Wandering Thoughts

In this episode, Professor Jay Garfield and I explore Buddhist philosophy, Nagarjuna, emptiness, the two truths, no-self, compassion, and cross-cultural philosophy. We begin with his journey from logic and cognitive science into Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan epistemology, and his studies in India. Professor Garfield then explains the scale and diversity of Buddhist philosophy, including Theravada, Mahayana, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, Chinese Buddhism, Zen, and Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. We discuss Buddhism as an atheistic and naturalistic religion, Nagarjuna’s account of emptiness, why emptiness is not nihilism, and what it means to say that emptiness itself is empty. We also explore the ethical implications of interdependence and no-self, the distinction between conventional and ultimate truth, how Buddhist practice turns intellectual understanding into perceptual expertise, and why compassion is better understood as active care for the welfare of others.

In this episode, Professor Jon Abramowitz and I explore OCD, intrusive thoughts, compulsions, anxiety, uncertainty, reassurance, and exposure and response prevention. We discuss what OCD is, why it is much more than being tidy or washing your hands, and how intrusive thoughts can become distressing obsessions when they are treated as dangerous, meaningful, or morally important. Professor Abramowitz also explains why OCD often attaches itself to the areas of life people value most. We also discuss diagnosis, uncertainty, reassurance, relationship OCD, shame, disclosure to family and friends, and how loved ones can support someone without feeding compulsions. Finally, Professor Abramowitz explains ERP, why response prevention matters, how therapy helps people approach feared situations without rituals, and why successful exposure is about learning, not simply making anxiety go down.

In this episode, Mr. Tim LeBon and I explore Stoicism, CBT, philosophical counselling, Stoic Week, and how ancient philosophy can be used practically in modern life. We discuss his work as a psychotherapist and CBT therapist, his involvement in Modern Stoicism, and the origins of Stoic Week as an experiment in trying Stoic exercises for everyday life. Mr. LeBon explains Stoicism as a philosophy of living well through virtue, wisdom, courage, self-control, justice, Stoic mindfulness, and learning to distinguish what is up to us from what is not. We also discuss the Stoic Attitudes and Behaviours Scale, the relationship between Stoicism and wellbeing, and how Stoic ideas connect with CBT. Finally, we discuss anxiety, depression, anger, intrusive thoughts, happiness, meaning, values, wisdom, ethical development, and philosophical counselling. Mr. LeBon also explains practical Stoic exercises such as morning premeditation, evening review, “minding the gap” between stimulus and response, and the STOIC framework for applying Stoic ideas in real time.

In this episode, Professor Harry Reis and I explore love, relationships, intimacy, listening, vulnerability, attachment, loneliness, and his new book How to Feel Loved. We discuss the difference between being loved and feeling loved, why relationships are central to happiness and meaning, and why trying to “make” someone love you is usually the wrong approach. Instead, we explore how curiosity, listening, compassion, and warm conversation can create a stronger sense of connection between people. We also discuss what makes someone a good listener, why feeling understood is so closely linked to feeling loved, and how vulnerability needs to develop gradually, with the right person, at the right time, and in the right context. Professor Reis explains partner responsiveness, intimacy, capitalization, self-disclosure, and how attachment styles shape the way people approach closeness. Finally, we explore chronic versus short-term loneliness, why loneliness can sometimes motivate connection, and why long-term loneliness can become deeply harmful.

In this episode, Professor William B. Irvine and I explore thinking, open-mindedness, Stoicism, audience capture, echo chambers, and how to become more reasonable in unreasonable times. We discuss his journey into philosophy, his work on thinking more and better, and how online platforms can tempt creators to chase numbers rather than produce genuinely valuable work. We also discuss how to choose better information sources, avoid intellectual blind spots, listen to critics, and recognise contradictions in our own beliefs. Finally, we explore thinkers vs feelers, the relationship between emotion and reason, why some beliefs become tied to identity, how social media strengthens echo chambers, and why admitting mistakes is essential if we want to train our minds and become better thinkers.