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Explore every episode of the podcast Third Factor

Dive into the complete episode list for Third Factor. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–9 of 9

TitlePub. DateDuration
The Struggle to Be Authentic with StoicMom28 Oct 202301:06:40

Grappling with her daughter's trans identification was but one step in Stoic Mom's positive disintegration, leading her to truly sort out her values intellectually and grapple emotionally with what it truly means for an individual to live up to her unique potential. In this episode, she continues a conversation she's been having with Jessie on her own podcast, the Stoic Mom project, exploring Jessie's notion of "the paradox of weirdness" and the new counterculture, the meaning of virtue, the problems with mental health diagnosis as identity, and the role of gender in our culture.

Fighting Affective Polarization with Julian Adorney12 Oct 202300:48:48

Julian Adorney is fighting our toxic political culture, both by striving to understand polarizing issues intellectually and with nuance, and also by confronting the deep and challenging emotions that are at the root of some of our most hostile rifts.  We explore the role of community, mentorship, and faith (or at least some kind of "north star"), the process of sorting out what we value and why, and follow a tangent toward mental health.

Embodied Camaraderie with Alasdair Gunn28 Sep 202300:53:08

Alasdair Gunn and Jessie reflect on Genspect's conference in Killarney, Ireland.  What does the experience of meeting online friends in person tell us about living well in the digital age, especially as people who sometimes privilege our minds over our bodies?

Courageous Conversation for the Next Generation with Jefferson Shupe21 Sep 202300:50:52

After spending too much time arguing unproductively on social media as a younger man, Jefferson Shupe sought a way to pass on what he's learned to the next generation. The result is his YA novel, The Bathwater Brigade. It's the story of a college society with a tradition of intellectual curiosity and rigor—and when the administration ceases to share these values, its members must find a way to defend them.

The Voice in Strength and Vulnerability with Laura Stavinoha14 Sep 202301:03:27

What goes into making your voice sound good, and what does the nervous system have to do with it? Voice coach and author Laura Stavinoha talks about the challenge of transmuting overexcitability into talent, a process she learned first from experience.  Laura and Jessie discuss what really makes an effective speaker and how to overcome some challenges facing intense people who want to use their voices more skillfully.

Show Notes

When Struggle Sessions Spur Positive Disintegration07 Sep 202300:56:11

Would you believe that a socialist organization used to be a champion of free speech?  That combined with belonging and purpose grounded in ideas, was what inspired Jessie to sign up back in 2013. But when a new wave of members brought a different set of values, she had to figure out what she really valued—and make a difficult choice.

Show Notes

Maladjusted to Gen Z's Maladjustment with Margo Margan31 Aug 202300:59:36

Gen Z's not doing so hot.  At least, that's what it looks like from Margo Margan's perspective, and that's why she's drawn to the theory of positive disintegration, at least as long as it doesn't turn into yet another celebration of eggshell walking and (negative) maladjustment. 

In this episode, Margo Margan talks about why she founded a group at Third Factor all about "Maladjustment to Maladjustment," how her experience with a mental health misdiagnosis at an early age has influenced her trajectory, and a surprising place she's found belonging.

Show Notes

Of Sophists, Mensheviks, and Cassandras with Marie24 Aug 202300:59:18

What do we mean when we talk about the life of the mind?  What is the "intellect" and how can we use it well?  What are some of the hurdles that intellectually inclined people face these days - and that they've faced throughout history?  Jessie and community member Marie set the stage for one of our key themes with a 30,000 overview.

  • The book we're discussing on September 17. 2023 is This Star Shall Abide by Sylvia Engdahl (also published as Heritage of the Star).  You can get it here or as part of a trilogy. (Please note that these are sponsored links.)
  • If you'd like to read more about the book first, here's an article about it from an early issue of Third Factor Magazine.
Overexcitability and the Higher Path17 Aug 202301:09:06

Overexcitability is often the concept that draws people to the theory of positive disintegration—and that's a shame, because if you get stuck there, you'll miss what the theory is really saying.  In this pilot episode, Third Factor's founder and editor in chief draws on Kazimierz Dabrowski's original writings to explain what overexcitability is and why, though it often is a bad thing, it doesn't necessarily have to be.  Spoiler alert: it's all about this thing called multilevelness, which Jessie explains to set the trajectory for this new podcast.

Show Notes:

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