Keep Talking

Ronan Levy is a lawyer, an entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Field Trip Health. During our conversation, Ronan talks about his journey into the psychedelic space, how currently-available ketamine therapy can help those with anxiety and depression, the possibility of the legalization of MDMA therapy in 2023, how Field Trip Health aims to provide a medically-supervised, professional "set and setting" for those who choose to have a psychedelic experience, the efficacy of empathogens and psychedelics on treating psychological disease, and how the legalization of medicinal psychedelic use might transform and improve our society.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodesEmail subscribeEmail the show------------(00:00) Intro(00:52) Get to know Ronan Levy(04:58) Ronan’s decision to quit the legal world(07:46) The five big personality qualities and Ronan taking the road less traveled(15:44) The past, present, and future of Field Trip Health(23:26) Ketamine-assisted therapy's psychological benefits(31:13) Psychedelic-assisted therapy's ability to address psychological trauma(38:20) Reasons why people avoid psychedelic therapy(44:06) The benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy and its future(50:30) Dissolving the superstition and stigma of psychosis(58:36) Validating psychedelic-assisted therapy with facts and data(01:04:58) Psychedelic-assisted therapy for a more healthy, cohesive society(01:12:53) Currently-available resources for people to alleviate their mental health issues

Paul Fletcher is a doctor, a researcher, and the Bernard Wolfe Professor of Health Neuroscience at Cambridge University. During our conversation, Paul talks about psychosis and the brain, the sheer strangeness of psychotic episodes, why the human mind produces delusions and hallucinations, some triggers and causes of temporary psychosis, how we might more ethically treat homeless people in a psychotic state, and how we have improved in our treatment of psychotic people.I also share my own experience with the terror and confusion of marijuana-induced psychosis. I hope that such stories might help others facing such a destabilizing and debilitating human experience feel less alone and less stigmatized.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodesEmail subscribeEmail the show------------(00:00) Intro(00:51) Get to know Paul Fletcher(01:48) Paul Fletcher’s background and how he developed an interest in psychosis(04:38) Understanding Jerome Lawrence’s quote on psychosis(11:53) The difference between hallucinations and normal human experiences(23:49) Dan's marijuana-induced psychosis(37:45) What one can do to avoid transitory psychosis(41:39) The prevalence of transient psychotic breaks(45:46) Regaining normalcy after a psychotic break(49:15) Decreasing ignorance about psychosis and reducing its stigma(57:16) The video game "Hellblade," which highlights psychosis(01:05:02) The need to empathize with those experiencing psychosis(01:11:03) Alan Graham’s Community First! Village in Austin, TX(01:18:02) Psychedelics’ effect on the human brain(01:21:36) Potential ways to treat mental illness in the future

John McWhorter is a linguistics professor at Columbia University, an essayist for "The New York Times," and the author of "Woke Racism." During our conversation, John talks about the genesis of "The Elect" (his word for woke antiracists), the dangers and the flaws of the ideas of The Elect, how those ideas are counterproductive to helping black America, how The Elect abuse and intimidate those who disagree with them, maintaining standards in American society, the George Floyd murder, the relationship with black men and the police, policies that might help African American communities, and strategies for having courageous, nuanced, well-meaning conversations about race in America.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodesEmail subscribeEmail the show------------(00:00) Intro(00:51) Get to know John McWhorter(02:47) The reason for writing "Woke Racism"(05:51) John’s sense of duty in pushing back against the anti-racist movement(09:40) The state of racism in America in 2022(12:20) A description of “The Elect”(15:56) How the world will look if the ideas of "The Elect" take over society(18:57) An ethical way to approach race relations in America(26:21) Ideas of "The Elect" that are counterproductive to improving black communities(31:45) John’s assessment of the current state of black America(38:08) The relationships between the cops and black America(47:05) Advice for white Americans to have honest conversations about race in America(52:02) What a successful pushback against anti-racism would look like

Robert Glover is a speaker, a men's coach, and the author of the best-selling book "No More Mr. Nice Guy." During our conversation, Robert talks about his personal life, men and dating, the male need for tribe, admirable and toxic masculine traits, his views on what makes men both attractive and repellent to women, and what's limiting male development in modern society. Robert is candid and transparent, and offers practical advice to men looking to grow into the best version of themselves.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodesEmail subscribeEmail the show------------(00:00) Intro(00:51) Get to know Robert Glover(01:44) Robert's early life(08:58) A nice guy's beliefs and identities are rooted in childhood(19:53) Characteristics of a nice guy(29:36) Advice for nice guys to become more attractive to other people and more authentic to themselves(41:49) Unappealing traits of a nice guy(49:23) Positive emotional tension(50:02) How men can become better versions of themselves(59:56) Positive aspects of masculinity(01:05:21) Advice for parents or potential parents for raising good men and boys(01:12:40) Advice for men who've lost connection to their capital "S" self to become more authentic

Danielle Crittenden is an author, a mother of three, and the host of "The Femsplainers Podcast." During our conversation, Danielle talks about her book "What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us: Why Happiness Eludes the Modern Woman," feminism in the modern world, women and happiness, the role of mothers in our society, her 30+ year marriage to author and essayist David Frum, and advice she would give to young men and young women about the role of relationships and work in a happy, wise life.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodesEmail subscribeEmail the show------------(00:00) Intro(00:51) Get to know Danielle Crittenden(01:39) What led Danielle to write "What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us"(10:42) The modern messages received by women in academia and culture(18:43) The modern relevance of "What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us"(26:01) How not taking partnering seriously changes how women prioritize their lives(32:52) Creating "The Femsplainers Podcast" with Christina Hoff Sommers(39:49) How "The Femsplainers Podcast" has influenced Danielle's thinking(54:06) Danielle's marriage to David Frum, and advice for a successful relationship(01:00:21) The thinkers, writers, podcasters, and resources Danielle recommends(01:07:14) How to address some of modernity's common issues(01:12:31) Advice for young women to chase their dreams and lead a fulfilled, meaningful life

James Hollis, a distinguished author and psychoanalyst renowned for his insights on Jungian thought, shares profound ideas on living an examined life. He discusses the necessity of listening to one's inner psyche and the courage required to navigate life's transitions. Hollis explores the unique challenges men face in therapy, the importance of self-awareness, and the process of fostering resilience in relationships. He encourages embracing fears and personal growth, emphasizing that true fulfillment lies in authenticity and the journey towards understanding oneself.

Donald G. McNeil, Jr. is an author, a journalist, and was one of the earliest and leading New York times science reporters to alert the world about the outbreak of COVID-19. During our conversation, Donald talks about his early career, learning about a "Pneumonia-like" new virus in Wuhan, what the U.S. could have done differently to decrease deaths from COVID, the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines, and what the U.S. might do to better prepare for future pandemics.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodesEmail subscribeEmail the show------------(00:00) Intro(00:45) Get to know Donald G. McNeil Jr.(01:28) Donald’s path to science journalism(09:01) Donald’s background in human biology and science and how they came in handy when covering medical cases(22:24) The factors that added to Donald’s concern about the coronavirus during its first outbreak, including high fatality and transmissibility rates(24:48) Sensing the severity of the coronavirus and the events that followed(30:38) What is meant by a pandemic?(54:10) Vaccine specifics and Donald’s initial judgment in the aftermath of the pandemic(01:04:32) Addressing people choosing not to get vaccinated(01:11:10) The efficacy of COVID vaccines and why they’re safe(01:26:24) Vaccine mandates in the U.S. for employees and children(01:32:40) The Supreme Court’s precedence mandating vaccination(01:34:15) The origin of COVID-19(01:45:30) Preparing for future pandemics

Audrey Brumback is a physician, a scientist, and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Texas. During our conversation, Audrey talks about her interest in autism, what we know about autism today, and how her lab studies brain physiology to better understand the autistic brain.The brain is endlessly complex, and autism has long been a mystery. People like Audrey are working to simultaneously increase our knowledge and decrease the stigma of the roughly 2% of the human population - tens of millions of people - who are autistic.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(00:45) Get to know Audrey Brumback(01:26) Audrey’s upbringing and the life events that led her to study autism (04:56) What is autism?(08:37) Diagnosing autism in children(14:20) The population of Americans identified as having autism(15:50) The influence of genes versus environment in causing autism(17:06) Evaluating the possible factors leading to producing kids with autism(19:56) Introducing a kinder and more rational approach to dealing with individuals with autism or autistic tendencies(24:08) How most people explain their indifferent behavior with autistic individuals (27:09) Audrey’s areas of promise for people with autism(31:11) Determining the kind of help that autistic individuals need(33:00) Understanding neurodiversity and life with autism(36:21) Is there any kind of intrinsic motivation that people with autism experience to change the nature of their minds for the better?(41:41) Why autism is not all negative but is instead a difference in the neurological programming of certain individuals(42:54) Is autism a spectrum disorder?(45:15) The evolutionary history of autism and thoughts on what caused it to continue existing in the human gene pool(47:09) Making our society a better place for individuals with autism: the potential areas of improvement in their conditions in the future

Omer Kanat is the Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project and is the Executive Committee Chairman of the World Uyghur Congress. During our conversation, Omer talks about his journey to the U.S., Uyghur history and culture, China's historic oppression of the Uyghur people, and the current Chinese genocide of the Uyghur people, which includes concentration camps, brainwashing, murder, rape, sterilization, and mass surveillance.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(00:45) Get to know Omer Kanat(01:46) Omer’s upbringing and the life events that led him to participate in human rights activities on behalf of the Uyghurs(08:27) Who are the Uyghur people and what is their history?(17:14) About the Uyghur population: the numbers, their culture, and other specifics(19:19) The attempts of the Chinese government to assimilate the Uyghur population into the Chinese population(24:45) Omer explains the Chinese approach to the Uyghur community(33:02) How does Omer describe the Uyghur people?(37:09) How did the unsuccessful integration of the Uyghur people into Chinese culture trigger changes in the Chinese government’s approach towards Uyghurs(40:17) Omer explains the changes to the Chinese leadership post 2017(49:02) How does China detain and oppress Uyghurs?(56:35) What goes on inside Uyghur concentration camps?(01:05:22) A list of Uyghurs who have escaped Chinese concentration camps(01:09:45) What percentage of Uyghurs are living in concentration camps?(01:17:55) What hope does Omer have for the Uyghurs?

Scott Shepherd is a speaker, consultant, and a former Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan. During our conversation, Scott talks about his upbringing, the path that led him to the KKK, his rise in its hierarchy, experiences that led him out of the organization, his relationship with Daryl Davis, and his message for the U.S. related to racism and race relations.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(01:02) Get to know Scott Shepherd(02:21) Scott’s backstory and how he got to where he is today(05:00) How the innate desire to find a tribe got Scott involved with the white supremacist movement and the Ku Klux Klan(07:37) Scott talks about choosing to join the KKK(09:20) How the promise of a family and home led Scott to ultimately join the KKK(12:46) Scott’s knowledge and impression of KKK before becoming a member(14:03) Scott explains that he wasn’t aware of the violent nature of the KKK prior to joining the organization(14:58) What Scott was told about the KKK when he joined them(16:41) Coming across racist views and judgments during Scott’s time with the KKK(18:05) The components that led Scott to connect with the KKK initially(19:41) Scott talks about being raised in by a black woman(24:13) Being intimately associated with an African-American and the risks of banishment from the KKK(26:04) The 15-20 years Scott spent with the KKK and his growth within the group(29:46) Did Scott ever truly believe the KKK’s ideology of racism?(33:49) The objectives of the KKK(37:59) Battling conflicting beliefs on culture and racism and how Scott faced them(45:41) How Scott’s mind changed over the years, and why he decided to leave the KKK(53:49) Scott’s process of exiting the KKK(56:18) Did Scott ghost the KKK?(56:59) Scott’s relationship with Daryl Davis and Daryl's influence on his life(01:08:28) What about Daryl and Daryl's message changed Scott's mind?(01:16:39) The best way to educate people on topics like racism(01:22:59) What should you do to help the nation progress and encourage inclusion(01:27:00) Scott’s plans for the future