
Tangentially Speaking with Christopher 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
Latest episodes

Feb 4, 2025 • 3min
638 - ROMA 82
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comA few of the questions I ponder in this one: How can we distinguish what’s true for me from what’s just true? How can we tell when the shit’s hitting the fan? Is it always hitting the fan? When is a dress not a dress? How is a bikini like “the N-word?” Was Trump inevitable? Do we choose our world, or are we just observers? Intro music “Brightside of the…

Jan 24, 2025 • 5min
637 - ROMA 81
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comWhat does it mean to be a “consenting adult?” (Thoughts on the Neil Gaiman mess.)Why podcast?David Milch: “People who are unable to turn their wishes into passions … sit passively in mute outrage, anticipating disasters.” The original article accusing Gaiman is here. Kat Rosenfield’s thoughts are here. Information about the Becoming Uncivilized event is

Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 38min
636 - Theo Von (Reboot of Ep 342)
Theo Von, a comedian and podcaster known for his candidness, dives into a range of intriguing topics. He reflects on his trip to China and its cultural quirks while exploring the strange allure of fame. The conversation touches on mental health as a societal issue, the ethics of relationships, and personal addiction experiences. With a blend of humor and vulnerability, Theo shares childhood misunderstandings and candid thoughts on authenticity in comedy, making for a deep yet entertaining discussion.

Dec 31, 2024 • 14min
635 - Chewing the Fat with Cameron Shayne
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comCameron has been studying and sharing martial arts, yoga and mobility for over 30 years producing hundreds of highly skilled teachers world wide. He currently lives and runs Budokon University Montana with his wife Budokon University Director Melayne Shayne.Come decivilize yourself with us in Montana this summer. More info h…

Dec 24, 2024 • 14min
634 - Peter Anderson (Author/Poet/Mountain Man)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comPete and I entertain a few questions and we talk by the fire. Among them: What is soul? Is there a purpose in learning these lessons as we get older? Are silence and solitude necessary components to the soul’s maturity? Are silence and solitude even available in a world overrun by the “attention economy?”

Dec 17, 2024 • 3min
633 - ROMA 80 (Part 2)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comSome stuff I didn’t get to yesterday. Who was inside Aubrey Plaza’s consciousness, watching her have a stroke? Do podcasters like Rogan and Theo Von have a responsibility to change what they do in light of their massive audiences?Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “That’s What I Got,” by Marcelo D2.

Dec 16, 2024 • 24min
632 - ROMA 80
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comA few of the issues stumbled over: The complicated ethics of revenge against a corporation. Yet more evidence that we don’t live in the real world. On old creeps like Woody Allen, Cormac McCarthy, and me. And more!Here’s the article about Cormac McCarthy I mentioned and the response from The Guardian.Here’s that holiday Amazon link.Intro music “Brightsi…

Dec 3, 2024 • 37min
631 - ROMA 79
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com— Responses to comments on the Wim Hof thing.— Is football like sex work? — How to behave in the End Times.— A few words in defense of Woody Allen and Joe Rogan.— The night Daryl Hanna asked me to sign a copy of Sex at Dawn.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Party at the End of the World,” by Carsie Blanton. “Accidentall…

Nov 27, 2024 • 19min
630 - ROMA 78
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comMeet me in the kitchen! Anger vs gratitude. The perverse appetite for disaster. Who are we to judge? Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. "Roll the Bones,” by Shakey Graves. “Watch it Fall,” by Billy Strings.Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan is a reader-supported publication. To support this thing, please consider becoming a free…

Nov 22, 2024 • 2h 26min
629 - Nikki Glaser (Reboot)
Joining the conversation is Nikki Glaser, a comedian and actress celebrated for her bold humor and unfiltered stand-up. The duo fearlessly jumps from hilarious tales of social media scrutiny and cultural cleaning habits to deeper reflections on intimacy and body image. They also explore the therapeutic benefits of sexual satisfaction in pain relief. With light-hearted anecdotes about teenage adventures and candid discussions on cosmetic surgery risks, this lively chat offers both laughter and thoughtful insights into modern relationships and personal growth.