In this episode, I reconnect with my friend Barry Taylor for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation.

The heart of our conversation dives into the philosophical work of Emanuele Coccia, whose poetic reflections on plants, the home, and mixture have deeply impacted both of us. We explore how Coccia’s idea of the “metaphysics of mixture” dissolves hard boundaries between self and world, body and environment, offering an alternative to more buffered, defended views of the self—like those found in classical psychoanalysis.

We also talk about Jameson Webster’s On Breathing, which resonates deeply with Coccia’s philosophy. Together, these works prompt us to rethink embodiment, aesthetics, fear, and desire. One of Coccia’s insights we return to is the idea that it’s not courage but desire that helps us overcome fear—a notion that has therapeutic implications and got me thinking about how we might rekindle desire in those stuck in anxiety or avoidance.

Throughout, we wrestle with big questions about subjectivity, animism, bathrooms as gendered spaces, and the need to dethrone reason in favor of a more holistic, enchanted vision of reality. We even get into Barry’s reflections on flatulence, the philosophy of shit, and how our treatment of the “unclean” reveals deep cultural truths.

Whether you’re a fan of philosophy, psychoanalysis, or just curious about how to live more openly and connectedly in the world, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of the Psyche Podcast, I sit down once again with my good friend Phuc Luu to discuss his newest book, Jesus and Buddha Talk About Desire, Suffering, and Happiness. I’ve always admired Phuc’s ability to weave together deep philosophical insight and spiritual imagination, and this book is no exception.

We dive into the inspiration behind his fictional dialogue between Yeshua and Siddhartha—a creative, meditative work that explores how these two towering spiritual figures might reflect on three of life’s biggest themes: desire, suffering, and happiness. We talk about the religious and cultural baggage many of us carry around desire, why imagination is essential to theology, and how identity can both ground us and limit us.

We also reflect on what it means to live a life of freedom and happiness—not as a pursuit of something out there, but as a presence we awaken to. Whether you come from a Buddhist, Christian, or entirely different background, I think you’ll find Phuc’s vision of dialogue, connection, and interbeing to be a breath of fresh air in today’s polarized world.

If you’re interested in picking up his book or joining a discussion group, head over to phucluu.com. And as always, thanks for tuning in.

In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with scholar and writer Jill Carroll to discuss her bold and provocative book The Savage Side: Reclaiming Violent Models of God. We dive deep into Jill’s intellectual and spiritual journey—from her Pentecostal upbringing and seminary days at Oral Roberts University to her transformative encounter with Annie Dillard’s writings and her eventual doctoral work at Rice University under the guidance of Edith Wyschogrod.

Jill shares how her own doubts led her to question traditional theological frameworks and ultimately reimagine the divine—not as a domesticated or anthropomorphic projection, but as a force rooted in the raw, majestic, and sometimes brutal reality of the cosmos. We talk about nature, violence, feminist theology, atheism, and the possibility of a “savage spirituality” that doesn’t flinch from the truth of suffering and death.

This conversation pushed me to confront some of my own theological assumptions, and I think it might do the same for you. Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a powerful meditation on what it means to live meaningfully in a world where nature is both breathtaking and indifferent.