Decoding the Gurus
Christopher Kavanagh and Matthew Browne
An exiled Northern Irish anthropologist and a hitchhiking Australian psychologist take a close look at the contemporary crop of 'secular gurus', iconoclasts, and other exiles from the mainstream, offering their own brands of unique takes and special insights.
Leveraging two of the most diverse accents in modern podcasting, Chris and Matt dig deep into the claims, peek behind the psychological curtains, and try to figure out once and for all... What's it all About?
Join us, as we try to puzzle our way through and talk some smart-sounding smack about the intellectual giants of our age, from Jordan Peterson to Robin DiAngelo. Are they revolutionary thinkers or just grifters with delusions of grandeur?
Join us and let's find out!
Leveraging two of the most diverse accents in modern podcasting, Chris and Matt dig deep into the claims, peek behind the psychological curtains, and try to figure out once and for all... What's it all About?
Join us, as we try to puzzle our way through and talk some smart-sounding smack about the intellectual giants of our age, from Jordan Peterson to Robin DiAngelo. Are they revolutionary thinkers or just grifters with delusions of grandeur?
Join us and let's find out!
Episodes
Mentioned books
38 snips
Dec 24, 2023 • 3h 20min
Sam Harris: Transcending it All?
Sam Harris, influential in philosophy and neuroscience, discusses leaving Twitter and his favorite topics: Buddhism, consciousness, and living in the moment. He also talks about problems with free speech absolutism and reactionary conspiracism.
Dec 22, 2023 • 1h 42min
DTG Christmas Quiz 2023 with Helen Lewis
Journalist and author Helen Lewis joins the hosts for a Christmas quiz. They discuss grappling with a heavyset man in judo, play a guessing game about a guru, and explore controversial figures and changing opinions. The conversation also includes enemas, expansion ideas, identifying false options, and identifying fake flavors in a tonic drink. The podcast wraps up with the Christmas quiz results and a playful discussion about future competitions and new projects.
Dec 8, 2023 • 2h 39min
Red Scare: Bohemian Hipsterism x Reactionary Tradcaths
Hip writer and artist Tao Lin joins the 'Red Scare' podcast to discuss his cat's autism diagnosis, the rise of postmodern conservatism, the controversy surrounding vaccinations, and the unique style of the podcast. They also explore the concept of autistic writing styles, examine observations of East Asian social behavior, and delve into discussions about vegetarianism, scams, and the search for truth.
57 snips
Nov 18, 2023 • 2h 43min
Interview with Daniël Lakens and Smriti Mehta on the state of Psychology
Psychologists and podcast hosts Daniël Lakens and Smriti Mehta discuss the replication crisis, responsible heterodoxy, and the role of different communication modes in shaping discourses. They also touch on AI, Lex and Elon being teenage edge lords, and controversial resignations in the field of psychology.
11 snips
Nov 9, 2023 • 3h 13min
Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia: Self-enhancement, supplements & doughnuts?
Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Andrew Huberman discuss the life-extending properties of Metformin, week-long starvation regimes, self-dosing experimental treatments, and the controversy surrounding the benefits of Metformin in the longevity community. They also explore cultural differences in therapy, analyzing research papers, reading scientific papers, the cognitive enhancing effects of nicotine, the influence of belief on medication effectiveness, limitations in research studies, and self-experimentation in the health industry.
Oct 16, 2023 • 2h 4min
Interview with Julia Ebner: Extremist Networks & Radicalisation
Julia Ebner, author and researcher, discusses factors impacting radicalisation, her experiences as an undercover investigator, and the psychology of conspiracy theories. The hosts also analyze conspiracy theories surrounding COVID vaccines and the Israeli government. They emphasize the rise of extremist networks and the importance of critical thinking to address misinformation.
19 snips
Oct 3, 2023 • 2h 31min
Triggernometry's Big Moment: Entering the Guru Galaxy
The hosts of Triggernometry discuss the attention and financial rewards in the guru-sphere, including their own experiences. They also address the importance of critical consumption and navigating cancel culture. The chapter explores their struggles as independent content creators, surpassing goals, and expanding their brand. The hosts reflect on their collaborative success and discuss trigonometry's future. They also talk about upcoming plans, compare fascism and communism, and touch on vaccination and listener feedback.
Sep 19, 2023 • 2h 40min
Interview with the Conspirituality Trio: Navigating the Chakras of Conspiracy
In this podcast, the hosts interview the Conspirituality Trio as they discuss the trend of conspiracy theories merging with spirituality. They explore topics such as interconnectedness, political tactics, Republican corruption, and the intersection of biohacking and spirituality. The speakers also address conflicts of interest, ethical issues, concerns raised by conspiracy theorists, and navigating trust in public health information. They delve into the shift towards scientific-based influencers, the view of religion by secular gurus, and the influence of health experts. They also touch on diverse perspectives, negative reviews, and conspiracy hypotheses suggested by Patreon supporters.
11 snips
Sep 6, 2023 • 2h 11min
Andrew Huberman: Forest Bathing in Negative Ions
Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman discusses the benefits of 'grounding' and being in nature. Topics include negative ions from waterfalls, the joy of observing nature, sunlight's impact on circadian rhythms, and the controversy surrounding forest bathing. They also explore the concept of grounding, its potential benefits, and skepticism in scientific studies.
5 snips
Aug 18, 2023 • 3h 23min
Noam Chomsky: Lover of linguistics, the USA... not so much
Noam Chomsky, linguist, cognitive scientist, media theorist, political activist, and cultural commentator, discusses topics such as linguistics, politics, and the war in Ukraine. The podcast explores the linguistic aspects of language and group identity, the impact of neoliberalism on labor unions, Jeremy Corbyn's controversies, and the invasion of Ukraine as a war crime. It also delves into Finland and Sweden's perspectives on joining NATO, the influence of corporations and anti-science movements, and reflects on Noam Chomsky's unique qualities and ideological views.
