Tangentially Speaking With Dr. Christopher Ryan

Welcome to another Ramblin' ROMA. Lots to cover in this one. I talk about: Current events (of course); How/why to compliment the women/men in your life; Why we need to think globally, but act locally; The life and death of my friend Diego Fresco; Why there's no shame in changing course in life; Some suggestions for taking advantage of COVID; Ideas for how to communicate with people enthralled with conspiracy theories; A new consulting service I'm offering, here; Some ideas for seminars I'm considering offering online. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"You Make Loving Fun," by Fleetwood Mac; "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin," by Colin Hay; "N Dey Say," by Nelly; "Playaz Club," by Rappin' 4-Tay.   Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Hear that? That's the sound of s**t hitting the fan. In this episode (not for the faint of heart), I trace current events back to the marriage of modern advertising and politics in the 1980s and the fragmentation of media. We're in for a wild ride, folks. It's just beginning.  Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"American Kid," by Carsie Blanton; "If I had a Rocket Launcher," by Bruce Cockburn; "Blind Willie McTell," by Bob Dylan.   Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Eleanor Janega is a very smart, very funny medieval historian, specializing in late medieval sexuality, apocalyptic thought, propaganda, and the urban experience in general, and in central Europe more particularly. She teaches medieval and early modern history at a number of universities across London. She considers herself to be "a sad, sad medievalist," who hopes to "explain the medieval influences on the everyday world, and hopefully to get people through the quotidian grind of life in late stage capitalism." A worthy cause if ever there was one! Dr. Janega's site, Twitter feed, and Patreon account. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"The Summer of My Mind," by Highly Portable; "Star People 97," by George Michael. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I answer listener questions about whether to savor or defend a world that may be dying, how to be single but not alone, how to choose a safe place to make a stand, and my feelings about the holiday season. Check What Makes This Thing Great? Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about how to think independently, why it's an important skill, and how to cultivate it -- all while dipping in and out of Paul Graham's essay, "How to Think for Yourself." Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Disturbed," by Peter Gabriel; "Distinto," by Orishas; "Graceland at 4AM," by Bobby Weidman.   Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Anya and Erin are two of my all-time favorite people. W***e Rapport is their podcast, where they explore and discuss a version of sexuality that is healthy, strong, and aware, by "delving into topics such as gender, orientation, intimacy, and power without pathologizing desire, victimizing femininity, or demonizing masculinity." Follow W***e Rapport on Instagram and Patreon. This episode sponsored by Lelo -- maker of the world's best sex toys. Use the code ChrisRyan for 20% off all full-priced items. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Sexual Healing," by Ben Harper; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton.   Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

For my money, Rick Beato is the most knowledgeable, most enthusiastic, most open-hearted guide to the world of music. Dude can break a song down to its essence without draining its magic and beauty. Quite the opposite, in fact. After a few episodes of What Makes This Song Great?, you'll understand music -- and hear it -- in a whole new way. Here's a link to our previous conversation. Follow Rick on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Pygmy Lullaby," by Jan Garbarek; "Don't Fear the Reaper," by Blue Oyster Cult.  Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Ted Achacoso attained a college degree in biology at the age of 18 and a doctor of medicine at the age of 22. A polymath who has professionally trained in interventional neuroradiology, pharmacology, neurology, medical informatics, neuro-interventional radiology interventional endocrinology, and nutritional medicine. Dr. Achacoso's current mission revolves around HOMe: "Health Optimization Medicine". Instead of waiting for a patient to develop a reason for medicine, Dr. Achacoso hopes to swing the pendulum towards optimizing health by detecting and correcting imbalances in your body (hormones, nutrients, toxins, etc). Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range, “Where Is the Love?,”  by Black Eyed Peas; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

"Hey Chris, this is Whitney. I love the podcast! You should come visit me in the pyramid next time you're in Montana." It had been four decades since I'd heard from Whitney Lake, who was a legend at Cazenovia High School in 1979-80. His reputation for brilliant disruption greeted me when I moved to town, halfway through senior year. He still excels at brilliant disruption. He lives in a pyramid he designed himself, is a multi-instrumentalist, designs and builds string instruments, wind turbines, and various other devices (patents pending). Dude is mad smart, funny, charming, and generous. And his BBQ sauce is amazing! Learn more about his work at AERI.net. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range, “Drinkee,”  by Sofi Tukker. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Chad came to my attention via his always thoughtful, articulate posts on the Tangentially Speaking subReddit. I wanted to know the guy behind this intelligence. I'm really glad he agreed to come on the podcast. Chad's musings on Substack can be found here. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range, “You Haven't Done Nothing,”  by Stevie Wonder. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Rutger Bregman is a historian and author. He has published five books on history, philosophy, and economics. His books Humankind (2020) and Utopia for Realists (2017) were both New York Times Bestsellers and have been translated into more than 40 languages. He also dared to speak truth to billionaires at Davos and provoked Tucker Carlson to melt down into a pool of frustration and rage. Rutger's site and Twitter feed. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range, “Son of a Preacher Man,” cover by Menno Roymans. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

My fetid thoughts on the perfect sh*tstorm that is sweeping through America in 2020. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Music: “Morning in America,” by Durand Jones and the Indications. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

After extensive adventures in Europe, Joey Rositano found himself on Jeju Island, South Korea, teaching English. During those initial years he heard about a mysterious practice of shamanism on the island that he decided to explore for himself. What he found was the fascinating world of mystical shrines, indomitable grandmas, and spirits among us. Rositano set out to record the voices and stories of the island in his documentary Spirits and the associated photobook.  Joey's work, on Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Big Sky Blues," by Phil Griffin. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Tim Cahill is one of the best writers of his generation. His work is funny, surprising, and deep. I first read him back in the 80s, when I was a young dirtbag hitchhiking to Alaska in search of adventure and a disgusting job. (Found both.) He's inspired generations of writers, travelers, and humorists. Here's a link to Tim's conversation with Kyle Thiermann. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Side of the Road," by Jemma and the Good Thing. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Eric Weiner is a popular speaker and author of the New York Times bestseller The Geography of Bliss, Man Seeks God, The Geography of Genius and The Socrates Express. He is a former foreign correspondent for NPR and the author of numerous articles about travel and culture. He spent a decade overseas for NPR, based in New Delhi, Jerusalem and Tokyo. This episode is sponsored by Lelo. Find Eric on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range,"Big Jet Plane," written by Angus and Julia Stone, performed by Tuka. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

I respond to some of the feedback I've received in the past day or two in response to my posts on wearing masks. The article I mention in Nature is here. Music: "I Don't Think You Understand," by Goliath Flores. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Some thoughts on the difference between ignorance and stupidity, competing authority figures, the corruption of institutions, and the role of common sense in navigating all of the above. Music: "Watch it Fall," by Billy Strings. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

This commercial-free episode of What Makes This Book Great? includes listener responses to "Cat Person," and a reading of Ursula K. LeGuin's story, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," written in 1974. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Jake and Belinda are close friends of mine and have been married to each other since before either of them can remember. This is what happens when the three of us hang out WITHOUT wine. Belinda's show on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram. Jake on Twitter, Instagram. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Making Do," by Lake Street Dive; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

TK Coleman is a writer, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, teacher, and a few other things -- but that's enough to give you the idea. He's smart, funny, thoughtful, and overflowing with optimism. We talk about race, Muhammed Ali, and whether the free market can save us from the free market. Learn more about TK and what he's up to at fee.org/rev1. TK on Instagram and Twitter. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Intro music: “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range; "Sometimes," by Daniel Lanois; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe