Episodes

  • SPECIAL: "The Observing I" book has launched

    SPECIAL: "The Observing I" book has launched
    May 31 2024
    In this episode, we’re going to be taking a deviation from our usual transmission.This Monday, which was a bank holiday for all of you in the UK, a book that I’ve been working on for about 2 years finally hit the shelves. It’s imaginatively called “The Observing I: A guide to living a more authentic life”, and it’s full of philosophical ideas and psychological methodologies to help you get to the bottom of the nature of you.It’s available to purchase on Amazon as an eBook, and we’re currently working on getting a paperback copy ready.In this episode, I’m going to talk a little about my motivations behind writing the book, and I’m going to read Chapter One in what will essentially be an extract from the coming audiobook. Seems a bit silly that I do a podcast and then release a book and don’t actually make an audiobook from it. So that will be coming in the future as well. As soon as it’s available, I’ll let you know.If you’d like to get your hands on a copy of the eBook, then you can purchase it directly from Amazon here if you’re in the US:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D54FV5D5Or here if you’re in the UK:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D54FV5D5I’m not quite sure what to do with myself now. I feel like I’ve clambered up Mount Doom and fought off a shrivelled, spiteful avatar of my own self doubt.This is the first time that I’ve ever finished a book that I’ve started. It’s an odd experience. I’m left with the same sort of sensation as when you finish a long, emotional engaging movie. What happens next?One thing I do know is that I’ve got the bug for writing again, so expect to see more articles on here. And, who knows, there may be another book grumbling in the works. The process is kind of addictive.Why I wrote the bookI actually started the book before I started the Substack, which has been going since July of 2022, so about a month shy of 2 years.I never intended to start a podcast. This was all supposed to be a newsletter that went out a few times a week, but it turned into something much larger than that. The book wasn’t supposed to accompany the podcast either. Back in the beginning, they were two very distinct and separate entities, and the title of the book wasn’t even set in stone until a few months ago.It was an amorphous, shifting blob of ideas and aspirations. A few ideas from philosophy sprinkled with the practical application of said philosophy, which invariably tended to bring in some sort of supporting psychological framework.The whole thing didn’t start to come together until I’d gone from the sketching ideas section and decided what the point of the book was going to be. Surprisingly, on reflection, it turns out that I was initially motivated by a deep seated aggravation. I’ll explain.So I started the book not long after the whole Covid lockdowns and, being stuck in your house with little contact with the outside world, offered a lot of time to pace and think and pace again. That thinking took place against a backdrop of having only the internet and a television as the windows into what was going on beyond the safety of my four walls.It was then that I began to realise that the world is very noisy. I knew this already, but I hadn’t acknowledged it. I was, like everything else, going with the flow of life because that’s how the world was.But when I noticed it, it was deafening, a drowning cacophony of clamouring hands all fighting for my attention, devouring little pieces of it in sodden blood stained bowls then coming back for more.This got me questioning how we are supposed to maintain a grip on any sense of ourselves amidst all of that chaos? How are we able to make good choices that align with our values and intentions, when we’re faced with so many external influences?So that became the purpose of the book. To get that moment down onto paper, as much for me as it was for any audience, and to curate a set of philosophies and ideas that could become a toolkit for maintaining our own integrity.I’m hoping that it will work nicely alongside the podcast, and that it will illuminate some of the hidden corners of yourselves. Think of it as a toolkit to better understand your motivations.If you do buy a copy, I’d love to know what you got out of it. If it helps you move towards understanding yourself and the world around you that bit better, or simply changes your perspective of the human experience, then that would be the biggest success that I could ask for.Much love,DavidThe Observing I is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and improve our content. Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe
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    24 mins
  • Beyond the Brain: Understanding Consciousness

    Beyond the Brain: Understanding Consciousness
    May 24 2024

    In today’s episode, we’re getting into the esoteric realm of thought and consciousness. What is thought, and how does it shape our experience? What part does our consciousness play on the human narrative, and where is the line between thought and awareness?

    We’ll look at the fundamental definitions of thought, explore what philosophy and theology has to say on the matter, and look at the way in which thought and consciousness dance together. And, of course, we try to distill this down into some practical applications that you can take into your lives going forwards.

    Much love,David

    The Observing I is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and improve our content.



    Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe
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    45 mins
  • The Power of Empathy and Sympathy

    The Power of Empathy and Sympathy
    May 17 2024

    In today’s episode, we are getting into the world of empathy and sympathy. These two emotions play crucial roles in our social interactions, relationships, and personal well-being. I’ll be looking at what they actually are, taking a look at what philosophy has to say on the matter, and exploring their place in psychology.

    We’ll also be looking at the pros and cons of each and trying to work out which one is better.

    As an aside, you’ll be pleased to hear that the book is in it’s final stages and will be hitting the Apple Bookstore in the next few weeks. I’m doing the last bit of typesetting and getting it looking like a sparkly tome of psychological wisdom. When it’s ready, you’ll be able to purchase it on theobservingi.com and I’ll drop the link to it on Apple Books in a future update.

    Much love, David

    The Observing I is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    Links and Resources

    * Our episode on David Hume

    * “I and Thou” by Martin Buber

    * “Upheavals of Thought” by Martha Nussbaum

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and improve our content.



    Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe
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    29 mins
  • The modern wisdom of Alain de Botton

    The modern wisdom of Alain de Botton
    May 10 2024

    In today's episode, we're exploring the world of Alain de Botton, the philosopher who makes old ideas feel fresh. We'll explore how he takes complex concepts and brings them down to earth, showing us how they can be applied to our everyday lives.

    Whether you're struggling with love, work, or just the general feeling of being overwhelmed by the modern world, de Botton offers a unique perspective that can help us understand ourselves and the world around us a little bit better.

    We'll also delve into his ideas on emotional intelligence, and how his work can help us navigate the complexities of our own feelings and relationships. So, if you're ready to find some wisdom in the ordinary, and maybe even a little bit of comfort in knowing that we're all facing similar challenges, then this episode is for you.

    Much love,David

    The Observing I is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    Links and Resources

    * Alain de Botton's website - https://www.alaindebotton.com/

    * The School of Life - https://www.theschooloflife.com/ (Founded by de Botton)

    Introductory books:

    * "Essays in Love" - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23427.Essays_in_Love

    * "The Consolations of Philosophy" - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23419.The_Consolations_of_Philosophy

    * "How Proust Can Change Your Life" - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23420.How_Proust_Can_Change_Your_Life

    * "The Art of Travel" - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23422.The_Art_of_Travel

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and improve our content.



    Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe
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    33 mins
  • The Way of Zen: Alan Watts' Legacy

    The Way of Zen: Alan Watts' Legacy
    May 3 2024

    In today’s episode, we delve into the life, philosophy, and enduring influence of one my favourite modern philosophers - Alan Watts. He was an incredible figure who spoke with eloquence and clarity, integrating Eastern and Western thought in a way that had never been done before.

    Trained as an Episcopal priest, he left the church and went on to become a spiritual luminary in California in the height of the 60s counter culture movement. If you’re interested in Eastern philosophy, this man is the most accessible entry point to the principles of Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism.

    I’ve also, for some reason, delivered this in a far huskier tone than usual. It was late when I recorded and I was a bit tired. I’m hoping this doesn’t come across too badly in the episode.

    Much love, David

    The Observing I is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    Links and Resources

    Books

    * The Way of Zen - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/514210.The_Way_of_Zen

    * The Wisdom of Insecurity - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/551520.The_Wisdom_of_Insecurity

    * The Book: On the taboo against knowing who you are - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60551.The_Book

    Videos

    * The Discipline of Zen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5scxrMeYNc0

    * Things and Thinks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3-HjYcLcnE

    * You Can’t Do It - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR5n2H6Jehg

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and improve our content.



    Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe
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    24 mins
  • The philosophy of Diogenes of Sinope, the man who lived in a jar

    The philosophy of Diogenes of Sinope, the man who lived in a jar
    Apr 26 2024

    In today’s episode, we’re exploring the life and philosophy of the famous cynic Diogenes of Sinope, possibly one of the most eccentric philosophers in history.

    Known for his extreme cynicism and audacious public antics, Diogenes challenged the social and moral norms of his time with a philosophy that is as radical today as it was over two thousand years ago. From living in a ceramic jar to asking Alexander the Great to move because he was blocking the sun, Diogenes' story is a beautiful exploration of what it means to live in accordance with nature.

    Much love, David

    The Observing I is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    In this episode, we'll cover

    Who Was Diogenes? A look at Diogenes’ early life, his scandalous start in Sinope, and his transformation into a philosopher in Athens.

    Core Tenets of Diogenes’ Philosophy. An exploration of the principles of Cynicism, including living in virtue, the rejection of conventional desires, and the embrace of ascetic simplicity.

    Anecdotes and Provocations. Famous stories about Diogenes, including his search for an honest man and his memorable encounters with other philosophers like Plato and public figures like Alexander the Great.

    Diogenes’ Influence and Legacy. How Diogenes' ideas influenced later philosophies like Stoicism and continue to resonate in modern times.

    The Relevance of Diogenes Today. A discussion on how Diogenes' life and teachings challenge us to reflect on our own societal norms and personal values.

    Links and Resources

    * The Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy

    * Diogenes of Sinope - Life and Legend, 2nd Edition

    * Philosopher’s Mag - Diogenes of Sinope

    Connect With Us

    * Email - theobservingi@substack.com

    * YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theobservingi

    * Instagram - @theobservingi

    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and improve our podcast.



    Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe
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    21 mins
  • David Hume: The Philosopher who shook the world

    David Hume: The Philosopher who shook the world
    Apr 19 2024

    In today’s episode, we’re venturing into the sceptical world of the 18th Century philosopher David Hume.

    Hume shook the foundations of science, morality, and our sense of self and identity. From his early philosophical crisis, to his critique of the traditional notion of causality, we’ll be exploring how his sceptical mind questioned the limits of human knowledge.

    We’ll look at how his ideas can be applied to our lives today, through tools such as emotional awareness, critical thinking, and the embracing of uncertainty. And, to give you a healthy balance, we’ll be exploring the critiques of his work and how it was challenged by thinkers of the time.

    Share your thoughts on Humean thinking on social media using #TheObservingI, or in the comments section below. And let us know what other philosophers you'd like us to explore in future episodes!

    Much love, David

    The Observing I is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    Resources

    * A Treatise of Human Nature - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80311.A_Treatise_of_Human_Nature

    * An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/130119.An_Enquiry_Concerning_Human_Understanding*

    * An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/839433.An_Enquiry_Concerning_the_Principles_of_Morals



    Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe
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    21 mins
  • Hermes Trismegistus: Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe

    Hermes Trismegistus: Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe
    Apr 12 2024

    In today’s episode, we explore the curious case of Hermes Trismegistus, a philosopher who lived at the convergence of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman culture.

    We'll explore who this mysterious figure might have been (*clue: it wasn’t Thoth), the core principles of Hermetic philosophy, and how they've shaped thinkers from the Renaissance to the present day.

    We’ll talk about how Hermeticism can be useful in our lives today, and some of the potential pitfalls and critiques of the philosophy. Such as quiche manifestation. That’s right. Quiche.

    Share your thoughts on Hermeticism on social media using #TheObservingI, or in the comments section below. And let us know what other philosophers you'd like us to explore in future episodes!

    Much love,David

    The Observing I is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    Resources

    * The Kybalion - https://amzn.eu/d/dRttLXd



    Get full access to The Observing I at theobservingi.com/subscribe
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    37 mins