Life Examined
Jonathan Bastian
A weekly exploration of psychology, philosophy, endurance sports, and finding meaning in the modern world. lifeexamined.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 7, 2026 • 8min
Anthony Bourdain, forced fatherhood, and whether or not to have kids
Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 31, 2026 • 10min
Marathons and Magic Mushrooms
Why are millennials running marathons and exploring magic mushrooms? This reflection examines endurance sports as a response to career stagnation and psychedelics as a route to spirituality without religion. It considers how disciplined progress and mystical uncertainty complement each other, while probing the risks of turning achievement or altered states into avoidance.
Oct 24, 2026 • 11min
Therapy and meditation need each other, but can't replace each other
Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe
Oct 10, 2026 • 8min
Lose your ego and find your soul
A candid reflection on midlife, identity, and the seductive pull of external validation. From chasing bigger audiences and prestigious media roles to discovering a deeper calling in counseling psychology, this story explores career misalignment, grief, divorce, loneliness, and the transformation of hardship into empathy. It also considers the shift from reaching thousands to forming meaningful one-to-one connections and giving experience back through service.
Oct 3, 2026 • 9min
Mountains of Grief
Growing up amid Aspen’s beauty, adventure, and danger, one writer reflects on five young lives lost to mountain tragedies. The story explores how repeated loss reshapes a tight-knit community, why grief transcends class and circumstance, and the powerful pull of adrenaline sports. It also considers the emotional toll on families, rescuers, and witnesses, and the need to keep remembrance alive.
Sep 12, 2026 • 8min
The loneliness of the male therapist
Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 29, 2026 • 7min
Ask people about their grief. Then ask them again.
Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 22, 2026 • 6min
The therapy of Rumi and Joan Didion
Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 15, 2026 • 11min
The hidden wisdom of my espresso machine
A meditation on the strange engineering and rituals of analog espresso machines. A reflection on specialist versus generalist tendencies prompted by a tiny cup. The tense choreography of grinder, dosage and timing gets attention. Tinkering becomes a mindful craft. Small servings are framed as tools for presence and accumulated meaning.
Aug 1, 2026 • 19min
The Millennial Midlife Crisis: Part IV
Get full access to Life Examined at lifeexamined.substack.com/subscribe
