

Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan
Chris Ryan
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 23min
670 - Mike Gross
Mike just finished his stint in the army and is celebrating by riding a bicycle from El Paso to Canada. He passed by Crestone recently, and we sat down to get to know each other. Pull up a chair and join us! 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

Aug 12, 2025 • 3min
669 - ROMA 91
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comMore blathering. This time, talking about: — Epstein and how fame/power/money distort one’s sense of the possible/permissible;— The joys of watching the Little League playoffs;— A friend’s hard fall. Here’s the link to give Charles some love.

Aug 4, 2025 • 5min
668 - Before the Dawn, Part II (with Riley Morton)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comMy friend Riley Morton and I sat down for about six hours over two days and he picked my brain about who I am, who I’ve been, and the experiences and ideas that formed the foundation for what eventually became a book called Sex at Dawn. This is the second of a four-part series.

Aug 3, 2025 • 3min
667 - ROMA 90
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comIt’s the back to school episode! Do you feel like the year begins at the end of summer? Can anyone really be helped (or just supported in helping themselves)? A study showing how we find what we expect to find. Some thoughts on budgeting energy and attention and learning how to invest both more…

Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 42min
666 - Kevin Russell Returns (AI/The Future)
Kevin Russell, a technology enthusiast, farmer, and expert in AI and cryptocurrency, dives deep into the intricate dance between technology and mythology. He discusses AI's potential in agriculture, especially in preserving memories, and the philosophical evolution of consciousness. The dialogue touches on how AI serves not just as a tool, but as a reflection of human desires and beliefs. They also highlight the importance of diverse perspectives in technology, urging us to consider identity and legacy in an ever-changing digital world.

Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 42min
665 - Remembering Uncle Dan (with my cousin David Carr)
Our uncle Dan was a huge influence on both of us, albeit in very different ways. For Dave, Dan was a surrogate father figure who helped guide him through adolescence. For me, Dan was more of a kindred spirit, and our friendship mostly happened in the last decade or so of his life. When we combine our memories, we get a more complete understanding of the man. (How did I not know he loved jazz?) 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

Jul 13, 2025 • 58min
664 - Road ROMA (89 & Budokon Recap)
We were camping at the Tom Thorn/Beth Williams Wildlife Habitat Management Area in southern Wyoming when we recorded this, yesterday. It’s raw. It’s real. Maybe you can hear the birds chirping. Anya and I recap the retreat and give some thoughts about being on the road. 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

Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 19min
663 - Erik Rittenberry (Poetic Outlaws)
Erik’s is the brain behind one of my favorite accounts on Substack, Poetic Outlaws. If I were a woman, I’d be chasing guys like him: smart, tough, adventurous, well-read, sensitive, funny, talented, and way more humble than a guy like that has any right to be. He writes beautifully, takes great photos, has impeccable taste in literature. 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

Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 2min
662 - Mark Sisson (Author of Born to Walk)
Mark Sisson, a health and fitness expert known as the founding father of the ancestral health movement, shares insights on joy in exercise and the importance of walking over strenuous workouts. He critiques societal norms around fitness and longevity, emphasizing pleasurable movement. The conversation touches on cultural contrasts in attitudes toward life, death, and aging, alongside a rich discussion of personal stories and the beauty of embracing life and mortality. Mark's thoughts challenge traditional narratives, highlighting the evolving nature of human health.

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 12min
661 - Manvir Singh (Author of Shamanism: The Timeless Religion)
Manvir Singh, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at UC Davis and author of *Shamanism: The Timeless Religion*, dives into the rich world of shamanism. He shares his journey from evolutionary biology to studying Indigenous psychedelics in Colombia and shamanism in Indonesia. The conversation explores how ancient practices intersect with modern professions, likening hedge fund managers to traditional shamans. Manvir also reflects on embracing mortality and living authentically, blending humor with profound insights.