Talk Doesn't Cook Rice – Details, episodes & analysis

John and Danny discuss Dr Iain McGilchrist's brilliant 2009 book, The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World.

We explore the differences between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, how left hemisphere overreach may be at the heart of many modern maladies, and what we might do to ensure better balance.

John and Danny discuss Corey Keyes’ concept of languishing, which involves low mental health, marked by a lack of interest, motivation, and feelings of emptiness. We examine how languishing differs from flourishing and depression, consider its long-term effects, and outline the 5 behavioural vitamins essential for overcoming it.

Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down

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Intro/Outro Music: The Eternal Now by Maze 28

John and Danny discuss the captivating work of Alfred Adler, the brilliant Austrian psychotherapist and visionary behind individual psychology. We explore Adler's unique journey, from his collaboration with Freud to forging his own path of discovery. We dive deep into the causes and effects of inferiority complex, and contemplate its relevance in today's fast-paced world.

Intro/Outro Music: The Eternal Now by Maze 28

John and Danny discuss the profound ideas of Ernest Becker in his groundbreaking book, "The Denial of Death." We explore the existential anxiety that lurks within us all and how it can affect our everyday lives and relationships. Despite the weighty topic, this episode is surprisingly uplifting and affirming and will help you live more fully in the present moment.

The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker

The Worm at the Core by Sheldon Solomon et al.

Intro/Outro Music: The Eternal Now by Maze 28

John and Danny discuss the philosophy of pragmatism and its relevance to modern life. We explore the ideas of three classic American pragmatists—Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey—discussing topics such as the nature of truth and the importance of a pragmatic education. Additionally, we examine some of the criticisms that have been levelled at pragmatism and its relationship with more traditional European philosophy.

Intro/Outro Music: The Eternal Now by Maze 28

John and Danny discuss the evolution of status in human life and the ways it distorts and defines our behaviour as individuals and societies. We explore Will Storr’s excellent book, The Status Game, and delve into why the feeling of being valued is so important to us. We also consider why it's important to diversify your status game and how you might reconcile the need for status in your daily life.

The Status Game by Will Storr (@wstorr)

Intro/Outro Music: The Eternal Now by Maze 28

John and Danny discuss bullshit, exploring what it is, why we do it, and who is susceptible to it. We also examine the notions of persuasive and evasive bullshitting and ask if bullshitting is avoidable or simply an inherent part of what it is to be human.

Harry Frankfurt, On Bullshit (Amazon) 

Research study mentioned: Cutting the Crap: The Perceived Prevalence of Pseudoscientific Bullshit in Sport Science and Coaching 

Intro/Outro Music: The Eternal Now by Maze 28

John and Danny discuss well-being and ask whether "being well" might actually be a better focus if we are to truly flourish. Is well-being just another corporate buzzword and are well-being programmes and practitioners simply disguising companies’ base motivations with the language of care? Might existential philosophers like Martin Heidegger have some better answers to what could in fact be a wicked problem?

Book mentioned (Amazon): Wicked & Wise: How to Solve the World’s Toughest Problems by Alans Watkins and Ken Wilber 

LinkedIn crying guy: Washington Post article 

Stutz documentary (Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81387962  

Music by Kabbalistic Village: https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

John and Danny discuss the “bioenergetic” view of health and how it might impact the way we think, learn, and live. The central point revolves around maximising metabolic function so that we approach life with curiosity, positivity, and vigour while being resistant to the everyday stresses we might face.

The paper that John wrote (PDF): https://t.co/sz7zNdIVmO

How to Heal Your Metabolism by Kate Deering: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Heal-Your-Metabolism-Happiness/dp/1511585625

Dr Ray Peat's website: http://raypeat.com/about.shtml  

Get our book, ‘⁠⁠BEING WELL⁠⁠’. All royalties go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.  

Music by Kabbalistic Village: ⁠https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

John and Danny discuss "the will to power," one of the most fundamental concepts in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. We explore how we can all make embracing our "will to power" a bigger part of our lives, including non-conformity and having the courage to be disliked, being more aware of motivated reasoning in ourselves and others, and appreciating the influence of body over mind. There’s also a guest appearance by Ricky Gervais and Tyson Fury (sort of!). 

Get our book, ‘⁠⁠BEING WELL⁠⁠’. All royalties go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.  

Music by Kabbalistic Village: ⁠https://kabbalisticvillage.com/