and feminine28:00 The power of belief and words28:40 Balancing doing and being32:00 Relying on your intuition 35:00 The importance of giving a sacred offering37:00 How to use doubt to serve you40:10 How to experience nature through culture44:20 How language shapes our world This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

In this episode of A Becoming Creature, Nick talks to Ray (@forshaper) about his non-profit Foretrek. We talk about comfort play, egregores, and the relationships between violence, intimacy, and rhythm. We also discuss God as a romantic experience, Sufism, global love, and so much more.To support Ray’s work please visit Foretrek.Learn more about the pioneer of comfort play, Kelly Quinnett. We also mention Sohbet, which is a good place to begin learning about Sufism.Thank you for listening. We hope you enjoy!—Nick1:00 Comfort play, empathy, and trust9:50 What are egregores?14:00 Exploring the conflict in violence and intimacy16:30 Personal experience with conflict and violence27:30 The relationship between violence and rhythm28:30 Interpreting life as rhythm33:00 The importance of Sufism as a practice36:30 Global love and God as a romantic experience39:30 Advice on how to experience global love43:30 Recommended reading45:30 How to begin practicing comfort play This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

New Intro!My show is now available in all of your favorite podcast apps.In this episode, Nick talks to @Childermass4 about the value of magical thinking, the importance of emotional connection during covid19, the meaning of love, how to empathize better, the dangers of philosophy, how Christianity might be a cope, and so much more.You can support Robert’s writing at https://medium.com/@rob.kuuskThank you for listeningWe hope you enjoy!—NickTimestamps:2:00 Growing out of childhood3:30 The role of philosophy4:50 On being Estonian8:00 Returning to religion10:30 On Magical Thinking16:00 Camus, age, and the role of philosophy21:00 Why we need an ontology21:30 Living with passion25:30 Having confidence in your ideas29:00 The importance of emotional connection under Covid-1933:00 What is love?37:00 How discarded ideas help us empathize38:30 The dangers of misusing philosophy43:00 Christianity as a cope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com

In this episode, Nick interviews @PrinceVogel on wandering the smoky mountains, how to approach joy and misery, how to live life simply, the benefits of isolation, how to appreciate life, and a bit about keto.We discuss @PrinceVogel's deconversion and its fallout, and his journey to reconnect with religion.Finally, we discuss hubris and humility, and how to move through the world in a beautiful way.We hope you enjoy it! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit becomingcreature.substack.com