Myoclonic Jerk
Daniel Kaufman
"Beautifully made... brilliantly original," says The Telegraph. A 20-part public-radio-style series that asks big questions about life and how to live it. Ex-lawyer/comedian Daniel Kaufman takes on a different subject each episode using monologue, stories, interviews, music, and more. This show is made with a lot of love and care (and OCD) and new episodes come out very infrequently, but they will keep coming, so be sure to subscribe to get all future episodes. You can also be notified of new releases by joining the mailing list at the website. FYI, a myoclonic jerk is that twitch that happens as you're falling asleep that wakes you up. Scientists think the brain confuses the feeling of your muscles relaxing with the feeling of falling or dying and sends a startle impulse to your body to save it. Why is that the name of this podcast? Why not?
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 30, 2018 • 2h 51min
Episode 12 - Race
What is race? What is privilege? How did we get here and where do we go from here? Dan talks to psychologists, educators, anthropologists, and a comedian, to try to get a little bit less dumb on the issue. Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Jan 20, 2016 • 1h 29min
Episode 11 - The Long View
Michelle Thaller, a NASA astronomer, explores the Big Bang and our universe's expansion, while Sean Carroll discusses baby universes and the nature of time. Historian Dan Carlin reflects on how large narratives shape history, and poker champion Annie Duke emphasizes the balance of skill and luck in decision-making. Gabrielle Oettingen introduces the WOOP method, revealing how daydreaming can hinder motivation. Comedian Jimmy Dore shares a humorous encounter with an audience member, shedding light on live performance dynamics.
Feb 14, 2015 • 1h 33min
Episode 10 - Evil
We know people do horrible stuff, but why? Is there really such a thing as evil, or are bad people just sick? If so, how do we handle them? Daniel hashes it out with Derf Backderf (author of My Friend Dahmer), Adrian Raine (author of The Anatomy of Violence), Rick Nevin (economist who explains how lead leads to crime), Bill Miller (author of Eye for an Eye), and Fred Luskin (Author of Forgive for Good). There will also be talking snake. Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Dec 31, 2013 • 1h 40min
Episode 9 - Sex
What does sex mean? Is loveless sex okay? Daniel chews it over with Chester Brown, Tracy Quan, Ryan Ridley, and more. Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Sep 19, 2012 • 2h 40min
Episode 8 - Eating Animals
In this episode we consider the ethics of eating animals with help from a chef, a slaughterer, a hunter, a scientist working on lab-grown meat, a vegan advocate, an undercover slaughterhouse investigator, a Humane Society VP, an animal behaviorist, ranchers, a doctor, an ecologist, three comedians and a buddhist! Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Apr 23, 2012 • 1h 34min
Episode 7 - Failure
How do we think about failure? How should we? Cory MacLauchlin uncovers the myths surrounding the life and death of John Kennedy Toole. Jane Anne Staw looks for the deeper causes of writer's block. Comedian Jimmy Pardo tells about bombing on the Tonight Show. Plane crash follies returns, Uncle Marty debuts, and much more! Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Nov 25, 2011 • 1h 24min
Episode 6 - Enemies
Why can't we all just get along (and why do people think that question is funny)? Daniel talks to comedian and political commentator Jimmy Dore, social psychologist Lee Ross, an Israeli who went from Right to Left, a Cypriot who lost his home in the Turkish invasion, a new episode of Plane Crash Follies. And much more!
Jul 1, 2011 • 1h 1min
Episode 5 - Addiction
Part 2 of the Gaming series! In this episode we look at the dark side of games, how they hook us and the damage they can do, and where they might be taking us. Daniel talks to therapist and author Shavaun Scott about her time as an in-game therapist. Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani talks about his life in games. Writer/performer Justine Barron explains why games are more appealing than guitar lessons. Online gaming pioneer Richard Garriott (aka Lord British) and Vlad Cole of Blizzard Entertainment both return to defend games. All this and much more!
Apr 1, 2011 • 60min
Episode 4 - Escape
Part 1 of the Gaming series! In this episode we look at why games are so seductive, why we choose to lose ourselves in them, what they do for us and how. Daniel talks to online gaming pioneer Richard Garriott as well as Vlad Cole of Blizzard Entertainment. Costaki Economopoulos talks Fantasy Football and Ryan Ridley talks about his time in Oblivion. David Cale performs a story about a troubled girl, and much more!
Jan 12, 2011 • 56min
Episode 3 - The Beast
Part 2 of the Beauty and the Beast series! In this episode we look at the beast's side of things. If you had to be one or the other in a relationship, which would you be? Daniel talks to Jesse Case about a humiliation he suffered at the hands of a beauty. We hear more from our beauties from last episode, and more from therapist Sagit Schwartz. Ryan Ridley defends himself against Dan's ugly attacks. A cockroach writes a poem, and much more!
