Shows
Truth IslandEpisode 114: Empathy and Leadership.Alexander and I discuss the importance of leadership and empathy. Topics:Empathy is sometimes more of a journey.Experiences can make the abstract real.A walk down the emphatic trail...The more experiences you can comprehend the better you can predict how people will behave. You can't quench the thirst of a village with tears alone.Training people to see beyond the veil of...
2021-03-1136 min
Truth IslandEpisode 113: Why radical revolutions never work.Alexander and I, discuss why during periods of frustration, flipping the table over almost never works.Topics:A Case Study: The French RevolutionRevolutions are typically started by those already in the front of the line.Second tier elites have a magical ability to rile people up. We need to be a lot more mindful if our representatives are living true to the ideals they espouse. Power has a...
2021-02-0955 min
Truth IslandEpisode 112: Are we all inherently selfish?Alexander and I discuss if we as humans are inherently selfish and if so, what are some of the ways that we can start reprogramming ourselves.Topics:Selfishness exists within each of us.Selfish behavior stems from fear and the need to control.We do have a biological proclivity to protect those closest to us.Religion stresses the need for humanity to make personal sacrifices.Incremental altruism.
2021-02-0241 min
Truth IslandEpisode 111: The fabrication of value.In light of recent events in the stock market, Joe and I explain how current market volatility has more to do with value fabrication more than anything else.Topics:Income inequality eventually comes for the rich.All of capitalism is predicated on sustaining markets which can afford the goods and services being offered...there is no way around this.The dangers of a stock market that does not reflect real world economic conditions.The...
2021-02-0151 min
Truth IslandEpisode 110: Avoiding false idols.Kenny and I discuss some of the things and people that we falsely pay just a bit too much attention to. Topics:The things we cherish today might easily become tomorrow's plastic toys.Our temporary obsessions come not just with a cost, but with an opportunity cost as well.We tend to value what others value without really thinking it through.Momentary pleasure will only lead to regret later....
2021-01-2945 min
Truth IslandEpisode 109: Rise of a Guardian Class.Alexander and I discuss potential alternatives to the highly polarized and ideologically driven political class that now dominates. Topics:We are trained to pay attention to those who are the most radicalized and entertaining. Truth is a giant puzzle in which we all hold a piece.The significance of the "Middle Way."The middle is not necessarily the median viewpoint. Extreme zealots are incapable of holding down a conversation.
2021-01-2848 min
Truth IslandEpisode 108: Post-pandemic economic recovery.Joe and I navigate some of the immediate hurdles we will likely encounter as the U.S. emerges from the pandemic as well as some of the more long-term problems that still loom over us. Topics: Times of extreme peril require a strong guiding hand.Stimulus packages serve as good first aid but are not the cure.Access to easy credit and tax cuts cloak real economic problems.The invisible elephant in the room...
2021-01-2656 min
Truth IslandEpisode 107: Living with uncertainty.Nearly a month into 2021, Kenny and I discuss how we can live with the daily uncertainties that challenge us.Topics:If it never rained, life would get boring quick.Absolute certainty can lead to absolute stagnation.Humans need growth...perhaps more so than their need for stability.I like it safe...or am I simply afraid?Conquering today's uncertainties leads to more global stability....
2021-01-2545 min
Truth IslandEpisode 106: Why have lies become so pervasive?Alexander and I discuss why lies have become so dominant in our modern culture and what we as regular citizens can do to combat this.Topics: Lies help in the short term but never in the long game.Our brains are wired to believe lies.We should all become like lawyers in how we think.The lost art of fact checking The best way to terminate a lie is...
2021-01-1945 min
Truth IslandEpisode 105: The importance of a strong constitution and informed citizenry.Continuing with the events of January 6th, Brett and I take a break from our Roman Empire series to discuss some of the safeguards that protect our republic and how an informed citizenry is requisite to maintaining that democracy.
2021-01-0949 min
Truth IslandEpisode 104: Why are we so polarized?In light of recent events and the storming of the nation's capitol, I am joined by Kenny who asks me some important questions as to why we as a country are so divided.
2021-01-0855 min
Truth IslandEpisode 103: The importance of role models.I am joined by Jim who discusses the importance of archetypes throughout the ages and the importance of good role models. Topics:The Greeks Gods, walking embodiments of the best and worst in us.Archetypes are still living within our culture.The importance of superheroes.Does what we idolize influence our behavior or is it the reverse?Video games and the rise of the negative archetype simulation.
2021-01-0757 min
Truth IslandEpisode 102: The importance of legacy.Alexander and I try and create a podcast for the ages on the importance of being remembered for all the right reasons.Topics:There has never been so many opportunities for the common person to leave behind a footprint. People tend to remember accomplishment not pleasure.Legacy tends to favor those who uplifted the human condition.The pros and cons of family dynasties. The problems with 'wealth' legacies.
2021-01-0543 min
Truth IslandEpisode 101: The role of respect.Kenny and I, respectfully discuss the importance of having respect for not only oneself but for others as well.Topics:Basic fundamental human respect.No one life is more valuable than another...period.Be careful with how you treat people as things always change.Respect in the workplace is a bit different.We can't help but respect those who work hard from those who don't.
2021-01-0455 min
Truth IslandEpisode 100: The dangers of excess pride.Kenny and I discuss the dangers of developing too much pride and differentiating between basic self-respect and hubris.Topics:Hubris...the dangers of believing one is above the collective.Solipsism...quite possibly the most dangerous philosophy ever invented.Pride prevents us from embracing new ideas and improving.Focusing on yourself does not mean you are prideful, but rather you are acting from a place of humility.When to start...
2020-12-2853 min
Truth IslandEpisode 99: Rome: The Decline of Democracy (Part VIII)This episode is the eighth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the prosperous rule of the emperor Vespasian.
2020-12-1843 min
Truth IslandEpisode 98: Rome: The Decline of Democracy (Part VII)This episode is the seventh part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the sick rule of the emperor Nero.
2020-12-1750 min
Truth IslandEpisode 97: Is parenthood right for everyone?Patrick and I discuss some of the difficult questions that one must ask themselves before deciding to become a parent.Topics:Biological imperative to multiply?A child will not change your core personality predispositions.Take your 20s as an opportunity to know thy self.More personality tests to help people discover if parenthood is right for them.America's corrosion of the middleclass makes it difficult to raise children straight...
2020-12-1655 min
Truth IslandEpisode 96: The art of continence.Alexander and I discuss, how selective bouts of abstinence can improve mental acuity and help men achieve short-term goals. Topics:Navigating a long history...Why no scientific interest?Is it possible to achieve anything great when you're too busy chasing tail all day?It's not a lack of brain cells but rather a lack of fire.Energy always finds a way to be channeled into something.
2020-12-1549 min
Truth IslandEpisode 95: The virtue of patience.Sam and I patiently discuss how to be both productive and patient at the same exact time.Topics:2020...The year of the philosopher.Everything we needed was right in front of us all along.How hard times can teach us to be grateful.Serenity in what can't be changed, action for the things that can be.There is a reason why we can't see at night.
2020-12-1459 min
Truth IslandEpisode 94: Should we strive for excellence?Kenny and I attempt to make one excellent podcast, figuring out if we should be aiming for excellence in everything we do.Topics:Figuring out the line between excellence and perfection.Ultra detail people tend not to get very far in this world.The perfect sentence?Books that teach us how to read books...what has this world come to?Joy and excellence tend to go hand-in-hand.
2020-12-1049 min
Truth IslandEpisode 93: The power of humor.Claire and I try to figure out when exactly something is a laughing matter.Topics:Humor has the power to bring to life the mundane but also to desensitize us.Humor is great cure for the unchangeable...but not the changeable.Comedy is constantly being reinvented. Do jokes have an expiration date?Your sense of humor may not be transferrable once you board a plane.
2020-12-0948 min
Truth IslandEpisode 92: Where has true common sense gone?Alexander and I parse out the good forms of common sense from the bad, while trying to figure out how we as a species can grow wiser.Topics:Vegetables are good...candy is bad...why can't we just figure it out?Too heavy? Eat less.The college debt debacle...bad common sense at its finest.The market place of 'common sense'. Common sense sometimes changes with the times.
2020-12-0847 min
Truth IslandEpisode 91: Is it possible to change people?I am joined by Tricia, who comes on the show to discuss whether or not we can change the people in our lives.Topics:Trying to change people is typically not true altruism.The dangers of imposing one's value system onto another."Help is not helpful, unless it is helpful."Friendly suggestions without punishment.The difference between changing a person and fixing inequities in a relationship.
2020-12-061h 11
Truth IslandEpisode 90: Making the best out of a bad situation.Sam shares his tale contracting COVID in Colombia and some of the lessons that he has learned. We also discuss strategies that one can employ to combat tough times.
2020-12-0545 min
Truth IslandEpisode 89: Are labels always a good thing?Evan and I discuss if some of our more complex ideas and ideologies should have labels.Topics:Centrism is a type of category and not independent thought. Labels come with a lot of packaging.The same label may not mean the same thing to different people.Being precise in your label. The curious case of Albert Einstein. Labels and reaction time.
2020-12-0457 min
Truth IslandEpisode 88: Is quitting always such a bad thing?Patrick comes on again to share his experience with leaving teaching, trying new things, and if the concept of being a 'drifter' is really such a negative label.Topics:Why it's wise to try as many things as possible.Drifter versus explorer.Sometimes necessity push us in certain directions. Monotony is the first sign of trouble. Playing the long game. Extensive travelling...the ultimate...
2020-12-0254 min
Truth IslandEpisode 87: How to engage with people online?I am joined once again by Jonathan, who shares his experiences approaching strangers online. Topics:The brevity in our dialogues leave room for misinterpretation and mistaken intent.Are avatars a way to mask cruelty?Engaging in spaces where disagreement can occur, fosters growth.The best forums lean neutral. Meaningful conversation seldom occurs in the public square of the comments section.If possible, email is...
2020-11-301h 01
Truth IslandEpisode 86: Can we change people's nature?Kenny and I attempt to find closure into the quagmire that is social conditioning and address whether or not human nature itself can be changed. Topics:Human nature cannot be changed by rewards and punishments alone.The fundamentally good versus the fundamentally bad.No evil or good societies, simply certain forces that triumph over others.Culture remains the chief 'primer' in pushing a society towards good or bad. Passion...
2020-11-2953 min
Truth IslandEpisode 85: Rome: The Decline of Democracy (Part VI)This episode is the fourth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the tyrannical rule of the Emperor Caligula.
2020-11-2843 min
Truth IslandEpisode 84: Rome: The Decline of Democracy (Part V)This episode is the fourth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the rule of Augustus Caesar.
2020-11-2746 min
Truth IslandEpisode 83: Is it ever a good idea to form alliances with people you dislike?Claire and I discuss the tricky spot that is the workplace, when it comes to working with people we don't quite like. Topics:The workplace is all about people...always has been.Welcome to the night shift...shared goals and shared enemies.The importance of dark humor.My aversion to people that are phony...The importance of personalities. Sometimes other people can point out...
2020-11-2647 min
Truth IslandEpisode 82: The chains holding us back.Alexander and I discuss the various chains that might be holding us back from achieving our potential and when in life it might be necessary to tether ourselves to a pole.Topics:Damnation need not punishment in the afterlife.Don't hold onto anything too tightly, otherwise your hand will get burned.We were not meant to do the same thing for the entirety of our lives.Death is the greatest motivator.
2020-11-2553 min
Truth IslandEpisode 81: What is the correct degree of punishment?Luke and I continue our discussion about morals, discussing what exactly constitutes a proper punishment and what the end goals of punishment should be.Topics:Retributive versus rehabilitative justice.Murder the ultimate test of justice.The line test.Two sentences; one that is retributive, the other that is rehabilitative?No cruel and unusual punishment.Preventing ex felons from getting a job on the outside...
2020-11-241h 06
Truth IslandEpisode 80: How to move forward without holding contempt.After a life of some pretty rough and ugly encounters, Sam and I try to make sense of the past, analyzing the people and institutions that have wronged us, but at the same formulate rules for not living with a chip on one's shoulder. Topics:Removing yourself from tyrannical organizations.Trusting your initial intuition before long-term resentment can build.It's not that Millennials are lazy, we simply strive for purpose in what we do....
2020-11-2340 min
Truth IslandEpisode 79: How to juggle disagreeable people?In the aftermath of the election and in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Dallas and I discuss strategies for dealing with people that are highly disagreeable or sensitive in their points of view. Topics:Separator or mediator?Are we inherently tribal?The dangers and perks of cliques. Unnecessary exclusion versus forming genuine friendship based on common interests.Being careful when cliquish preferences are denying people opportunities.
2020-11-2241 min
Truth IslandEpisode 78: Is television harming us?I am joined by Christopher who shares his story about giving up television back in 2014.Topics:Starting to sound like the people on TV....Intellectuals tend not to be shown in a good light.Should one go cold turkey or gradually phase it out?Why early TV shows were better written than today.Oh...the things you could if you gave up TV...Utilizing...
2020-11-2154 min
Truth IslandEpisode 77: How can one resist social conditioning?Kenny and I discuss why only an 'elect' few of us can resist social conditioning but the vast preponderance of us cannot.Topics:You don't have to be 'special' to break free.America's prosperity has made us weak.We like the appearance of education but not actually learning.A lot of noble causes are simply motivated by the desire to earn money.When we make things easy and fun...
2020-11-2056 min
Truth IslandEpisode 76: Socialism and Capitalism...What is the correct balance?Joe and I try and understand the concepts of 'socialism' and 'capitalism' and what these concepts look like in their absolute form and the various shortcomings each of these systems has.Topics:"I won't milk the cows."Liberty versus equality.Both systems can lead to extreme tyranny.Are we entitled to baseline rights, to pursue freedom?The answer for now is really a mixed economy...but just how mixed?
2020-11-1958 min
Truth IslandEpisode 75: Why do we value people less, when there are more of them?Alexander and I discuss, why exactly we tend to value people less when there are more of them both at a party or even in cities such as New York, that have high population densities. Topics:Society forces us to try and network a bit too much.We sometimes gamble away good conversations.The power of changing just one person.We tend to value expansion over quality.Two is...
2020-11-1852 min
Truth IslandEpisode 74: How to periodically challenge your beliefs.I am joined by Pegor who talks about his journey as an atheist and some of the ways that rigorously testing his beliefs and keeping an open mind have helped him test his worldview.Topics:The consequences of not challenging yourself for too long.If you never leave your cave, how do you know what's on the outside?The importance of in-person debates and encounters.Recognizing a hole in your worldview is sometimes the...
2020-11-171h 00
Truth IslandEpisode 73: Why have we lost our attention span?Kenny and I examine everything from technology to parenting in trying to uncover why we as a society can no longer pay attention to just about anything for the more than two minutes.Topics:We like to blame technology, but never the people giving their kids technology.Parents are now afraid of their children...Getting away from 'child oriented' teaching and parenting.America's desire to create 'magical moments'.We...
2020-11-1659 min
Truth IslandEpisode 72: How to avoid making Faustian bargains.Sam and I, using the folktale of Faust and the modern implication of the word 'Faustian bargain' discuss some of the ways that we might be making deals with the devil and not even realizing it.Topics:The devil isn't some dude in a suit and moustache...it's within you.Corrupt deals happen a lot in politics but are a product of how society operates.Every deal we accept brings us further away from our authentic self.
2020-11-1548 min
Truth IslandEpisode 71: How to approach people with curiosity.I am joined with Jonathan who discusses his unique strategy in approaching people who he disagrees with.TopicsWe are attracted to what is easy and familiar.Overcoming the language barrier.We all put food into our mouths in the same way.A true tourist travels to experience things not to curate things.Always be very curious in new surroundings.When approaching others, always...
2020-11-141h 08
Truth IslandEpisode 70: An introduction to Astrology.Ever look up at the stars and search for meaning? I am joined once again by Fedra who gives us a brief introduction to understanding the stars and planets.TopicsTaking solace in the stars but not passivity.Getting your natal chart done.Consult Astrology but don't become too attached.Let's make a deal...just not when Mercury is in retrograde.We are in the age of Aquarius...a...
2020-11-1352 min
Truth IslandEpisode 69: Why we shouldn't allow outside forces to control our mood.In light of the recent election, Claire and I discuss why we shouldn't allow politics or forces in the 'outer spheres' of life to control our mood or come in the way of our individual growth and benchmarks.TopicsPolitics is not a stand in for religion and philosophy.Being informed without taking action, doesn't help all that much. Understanding your priorities in life.If you don't take care of yourself...how can you...
2020-11-1257 min
Truth IslandEpisode 68: Where do our morals come from?Luke and I discuss where as humans our moral code derives from.Topics:The family unit and morality.Nietzsche and the Genealogy of Morals.Slave morals versus Master morals...who knew?No true altruism in this world.Switching between Master and Slave mindset.Lessons from a cheese sandwich.Being a good person is not just being submissive.
2020-11-111h 20
Truth IslandEpisode 67: Fear: the greater preventer of doing things.Sam and I discuss why fear can sometimes be the most destructive force in our lives.TopicsHaving a strong sense of confidence.The robot way of emotions is not the path of strength but of fear.A quiet household is not a happy household.If you can't trust your friends, they are not your friends.How the judgements of others often prevent us from being our true self.
2020-11-1054 min
Truth IslandEpisode 66: Quantitative versus Qualitative reasoning...where is the correct balance?Alexander and I using our qualitative minds try and figure out when exactly we should be relying on our learned human experience and when we may need to consult a t-test to figure out the right answer. Topics The failures of using data to compare ourselves to others.Why our value systems often triumph over empirical evidence.The ways in which statistics can be corrupted (cherry picking variables).The role of qualitative researchers in...
2020-11-0950 min
Truth IslandEpisode 65: Rome: The Decline of Democracy (Part IV)This episode is the fourth part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the conclusion of the civil war between Marc Antony and Octavius.
2020-11-0847 min
Truth IslandEpisode 64: The importance of space.Gabby and I discuss why our houses and apartments are a bit more than giant crash pads.TopicsProperly designed spaces can motivate you.Know which pieces of furniture are of supreme importance.The male versus the female mind regarding space.Organizing can actually make you feel good.Not unpacking a suitcase...a look into the subconscious? Functionality is going to look and feel...
2020-11-0756 min
Truth IslandEpisode 63: Rome: The Decline of Democracy (Part III)This episode is the third part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we discuss the fallout after the assassination of Julius Caesar and the start of civil war in Rome.
2020-11-0647 min
Truth IslandEpisode 62: Why have we stopped valuing education?Daniel and I continue our discussion on why we as a society have stopped caring about learning and education in general.TopicsWhat the data says about income and educational outcomes.The ugly truth...are we all meant to be philosophers and high thinkers?Is it possible to value smart people just for being smart?Are the affluent hoarding the keys to success?Parenting 101....
2020-11-051h 00
Truth IslandEpisode 61: The dangers of specialization.Joe and I discuss the dangers of only knowing how to do one thing and how it is not only damaging our economy but stunting human growth and potential.TopicsA leftover byproduct of the industrial age.Employers seeing workers as a means to an end.Oh no...here comes the automation and new platforms.What is the individual's responsibility in developing new skills?What is the role of...
2020-11-0458 min
Truth IslandEpisode 60: Why have we stopped seeing good people?Kenny and I discuss that as time passes, the decent among us seem to be growing more and more invisible!Topics:The two missed calls dilemma.Find why can't we find happiness in our respective social hierarchies?The sex and money endgame.Bad energy tends to roll down the pyramid.Good people remind us of our deficiencies.The good has now become society's new...
2020-11-0355 min
Truth IslandEpisode 59: Life in a suitcase.Sam shares his experience travelling America with just a handful of clothes and what lessons we can all learn from this and some of the more serious concerns of this lifestyle. Topics:The 3 Robe System.How having less can free us from fear of loss.How we project material desires onto others.Respect for different people's lifestyle.How to show gratitude and exercise mindfulness when relying on the generosity...
2020-11-0253 min
Truth IslandEpisode 58: The virtues of being frugal.Christopher and I discuss why exactly the things that we think that we need aren't so important and how we can begin training ourselves to live without the latest and greatest.Topics:Your possessions may come to posses you.How certain goods simply satisfy the ego.Why the cheap version of things can be just as good.The old coffee can method of saving.The importance of mattress money.
2020-11-0144 min
Truth IslandEpisode 57: What makes a good leader?I am joined with Jeff Nugent, as we discuss if anyone can become a leader and if so, what qualities comprise a good leader?Topics Explored:Unexpected leadership in a supermarket.A leader...not with an agenda but an agenda to listen.A great leader gives birth to many other leaders.Leaders should be judged on legacy.Simple steps that parents can take to raise healthy and successful children.
2020-10-3155 min
Truth IslandEpisode 56: Is it ever right to charity shame?Jeff Augustin and I discuss if it is ever right to charity shame and some of the factors that go through our head when we make the decision to give or not to give.Topics:TippingTales from the subway.How do we know someone asking for help is being authentic?Are we allowed to have choices in where we choose to help?Should the rich be more charitable...
2020-10-3049 min
Truth IslandEpisode 55: A Tale of Two School Systems...Canada and The U.S.I compare my notes as both a student and teacher in the U.S. with Daniel who grew up in Toronto, Canada. Our discussion dives into some of the things that are missing from the U.S. education system...and perhaps a thing or two that Canada can learn from us.Topics: It varies from place to place.A brief look at Montessori Can high and average kids be taught together?Should we be...
2020-10-291h 01
Truth IslandEpisode 54: Concrete versus Abstract reasoning people.Navigating child psychologist Piaget's hierarchy of human development, Joe and I discuss the differences between abstract thinkers and those that think concretely. Topics Covered:The boy and the messy kitchen.Does punishment and reflection, induce abstract reasoning?Is abstract reasoning above concrete as Piaget suggests?The ideal is both!Possible solutions and hurdles in getting these minds to work together.Do concrete thinkers have...
2020-10-2854 min
Truth IslandEpisode 53: When is it appropriate to speak up and tell the truth?Thinking about that annoying tendency of philosophers to speak up and tell the truth at the most inopportune times, Kenny and I try and figure out key rule for when one is morally obligated to speak the truth and when one should bite their tongue for the time being. Topics:Timing...Timing...Timing.Friends who don't really want to hear the truth.Sometimes truth takes years to process.Rules for how to take advice...
2020-10-2758 min
Truth IslandEpisode 52: A Brief Introduction to Paganism.I am joined by Tarot Card reader Fedra Ekres, who gives me a brief introduction to the umbrella term 'Paganism' as we discuss the term's origin and it's practice throughout Europe and into modern day America. Topics Covered:It started with the Greeks!Pagans...early doctors?Coming to America...in disguise. More of a women thing.Fortune teller...please make me rich.Yoga becomes...
2020-10-2654 min
Truth IslandEpisode 51: How do we know we are travelling down the right road in life?Through the lens of the Robert Frost poem The Road Not Taken Katen and I examine how we can evaluate the life choices we've made and how exactly these decisions influence who we are. Topics Covered Not living with regret.Evaluating which roads in life have served us best and reexamining those pathways.You're never too old to start embarking down a new path or rediscovering a trail you abandoned long ago.We are...
2020-10-2549 min
Truth IslandEpisode 50: Should we take ourselves too seriously?I am joined by Patrick as we discuss whether or not it is healthy to take life too seriously and when exactly we may wish to turn up or down our seriousness meter.Topics Addressed: The power of laughing at yourself.Giving yourself a degree of wiggle room in casual conversations.Must leaders always be serious for us to respect them?Situations where you have choice versus no choice....
2020-10-2458 min
Truth IslandEpisode 49: Why do we always assume the worst in people?Joe and I try to figure out why we always assume the worst in people ranging from things such as small compliments to just how trustful we ought to be in life.Topics Covered:Assumptions about people versus reality. How personal traumas keep us jaded. Times in life we shouldn't be too trusting.How to integrate new people into our lives with little risk.When to push the eject...
2020-10-2355 min
Truth IslandEpisode 48: Can we learn through other people's experience?Alexander and I, discuss whether other people can impart wisdom and life lessons onto others who through a lack of experience or maturity have not gone through those same formative experiences. Topics Explored:Telling people about life before they have reached a critical threshold in life. The effects of traumatic events early in life in bringing about maturity.If we could go back in time and warn ourselves would it make any difference?Perhaps...
2020-10-2244 min
Truth IslandEpisode 47: Rome: The Decline of Democracy (Part II)This episode is the second part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay. In this episode we focus on the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and the strategies he employs in consolidating power and the turmoil this causes among the other senators living in Rome.
2020-10-2143 min
Truth IslandEpisode 46: What does it mean to be social? (Part III)In the final installment of our series Gabby and I discuss why people exclude others from events, starting in childhood and lasting all the way into adulthood.Topics:Excluding others because of discomfort.Omitting people to feel superior and hog the spotlight.When your friends don't get along and someone has to go.Creating the perfect ambience in deciding who to invite.When friends are genuinely looking out for...
2020-10-2053 min
Truth IslandEpisode 45: The life of a philosopher.Kenny and I discuss what it means to be a philosopher and how we view the world....and how the world sometimes views us.Topics:What makes someone into a philosopher?Aloof and detached or deep in thought?The difference between comedians and philosophers.Philosophers need better public relations.Be a philosopher....but be something else as well.
2020-10-1956 min
Truth IslandEpisode 44: How to reflect and apologize.Through the story of Kind David, Sam and I try and dissect the details of why it's important to apologize and how one should make amends to a person that they have wronged.Topics Covered:Don't just be nice.....King David did it.....why not you?When two people wrong one another.Is their a statue of limitations when it comes to apologies?
2020-10-1844 min
Truth IslandEpisode 43: Is it ever okay to abandon people?Dallas and I pickup from where we last left off in the case of a woman who leaves her dying husband. Topics Discussed:Marriage....To Death Do Us Part?Divorce as a sometimes merciful act.Seeing the 'soul' in soulmate.Maintaining integrity in relationships.Prior service record when evaluating friendships.
2020-10-1751 min
Truth IslandEpisode 42: Can we all become self-taught?I am joined by Mike Loayza, an autodidact or self-taught person who shares his story on becoming an actor and filmmakerTopics Hit Upon:The trouble with school.Is incidental knowledge ever helpful?Knowing yourself in order to know what you want to learn.Fearing true freedom.Check Out Mike's Work:http://www.mikeloayza.com http://www...
2020-10-1648 min
Truth IslandEpisode 41: What does it mean to be social? (Part II)In the second part in our series Gabby and I explore the personality traits of extroversion and introversion and discuss whether these are even real.Topics Mentioned:Personality tests in the workplace.Introversion contingent upon group dynamic.I like people.....but I just want to work alone.....Extroversion.....fading as the day progresses.Parental responsibility in fostering healthy social behavior.Comic Book Boy.....loner...
2020-10-1552 min
Truth IslandEpisode 40: What does it mean to be social? (Part I)This is the first part my series with Gabby where we explore what exactly does it mean to be social and how the lockdown exposed some of the blind spots in the way we interact with people.Topics Addressed:How the hustle & bustle of socializing distracted us from the people we were hanging out with.Are rapid fire conversations socializing?Giving up on conversations instead of giving up on people.Should we demand a...
2020-10-141h 00
Truth IslandEpisode 39: What is the right way to promote yourself?Marketing expert Claire Bevan helps me understand the slippery road of healthy self promotion versus attention seeking behavior.Topics Covered:Humility versus lack of self-confidence.Setting a goal for success.Asking others for help.When are you too out there?Metrics of success.
2020-10-1337 min
Truth IslandEpisode 38: When and when not is it acceptable to conform?Joe and I try and wrestle with the times in our lives where conformity is an absolute necessity for survival, from the times when not conforming is absolutely essential to our survival (paradoxical, I know).Topics We Hit:The Military listen or die....Challenging something out of selfishness versus finding a better way.You want to be the guy in a cult asking a lot of questions.What to do when challenging the status...
2020-10-1241 min
Truth IslandEpisode 37: Ambition and Complacency: What is the correct balance?Sam and I try to tackle the issue raised in a previous podcast about what exactly is the middle road to walk between being content in life and having higher hopes and dreams?Some Topics Covered:Why childhood patience is a virtue.Dealing with missed expectations.Important questions to always be asking yourself about where you are in life.The voices and eyes that live inside our head.
2020-10-1152 min
Truth IslandEpisode 36: Why is our media dumbing us down?I am joined once again with Kenny as we discuss why it is exactly that our television shows, movies, and songs have completely corroded in intellectual quality and weight over the past few decades. Some Topics Covered:What made artists take more chances in the 60's?Elite filmmakers versus the masses. Can money turn artists into sellouts?The impact of 'high art'Are intellectually rigorous forms of art for...
2020-10-1053 min
Truth IslandEpisode 35: Must we grow as humans?I am joined with Jon Lindinger, who helps me understand why it is so essential that we as humans constantly grow. Some of the topics we touch upon are:Investing in one's self due to uncertainty. Relationships where only one partner is growth oriented.Growing in the shadows.Being unable to help others as a result of poor choices.For more information and self-development coaching you can visit Jon's...
2020-10-0940 min
Truth IslandEpisode 34: Why don't intellectual heavyweights debate more often?I am joined once again with Joe, as we try and figure out why our smartest members in society never seem to debate one another? Some of the areas we explore are:Why don't we value intellectual discourse like prized fights?The stacked deck of network television debates.Does our current population have the intellectual stamina for intellectually heavy discourse? The social consequences of leaving your echo chamber.
2020-10-0848 min
Truth IslandEpisode 33: Can our consciousness will something to come true?I am joined once again with Alexander as we discuss, an idea floated in 2006's bestseller The Secret and work done by an organization called the Global Consciousness Project which claims to be able to measure varying amounts of consciousness in living organisms such as plants and on a global scale during cataclysmic events. Some topics we hit upon are; healthy skepticism versus hostile rejection, pathways for fringe science to pass through the gates of scientific rigor, structural and bureaucratic limitations of science in academia, and unexplained coincidences.Links...
2020-10-0753 min
Truth IslandEpisode 32: Is it possible to belong to more than one religion?I am joined with Daniel as he talks about his spiritual journey attending Catholic school, getting confirmed, and how he lost and then rediscovered his spirituality in the form of eastern philosophy. I then share my own personal story of growing up Reformed Jewish, attending Hebrew school, and rekindling with my own spirituality.Some of the topics we explore are open minded religious instructions versus strict interpretation, existential religious moments, social pressure to conform, and what happens when two religions contradict one another.
2020-10-061h 05
Truth IslandEpisode 31: Rome: The Decline of Democracy (Part 1)This episode is the first part of a larger series in which I am joined by Roman Empire expert Brett Davidoff, as we discuss some of the parallels of ancient Rome to the United States and other historical instances of democratic decay.In this first part we talk about the functionality of the Roman Republic and what forces lead to it's ultimate demise....***Historical Correction***Although the Marian reforms did in fact result in more power being laid in the hands of the commanding...
2020-10-0557 min
Truth IslandEpisode 30: Should we still help ungrateful people?I am joined once again with Gabby as she helps me examine an instance in my life where I thought I was helping someone in need...but things didn't go exactly how I imagined....Topics include Karma: afterlife versus present, basic manners, and what exactly constitutes a good person?
2020-10-0442 min
Truth IslandEpisode 29: Why is our culture so obsessed with evil?I am joined once again with Kenny, as we discuss why it is, that many of our popular films and television series seem to glorify evil. Topics include, good versus evil morality, the grey area in films, biological inclinations towards evil, and the impact newer films might be having on younger audiences.
2020-10-0341 min
Truth IslandEpisode 28: Class versus Group Identity: Where should we look more closely?Joining me on the program is Lauren Andreu, who helps me navigate the difficult terrain of class and identity, regarding where the focus should be in order to eradicate poverty and other various forms of injustice. Some of the topics that we explore are Affirmative Action, Hiring Discrimination, Inadequately funded public institutions, class versus group policy measures, and unfair incarceration practices.
2020-10-021h 16
Truth IslandEpisode 27: The boy and the red bikeA short story about how some of the best gifts in life aren't always material.
2020-10-0107 min
Truth IslandEpisode 26: What happens when you are the only one that cares?I'm joined once again with Claire, as she helps walk me through the steps that our fictional disenchanted office worker should take in order to rebuild their self-esteem, rally people to their cause, and find purpose in the work they perform.
2020-09-3032 min
Truth IslandEpisode 25: Have we lost touch with nature?I am joined once again with Alexander as we discuss whether humanity has lost touch with nature. We talk about whether our relationship with nature is an adversarial one, nature as a vehicle of strengthening spirituality, our technological alienation to the great outdoors, and possible solutions.
2020-09-2942 min
Truth IslandEpisode 24: How can we better regulate our emotions and behave logically?I'm joined by Sam Belz, who helps me better understand how I can better regulate my emotions and think more critically. Some of the topics we examine are; what we feel on the inside versus how we behave in the moment, truth with love, the appropriateness of acting with rage, standing up for one's self, and much more.
2020-09-271h 01
Truth IslandEpisode 23: Why have people stopped reading?I'm joined by Gabby Ianniello, as we discuss some of the reasons that most people have stopped reading, particularly books. We discuss the impact that technology, social media, and quick theatrical releases have had on our attention span and ability to think critically.
2020-09-2647 min
Truth IslandEpisode 22: Meaning and Happiness...are they one in the same?I am joined with Dallas Brennan as we discuss whether meaning and happiness are one in the same and if not which one matters more? Some topics that we cover are the easy versus the difficult path, losing yourself in art, positive nihilism, and what happens when someone close to you only loves the happy trail...While not needed to understand the conversation, I strongly recommend reading Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning" and watching the film Rocky. Links down below:https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/080701429X
2020-09-2547 min
Truth IslandEpisode 21: Why don't we judge humans the same way as cars?In this mini episode, I point out some of the blind spots in our thinking regarding human efficiency.
2020-09-2403 min
Truth IslandEpisode 20: Has college out served its purpose?I am joined by Jose Garcia, who details his unconventional path breaking into the industry of architecture. We discuss the differences between having to learn through necessity and exploration as oppose to traditional classroom learning.
2020-09-2434 min
Truth IslandEpisode 19: Why do we procrastinate?Roger and I take a deep dive as to some of the psychological reasons why we procrastinate, such as the fear of shattering our self identity through failure, avoidance behaviors, and when exactly we ought to encourage our friends to be more productive.
2020-09-231h 13
Truth IslandEpisode 18: Always run into volcanoes!In this mini episode, I discuss the importance of why it's essential to run into situations that make us feel the most uncomfortable. volcano eruption sound effect - smcameronhttps://freesound.org/people/smcameron/sounds/51429/?page=1#comments
2020-09-2203 min
Truth IslandEpisode 17: Why slow thinkers are actually incredibly valuable.I am joined with Joe Bullock as we discuss the importance of why people who think slowly are not less intelligent, despite what we have been lead to believe. Some of the topics we touch upon are the differences between a philosophical mind versus an analytical, how philosophical thinking helps break 'templates', and why the traditional metrics in which we evaluate intelligence may need reexamining.
2020-09-2152 min
Truth IslandEpisode 16: Can we be forced into evil behavior?Reexamining the studies conducted by Stanley Milgram and Philip Zimbardo, Dave and I discuss whether good people can succumb to vile behavior. Some themes explored are what characteristics allow people to resist, the need to socially conform, past trauma, and empowering the powerless. Prerequisites: For those unfamiliar with either the Milgram or Zimbardo experiments the following short YouTube clips might serve as helpful:Khan Academy:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2TCfex1aFwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch...
2020-09-2048 min
Truth IslandEpisode 15: Get off the merry-go-round of fearIn this mini episode, I discuss why it's important to overcome our present day fears and what we feel are 'necessities', in order to live a life that we are more proud to have.
2020-09-1904 min