Keep Talking

Ian Marcus Corbin is an essayist and a philosopher at Harvard Medical School who works on loneliness in society. During our conversation, Ian defines loneliness, discusses Robert Putnam's book Bowling Alone, the importance of close social relationships, the decline in civic participation in America, the risk of isolation to human beings and society, and the recent assassination attempt of Donald Trump.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:21 Defining loneliness05:12 Growing evidence of modern loneliness07:12 Robert Putnam's work in "Bowling Alone"19:00 Advice for combating loneliness22:31 What causes loneliness?27:13 The Harvard study on happiness - good relationships are most important31:20 How to prioritize a wise, flourishing life38:19 Trade-offs between working for money and having meaningful work44:05 Loneliness and the threat of totalitarianism46:00 The assassination attempt of Donald Trump51:35 Loneliness and modern men58:05 The lack of a script for men today1:00:14 What communities or societies are flourishing today?

Joe Henrich is a professor and the author of multiple best-selling books, including The Secret of Our Success and The WEIRDest People in the World. During our conversation, Joe talks about the interplay of genes and culture in human evolution, the importance of our "collective brains," what we misunderstand about human nature, what he's learned from visiting other indigenous cultures, how culture influences testosterone levels in men, how we might help modern, struggling western men, what we've learned about menopause from grandmother killer whales, the frontier of knowledge in human nature, and more.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:44 We're not individually intelligent02:56 The reason for green and blue eye color in humans06:08 A unique psychological aspect of status and prestige in humans09:02 Human's competitive superpower: our ability to sweat12:00 A story from Joe's experience with the Machiguenga in the Amazon16:44 The variability and stability of human nature18:44 What Westerners misunderstand about human nature21:30 The link between prestige, good information, and human survival23:48 Ideas to help modern men28:28 Where Joe thinks our culture is heading with dating and mating32:25 We have far more female ancestors as male ancestors34:14 Testosterone in men in monogamous and non-monogamous cultures37:09 Big 5 personality traits are not found in non-WEIRD cultures41:00 Gerontocracy mating cultures in Africa44:03 What we learn about menopause from grandmother killer whales46:46 Joe's views on cultural relativism 51:30 Why Joe is so interested in human nature56:26 What is our best understanding of what it means to be human?59:17 Joe's forthcoming new book

David Blankenhorn is an author, an activist, a community organizer, and the co-founder and President of Braver Angels. During our conversation, David talks about polarization in the United States, the workshops that Braver Angels puts together to bring together politically opposed Americans for conversation and common ground, the threat of division to the future of the country, the receding of a "civil religion" in the U.S., the importance of approaching disagreements with a sense of goodwill, and having hope in this dark time.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:28 The state of civic friendship in America04:18 The growth of Braver Angels11:13 What motivates Braver Angels' members?16:37 The work and mission of Braver Angels23:20 We're less polarized than we've been told27:25 Who is benefiting from social division?33:19 Habits to maintain one's humanity40:14 Politics replacing civic virtues in modern times49:28 George Kennan's threat of internal division55:25 The example of Daryl Davis

Robert Glover is a therapist, a speaker, and the author of multiple books, including his best-seller, No More Mr. Nice Guy. During our conversation, Robert talks about choosing a woman who chooses you, the importance of male tribe for men, being open-hearted, and his newest venture: integration nation.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro 00:25 "Choose a woman who chooses you" 20:27 Marriage, relationships, and male purpose 25:00 Being open-hearted as a man and red pill 34:00 The importance of male tribe to men 53:00 Integration nation and Robert's legacy

Shawn T. Smith, a clinical psychologist and author, dives deep into relationships and men's mental health. He highlights the significance of green flags in potential partners and discusses how depression should be viewed as a symptom rather than an illness. Shawn emphasizes the importance of male tribes for emotional support and the need for purpose in men's lives. He addresses the cultural lack of healthy male scripts and urges men to raise their relationship standards while navigating emotional vulnerabilities and societal pressures.

James Fadiman is a researcher, an author, and one of the world's leading experts on microdosing psychedelics. During our conversation, Jim talks about finding one's microdosing "sweet spot," the potential benefits of microdosing, how a healthy society might approach psychedelics, the future of psychedelics in America, and his own spiritual and religious worldview.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:40 Finding your microdosing "sweet spot"06:25 Microdosing quantities for psilocybin10:07 Potential benefits of microdosing15:13 What is happening in the brain with microdosing?20:12 Are there specific strands of psilocybin that are best for microdosing?24:14 How commonly-used should microdosing be in a healthy society?30:08 The future of psychedelics in America36:31 Is there a forthcoming backlash to psychedelics?42:46 What kind of people might be helped by microdosing?56:50 Jim's spiritual and religious views

Dr. William Davis is the author of many best-selling books, including Wheat Belly and Super Gut. During his second appearance on this podcast, Bill talks about the potential benefits of adding probiotics like lactobacillus reuteri to one's microbiome, the benefits of fermented foods, the many negative side effects of wheat, how modern diets seem to contribute to various mental illnesses, and a diet that he would recommend to live a healthy life in modern times.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:38 What Bill has learned in the past two years07:51 Lactobacillus reuteri15:10 How to improve one's microbiome20:03 Fermented foods23:43 "Diseases of civilization"27:36 The modern diet and antibiotics31:29 Bill's views on a healthy diet and lifestyle47:48 The link between mental illness and diet55:10 Habits and supplements to increase health

Bill Wasik is the editorial director for the New York Times Magazine and the author of a variety of books, including his newest - co-written with his wife Monica Murphy - Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals. During our conversation, Bill talks about the dawn of the animal rights movement in post-Civil War America, the lives and work of Henry Bergh and George Angell, and the creation and mission of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals.Bill also talks about the industrialization of meat production, the invisibility of animal suffering today, and his own lifestyle related to animal rights.------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:37 How Americans treated animals in the mid-19th century 03:54 Animal blood sport in the 19th century 07:28 Religious and philosophical outlooks on animals in the 19th century 12:25 Who was Henry Burgh? 16:16 The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 22:22 The legal power of the ASPCA 28:21 Who was George Angell? 33:10 The goal: reduce suffering, not eliminate meat consumption 38:55 Industrializing meat production, and the invisibility of animals today47:20 How this book has influenced Bill and his lifestyle

Oliver Burkeman is a journalist and an author of multiple books, including his bestseller, Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. During our conversation, Oliver talks about being an insecure overachiever, his historic obsession with productivity, learning to say no to things you want to do, the 80/20 principle, and how modern life rewards winners with an unending, lifetime supply of intense work.He also discusses getting clear on what matters to you in life, the work and ideas of James Hollis, and, when facing a big life decision, asking the question, "does this choice diminish or englargen me?"------------Book a meeting with Dan------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:49 Oliver's struggles with time management03:58 "The mistaken belief that it can be cured"06:53 How Oliver has addressed his productivity addiction12:29 The importance of saying no16:57 Insecure overachievers and people pleasers21:52 Today, the reward for winning is a lifetime of intense work28:25 Human's concept of time over time32:15 Time management in other cultures37:33 When deciding, ask: "Does this choice englargen or diminish me?"45:03 Quotes from James Hollis and Carl Jung51:14 Closing comments about "Four Thousand Weeks"

Derek Sivers is an author, a TED speaker, a businessman, a musician, and one of my favorite thinkers on the planet. During our conversation, Derek talks about pursuing mastery, having enough, what success means to him, how he thinks about money, having and raising a kid, and more.Derek's book Hell Yeah or No is one of my all-time favorites, and his essays have had a huge influence on my life. I love Derek's originality, his enthusiasm for life and ideas, and most importantly, his generosity, kindness, and friendliness.------------Keep Talking SubstackRate on SpotifyRate on Apple PodcastsSocial media and all episodesBook a meeting with Dan------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------00:00 Intro00:32 Written off from an early age02:40 How Derek knew he wanted to be a musician08:50 Transitioning from a musician to a businessman15:40 Having enough22:28 Money28:15 The importance of quiet, journaling and solitude40:45 Freedom and children54:48 Giving away $22 million01:03:52 Lifestyle creep01:08:34 Why Derek chooses freedom01:11:14 Envy and maintaining minimalism01:19:25 Success01:21:21 Quotes from Derek's essays01:26:02 Dan's New Zealand story01:35:06 Small actions can have big consequences01:37:23 Reach out to Derek: https://sive.rs/contact