The Observing I – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Observing I

David Johnson

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/8d. Total Eps: 102

A podcast about philosophy, psychology, and the human experience. Pirate radio for the mind. New episode every Sunday.

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Score global : 43%

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The Truth is a Mosaic, and We're All Bleeding from the Edges

dimanche 19 janvier 2025 • Duration 36:20

Here’s the pitch: What if every religion you’ve ever heard of, every sacred story, every whispered prayer, was just a shard of broken glass? Each one catching the light, but none of them showing you the whole picture. That’s Omnism. The belief that truth isn’t neat or whole - it’s shattered.

In this episode of The Observing I, we go scavenging. Through ancient texts and modern questions, through the chaos of conflicting theologies, we try to make sense of the mess. We talk history. We talk philosophy. We talk about what happens when you stop clinging to one answer and start seeing the connections between all of them.

Omnism doesn’t give you peace. It doesn’t promise certainty. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also freeing. It forces you to build your own spirituality from the pieces you find, to see the sacred in places you’d never think to look.

So, if you’re ready to let go of the answers and start asking better questions, hit play. Just be warned: Once you see the world this way, there’s no unseeing it.

Much love,

David

The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick

dimanche 12 janvier 2025 • Duration 56:21

In our first episode of 2025, we dive deep into The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick—the sprawling, chaotic, and profoundly philosophical work of one of science fiction's greatest minds. Through the lens of Dick’s personal life and mystical experiences, we explore the core themes of his Exegesis: the nature of reality, the divine, time, and the fragmented self.

But the journey doesn’t stop there. We analyze how these ideas manifest in Dick’s fiction, from the reality-warping Ubik to the metaphysical quest of VALIS, and consider their relevance to our modern world of AI, simulation, and existential uncertainty. Along the way, we reflect on the big questions Dick asked—questions that still resonate today: What is real? Who are we? And how do we navigate a world that feels increasingly unreal?

Whether you’re a fan of Philip K. Dick, a seeker of philosophical insights, or just curious about the mysteries of existence, this episode offers a thought-provoking journey into the mind of a literary and metaphysical pioneer.

Join us as we unravel the threads of The Exegesis, explore its connection to Dick’s fiction, and uncover the timeless lessons it holds for us all.

Much love,

David

PS: Buy my book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D54FV5D5

Every major philosophical ideology in 30 minutes

dimanche 27 octobre 2024 • Duration 41:24

What have I let myself in for this week? We\'re doing a high speed birds-eye view of the major philosophies from the pre-Socratic philosophers like Thales and Pythagoras, through the middle ages, into the renaissance and enlightenment, and all the way up to the contemporary philosophers of the 21st century. We\'ll look at how philosophy has changed over the years, and how it\'s both influenced the society of the times and been influenced by it. And we touch on a bit of contemporary philosophy, and how our zeitgeist has altered how we think about our world. Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience. If you like what you hear, there\'s a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called \"The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life\". You can buy it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/ ️ Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app. Much love, David

The Hidden Dangers of the Self Help Industry

dimanche 20 octobre 2024 • Duration 01:08:00

In today\'s episode, we take a deep dive into the darker side of self-help culture. While the self-help industry promises growth, success, and happiness, it can also set unrealistic expectations, create toxic perfectionism, and leave us feeling more isolated than empowered. We’ll explore the false promise of quick fixes, the overwhelming pressure to constantly improve, and the commercialization of personal growth. I also dive into the mental health risks of self-help, including the dangers of toxic positivity and the emotional toll of false hope. Join me as we discuss how to engage with self-help mindfully—balancing hope with realism and understanding the value of seeking support, embracing life’s messiness, and accepting yourself along the way. If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by self-help’s grand promises, this episode offers a more grounded perspective on how to navigate personal growth without falling into its traps. Subscribe to The Observing I for more insights into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience. Don\'t forget, we\'ve been nominated in the Hubhopper 2024 Podcast Awards for the \"Best in Health and Wellness\" category. You can cast your vote for us here - https://community.hubhopper.com/best-health-and-wellness If you like what you hear, there\'s a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called \"The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life\". You can buy it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/ ️ Listen to the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcasting app. Much love, David

Are you just a product of your mind?

dimanche 13 octobre 2024 • Duration 01:12:31

In this week\'s episode, we\'re exploring a rather dramatic and powerful question -\"Are you the product of your mind?\" We\'ll look at the relationship between thoughts, identity, and self-perception, and the contrasts of Western philosophies, like Descartes\' \"I think, therefore I am,\" with Eastern views, such as Buddhism\'s concept of the self as an illusion. We\'ll discuss how our minds filter sensory data and shape our realities, often trapping us in limiting narratives, and the influence that our unconscious mind has on the nature of free will. Lastly, we\'ll look at mindfulness as a tool to observe thoughts without attachment, and how that can create a deeper understanding of the self beyond our mental constructs. Don\'t forget, we\'ve been nominated in the Hubhopper 2024 Podcast Awards for the \"Best in Health and Wellness\" category. You can cast your vote for us here - https://community.hubhopper.com/best-health-and-wellness If you like what you hear, there\'s a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called \"The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life\". You can buy it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/ Much love, David

Inside the Dark Tetrad: Power. Manipulation, and Pain

dimanche 6 octobre 2024 • Duration 01:02:24

In this episode of The Observing I, we’re diving deep into the darker side of human nature—what psychologists call the Dark Tetrad. We’ll break down the four traits that make up this shadowy quartet: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy, and Sadism. But we’re not just here to talk theory—we’ll explore how these traits show up in real life, from personal relationships to workplace dynamics, and offer practical strategies for protecting yourself when you come across someone who thrives on manipulation, control, or emotional detachment. If you like what you hear, there\'s a book I wrote that goes alongside the podcast called \"The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life\". You can buy it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/ Much love, David

Navigating Life with a Narcissist: Essential Strategies

dimanche 29 septembre 2024 • Duration 01:06:35

In this episode of The Observing I, we explore the complexities of navigating relationships with narcissists, whether they’re romantic partners, family members, or colleagues. Narcissists can leave us feeling emotionally drained, manipulated, and doubting our own reality - but it doesn’t have to be this way. Join me as we dive deep into understanding narcissistic behaviour, the emotional toll it can take, and most importantly, practical strategies to protect your mental health. We’ll cover setting boundaries, avoiding power struggles, and balancing empathy with self-care. Drawing on philosophical insights like non-attachment and therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), this episode offers both practical advice and deeper reflections to help you regain control and emotional resilience. And, of course, there\'s the usual sponsor, which is my book \"The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life\". You can buy it on Amazon here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0D54FV5D5/ Much love, David

BONUS: The story of Narcissus

jeudi 26 septembre 2024 • Duration 11:28

This is not the full episode for this week - don\'t panic. Since we started back in January 2023, we\'ve released an episode (most) Fridays. However, the episodes back then were 15 minutes long, then they crept up to 30 minutes. Now they\'re sitting at around an hour. That takes more time, more research, more editing. More of all the things, as I\'m sure you can appreciate. With the burden of having to actually earn money in the real world, I\'m finding it a challenge to get the episodes out on Friday now without having to pull 3am finishes on a Friday morning. So, for the sake of my sanity, and the fact that I\'m in my forties now and pulling all nighters is a lot harder than it used to be, I\'m pushing the release date for the epsiodes to Sunday rather than Friday. Starting tis week, episode 084 \"Navigating Life with a Narcissist: Essential Strategies\" will be released on Sunday 29th September, and every Sunday going forwards. In the interim, here is the story of the Greek myth of Narcissus and Echo, because it felt in theme with the content of the main episode coming out on Sunday. Much love, David

Stop Trying so Hard: Lao Tzu and the art of Wu Wei

vendredi 20 septembre 2024 • Duration 56:35

In this episode, we explore the ancient wisdom of wu wei—the art of non-striving, as taught by Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching. Discover how this philosophy invites us to let go of the need to control and force outcomes, and instead, flow with life’s natural rhythms. We’ll dive into how wu wei applies to modern challenges like burnout, creativity, and mindfulness, and discuss the powerful psychological benefits of surrender and trust. If you’re looking for more ease, clarity, and peace in your life, this episode offers insights and practical tools to help you stop pushing so hard and start living with more flow. And, of course, this episode is sponsored by my book \"The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life\", which you can buy on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Observing-Guide-Living-More-Authentic/dp/B0D67CFVVK/ Much love, David

The Ultimate Balance: Dualism vs. Non-Dualism

vendredi 13 septembre 2024 • Duration 01:05:15

In this episode, we explore the paradoxical relationship between dualism and non-dualism in spiritual thought, examining how these seemingly opposing perspectives coexist and shape our understanding of reality. We’ll dive into their philosophical roots, psychological impact, and modern relevance in areas like politics, technology, and mental health. I’ll also share personal reflections on how these concepts play out in daily life and discuss spiritual practices that help bridge the gap between them. Join me as we explore how embracing both duality and unity can lead to deeper peace, connection, and compassion. This episode is, once again, sponsored by my book ⁠⁠⁠The Observing I: A Guide to Living a More Authentic Life⁠⁠⁠, which is available now on Kindle and in paperback from Amazon. Much love, David