

The Nietzsche Podcast
Untimely Reflections
A podcast about Nietzsche's ideas, his influences, and those he influenced. Philosophy and cultural commentary through a Nietzschean lens.
Support the show at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/untimelyreflections
A few collected essays and thoughts: https://untimely-reflections.blogspot.com/
Support the show at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/untimelyreflections
A few collected essays and thoughts: https://untimely-reflections.blogspot.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 55min
127: Where is the Dao?
Dive into the intriguing world of Dao, exploring its origins and meanings in Chinese philosophy. The discussion spans influential figures like Confucius, who champions humanistic virtues, and Laozi, who critiques established morality. Learn about the contrasting views of Mencius and Xunzi on human nature, goodness, and the role of ritual in society. Historical context from the Spring and Autumn period sets the stage for these philosophical debates, revealing how ancient insights continue to shape our understanding of the way.

Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 39min
126: The Sorrows of Young Werther
The podcast dives into Goethe's influential novel and its historical impact, revealing its peculiar connection to Napoleon. It examines the 'Werther fever' that swept through Europe and the controversies surrounding its publication. The discussion highlights Goethe's personal experiences that shaped Werther's character and the complex themes of love, longing, and social rejection. The hosts explore the philosophical depths of the protagonist's melancholic views and the modern relevance of this sensitive archetype, warning against its potential pitfalls in today's meme culture.

Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 17min
Ages of Discord by Peter Turchin #1 : Imperiopathosis & the Political Stress Index
Explore the concept of imperiopathosis and its implications for today's political climate. Delve into Turchin's Political Stress Index, which combines mass mobilization potential and fiscal distress to predict instability. Discover historical parallels with the Gilded Age and the political turbulence of the 2020s. Analyze factors driving discord, such as elite competition, social mistrust, and financial precarity. Ultimately, the discussion warns of potential future crises while drawing insights from Nietzsche on societal madness.

Nov 25, 2025 • 54min
Untimely Reflections #39: Weltgeist - Schopenhauer on History, Love, Life & Death
Weltgeist's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WeltgeistYTIn Untimely Reflections #39, we discuss Schopenhauer's view of history, love of fate, and the meaning of life.

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 8min
125: Reviewing John Kaag's Hiking with Nietzsche
John Kaag's exploration of Nietzsche in the Swiss Alps serves as a backdrop for discussing modern life and the tension between danger and family obligations. The host examines Kaag's youthful pilgrimage versus his later trip with his Kantian wife. They delve into whether Kaag truly embodies Nietzschean ideals or remains grounded in societal norms. The podcast questions the value of living dangerously versus honoring familial duties, revealing fascinating insights about ambition, madness, and the essence of self-overcoming in contemporary life.

Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 43min
Untimely Reflections #38:
Jimmy Burke, host of the Will to Joy podcast and expert in behavior change, explores the intriguing connections between Nietzsche's philosophy and modern psychology. He discusses how Nietzsche's concepts can aid in transformative life changes through drive management and aesthetic motivation. Burke also critiques societal approaches to lust and sublimation, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning beyond superficial aims. Their conversation dives into the complexities of free will, community dynamics, and the nuanced interpretations of will to power.

Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 16min
124: Pierre Klossowski's Nietzsche and the Vicious Circle, pt 3 - The Most Beautiful Inventions of the Sick
Explore the intriguing intersection of Nietzsche's philosophy and his descent into madness. Delve into how aspects of his childhood shaped his thoughts on becoming and rebirth. Discover Klossowski's theory that madness, not merely illness, influenced Nietzsche's philosophical journey. The podcast highlights Nietzsche's struggle with truth-seeking while warning against its potential costs. It also touches on the complexity of masks in his identity and the intertwining of sickness with health in his philosophy. A captivating dive into the mind of a philosophical giant!

Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 36min
123: Rust Cohle & The Flat Circle - Philosophy of True Detective
Explore the philosophical depths of True Detective, where time is a flat circle reminiscent of Nietzsche's Eternal Return. Delve into the contrast between Rust Cohle's bleak view of existence and Martin Hart's traditional beliefs. Uncover the show's cosmic horror, focusing on human cruelty rather than supernatural threats. Analyze the cult's Gnostic-like ideologies and their nihilistic rituals. Finally, consider Rust's journey from pessimism to a mystical revelation, questioning whether he embodies Nietzschean ideals or simply seeks truth amidst chaos.

Oct 25, 2025 • 31min
Confucius: On Name & Actuality
Explore the intriguing reinterpretation of language through Confucianism's Rectification of Names, where definitions shape moral expectations. Delve into the lesser-known nuances of Confucius beyond rigid hierarchies. Discover how Confucius redefines kingship as a moral center and contrast his ideas with Legalist views. Analyze the vital link between names and actions, emphasizing how language can dictate social order. Reflect on the philosophical implications of naming and its impact on reality in the context of coherence and moral valuation.

Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 58min
122: Pierre Klossowski's Nietzsche and the Vicious Circle, pt 2 - The Conspiracy of the Vicious Circle
Explore the intriguing concept of the Eternal Return, where meaning collapses into absurdity. Learn how Nietzsche's views on forgetting and the nature of identity change our understanding of life. Klossowski's insights reveal a world where the self is just a series of moods devoid of goals. Delve into the tension between will and ethics, and Nietzsche's provocative experiments aimed at fostering exceptional individuals. This journey challenges the notion of clarity and purpose in a goalless reality, shaping a new philosophical landscape.


