Tangentially Speaking with Christopher Ryan

217 - ROMA 11

15 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Emails, most of the "should I stay or should I go" variety. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acce...

216 - Ted Slingerland (Ancient Chinese Philosophy)

11 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Professor of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia and author of Trying Not to Try: The Power of Spontaneity, Slingerland has a uniquely...

215 - Georgina Haig (Actress)

04 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I met Georgina on a plane. Long before the seatbelt sign had gone off, I knew I was going to enjoy chatting with her all the way to LA. Getting to kn...

214 - Wade Davis (Ethnobotanist, Author, Explorer, Photographer)

27 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Wade Davis is an extraordinary guy. He's wandered into nearly every corner of this planet, published a slew of fantastic books (several of which have ...

213 - ROMA 10

15 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The tenth episode of Ranting Out My A$$.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episo...

212 - Brian Norgard (Tinder)

14 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Brian is one of the top dogs at Tinder. He invited me to headquarters in Hollywood, where we had this candid chat about technology, business, dating, ...

211 - Wim Hof & Stanley Krippner

07 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This very special episode features Wim Hof (the Iceman) and Dr. Stanley Krippner discussing extraordinary human capacities. Co-hosted by Sam Lawrence ...

210 - Darcia Narvaez (Primal Parenting)

31 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Darcia Narvaez teaches in the Psychology department at the University of Notre Dame. She's an expert in how human beings raise children in various cul...

209 - Josh Fox (Filmmaker: Gasland / How to Let Go of the World...)

24 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Academy award nominee, playwright, banjo player, dancer, rabble-rouser, and kick-ass pasta saucer, Josh Fox is a freakin force of nature. Join us as w...

208 - Deia Schlosberg (Filmmaker, Walked South America)

14 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Deia makes documentary films. She has worked with troubled kids in the remote wilderness and walked from Ecuador to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, throu...

207 - TOMA 16 Jaisalmer

10 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Adventures with camels, mace, and a special woman in Jaisalmer, India. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers ...

206 - Tyler MacNiven (Walked Japan)

05 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Tyler is a filmmaker, entrepreneur, winner of The Amazing Race, and has walked the length of Japan--then made an award-winning documentary about the e...

205 - Simon (Marijuana and Birds of Prey)

25 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Simon is a biologist with special interest in birds of prey and marijuana. You'll hear how one led to the other (by way of Zimbabwe). We spent a lovel...

204 - Wim Hof (The Iceman)

22 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Wim Hof holds a slew of world records and has done things like climb within spitting distance of the summit of Mount Everest in shorts, run marathons ...

203 - ROMA 9

14 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The inherently fraudulent nature of fame, fortune, and beauty; premature ejaculation; traditional education; the Unabomber, and existential despair...

202 - Mark Manson Doesn't Give a F*ck

11 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Uber-blogger Mark Manson has a new book coming out called The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, which was inspired by a blog piece he wrote that struck...

201 - ROMA 8

31 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A man in his 30s starts to think he might be gay, a young couple wonder about seeing other people, a couple try to deal with a rape. This is a public ...

200 - Willem (Safari Guide in Namibia)

28 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Willem was the guide on my 9-day tour of southern Africa. Over the course of our trip, I grew to know and like him. He's quiet, but runs deep, as you'...

199 - David Ley (Sexologist)

22 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

David Ley is a sexologist, therapist, and author of three important books that challenge mainstream views of human sexuality. This is a public episode...

198 - Johann Besserer (Galapagos)

14 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

When Johann arrived in the Galapagos for an educational trip, he knew that something important had changed in his life. He's built a life around that ...

197 - Rivah Winter (Marine Biologist)

07 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Rivah Winter is a marine biologist specializing in coral reef systems. As of 2017, she'll be at the Frost Museum of Science in Miami, Florida. This is...

196 - Andrew Baker (Marine Biologist)

01 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Baker teaches at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Miami, FL. He studies coral with a focus on resiliency and recover...

195 - ROMA 7

24 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I respond to a guy who is mystified at all the people who are taking totally absurd shit seriously. It's the fundamental conundrum all sane people fac...

194 - Malith & Izia (World Travelers)

19 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Malith walked away from his home in France about 15 months ago and has been walking ever since. He walked past me last night and I knew I wanted to he...

ROMA 6

17 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I consider the difference between appreciating something and wanting it, porn addiction, the importance of constructive crashing and burning in one's ...

192 - Uncle Dan

10 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

That Dos Equis guy's role model must have been my uncle Dan. Has Mr. Dos Equis ever delivered babies? Has he piloted several types of planes all over ...

191 - Charles (Former Drug Smuggler)

04 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

What began with a shrimp boat to Colombia in the late 70s grew into a major drug smuggling operation using a fleet of military transport planes over t...

190 - ROMA 5

30 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Listener emails, including a Homeric epic rendering of episode 99 (Justin de Ruyter's brush with death on the Deschutes), intergenerational relationsh...

189 - Pree Kastelic

26 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Pree spent six months on the Appalachian Trail, searching for organic time and avoiding becoming the kind of person who spends their life wishing they...

188 - Tom Spanbauer (Author and Legendary Writing Teacher)

19 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

"Tom Spanbauer is the critically acclaimed author and founder of Dangerous Writing. As a writer he has explored issues of race, of sexual identity, of...

187 - ROMA 4 (with Justin de Ruyter)

12 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

My pal Justin joins me in Spain to talk about prehistoric cave art, his first impressions of Spanish culture, and the challenges of living life to the...

186 - Dr. Llamas (Worm Therapy)

06 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Extensive research and clinical trials have demonstrated that the introduction of small doses of intestinal worms may be effective in the treatment of...

185 - ROMA 3

31 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I respond to two listener emails in this one: 1. How to handle old friendships gone sour. 2. How did/do hunter-gatherers treat people with disabilitie...

184 - In Jake Johannsen's Kitchen

30 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jake and I drink too much coffee and discuss what to do when you get sand in your twat, the dubious nature of having a circus-sized penis, guaranteed ...

183 - Dr. Dan Engle (Integrative Psychiatrist)

27 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Dan Engle, MD is a practicing psychiatrist, board certified in psychiatry and neurology. He graduated medical school at the University of Texas He...

182 - Susie Bright (Pioneering Sex Activist)

16 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Susie has been at the forefront of progressive socio-sexual change for decades. She's written books (most recently, a memoir: Big Sex, Little Death), ...

181 - Dan Pardi (Sleep/Health Researcher)

09 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Pardi is one of the most knowledgeable people I know in thefields of sleep and health research. He does research with thePsychiatry and Behaviora...

180 - Reid Mihalko (Sex Geek)

30 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Reid is one of the leading sex educators in the United States.His humor, thoughtfulness, and common sense have made him a muchsought-after presence on...

179 - ROMA 2A (Listener Emails)

29 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

In which I respond to listeners' responses to my responses tolisteners. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers...

178 - ROMA 2 (Listener emails)

27 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The second episode devoted to responding tolistener emails. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...

177 - Bennett Grunberg

25 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This conversation was recorded March 10th, 2016, six weeksbefore Bennett died unexpectedly. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this wi...

176 - Zach Leary

20 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Zach Leary (like Kelly Carlin, ep #172) managed to grow up in a world somewhat distorted by his father's fame without becoming distorted himself. As ...

175 - Charles Johnston (Eagle Scout, former junkie)

13 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Charles was raised as a Mormon, became an Eagle Scout, went to Japan for a while, and then began exploring various consciousness-altering substances. ...

174 - ROMA 1 (Listener Emails)

31 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The first episode in which I just rant for a while, then respond to a few of your emails. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with...

173 - Simon van Gend (Singer/Songwriter)

30 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Somewhere around 2001 or 2002, a friend gave me a cd of some of his favorite tracks, which included a few by a South African singer I'd never heard of...

172 - Kelly Carlin

17 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Kelly grew up in the blinding glare of her father's brilliance and fame. It's been a long road, but she's emerged as a smart, funny, relaxed woman. We...

171 - Viram (Part II)

14 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

After selling his donkey in Pakistan, Viram's adventures continue... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

170 - Viram (Part I)

09 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

I met Viram on a beach in Goa, India in 2003 and we've been close friends ever since. He's one of the most interesting men I know, and I'm very happy ...

169 - Stanley Krippner

02 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Stanley Krippner is a world-famous authority on parapsychology, altered states of consciousness, mythology, and just about everything else interesting...

168 - Carli Davidson (Animal Photographer)

24 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Carli Davidson is a well-known animal photographer whose career got a huge boost when she recognized the esthetic potential of dog drool. Seriously. ...

167 - Adventures of Justin (from Chiang Mai)

18 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Justin Alexander was on episode 143, and returns now in a two-part conversation. The first part took place on Venice Beach a few weeks ago, and Part I...

166 - Stephan Schwartz (Trend Spotter)

15 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Stephan Schwartz has been involved in trying to make the world a better place for a long time. He's worked in the upper reaches of the defense departm...

165 - Lodhy

08 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Lodhy is my favorite kind of person. An unassuming man who has lived a life full of adventure, learning, challenges, love, and generosity. His life ha...

164 - Shane Gardner

01 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Shane's photography combines the natural beauty of women with the beauty of nature. He's got the focus and obsessional creative need of a true artist....

163 - Daniele Bolelli & Thad Russell

26 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Daniele and Thad both teach history in southern California, study martial arts, and have a lot to say about pretty much everything. Join me for this c...

162 - Heather Day (Arkansas Girl Made Good)

20 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Heather was born in Arkansas and grew up with few advantages. But thanks to an indomitable spirit, hard work, and some solid friendships, she's got a ...

161 - Jeff Rohrer (Dallas Cowboy)

19 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff went to Yale, where he was a stand-out linebacker and came to the attention of the Cowboys, who drafted him in the second round. He brought his l...

160 - Jake Johannsen (Standup Comic)

11 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jake Johannsen appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman" 45 times. He has appeared in the “HBO Young Comedian’s Special” and PBS’s ...

159 - Martin Polanco & Maria Teresa Chavez (Crossroads Treatment Center)

04 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Martin is the founder and director of the center, and Maria is a counselor helping patients integrate the experiences they have at Crossroads into m...

158 - Tre Hardson (SlimKid3) -- Founding Member of The Pharcyde

28 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Tre Hardson is "a journalist of the times" who just happens to be a rapper, dancer, musician, and something of a philosopher as well. Best known as on...

157 - Graham Hancock (Magicians of the Gods)

14 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Graham Hancock became a world famous bestselling author with Fingerprints of the Gods, a book that questioned the mainstream narrative concerning the ...

156 - Andy Gurevich (Again!)

07 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part 1. Part 2 is on Andy's podcast: On The Block Radio. Check it out! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subs...

SOMA 1

05 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

First episode of the SOMA series. We start in Norway, head to Mississippi, Mexico, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Senegal, and then back to Rehab Mountain in Mal...

155 - Lois Ames (Poet)

30 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

I met Lois in her 83rd year. We talk about her loves, her passions, some of her famous friends, and reflect on special moments from a very special lif...

154 - Sheldon Solomon (Terror Management Theory)

23 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Sheldon Solomon is a psychologist and professor of social psychology at Skidmore College, best known for developing Terror Management Theory, along wi...

153 - Mark Davis (Fecal Transplant Expert)

16 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Davis, ND is a founder and the medical director of Good Life Medicine Center, and his naturopathic practice, Bright Medicine Clinic, focuses on g...

152 - Ben (Hasta Alaska)

09 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

After spending some time in Thailand teaching tigers not to eat people, Ben went to Chile, bought an old VW camper van, and set off for Alaska.   Thi...

151 - Roger Nygard (TV/Film Editor, Writer, Director)

02 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Roger has worked in film and television as a director, writer, producer and editor. He's worked with lots of famous people (Larry David, David Spade,...

150 - Jonathan Legg (The Road Less Traveled)

26 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan is the host of Outside TV's The Road Less Traveled. We talk about everything from the wonders of Colombian women to the dangers of swimming n...

With Neil Strauss & Esther Perel at The Strand in NYC

21 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This bonus episode was recorded last week at The Strand bookstore on Broadway, in New York. The three of us talk about intimacy, sexuality, and the of...

148 - Neil Strauss (The Truth)

18 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Neil and I became friends after he'd already outgrown The Game, his colossal best-seller. The Truth, just released this week is one of the bravest, fu...

147 - The Dangerz (Minimalist Living)

12 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jenn and Bryan left the security of good jobs and a nice house in Portland in an old VW van and spent a year meandering south with Karma, their dog. T...

146 - West (Anthropologist/World Traveller)

05 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

West stopped in Portland on his way back to Cambridge from a research trip to the Amazon. This episode features music by his pal, Kim Churchill. This ...

TOMA #15 (Pushing it in Pushkar)

04 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It seemed like a good idea at the time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...

145 - Colin Craviero (Man Made Lake)

28 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Lead singer/songwriter of the Canadian band Man Made Lake, Colin is a deep, smart, talented, and very funny man. This is a public episode. If you'd li...

144 - Elliott English (Naval Academy & Air Force)

21 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Elliott graduated from the Naval Academy and worked as an analyst for the Air Force for six years. This is the third in my series of conversations wit...

143 - Justin Alexander (Nomadic World Traveler)

14 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Justin has been there and done that. From western Nepal to Sumatran jungles to Black Rock Desert, he's left footprints and gathered memories. A man af...

142 - Nathaniel Farmer (PCT)

07 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Nathaniel started at the Mexican border in April and has been walking north ever since. He's covered thousands of miles through deserts, valleys and r...

141 - Alice Dreger (Historian of Science)

31 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Alice recently resigned her position as a professor at Northwestern University's Medical Humanities and Bioethics Program over her refusal to surrende...

140 - Eric Berkowitz (Author: The Boundaries of Desire)

24 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Berkowitz is a San Francisco-based author and human rights lawyer. His journalistic work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Califo...

139 - Jon-Jacob Deal

17 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jon was an active-duty US Army infantryman from 2003 to 2006. A third generation service member, his first tour was in Korea.  While there, Jon was p...

138 - Dr. Susan Block (The Bonobo Way)

10 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Susan Block has done everything from organizing orgies to climbing the Golden Gate bridge in the middle of the night. She's an adventurer in many real...

137 - Mark Manson

03 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Mark is a very good writer, blogger, and author. We have a lot to talk about: travel, women, writing, negotiating our need to write about our lives ve...

136 - Aaron Alexander (Movement Medicine)

28 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Aaron uses various methods to help people inhabit their bodies in the best way possible, from rolfing to massage to structural realignment. We had a g...

135 - Rod Dow (Legendary Smoke Jumper)

27 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Rod and Justin (episode 99) met years ago fighting forest fires. Justin and I drove up to Rod's amazing spread east of Mount Rainier and spent a nigh...

134 - David Steinberg (This Thing We Call Sex)

20 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

David Steinberg is an author, photographer, and a radically sane guy. We talk about his inadvertent work with the CIA, what it was like to be plugged...

TOMA 14 (Kashmir/Deluxe Video Coach)

16 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

From a very cold houseboat on Dal Lake in Srinagar to the Deluxe Video Coach, this one is all about changing plans at the last minute. This is a publi...

133 - Sonya Lea (Wondering Who You Are)

13 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

In their 23rd year of marriage, Sonya's husband, Richard, suffered a brain trauma that erased his memories of their life together. He didn't know h...

132 - Jared (Marine Corps)

06 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jared joined the Marines just before 9/11, and participated in the invasion of Iraq with the Marine Corps in 2003. This is a public episode. If you'd ...

131 - Joe and Shannon (Jambo Superfoods)

29 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Winke and Shannon Drake are partners in crime and commerce. We talk about what it's like to get a socially-conscious business up and running, the ...

130 - Devlin Baker (Nuclear Fusion Researcher)

22 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

For just an instant, Devlin Baker created a tiny star in a warehouse outside Bellingham, WA. He's working on a project he (and his backers) hope will ...

129 - Kevin Johnson (Floater, Musician, Caver)

15 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Johnson is a key player in the growing float movement. He designs, sells, and installs the most cutting-edge float chambers all over the U.S. Bu...

128 - Bailey Jay

08 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Bailey Jay is a trans woman who is a pornographic actress, adult model, and podcaster. She's very smart, very funny, and pretty much my kinda girl. Sh...

127 - John Kim

01 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

John is an in dependent investment advisor based in Bangkok. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...

126 - Julie Holland (Moody Bitches)

25 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Julie is a psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology, but her interests extend far beyond pills. She's expert in alternative therapies, includin...

125 - Brian Bao (Emergency Medicine)

18 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Brian's the kind of guy who gets a PhD while taking a rest from getting an MD—and makes it all look easy. He's currently a resident in emergency me...

124 - Clifford Koufman

11 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Clifford has been studying percussion for over 20 years, including several extended trips to Africa. He teaches in Portland at http://www.soundandrhyt...

123 - Elle Stanger

04 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Elle Stanger is a stripper/sex worker/exotic dancer/intimacy therapist/political activist/tattoo fancier. She's busy. And smart, funny, and sexy as al...

122 - Nikki Glaser

27 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Nikki Glaser is a stand-up comic who headlines at clubs all over North America. She's found a way to be very funny while fearlessly facing her deepest...

121 - Murphy Pelot

20 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Murphy is "about thirteen and a half" but has the insightful perspective of someone who's been thinking about life for a lot longer than that.  This ...