Therapy for Guys

In this solo episode, I explore the ancient alchemical phrase solve et coagula—“dissolve and coagulate”—and how it offers a powerful metaphor for the work of psychotherapy. Drawing from my experiences as a psychotherapist, I look at why real transformation often requires a softening or breaking down of old stories, identities, and defenses before anything new can take shape.I discuss how therapy becomes a protected space where people can let go of rigid patterns, sit with uncertainty, and slowly re-form themselves in healthier, more authentic ways. If you're curious about personal growth, identity, or the deeper process of psychological change, this episode offers a thoughtful and accessible look at how dissolution and re-formation show up in the human psyche.Listen, reflect, and explore the alchemy of healing.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with philosopher and Lacanian theorist Todd McGowan for a deep exploration of Frantz Fanon's engagement with G.W.F. Hegel. Together, we unpack how Black Skin, White Masksreimagines Hegel's master–slave dialectic through the lens of colonialism, race, and psychic struggle.Todd explains how thinkers like Alexandre Kojève shaped the 20th-century obsession with recognition and how Fanon both inherits and critiques that legacy. We explore Fanon's bold claim that freedom must be won through struggle, not simply mutual understanding—and how his universalism sets him apart from later postcolonial and identity-based readings.Our conversation also moves into psychoanalysis, examining Fanon's dialogue with Freud and Lacan, his implicit engagement with the death drive, and his view of colonialism as a system driven by disavowed self-destruction. We also touch on Fanon's reflections on violence, alienation, and the tension between theory and political action.This is a wide-ranging discussion about freedom, universality, and the cost of liberation, and why Fanon's work still speaks urgently to our moment.

In this solo episode, I explore what Erich Fromm and Frantz Fanon can teach us about suffering, freedom, and what it means to be human. I'm not speaking as a scholar — I'm speaking as a psychotherapist who sits with real people in real pain every day. This is my humble, subjective take on how their ideas show up in the therapy room.I look at how both thinkers believed our struggles aren't just personal — they're shaped by the world we live in. Fromm leans toward love, boundaries, and humanistic change; Fanon toward rupture, fire, and reclaiming dignity through action. I also reflect on our tendency to idealize intellectual heroes instead of learning to think for ourselves.If you're curious about the intersection of mental health, meaning, and the social world we're all trying to survive, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, I talk with Tyrique Mack-Georges, a PhD student in philosophy at Penn State, about the deep connections between Frantz Fanon and Jean-Paul Sartre. We explore how both thinkers help us understand the systemic nature of racism, the power of language in maintaining or challenging colonial systems, and Fanon's vision of a new humanism.Tyrique shares how his Caribbean background shapes his philosophical journey and how Fanon reworked Sartre's existentialism to illuminate what it means to become fully human in a world structured by domination.

In this solo episode, I explore Frantz Fanon's ambivalence toward religion—how he wrestled with the sacred, the modern, and the so-called “primitive.” Drawing on Federico Settler's thought-provoking essay, I reflect on Fanon's complex relationship with Catholicism, Islam, and indigenous spirituality, and how those tensions shaped his vision of liberation and the “new man.”I'm also excited to share some of the conversations coming up on the podcast, including Tyrique Mack-Georges on Fanon and Sartre, Todd McGowan on Fanon and Hegel, Donovan Miyasaki on Fanon and Nietzsche, and Matthew Beaumont on Fanon and Reich. I'm hoping to keep expanding this exploration—into Fanon's engagement with Manichaeism, his possible connections to Alfred Adler, Simone de Beauvoir, and others who helped shape his revolutionary psychology.

In this episode of the Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Peter Hudis for a rich and energizing conversation on the life, thought, and legacy of Frantz Fanon. As I mention at the start of our discussion, Peter's book Frantz Fanon: Philosopher of the Barricades has been one of the most accessible and illuminating introductions to Fanon I've ever encountered. If you've wanted to understand Fanon beyond the buzzwords—this is the place to begin.Together, we explore the philosophical influences that shaped Fanon's thinking, from the Negritude movement and Sartre to Merleau-Ponty, Hegel, and beyond. Peter shares fascinating stories about Fanon's early exposure to philosophy in Martinique, his evolution as a revolutionary thinker, and the ways he transformed the ideas he inherited rather than simply repeating them. We also discuss Fanon's commitment to a new humanism—one rooted in mutual recognition, dignity, liberation, and social transformation.Whether you're new to Fanon or have been journeying with his ideas for years, this episode offers both depth and accessibility. I left the conversation energized, challenged, and more convinced than ever that Fanon's work remains essential for thinking about race, liberation, and humanity today.Tune in, reflect with us, and see what new connections emerge for you as we revisit Fanon's enduring legacy through the eyes of a leading scholar.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Daniel José Gaztambide to talk about his brilliant new book Decolonizing Psychoanalytic Technique: Putting Freud on Fanon's Couch. This was one of my favorite conversations to date — part intellectual exploration, part personal exchange, and entirely alive with the spirit of Fanon's revolutionary thought.Daniel and I trace the roots of his work back to his childhood in Puerto Rico, his experiences growing up in a psychologically attuned church, and his journey through psychoanalytic and liberation psychology training. We talk about what it means to read Freud through Fanon — how psychoanalysis itself must be decolonized to reckon with the realities of race, class, and power.From Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents to Fanon's psychiatric innovations in Blida, Daniel unpacks the political and clinical stakes of psychotherapy today — including the idea of intersectional suffering and how our personal struggles are shaped by larger systems of racial capitalism and patriarchy.This episode is full of warmth, humor, and deep insight. Daniel's passion for both clinical practice and social transformation really shines through, and I can't wait for listeners to hear how Fanon's legacy continues to challenge and inspire the next generation of therapists and thinkers.

In this solo episode, I dive into the electrifying intersection between Zeal & Ardor's genre-bending music and Frantz Fanon's revolutionary psychology of liberation.I trace the origins of Zeal & Ardor — from Manuel Gagneux's provocative “what-if” experiment blending slave spirituals and black metal — to their evolution into a powerful exploration of history, rage, and rebirth. Through Fanon's lens, this fusion becomes more than music: it's a sonic revolt, a reimagining of how trauma, faith, and resistance can transform into new cultural life.Along the way, I unpack Fanon's ideas about the “white mask,” violence as catharsis, and the creation of a new humanism, showing how Zeal & Ardor's sound captures the psychic energy of decolonization.This episode is part cultural analysis, part therapy session, and part love letter to the power of art to rework our deepest wounds.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sinan Richards to explore his brilliant article “The Logician of Madness: Fanon's Lacan.” Our conversation dives into the deep intellectual currents connecting Frantz Fanon and Jacques Lacan—two thinkers often treated as distant but who, as Sinan argues, share a surprisingly intimate lineage.We trace Fanon's early psychiatric influences at Saint-Alban under François Tosquelles, the Catalan psychiatrist whose fusion of psychoanalysis, surrealism, and social activism helped form the basis for institutional psychotherapy. From there, we follow how Tosquelles' reading of Lacan's fertile moments of delirium and psychogenesis evolved into Fanon's own radical idea of sociogenesis—the notion that the colonial order itself produces mental illness.Sinan also illuminates the feedback loop between these two towering figures: how Lacan's early emphasis on the social helped shape Fanon's thought, and how Fanon, in turn, may have anticipated the late Lacanian critique of the symbolic order as a kind of psychic prison. Together, we discuss language, desire, and disalienation—how the colonized subject's struggle to speak and dream in a colonizer's tongue exposes both the political and psychic dimensions of liberation.Along the way, Sinan shares vivid stories—like Tosquelles and his patients hand-binding copies of Lacan's thesis and selling them in the village market—and we reflect on Fanon's enduring insight that things cannot go on as they are.This conversation is for anyone drawn to psychoanalysis, decolonial thought, and the places where philosophy meets political action.

In this episode, I talk with Jungian analyst and musician Rodney Waters about his remarkable thesis, The Orphic Descent. Rodney explores how the myth of Orpheus reveals the deep psychological and spiritual power of music—its ability to connect opposites, suspend suffering, and awaken what's lifeless within us.We trace his journey from classical pianist to Jungian analyst and discuss how music serves as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious, spirit and matter. Rodney reflects on Orpheus as the archetypal musician whose song could soften even the gods of the Underworld, while I share how a Gojira concert unexpectedly became a moment of transcendence for me.This conversation invites you to listen differently—to hear music not just as sound, but as a living symbol of the psyche's movement toward wholeness.

In this solo episode, I take a deep dive into the life of Frantz Fanon, tracing his journey from his early years in Martinique to his groundbreaking work as a psychiatrist and revolutionary thinker.I explore how Fanon's experiences growing up under French colonial rule shaped his understanding of identity and freedom, his formative time studying medicine and psychiatry in France, and his clinical work at Saint-Alban and Blida-Joinville, where his ideas about decolonization and mental health began to take root.This episode serves as an introduction to the series of upcoming conversations I'll be having with scholars and clinicians about Fanon's work and legacy. My goal is to offer listeners—especially those who may not be familiar with Fanon—a sense of the man behind the ideas, the experiences that shaped him, and why his thought still matters so deeply today.

In this episode of The Psyche Podcast, I sit down with psychoanalyst, scholar, and author Derek Hook to explore the intersections between Frantz Fanon, Jacques Lacan, and the work of decolonial psychoanalysis. Drawing from Derek's new book, Fanon, Psychoanalysis, and Critical Decolonial Psychology: The Mind of Apartheid, we discuss how Fanon both used and transformed psychoanalysis to address the psychic realities of racism, colonization, and liberation.Derek shares how growing up under apartheid shaped his lifelong interest in the psychological mechanisms of racism and domination. We talk about Fanon's early encounter with Lacanian ideas through François Tosquelles, his critical response to Octave Mannoni, and how Black Skin, White Masks continues to challenge the limits of both psychoanalysis and politics.Together, we unpack Fanon's reworking of Jung's “collective unconscious” into what Derek calls a European collective unconscious—a psychic structure shaped by racial fantasy, colonial desire, and historical trauma. We also reflect on the place of the “third” or the big Other in the analytic encounter, and how Fanon's vision of a decolonial psychology continues to unsettle, inspire, and demand reflection.This was a deeply engaging conversation that bridges theory and experience—an exploration of how Fanon's work helps us think about freedom not only as a social project but as a psychic and existential one.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Erik Butler—the translator of Byung-Chul Han's Psychopolitics: Neoliberalism and the New Technologies of Power—to explore Han's piercing critique of our digital age. Together, we trace the book's philosophical roots in Foucault, Heidegger, Nietzsche, and Deleuze & Guattari, while unpacking Han's distinction between biopolitics and psychopolitics, his analysis of the “achievement society,” and the paradox of self-optimization in a world of constant surveillance.We dive into Han's provocative call to embrace “idiotism,” a radical form of individuality that resists neoliberal demands for self-display, and consider the religious and mystical threads that run through his thought. Erik also shares insights from his work as a translator, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Han's solitary life and difficult reputation, while we reflect on the book's surprising relevance nearly a decade after its release.Whether you're new to Han or already captivated by his writings, this conversation offers a lively and accessible entry point into one of the most urgent philosophical diagnoses of our time.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down once again with Elisabeth Schilling to dive into Byung-Chul Han's The Crisis of Narration. Our conversation winds through the healing power of stories, the hero's journey, and how narrative shapes our sense of meaning and belonging. We reflect on Han's critique of our data-driven age and explore what's lost when narrative gives way to information overload.Elisabeth shares insights from her work teaching world mythology and connects Han's ideas to Joseph Campbell, Greek myths like Eros and Psyche, and even her own spiritual journey. Together, we wrestle with tensions between metanarratives and personal myths, the promise and pitfalls of therapy as a storytelling space, and whether Han's nostalgia for communal narratives has a place in today's fragmented world.From Hallmark movies to Amanda Knox, from Jung's notion of individuation to the dangers of thin stories, this episode asks what it really means to live in—and through—narrative.

In this episode, I dive into Carrie Jenkins' book Sad Love: Romance and the Search for Meaning. At first glance, the title might make you think it's all about heartbreak—but what Jenkins actually offers is a fresh way of thinking about love: eudaimonic love. I talk about Jenkins' background as a philosopher at the University of British Columbia, her creative approach to love, and why she moves beyond Aristotle's vision of the “good life”—a vision that, surprisingly, excluded people he considered “ugly.”Instead, Jenkins reimagines eudaimonia as “good spirits” and highlights how love is really about the environments and relationships that nurture meaning. I also unpack her critique of hedonism and the romantic ideal of being “madly in love,” showing how she reframes love as a collaborative project—about co-creating a meaningful life with another person. Along the way, I share Jenkins' engagement with Viktor Frankl, who reminds us that “love, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”If you've ever felt boxed in by traditional scripts around love, or you're looking for a deeper, more authentic way to think about relationships, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with theologian David W. Congdon to explore his bold new article, The Polyamorous Christ: On the Sexual Ethics of the Incarnation. We dig into why Christianity has historically treated erotic love with suspicion, how monogamy became the assumed norm, and why it's important to distinguish polyamory from polygamy .David challenges the common move of grounding polyamory in the Trinity and instead turns to Christology and the incarnation as a richer resource. We talk about the logic of noncompetitive abundance—how God's love in Christ shows that love isn't a scarce resource but something that grows the more it's shared .Together, we explore how this vision could reshape Christian sexual ethics, not by mandating polyamory, but by rejecting compulsory monogamy and opening up a “buffet of options” for human relationships rooted in consent and flourishing .This conversation is provocative, challenging, and deeply hopeful. Whether or not you identify as Christian, I think you'll find that David's idea of a polyamorous logic of love opens new ways of thinking about intimacy, community, and what it means to live abundantly.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Paul J. Leslie to explore the fascinating and controversial figure of Alejandro Jodorowsky—filmmaker, writer, and creator of psychomagic. Together, we unpack how Jodorowsky's surrealist films, theatrical experiments, and ritualistic interventions might inform psychotherapy today.Paul and I dive into the tension between theory and creativity in therapy, comparing Jodorowsky's work with the approaches of Milton Erickson, Bradford Keeney, and other innovators. We discuss the symbolic power of ritual, the role of improvisation in therapy, and why standardized treatment models often fall short in honoring the uniqueness of each client.Along the way, we reflect on performance, spontaneity, therapeutic alliance, and the risks of imposing ideology over human connection. Whether you're intrigued by Jodorowsky's art, curious about creative therapy, or simply interested in how therapists can remain open, playful, and adaptive, this conversation will spark your imagination.

In this episode of the Psyche Podcast, I sit down once again with my friend Todd McGowan to talk about his newest book, The Cambridge Introduction to Jacques Lacan. We dive into what it was like for Todd to take on the challenge of writing an introduction to such a complex and enigmatic thinker, especially after the unexpected passing of his co-author, Mari Ruti .Todd and I explore Lacan's relationship to philosophy, his engagement with Hegel and Kojève, and why Todd divides Lacan's career into early, middle, and late periods . We also get into stories from Lacan's life—like his infamous driving habits—and how they intersect with his radical ethical claims .Along the way, we discuss key concepts like the objet petit a, the mirror stage, and the four discourses, while reflecting on Lacan's enduring relevance for thinking about desire, subjectivity, and the collision of biology and culture . This was a lively and thought-provoking conversation that made me appreciate both the brilliance and the contradictions in Lacan's thought.If you're curious about Lacan but have felt intimidated by his work, this episode is a great place to start.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with filmmaker Fred Sprinkle to talk about his powerful short film The Rites of Man. From the first time I watched it, I was struck by its beauty, depth, and the way it speaks to the struggles of masculinity in our culture today. Fred shares how the project was born out of his own reflections on manhood, mental health, and the pressures to constantly “maximize” in a world governed by metrics and algorithms.We dive into the unique filmmaking process—shot on 16mm film—and explore themes of precarious masculinity, trauma, relationships, and the tension between connection and solitude. Our conversation also touches on philosophy, Byung-Chul Han, Zygmunt Bauman, religion, and the longing for community in a digital age.This is one of those episodes that opens up big questions about what it means to be human, how we deal with pain, and how art can help us reflect on our lives. Whether you're drawn to film, psychology, or questions of masculinity, I think you'll find this conversation both thought-provoking and deeply human.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Richard Beck—professor of psychology at Abilene Christian University, prison chaplain, and author of eight books including his latest, The Shape of Joy: The Transformative Power of Moving Beyond Yourself.We explore the limitations of self-esteem culture, the dangers of unhealthy introspection, and how modern mental health often traps us in cycles of self-focus. Dr. Beck introduces a liberating alternative: turning outward toward awe, moral beauty, humility, and transcendent experiences that pull us beyond the confines of our own egos.Our conversation moves from Freud and Socrates to Brene Brown, Ernest Becker, and even Brother Lawrence, weaving psychology, philosophy, and spirituality into a compelling vision of what it means to live a joyful, flourishing life. You'll hear about concepts like “ego volume,” the pitfalls of hero games, and the power of everyday mysticism to cultivate resonance with the world.If you've ever wrestled with self-esteem, overthinking, or the pressure to prove your worth, this episode offers a refreshing perspective: joy begins not in chasing yourself, but in moving beyond yourself.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Calum Neill, author of Jacques Lacan: The Basics, for a deep-yet-accessible dive into one of the most challenging and misunderstood figures in psychoanalysis. Calum shares how he first encountered Lacan, why he believes Lacan's ideas are essential for understanding what it means to be human, and how his book serves as a doorway into this vast and complex world.We talk about the unconscious as structured like a language, Lacan's distinctive view of desire and lack, and why the petit objet a matters in everyday life—from love and consumer culture to the ethics of living with incompleteness. Along the way, we touch on Shel Silverstein, the difference between need, demand, and desire, and how Lacan can illuminate our struggles with anxiety.Whether you're brand new to Lacan or looking for a fresh perspective, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and maybe even shift how you think about yourself and the world.

In this episode, I reconnect with my friend Barry Taylor for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation. The heart of our conversation dives into the philosophical work of Emanuele Coccia, whose poetic reflections on plants, the home, and mixture have deeply impacted both of us. We explore how Coccia's idea of the “metaphysics of mixture” dissolves hard boundaries between self and world, body and environment, offering an alternative to more buffered, defended views of the self—like those found in classical psychoanalysis.We also talk about Jameson Webster's On Breathing, which resonates deeply with Coccia's philosophy. Together, these works prompt us to rethink embodiment, aesthetics, fear, and desire. One of Coccia's insights we return to is the idea that it's not courage but desire that helps us overcome fear—a notion that has therapeutic implications and got me thinking about how we might rekindle desire in those stuck in anxiety or avoidance.Throughout, we wrestle with big questions about subjectivity, animism, bathrooms as gendered spaces, and the need to dethrone reason in favor of a more holistic, enchanted vision of reality. We even get into Barry's reflections on flatulence, the philosophy of shit, and how our treatment of the “unclean” reveals deep cultural truths.Whether you're a fan of philosophy, psychoanalysis, or just curious about how to live more openly and connectedly in the world, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of the Psyche Podcast, I sit down once again with my good friend Phuc Luu to discuss his newest book, Jesus and Buddha Talk About Desire, Suffering, and Happiness. I've always admired Phuc's ability to weave together deep philosophical insight and spiritual imagination, and this book is no exception.We dive into the inspiration behind his fictional dialogue between Yeshua and Siddhartha—a creative, meditative work that explores how these two towering spiritual figures might reflect on three of life's biggest themes: desire, suffering, and happiness. We talk about the religious and cultural baggage many of us carry around desire, why imagination is essential to theology, and how identity can both ground us and limit us.We also reflect on what it means to live a life of freedom and happiness—not as a pursuit of something out there, but as a presence we awaken to. Whether you come from a Buddhist, Christian, or entirely different background, I think you'll find Phuc's vision of dialogue, connection, and interbeing to be a breath of fresh air in today's polarized world.If you're interested in picking up his book or joining a discussion group, head over to phucluu.com. And as always, thanks for tuning in.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with scholar and writer Jill Carroll to discuss her bold and provocative book The Savage Side: Reclaiming Violent Models of God. We dive deep into Jill's intellectual and spiritual journey—from her Pentecostal upbringing and seminary days at Oral Roberts University to her transformative encounter with Annie Dillard's writings and her eventual doctoral work at Rice University under the guidance of Edith Wyschogrod.Jill shares how her own doubts led her to question traditional theological frameworks and ultimately reimagine the divine—not as a domesticated or anthropomorphic projection, but as a force rooted in the raw, majestic, and sometimes brutal reality of the cosmos. We talk about nature, violence, feminist theology, atheism, and the possibility of a “savage spirituality” that doesn't flinch from the truth of suffering and death.This conversation pushed me to confront some of my own theological assumptions, and I think it might do the same for you. Whether you're a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a powerful meditation on what it means to live meaningfully in a world where nature is both breathtaking and indifferent.

In this episode of the Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Paul J. Leslie to explore the power of co-creating therapeutic themes—especially with male clients. Drawing from Paul's book Transforming Themes, we dive into how therapy with men often involves shifting both perception and performance in order to unlock change. We talk about the limitations of traditional cognitive approaches and highlight how action, ritual, and creative reframing can bring about meaningful transformation. We also discuss the importance of therapist creativity, the value of feedback-informed treatment, and why staying curious and well-rounded helps deepen our therapeutic connections. This conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiration for anyone working with men in therapy.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Allen Novian for a powerful conversation on men's mental health. We explore the evolving landscape of masculinity and the deep courage it takes for men to open up and seek therapy. Allen and I talk about the stigma that still surrounds male vulnerability, and how embracing curiosity—rather than shame—can be a transformative part of the healing process. We also dig into the roles that grief, father-son dynamics, and cultural expectations play in shaping how men show up in the world. This episode is a reminder that strength isn't about pushing through at all costs—it's about learning to care, pay attention, and grow through life's challenges.

In this raw and wide-ranging episode of the Psyche Podcast, I sit down with theologian, author, and former emergent church leader Tony Jones to explore his latest book The God of Wild Places. We reflect on faith, failure, and the search for meaning after both public and personal upheaval. Tony opens up about his years in seminary, his complicated relationship with Christian fame, and the vulnerable process of writing through divorce, fatherhood, and spiritual transformation. We talk about everything from Nancey Murphy's non-reductive physicalism to predator-prey symbolism, spiritual disillusionment, and what it means to find a more humble, lowercase “g” god in life's wild places. This conversation is honest, philosophical, and deeply human—perfect for anyone wrestling with belief, identity, and living authentically.Check out his book!

In this episode, I explore how Lev Vygotsky's ideas of scaffolding and the Zone of Proximal Development offer a powerful framework for working with neurodivergent clients. Using the image of a garden trellis, I reflect on how therapy provides the structure and support needed for authentic, self-directed growth—guiding without constraining, and always honoring the client's natural direction.

Great conversation with Todd McGowan discussing his essay "Existentialism After Finitude: The Transcendence of the Unconscious" from the book Death and Love: Psychoanalytic and Philosophical Perspectives (co-edited with Julie Reshe).

A great conversation with Bob Langan about his new book Jung and Spinoza Passage Through The Blessed Self.

In this episode, I talk with therapist and podcaster Joel Blackstock about the life and legacy of Carl Jung. Our conversation explores Jung's vast intellectual curiosity—his willingness to engage with mythology, dreams, alchemy, and even the paranormal in his search for psychological truth. We reflect on how Jung's openness to mystery continues to inspire those on the path of self-discovery.

A fun conversation with Barry on his recent talk at Wake, the psychoanalysis of religion in Ana-Maria Rizutto, and other reflections on the sacred in the modern world.

I speak with Elliott about all things Jung and his article "Sacred Skies: UFOs and the Religious Function of the Psyche"

In The Ego and the Id, Sigmund Freud uses the analogy of a horse and rider to illustrate the relationship between the ego and the id, emphasizing that we may have less control over the unconscious than we'd like to believe. Yet, a decade later in New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis, Freud introduces the psychoanalytic motto: “Where id was, there ego shall be,” hinting at the possibility of greater agency than he originally proposed. This tension—between the limits of our control and the hope for transformation—has always intrigued me. In this episode, I explore that dynamic by sharing a few key quotes from Freud, and one from Mari Ruti that I believe sheds meaningful light on this enduring paradox.

I speak to William B. Parsons about his book Freud and Religion: Advancing the Dialogue.

I speak with Richard Boothby about Freud's unsettling discovery of the death drive in "Beyond The Pleasure Principle."

I speak with Lacanian psychoanalyst Jason Childs about Sigmund Freud's “Some remarks on a Case of Obsessional Neurosis," aka the "Rat Man".

I speak to my friend Barry Taylor about Aaron Schuster's book The Trouble with Pleasure: Deleuze and Psychoanalysis .

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Phuc Luu to discuss his idea for a book titled In Their Image, which explores how conservative evangelicals and reactionary atheists are often two sides of the same coin. We also dive into recent books that argue against empathy, unpacking their critiques and implications.

Luke and I discuss Soren Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling.

Fun conversation with Barry Taylor about Sigmund Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents.

A few reflections on Albert Camus' Myth of Sisyphus. A few connections to Todd McGowan's reading of Hegel, Freud's tragic view of happiness and the book of Ecclesiastes.

I speak to Todd McGowan about Sigmund Freud's book Civilization and Its Discontents.

I speak to my friend Luke Grote about his article,Eliminative Belonging: The Group, Identity, and the Fundamental Mechanisms of Exclusion.

A great conversation withDr. Gail M. Newman on her new book,The Creative Self: Beyond Individualism. We both wished Mari Ruti were still alive to join us.

A brief reflection on Freud's correspondence with Romain Rolland and their disagreement about the nature of the oceanic feeling.

Great conversation with Todd McGowan about his latest book Pure Excess: Capitalism and the Commodity.

A meditation on the film Perfect Days in conversation with ideas from Mari Ruti, Todd McGowan, and the experiences of my autistic clients.

A conversation with Helen Rollins about her book Psychocinema.

A brief reflection on the philosophy behind Ensō paintings and some thoughts on The Creative Self: Beyond Individualism.

Adam (Acid Horizon) and I speak about his book The New Flesh: Life and Death in the Data Economy.