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Naked Humanity — Philosophy
Naked Humanity

Existentialist philosophers such as Albert Camus and Hannah Arendt once said the modern world has rendered us naked: we are stripped of traditional beliefs, grasping for truths constantly out of reach, and devastatingly aware of our finitude. Is this true? Where do we go from here? Who are we? Who COULD we be? For Season I of this podcast (all currently posted episodes) I ask historians, psychologists, sociologists, and biologists: what does it mean to be human in the modern world?

Latest Episodes:

Finding Meaning in Coronavirus Mar 23, 2020

I have taken a pause from our regular programming to respond to the flood of people asking me to talk about coronavirus. In the beginning of this episode I briefly address anxiety and coping strategies. But because I believe these are addressed widely elsewhere, I then move on to what I can truly lend to you: perspective. This podcast focuses on the ways in which the Western world’s technologies and spiritualities have blinded us to some of the realities of what it means to be human. Tune in to reflect a bit on how you can use this time of disruption to reflect, grow, and even find some peace.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

What Makes Things Funny? with Alex Farrow Mar 09, 2020

Alex Farrow is both a philosophy teacher AND a really extraordinary stand up comedian (I’ve seen his show live!) so this is a heck of a podcast. Alex and I chat about what he learned teaching philosophy to high schoolers in London, what makes something funny, the precise science of crafting a joke, and the shifting landscape of political correctness in comedy today.

Check out the night he runs in Oxford @ http://www.jerichocomedy.com/

Find him on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/alex_farrow

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

If I were Emperor for a Day... Mar 02, 2020

A listener wrote in and asked me: Stefani, if you were Emperor of the World for a day, what would you do? I sat down and put some thought into the question, and came up with a list of four things involving education, safety, freedom, and meaning. Take a dive into the fun question with me, and hope over to Insta or Facebook to chime in in the discussion.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

The Lost Art of Logic with Steve Patterson Feb 24, 2020

This week I have the enormous pleasure to chat with freelance philosopher Steve Patterson, who studied philosophy and became an expert in logic entirely outside of the academy. Steve and I chat about his adventurous career, as well as the state of logic in our world today. Steve chats with me about what the philosophy of logic can teach us about quantum mechanics, about economic systems, and about our abilities to know and love one another.

Steve is the host of Patteron in Pursuit, a top rated podcast. You can find links to all of his videos, books, and content at his web page steve-patterson.com.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/steveinpursuit

Youtube: http://youtube.com/stevepatterson

Square One: The Foundations of Knowledge: https://amzn.to/3c7LnFk

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Living Outside the Philosophical Box Feb 17, 2020

Our society says you are who you are because of your beliefs, butt how much does that confine you, restrict you, draw you too much in the ilnes, and hinder your growth? In last week’s question, a listener claimed that we were polar opposites.But what does this mean? I don't consider myself ppolar opposites from ANYBODY unless they hate listening and empathising. In this episode, I talk about how I don't identify myself with BELIEFS, but instead with how carefully I hold and question them. I call this "living outside the philosophical box" because if you do this, you break free form the bonds of our culture that try to put you into ideological boxes. Our culture says you have to be THIS or THAT, belong to THIS group or THAT group. But if you break yourself out of the philosophical box, you will open yourself up to more growth, learning, and connection than anyone following the traditional model.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

The State of Philosophy Today with John Perry Feb 10, 2020

Today I chat with one of the pioneers of philosophy podcasting, John Perry. But Professor Perry is such a pro that he’s not actually a podcaster: he hosted the philosophy radio show Philosophy Talk for decades. We chit chat about the state of philosophy today. Tune in for an entertaining dip into how philosophers today are wrestling with what it means to be true, and John’s thoughts on free will, logic, and the value of procrastination.

http://John.j.perry.net

http://Philosophytalk.org

http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Intersectionality: Truth vs. Misconceptions Feb 03, 2020

A listener writes in and asks me to unpack intersectionality (which is basically the idea that categories of marginalisation on the basis of group identity such as gender, race, and ability can intersect to create unique sociopolitical situations). I start at the bottom, telling you all about the origins of the term and its legal implications. Then I explore what it means now, which involves explaining how people in different groups (generally, progressives and conservatives) relate to the idea. I elevate what I think are benefits and risks of talking about intersectionality. This is a very contentious topic, so I am extremely careful. I do everything I can to be objective and show without judgment why people at various places on the political spectrum feel and think the way they do.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Yoga in the West: Scam or Sacred Practice? with David Garrigues Jan 27, 2020

What’s up with yoga as a spiritual practice? Is it legit, or just wishy washy new age woo woo? In this podcast I chat with long-time yoga advocate David Garrigues. We get to the heart of what yoga can do for you, as well as talk about how issues of appropriation, consumerism, and trendiness affect (or don’t) this centuries old sacred practice.

Links: Books, retreats, articles: http://davidgarrigues.com

Youtube: http://davidgarrigues.com/youtube

Podcast: http://davidgarrigues.com/podcast

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Why You Think You're Right but Probably Aren't Jan 23, 2020

A listener writes in and asks, how do I know if I’m objective? I say right off the bat: you aren’t. Period. No such thing truly exists. BUT, this doesn’t mean you should take offense (because we’re all just human), or lose hope. Truth exists - we are simply all on a journey toward it. In this podcast, I explain why we all think we’re right but probably aren’t, then provide my 4 ways of trying to seek truth and be as objective as possible.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Using Feminism to Question Society and Yourself with Hannah McGregor Jan 20, 2020

Finally, a Naked Humanity episode devoted to feminism! I chat with scholar-activist Professor Hannah McGregor, and we get to the heart of feminism and why it matters in today’s world. We talk about misconceptions of feminism, how feminism can be useful for your daily life, and how feminism helped Hannah figure out why she was getting impolite with airport security.

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Links: http://hannahmcgregor.com

http://secretfeministagenda.com

https://twitter.com/hkpmcgregor

Care Work book: https://amzn.to/363stuE

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

4 Steps to Overcome Alienation and Nihilism Jan 16, 2020

Alright, four steps might be a *hair* of an oversimplification, but not by too much. In this episode, a listener writes in and tells me she feels listless, uninterested in life, meaningless, and alienated from the people around her. What gives? Is there anything she can do to fix this existential malaise? Drawing on my experiences working with biochemistry and nutrition alongside my philosophical work, I provide four categories of approach I think are useful for addressing such down and listless feelings and creating a life that is full of gratitude, connection, and meaning.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Using Empathy to Improve yourself and the World with Daryl Cameron Jan 13, 2020

Ever shocked by people’s complete lack of empathy? In this episode, I chat with experimental psychologist Dr Daryl Cameron, who runs a lab at Penn State that investigates empathy. What circumstances enhance or diminish our capacity to be empathetic? Many of us think that having empathy is difficult - but why? Can this difficulty be overcome? Could understanding empathy help us unlock our potential to be good humans and live more satisfying lives?

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Can Multiple Religions be True? Jan 09, 2020

A listener writes in and asks, can multiple religions be true at the same time? I respond by describing what I think are four different ways of thinking about religious truths and beliefs: metaphysically assertively (I’ll explain this in the podcast!), symbolically, as gesturing towards a universal truth, and with mystery. I happen to personally like the last three pretty equally, and enact each of them to some degree or another in my personal life. Tune in to learn more about what I believe and what could work for you.

To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Making Meaning Before you Die with Jessie Dezutter Jan 06, 2020

This week I have on experimental psychologist Jessie Dezutter of KU Leuven University in Belgium, who studies how people make meaning, with a focus on how people deal with existential concerns later in life. We chat about how humans need to tell their stories, how Alzheimer’s and later life experiences shape emotions, the importance of acknowledging and accepting death, and how you can build your own personal feelings of meaning so that life (and death) are less scary. This was a really enlightening podcast for me, and I highly recommend it for anyone concerned with making sense of life or coping with later stages of life and death.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Pros and Cons of Eckhart Tolle & Other Spiritual Gurus Dec 19, 2019

Eckhart Tolle is the famous spiritual guru who wrote “The Power of Now” - a book about being present, letting go of your ego, and becoming a happier and better person. Is it all BS? Or is it worthwhile? In this X episode I respond to a listener question about whether she should like Tolle. I use it as an opportunity to talk about what Tolle has in common with Christianity and Buddhism, and I argue in favour of universal love, care, and forgiveness, no matter which spiritual form it takes.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Nietzsche, the Death of God, and Donald Trump with Hugo Drochon Dec 16, 2019

Friedrich Nietzsche is a controversial figure. He proclaimed “God is dead!” and has often been held up as a hero of Nazis and the alt-right. A closer look at Nietzsche reveals however that what he said is actually really valuable and relevant to our modern moment. In this chat with political and historical theorist Hugo Drochon, I get to the bottom of Nietzsche and how he was able to predict so much about today’s landscape from 150 years back. We discuss the death of God, the “ubermensch,” resentment, and what it all has to do with the crumbling of the European Union and popularity of Donald Trump. Very timely after the Conservative sweep of the UK last week!

--Follow Hugo on Twitter! http://twitter.com/HDrochon

--Get Hugo's book! https://amzn.to/2PIsTAM

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Why You Shouldn't Rely Only on Reason Dec 12, 2019

A listener writes in and asks, why are some people so obsessed with reason? He asks the question because “prioritizing reason to know the world” is listed as a mission statement of a church he tried going to. I respond. I talk about limitations to reason and the kinds of danger we get in (including really big political danger) when we get obsessed with our own rationality. It’s a dense podcast, but it’s really important for anyone who’s interested in a few different things: gender stereotypes, faith versus reason, or successfully relying on your intuition.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Are Robots the Next Gods? with Dr. Beth Singler Dec 09, 2019

Super-intelligent machines are coming - but what does that mean for us? Will they become like Gods? Maybe. Will we treat them like Gods? Some people are already doing it. In today’s fascinating episode, Dr Beth Singler and I talk about how some people are already worshipping technology, how humans tend to mirror religious myths in other kinds of stories, and what kinds of dangers are involved when we try to predict the future.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Philosophical Perspective on Slut Shaming Dec 05, 2019

A listener writes in and asks: am I a slut? I use what I know about the histories of religion, philosophy, and culture to explain why the idea of a slut exists at all, and options for handling it. I also argue that we need to get rid of shame based on promiscuity and instead pay attention to how well we treat people. Some monogamous people, for example, treat their partners terribly, and some promiscuous people treat them with great love and care. This observation can teach us much about how we judge.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

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The Compatibility of Christianity and Science with Tom McLeish Dec 02, 2019

One of the biggest misconceptions in the world today is that religion is irrational, or disproved by science. Wrong. When you actually study religion and science, like I have, you learn that it’s a much more complex and potentially harmonious picture. Today’s guest, Tom McCleish, is a renowned physicist who also writes books about science and his faith. Tune in to learn how the histories of Christianity and science were mutually beneficial up until about 200 years ago. See the world through the eyes of a physicist who has faith without contradicting science.

Tom's books:

Faith and Wisdom in Science: https://amzn.to/2sslv4o

Let There Be Science: https://amzn.to/37RrX5h

The Poetry and Music of Science: https://amzn.to/37RrX5h

------

To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing.

Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

I carefully curate the guests on this show alongside a few team members who help me do it. We work hard to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

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Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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What You Need to Know about Postmodernism Nov 21, 2019

Postmodernism has been rumored to be BOTH the cause of Donald Trump’s popularity as well as the movement that will ultimately be the ruin of him. How could it be both at once? In this episode I respond to a listener who wrote in and asked: “What the heck is postmodernism?” I set the record straight. In it you’ll learn not just how postmodernism got started but also whether it’s to blame for the mess we’re in it.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate in religion and science Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

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Philosophical Answers to the Meaning of Life with Iddo Landau Nov 18, 2019

What is the meaning of life? You might not know it, but you probably assume a lot of things that affect your feelings about meaning. For instance, it is a very common bias for people to think that life is meaningful for others, but not necessarily for themselves. Philosopher Iddo Landau asks, Why is this the case? Why do so many people today think life is meaningless? What’s the difference between people who think life is meaningful and people who don’t? I chat with Iddo and he explains what’s wrong with our approach to the meaning of life, and what to do about it.

Iddo recently published a book on the topic - Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World - check it out at this link!: https://amzn.to/2NUuCSo.

-------

To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate in religion and science Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

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The Insignificance of Humanity Nov 11, 2019

This week a listener asks, does humanity seem small and insignificant to you? Does it scare you? I reflect on how modern humans are more worried about insignificance than any before, and I describe two primary philosophical ways of solving the problem. You could very generally describe them as ‘eastern’ and ‘western.’ I share which I prefer and why it works for me.

(Note: this is an "x" episode and the only episode this week!)

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate in religion and science Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

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Our Untold and Uncomfortable Histories with the Uncomfortable Oxford Project Nov 04, 2019

We grow up hearing about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, the midnight ride of Paul Revere. These are glorious tales of courage and triumph. But what other stories aren’t being told? Today I chat with the co-founders of Uncomfortable Oxford, an organization that leads walking tours around Oxford showcasing the less comfortable bits of Oxford’s history: moments of racism, sexism, classism, colonialism. I and the founders Olivia Larsson and Paula Durand chat about the ugly parts of our past. We also talk about why these ugly parts so often go untold, the challenge of trying to get an accurate picture of the past, and how to facilitate conversations about uncomfortable history that are respectful and productive.

Learn more from Uncomfortable Oxford at their website - http://uncomfortableoxford.co.uk - and follow them on twitter @unoxproject.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate in religion and science Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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How Healthy are Your Coping Mechanisms? Oct 31, 2019

For this episode, a listener writes in and asks: is it a problem that I go shopping every time I get bad news or have a bad day? This listener isn’t alone - #primetherapy is a hashtag that trends on social media on a regular basis. So what gives? Why are humans constantly medicating and anaesthetizing with shopping, with social media, with TV, with exercise addiction, with food, with alcohol, gambling, drugs, and more? I respond to the listener question drawing on personal experience and on my expertise in a field of the humanities called affect theory. Affect theorists study human beings as animals that are constantly seeking promises of satisfaction. In what sorts of things do you seek satisfaction? Are they healthy? Can they ever be healthy?

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate in religion and science Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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The Nuance you Miss in Political Opponents with Feminist Libertarian Cathy Reisenwitz Oct 28, 2019

Many people think that libertarianism are selfish misers who like free markets because it helps make them rich. But that’s a radical misperception. In today’s episode, I chat with political commentator Cathy Reisenwitz, who identifies both as a libertarian and as a feminist who cares about racism, privilege, and many other issues commonly identified with the “left.” Cathy is the perfect example of how dangerous it is to over-simplify the political “other”. Cathy and I also discuss what’s wrong with San Francisco, why it’s important to address privilege, and how government can’t always be the solution to our problems.

Check out Cathy's blog Sex and the State @ cathyreisenwitz.com ; follow her on Twitter @cathyreisenwitz.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests out there.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate in religion and science Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

What Everyone gets Wrong about Political Differences Oct 24, 2019

A listener writes in and asks: I think my family’s political views are backwards--how do I deal? I talk about her own experiences of dealing with political difference. I also describe how we can--no, must--use political difference NOT as an opportunity to change other people’s minds, but rather as an opportunity to grow in our own practices and values.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts (a team of two, anyway) to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests we can find.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

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Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Religions are Often Bad for the Environment: Here's Why, with Bron Taylor Oct 21, 2019

Pope Francis might try to make Catholicism more green, and priests and pastors all over the world might make their churches recycle, and many small groups and individuals might try very hard to help, but in today’s podcast specialist in religion and the environment Bron Taylor reveals the truth: as much as we want traditional religions to be progressively environmental, across the board they exhibit inertia and struggle. Modern, traditional religions seem to inhibit environmental progress. Why? Today I chat with him to get to the bottom of it.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts (a team of two, anyway) to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests we can find.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Why so many People Struggle with Purpose Oct 17, 2019

For this episode a listener writes in and asks, how do I figure out what to do with my life? Why is it so hard to feel purposeful? I reflect on the current cultural moment, explain why so many people struggle with finding a “purpose” these days, and provide three ways to respond to the problem depending on your own personality.

-----------

To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts (a team of two, anyway) to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, engaging, insightful, provocative guests we can find.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

How Marketing Shapes our World with Kaila Tova Oct 14, 2019

Is there a way to advertise to people that is ethical, or are we basically doomed to forever con one another into buying our services? On today’s podcast, I chat with drag king, burlesque dancer, and PhD student Kaila Tova about the ways in which marketing influences our decisions and the shape of our worlds. Kaila is the host of the podcast “Your Body, Your Brand” that explores the ways in which people--often women--end up selling health and fitness online. Kaila knows ALL about this after battling eating disorders, becoming a nutrition coach, and watching how the ways in which people brand themselves shapes their messages, their communities, and their lives.

Check out the podcast “Your Body, Your Brand” by searching it on any podcasting platform, going to bodybrandpod.com or following @bodybrandpod on Instagram or Twitter.

Also check out the podcast on the attention economy Kaila recommends, “Your Undivided Attention.”

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

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Is Life Worth Living? Oct 10, 2019

Today’s episode goes deep. A listener writes in with the question: is life worth living? This is not an uncommon question. But, have people always struggled with life’s worthwhileness and meaning? I talk about the idea of meaning and why people today are more convinced life is meaningless than ever before. I also offer some surprising paths forward out of the philosophical abyss. (Important note, I don't presume to be able to solve mental health disorders and wouldn’t dare to.)

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

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*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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The Historical Era that Made us Who We Are with Brad Gregory Oct 07, 2019

Did you know that relativism, capitalism, and consumerism were all born at the same time? It was in the 1500s, during the period we now know as the Protestant Reformation. This Reformation started humbly: people like Martin Luther just wanted Church officials to be less corrupt. But it ended up creating spiritual, philosophical, and economic chaos from which we have not--and may not ever--recover. Are we in a climate crisis because of some 400 year old religious disputes? Today I have on historian Brad Gregory to discuss how this one moment in time is still sending shock waves through us today.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

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Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Why Trying to be Happy Makes you Sad Oct 03, 2019

This week a listener asks me about how to be happy. She’s got a steady job, friends, romance--what gives? Why isn’t she happy? I talk about advertising in the modern world, the demand that you be happy, the illusions of social media, and why chasing happiness all make you sad. I reflect on my own journey and argue that the secret to happiness isn’t to seek it, but to seek something far more important instead.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

The Religious Causes of Violence with Mark Juergensmeyer Sep 30, 2019

Mark Juergensmeyer is a leading expert on religion and violence. In today’s episode, Professor Juergensmeyer and I dig deep into the psychology of violence in religion: what is it about religion that enables, facilitates, and exacerbates violence? What is it about humans that make us so susceptible to violent narratives? We also chat about American politics, the dangers of globalization, and how to turn a terrorist into a mechanic.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

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Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Why You Should Care about String Theory with Tasneem Zehra Husain Sep 16, 2019

Tasneem Zehra Husain is the first female Pakistani string theorist, and if that’s not impressive enough, she’s also the author of an extraordinary work of fiction. In this episode Dr. Husain and I chat about the role of exploration and discovery in the creation of our modern world, focusing on the deep emotional bonds Dr. Husain and other scientists end up building with their work. Also on the table are flaws in the public understanding of science, the power of storytelling, and how multiverse theory can make or break your spirituality. And check out her book, Only the Longest Threads! here >>> https://amzn.to/2LwScVl

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

The Busyness Epidemic Sep 12, 2019

Are you constantly busy? Stressed? Over-worked and over-committed? In this episode, a listener asks me how to balance commitments so she can be less stressed and feel better. I respond by questioning the idea of keeping busy altogether. Being busy for the sake of busyness is practically a national past time--but it’s far from healthy. What we should do instead is ask what is worthwhile and good, and learn to prioritise meaningful acts, while letting others slide.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

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Trusting Strangers: Why it Matters and How it can be Created and Destroyed with Peter Thisted Dinesen Sep 09, 2019

How much do you trust other people? The answer depends on where you live. Today, political scientist Peter Thisted Dinesen tells me all about the importance of trust for a functioning society. Some societies, like Denmark, have uniquely high amounts of social trust. Unfortunately, many of the world’s most powerful countries are seeing unprecedented amounts of distrust, the United States in particular, which might be why the world is falling apart at the seams.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

How to Quit Religion Sep 05, 2019

This week, X episodes turn into listener questions! Our first listener question is from Suzy. Suzy gave up Catholicism, but now she’s worried about losing her friendships and finding her way without traditional religion. I share what I know about religious communities and beliefs in the modern world, and offer a few potential solutions to optimize happiness, friendship, and spiritual fulfillment moving forward.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

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Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Exclusion in Academic Publishing: A Rant Aug 29, 2019

In this episode I share some facts and figures about the horrifying charade of academic journal publishing. If you want to read any of most journal articles today you have to pay between thirty and sixty dollars; if you want a subscription it’ll be several hundred dollars per year. Institutions have to pay millions, tens of millions, to provide students with journal access. Why is this relevant? Because humanity will not be able to make progress if we don’t break down the barriers between the academy and everybody else. Listen in to get excited about change I and others are trying to make. Vive la revolution!

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

Why We Don't Care about the Environment with Siobhan Senier Aug 26, 2019

Why are we so indifferent and passive when it comes to protecting the environment? Today I chat with specialist in Native American literature Siobhan Senier. We lean into Senier’s keen insights about the nature of human relationships, rituals, and stories to get to the heart of difference between the “modern” world and traditional cultures. We wander into deep and reflective territory about the nature of the human species and ask hard questions of one another about the future of humanity, making this a must listen podcast for anyone at all interested in sustainability, the state of our world today, or the multitudes of things we can learn about the human condition by listening to native traditions--who appear to have known much of it all along.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

35: Why Spirituality Needs Science with Ursula Goodenough Aug 19, 2019

We tend to think that science robs the world of meaning. But today’s guest, world famous biologist (who’s met with the Dalai Lama) Ursula Goodenough has changed the way that we see nature forever. This is because Goodenough interprets scientific facts in unique and powerful ways that many people find spiritually fulfilling. She knows how to make sense of the world without God. Goodenough argues that what we’ve learned about nature through science is non-negotiable; we have to accept the way things are. But this can actually be great for us, because science provides the same kinds of meaning, purpose, and even myth that religion does (or better).

-The Sacred Depths of Nature: https://amzn.to/2KyKvxv

-The Religious Naturalism Association: http://religious-naturalist-association.org/

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

34x: The Philosophy of Power Aug 15, 2019

Power is the most important but least talked about part of what it means to be human. Power is everywhere and in everything in your life, from your romantic relationships to your religion and to your political beliefs and practices. No matter what you do, someone's going to have more power than someone else. In this brief episode Stefani describes how academics discovered the importance of thinking about relationships in terms of power, and what that means for how we think about our governments, our religions, and our personal relationships of all sorts.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

34: The New Spirituality of the 21st Century with Linda Woodhead Aug 12, 2019

Surveys just confirmed that as of 2019 exactly the same number of Americans claim “no religion” as evangelical Christianity--a first in all of our history. Spirituality has transformed in extraordinary ways in recent decades, and today Stefani has on one of the world’s leading theorists of religion--Linda Woodhead--to discuss these changes, and why they’re happening. They chat about the return of ancient pagan faiths, the pros and cons of the internet, and how the youngest generation seems to be changing the game altogether.

--------------------------

To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

33x: The Importance of Suffering Aug 08, 2019

We often talk about ending suffering--but would that really be good for us? In this podcast, Stefani argues that suffering is necessary for a good, meaningful, and happy life.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Ruper has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in refusing to hide from hard questions and harder answers, so you get a real, honest look at what it means to be human. Never shying away from controversy or unpopular opinions, Ruper demonstrates everything is more complicated when you peer behind the curtain - but that is exactly what we must to do make a better, happier world.

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

33: The Neuroscience of Belief, Identity, and Consciousness with Jonas Kaplan Aug 05, 2019

Why do we believe what we believe? What happens when our beliefs are tested? In this fascinating episode, Stefani chats with cognitive neuroscience Jonas Kaplan about the brain and how it steers our experience of the world. They discuss the fact that when presented with alternative evidence people will often become more entrenched in their beliefs, the importance of stories in how we make sense of things, how much the story we tell about our identity influences our behavior, and why meditation might be our only hope to save us from ourselves.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Stefani has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in showing you that everything deserves a deeper look, and when you do it, not only do you become a better person, but your world explodes in beauty and wonder.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

32x: The Loneliest Society Aug 01, 2019

Stefani argues that the modern West is--in some ways--the most lonely society to ever have existed. This means contrasting it with ancestral hunter-gatherers and telling the story of how we moved from there, to nuclear families, to Greek city states, to capitalistic trade and the arts, to a modern world in which our narratives and identities--once forces for unity--have become stressful choose-your-own adventure stories.

To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Stefani has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in showing you that everything deserves a deeper look, and when you do it, not only do you become a better person, but your world explodes in beauty and wonder.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

32: The Epidemic of Loneliness with Eiluned Pearce Jul 29, 2019

Loneliness: Mother Teresa once said that it was the great disease of the West. Was she right? Today experimental psychologist Dr. Eiluned Pearce discusses the one pain we all know: the pain of being lonely. Dr Pearce and Stefani discuss the origins of loneliness, why and how singing became an important antidote to loneliness, the unique loneliness of the modern world, and what we might be able to do to fix it all.

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To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes (http://stefaniruper.com/listen), take a screen shot of your review, then email it to stefani@nakedhumanity.org. Then you'll be PERMANENTLY entered into the drawing! Check out the list of books you can get @ http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway.

Guests for this show are carefully curated and vetted by a team of content experts to bring you nothing less than the most interesting, most intellectually rigorous, and most exciting insights into human nature the world has to offer.

The host of Naked Humanity is Oxford PhD candidate and theorist of the human condition Stefani Ruper. Stefani has worked as a scientist studying life on Mars, as a scholar of religion, and is now a specialist on the human condition in the modern world. Her genius is in showing you that everything deserves a deeper look, and when you do it, not only do you become a better person, but your world explodes in beauty and wonder.

*Subscribe on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2Y8fkfV

Instagram: http://instagram.com/stefani.ruper

Twitter: http://twitter.com/stefaniruper

Facebook: http://facebook.com/stefaniruper

Website: http://stefaniruper.com

*Subscribe on a podcasting app:

iTunes: https://apple.co/2JJM4Is

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Ye2b9x

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Y1vXig

31x: Is Capitalism Racist? & Other Myths Jul 25, 2019

Three common myths about capitalism are that it’s racist, that it’s the cause of a wide variety of problems in the world including depression, and that its libertarian proponents hate all government and hate all organizing and are basically just selfish misers. Stefani talks through the reasoning of each of these myths and describes why they’re wrong in this podcast, which is important because if you’re going to be for or against something, you need to understand it thoroughly.

31: How Americans make Work Religious with James Dennis LoRusso Jul 22, 2019

Americans are obsessed with working hard, but why? And how deep does this run? Today’s guest, Dr. James Dennis LoRusso, is a specialist in the ways in which Americans intertwine religion (and spirituality) with work. Stefani and Dr. LoRusso chat about the religious qualities of work and also Google, Hobby Lobby, homophobic bakeries, and why when your boss offers yoga classes it might be kind of a problem.

30x: 5 Myths about Religion Jul 18, 2019

If there’s one thing we get wrong today, it’s religion. In today’s episode, Stefani discusses five common myths concerning religion, disproving things you might assume like that religion helps people feel better about dying.

30: Women, Religion, and Sex Abuse Scandals with Dr. Erin Bartram Jul 15, 2019

Do men and women experience religion differently? Why? How was and is Catholicism distinct from other Christian religions, and is that valid? Stefani chats with historian Dr. Erin Bartram about the association between women and irrationality, the “weirdness” of Catholic ritual, and what we get wrong about sex abuse scandals in the Catholic Church.

29x: The Big Myth About Social Media May 16, 2019

It is commonly assumed that social media creates echo chambers, which play a role in making us more polarized and entrenched in our own viewpoints. But today Stefani challenges this assumption, and actually argues that something totally else is to blame for our polarized and angry political landscape: our humanity. It's just us. And specifically, our propensity to jump to conclusions. Learn more about how this all plays out in the Twitterverse in today’s episode.

29: Does the Internet Make Life Worse? with Dr. Chris Burr May 13, 2019

What are the impacts of technology on our health, wellness, and efforts to live a good life? Stefani chats with philosopher of cognition and technology Chris Burr to probe the depths of our relationships with technology, focusing on smartphones and social media. They chat data mining, news feeds, user consent, and the ways in which our relationships with each other, the world, and ourselves are rapidly changing.

28x: Philosophy Has Died: Who Killed It? May 09, 2019

Philosophy was once the source of our world’s best solace. It was the source of our best advice, our best systems of meaning and beauty, and our best inspirations. Today it is an academic discipline that has all but disappeared from public conversation about the stuff that matters most: who we are, what we should value, how to live our best lives. In some ways philosophy has really died, and with tragic consequences. Today Stefani maps some factors that contributed to this death, and the carnage left in its wake.

28: Individualism vs Identity Politics with Amod Lele May 06, 2019

Ever get the advice to just “find yourself”? In this fascinating podcast Stefani chats with scholar Amod Lele about how Western society romanticizes individualism. Why are we obsessed with being unique, and are there more or less healthy ways to do it? To explore these ideas they dive deep into the relationship Being Yourself has with capitalism, with cultural appropriation, and with identity politics. Also discussed are transgender rights, the Budddhist notion of selfhood, Frozen, and Monty Python.

27x: Why Fear Strangles the 21st Century May 02, 2019

Most people understand that we are easily manipulated by fear. But just how far does this reach? How pervasive is fear in today’s world, and how does it affect our politics, relationships, and personal strength and resilience? In this episode Stefani traces the history of fear, the relationship between fear and evil, and the way in which our society has become religiously obsessed--to a dangerous degree--with the need to sanitize the world and keep everybody safe.

27: The Subconscious Impact of Language with Samantha Morse Apr 29, 2019

How do words affect you? How does grammar and punctuation affect you? It does a whole lot more than you might think. In today’s episode, specialist in English literature and affect theory Samantha Morse explores how language is subconsciously felt and causes us to feel and believe things we might not even know we’re feeling and believing. Stefani and Samantha also discuss the anatomy of a tweet, Stefani’s own manipulation of language, and how concerns about the power of political rhetoric have been alive since the beginning of literacy.

26x: Americans Increasingly Distrust Science: Here's Why Apr 25, 2019

Science may be imperfect, but it’s honestly pretty great. Why do so many people hate and distrust it, then? In this episode Stefani gets to the bottom of it by exploring 1) how science often threatens people’s worldviews and emotional stability, and 2) how the West became a world that so distrusts its once cherished institutions.

26: How Science Can Save Democracy with Harry Collins Apr 22, 2019

We can hardly trust anything anymore. We can’t trust our banks, our media, our governments. But what about science? Even though it has its problems, science has remained more trustworthy than other institutions. Why? In this episode, member of the British Royal Academy and expert social scientist Harry Collins teaches us what’s special about science and how it has the potential to be the glue that holds our fraying democracy together.

25x: Why Do We Believe What We Believe? Apr 18, 2019

You might THINK that objectivity exists and that you rationally find your way to truth with the powers of pure reason, but in this episode Stefani demonstrates why that’s false. Philosopher David Hume hinted at this reality a few hundred years ago, but it wasn’t until very recently that neuroscientists have begun to explore how deeply intertwined thoughts and emotions are. Why do we believe what we believe? Because knowing is a feeling.

25: Why Do We Believe in Gods? with Connor Wood Apr 15, 2019

Why do we believe in Gods? Why is belief in supernatural deities found universally around the world? This is a question that has baffled scientists and scholars for centuries. Dr. Connor Wood comes on today’s podcast to discuss some of today’s hottest theories and to fill us in on what might be the missing piece of the puzzle.

24x: The Type of Self-Esteem that Can Save the World Apr 10, 2019

Building on conversations with recent guests, Stefani argues that there are two different kinds of self-esteem. One has the power to melt our societies to the ground; the other has the power to lift us up and progress with hope into the future. Which kind of self-esteem do you have?

24: How Death Affects Everything You Do with Sheldon Solomon Apr 08, 2019

You might not think about death very often, but the work of today’s guest has demonstrated that death plays a crucial role in our psychological make-ups. Sheldon Solomon is an expert psychologist and one of the world’s leading theorists in Terror Management Theory, which is a subfield of psychology that explores how pretty much everything we do and think is an attempt to evade the prospect of death. Death makes us feel vulnerable, so we become more entrenched in our cultural worldviews, more violent against outsiders, and more invested in our own egos.

23x: Are We Morally Obligated to Help Others? Apr 04, 2019

A lot of people in the world today think that all you have to do is make yourself happy. But is that any way to live? Is that actually how the world works? In this episode, Stefani tells the history of the debate, weighs the pros and cons of various arguments, and tells you eventually why yes, we are most certainly obligated to help change the world.

23: A Religion of Nature with Donald Crosby Apr 01, 2019

Continuing where we left off in episode 22, today philosopher Donald Crosby and I explore in depth all of the ways in which he thinks nature is better at meeting our spiritual needs than traditional religion. We discuss his new ideas about nature and God, morality, the flow of time, purpose, meaning, death, and more.

22x: The Spirituality of Nature Mar 28, 2019

Did you know there is a whole academic field dedicated to the study of how to be spiritual and still believe in science? It’s called religious naturalism, and today I tell you all about it’s history, some of its forerunners, major themes, and what it can offer that traditional religion can’t.

22: Why are We so Nihilistic? with Donald Crosby Mar 25, 2019

Donald Crosby is the best philosopher you’ve never heard of. One of Stefani’s all time favorite thinkers, Crosby comes on the show today to discuss the problem of nihilism in today’s world: where does it come from, and how is it impacting us today? What do traditional religion and traditional conceptions of God have to do with it? As it turns out, everything. This is the first in a two-episode series with Professor Crosby.

21x: How Much do you Need Certainty? The NFC Scale Mar 21, 2019

How much are you personally persuaded by demagogues, emotional argumentation, and the crowd? How much is Stefani? In this episode Stefani takes and walks you through a quiz designed to answer these questions. Remember: be as honest with yourself as possible, and there are no wrong answers.

21: Extremism in the Modern World with Arie Kruglanski Mar 18, 2019

Arie Kruglanski was born in Nazi Poland is today one of the world’s leading experts on the psychology of extremism, terrorism, and close-mindedness. In this episode he chats with Stefani about how badly humans tend to need certain kinds of certainty and significance. Without them we (usually) become close-minded, easily persuaded by demagogues and the crowd, and begin to hate those who oppose us. These problems are especially important for the modern world. Listen in to get a keen understanding of how and why our world has become as tense as it has.

20x: How Uncertainty is Killing Us Mar 14, 2019

Stefani explores one of the background principles of her current book--that uncertainty is often one of the most stressful and problematic things we can feel. She explains various experiments and theories in the field of psychology that lead her to believe the management of uncertainty is one of the keys to both having a better life and also saving the world.

20: The Problem with an All-Powerful God with Michael Hogue Mar 11, 2019

How much do our beliefs--both conscious and subconscious--influence our society and politics? Today Stefani chats with Dr Michael Hogue about some fundamental beliefs we’ve inherited in the West: that humans are separate from nature, that God is separate from Creation, and especially that God is an all-powerful being. Hogue argues that these beliefs are the cause of our current political and environmental crises. What do we need to overcome them? New kinds of gods.

19x: Homo Salvificus: The Species that's Dying to be Saved Mar 07, 2019

What does it mean to be saved? Who can be saved? In today’s episode, Stefani shares one of the innovations she is contributing to the study of religion: a completely new theory of salvation.

19: Capitalism, Race, and the Resurrection of Tupac Shakur with James Hill Jr. Mar 04, 2019

Join Stefani in a smart, fast-paced, and passionate conversation with James Hill Jr., who studies the industry of creating holographic images of deceased black recording artists. Learn all about the world of bringing musicians back from the dead, and also Colin Kaepernick, black culture in America, censorship, and more.

18x: The Problem with Political Correctness Feb 14, 2019

Frustrated with the debate on political correctness, I discuss what I perceive to be common blind spots on both the right and the left. I take the common ‘left’ view that taking care of others and deconstructing discriminatory norms is important but argue A) that care must be understood in context and B) that the policing of language is not always productive.

18: Free Speech and WINNING in the Age of Trump with Finbarr Curtis Feb 11, 2019

Today’s topics: free speech, religious freedom, the decline of civility, and the culture of WINNING in the age of the Trump. What’s wrong with American political discourse today? How did we end up like this? I chat with expert in American religion and politics Finbarr Curtis to get to the bottom of it.

17x: Do you have a Purpose? Feb 07, 2019

Do you have a purpose in life? Maybe! In today’s episode I take a look at the history of cultural factors that make Westerners feel like we need to find a “purpose” -- and why it might all be wrong.

17: Can Contemplative Practice Change the World? Feb 04, 2019

Can anyone become less racist? Can we teach people how to treat each other better? I was amazed to learn about the uniquely effective way of tackling racism and various injustices my guests Christopher Carter and Seth Schoen have created. Have they found the secret to something that actually works?

16x: Narcissism and Social Media Jan 31, 2019

They often call us “Generation Me.” We are the generation that is selfish, narcissistic, and obsessed with getting Facebook likes. But why? Why are we this way? In this brief episode, I talk about the history of the West and the deep underlying fears that cause us to be so obsessed with our own image. (Note: narcissism here is used in the colloquial and not clinical sense.)

16: The Toxic Whiteness of Western Religion with Christopher Driscoll Jan 27, 2019

We usually think of religion as something that makes us good--but what happens when religion is something that enables us to be bad? In this eye-opening episode Professor Christopher Driscoll makes the unusual and important observation that the Western God acts as a buffer against limitations for white people. That is, it makes it easier for white people to marginalize and commit violence against everybody else. Tune in to take a hard look at yourself and your neighbors. We discuss lynching, drone strikes, Trump, Kendrick Lamar, and more.

15x: Mystery in Christian History Jan 24, 2019

We tend to radically over-simplify religions. This is especially the case with Christianity, which we often think of as being about irrational faith in a supernatural God. But it really isn’t--at least the majority of it isn’t--and it never has been. In this episode I trace some of the long lineage of Christian thinkers in history who thought it was actually impossible to understand anything about God.

15: Science as an Unending Quest with Marcelo Gleiser Jan 21, 2019

We often talk about science like it’s going to deliver us final and certain answers--but is that really how it works? In this mind-blowing episode I chat with theoretical physicist and several times best-selling author Marcelo Gleiser about the open-endedness, adventure, and majesty of the scientific quest. Gleiser tells us how he ditched his intellectual comfort zones, why he has such a different view of science from other famous scientists, and how personal tragedy led him to experience the unknown as beautiful.

14x: How Human Nature Changes over Time Jan 17, 2019

In the last episode we established that “human nature” changes over time--in this episode Stefani shows you how. By briefly touring early hunter-gathering, the development of agriculture, early Christianity, the Enlightenment, Darwinism, fundamentalism, and the World Wars, Stefani demonstrates just how vastly our ideas of what it means to be human have changed--and not always for the better.

14: Will Technology Make us Less Human? with Joseph Fisher Jan 14, 2019

Do our phones rob us of our humanity? What about genetic engineering, or other technologies? Stefani chats with Columbia PhD candidate Joe Fisher about the wild ride we're on in a rapidly changing world. They discuss how human nature changes over time, how technology impacts our ideas and culture, and how today’s technology is over-turning everything we thought we knew about who we are.

13x: Is Atheism a Religion? Jan 10, 2019

Nowadays there are atheist meetups, atheist book clubs, and even atheist churches. Is atheism becoming a religion?! Today Stefani talks about the similarities and differences between American atheism today and fundamentalist Christianity. Ultimately, they are very different, but what they have in common is alarming and something we must pay attention to.

13: Toxic Atheism in America Today with Caroline Matas Jan 07, 2019

Hateful, anti-feminist rhetoric is on the rise in the West. What does atheism have to do with it? This week Stefani chats with Princeton PhD student of American religions Caroline Matas about how today’s atheism is becoming politicized by the right, the relationship between atheism and anti-feminism, the power of victimhood, and America’s religious and spiritual crises.

12x: Stefani's Year of Celibacy Jan 03, 2019

A testament to the potential for New Year’s Resolutions to do actual good, today Stefani tells the story of the year she resolved to be celibate. Tune in and learn about her history of traumatic relationships with men and how forswearing romance transformed her into a self-sufficient and happy human.

12: Trauma in Evangelical Communities with Tyler Tully Dec 30, 2018

Is there a relationship between fundamentalist forms of religion and trauma? Stefani chats with fellow Oxford scholar Tyler Tully who grew up experiencing and witnessing severe trauma in an Evangelical community. These days Tully specializes in researching these kinds of suffering, so they get to the bottom of how and why trauma happens in religion. They also discuss how religion isn’t made to feel good, the importance of empathy, and Brad Pitt’s ideas about religion.

11: The Political History of Christmas Dec 23, 2018

Most of us know Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th--but what else is mythical about Christmas? In this episode, Stefani walks you through the history of Christmas from ancient European wine making practices, to the medieval poor demanding luxuries from the rich, to the banning of Christmas in Boston, to riots in New York, and more. As it turns out, the history of Christmas is full of socioeconomic and political upheaval - from which there is much we can learn.

10x: Lessons in Happiness from the East Dec 22, 2018

All cultures have their problems, but we can still learn from one another. In this brief episode Stefani discusses research that has been conducted on the differences in mental health and happiness between East and West, and the lessons we could learn from the Chinese about how to be happy.

10: The Self: West vs East with Mari Ovsepyan Dec 22, 2018

We all know that the “East” and “West” are different--but just how deep do these differences reach? This week Stefani chats with fellow Oxford PhD candidate Mari Ovsepan about her personal experiences growing up in an Eastern culture that has a more extended, collective sense of self, and now living in the hyper-individualistic West. They discuss Mari’s experiences of coping with the West, the ecstasy of encountering others, why the medievals were right about imagination, and what each culture can spiritually and emotionally learn from the other.

9x: Solving Nature vs Nurture Dec 13, 2018

Which is more important, nature, or nurture? In this short episode Stefani explains the debate, weighs the pros and cons of each, and explains why each is ultimately wrong. What are we left with, then? Finally good science--and a revolution in how we understand humanity--that’s what.

9: The Mystery of the Brain with Nat Barrett Dec 10, 2018

We often talk about the brain like a computer, but is that really how it works? This week Stefani chats with philosopher Nat Barrett who argues that most cognitive scientists completely misconceptualize the brain. There's some radical change underway today in terms of how we understand the brain--and Barrett is at the cutting edge of understanding. Tune in and learn both how we become the way we are and the role the brain plays in our thoughts and feelings.

8x: How Racist Are You? Dec 06, 2018

Did you know there are more than 190 biases that plague every one of us? Try as you might to be objective, it is impossible. To even THINK you are unbiased is itself a bias. In this episode Stefani explores the concept of bias trough racism, her perspective on how to handle racism, and a test you can take to find out how racist you are -- even if you are certain you are not. Head over to http://stefaniruper.com/podcast for details on how to get books from my personal library!

8: Putting Bias in its Place with Steph Sasse Dec 03, 2018

Bias is arguably the biggest problem facing the modern West. As the world globalizes and political divisions intensify, it becomes easier and easier for us to become entrenched in our biases. In this episode, Stefani chats with organizer and founder of The Plenary Steph Sasse about how instinctive and unavoidable human biases are, and what we can do to manage them in the modern world - from using state-of-the-art neuroscience to throwing themed parties. Head over to http://stefaniruper.com/podcast for instructions on entering the book giveaway!

7x: The Dark Side of Science Nov 28, 2018

Admittedly, there are a lot of dark sides of science. But today, Stefani discusses one way we completely misunderstand science that has given rise to problematic cultural phenomena such as fundamentalist Christianity and many cultural issues such as insularity, defensiveness, polarization, anxiety, anguish, loss, and more.

7: Scientific Epistemology and Ignorance with Stuart Firestein Nov 25, 2018

Usually we think of ignorance as a bad thing--but what if appreciating and cultivating ignorance is the key to our success? Stefani chats with Columbia neurobiologist and best-selling author Stuart Firestein about our cultural obsession with facts and why that’s so limiting. Professor Firestein is a lively and entertaining guest who spills all about his journey as a scientist, the balance between the known and the unknown, and what we need in order to thrive. Enter the giveaway at http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway!

6x: Losing Faith with Grace Nov 21, 2018

How do you cope when you lose religious faith? How do you live in times of ambiguity or despair? In this podcast Stefani shares what she’s learned working with religious people and groups over time and discusses real strategies for reinventing your spiritual life without religion. Find the show notes at stefaniruper.com/6x and enter the book giveaway at stefaniruper.com/podcast!

6: Spirituality without Religion with Eric Steinhart Nov 18, 2018

Can you have religious ideas and feelings without God? Stefani chats with philosopher Eric Steinhart who believes you can have wonder, morality, spirituality, and even immortality without God. He does it by thinking about the universe like one giant computer. Tune in for this fascinating ride and learn how people are reinventing spirituality in the twenty first century. Show notes can be found at stefaniruper.com/6. Learn about the book giveaway at stefaniruper.com/podcast!

5x: Sources of Wonder Nov 14, 2018

Popular culture today focuses on science as a source of wonder--but is that enough? What else is wonderful in our world, and how can you experience it? In this episode Stefani briefly adds context to the earlier discussion of science and wonder and suggests intentionally seeking out a wide variety of forms of wonder to engage.

5: Wonder in a Scientific World with Lisa Sideris Nov 11, 2018

What happens when you treat science like a religion? Stefani chats with Professor Lisa Sideris about our cultural infatuation with science and what happens when we become overly invested in it: religion. One significant by-product is science becomes a source of wonder--but Professor Sideris demonstrates how dangerous that can be not just for our spirituality but also for the future of animal life and the planet. Head over to stefaniruper.com/podcast for the shownotes or instructions on how to enter the book giveaway!

4x: How Religion was Created Nov 07, 2018

Did you know the idea of religion has been used to oppress people for centuries? Stefani tells you all about the history of how the idea of religion came to be in the first place, from the Protestant Reformation to Western colonialism and more.

4: Does Religion Exist? with Brent Nongbri Oct 30, 2018

Stefani chats with specialist in ancient religious texts Brent Nongbri about the great mistake we all make about religion: thinking it’s real. Crazy as it sounds, it’s true: in some ways, religion doesn’t really exist. Tune in to this first interview episode to have your mind blown about how wrong you’ve been about religion all along--and what this means for culture and politics today. Get into the weekly drawing for a free book at stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway ; find show notes and more at stefaniruper.com/podcast. If you prefer to watch this on video, check out stefaniruper.com/watch.

3: What's in it for you? Oct 29, 2018

In this third introductory episode, Stefani tells you exactly what you can find in this podcast, including things such as little-known but brilliant guests, high quality interdisciplinary thinking, the reinvigoration of philosophy, and why it’s so important for your own personal healing and journey in life. Enter the book giveaway at http://stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway ; find show notes and more at http://stefaniruper.com/podcast.

2: Why We Need this Podcast Oct 29, 2018

In this second introductory episode, Stefani explains many of the reasons we are so stuck the way we are: anxious, nihilistic, relativistic, defensive, polarized. Learn about ancient humanity, the importance of the invention of writing, the death of God, and more. Enter the free giveaway at stefaniruper.com/bookgiveaway ; find show notes and more at stefaniruper.com/podcast.

1: Stefani's Story Oct 26, 2018

The first three episodes introduce the show (skip if you like!). In this episode, Stefani talks about what she does with her life and why she does it - starting with the panic attacks about dying she had when she was four years old. This is a brief yet dramatic tale born of despair, uncertainty, and anxiety that ultimately ends with redemption, commitment, passion, love, and The Meaning of Everything show.

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