This is a space where I aim to engage people on deeper conversation topics spanning between spirituality and philosophy - examining what it means to be a living, conscious being at all, and what the implications of that meaning are for how we conduct our lives. My hope is to cultivate a deep sense of curiosity and wonder while rejecting intellectual laziness. When we ask the right questions, there is magic to be found in the world exactly as it is that needs no supernatural embellishment.
Written content at nakedapes.subsack.com (https://nakedapes.substack.com)
Rebecca Radziejeski explores philosophical and existential rabbit holes in an unscripted conversation, touching on topics like generational divides, mental health, and the ethics of frugality, in this interview episode.
20 Apr 2025
#04 - Third Spaces: Rediscovering Local Community
Where do we find community in a world that is increasingly moving away from religious organization? Brenden Ambrose joins me to discuss Ray Oldenburg's concept of "Third Spaces" in response.
RESOURCES
The Great Good Space by Ray Oldenburg, 1989 (https://www.dacapopress.com/titles/ray-oldenburg-phd/the-great-good-place/9781569246818/)
BRENDEN'S MEDIA CHOICES
Ralph Vaughan Williams - TheLark Ascending (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR2JlDnT2l8) (violin concerto piece)
SleepToken - Take Me Back To Eden (https://open.spotify.com/album/1gjugH97doz3HktiEjx2vY?si=HWRNNtcHStK9oynCAYL31Q) (rockalbum)
CHAPTERS
(3:43) Brenden Introduction
(15:07) - Introduction of concept of "3rd Spaces"
(31:43) - Community Outreach
(42:32) - The Value of Real In-Person Connection
(57:42) - Impact of being confined to our "1st Spaces"
(1:06:08) - Connection to Social Liberation Movements
(1:17:18) - the toll of eliminating frictions from social interactions
(1:48:40) - Recap
(1:54:05) - Brenden's Media Choices
24 Nov 2024
#03 - Invisible Food Culture
John Souki joins Naked Apes host in discussing the disconnect from food sources in first world society and its profound impact on our relationship with fundamental daily existence.
27 Oct 2024
#02 - Are People Doing Their Best
Danny Badorine joins me in discussing the role of negative feedback in our culture and the question "are people doing their best?" We delve into exploring what the multiple meanings that "doing your best" can convey, the role that an understanding of a truly "free" will plays in asking this question, the value of "rock bottom" in motivating people to adjust their behavior, the cultural epidemic of narcissism, the boundary between self care and self indulgence, the value of allowing the presence of painful emotions to exist in our lives, and more.
FACT CORRECTION
My reference to slavery was attempting to recall Qatar bringing in Indian labor and stealing their passports.
Danny's book recommendation: Autobiography Of A Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda (https://www.ananda.org/free-inspiration/books/autobiography-of-a-yogi/)
Brené Brown podcast referenced on this topic: Part 1 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xxwjBa7fRrO6ULFXaTqmE?si=648908877ce245dc) Part 2 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/18u2WGnSjEHYkpBy9JTshv?si=3cd70b0329754d64)
CHAPTERS
(0:00:00) Introduction
(0:03:07) Bus Call
(0:08:43) Importance of Confrontation
(0:17:06) Are people doing their best?
(0:22:51) Will vs Free Will
(0:36:48) Free Will and Sociopaths
(0:43:21) Would you oppose slavery?
(0:46:05) Role of intelligence and cultural programming
(0:57:24) Negative feedback in dog training
(1:01:32) Just trying to feel better
(1:10:38) The value of rock bottom
(1:18:18) My personal need for negative feedback
(1:23:45) Assertive vs Aggressive communication
(1:30:25) The "Feel Good" bubble, Self Care vs Self Indulgence
(1:36:41) Embracing pain in life
(1:45:54) Letting go vs giving up hope
(1:49:35) Empathy and tribalism
(1:56:32) Conclusion
18 Aug 2024
#01 - AI Art and Auto-Tune
In this first “official” episode of the Naked Apes podcast, I am joined by John Souki as we discuss generative AI, the utility and abuse of pitch correction (auto-tune), the role of technological advancements in cheapening the quality of commercially-successful creations, the difference between “improvement” and technological advancement, and more.
You can find Souki on Instagram at @johnsouki (https://www.instagram.com/johnsouki/)
To hear more, visit nakedapes.substack.com (https://nakedapes.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=show-notes-spotify-open-access)
17 Mar 2024
Spirituality As An Atheist
Last week, at the invitation of my world religions teacher from my time at Belmont University a decade ago, I gave a talk to two sections of her World Religions class about what spirituality means to me while being an atheist. I have re-recorded it for people who expressed curiosity at the subject material, aiming to make a case for how I arrive at a concept of “god” through an analytical understanding of the natural world that rejects any kind of supernatural element.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES:“Waking Up” App (https://dynamic.wakingup.com/shareOpenAccess/SC9ED4E7B)
* Guided meditations (including introductory course)
* “free will” argument from Sam Harris (“Theory” tab, bottom)
* Lectures on nature of mind (“Theory” tab)
* Lectures for ideas to actively apply to daily life (“Life” tab)
* Alan Watts’ entire audio catalogue (“Theory” tab)
Brené Brown – “Unlocking Us” Podcast (on Spotify) (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6xxwjBa7fRrO6ULFXaTqmE?si=c0405fe30f84489e)
* (episode topic: are people actually doing their best?)
Rami Shapiro
* Book – (https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Rascals-Advice-Spiritual-Revolutionaries-ebook/dp/B073XYV5JX/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1697733719&sr=1-1-catcorr)Holy Rascals (https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Rascals-Advice-Spiritual-Revolutionaries-ebook/dp/B073XYV5JX/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1697733719&sr=1-1-catcorr)
* Audiobook – (https://www.amazon.com/How-to-Be-Holy-Rascal-audiobook/dp/B01MTUOGYI/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1697733719&sr=1-1)How To Be A Holy Rascal (https://www.amazon.com/How-to-Be-Holy-Rascal-audiobook/dp/B01MTUOGYI/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1697733719&sr=1-1) (totally separate set of information)
Stephen Batchelor books (Buddhist ex-monk)
* Buddhism Without Beliefs (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/buddhism-without-beliefs-stephen-batchelor/1111482355?ean=9781573226561)
* Confession of a Buddhist Atheist (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/confession-of-a-buddhist-atheist-stephen-batchelor/1100393140?ean=9780385527071)
* Living With The Devil (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/living-with-the-devil-stephen-batchelor/1129793078?ean=9781594480874)“You Are Two” (https://youtu.be/wfYbgdo8e-8?si=vIzfnmsBOAKQ31od) (5-minute YouTube video)
* what happens when the left and right brain can’t talk to each other?
The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat (https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Mistook-His-Wife/dp/B005745MYI/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1697733553&sr=8-1) - Oliver Sacks (Book/Audiobook)
* Explores a number of neurological disorders, revealing (to me) all of the constructs of everyday consciousness we are unaware of being pieces of a precariously balanced whole
Chimp Empire (https://www.netflix.com/title/81311783) – Netflix
* 4-episode series following the activities of two tribes of chimps in Uganda, and the striking parallels to human behavior
“I Was Almost A School Shooter” – Aaron Stark’s story, and how he has since prevented multiple suicides and shootings
* TED Talk (https://youtu.be/azRl1dI-Cts?si=21q93VM-OrcT5ze3) (7 minutes)
* Spotify Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2J37vWQjeAkvLTerge4ytd?si=uyifK0IlQMO7v2bIxSS8fw) (1 hour; includes graphic descriptions and language, listener discretion advised)
CHAPTERS:
(0:00:00) Introduction
(0:02:41) My background
(0:05:46) Thought Experiment: Multiple Personalities
(0:08:37) Memories In Dreams
(0:09:50) How Computers Work
(0:12:12) Thought Experiment: The Rubber Band Ball
(0:14:28) Tiny Yet Huge
(0:19:02) What is "Me"?
(0:24:21) Bending Physics
(0:26:53) Free Will
(0:28:22) Determinism vs Fatalism
(0:34:53) Back To The Beginning
(0:39:39) Where Is My Consciousness?
(0:45:03) The Source is Irrelevant
(0:47:04) Mysticism
(0:50:17) Psychedelics
(0:54:00) Free Will and Flat Earth
(0:56:31) Integration Into Life
(1:03:33) Overestimating Free Will
(1:07:09) Hating People
(1:09:11) Cultivating Curiosity
(1:11:21) Deconstructing Consciousness
(1:16:01) The Role of Wonder
(1:20:39) Resources
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