This conversation was originally recorded in September, 2018, when Theo was famous, but not yet FAMOUS. We talked about his recent trip to China, whether mental health issues can be considered a luxury, the ethics of sleeping with married women, Louis CK’s fall from grace, obscure masturbation techniques, and the strangeness of fame. The main thing I felt re-listening to this conversation was just how real Theo was/is. He seems to instinctively understand the power of vulnerability. No pretense with this guy.

Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Big Time,” by Peter Gabriel. Outro: “Party at the End of the World,” by Carsie Blanton.

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Cameron has been studying and sharing martial arts, yoga and mobility for over 30 years producing hundreds of highly skilled teachers world wide. He currently lives and runs Budokon University Montana with his wife Budokon University Director Melayne Shayne.

Come decivilize yourself with us in Montana this summer. More info h…

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Pete and I entertain a few questions and we talk by the fire. Among them: What is soul? Is there a purpose in learning these lessons as we get older? Are silence and solitude necessary components to the soul’s maturity? Are silence and solitude even available in a world overrun by the “attention economy?”

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Some stuff I didn’t get to yesterday. Who was inside Aubrey Plaza’s consciousness, watching her have a stroke? Do podcasters like Rogan and Theo Von have a responsibility to change what they do in light of their massive audiences?

Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. Outro: “That’s What I Got,” by Marcelo D2.

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A few of the issues stumbled over: The complicated ethics of revenge against a corporation. Yet more evidence that we don’t live in the real world. On old creeps like Woody Allen, Cormac McCarthy, and me. And more!

Here’s the article about Cormac McCarthy I mentioned and the response from The Guardian.

Here’s that holiday Amazon link.

Intro music “Brightsi…

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— Responses to comments on the Wim Hof thing.

— Is football like sex work?

— How to behave in the End Times.

— A few words in defense of Woody Allen and Joe Rogan.

— The night Daryl Hanna asked me to sign a copy of Sex at Dawn.

Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Party at the End of the World,” by Carsie Blanton. “Accidentall…

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Meet me in the kitchen! Anger vs gratitude. The perverse appetite for disaster. Who are we to judge?

Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. "Roll the Bones,” by Shakey Graves. “Watch it Fall,” by Billy Strings.

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This was originally episode 122, recorded in Portland, OR, in April, 2015. This conversation is about as uninhibited as they come. We bounce from shitting in Asia to how to compliment someone’s genitals to my experience giving a TED talk to eating disorders to group sex. Never a dull moment with Nikki. I’m so glad to see her getting the attention she deserves these days. Sometimes, the good guys win.

Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Wicked Little Pill,” by Bird York. Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.

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I met Aaron at the Budokon retreat this summer, and I was immediately impressed by his candor, kindness, and the depth of his intellect. Then, when I learned that he led men’s groups, I thought he’d be a great guest for the podcast, since I know little about that world and, in fact, have some resistance to what often ends up being somewhat exploitative of men’s very real sense of alienation and desperation. But Aaron seemed like the real deal, so I invited him to set me straight on that.

Please check out Khuda, the app I mentioned, and let Pete Lord and me know what you think.

Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Stand by Me,” by Ben E. King, performed by Stephen Wilson, Jr. (video below). Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.

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Try to fix this old house again, or should we burn it down and start over?

Deborah and her husband lost everything but their lives and each other when Hurricane Helene washed away their house a few weeks ago. Deborah’s experience of this “emergence” is framed by her experiences as a Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, and author. I greatly appreciate her trust in sharing her thoughts and insights — even while still immersed in the rawness of her grief and shock at almost being swept away with her home and everything in it. Listen to her explain what it’s like to find diamonds in the wreckage.

Here’s the video Deborah took in the ruins of her home:

If you are moved to help in the recovery, please go here.

Intro music “Brightside of the Sun,” by Basin and Range. “Still Water,” by Daniel Lanois. Outro: “Smoke Alarm,” by Carsie Blanton.

Still Water, by Daniel Lanois

Sad eyes, sad eyesWhere're you going with that confidence?Sad eyes, sad eyesWhere're you going with that confidence?I'm going to where the boats go byCaledonia river flow so wideI'm going to where the boats go byCaledonia river flow so wideStill water - Laying overStill water - Laying overStill water - Laying overCaledonia river oh, so wideWild eyes in the wildernessWhere're you going with the devil in hand?Wild eyes in the wildernessWhere're you going with the devil in hand?I'm going to build the bridges highfor working money, for working moneyI'm going to climb the bridges highCaledonia brother far awayStill water - I'm laying overStill water - Lay my body down overStill water - Laying overCaledonia river far away...Sad eyes in the weary nightHave you seen your brother,have you seen your brother?Waiting by the river GrandCaledonia river oh, so wideGoing to where the rain fallsLook for my brother,look for my brotherGoing to where the rain fallsCaledonia river far awayStill water - Laying overStill water - Lay my body downStill water - Laying overCaledonia river far away...

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