Head The Gong

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I “rant out my ass” about how our inherent negativity bias is being amplified by internet algorithms to distort our sense of what is happening in this wild wild world. Head The Gong Podcast · Episode #56: Cognitively Distorting [From a recent exchange on Reddit]: My … Continue reading "HTG Podcast #56: Cognitively Distorting"

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I sip some tea, fire up the ol' microphone, and relive my multiple moments of podcasting fame. Head The Gong Podcast · Episode #55: The Infamous Isaac Dust

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I lament and opine about the Squid-Gaming, TikTokking little turds who refuse to get off my lawn. Head The Gong Podcast · Episode #54: Red light, green light

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I push sound toward a microphone with my mouth after walking around town with my legs.  

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I say “What up, Gong Headers!”, reflect on being pandemically immuno-compromizationalized, and forewarn of the upcoming algorithmic apocalypse.    ·

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I quickly go off the rails, start talking to puppets, and then make a weak attempt to articulate profound spiritual truths. Media referenced: Sam Harris’s Waking Up meditation app

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I, for the 50th time, talk to myself for a few minutes about the joy and mystery of the creative process. I also force myself, despite not really being in the mood, to record my practice session, a few snippets of which I share. Head The … Continue reading "HTG Podcast #50: Where I am"

In this inaugural episode of The Chamber Door, I take an elementary school lesson on childhood name-calling and apply it to all of society, because, you know, that’s how I roll. Ben Stillwater · ChamberDoor #01: Sticks and Stones

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I cogitate, meditate, and masticate on the subject of “being online” – how it used to be, how it is, and how it might unfold – as the year 2021 kicks off.  ·

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, complete and total BS is delivered in whispered tones, and it should not to be listened to under any circumstances. Head The Gong Podcast · Episode #48: Doing what Bob does

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I make noises with my mouth for reasons known to no one.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I catch up with myself after a bit of a podcast hiatus, reminisce about awkward first dates, and reflect on some recent creative endeavors. Head The Gong Podcast · Episode #46: … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I do some walking, talking, writing and recording.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I reflect on the recent whereabouts of my mind. Media referenced: Billy Sugarfix – It’s Carrboro Common Sense – Show 319 – A Recipe for Caesar I wish you love – … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I check in from home/quarantine as the novel coronavirus continues to leave its mark on the whole wide world.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I stumble and bumble my way into a moment of self-honesty in which I find myself giving less of a fuck.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, the Cancer Chronicles continue with an update following my visit to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I recount and reflect upon the latest twists and turns of my “journey” since being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Happiness = Reality – Expectations. That’s what they say, and I … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I update my own health status, which includes a recent diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I talk my way through a worried mind as I wait for blood test results that will reveal whether or not I have cancer.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I once again, for the second consecutive episode, phone it in, literally, by which I mean I recorded a series of random rants on my way to and from work, on … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I rant and ramble incoherently on my morning commute to and from work. Eventually the chain of associations led to my admiration of Gillian Welch’s song Everything is free, so I … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I reflect on my long-standing tendency to distance myself from others, both through reflexive negative judgments and through the flip-side tendency of taking myself way too seriously. I also gush about … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I make noises into microphones at the Tampa International Airport, in my bedroom studio, and looking out over my back yard.  Media referenced: Cal Newport on solitude Srinivas Rao on “Why … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I give thanks for being led through the fog to a moment of clarity, however fleeting, in which tears were shed and notes were sung. Someone with a sweet smile said … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I get back on the creative horse – i.e., “begin again” – by sharing some music I recently came across while tumbling down a YouTube rabbit-hole. [p.s. I recorded this podcast … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I verbally wander hither and thither through a forest of ideas tied together loosely (VERY loosely) with the theme of “dispelling illusions.” Meditation, identity, music, and the hacking of the human … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I come before the microphone with tail between legs to speak of long layoffs, mask-zone surgeries, creative quandaries, and some of the music I’ve enjoyed lately. Media referenced: Right in two … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I share clips of audio and nuggets of wisdom gleaned from my recent cross country road trip.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I stoke the summer flames of freedom as I ready myself for a road trip to North Carolina to visit some old friends and my former self.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I put my life and the lives of others in danger in order to record my random thoughts on the way to and from work.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I test out my new microphone while walking around my back yard attempting to resuscitate the dead and dormant intentions which have accumulated lo these many months. Media referenced in this … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I reflect on my recent holiday travels and come up with a theme for the new year: connection. Media referenced in this episode: Chasing Bubbles – Documentary Waking Up Podcast: Episode … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I continue to struggle to live a creative, meaningful life.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I push the red button and make noises with my mouth.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I ramble about rebooting my website and professional life, make some podcast recommendations, and pay tribute to the inimitable musician Brian Hall.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I share my thoughts on Tristan Harris, his Time Well Spent movement, and the struggle for ownership of my attention in this age of digital distraction.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I scramble to get back on the podcasting horse. Again.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I search in vain for a novel perspective on butt-trumpeting, run into walls of creative resistance, and perform a cover of a Shovels & Rope song.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I notice that the path upon which I’ve been traveling for the past twenty years or so just might be a loop. Maybe I’ll pay better attention this time around. Stuff … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I find a spare moment to whine about not having enough spare moments.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I babble about job hunting, the ascent of illiberalism in progressive circles, the Wachowski brothers — er, I mean, sisters –, and the latest from the Las Cruces indie/singer-songwriter scene. dth=”560″ … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I metamorphose from graduate student to societal leech.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I try to get back on the creative horse after getting kicked around a bit by, I don’t know, another horse? Half-marathons, job interviews, and mindfulness meditation all get mentioned at … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I push through some resistance by talking about pushing through resistance. Since I’ve been putting some of the HTG Podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, I decided to record a video … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I ponder what it means to keep the creative fires burning throughout different stages of life, maybe even right up to the end. Or maybe not. Henry Miller chimes in from … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I reflect on parallel universe toads, the battle between creative work and distracto-tainment, spirit magnification, and how Henry Miller recorded the first-ever podcast episode in 1949. Related media: Miller on the … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I reflect on the simple joy of singing in the bathroom, and the not-so-simple task of capturing that sound on a recording.

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I take another trip to Weirds-ville, recounting a strange night of sneaking around my house ninja-style, reading books in the dark, and muttering to myself about existential loneliness. I also sing … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I pay tribute to the man who has been my top source of musical inspiration for the past several years, the inimitable Glen Hansard. Here are some past blog posts in … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I do my best to keep this podcast train rolling, despite competing time commitments, and also dig through the old song idea archives looking for buried treasure.