Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

Is it really "darkest just before the dawn?" And if things need to get worse before they get better, isn't a step in the wrong direction actually a step in the right direction? Wouldn't an optimist hope things get worse so they can then hit rock bottom and start the process of getting better? Isn't "hope" the thing that keeps the losing gambler at the table until all is lost? I discuss these and other uplifting questions in the 50th ROMA episode. Pour yourself a beer and join me. Music: "Civilized to Death," by Jack Stafford; "Carefree Highway," by Gordon Lightfoot. This episode is sponsored by OMGYes, your source for smart, science-based information about women's sexual pleasure. Click here for 10% off, or go to www.omgyes.com/chrisryan.  Ponderosa Millworks Michael (with the busted Achille's) who makes incredible things from trees. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. 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

Harley is the author of Lost in the Valley of Death, about the life and (probable) death of my friend (and former podcast guest), Justin Alexander. Pico Iyer, one of the best living travel writers, described Harley's book as, “One of the most haunting books of recent times. ... Somerset Maugham’s classic Razor’s Edge updated to the Age of Instagram." My conversations with Justin are here and here. His Instagram feed is here. Harley on Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Border Country," by the Paper Stars.  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

First episode of 2022. We made it through another weird-ass year. Gonna make some tweaks to the podcast. Thanks for taking this ride with me. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Mulata," by Raul Paz; "Elvis on the Radio, Steel Guitar in My Soul" by The KLF.  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

Timo (aka Tim Killian) is one of my favorite people. Former Mormon, long-time political consultant in Washington state (he helped get marijuana legalized), crisis communicator (he represented the first businesses hit by Covid), motorcycle vagabond, deep thinker, Airbnb host, animal lover, expat, future cult leader.... Just listen. Timo on Instagram. This episode is sponsored by OMGYES. Click here for 10% off. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Society," sung by Eddie Vedder (from the Into the Wild soundtrack); "Smoke Alarm" by Carsie Blanton.  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

Blake Webb is an actor originally from Phoenix, Arizona. He lived in Tamaulipas, Mexico for over two years as a Mormon missionary. He later left the Mormon church, and devoted himself to acting, having appeared in several television shows, including: Good Trouble (recurring), 13 Reasons Why, NCIS, Criminal Minds, American Horror Story, The Last Ship, TURN: Washington's Spies and Colony. We met and hung out in Guatemala. He's a sweet guy who keeps getting cast as a serial killer for some reason. Blake on Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Make Art Not Friends," by Sturgill Simpson; "Smoke Alarm" by Carsie Blanton.  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

Rick Beato is the kind of guy who will make you hopeful for humanity. After decades producing and teaching music, he's found a way to spread knowledge and joy to millions of people from his basement studio by showing us What Makes This Song Great. In the past few months, he's come to the attention of amazing musicians such as Brian May (Queen), Larry Carlton (Steely Dan), Pat Metheny, and Sting -- all of whom have sat down to talk about their musical lives with Rick, after realizing that he's not a journalist trying to understand music, he's a fellow musician who speaks their language. If you've felt the magic of music (or haven't yet), go check out Rick's YouTube channel. Your life will never be the same. This episode is sponsored by OMGYES. Click here for 10% off. Rick's on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Waterfalls," by TLC, covered by Ten Fé; "Smoke Alarm" by Carsie Blanton.  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

Justin “Jud” Kaliszewski is an author, artist, and adventurer. The renowned creator of OUTLAW Yoga, he is a best-selling yoga teacher and author of “The Outlaw Protocol – how to live as an outlaw without becoming a criminal”, and the children's picture book “The Adventures of Babu – from there to here”. His latest novel “The Adventures of Larry Wampler – The Case of The Koreatown Car-Jumper” is available NOW for digital download on Amazon.com.   He creates connection by delivering transformational yoga-experiences across the country. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram @outlawyoga and @outlawyogi. Take his class NOW at www.outlawyogaclub.com and www.youtube.com/outlawyoga, and find his writing and art at www.justinkaliszewski.com. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Desert Land," by Elena B. Williams; "Party at the End of the World" by Carsie Blanton.  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

Dallas is a functional medicine practitioner, Certified Sports Nutritionist, and licensed physical therapist who specializes in treating lifestyle-related hormonal, digestive, and metabolic health issues. In 2009, he co-created the original Whole30 program. In 2012, he co-authored the New York Times bestselling book It Starts With Food, and founded his functional medicine practice, mentoring under Dr. Daniel Kalish and enrolling in the Institute for Functional Medicine's certification program. Dallas has presented more than 200 health and nutrition seminars worldwide, is a member of the Paleo f(x) and Fitwall advisory boards, and provides support and lifestyle recommendations to more than 1.5 million people a month through the Whole30 and Whole9 websites. He lives in Salt Lake City, UT. Dallas on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Breakdown," by Tom Petty; "The Seed 2.0" by The Roots.  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

Dr. Paul Conti is adept at helping people untangle complex problems – and he also happens to be a psychiatrist. Dr. Conti is a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed his training at Stanford and Harvard, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Conti is the author of Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic, a book that brings his valuable insights about how we can collectively heal from trauma’s effects to a larger audience. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Suffer," by Seydu; "Suffer Well," by Simon van Gend Band.  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

Alex owns and runs Caoba Farms, just outside of Antigua, Guatemala. It's a Farm-to-Table restaurant where the tables are literally ON the farm. Best food I had in my two months in Guatemala, hands down. We talked about how he got started (growing weed in CA, then selling lettuce to restaurants back in Guatemala), why Alex loves to experiment and learn about nurturing plants and animals, and why this knowledge is so important to share. I really enjoyed hanging with this guy. Here's the article I discussed in the intro. Caoba Farms on Insta. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Mistica," by Orishas; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton.  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