Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

414 - (Icey) Mike Imber (Reality Kings & Kimbo Slice's Manager)

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mike had a tennis scholarship to college, but things went a different way. Within a few years, he was helping to run Reality Kings, one of the biggest...

413 - WMTBG? (The Liar, by Tobias Wolff)

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This first episode of What Makes This Book Great (WMTBG) features "The Liar," one of my favorite short stories, by Tobias Wolff. Music: "Home Again," ...

412 - ROMA 36 (COVID 1)

29 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Unhinged opening rant from the good people at Profit-Driven Pharmaceuticals, followed by a mention of this very funny animation of Joe Rogan and I hav...

411 - Eli Marienthal (Back to Earth)

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Eli and his buddy, Jesse, run Back to Earth, an organization created to take groups of boys and young men into the wilderness for ten days and nights....

410 - Jody Armour (Race, Justice, Law)

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jody Armour is the Roy P. Crocker Professor of Law at the University of Southern California and author of Negrophobia and Reasonable Racism: The Hidd...

409 - Zofia (Motorcycle Adventurer)

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I caught up with Zofia in Patong, Phuket (Thailand), along her journey from Poland on her motorcycle. She's a fascinating woman, who's been riding bik...

408 - Richard Bandy (Near Death or Death?)

09 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Richard survived the surgery -- or did he? When he regained consciousness, his memory was wiped clean. Nothing remained of his life before that day. N...

407 - Georgy Gusev (Cellist Extraordinaire)

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Georgy Gusev is a graduate of the famed Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory and Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. He performs at major m...

406 - Tom Sewell and Tao Ruspoli (80 Years of Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places)

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Sewell is a multi-media artist, designer, photographer, filmmaker, sculptor, environmental visionary; self-proclaimed "Master of mischief, maker o...

405 - Matt Holloway and Michelle Davis (Thug Kitchen)

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Holloway and Michelle Davis put the thuggery into Thug Kitchen, a multi-media empire built around the idea of eating like you give a f*ck and wri...

404 - Michael Trainer (Peak Mind Podcast)

05 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Trainer is a traveler, thinker, and innovator. One of the co-creators of Global Citizen, Michael hosts a podcast called Peak Mind. Social Medi...

402 - ROMA 35 (From Chiang Mai, Thailand)

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Thoughts on returning to Chiang Mai 30 years after my first visit. Why it's hard to be young. How long should we linger when we travel? Why do people ...

402 - Ramesh Srinivasan (Technology's Effects on Politics, Economics, and Culture)

22 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ramesh Srinivasan has been a faculty member at UCLA since 2005 in the Information Studies and Design Media Arts departments. He is a surrogate for Sen...

401 - ROMA 34

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What's the word for your ex-wife's husband, who you love more than a brother? How is "never enough" different from "never too much?" Music by Sail Cas...

400 - Simon Rex (Nervous Rex Podcast)

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Rex is utterly unique. Actor, fashion model, MTV personality, rapper, social media star, intellectual, spiritual seeker, goofball, #vanlifer.......

399 - Jon and Cassie Walker (Formerly of Panic! at the Disco)

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jon and Cassie met in high school. Jon played guitar and wrote some songs. One day, he was invited to join a band. That band blew up, and the next thi...

398 - Akshay Nanavati (Fearvana)

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Akshay is an extraordinary guy living an extraordinary life. He's battled addiction, searched for IEDs in Iraq, dragged a sled across Greenland, climb...

397 - Mike Brancatelli (Mikeadelic Podcast)

13 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For 3 1/2 Years, Mike was the co-host of the popular libertarian podcast, Part Of The Problem with stand up comic & Fox News regular Dave Smith. He no...

396 - Video ROMA 1

07 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is the soundtrack to the first Video ROMA I recorded for the good folks who support the podcast via my new web site. I found the experience to be...

395 - Shawn Dinkel (Therapist: Male Rage)

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn is a deeply thoughtful man who helps other men confront and tame their demons. He's worked with addiction and men who have been abusive to thems...

394 - Doreen Stokes (Africa Guide)

23 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Doreen is a surfer who lives in Montana. She's planted over a million trees, and guides trips to Africa. My kinda woman! Click here to order my new bo...

393 - Jeff Shapiro (Base Jumper/Wingsuit Flyer)

10 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff is a legend in the extreme sports community. He's one of those seemingly insane guys who jump off cliffs thousands off feet high -- either in a w...

392 - Daniel (Former Marine/SWAT member)

02 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After over a decade carrying a gun (first with the Marines in Iraq and then as a member of a SWAT team), Daniel is now living off the grid in Idaho wi...

391 - Lierre Keith (The Vegetarian Myth)

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lierre spent twenty years refining and restricting her diet in search of better health -- but her health was getting worse, not better. Finally, a doc...

390 - Tony Perrottet (Sex Lives of Fidel and Che)

22 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Perrottet is a journalist and author fascinated by the area where history and sexuality overlap. His latest book, Cuba Libre, includes lots of ne...

389 - ROMA 33

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When is love toxic? Should we insist on the "meaning" of words, or let them change over time and context? Is English the best f*&king language in the ...

388 - Kevin Russell (Former TechnoOptimist)

13 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin is one of the smartest, most thoughtful people you’ve never met. His 15 minutes of fame came when he and his daughter were featured on a TV sh...

387 - Nathan Schmidt and Sunil Kumar Aggarwal (AIMS Institute)

05 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Drs. Nathan and Sunil have more degrees and certifications than I can list here. Even more impressive than all that paperwork is the fact that both of...

386 - Dr. Lori Brotto

30 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Lori Brotto conducts research on women’s sexual health and difficulties, develops and tests psychoeducational interventions for women with sexu...

385 - Derrick Jensen (Ecological Activist/Author)

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Derrick Jensen is a coauthor of Deep Green Resistance, and the author of Endgame, The Culture of Make Believe, A Language Older than Words, and m...

384 - Michael Ellis (Naturalist & Travel Guide)

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Ellis has been around. His goal in life has been to excite and educate people about the rhythms of the natural world and biological processes,...

383 - Astrid Daley (Escaped Abusive Relationship)

08 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Astrid honored me by sharing a story that is both profoundly personal and, in some ways, not terribly uncommon. If you’ve ever felt that a relations...

382 - Seane Corn (No BS Yoga Teacher)

03 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

SEANE CORN is an internationally acclaimed yoga teacher and public speaker known for her social activism, impassioned style of teaching, and raw, hone...

381 - Mickey Avalon (Glam Rapper)

24 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There’s nobody quite like Mickey Avalon. His perspectives on art, music, fame, performance … are unique, thoughtful, and always sincere. He’s on...

380 - Hunter Maats (Metacognitivist)

16 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hunter likes to think about how we think. And he's plenty good at it.  This episode is sponsored by BMC Bikes. Find me on Instagram or Twitter. Pleas...

379 - Leigh Ann (Former Actress/Pole Dancer)

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Leigh Ann is an American dancer and former actress. She is best known for playing Brad's second girlfriend, Ashley, on the sitcom Home Improvemen...

378 - John Harrison (Therapist and Fugitive from Injustice)

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

John Harrison has enjoyed much of his time on the planet exploring both the inner and outer landscapes. A therapist with a practice based in San Dieg...

377 - Charles Eisenstein (Author/Philosopher)

16 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Charles is a public intellectual, speaker, and the author of five books, including Climate: A New Story, Sacred Economics, and The More Beautiful Worl...

376 - On the Big Island with Kyle and Simon

06 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We recorded this one during a pig hunting trip. Our conversation ranges far and wide, to put it mildly. Check out Simon's podcast, Nervous Rex, and Th...

375 - Chris Paine (Filmmaker/Environmentalist)

27 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Paine is an American filmmaker and environmental activist. His notable works as director include the documentaries Who Killed the Electric Car...

374 - Daniele Bolelli (Badass Historian)

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Daniele Bolelli is a writer, martial artist, university professor, and podcaster. He was born in Italy and currently lives in Los Angeles. This episod...

373 - James Ostrer (Artist/Lunatic)

07 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

James Ostrer has been known to dress himself in the flayed flesh of pigs and take self-portraits as a commentary on, what? How we're all encased in th...

372 - ROMA 32

01 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In which I call out Gandhi, question the narrative of a recent Hollywood sex scandal, share some thoughts on hunting, and discuss my fear of becoming ...

371 - Hawaii Hunt (Special Episode)

01 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is a somewhat chaotic conversation involving Kyle Thiermann (big wave surfer), Mark Healey (surfing legend), Ben Greenfield (fitness guru), and a...

370 - Dan De Lion (Forager)

24 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dan De Lion is an Earth Herbalist, Forager, Musician, and Teacher dedicated to working with Nature to facilitate the reunion of the people with our pl...

369 - Shane Heath (Mudslinger)

20 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Shane wasn’t mad at coffee, he was disappointed. He was sold the dream that coffee would allow him to do more and do it faster. But, he noticed tha...

368 - Philip van Wyck (Missionary/Sea Gypsies)

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Philip is a South African Christian missionary working with the Moken people (aka Sea Gypsies) on the island of Ko Phayam, in Thailand. When the tsuna...

367 - ROMA 31

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Are vaccines dangerous? Is meat important? If so, why? Does love always have to hurt? What are the dangers of humility? Can people and animals sense y...

366 - Carsie Blanton (Singer/Songwriter/Troublemaker)

04 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nobody writes songs like Carsie. They come from straight from her heart, her head, or her ... genital chakra. No filters. No shame. No prepackaged com...

365 - Igor Vamos/Mike Bonano (Yes Men)

26 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mike/Igor is half of the duo known as The Yes Men. These guys combine humor, political outrage, and medial savvy to convey radical ideas through the t...

364 - Greg Simmons (Endangered Music)

24 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Greg is a sound engineer who is working hard to try to save some of the endangered music of Asia. We met on Ko Phayam, Thailand, where he’s spent a ...

363 - Bruce Carpenter (Art Historian in Bali)

04 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Author and co-author of more than 20 books and numerous articles on Indonesian art, culture and history, Bruce W. Carpenter is considered a leading ex...

362 - Tony Perrottet (Cuba Libre)

28 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tony is an old friend of mine and the author of several books of sexy history. Among them are Napoleon's Penis, The Naked Olympics, and most recently...

361 - Johann Hari (Author: Chasing the Scream)

17 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Johann is a journalist, columnist, and the author of Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, and Lost Connections. His TED ta...

360 - Greg Lansky (Porn Mogul)

07 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Greg knew he wasn't going to make it in the normal world. He craved the disapproval of hypocrites and scolds. He wanted to be an outlaw, but didn't w...

359 - Ben Stewart (Filmmaker/Musician)

01 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Joseph Stewart is a filmmaker, musician, veteran, traveler, thinker.... Lots going on with this guy. Find him on Instagram. Find me on Instagram ...

358 - ROMA 30

26 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How to laugh on a dying planet? How to lose a dad? What do you wish you'd known when you were young? And 70s party music. Find me on Instagram or Twit...

357 - Jake Johannsen (@JakeThis)

20 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jake Johannsen is a comedy legend. He was on David Letterman's show 14,682 times (more or less). His standup is so good that I often steal his jokes. ...

356 - Karley Sciortino (Slutever)

15 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Karley Sciortino is a writer, television host, and producer. She is the founder of Slutever, a website that focuses on sex and sexuality, and executiv...

355 - Janelle Kaz (Motogypsy)

09 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Janelle is a lot more than a pretty face. She spent months exploring Colombia while bringing attention to the problem of illegal trafficking of endang...

354 - Adam Skolnick (Badass Travel Writer)

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Adam's writing ranges from surprising to insightful to necessary -- normally all of the above. He's been published everywhere from the New York Times ...

353 - Connor Jones (Permaculture Farmer)

22 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Connor lives on a piece of desert that he and his family have shaped and caressed into Paradise. East End Eden is a living, working demonstration of w...

352 - Bruce Parry (Explorer/Traveler/Documentarian)

18 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce Parry is an English documentarian, indigenous rights advocate, author, explorer, trek leader and former Royal Marines commando officer. His doc...

351 - ROMA 29

04 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Eleven listener messages and my rambling, non-sensical responses. Hey, it's free! Plus, some cool world music: "Tajabone," by Ismael Lo (Senegal); "Bu...

350 - Lloyd Kahn (Simple Living/Green Architecture)

31 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Lloyd Kahn is the founding editor-in-chief of Shelter Publications, Inc., and is the former Shelter editor of the Whole Earth Catalog. He is also an a...

349 - Stephen Jenkinson (Orphan Wisdom School)

29 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen is a teacher, author, storyteller, spiritual activist, farmer, and founder of the Orphan Wisdom School, a teaching house and learning house fo...

348 - Wim Hof ("The Iceman"/Human Health Pioneer)

23 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

During his long existential journey, Wim Hof came face to face with nature’s most primordial elements. Staring right back, the merciless cold and bo...

347 - Charris Ford (Environmental Activist/Rapper/Very Cool Dude)

15 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

I first met Charris at a beach party near Barcelona almost ten years ago. He remains one of the most creative, charming, and inspiring people I know. ...

346 - Wednesday Martin (Author of Untrue/Expert on Female Sexuality)

07 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Wednesday Martin's fantastic new book is called Untrue: Why Nearly Everything We Believe About Women, Lust, and Infidelity Is Wrong and How the New S...

345 - Alexandra Paul (Actress/Activist)

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alexandra played Lt. Stephanie Holden for 5 seasons on Baywatch, and has appeared in over 100 feature films and many TV programs. She's a serious act...

344 - Paul Kloppenburg (Crestone Elders Series)

01 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In 1969, 18 year-old Paul left Holland, hitchhiking east, with a vague sense that he wanted to spend time with Tibetans. His life has been a stream of...

343 - Mr. Money Mustache (Badass financial advisor)

24 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

  Mr. Money Mustache is a very early retiree who writes about how we can all live a frugal yet badass life of leisure. Based in Boulder, CO, he helps...

342 - Theo Von (Standup Comic / Podcaster)

21 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Theo Von is funny, smart, and deeply kind (and not necessarily in that order). He’s a guy on the fame train, wondering where to get off. I am really...

341 - Aron Ralston (Played by James Franco in 127 Hours)

17 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Aron Ralston is an avid outdoorsman, author, and motivational speaker. In April of 2003, he dislodged a boulder while descending a slot canyon at Blue...

340 - Ricardo Serpa (Photojournalism/Epic Motorcycle Trips)

10 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ricardo happened to meet my pal Andrew (host of the Monkeytooth podcast) on the road, and Andrew thought we should hang. So we did. A few hours later,...

339 - Susan Nemcek (Willow Farm Contemplative Center)

05 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Susan is a healer, therapist, and Zen buddhist chaplain. She is also the founder of Willow Farm Contemplative Center, where she works with people faci...

338 - ROMA 28

29 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

If we don't grieve for the dead, are we necessarily cold-hearted? What's behind the collapse of the American empire? How to deal with the chaos and un...

337 - Steve Mullins (Ethnomusicologist / Flamenco Guitarist)

27 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What is music, anyway? Does a Beethoven sonata elicit the same emotions if played for someone who's never heard western music? Do any other animals ex...

336 - The Reverend Duncan Trussell, MD PhD

23 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Duncan is qualified to receive your reverence. He deserves it, too. You could live many lifetimes without meeting anyone who combines as much humor, w...

335 - Adi Jaffe (Addiction Expert / Former Dealer)

20 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Adi Jaffe, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized expert on mental health, addiction and stigma. He lectures in the Psychology department at UCLA. He is pas...

334 - Weston Trapp (Falconer/Former Sniper)

14 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Weston likes a challenge. He gets things done. At the moment, he's off on a month-long hunting trip in the Colorado Rockies. He took up falconry as a ...

333 - Seth (the pizza guy) Buchanan

05 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In his mid-20s, Seth took a look at his life and realized it made no sense. Rather than doubling down on a losing hand, he basically started over. He ...

332 - Layne Kalbfleisch (Neuroscientist)

01 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Layne's research has been focused on extraordinary abilities in people with cognitive deficits. She's recently left a stellar academic career in order...

331 - Michael Reynolds (Earthships)

26 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Michael has devoted his life to the simple, radical notion that a home can provide the essential elements of a good life: shelter, food, water, waste ...

330 - Abby Martin (Investigative Journalist /Activist)

19 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Abby Martin is an American journalist who asks questions and challenges assumptions in a way very few journalists ever dare. She speaks truth to power...

329 - Patrick House (Neuroscientist / Writer)

13 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick House explores the brain, how it works, what it is, and the tiny creatures that invade it and rearrange the furniture. This raises fundamental...

328 - Captain James Nash (USMC / Hunting Guide / Rancher)

08 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Captain James Nash is the fifth generation of his family to live on the 6 Ranch, raising cattle near Joseph, OR. James served in the US Marine Corps a...

327 - Wallace J. Nichols (Marine Biologist - Water Wizard)

25 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From J's site: "Dr. Wallace "J" Nichols - called “Keeper of the Sea" by GQ Magazine, “a visionary" by Outside Magazine and a "water warrior" by AQ...

326 - In Jake Johannsen's Man Cave

19 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

I got together with my buddy, world-famous comic Jake Johannsen, to catch up after his tours in Asia and Europe. We cover a lot of ground in this one,...

325 - Raam Seyed-Emami

14 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Raam's father was a prominent Iranian environmentalist who was arrested and interrogated for supposedly being a foreign spy. After he mysteriously die...

324 - Rayanne Irving (Former Child Prostitute / Horse Trainer / Public Speaker)

04 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rayanne Irving is an accomplished kickboxer, writer, horse trainer, public speaker, and all-around badass. As a homeless teenager, she was drawn into ...

323 - Jim Fadiman and Kyle Thiermann

27 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Jim Fadiman is considered America's wisest and most respected authority on psychedelics and their use. Kyle Thiermann is a professional big wave...

322 - Angela White (Porn Powerhouse)

21 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Angela came by to chat. Aside from the harassment we suffered from a very persistent insect, we had a great time talking about her roles as actor, pr...

321 - Peter Gorman (Amazon Explorer and Psychedelic Expert)

16 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Gorman is an award-winning journalist, former editor of High Times magazine (from 1986-1998), and pioneer in the understanding and use of psyche...

320 - Ryan Frisinger (Health Consultant)

09 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan is a very smart dude who knows a lot about how the human body works: diet, exercise, healing plants, etc. If you know someone with a medical issu...

319 - Andrew Couch (Monkeytooth Podcast)

02 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew is living the dream. A few days after recording this, he, his wife, and a dog named Pele set off for Argentina via the Arctic Circle (the sceni...

318 - John Porter (Rattlesnake Expert)

25 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

John is fascinated by the things that frighten him -- from nudity to venomous snakes. He's been studying rattlesnakes for around 50 years. He's been b...

317 - ROMA 27

20 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The abbreviated version, for non-Patreon supporters. I talk about the recent dust-up between Sam Harris and Ezra Klein, the questions around racial di...

316 - Alexandra Snow (Dominatrix and Adventure Seeker)

19 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alexandra was a nerdy kid who grew up to be a bombshell. No doubt. We get into it all: What it's like to be a pro-dom; Why Star Trek is important; Ho...

315 - Wednesday Martin (Bestselling Author)

09 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Wednesday Martin is the real deal. Her memoir, Primates of Park Avenue is a hilarious, touching, and insightful look into the exotic world of Manhatt...