Tragic Optimism Podcast

Exploring guilt, suffering or death to find meaning in life. I am disclosing failures and/or issues I haven't completely worked out as a means to learn.

Podcast Ep 19 – Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

Predictably Irrational highlights common mistakes that we make as humans in our reasoning and decision making. Here is a TED talk Dan did that I also enjoyed – TED talk

09-21
41:59

Podcast Ep 18 – Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg

Podcast episode on Anne’s experience on a two week retreat of solitude on an island in the Gulf shores. This book was recommended and when it arrived through the library I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it (I thought it might be poetry or use too much descr...

08-30
35:16

Podcast Ep 17 – Influence by Robert B Cialdini

Influence, the Psychology of Persuasion. Topics include the tactics (weapons of influence) that have been studied and show compliance vs placebo group. I struggled in explaining some of these studies (as the one person, and then the other person).

08-25
43:32

Podcast Ep16 – How to Fail at Almost everything and Still Win Big; Kind of the Story of my Life – Scott Adams

Scott Adams released this book in 2013 and I cover the highlights in this podcast. Below are resources discussed Mike Rowe video on passion Influence: Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie ...

08-13
42:00

Podcast Ep15 – 12 Steps and 4 years

Today is the 4 year anniversary of my sobriety and in celebration I covered the 12 steps book. The book on stoicism I am reading that I mentioned in the article (things we can control and reference to the tennis match) Timothy Keller book I mentioned (...

04-25
33:07

Podcast Ep14 – On Becoming a Person – Carl R Rogers

Carl Rogers was considered the second best practicing clinician (wiki) and a pre-eminent American psychologist, and foundational in establishing client centered therapy. Democratic-Acceptant parenting. This is apparently a thing.

04-18
41:39

Podcast Ep13 – Charlotte’s Web and The Four Agreements

Charlotte’s Web had some great writing and a message that highlighted the importance of friendship, life and love. I shared my thoughts on that for the first 10 minutes, then moved on to the second book “The Four Agreements” Agreement 1 : B...

04-13
31:34

Podcast Ep12 – Budget and Happiness

I compare my expenses for Q118 compared to Q117. Explore happiness, how to manage the decreases. Posts on not spending for a year becomingminimalist countdowntotranquility happyphilosopher (recommend listening to some podcasts with him) Savings discuss...

03-30
29:12

Podcast Ep11 – Braving the Wilderness – Brene Brown (Part 2)

Shownotes Jung quote – “the paradox is one of our most valued possessions” Negative visualization

03-23
31:42

Podcast Ep10 – Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown

Shownotes Brene’s 33+M downloaded TED talk (given June 2010, fourth most popular of all time) Sebastian Junger (wiki page) (TED talk) Restrepo (Korangal Valley was the location) Tribe Kailash Satyarthi – TED talk Ordinary Men Jocko’s podcast (with Jord...

03-14
33:06

Podcast Ep9 – Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

Shownotes –Don Miguel Ruiz – author of The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) – “People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul.” – Carl Jung – “What you resist,

03-07
20:45

Podcast Ep8 – School Shooting, Evil and Pain

My reaction to the most recent school shooting is one of wanting to sit in the pain with those affected. I also believe it is beneficial to recognize the evil in me. I included some critical thoughts on what I believe to be present in our culture durin...

02-21
28:28

Podcast Ep7 – Recovery, Russell Brand and the Lord’s prayer

Podcast on Recovery, which is written by Russell Brand. This episode includes a small clip of Russell talking to Joe Rogan, pulled from JRE episode #1021. Also discussed step 7 and humility, along with the Lord’s prayer.

02-14
31:41

Podcast Ep6 – The Art of the Dance

Today I quoted from Blood Meridian and a clip of Jordan Peterson when he was on the H3 Podcast #48. This is about my recent experience of trying a new thing. I hope it inspires you to try new things in your life and as Jordan says, “turn yourself on”.

02-07
23:51

Podcast Ep5 – Modern Man in Search of a Soul – Jung (chapter 5 only)

I covered Chapter 5 of Carl Jung’s book, Modern Man in Search of a Soul. I enjoyed the read, each chapter was independent (best I could tell), which reminded me of some of CS Lewis’s works. Chapter 5 was my favorite,

02-02
35:50

Podcast Ep4 – Part 3 of Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Episode 4, part 3. Not too much to the show notes here. -pain in us (or done to us) does not permit us to extend pain to others -we are individually responsible for life -living as if we are doing it the second time -self-forgetfulness through service ...

01-31
34:53

Podcast Ep3 – Part 2 of the Man’s Search for Meaning by Frankl

Part 2 of delving into Man’s Search for meaning. Hopefully there is just 3 parts! Digging into what Frankl saw as the meaning of life. -I spoke of Jordan Peterson’s video on evil vs tragedy. He said some things about God that blew me away (“without lim...

01-26
26:39

Podcast Ep2 – Debriefing my experience using an autobroker

A Podcast on some thoughts I experienced purchasing a vehicle through an autobroker. I mentioned the Ray Dalio’s work in the podcast, see below for his TED talk (regarding radical transparency) Ray Dalio – Principles and this TED talk regarding “Radica...

01-20
23:37

Podcast Ep1 – Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl

Excepts from Victor Frankl’s book that I found interesting, profound and worth exploring. The human condition when faced with unbelievable hardship. I was inspired by Frankl’s analysis and strength during time in Auschwitz and various workers concentra...

01-18
28:50

Intro Podcast

The intro and first foray into podcasting. Not much content, but some context. Topics included Jordan Peterson, Carl Jung, creativity and understanding myself (website for big five character trait assessments that Jordan Peterson put together)

01-12
17:54

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