My friend Debra is a magical woman living a magical life. She’s the hub of many wheels, the grain of sand in the oyster, the sun in solar systems, the log that breaks the logjam. She hangs out with movie stars, billionaires, artists, and visionaries. Her energy, generosity, and spirit attract the kinds of people most of us spend our lives hoping to meet — and nothing makes her happier than connecting them to one another and watching amazing things ensue. Be sure to check out our previous episode as well.You can check out some of Debra’s creations in Vejer de la Frontera here.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “Party at the End of the World,” by Carsie Blanton.A little something just for subscribers: This song/video of “Make Art not Friends,” by Sturgill Simpson keeps blowing my mind.Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. 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

In the first part of this month’s bonus ROMA (BROMA), available to everyone, I talk about a new feature to help listeners find each other. I also talk about my thoughts concerning whether we’re all in some kind of simulation, the difference between sound and music, and my personal feelings about and experience with abortion.Part 2 (where I talked about navigating unconventional relationship structures, when to “go for it” vs. when to play it safe, and when having sex with friends is dangerous) is for paid subscribers only. Click here to access it.Here’s the doc I mentioned about the dude living in the jungle in Hawaii.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “V Nebi,” by Dirty Losers; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Here’s the map feature and instructions for use:People who want to add their location on the map should use this link:https://facilmap.org/tspeaking.editThis link is for viewing only:https://facilmap.org/tspeakingThe map is very easy to use:To add your location, click "add" in the upper right corner-> click "marker"-> click your location on the map-> click "edit data" in the info box in the upper left corner.- Write your name and description of yourself, don't forget to add contact info and/or social media links.-> Done!Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. 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

To boil it waaay down … After suffering a freak road-rage incident in LA, Robert came to Spain to visit an old friend seven years ago, then went back to LA, quit his job, sold his house under the Hollywood sign, and brought his two daughters to live in a village by the “Playa de los Muertos,” where hundreds of dead sailors washed ashore after the Battle of Trafalgar two hundred and a few years ago. These days, you might see Robert riding his horse down that beach. Or you’ll find him painting, reading, swimming in the Atlantic, or just looking up at the night sky, taking in the majesty of it all. What more is there? It’s been a long road, and it’s led to an amazing place for this man.The Ancient Order of the Hermetics can be found here.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. 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

Intro messages from Mike in Washington, Adam in the UK, and a human from an undisclosed location. I discuss a few topics suggested by listeners, including: “Should I have kids?” “What about yoga?” “What’s the deal with asexuality?” “How has your sense of your personal future changed as you’ve aged?”Also, what’s the deal with ice machines in hotels? Who’s using all that ice? What are they doing with it? Here’s the promised link to the discussion thread where you can chime in on these fascinating topics and anything else that moves you.To receive new posts and support this nonsense, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. 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

If you’ve read my recent post of the same title, you can skip this one, which is mostly for folks who listen to the podcast, but haven’t checked out what’s happening at Substack yet. Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. 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

Zen Rahmoun is living what may be the story of our age: that of the refugee. Whether triggered by war, climate change, political upheaval, or economic collapse, one in 95 people around the world have been forced to leave their home, resulting in over 82 million refugees. Well over a thousand people drown every year trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to find a better life in Europe. Zen was almost one of them. Please consider subscribing to my hybrid newsletter/blog/podcast.Also, if the frequency of these emails is too much for you, I’ve set up a monthly option, so you’ll just get a summary of what I’ve posted once in a full moon. You can find instructions on how to set that up here.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Here’s a charmingly raw rendition of one of my all-time favorite Funkadelic songs, “Can You Get to That?,” covered by Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers in their car. (Don’t miss the photobombing by the guy in the way back.)Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. 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

In the past year or so Simon Rex’s life has changed in ways nobody could have anticipated, but the man himself has changed very little. He’s just as funny, thoughtful, kind, and generous as ever. I love this guy. I’m pretty sure you will too. Check him out in Red Rocket, streaming on Redbox, Prime Video, VUDU, Vudu Movie & TV Store or FlixFling on your Roku device.Please consider subscribing to my hybrid newsletter/blog/podcast. Also, if the frequency of these emails is too much for you, I’m asking for ways to cut it down to one a week/month for folks who prefer that. Stay tuned, and please forgive the inbox clutter while I work this out. Should be soon.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Featured tunes: “These Days,” by Robert Harley; “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. 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

Mike Lang taught me to enjoy beer and Rush when we were 16 years old in 1978. We’ve been brothers-by-choice ever since. In addition to being one of the smartest people I know, Mike has direct family ties to Ukraine, speaks Russian fluently, and is deeply interested in the history of the region, so he seemed like a good person to chat with about what’s going on there now. Please consider subscribing to my hybrid newsletter/blog/podcast. Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Featured tunes: “Down in Belgorod,” by The Paul Winter Consort; “Smoke Alarm,” Carsie Blanton.Questions about the process? Technical issues with your feed? Email podcasting@substackinc.com for support.Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To get access to bonus content including bonus episodes, newsletters, and exclusive blog posts, please become a paid subscriber. 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

What's the relation between "truth" and meaning? Can we scientifically verify our visions while tripping? Are psychedelics tools or teachers? Is astrology "real?" Why has "myth" come to mean something that isn't true in recent years, when no one ever claimed that myths were any truer than novels or poems? These and other questions are discussed (but not really answered) in this episode recorded on a bright, chilly Sunday afternoon in Kaş, Turkey. Intro music: "Brightside of the Sun," by Basin and Range; "Blue Sky," by Dwayne Hoover; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This episode is sponsored by OMGYES.com. Click here for 10% off your lifetime membership. 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

Should I welcome you, or thank you for welcoming me? My appreciation for the Blindboy podcast. Lifeguard lessons. Why a dog with a bone isn't your friend. Do circles explain more than lines? (Is an NFL locker room the closest thing in the straight world to a gay bath-house?) Intro music: "Brightside of the Sun," by Basin and Range; "Free Your Mind (And Your Ass Will Follow)," by Funkadelic. This episode is sponsored by OMGYES.com. Click here for 10% off your lifetime membership. 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