Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comThis one gets very personal. Riley and I talk about how my own erotic journey informed my doctoral research and what eventually became Sex at Dawn. We cover everything from my first heartbreak when my first girlfriend went off to college (and I stayed in high school) through grad school in San Francisco.Check out Riley’s new podcast, called Author’s Note

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comWhat the hell is going on? Why does the mainstream narrative seem to be increasingly unbelievable? Is decency outdated? Why were Paul Newman and Robert Redford important? Is the future female? Is competence necessary to run a country?

Tom is a fascinating man. He’s shot lasers at the moon and measured their reflection. After studying astrophysics at Cal Tech he taught at UCSD for years. But there came a point where his awareness of the destructiveness of the machine made it impossible to keep making adjustments to its smooth functioning. Unlike many people confronted with that contradiction, Tom walked away, choosing freedom of thought over financial stability and ego gratification. This is the first part of what I hope will be an on-going conversation. Part two is coming next week.You can read Tom’s thoughts at his newsletter, called Do the Math.Here’s a taste of our conversation. If you prefer to see/hear the whole thing, here’s a link to the full video.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Whiter Shade of Pale,” performed by Steve Winwood and Carlos Santana. Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.If you buy from Amazon, my link is here. (You can click on it once, then bookmark that as your go-to Amazon link so it’ll always work.)Buy some merch from my mom here.Find other Tangentialistas around the world! 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

Lloyd Kahn, a veteran builder and author, shares his vibrant journey through ninety remarkable years of life. He discusses the significance of alternative building and the creative community in Crestone. Lloyd reflects on aging gracefully, emphasizing the importance of diet and exercise, while also exploring grief and autonomy in end-of-life choices. His insights on the soul and living memory provide a profound perspective, along with a caution against overly nostalgic views of the past. Join this delightful conversation filled with wisdom and humor!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comHow was Charlie Kirk the same as the people who hated him most? What’s the dangerous appeal of simplicity and clarity in a complex world? Can/should we tolerate intolerance? The trick of valuing the things we DON’T have or need. All this and more!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comWhat happens to famous people who get lost in their own show and gradually start playing themselves in the movie of their lives?

Dan Blumstein, a UCLA professor and author of 'The Nature of Fear', dives deep into the intricate relationship between fear and behavior, both human and animal. He examines how fear shapes decision-making and survival strategies, sharing insights on risk assessment in activities like mountaineering. The discussion also touches on how society manipulates fear and the role of open dialogue in understanding complex issues. With reflections on mortality and the evolutionary significance of fear, it's a thought-provoking journey into our primal instincts.

Alan Collinge is the founder of StudentLoanJustice.Org, author of The Student Loan Scam: The Most Oppressive Debt in U.S. History and How We Can Fight Back. 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

The host explores the tension between social media's commercial pressures and authentic expression in podcasting. They reflect on the evolution of humor and its impact on figures like Joe Rogan, critiquing how fame changes perspective. Advertising's manipulative hold on society is examined, alongside the authenticity challenge in politics, especially with public figures like Trump. The conversation also touches on empathetic leadership in immigration discourse, the necessity of clear communication, and the nostalgic power of music.

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