Podcasts about Magical thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Given the current climate here in Occupied America, we thought it would be worth taking a look at the Chicano Moratorium march of August 29, 1970. The event serves as a good example of how we organized as a community to speak out against an unjust war and the price our people paid fighting in it. This episode was originally released as a Premium (paid only) episode, but we wanted to give everyone a chance to check out our discussion. Enjoy! Support the showYour Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Yiyun Li's “Things in Nature Merely Grow” is a bracingly candid memoir of profound loss: one written in the wake of her son James's death by suicide, seven years after her older son Vincent died in the same way. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz discuss Li's book, which reads alternately like a work of philosophy, a piece of narrative criticism, and a devastating account of difficult facts. The hosts also consider other texts, from the poetry of Alfred Lord Tennyson and Tim Dlugos to a recent crop of standup-comedy specials about grief, and ask what such art can offer us in our current moment of turmoil. “Li is here as a kind of messenger, I think, to describe one of the farthest points of human experience,” Schwartz says. “This book is, in that way, sublime: words fail and fail and fail, but still they do something.”Read, watch, and listen with the critics:“Things in Nature Merely Grow,” by Yiyun Li“Where Reasons End,” by Yiyun Li“‘My Sadness Is Not a Burden': Author Yiyun Li on the Suicide of Both Her Sons,” by Sophie McBain (the Guardian)“The Year of Magical Thinking,” by Joan Didion“How to Lose Your Mother: A Daughter's Memoir,” by Molly Jong-FastJohn Cale and Lou Reed's “Songs for Drella”“Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark” (2023)“Sarah Silverman: PostMortem” (2025)“Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Special” (2024)“Rachel Bloom Has a Funny Song About Death,” by Alexandra Schwartz (The New Yorker)“In Memoriam A. H. H.,” by Alfred Lord TennysonThe AIDS Memorial Quilt@theaidsmemorial on Instagram“G-9,” by Tim Dlugos New episodes drop every Thursday. Follow Critics at Large wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text! Support the showYour Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Through her sharp and biting political commentary—whether as host of the podcast Fast Politics, as a special correspondent for Vanity Fair, or as a political analyst on MSNBC—Molly Jong-Fast has, over the past decade, become something of a household name. But, as the daughter of the once-famous author and second-wave feminist Erica Jong—whose 1973 novel Fear of Flying catapulted her into the literary limelight—she has actually been in the public eye for much longer, decades before this more recent notoriety of her own making. Jong-Fast's latest book, the searing, heartbreaking (but also, at times, hilarious) memoir How to Lose Your Mother, is in some sense an effort to take her story back after being in the shadow of her narcissistic, too often out-of-reach mother for so long. It's also a book about aging and frailty, and an extremely difficult, gut-wrenching year: In 2023, Erica was diagnosed with dementia, right around the same time that Molly's husband learned he had a rare cancer.On the episode, Jong-Fast talks about her own actual fear of flying, in addition to her mother's book of the same name; 27 years of sobriety and how her time in A.A. has transformed her life; and the importance of confronting the vicissitudes of aging and one's passage through time.Special thanks to our Season 11 presenting sponsor, Van Cleef & Arpels.Show notes:Molly Jong-Fast[4:28] “Fear of Flying” (1973)[4:28] Erica Jong[4:49] “How to Lose Your Mother: A Daughter's Memoir”[7:53] “Spartacus” (1951)[7:53] “April Morning” (1961)[7:53] “The Immigrants” (1977)[9:15] Lee Krasner[10:04] Susan Faludi[10:04] “Backlash” (1991)[12:09] “Fear and Flying Erica & Erotica in Connecticut” (1980)[12:09] “Fanny” (1980)[14:57] Marty Seif[18:26] Special Guest: Erica Jong (2023)[19:39] Pan Am Flight 001[21:11] “The Year of Magical Thinking” (2005)[21:11] “Notes to John” (2025)[26:54] “The Sex Doctors in the Basement” (2005)[36:46] “Normal Girl” (2000)[38:52] Jacob Bernstein[38:52] Carl Bernstein[38:52] Stalin Peace Prize[46:05] Michael Tomasky[48:55] Hazelden[49:57] “How Molly Jong-Fast Tweeted Her Way to Liberal Media Stardom”

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!In this episode we take a look at the book "La Raza Cosmica" written by Jose Vasconcelos one hundred years ago!  Your Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!The Strange story of Dr. Atl! In this episode, we explore the bizarre, fascinating, and contradictory life of one of Mexico's most influential painters: Dr. Atl.  Support the showYour Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Few books have captivated the nation's capitol like “Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.” It describes in excruciating detail how a small circle of family and political insiders isolated and insulated President Joe Biden as his mental and physical condition declined throughout his term in the White House. Scott and Marisa are joined by the authors, CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios national political correspondent Alex Thompson, who interviewed more than 200 people who described how Biden's true condition was hidden from his own cabinet, congressional leaders and donors.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Recently, Kurly was invited to speak at the inaugural SkeptiCamp New Mexico, hosted by New Mexicans for Science & Reason. In this episode, we take a look at the lecture he gave, which covered the many way sthat conspiracy theories and pseudoarchaeology undermine the goals of ethnic studies programs.Enjoy the show! Your Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!The "Indias Mexicanas" who arrived in New Mexico during early colonization brought with them traditional healing and ceremonial practices. Members of the church often accused these women of practicing "witchcraft." In this episode, we are joined by New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez to discuss the legacies of these women! Support the showYour Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Extensive Notes: The Truth About AI and Your Coding JobTypes of AINarrow AINot truly intelligentPattern matching and full text searchExamples: voice assistants, coding autocompleteUseful but contains bugsMultiple narrow AI solutions compound bugsGet in, use it, get out quicklyAGI (Artificial General Intelligence)No evidence we're close to achieving thisMay not even be possibleWould require human-level intelligenceNeeds consciousness to existConsciousness: ability to recognize what's happening in environmentNo concept of this in narrow AI approachesPure fantasy and magical thinkingASI (Artificial Super Intelligence)Even more fantasy than AGINo evidence at all it's possibleMore science fiction than realityThe DevOps Flowchart TestCan you explain what DevOps is?If no → You're incompetent on this topicIf yes → Continue to next questionDoes your company use DevOps?If no → You're inexperienced and a magical thinkerIf yes → Continue to next questionWhy would you think narrow AI has any form of intelligence?Anyone claiming AI will automate coding jobs while understanding DevOps is likely:A magical thinkerUnaware of scientific processA grifterWhy DevOps MattersProven methodology similar to Toyota WayBased on continuous improvement (Kaizen)Look-and-see approach to reducing defectsConstantly improving build systems, testing, lintingNo AI component other than basic statistical analysisFeedback loop that makes systems betterThe Reality of Job AutomationPeople who do nothing might be eliminatedNot AI automating a job if they did nothingWorkers who create negative valuePeople who create bugs at 2AMTheir elimination isn't AI automationMeasuring Software QualityHigh churn files correlate with defectsConstant changes to same file indicate not knowing what you're doingDevOps patterns help identify issues through:Tracking file changesMeasuring complexityCode coverage metricsDeployment frequencyConclusionVery early stages of combining narrow AI with DevOpsNarrow AI tools are useful but limitedNeed to look beyond magical thinkingOpinions don't matter if you:Don't understand DevOpsDon't use DevOpsClaim to understand DevOps but believe narrow AI will replace developersRaw AssessmentIf you don't understand DevOps → Your opinion doesn't matterIf you understand DevOps but don't use it → Your opinion doesn't matterIf you understand and use DevOps but think AI will automate coding jobs → You're likely a magical thinker or grifter

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Welcome to the ad-free & extended version of Episode 77! As a premium member, we thank you for supporting the podcast.What if I told you that there is an 18th-century painting of the Virgin Mary, armed with an Aztec weapon and surrounded by the bloody violence of the Pueblo Revolt, hanging in the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe? And that the Virgin herself had appeared to a 6-year-old little girl to give a warning about the revolt, and this image of the Virgin would later become known as "The Virgin of the Macana." In our latest episode, we delve into the mythology surrounding the origin of this image and explore its relevance to the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, as well as take a look at the presence of Mesoamerican warriors in Colonial New Mexico.All this and more, on this episode of the Tales From Aztlantis podcast!The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was a pivotal moment in which the Pueblo people of New Mexico rose up against Spanish colonists, driving them out and securing their independence for 12 years. During the uprising, approximately 21 Franciscans and nearly 400 colonists lost their lives. Interestingly, no artists of that time ever bothered to memorialize this significant event in their work. It wasn't until the later 18th-century that visual representations of the revolt began to emerge. One such image, a painting known as The Virgin of the Macana—is now housed in the New Mexico History Museum.Your Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Episode 538 - Tony Stewart - Carrying the Tiger - Living With Cancer, Dying With Grace and Finding Joy While GrievingAbout the authorTony Stewart has made award-winning films for colleges and universities, written software that received rave reviews in The New York Times and the New York Daily News, designed a grants-management application that was used by three of the five largest charities in the world, and led the development of an international standard for the messages involved in buying and selling advertisements, for which he spoke at conferences across Europe and North America. Tony and his late wife Lynn Kotula, a painter, traveled extensively in India and Southeast Asia, staying in small hotels off the beaten track and eating delicious food with their fingers when cutlery wasn't available. Carrying the Tiger is his first published book.An inspiring story of love, loss and recovery“[A] beautifully devastating memoir… a remarkable odyssey of learning to ‘live fully in the shadow of death.'” — Publishers Weekly BookLife (Editor's Pick)In the spirit of Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking and Paul Kalanithi's When Breath Becomes Air comes Carrying the Tiger, a life affirming memoir about the full circle of life and death.When Tony Stewart's wife, Lynn, receives a sudden and devastating diagnosis, they scramble to find effective treatment, navigate life threatening setbacks, learn to live fully in the shadow of death, and share the intimate grace of her departure from this world. Then Tony slowly climbs out of shattering grief and, surprisingly, eases toward new love.There is uncertainty, fear, and sorrow, but also tenderness and joy, along with a renewed perspective on what it means to live and love with one's whole heart.“Captures emotions and experiences that will be familiar to anyone who's stood by a loved one facing a cancer diagnosis... this is a work that will strengthen all who read it.” — Khalid Dar, MD, Oncologist, Mount Sinai Morningside“A beautiful and very human love story which breathes an extraordinary generosity of spirit.” — David Newman, author of Talking with Doctorshttps://www.tonystewartauthor.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

On Eavesdroppin' comedy podcast this week, Geordie and Michelle look at different types of magic… Do you believe in magic? Geordie digs into some of the world's most famous magicians including Harry Houdini, his mentor Robert Houdin plus a look at the ousting of Sophie Lloyd from the Magic Circle in the 80s. Michelle follows with a mini dive into a condition called holistoriexia - which is an unhealthy obsession with wellness fads. She also touches on Human Design and Magical Thinking before talking about getting sucked into buying a product called Shilajit! So pop on your headphones, grab a brown lemonade and join Geordie & Michelle for this week's episode, plus chit-chat about chain letters, Erin Patterson, recipe stealing, Lucinda Light and more, only on Eavesdroppin' podcast. And remember, wherever you are, whatever you do, just keep Eavesdroppin'! *Disclaimer: We don't claim to have any factual info about anything ever and our opinions are just opinions not fact, sooorrrryyy! Don't sue us! Please rate, review, tell your friends and subscribe in all the usual places – we love it when you do! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/eavesdroppinDo write in with your stories at hello@eavesdroppinpodcast.com or send us a Voice Note!Listen: www.eavesdroppinpodcast.com or https://podfollow.com/eavesdroppinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcuzv-EXizUo4emmt9PgfwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eavesdroppinpodcast#MagicPodcast #MagicalThinking #Holistorexia #Houdini #HistoryOfMagic #MindAndMagic #magic circle#CuriousMinds #DebunkingTheMyth #Escapology #TrickOrTruth #BehindTheIllusion #eavesdroppin #eavesdroppinpodcast #eavesdroppincomedypodcast #podcast #comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!What if I told you that there is an 18th-century painting of the Virgin Mary, armed with an Aztec weapon and surrounded by the bloody violence of the Pueblo Revolt, hanging in the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe? And that the Virgin herself had appeared to a 6-year-old little girl to give a warning about the revolt, and this image of the Virgin would later become known as "The Virgin of the Macana." In our latest episode, we delve into the mythology surrounding the origin of this image and explore its relevance to the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, as well as take a look at the presence of Mesoamerican warriors in Colonial New Mexico.All this and more, on this episode of the Tales From Aztlantis podcast!The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was a pivotal moment in which the Pueblo people of New Mexico rose up against Spanish colonists, driving them out and securing their independence for 12 years. During the uprising, approximately 21 Franciscans and nearly 400 colonists lost their lives. Interestingly, no artists of that time ever bothered to memorialize this significant event in their work. It wasn't until the later 18th-century that visual representations of the revolt began to emerge. One such image, a painting known as The Virgin of the Macana—is now housed in the New Mexico History Museum. Support the showYour Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!We here at Tales From Aztlantis would like to issue the following public service announcement: PLEASE DO NOT rely on social media posts as your sole source of historical and archaeological information. This should not be a controversial statement. Yet every day, social media feeds are inundated with well-meaning individuals uncritically sharing and reposting pseudohistory without bothering to check the sources or seek outside information.Tik Tok, in particular is easily the worst offender when it comes to the spread of pseudohistory, pseudoarcheology, and general conspiracism. The speed with which a short video containing absolute nonsense can be created and shared on Tik Tok is truly impressive. And thanks to its algorithm, those who consume such disinformation are repeatedly inundated with more and more nonsense, creating a never-ending loop of paranoid conspiracism and pseudo historical group-think. One such outlandish claim that frequently pops up on pseudohistory-promoting social media sites is our topic for this episode: the battle of Cagayan. For those unfamiliar with the general narrative, it usually goes like this: “In 1582, a small, battle-hardened group consisting of 40 Tlaxkaltekah and Spanish soldiers defeated a thousand Japanese Samurai at the Battle of Cagayan in the Phillipines.” At face value this story sounds super badass. But is this actually what happened? Did a small band of spunky Tlaxkaltekah and Spanish soldiers really vanquish a THOUSAND Japanese Samurai in a Thermopylae-style beat down in the Phillipines? Let's find out! Your hosts: Kurly Tlapoyawa is an  archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His  research covers  Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the  historical connections  between the two regions. He is the author of  numerous books and has  presented lectures at the University of New  Mexico, Harvard University,  Yale University, San Diego State  University, and numerous others. He  most recently released his  documentary short film "Guardians of the  Purple Kingdom," and is a  cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation  Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores ChicanSupport the showYour Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Do you avoid difficult conversations, hoping problems will magically disappear? Do you convince yourself you don't need to write things down, because of course you'll remember later? Or maybe you catch yourself trying to be everything to everyone… and slowly losing yourself in the process? Join Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Tony Overbay and his daughter Mackie, a licensed esthetician, and cosmetologist, and host of the podcast “The Mind, the Mirror, and Me,” for a lively and insightful live Q&A. Together, they explore the sneaky ways magical thinking and emotional immaturity show up in our lives and relationships. From assuming people should “just know” what we want, to struggling with overthinking and honesty in relationships, this conversation dives deep (with plenty of humor and personal stories along the way). You'll also hear about: What “pick me” behavior really means and how it impacts relationships How magical thinking keeps us stuck (and how to move forward) Navigating diagnoses like borderline personality disorder and emotional immaturity Why honesty in relationships isn't as simple as “just say it” Handling complicated family dynamics — including emotionally absent grandparents Tools like mindfulness and ACT-based techniques to help you change your relationship with your thoughts Whether you're a therapist, a parent, or simply curious about emotional growth, this honest and relatable episode will leave you thinking differently about how you show up for yourself and others. 00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties 00:19 Foot Talk and Live Stream Banter 01:11 Licensed Therapist Q&A Begins 01:21 Understanding Narcissistic Traits 02:06 Exploring the 'Pick Me' Phenomenon 03:20 Therapy Insights: Finding Your True Self 05:40 Addressing Borderline Personality Disorder 14:05 Magical Thinking and Emotional Immaturity 26:08 Mindfulness and Thought Observation Techniques 27:02 The Concept of Changing Relationship with Thoughts 27:32 Discussion on Honesty in Relationships 31:16 Handling Family Dynamics and Expectations 33:54 Understanding Bipolar Disorder vs. Anger Issues 37:43 The Role of Thoughts, Behaviors, and Feelings 46:03 Freudian Theories and Emotional Maturity 50:39 Final Thoughts and Viewer Questions

Join your host, Nicole Morris, LMFT and Mental Health Correspondent, as she welcomes Sindhu BS, MS, PsyD, to the OCD Family Community. Together, we learn more about Sindhu, a trailblazing OCD practitioner based in India, to explore how mental health intersects with culture, tradition, and treatment. Sindhu helps to unpack the challenges of practicing evidence-based therapies like ACT, ERP, and ICBT in a collectivist society, while honoring cultural beliefs, religious practices, and the lived experience of OCD. From navigating magical thinking to redefining family roles, this episode offers a powerful look at how clinicians can adapt care to meet clients where they are—culturally and clinically. So join the conversation!

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Happy May Day!Tlakatekatl reads an article originally published in 1976 in a Chicano newspaper called, Voz Fronteriza, from San Diego, CA. The article is entitled, "International Worker's Day,” and it's by Kaarina Palomino. The article does an excellent job of bringing May Day and Cinco de Mayo together in conversation in relation to labor struggles and anti-colonialism globally. We thought it fit the moment, so we're sharing it with you fine folks. Enjoy!Y que Viva El Cinco de Mayo! Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Our sponsors: Arkeogato ToursShop AztlantisGO PREMIUM!The National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies, or NACCS as it is more commonly known, recently held its 50th annual conference. This time in my hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Now, for those who are unaware, here's a bit of background and history about the organization as featured on the official NACCS website. “The Association was first named the National Caucus of Chicano Social Scientists from 1972-1973. After the Caucus's first meeting November 17, 1973, at the University of California at Irvine, the members of the steering committee unanimously voted to change the name to the National Association of Chicano Social Scientists (NACSS).In 1976, during the 3rd NACSS Conference participates voted to rename the organization to the National Association for Chicano Studies (NACS).In 1995 during the National Conference in Spokane, Washington, the body unanimously voted to change the name from the National Association for Chicano Studies to the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS).”Its stated mission, once again from the website is:“To advance the interest and needs of the Chicana and Chicano community. To advance research in Chicana and Chicano Studies. To advance the professional interest and needs of Chicanas and Chicanos in the academy.”Now, I found it interesting that the very first sentence of the NACCS's mission statement is to advance the interests and needs of the Chicana and Chicano community. because I, like most members of the Chicana and Chicano community here in Albuquerque, had no idea whatsoever that the conference was even happening in my own city. And not only that, but when I did hear about the conference, I looked into the registration process thinking that I might participate, only to find that the cost of registering for the conference was far too expensive for your average community member. Now with this in mind, I sat down with Dr. Ernesto Todd Mireles of Northern Arizona University and author Scott Russell Duncan of Maiz Poppin Press, Both of whom were in town to attend the conference.Your Host:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawa Support the showRSVP for the Yazzie/Martinez Community Gathering! Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

On today's show, grab your cloak and broomstick everyone because Psychotherapist Fern Lulham has something a little bit magical for us today. April is Autism Awareness Month, and we're joined by Registered Dietitian Jackie Silver to explore how food sensitivities affect people with Autism. Plus, what makes some environments more difficult for blind people to navigate more than others? Orientation and Mobility Specialist Mark Rankin goes through challenging scenarios, and gives us his best strategies to tackle them.  Find Kelly & Company on YouTube!About AMIAMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Learn more at AMI.caConnect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca

Ever wondered why your brilliant mind can solve complex problems at work but completely breaks down during relationship conflicts? That's because those emotional reactions that feel so instinctive aren't flaws—they're actually genius survival strategies that once kept you safe. In this transformative episode, we explore how black-and-white thinking, mind-reading expectations, and external validation seeking were perfect childhood adaptations that have now become relationship roadblocks. Through the groundbreaking insight that behaviors which perfectly served us in childhood often become the very patterns that sabotage our adult relationships, you'll finally understand why you keep falling into familiar emotional patterns despite your best intentions. This isn't just another episode about relationship struggles—it's a compassionate roadmap for emotional growth that honors both your wounded inner child and your emerging adult self. You'll discover how to recognize when you're in an emotional "hole" and why continuing to dig with familiar tools only takes you deeper. Most importantly, you'll learn how to pass the baton from your protective inner child to your capable adult self without shame or judgment. Whether you struggle with people-pleasing, emotional flooding, perfectionism, or control issues, this episode offers a strength-based approach to transform these patterns into mature responses that will revolutionize your relationships and bring a profound sense of internal peace. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:23 Listener Email: Mark's Story 01:41 Understanding Emotional Immaturity 04:47 Exploring the Emotional Maturity Spectrum 08:47 Introducing the Emotional Architects Group 09:29 Narcissistic Personality Disorder vs. Emotional Immaturity 11:08 Dinner with Daniel: A Narcissistic Narrative 15:47 Stages of Emotional Maturity 26:18 Childhood Behaviors in Adult Bodies 32:45 Understanding Emotional Blueprints 33:07 Re-parenting with Compassion 33:32 Therapeutic Insights from Fiction 34:23 Frozen Moments and Adult Relationships 35:16 Childhood Adaptations in Adult Life 36:17 Exploring Childlike Behaviors in Adults 36:57 Navigating Emotional Development 41:34 Black or White Thinking 44:43 Magical Thinking in Relationships 47:46 Emotional Reasoning and Codependency 52:32 External Validation and Accountability 55:41 Mind Reading and Projection 01:01:32 Pattern Recognition and Familiarity 01:07:12 Path Toward Emotional Maturity 01:07:52 Conclusion and Next Steps

Subscribe to Bad Faith on Patreon to instantly unlock our full premium episode library: http://patreon.com/badfaithpodcast Professor of sociology at New York University, theorist, and founder of the journal Catalyst Vivek Chibber joins Bad Faith to debate the course of the left under Trump, the value of entryism, third party politics, and the fatalism that follows from everything being broken. Subscribe to Bad Faith on YouTube for video of this episode. Find Bad Faith on Twitter (@badfaithpod) and Instagram (@badfaithpod). Produced by Armand Aviram. Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).

Ever wondered why your brilliant mind can solve complex problems at work but completely breaks down during relationship conflicts? That's because those emotional reactions that feel so instinctive aren't flaws—they're actually genius survival strategies that once kept you safe. In this transformative episode, we explore how black-and-white thinking, mind-reading expectations, and external validation seeking were perfect childhood adaptations that have now become relationship roadblocks. Through the groundbreaking insight that behaviors which perfectly served us in childhood often become the very patterns that sabotage our adult relationships, you'll finally understand why you keep falling into familiar emotional patterns despite your best intentions. This isn't just another episode about relationship struggles—it's a compassionate roadmap for emotional growth that honors both your wounded inner child and your emerging adult self. You'll discover how to recognize when you're in an emotional "hole" and why continuing to dig with familiar tools only takes you deeper. Most importantly, you'll learn how to pass the baton from your protective inner child to your capable adult self without shame or judgment. Whether you struggle with people-pleasing, emotional flooding, perfectionism, or control issues, this episode offers a strength-based approach to transform these patterns into mature responses that will revolutionize your relationships and bring a profound sense of internal peace. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:23 Listener Email: Mark's Story 01:41 Understanding Emotional Immaturity 04:47 Exploring the Emotional Maturity Spectrum 08:47 Introducing the Emotional Architects Group 09:29 Narcissistic Personality Disorder vs. Emotional Immaturity 11:08 Dinner with Daniel: A Narcissistic Narrative 15:47 Stages of Emotional Maturity 26:18 Childhood Behaviors in Adult Bodies 32:45 Understanding Emotional Blueprints 33:07 Re-parenting with Compassion 33:32 Therapeutic Insights from Fiction 34:23 Frozen Moments and Adult Relationships 35:16 Childhood Adaptations in Adult Life 36:17 Exploring Childlike Behaviors in Adults 36:57 Navigating Emotional Development 41:34 Black or White Thinking 44:43 Magical Thinking in Relationships 47:46 Emotional Reasoning and Codependency 52:32 External Validation and Accountability 55:41 Mind Reading and Projection 01:01:32 Pattern Recognition and Familiarity 01:07:12 Path Toward Emotional Maturity 01:07:52 Conclusion and Next Steps

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Our sponsors: Arkeogato ToursShop AztlantisGO PREMIUM!The Whiteness of “Latinx” ­A couple of years back, Kurly came across a video online about the Chicano Moratorium March of August 29, 1970. In case you've never heard of it, the march was a watershed moment in the Chicano Movement, in which the Los Angeles Police met a peaceful Chicana-Chicano-led protest against the Vietnam War with extreme violence. The ensuing police riot claimed three lives, most notably that of Journalist Ruben Salazar. It remains an important chapter in Chicana-Chicano history. Yet the video claims the Chicano Moratorium “sparked a movement in defense of Latinx lives.”Wait... what?In this episode we talk about the Eurocentric roots of "Latinidad," and how "Latinx" identity is a colonialist tool that centers whiteness while erasing those of Indigenous and African descent.Your hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He is currently a professor of Chicano Studies at the Colegio Chicano del Pueblo, a free online educational institution.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.Support the showRSVP for the Yazzie/Martinez Community Gathering! Find us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Elias makos welcomes in Justine McIntyre, Strategic consultant and former city councillor, and Dan Delmar, Co-founder of the content marketing firm TNKR Media and co-host of the podcast Inspiring Entrepreneurs Canada. Yesterday the Conservatives released their long awaited platform… The platform promises $75 billion in tax cuts and $35 billion in new spending over four years, alongside a projected $31 billion deficit this year Liberal Leader Mark Carney however, is criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for underestimating the cost of his party’s platform, calling it unrealistic and insufficient for addressing economic challenges The People's Party of Canada candidate in Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel says she’s an extraterrestrial A Quebec committee studying the impact of screen use on youth is recommending a complete ban on cellphones and other mobile devices on school grounds starting next school year

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Our sponsors: Arkeogato ToursShop AztlantisGO PREMIUM!In the late 19th century, a Mexican rancher named Florentino Juárez set the stage for a nationalistic hoax, the consequences of which continue to echo among Mexicano and Chicano communities. Beneath the altar of the village church in Ixcateopan, Guerrero, Juarez placed half-burnt bones, a handful of artifacts, and a copper plaque crudely engraved with the words “1525–1529. Lord and King Coatemo.” The remains, he claimed, belonged to none other than Kwawtemok, the last sovereign Tlahtoani of the Mexika people. This forgery was driven by Juárez's ambition to elevate the status of his village and exploit Mexico's rapidly growing cultural nationalism. The subsequent controversies, investigations, and appropriation of the legend surrounding the alleged “Tomb of Kwawtemok” help us understand the nature of Mexican national identity and the interplay between elite and grassroots manipulation of historical symbols.Your Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus.  Support the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Our sponsors: Arkeogato ToursShop AztlantisGO PREMIUM!Indigenous people of the Americas and the Horse  Every once in a while, we see a story posted on social media claiming that horses never went extinct in the Americas and that Indigenous people had the horse long before the arrival of Europeans. If you spend any time on Indigenous social media, you probably know what we are talking about. Supporters of this claim seek to dispel what they view as a Eurocentric myth. A myth that, in their eyes, buries the true history of the horse in the Americas by discounting Indigenous oral traditions and ignoring archaeological evidence that would reshape our understanding of history.But do these claims stand up to scrutiny? Did the horse really go extinct in the Americas? And what does all of this have to do with a religious zealot from the 1800s? Well dear listeners, hold on tight because it's going to be a bumpy ride as we explore:Your Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Cited in this podcast:  Pleistocene Megafauna in Beringia Archaeological Fantasies Pseudoarchaeological Claims of Horses in the Americas New Research Rewrites the History of American Horses Early dispersal of domestic horses into the Great Plains and northern Rockies Pratt CaveSupport the showFind us: Bluesky Instagram Merch: Shop Aztlantis Book: The Four Disagreements: Letting Go of Magical Thinking

Sunday Service: Magical thinking involves expecting something to happen or declaring that God will act on your behalf without any promise or direction from Him. Faith, on the other hand, is trusting in a specific word from God and obeying the instructions He has given to bring that word to fulfillment. Many believers today are engaging in magical thinking rather than walking in true faith. Let's examine the key differences between these two contrasting concepts. God Idea Lab: http://GodIdeaLab.com Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com                  

Psychodynamic psychotherapist, Alejandra Wild Proano, talks about her Ecuadorian mom Desiree, and shares her inspiring story. Desiree went from the first female guide through the Amazon to finding herself divorced, with two small children, a foreigner in the US. Not giving up, she took classes and became a licensed psychotherapist. We learn many wonderful lessons from Desiree: to follow your path and never give up; to see the invisible - the spiritual, energetic, magical side of our existence; to protect our relationships by cherishing what's important and letting go of small things; and to not see things in black and white. Alejandra and I also talk about many different phases in a woman's life, and about allowing our mothers – and ourselves - to be different things at different times.  To learn more about Alejandra, please visit her website here. Subscribe to Ana's new "Mama Loves…” newsletter here.  To contact Ana, to be a guest, or suggest a guest, please send your mail to: info@thankyoumama.net To learn more about "Thank You, mama" creative writing workshop, visit here. For more about “Thank You, Mama", please visit: http://www.thankyoumama.net Connect with Ana on social media: https://www.instagram.com/anatajder/ https://www.facebook.com/ana.tajder  

When do we tool or not tool? This week, Jess and Joey talk about rules aversion, AI, devil hamsters, banana slicers, tool expertise, and simplicity. They don't talk about gaffer tape. references Inc.: After a Tragedy, a Year of Magical Thinking for Sylvain Arc welding 

The rhetoric of “hopium” is failing as ecological overshoot deepens. “Hopium”, a colloquial term that is a blend of the words “hope” and “opium” (as though it were a drug), represents a faith in technological and market-based solutions to address our multiple reinforcing crises, despite evidence to the contrary. We're living in the long defeat and we must own and confront it with courage. Award-winning essayist, Pamela Swanigan, joins us. Highlights include: How children's literature is full of reverence for nature but children's literature analysis done in the academy is dominated by the perspective of human exceptionalism; The role that Judeo-Christianity has played in promoting the worldview of human exceptionalism while destroying the millennia-old biophilic and animistic belief systems; Why Pamela was astonished that she won the Berggruen Prize Essay Competition given the magical thinking of human exceptionalism and techno-solutionism embodied by the attendees; Social reformer and US Commissioner for the Bureau of Indian Affairs John Collier's concept of the 'long hope'- that indigenous cultures and their nature-sacralizing beliefs could help humanity survive after the collapse of techno-industrial civilization; Why the delusional and pervasive rhetoric of hope among social change advocates (such as Jane Goodall and David Suzuki) defies evidence, and why we must embrace JRR Tolkien's concept of the 'long defeat' in order to courageously fight against ecological destruction and social injustice. See episode website for show notes, links, and transcript:  https://www.populationbalance.org/podcast/pamela-swanigan   OVERSHOOT | Shrink Toward Abundance OVERSHOOT tackles today's interlocked social and ecological crises driven by humanity's excessive population and consumption. The podcast explores needed narrative, behavioral, and system shifts for recreating human life in balance with all life on Earth. With expert guests from wide-ranging disciplines, we examine the forces underlying overshoot: from patriarchal pronatalism that is fueling overpopulation, to growth-biased economic systems that lead to consumerism and social injustice, to the dominant worldview of human supremacy that subjugates animals and nature. Our vision of shrinking toward abundance inspires us to seek pathways of transformation that go beyond technological fixes toward a new humanity that honors our interconnectedness with all beings.  Hosted by Nandita Bajaj and Alan Ware. Brought to you by Population Balance. Learn more at populationbalance.org Copyright 2025 Population Balance

Magical Thinking is often misunderstood.Jason Segel plays a psychologist in the Apple + TV show, “Shrinking.” He is talking to a patient with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.He looks at her. “This again?” She is holding her breath. He says, “You looked at the clock and now you have to hold your breath until the minute changes?” Holding her breath, she nods her head. He says, “Look, I know you feel like this compulsion is gonna help keep bad things from happening, but that's called magical thinking.”Medical News Today says, “Magical thinking means that a person believes their thoughts, feelings, or rituals can influence events in the material world, either intentionally or unintentionally.”But the summary of that article says, “This type of thinking does not always cause harm. In fact, it can have benefits.”The benefits of magical thinking are – according to me – exquisite.Magical thinking is the least destructive way to escape reality. When you compare it to alcohol, gambling, drugs, or adrenaline-producing dangerous behaviors, magical thinking is about as dangerous as eating raw cookie dough.Magical thinking is a requirement when you are:looking forward to a vacation, a wedding, or other happy event. Every time you imagine the future, you are visiting a world that does not exist.enjoying a television series, a movie, a novel, a poem, a song, a cartoon, or any other type of fiction. Half of your brain knows these things never happened, but the other half of your brain doesn't care.being persuaded by a well-written bit of advertising.Life is happier when it's less cluttered.Your house will be bigger.Your teeth will be whiter.Angels will sing.You'll be a better dancer.Go to 1800GOTJUNK.comAnd prepare to be amazed.Words create realities in the mind.Magical realism is a type of writing characterized by elements of the fantastic – woven with a deadpan sense of presentation – into an otherwise true story.If you exaggerate, people won't trust you. But if you say something so impossible that it cannot possibly be true, people will be delighted by the possibility you popped into their mind.SARAH: When your home feels clean and happy, the people inside feel clean and happy.BRIAN: I've got a partner who lives down the street from you and we're anxious to bring you a truckload of SPRINGTIME. [sfx magic sparkle]SARAH: You don't have to lift a finger!Predictability is the silent assassin of advertising.Magical realism focuses the imagination, disarms the assassin, and delights the mind.BRIAN: We make junk disappear. [sfx magic sparkle]SARAH: All you have to do is point.Magical thinking is good for your soul.Magical realism is good for your business.Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.Roy H. WilliamsThe reinvention of Gigi Meier is nothing short of remarkable. After three decades at the boardroom level of a multi-billion-dollar bank, Gigi reinvented herself as a romance writer. Gigi has published 16 books, some quite steamy, across three ongoing series. Did Gigi to draw on her extensive banking experience to fuel her publishing success? No! She tells roving reporter Rotbart that the opposite is true! Gigi has discovered valuable insights as a romance publisher that would have been useful during her banking career! No one has guests as interesting as roving reporter Rotbart. Am I right! This party will get started the moment you arrive...

“ It may not be until the new heavens and the new earth, but we're eventually going to know that God had goodness that was behind the dark clouds of our lives.” So says Mark Vroegop, newly appointed president of The Gospel Coalition (TGC) and author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, during his conversation with Russell Moore. Moore and Vroegop talk about the ways TGC has evolved since its founding through leaders such as Tim Keller and Don Carson. They talk about the nature of belief, how trust in Jesus alters our understanding of who we are, and navigating seasons of doubt. Their conversation covers ministry partnerships, vocational decision making, and the importance of deep friendships.  Moore and Vroegop consider what the Psalms have to say about seasons of doubt and grief, the relationship between character and gifting, and trust in the goodness of God. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop Waiting Isn't a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life by Mark Vroegop The Gospel Coalition Made for Friendship: The Relationship That Halves Our Sorrows and Doubles Our Joys by Drew Hunter The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Danielle and Kristine learn how to survive being a magical thinker and Jo McGinley joins us to share her experiences as a magician's assistant! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Subscribe to https://ground.news/andrew to access diverse perspectives & get 40% off unlimited access this month. In this provocative podcast episode, historian and commentator David Starkey dives deep into the issues shaping modern Britain, from the dangers of wokeness, cultural collapse, and the erosion of traditional family structures to the urgent questions surrounding Christianity, monarchy, and national identity. Starkey shares candid perspectives on the crisis in Ukraine, the controversial politics of Labour, and why defending Western values matters now more than ever. He openly discusses his own experience with cancel culture, the impact of movements like Black Lives Matter, and voices admiration for fellow free thinkers, including figures like Elon Musk. A compelling watch for anyone concerned about freedom of speech, cultural heritage, and the future direction of Britain and the West. David Starkey has been on everything from the BBC to Triggernometry. Follow him on YouTube:  @davidstarkeytalks   Chapters: 0:00 David Starkey Highlights 1:30 We're in the Last Days of Rome   4:30 Wokeness the Death of Us   5:40 Do We Need Christianity?   8:30 Christians Now vs Then   12:30 Why We Need Ceremony   15:55 Mixed Feelings on Christianity   17:30 Family Structures & First Cousin Marriage   20:30 Cultures Are NOT The Same   23:30 Rory Stewart, Alastair Campbell & The UN   27:15 Labour's Magical Thinking & Ukraine   29:30 War Brings You Up Against Reality   32:30 Should We Defend Ukraine?   37:00 The Invention of a Nation   39:30 Putin Disgusting   43:30 Millions in the UK Don't Speak English   44:30 England, Scotland, Charles & Anne   47:00 How England Became Britain   51:30 Monarchy vs Fascism & Communism   54:30 Are We Screwed?   57:00 Konstantin, Fraser & Ethnicity   59:30 Jewish Households Welcoming David & His Partner   1:02:55 David's Cancelation & Covid Madness   1:05:30 BLM Insanity, Slavery Wokeness   1:08:30 What Led to Cancelation Moment   1:11:30 Sick and Tired of This   1:14:30 Contempt For Those Who Turned On David   1:18:30 Elon Musk & Who Organised David's Cancellation   1:23:00 A Heretic David Admires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Success lies in a masterful consistency around the fundamentals. Don't complicate things. Just do the right things, day after day, and—over time—magical things will happen.If these insights speak to you and you're willing to do a little work on the ideas, tools, and habits I'll happily teach you inside my new world-class digital training program, then I'd love to help you here.FOLLOW ROBIN SHARMA:InstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube

By Walt HickeyDouble feature today!Welcome to the Numlock Sunday edition.This week, I spoke to Alissa Wilkinson who is out with the brand new book, We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine.I'm a huge fan of Alissa, she's a phenomenal critic and I thought this topic — what happens when one of the most important American literary figures heads out to Hollywood to work on the most important American medium — is super fascinating. It's a really wonderful book and if you're a longtime Joan Didion fan or simply a future Joan Didion fan, it's a look at a really transformative era of Hollywood and should be a fun read regardless.Alissa can be found at the New York Times, and the book is available wherever books are sold.This interview has been condensed and edited. All right, Alissa, thank you so much for coming on.Yeah, thanks for having me. It's good to be back, wherever we are.Yes, you are the author of We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine. It's a really exciting book. It's a really exciting approach, for a Joan Didion biography and placing her in the current of American mainstream culture for a few years. I guess just backing out, what got you interested in Joan Didion to begin with? When did you first get into her work?Joan Didion and I did not become acquainted, metaphorically, until after I got out of college. I studied Tech and IT in college, and thus didn't read any books, because they don't make you read books in school, or they didn't when I was there. I moved to New York right afterward. I was riding the subway. There were all these ads for this book called The Year of Magical Thinking. It was the year 2005, the book had just come out. The Year of Magical Thinking is Didion's National Book Award-winning memoir about the year after her husband died, suddenly of a heart attack in '03. It's sort of a meditation on grief, but it's not really what that sounds like. If people haven't read it's very Didion. You know, it's not sentimental, it's constantly examining the narratives that she's telling herself about grief.So I just saw these ads on the walls. I was like, what is this book that everybody seems to be reading? I just bought it and read it. And it just so happened that it was right after my father, who was 46 at the time, was diagnosed with a very aggressive leukemia, and then died shortly thereafter, which was shocking, obviously. The closer I get to that age, it feels even more shocking that he was so young. I didn't have any idea how to process that emotion or experience. The book was unexpectedly helpful. But it also introduced me to a writer who I'd never read before, who felt like she was looking at things from a different angle than everyone else.Of course, she had a couple more books come out after that. But I don't remember this distinctly, but probably what happened is I went to some bookstore, The Strand or something, and bought The White Album and Slouching Towards Bethlehem off the front table as everyone does because those books have just been there for decades.From that, I learned more, starting to understand how writing could work. I didn't realize how form and content could interact that way. Over the years, I would review a book by her or about her for one publication or another. Then when I was in graduate school, getting my MFA in nonfiction, I wrote a bit about her because I was going through a moment of not being sure if my husband and I were going to stay in New York or we were going to move to California. They sort of obligate you to go through a goodbye to all that phase if you are contemplating that — her famous essay about leaving New York. And then, we did stay in New York City. But ultimately, that's 20 years of history.Then in 2020, I was having a conversation (that was quite-early pandemic) with my agent about possible books I might write. I had outlined a bunch of books to her. Then she was like, “These all sound like great ideas. But I've always wanted to rep a book on Joan Didion. So I just wanted to put that bug in your ear.” I was like, “Oh, okay. That seems like something I should probably do.”It took a while to find an angle, which wound up being Didion in Hollywood. This is mostly because I realized that a lot of people don't really know her as a Hollywood figure, even though she's a pretty major Hollywood figure for a period of time. The more of her work I read, the more I realized that her work is fruitfully understood as the work of a woman who was profoundly influenced by (and later thinking in terms of Hollywood metaphors) whether she was writing about California or American politics or even grief.So that's the long-winded way of saying I wasn't, you know, acquainted with her work until adulthood, but then it became something that became a guiding light for me as a writer.That's really fascinating. I love it. Because again I think a lot of attention on Didion has been paid since her passing. But this book is really exciting because you came at it from looking at the work as it relates to Hollywood. What was Didion's experience in Hollywood? What would people have seen from it, but also, what is her place there?The directly Hollywood parts of her life start when she's in her 30s. She and her husband — John Gregory Dunn, also a writer and her screenwriting partner — moved from New York City, where they had met and gotten married, to Los Angeles. John's brother, Nick Dunn later became one of the most important early true crime writers at Vanity Fair, believe it or not. But at the time, he was working as a TV producer. He and his wife were there. So they moved to Los Angeles. It was sort of a moment where, you know, it's all well and good to be a journalist and a novelist. If you want to support yourself, Hollywood is where it's at.So they get there at a moment when the business is shifting from these big-budget movies — the Golden Age — to the new Hollywood, where everything is sort of gritty and small and countercultural. That's the moment they arrive. They worked in Hollywood. I mean, they worked literally in Hollywood for many years after that. And then in Hollywood even when they moved back to New York in the '80s as screenwriters still.People sometimes don't realize that they wrote a bunch of produced screenplays. The earliest was The Panic in Needle Park. Obviously, they adapted Didion's novel Play It As It Lays. There are several others, but one that a lot of people don't realize they wrote was the version of A Star is Born that stars Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. It was their idea to shift the Star is Born template from Hollywood entities to rock stars. That was their idea. Of course, when Bradley Cooper made his version, he iterated on that. So their work was as screenwriters but also as figures in the Hollywood scene because they were literary people at the same time that they were screenwriters. They knew all the actors, and they knew all the producers and the executives.John actually wrote, I think, two of the best books ever written on Hollywood decades apart. One called The Studio, where he just roamed around on the Fox backlot. For a year for reasons he couldn't understand, he got access. That was right when the catastrophe that was Dr. Doolittle was coming out. So you get to hear the inside of the studio. Then later, he wrote a book called Monster, which is about their like eight-year long attempt to get their film Up Close and Personal made, which eventually they did. It's a really good look at what the normal Hollywood experience was at the time: which is like: you come up with an idea, but it will only vaguely resemble the final product once all the studios get done with it.So it's, it's really, that's all very interesting. They're threaded through the history of Hollywood in that period. On top of it for the book (I realized as I was working on it) that a lot of Didion's early life is influenced by especially her obsession with John Wayne and also with the bigger mythology of California and the West, a lot of which she sees as framed through Hollywood Westerns.Then in the '80s, she pivoted to political reporting for a long while. If you read her political writing, it is very, very, very much about Hollywood logic seeping into American political culture. There's an essay called “Inside Baseball” about the Dukakis campaign that appears in Political Fictions, her book that was published on September 11, 2001. In that book, she writes about how these political campaigns are directed and set up like a production for the cameras and how that was becoming not just the campaign, but the presidency itself. Of course, she had no use for Ronald Reagan, and everything she writes about him is very damning. But a lot of it was because she saw him as the embodiment of Hollywood logic entering the political sphere and felt like these are two separate things and they need to not be going together.So all of that appeared to me as I was reading. You know, once you see it, you can't unsee it. It just made sense for me to write about it. On top of it, she was still alive when I was writing the proposal and shopping it around. So she actually died two months after we sold the book to my publisher. It meant I was extra grateful for this angle because I knew there'd be a lot more books on her, but I wanted to come at it from an angle that I hadn't seen before. So many people have written about her in Hollywood before, but not quite through this lens.Yeah. What were some things that you discovered in the course of your research? Obviously, she's such an interesting figure, but she's also lived so very publicly that I'm just super interested to find out what are some of the things that you learned? It can be about her, but it can also be the Hollywood system as a whole.Yeah. I mean, I didn't interview her for obvious reasons.Understandable, entirely understandable.Pretty much everyone in her life also is gone with the exception really of Griffin Dunn, who is her nephew, John's nephew, the actor. But other than that, it felt like I needed to look at it through a critical lens. So it meant examining a lot of texts. A lot of Didion's magazine work (which was a huge part of her life) is published in the books that people read like Slouching Towards Bethlehem and The White Album and all the other books. What was interesting to me was discovering (I mean, not “discovering” because other people have read it) that there is some work that's not published and it's mostly her criticism.Most of that criticism was published in the late '50s and the early '60s when she was living in New York City, working at Vogue and trying to make it in the literary scene that was New York at that time, which was a very unique place. I mean, she was writing criticism and essays for both, you know, like National Review and The Nation at the same time, which was just hard to conceive of today. It was something you'd do back then. Yeah, wild stuff.A lot of that criticism was never collected into books. The most interesting is that she'd been working at Vogue for a long time in various positions, but she wound up getting added to the film critic column at Vogue in, '62, I want to say, although I might have that date slightly off. She basically alternated weeks with another critic for a few years, writing that until she started writing in movies proper. It's never a great idea to be a critic and a screenwriter at the same time.Her criticism is fascinating. So briefly, for instance, she shared that column with Pauline Kael. Pauline Kael became well known after she wrote about Bonnie and Clyde. This was prior to that. This is several years prior to that. They also hated each other for a long time afterward, which is funny, because, in some ways, their style is very different but their persona is actually very similar. So I wonder about that.But in any case, even when she wasn't sharing the column with Pauline Kael, it was a literal column in a magazine. So it's like one column of text, she can say barely anything. She was always a bit of a contrarian, but she was actively not interested in the things that were occupying New York critics at the time. Things like the Auteur Theory, what was happening in France, the downtown scene and the Shirley Clark's of the world. She had no use for it. At some point, she accuses Billy Wilder of having really no sense of humor, which is very funny.When you read her criticism, you see a person who is very invested in a classical notion of Hollywood as a place that shows us fantasies that we can indulge in for a while. She talks in her very first column about how she doesn't really need movies to be masterpieces, she just wants them to have moments. When she says moments, she means big swelling things that happen in a movie that make her feel things.It's so opposite, I think, to most people's view of Didion. Most people associate her with this snobbish elitism or something, which I don't think is untrue when we're talking about literature. But for her, the movies were like entertainment, and entering that business was a choice to enter that world. She wasn't attempting to elevate the discourse or something.I just think that's fascinating. She also has some great insights there. But as a film critic, I find myself disagreeing with most of her reviews. But I think that doesn't matter. It was more interesting to see how she conceived of the movies. There is a moment later on, in another piece that I don't think has been republished anywhere from the New York Review of Books, where she writes about the movies of Woody Allen. She hates them. It's right at the point where he's making like Manhattan and Annie Hall, like the good stuff. She just has no use for them. It's one of the funniest pieces. I won't spoil the ending because it's hilarious, and it's in the book.That writing was of huge interest to me and hasn't been republished in books. I was very grateful to get access to it, in part because it is in the archives — the electronic archives of the New York Public Library. But at the time, the library was closed. So I had to call the library and have a librarian get on Zoom with me for like an hour and a half to figure out how I could get in the proverbial back door of the library to get access while the library wasn't open.That's magnificent. That's such a cool way to go to the archives because some stuff just hasn't been published. If it wasn't digitized, then it's not digitized. That's incredible.Yeah, it's there, but you can barely print them off because they're in PDFs. They're like scanned images that are super high res, so the printer just dies when you try to print them. It's all very fascinating. I hope it gets republished at some point because I think there's enough interest in her work that it's fascinating to see this other aspect of her taste and her persona.It's really interesting that she seems to have wanted to meet the medium where it is, right? She wasn't trying to literary-up Hollywood. I mean, LA can be a bit of a friction. It's not exactly a literary town in the way that some East Coast metropolises can be. It is interesting that she was enamored by the movies. Do you want to speak about what things were like for her when she moved out?Yeah, it is funny because, at the same time, the first two movies that they wrote and produced are The Panic in Needle Park, which is probably the most new Hollywood movie you can imagine. It's about addicts at Needle Park, which is actually right where the 72nd Street subway stop is on the Upper West Side. If people have been there, it's hard to imagine. But that was apparently where they all sat around, and there were a lot of needles. It's apparently the first movie supposedly where someone shoots up live on camera.So it was the '70s. That's amazing.Yes, and it launched Al Pacino's film career! Yeah, it's wild. You watch it and you're just like, “How is this coming from the woman who's about all this arty farty stuff in the movies.” And Play It As It Lays has a very similar, almost avant-garde vibe to it. It's very, very interesting. You see it later on in the work that they made.A key thing to remember about them (and something I didn't realize before I started researching the book)was that Didion and Dunn were novelists who worked in journalism because everybody did. They wrote movies, according to them (you can only go off of what they said. A lot of it is John writing these jaunty articles. He's a very funny writer) because “we had tuition and a mortgage. This is how you pay for it.”This comes up later on, they needed to keep their WGA insurance because John had heart trouble. The best way to have health insurance was to remain in the Writers Guild. Remaining in the Writers Guild means you had to have a certain amount of work produced through union means. They were big union supporters. For them this was not, this was very strictly not an auteurist undertaking. This was not like, “Oh, I'm gonna go write these amazing screenplays that give my concept of the world to the audience.” It's not like Bonnie and Clyding going on here. It's very like, “We wrote these based on some stories that we thought would be cool.”I like that a lot. Like the idea that A Star is Born was like a pot boiler. That's really delightful.Completely. It was totally taken away from them by Streisand and John Peters at some point. But they were like, “Yeah, I mean, you know, it happens. We still got paid.”Yeah, if it can happen to Superman, it can happen to you.It happens to everybody, you know, don't get too precious about it. The important thing is did your novel come out and was it supported by its publisher?So just tracing some of their arcs in Hollywood. Obviously, Didion's one of the most influential writers of her generation, there's a very rich literary tradition. Where do we see her footprint, her imprint in Hollywood? What are some of the ways that we can see her register in Hollywood, or reverberate outside of it?In the business itself, I don't know that she was influential directly. What we see is on the outside of it. So a lot of people were friends. She was like a famous hostess, famous hostess. The New York Public Library archives are set to open at the end of March, of Didion and Dunn's work, which was like completely incidental to my publication date. I just got lucky. There's a bunch of screenplays in there that they worked on that weren't produced. There's also her cookbooks, and I'm very excited to go through those and see that. So you might meet somebody there.Her account of what the vibe was when the Manson murders occurred, which is published in her essay The White Album, is still the one people talk about, even though there are a lot of different ways to come at it. That's how we think about the Manson murders: through her lens. Later on, when she's not writing directly about Hollywood anymore (and not really writing in Hollywood as much) but instead is writing about the headlines, about news events, about sensationalism in the news, she becomes a great media critic. We start to see her taking the things that she learned (having been around Hollywood people, having been on movie sets, having seen how the sausage is made) and she starts writing about politics. In that age, it is Hollywood's logic that you perform for the TV. We have the debates suddenly becoming televised, the conventions becoming televised, we start to see candidates who seem specifically groomed to win because they look good on TV. They're starting to win and rule the day.She writes about Newt Gingrich. Of course, Gingrich was the first politician to figure out how to harness C-SPAN to his own ends — the fact that there were TV cameras on the congressional floor. So she's writing about all of this stuff at a time when you can see other people writing about it. I mean, Neil Postman famously writes about it. But the way Didion does it is always very pegged to reviewing somebody's book, or she's thinking about a particular event, or she's been on the campaign plane or something like that. Like she's been on the inside, but with an outsider's eye.That also crops up in, for instance, her essays. “Sentimental Journeys” is one of her most famous ones. That one's about the case of the Central Park Five, and the jogger who was murdered. Of course, now, we're many decades out from that, and the convictions were vacated. We know about coerced confessions. Also Donald Trump arrives in the middle of that whole thing.But she's actually not interested in the guilt or innocence question, because a lot of people were writing about that. She's interested in how the city of New York and the nation perform themselves for themselves, seeing themselves through the long lens of a movie and telling themselves stories about themselves. You see this over and over in her writing, no matter what she's writing about. I think once she moved away from writing about the business so much, she became very interested in how Hollywood logic had taken over American public life writ large.That's fascinating. Like, again, she spends time in the industry, then basically she can only see it through that lens. Of course, Michael Dukakis in a tank is trying to be a set piece, of course in front of the Berlin Wall, you're finally doing set decoration rather than doing it outside of a brick wall somewhere. You mentioned the New York thing in Performing New York. I have lived in the city for over a decade now. The dumbest thing is when the mayor gets to wear the silly jacket whenever there's a snowstorm that says “Mr. Mayor.” It's all an act in so many ways. I guess that political choreography had to come from somewhere, and it seems like she was documenting a lot of that initial rise.Yeah, I think she really saw it. The question I would ask her, if I could, is how cognizant she was that she kept doing that. As someone who's written for a long time, you don't always recognize that you have the one thing you write about all the time. Other people then bring it up to you and you're like, “Oh, I guess you're right.” Even when you move into her grief memoir phase, which is how I think about the last few original works that she published, she uses movie logic constantly in those.I mean, The Year of Magical Thinking is a cyclical book, she goes over the same events over and over. But if you actually look at the language she's using, she talks about running the tape back, she talks about the edit, she talks about all these things as if she's running her own life through how a movie would tell a story. Maybe she knew very deliberately. She's not a person who does things just haphazardly, but it has the feeling of being so baked into her psyche at this point that she would never even think of trying to escape it.Fascinating.Yeah, that idea that you don't know what you are potentially doing, I've thought about that. I don't know what mine is. But either way. It's such a cool way to look at it. On a certain level, she pretty much succeeded at that, though, right? I think that when people think about Joan Didion, they think about a life that freshens up a movie, right? Like, it workedVery much, yeah. I'm gonna be really curious to see what happens over the next 10 years or so. I've been thinking about figures like Sylvia Plath or women with larger-than-life iconography and reputation and how there's a constant need to relook at their legacies and reinvent and rethink and reimagine them. There's a lot in the life of Didion that I think remains to be explored. I'm really curious to see where people go with it, especially with the opening of these archives and new personal information making its way into the world.Yeah, even just your ability to break some of those stories that have been locked away in archives out sounds like a really exciting addition to the scholarship. Just backing out a little bit, we live in a moment in which the relationship between pop culture and political life is fairly directly intertwined. Setting aside the steel-plated elephant in the room, you and I are friendly because we bonded over this idea that movies really are consequential. Coming out of this book and coming out of reporting on it, what are some of the relevances for today in particular?Yeah, I mean, a lot more than I thought, I guess, five years ago. I started work on the book at the end of Trump One, and it's coming out at the beginning of Trump Two, and there was this period in the middle of a slightly different vibe. But even then I watch TikTok or whatever. You see people talk about “main character energy” or the “vibe shift” or all of romanticizing your life. I would have loved to read a Didion essay on the way that young people sort of view themselves through the logic of the screens they have lived on and the way that has shaped America for a long time.I should confirm this, I don't think she wrote about Obama, or if she did, it was only a little bit. So her political writing ends in George W. Bush's era. I think there's one piece on Obama, and then she's writing about other things. It's just interesting to think about how her ideas of what has happened to political culture in America have seeped into the present day.I think the Hollywood logic, the cinematic logic has given way to reality TV logic. That's very much the logic of the Trump world, right? Still performing for cameras, but the cameras have shifted. The way that we want things from the cameras has shifted, too. Reality TV is a lot about creating moments of drama where they may or may not actually exist and bombarding you with them. I think that's a lot of what we see and what we feel now. I have to imagine she would think about it that way.There is one interesting essay that I feel has only recently been talked about. It's at the beginning of my book, too. It was in a documentary, and Gia Tolentino wrote about it recently. It's this essay she wrote in 2000 about Martha Stewart and about Martha Stewart's website. It feels like the 2000s was like, “What is this website thing? Why are people so into it?” But really, it's an essay about parasocial relationships that people develop (with women in particular) who they invent stories around and how those stories correspond to greater American archetypes. It's a really interesting essay, not least because I think it's an essay also about people's parasocial relationships with Joan Didion.So the rise of her celebrity in the 21st century, where people know who she is and carry around a tote bag, but don't really know what they're getting themselves into is very interesting to me. I think it is also something she thought about quite a bit, while also consciously courting it.Yeah, I mean, that makes a ton of sense. For someone who was so adept at using cinematic language to describe her own life with every living being having a camera directly next to them at all times. It seems like we are very much living in a world that she had at least put a lot of thought into, even if the technology wasn't around for her to specifically address it.Yes, completely.On that note, where can folks find the book? Where can folks find you? What's the elevator pitch for why they ought to check this out? Joan Didion superfan or just rather novice?Exactly! I think this book is not just for the fans, let me put it that way. Certainly, I think anyone who considers themselves a Didion fan will have a lot to enjoy here. The stuff you didn't know, hadn't read or just a new way to think through her cultural impact. But also, this is really a book that's as much for people who are just interested in thinking about the world we live in today a little critically. It's certainly a biography of American political culture as much as it is of Didion. There's a great deal of Hollywood history in there as well. Thinking about that sweep of the American century and change is what the book is doing. It's very, very, very informed by what I do in my day job as a movie critic at The New York Times. Thinking about what movies mean, what do they tell us about ourselves? I think this is what this book does. I have been told it's very fun to read. So I'm happy about that. It's not ponderous at all, which is good. It's also not that long.It comes out March 11th from Live Right, which is a Norton imprint. There will be an audiobook at the end of May that I am reading, which I'm excited about. And I'll be on tour for a large amount of March on the East Coast. Then in California, there's a virtual date, and there's a good chance I'll be popping up elsewhere all year, too. Those updates will be on my social feeds, which are all @alissawilkinson on whatever platform except X, which is fine because I don't really post there anymore.Alyssa, thank you so much for coming on.Thank you so much.Edited by Crystal Wang.If you have anything you'd like to see in this Sunday special, shoot me an email. Comment below! Thanks for reading, and thanks so much for supporting Numlock.Thank you so much for becoming a paid subscriber! Send links to me on Twitter at @WaltHickey or email me with numbers, tips or feedback at walt@numlock.news. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.numlock.com/subscribe

Anthony Rella https://anthonyrella.com/, author of Slow Magic: Cultivate Lasting Transformation Through Spellwork and Self-Growth, joins Luxa https://linktr.ee/LuxaStrata to talk about playing the long game in one's magical practice and working with different parts of the self. Some of the concepts which inform Slow Magic as a Paradigm are discussed, such as Internal Families Systems, the Morningstar Mystery School, as well as Time viewed through different lenses, Magical Thinking and more!Luxa also shares a definition of magical Thinking and an update about The Green Mushroom Project https://greenmushroomproject.com/ and Void House- creating consent forward magical spaces for conducting group work both in person and online, investigating the magical and alchemical properties of consent, and providing consent education to magically inclined people. Thanks for listening to the Lux Occult Podcast! Support the show by helping Luxa buy books and curtail other costs, as well as taking a bibliomancy break by giving on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/luxoccult . Or, Buy Me a Coffee.com is an option for a one time donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/luxoccultpod?new=1 We would love to hear from you! Please send your thoughts, questions, suggestions or arcane revelations to luxoccultpod@gmail.com or message on Instagram @luxoccultpod https://www.instagram.com/luxoccultpod/ and on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/luxastrata919.bsky.socialAnthony Rella, MA, LMHC https://anthonyrella.com/Slow Magic https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738777085Full show notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSHJWIj2L7xlTmGuv6yOmoZdGc1iuzd3poF1razZh7Ki-lXvEvZuErKfvWDpZXF8kJ9tZ-_dHnEedPb/pubEx V Planis Podcast: A Tribute To David Lynch ft. Allen Greenfield and Luxa Stratahttps://open.spotify.com/episode/2yIMFJ7RZHM9pBU1PShl9V?si=tnr0KF4OQBGlDi9g8zZr1gLux Occult 94.5. Secrets of the Real Black Lodge Revealed w/ Allen Greenfield & Remembering Rendleshamhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/luxa-strata/episodes/94-5--Secrets-of-the-Real-Black-Lodge-Revealed-w-Allen-Greenfield--Remembering-Rendlesham-e2sot9o/a-abmt8tcLux Occult 48. The 5 Pillars of Consent w/ Zach Budd & Odin and Inclusive Heathenry w/ Lonnie Scott https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/luxa-strata/episodes/48--The-5-Pillars-of-Consent-w-Zach-Budd--Odin-and-Inclusive-Heathenry-w-Lonnie-Scott-e1m0qbrAd Hoc History Podcast with Asher & Luxa: The History of Money https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/adhochistory/episodes/S2---E2-History-of-Money-e19kq84/a-a6qhhp9Weird Web Radio Episode 101- Luxa Strata- Consent, Chaos Magic, Experiments and The Self https://open.spotify.com/episode/4t431wA9D1uNnM2SAUa2ci?si=rDyF_nAUR3qOYJ5LWhcB5ACasual Temple 22: Magical Musings: EXPLORING Art, Science, and Philosophy VIA Chaos Magick for Personal Growth w/ Luxa Strata https://casualtemple.com/episodes/ep-22/Lux Occult SHORTS: Luxa Strata on Chaos Magic and Accelerationism https://youtu.be/Oi6GXtIGzMECheck out The Consent Academy https://www.consent.academy/Curious about steel mace flow? Check out Fourth Dimension Fitness: https://www.fourthdimensionfitness.com/Find Luxa's work included in Serpents of Circe: A Manual to Magical Resilience edited by Laura Tempest Zakroff and Ron Padrón https://revelore.press/product/serpents-of-circe-a-manual-to-magical-resilience/

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Watch this episode on Youtube! In this episode we discuss the latest on tariffs, the Ivy League, Ukraine, and why Randi Weingarten is so angry. Tune in! Time Stamps: 15:40 - Tariffs 26:34 - Ivy League 40:29 - Ukraine update 49:25 - Randi Weingarten

Host Jason Schreurs welcomes Rocky Votolato, he of legendary Seattle band Waxwing, an illustrious solo career, and now his new loud project, Suzzallo. Rocky talks about how the death of his adult child in 2022 shook him to core, and continues to shake him to the core, along his path of grief recovery. Enveloping himself in sounds has been a huge part of the long road ahead. https://www.rockyvotolato.com/ Featured song clips: Suzzallo - "River" from The Quiet Year (2025) Suzzallo - "The Destroyer" from The Quiet Year (2025) At the Drive-In - "Arcarsenal" from Relationship of Command (Grand Royal/Fearless/Virgin, 2013) Inside Out - "No Spiritual Surrender" from No Spiritual Surrender (Revelation Records, 1990) Waxwing - "Spanish Quartet" (Live on KEXP, 2014) Suzzallo - "Magical Thinking" from The Quiet Year (2025) The SCREAM THERAPY BOOK is now available! Scream Therapy: A Punk Journey through Mental Health is a memoir-plus that has been heralded by New York Times best-selling authors. Like the podcast, it links the community-minded punk rock scene with the mental wellness of the punks who belong to it. ORDER A COPY OF THE BOOK! screamtherapyhq.com/book SCREAM THERAPY MERCH! teepublic.com/user/scream-therapy About this podcast: Scream Therapy explores the link between punk rock and mental health. My guests are members of the underground music scene who are living with mental health challenges, like myself. Intro/background music clips: Submission Hold - "Cranium Ache" Render Useless - "The Second Flight of Icarus" Contact host Jason Schreurs - screamtherapypodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, the story of Clever Hans, the horse who changed psychology for the better. We also sit down with psychologist and magician Matt Tompkins. Matt is the author of The Spectacle of Illusion, a book about the long history of the manipulation of our own magical thinking and how studying deception can help us better understand perception, memory, belief, and more.How Minds ChangeDavid McRaney's BlueSkyDavid McRaney's TwitterYANSS TwitterMatt Tompkin's WebsiteThe Spectacle of IllusionPrisoners of SilenceClever HansWilhelm von OstenCarl Sagan QuoteScience of Magic AssociationSociety for Psychical ResearchSkeptical Inquirer MagazineHoudini's Debunking

Geraldine Brooks' latest, Memorial Days, is a deeply personal memoir about the sudden loss of her husband Tony Horowitz. In this beautiful and deeply felt book, Geraldine remembers her husband and honors his legacy and their love. She walks us through the days after his death while simultaneously also taking us through her mourning process. Find out why Memorial Days was important to her survival, and how writing the book helped her and her family deal with the impossible task of grieving. Find books mentioned on The Book Case: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/book-case-podcast-reading-list-118433302 Books mentioned in this week's episode: Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks March by Geraldine Brooks Horse by Geraldine Brooks Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks Nine Parts of Desire by Geraldine Brooks After Annie by Anna Quindlen Grief is for People by Sloane Crossley The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander A Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates I Should Be Extremely Happy in Your Company by Brian Hall Overstory by Richard Powers Gilead by Marilynne Robinson The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OCD can convince our kids that they have control over the uncontrollable. That is at the heart of magical thinking OCD compulsions. Magical thinking is when OCD convinces a person that if they do or don't do something - they can prevent something from happening. That something could be literally anything related to their theme. They might be preventing themselves from throwing up. They might be saving your life. They might be preventing a health issue. It is different for each person, but the compulsion is the same - do this (or don't do this) or ELSE.In this week's AT Parenting Survival Podcast I'm exploring how magical thinking shows up in OCD and how you can help your kids overcome it.YouTube videos discussed in episode:When OCD Tells You to Do Something or Something Bad Will HappenOffense and Defense for OCD

GNM is an alt health trend that has grown in popularity in recent years. It is attractive to so many (including me and my guest, once) because it acknowledges the role that emotions and trauma play in physical health and symptom manifestation, something that mainstream medicine still somehow refuses to do. But just because some aspects of an ideology are true and helpful does not mean that the entire framework is valid. Critical thinking and humility are essential tools for navigating information overload and complex frameworks, especially when it comes to health. The allure of certainty and specialized knowledge can lead people to adopt rigid belief systems that don't hold up to critical thinking, and the the zealotry of believing that your group's belief system will save the world only further strengthens unconscious confirmation bias (along with other logical fallacies common in GNM- loading the language, heads you lose tails I win, us v them thinking, bizarre antisemitic conspiracies, etc). But what might be most worrisome about this growing movement is the purity mindset demanded of its more extreme adherents- the belief that nothing outside of us can affect us if only we believe strongly enough in our own omnipotence and prove our righteousness and purity by attaining a total lack of symptoms. What is viewed as radical sovereignty and empowerment is really just outright magical thinking reinforced by an absence of humility, mystery, and the reality that ultimately we are not in control of what happens to us. The body is not a closed system; we are deeply embedded in overlapping ecologies. This episode has been years in the making, and I have been asked time and time again for my take on GNM. When I was sent Demetra's essay on the subject I knew that I had finally found the right person to have this conversation with. Her past cult experience, and my years of deep dives into culty thinking and behavior, provide a lens through which to view this phenomenon. Though we do not claim that GNM is a cult in the traditional sense, cultishness is a spectrum and GNM is definitely on that spectrum. Also its tenets are demonstrably false, and have led to death in some cases. NBD. In our Patreon bonus conversation Demetra shares her cult story- joining what she thought was a good thing, slowly realizing it wasn't, leaving, being attacked by the leader and other members, and the long “deprogramming” and stabilization process that all cult survivors undergo Demetra's essay The Culty Fraud of German New Medicine Dr. Moss's report German New Medicine- Hope or Hoax? Demetra's podcast Impolite Company on Spotify and Apple Amber's Nourishing Motherlines Substack Amber's website MythicMedicine.love  Take our fun Which Healing Herb is Your Spirit Medicine? quiz Mythic Medicine on Instagram Medicine Stories Facebook group Music by Mariee Siou (from her beautiful song Wild Eyes) Mentioned in this episode: Tension Myositis Syndrome Cell Danger Response A Little But Culty podcast (the best!) Cult documentaries (by no means an extensive list)- The Vow (NXIVM), Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence, Breath of Fire (Kundalini yoga), The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin Steven Hassan's BITE model Cult expert Robert Jay Lifton  

Michael Lynk, a former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, talks with guest host David Burke about a vision for the future of Gaza that seems not to have room in it for Gazans.

On this episode, indie author David Jay Collins and I discuss his work writing books in and about Chicago, how he keeps going by honoring his characters, and the unique ways that he connects with his readers. We also discuss his reading life, including a current fast from horror content which blows my mind!   Follow David on Instagram  Order any of David's books from his website  Where you can see David in 2025!   Books mentioned in this episode:    What Betsy's reading:  Lilith by Eric Rickstad  A Great Country by Shilpi Somaya Gowda Just Want You Here by Meredith Turtis    Books Highlighted by David: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster  Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and We Work by Reeves Wiedeman  Dry. A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs  The Death of the Artist: How Creators are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech by William Deresiewicz  The Man With the Golden Arm by Nelson Algren The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion    All books available on my Bookshop.org episode page.   Other books mentioned in this episode: John Adams by David McCullough  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens  A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

The Biden administration contends it has left the United States in a better geopolitical position than when it entered office four years ago. In a year-end foreign policy review from Carnegie's American Statecraft Program, Director Chris Chivvis and Senior Fellow Stephen Wertheim critique Biden's foreign policy legacy and discuss what Trump might do next.Why has it been so difficult for Biden to restrain Israel and succeed in Ukraine? What might a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal look like? How can the U.S. navigate toward a more stable U.S.-China relationship, despite entrenched beliefs that we are living through a second Cold War?Join them for a wide-ranging conversation on the most pressing issues facing the United States and the world. Shownotes:The Economist, Chris Chivvis: Talks Between Russia and Ukraine would Save LivesFinancial Times, Stephen Wertheim: It's Time for Europe's Magical Thinking on Defence to End The Guardian, Chris Chivvis: Admitting Ukraine to NATO Would be a mistake for both Ukraine and NATO  Global Asia, Stephen Wertheim: Asia Should Encourage 'Trump the Peacemaker'Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, U.S. China Relations for the 2030s: Toward a Realistic Scenario for Coexistence

In episode 464 I chat with Carey who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us.  We discuss her OCD story, magical thinking, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), fears around medication, feelings of shame, existential OCD, feeling suicidal, going into a psychiatric unit, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), words of hope, and much more. Hope it helps. Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/carey-464  The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories Join many other listeners getting our weekly emails. Never miss a podcast episode or update: https://theocdstories.com/newsletter   Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you'll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast