Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

Aaron Rivera, known for his insightful leadership in men’s groups, brings his unique perspective on vulnerability and authentic connections. He discusses the complexities of friendship, emphasizing the need for non-romantic love and community support. The conversation tackles the often-taboo subjects of sexuality and personal growth, highlighting how shared experiences can foster deeper bonds. Aaron also delves into redefining masculinity, urging men to embrace vulnerability and authenticity, while reflecting on life’s transient nature and the importance of living genuinely.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comTry to fix this old house again, or should we burn it down and start over?

Deborah and her husband lost everything but their lives and each other when Hurricane Helene washed away their house a few weeks ago. Deborah’s experience of this “emergence” is framed by her experiences as a Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, and author. I greatly appreciate her trust in sharing her thoughts and insights — even while still immersed in the rawness of her grief and shock at almost being swept away with her home and everything in it. Listen to her explain what it’s like to find diamonds in the wreckage.Here’s the video Deborah took in the ruins of her home:If you are moved to help in the recovery, please go here.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Still Water,” by Daniel Lanois. Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Still Water, by Daniel LanoisSad eyes, sad eyesWhere're you going with that confidence?Sad eyes, sad eyesWhere're you going with that confidence?I'm going to where the boats go byCaledonia river flow so wideI'm going to where the boats go byCaledonia river flow so wideStill water - Laying overStill water - Laying overStill water - Laying overCaledonia river oh, so wideWild eyes in the wildernessWhere're you going with the devil in hand?Wild eyes in the wildernessWhere're you going with the devil in hand?I'm going to build the bridges highfor working money, for working moneyI'm going to climb the bridges highCaledonia brother far awayStill water - I'm laying overStill water - Lay my body down overStill water - Laying overCaledonia river far away...Sad eyes in the weary nightHave you seen your brother,have you seen your brother?Waiting by the river GrandCaledonia river oh, so wideGoing to where the rain fallsLook for my brother,look for my brotherGoing to where the rain fallsCaledonia river far awayStill water - Laying overStill water - Lay my body downStill water - Laying overCaledonia river far away... 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

Retired in 2016 after five terms as Colorado’s only Green Party county commissioner, Art Goodtimes has worked as a newspaper editor and he had a 40+ year run writing weekly and monthly op-ed columns for print and online publications including the Telluride Times, the San Miguel Journal, the Telluride Times-Journal, the Watch, the Daily Planet, the MontroseMirror.com, and Colorado Poets Center.Art studied to be a Roman Catholic priest for seven years, and has continued to marry people as a Universal Life minister. Director of the Institute's Telluride Mushroom Festival for its first 25 years, he remains as Cultural Director and Poet-in-Residence.His poetry books include As If the World Really Mattered (La Alameda Press, Albuquerque, 2007) and Looking South to Lone Cone (Western Eye Press, Sedona, 2013). He was co-editor of the anthology MycoEpithalamia: Mushroom Wedding Poems (Fungi Press, CA, 2016). Turn Star Press of Telluride brought out a limited edition chapbook in 2019 that he co-authored called Telluride Valley Floor. Art’s latest book is Dancing on Edge: The McRedeye Poems (Lithic Press, Fruita, CO, 2019).This is a free-access, no-paywall episode. Please consider supporting the podcast by subscribing for free or if you’re feeling it, as a paying supporter. Either way, thanks! 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

I'm back. Thanks for your love and support over these past few difficult weeks.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Into the Mystic,” by Van Morrison. 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

Cameron Shayne, a martial arts expert and innovative movement teacher, dives into diverse themes. He shares amusing tales about a domesticated weasel and reflects on the oddities of modern media. The conversation shifts to power dynamics in yoga, emphasizing consent and personal agency. They also discuss the joy of craft beers and cultural rivalries, while examining societal expectations around wealth and masculinity. Cameron also shares the bittersweet nature of fame and the importance of community support, encouraging listeners to embrace life's impermanence.

Dive into the fascinating origins of modern politics by exploring ancient conflicts between agriculture and hunter-gatherer societies. Discover how these historical roots shape contemporary ideologies and social dynamics. Uncover the transformative effects of the agricultural revolution on relationships, spirituality, and ownership. Contrast the rigid nature of monotheism with the optimism of hunter-gatherer beliefs. Finally, reflect on life's impermanence and the importance of authenticity in our relationships and desires.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comAndrew Gold is an investigative journalist, podcaster and filmmaker who has made and presented documentaries for the BBC and HBO. He presents the popular podcast Heretics, where he has interviewed Richard Dawkins, Jon Ronson and David Baddiel amongst many others. His documentary on exorcism won several international festival awards and his research in G…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comShawn Kubli is an American immunologist and surfer, currently land-locked in Toronto, Ontario. Working in the biotech industry for Treadwell Therapeutics, his research group develops living drugs – cell therapy – that harness the intrinsic power of the immune system to fight cancer. Shawn’s academic background in evolutionary genetics and ecology shape …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.comGender controversies at the Olympics. What is a woman? How pronoun preference is like religion and veganism. What is intimacy and how can we nurture it? What is valuable? What is beauty? How is attraction contextual?Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Take Me Down,” by Honey We Three. “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton. Paid version:…