Tangentially Speaking With Dr. Christopher Ryan

Kevin is an actor, comedian, and host of the RISK! podcast — which Slate.com called “Hilarious, jaw-dropping and just plain touching,” and Rolling Stone named it one of its top podcasts. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

I met Gym when I rented her place on Airbnb in Chite, Spain. Just looking at the photos of the funky space she’d created, I had a sense that this woman would be fascinating, and my hunch turned out to be 110% on target. As it happens, Gym is an accomplished painter, has worked on many TV and film sets, and has published a book of autobiographical stories and reproductions of selected paintings called Zigzag: Flashbacks of a Painter. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

My friend Debra is a magical woman living a magical life. She’s the hub of many wheels, the grain of sand in the oyster, the sun in solar systems, the log that breaks the logjam. She hangs out with movie stars, billionaires, artists, and visionaries. Her energy, generosity, and spirit attract the kinds of people most of us spend our lives hoping to meet — and nothing makes her happier than connecting them to one another and watching amazing things ensue. Be sure to check out our previous episode as well.You can check out some of Debra’s creations in Vejer de la Frontera here.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “Party at the End of the World,” by Carsie Blanton.A little something just for subscribers: This song/video of “Make Art not Friends,” by Sturgill Simpson keeps blowing my mind. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.co

In the first part of this month’s bonus ROMA (BROMA), available to everyone, I talk about a new feature to help listeners find each other. I also talk about my thoughts concerning whether we’re all in some kind of simulation, the difference between sound and music, and my personal feelings about and experience with abortion.Part 2 (where I talked about navigating unconventional relationship structures, when to “go for it” vs. when to play it safe, and when having sex with friends is dangerous) is for paid subscribers only. Click here to access it.Here’s the doc I mentioned about the dude living in the jungle in Hawaii.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “V Nebi,” by Dirty Losers; Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.Here’s the map feature and instructions for use:People who want to add their location on the map should use this link:https://facilmap.org/tspeaking.editThis link is for viewing only:https://facilmap.or

To boil it waaay down … After suffering a freak road-rage incident in LA, Robert came to Spain to visit an old friend seven years ago, then went back to LA, quit his job, sold his house under the Hollywood sign, and brought his two daughters to live in a village by the “Playa de los Muertos,” where hundreds of dead sailors washed ashore after the Battle of Trafalgar two hundred and a few years ago. These days, you might see Robert riding his horse down that beach. Or you’ll find him painting, reading, swimming in the Atlantic, or just looking up at the night sky, taking in the majesty of it all. What more is there? It’s been a long road, and it’s led to an amazing place for this man.The Ancient Order of the Hermetics can be found here.Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vis

Intro messages from Mike in Washington, Adam in the UK, and a human from an undisclosed location. I discuss a few topics suggested by listeners, including: “Should I have kids?” “What about yoga?” “What’s the deal with asexuality?” “How has your sense of your personal future changed as you’ve aged?”Also, what’s the deal with ice machines in hotels? Who’s using all that ice? What are they doing with it? Here’s the promised link to the discussion thread where you can chime in on these fascinating topics and anything else that moves you.To receive new posts and support this nonsense, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

If you’ve read my recent post of the same title, you can skip this one, which is mostly for folks who listen to the podcast, but haven’t checked out what’s happening at Substack yet. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Listen now | Born in Syria, Zen found politics, lost religion, and got out. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Listen now | Life has changed a little bit for my buddy Simon since his mind-blowing performance in Sean Baker's newest film, Red Rocket. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Listen now | Mike Lang taught me to enjoy beer and Rush when we were 16 years old in 1978. We’ve been brothers-by-choice ever since. In addition to being one of the smartest people I know, Mike has direct family ties to Ukraine, speaks Russian fluently, and is deeply interested in the history of the region, so he seemed like a good person to chat with about what’s going on there now. Please consider subscribing to my hybrid newsletter/blog/podcast. This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

What's the relation between "truth" and meaning? Can we scientifically verify our visions while tripping? Are psychedelics tools or teachers? Is astrology "real?" Why has "myth" come to mean something that isn't true in recent years, when no one ever claimed that myths were any truer than novels or poems? These and other questions are discussed (but not really answered) in this episode recorded on a bright, chilly Sunday afternoon in Kaş, Turkey. Intro music: "Brightside of the Sun," by Basin and Range; "Blue Sky," by Dwayne Hoover; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. This episode is sponsored by OMGYES.com. Click here for 10% off your lifetime membership. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Should I welcome you, or thank you for welcoming me? My appreciation for the Blindboy podcast. Lifeguard lessons. Why a dog with a bone isn't your friend. Do circles explain more than lines? (Is an NFL locker room the closest thing in the straight world to a gay bath-house?) Intro music: "Brightside of the Sun," by Basin and Range; "Free Your Mind (And Your Ass Will Follow)," by Funkadelic. This episode is sponsored by OMGYES.com. Click here for 10% off your lifetime membership. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Try to imagine a culture in which children aren't taught that their bodies and desires are dangerous, shameful, and disgusting. What would that be like? Also, I discuss what I got wrong (and right) about the current invasion of Ukraine, and the dangerous phrase, "freak of nature." Lastly, I talk about how life presents a series of "should I stay or should I go?" choices that are kind of like rowing away from the island you're on, not knowing when/if you'll find another. Turns out, there may be almost magical indications that can lead us to safety. The situation with the Queen of Dark. The article about "Te lapa," or "the flashing." Intro music: "Brightside of the Sun," by Basin and Range;  This episode is sponsored by OMGYES.com. Click here for 10% off your lifetime membership. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

In this one, I discuss the totally cliche notion that happiness is to be found in simple pleasures (and bodily functions), the strange wisdom of Thai gender identity, the ramifications of the illusion that we can live without causing pain to other beings, my sense of what's really going on with Putin and Ukraine, and the idiocy of toilet paper. Intro music: "Brightside of the Sun," by Basin and Range; "Mr. Man" and "4AM in Gharo," by Raapta. This episode is sponsored by OMGYES.com. Click here for 10% off your lifetime membership. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Made it to 60! Too late to die young. This is just a very brief, very personal message to you, if you listen to this podcast. Many thanks. Intro music: "Brightside of the Sun," by Basin and Range; Closing: "Down in Belgorod," by Paul Winter Consort. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Coming to you from Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand, in this one I discuss my insights into Joe Rogan (and the current controversy), my thoughts on Whoopie Goldberg's race mess, the practical costs of being in Thailand these days (rent, food, etc.), and I wonder why rich podcasters still run ads (just before asking you to donate to THIS podcast, hosted by a decidedly unrich guy). Then I play a lovely song called "13 or So," by friend of the podcast, Nick Hornbuckle. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way.   Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Rachel Krantz is the author of the reported memoir, OPEN: AN UNCENSORED MEMOIR OF LOVE, LIBERATION, AND NON-MONOGAMY (JAN 25, 2022). She’s the recipient of the Peabody Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights International Radio Award, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Radio Award, and the Edward R. Murrow Award for her work as an investigative reporter with YR Media. This episode is sponsored by OMGYES.com, the sane, smart, research-based site where you can learn more about how to increase women's sensual pleasure. Use this link to get 10% off your one-time subscription to the site. Rachel 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; "Worried About You," by the Rolling Stones; "Smoke Alarm," by Carsie Blanton. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/

Meet my Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan, two of my all-time favorite humans. As a little kid, I felt an extra layer of love and protection from these two, knowing that if anything ever happened to my parents, one or both of them would take care of me. Every kid should be so lucky. You can listen to my previous conversation with Uncle Dan here. 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; last minute of "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes," by CSNY; "One Step Up," by Bruce Springsteen. Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe

Is it really "darkest just before the dawn?" And if things need to get worse before they get better, isn't a step in the wrong direction actually a step in the right direction? Wouldn't an optimist hope things get worse so they can then hit rock bottom and start the process of getting better? Isn't "hope" the thing that keeps the losing gambler at the table until all is lost? I discuss these and other uplifting questions in the 50th ROMA episode. Pour yourself a beer and join me. Music: "Civilized to Death," by Jack Stafford; "Carefree Highway," by Gordon Lightfoot. This episode is sponsored by OMGYes, your source for smart, science-based information about women's sexual pleasure. Click here for 10% off, or go to www.omgyes.com/chrisryan.  Ponderosa Millworks Michael (with the busted Achille's) who makes incredible things from trees. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Please consider supporting this podcast. This Amazon affiliate link kicks a few bucks back my way. Get full access to Tangentially Speakin

Harley is the author of Lost in the Valley of Death, about the life and (probable) death of my friend (and former podcast guest), Justin Alexander. Pico Iyer, one of the best living travel writers, described Harley's book as, “One of the most haunting books of recent times. ... Somerset Maugham’s classic Razor’s Edge updated to the Age of Instagram." My conversations with Justin are here and here. His Instagram feed is here. Harley 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; "Border Country," by the Paper Stars.  Get full access to Tangentially Speaking with Chris Ryan at chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe