(56) Phil Phails @ Psychedelics with Samuel JunkExplores curiosity, consciousness, and the wild ride of being human. Samuel Junk — Austin local, radio professional, anthropology grad, improv enthusiast, and psychonaut — sits down with Phil to unpack a life shaped by courage, culture, and curiosity.From growing up in the Dan’s Hamburgers family business to a near-death experience that sparked a global search for meaning, Samuel shares how psychedelics, travel, ethnobotany, and personal loss shaped his ongoing transformation. We dive into:🌱 Psychedelics and the cultural history he researched for his published thesis🧠 Neurodivergence + authentic relating + healing through humor and improv🌍 Travel stories from Jamaica to Hawaii⚰️ How losing his father reshaped his purpose💪 Masculinity, discipline, nature, and learning to set boundaries🎙️ His creative career in Austin radio and local community events😂 And yes... Sam fails at improv… gloriously.This episode is play, depth, and vulnerability rolled into one. It’s about learning, changing, failing, falling apart, and coming back more fully alive.About Samuel JunkSamuel Junk is an Austinite whose life has been defined by curiosity, resilience, and transformation. Raised in the Dan’s Hamburgers family, he learned the value of hard work early, but a near-death experience at twenty sparked a global journey of self-discovery. Traveling through Jamaica, Hawaii, and beyond, Samuel immersed himself in new cultures, built chosen family connections, and explored psychedelics, personal growth, and spirituality—experiences that shaped his empathy and worldview.

Back in Austin, he channeled his drive into education, completing a degree in anthropology at Texas State University, mastering long-term goals, and discovering the power of mentorship. Today, Samuel thrives in Austin’s radio and events scene, producing major local events like Blues on the Green and running promotions for heritage stations like KLBJ. A lifelong seeker, he balances professional success with ongoing exploration of psychology, philosophy, and personal transformation, all while staying deeply connected to the city he calls home.Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Samuel.Junk/About Phillip Jones👨‍👧‍👧 Single dad | 🧠 Neurodivergent & Proud | 🛤️ Path SeekerAfter a lifetime of personal growth—through self-help, therapy, and endless learning—I'm embracing my unique journey. No more chasing 'normal.' Here to celebrate the quirks, the trials, and the joys of being authentically me. 🌟Leaving the software world behind, I'm forging a new trail with "Phil Phails," a show that revels in the messiness of life and learning. Catch my latest adventures and dad moments on Austin Public and YouTube. Let’s redefine success together. The Fool's journey is a tapestry of learning, woven with threads of naivety and the vibrant colors of experience. Each step is a dance between innocence and wisdom, a transformation that beckons the curious souls to witness the unfolding of a human in bloom. Embrace this odyssey with open arms, for the path of the unknowing is a canvas for growth, and every traveler a masterpiece in progress.👉 Follow me on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phil_phails/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philphails/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philphails Twitter: https://twitter.com/philphails

(55) Phil Phails @ philosophy with Grant PottsPhilosophy Book Club series #11: AnniversaryIn this special one-year anniversary edition of Phil Phails @ Philosophy Book Club, Phil reunites with philosopher and educator Grant Potts for one of their richest conversations yet.This episode weaves together humor, vulnerability, critique, and deep thinking. Phil opens with a raw reflection on the children’s mental health system, comparing its structure to the criminal justice system and questioning why the model feels more carceral than caring. Grant responds with a philosophical lens on expertise, professional formation, and the systems that shape our understanding of “help.”From there, the conversation moves through a series of expansive topics:How society treats kids in crisisWhat experts can and cannot offerHow to navigate systems that were built for themselves, not for the people they claim to serveThe philosophical roots of training, authority, and trustThe tension between lived experience and institutional knowledgeThen, in classic Phil & Grant fashion, the seriousness gives way to play as Phil recounts a hilarious yoga-studio debate about whether gay ghosts are metaphysically possible — which somehow (and perfectly) leads to a reflection on consciousness, categories, and philosophical frameworks.The episode closes with something special:🎉 Phil and Grant’s top five things they’re grateful for about philosophy.Their gratitude spans curiosity, intellectual humility, friendship, shared maps, mental sharpening, and the joy of learning as an act of love.It’s thoughtful, honest, funny, and full of the kind of conversational alchemy that has defined the Philosophy Book Club series from the beginning.🎙️ Thank you for a full year of philosophical failing, exploring, and learning.#PhilPhails #PhilosophyBookClub #GrantPotts #PhilosophyPodcast #PodcastAnniversary #DeepThinking #CriticalThinking #MentalHealthSystems #Expertise #Friendship #PhilosophyOfLife #OneYearAnniversary About Grant PottsGrant Potts is a distinguished faculty member at Austin Community College, specializing in Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities. Trained primarily as a scholar of religion, Grant is also a dedicated philosopher and curriculum developer, committed to promoting liberal education through the Great Question Foundation to benefit community college students of all disciplines. Outside the academic sphere, he is a passionate gardener, an enthusiastic hiker and cyclist, and an ardent tabletop roleplaying game enthusiast, delighting in adventures with friends and family in classics like Dungeons and Dragons as well as newer games like Coriolis and Forbidden Lands.About Phillip Jones👨‍👧‍👧 Single dad | 🧠 Neurodivergent & Proud | 🛤️ Path SeekerAfter a lifetime of personal growth—through self-help, therapy, and endless learning—I'm embracing my unique journey. No more chasing 'normal.' Here to celebrate the quirks, the trials, and the joys of being authentically me. 🌟Leaving the software world behind, I'm forging a new trail with "Phil Phails," a show that revels in the messiness of life and learning. Catch my latest adventures and dad moments on Austin Public and YouTube. Let’s redefine success together. #PhilPhails 🎬The Fool's journey is a tapestry of learning, woven with threads of naivety and the vibrant colors of experience. Each step is a dance between innocence and wisdom, a transformation that beckons the curious souls to witness the unfolding of a human in bloom. Embrace this odyssey with open arms, for the path of the unknowing is a canvas for growth, and every traveler a masterpiece in progress.👉 Follow me on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phil_phails/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philphails/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philphails Twitter: https://twitter.com/philphails🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell to get notified about new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilPhails

(54) Phil Phails @ Cycling with The Bicycle House CrewIn the first-ever Phil Phails group episode, Phil sits down with the Bicycle House Crew — five cyclists, techs, and friends who live and breathe Austin’s vibrant cycling scene.Featuring James Balentine (owner of Bicycle House), Matt Tynan, Russell Grindstaff, Tom Sullivan, and Trevor Meehan, this roundtable dives deep (and laughs hard) into everything from gear talk to group dynamics:🚴‍♂️ Should cyclists shave their legs?⚙️ Why are bikes getting more expensive (and exclusive)?🚨 What’s up with UCI bar width rules?🔋 E-bikes — evolution or cheating?🥔 The great “ride snack” debate: Fig Newtons, sweet potatoes, and one unfortunate hard-boiled egg incident.💭 Plus: real talk about body image, performance pressure, and finding joy in a sport that can sometimes take itself too seriously.This episode is part comedy, part confessional, and part love letter to the cycling community — celebrating the grit, camaraderie, and chaos of life on two wheels.📍 Recorded at Bicycle House, Austin’s community-focused bike shop for every kind of rider.📞 (512) 382-1028 | bicyclehouseatx.comPhilPhails, Cycling, BicycleHouse, AustinCycling, CyclingCommunity, CyclingPodcast, BikeLife, CyclingCulture, RoadCycling, GroupRide, BikeTech, BikeShop, CyclingStories, CyclistHumor, RideSnacks, BodyImage, BikeFails, CyclingTalks, EnduranceSports, CaffeineAndCycling, CyclingNutrition, UCI, EBIKES, FitnessMindset, CyclingFriendsAbout The Bicycle House CrewThe Bicycle House Crew is a passionate team of Austin cyclists and bike technicians dedicated to keeping the city rolling smoothly—whether that means fixing flats, tuning gears, or inspiring the next great ride. Based at Bicycle House, a locally owned and operated bike shop founded by James Balentine, the crew blends deep mechanical expertise with a genuine love for the cycling community.James Balentine, the shop’s owner, is a seasoned rider, mechanic, and community builder who created Bicycle House as a welcoming space for cyclists of all levels. Alongside him are Tom Sullivan and Trevor Meehan, expert bike techs who bring precision, craftsmanship, and humor to every repair and build. They’re joined by Matt Tynan and Russell Grindstaff, lifelong cyclists and close friends of the shop who embody the joy, grit, and camaraderie of Austin’s cycling scene.Together, the Bicycle House Crew represents more than just a team—they’re a testament to the power of bikes to connect people, build resilience, and fuel adventure on and off the road.📍 Bicycle House3009 N Lamar BlvdAustin, TX 78705📞 Phone: (512) 477-4221🌐 Website: www.bicyclehouseatx.com📧 Email: info@bicyclehouseatx.comAbout Phillip Jones👨‍👧‍👧 Single dad | 🧠 Neurodivergent & Proud | 🛤️ Path SeekerAfter a lifetime of personal growth—through self-help, therapy, and endless learning—I'm embracing my unique journey. No more chasing 'normal.' Here to celebrate the quirks, the trials, and the joys of being authentically me. 🌟Leaving the software world behind, I'm forging a new trail with "Phil Phails," a show that revels in the messiness of life and learning. Catch my latest adventures and dad moments on Austin Public and YouTube. Let’s redefine success together. The Fool's journey is a tapestry of learning, woven with threads of naivety and the vibrant colors of experience. Each step is a dance between innocence and wisdom, a transformation that beckons the curious souls to witness the unfolding of a human in bloom. Embrace this odyssey with open arms, for the path of the unknowing is a canvas for growth, and every traveler a masterpiece in progress.👉 Follow me on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phil_phails/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philphails/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philphails Twitter: https://twitter.com/philphails🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell to get notified about new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilPhails