

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

Sep 23, 2025 • 2h 26min
The Gay Science #20 (IV.328-342)
Dive into the profound world of Nietzsche as key themes from The Gay Science unfold! Explore the tension between herd morality and individual thought, and why fame can silence true expression. Discover the art of loving the strange and observing our drives like physicists. Reflect on life's beauty beyond pity and the burden of eternal recurrence. Don’t miss Zarathustra's powerful descent to share wisdom on creating values! This thought-provoking journey challenges you to affirm life and embrace the complexities of existence.

Sep 16, 2025 • 2h 15min
The Gay Science #19 (IV.311-327)
The discussion touches on emotional struggles between authenticity and societal expectations, revealing how solitude shapes identity. The metaphor of storms symbolizes life's challenges, highlighting how pain and pleasure drive human resilience. Friedrich Nietzsche's focus on the importance of honesty encourages self-exploration, while contrasts in moral perspectives invite deeper understanding of human complexity. Embracing internal chaos emerges as a pathway for transformation, celebrating joy and spontaneity as vital aspects of personal growth.

Sep 9, 2025 • 2h 11min
The Gay Science #18 (IV.299-310)
Explore the intricate journey of artistic creation, where genius emerges from meticulous planning rather than mere spontaneity. Discover how Nietzsche’s insights encourage us to reshape our self-perception through art and rational thought. Investigate the complex relationship between religion, self-redemption, and philosophical thought. Delve into the interplay of pleasure and pain, where extremes enrich our understanding of life. Finally, witness how happiness transcends circumstances through the lens of self-overcoming and transformation.

Sep 3, 2025 • 2h 9min
The Gay Science #17 (IV.289-298)
Dive into a philosophical journey where Nietzsche inspires the quest for new ideas and self-acceptance. Explore how traditional moral codes can hinder personal growth and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives. Discover the beauty in fleeting pleasures and how societal expectations shape identity. Delve into the complexities of self-perception and the liberating nature of personal struggles, emphasizing the necessity of creativity and self-critique in understanding one's truth.

Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 28min
Untimely Reflections #37: PF Jung - Enlightened Centrism
PF Jung, a political commentator and YouTuber famous for radical enlightened centrism, joins the discussion to unravel the complexities of modern politics. He explores the synthesis of left and right ideologies, emphasizing a nuanced understanding to bridge divisive gaps. The conversation addresses how memes and emotional appeals often overshadow logical debates, while also examining the evolutionary roots of human cooperation beyond kinship. Jung critiques traditional political categorizations and advocates for a transformative approach to societal challenges.

Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 56min
The Gay Science #16 (IV.276-288)
Delve into Nietzsche's call to 'live dangerously' as he champions transformation and renewal in life. Explore his profound thoughts on eternal return and the acceptance of fate, underscoring the beauty of existence amidst its burdens. Discover the critique of conventional churches that stifle true contemplation, and the necessity for sacred spaces in our pursuit of knowledge. Unpack the significance of impactful storytelling endings and the embrace of ignorance as a means to authentic discovery, pushing for a more heroic understanding of knowledge.

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 45min
120: Erich Heller, The Disinherited Mind, pt 2 - Burckhardt, Nietzsche & History
Dive into the intriguing friendship between Nietzsche and Jacob Burckhardt, where their contrasting views on history take center stage. Discover how Goethe's insights on intellectual culture echo through Nietzsche's thoughts on European nihilism. Explore the depths of power and morality through Nietzsche's reflections, especially concerning figures like Napoleon. The dialogue on belief and rationalism highlights the complexities of values and aesthetics, leading to a vital discussion on the role of poetry in our lives today.

Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 39min
119: Erich Heller, The Disinherited Mind, pt 1 - Goethe, Schiller & The Symbol
Delve into the historical separation of reality and symbol in human thought, as art and science grapple with this divide. Explore the theological clash between Zwingli and Luther over the Eucharist, marking a significant cultural shift. Uncover Goethe's quest for unity in nature through his archetypal plant theory, critiquing Newtonian ideas. Finally, engage with the intricate themes of desire and tragedy in Goethe's 'Faust,' revealing the moral dilemmas faced by modern artists.

Jul 29, 2025 • 2h 25min
Q&A #12
Listener questions ignite a vibrant discussion on influential artists like Dostoevsky and Bob Dylan, spotlighting the artistry of lyricism. Alternative philosophies to Nietzsche, including Taoism and pre-Socratic thinkers, are explored along with critiques of modern figures like Elon Musk and Andrew Tate. The relationship between knowledge and power is dissected through the lens of capitalism, alongside reflections on philosophical engagement and community. The intersection of Nietzschean thought and doom metal music highlights the depth of artistic expression.

8 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 1h 47min
118: Max Horkheimer & Theodore Adorno - Dialectic of Enlightenment, Part 2
Delve into the intricate connection between enlightenment and myth as explored through Homer's Odyssey. Discover how the sirens symbolize the tension between desire and danger in the journey of Odysseus, who uses his cunning to challenge fate. The podcast critiques the dark side of enlightenment morality, illustrating its potential for tyranny, as seen through Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now. Reflect on the moral contradictions of Western civilization and the philosophical tensions between rationality and individual pleasure in our mechanized society.