Feral Philosophy Podcast

What if breath isn't just a wellness tool, but a doorway into an entirely different way of thinking? Finnish philosopher Petri Berndtson returns to explore the radical idea of breathing as a foundation for philosophy itself. Drawing from Merleau-Ponty, Husserl, and his own phenomenological practice, Petri unpacks how the breath connects mind, body, ethics, and even politics. We challenge the domin...

I sat down with Luka Hocevar, a former pro basketball player turned master fitness coach, to dig into why knowledge isn't enough when it comes to real change. We talk nutrition myths, why people self-sabotage, and what truly drives transformation - from the gym floor to life at large. Luka's got the science, the scars, and the stories to back it up. We also explore how trauma, belief systems, and...

Trauma informed wellness coach and strength trainer Laura Khoudari joins me to talk about how she found Olympic lifting, powerlifting, being a "machine", 'The Body Keeps the Score', why strength training is useful, body awareness, safety and trauma, collapse and victimhood, boundary issues, pulling movements, deadlifts, over-head press, being weird in the gym, vulnerability, eating disorder recove...

Performance coach Clay Moffat sits down with me for a no-holds-barred conversation on trauma, resilience, and the mind-body connection. With a background spanning the military, oil and gas, and neuro-linguistic programming, Clay brings a raw, insightful perspective to the ways trauma is synthesized by the nervous system - and how our perception can amplify its effects. Expect practical insights, a...

I had a proper, grounded conversation with Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior . We spoke about what it truly means to live with presence and how discipline and surrender can actually support each other, rather than compete. Dan shared personal stories and practical wisdom from his own path, offering insights that are both deeply human and immediately useful. We also challenged some...

Dating apps, confidence, and why your profile photo might be tanking your chances - this chat with David Chambers was sharp, funny, and full of real talk. We got into how modern men can actually thrive in dating, from crafting better profiles and messages to understanding deeper stuff like attachment, emotional maturity, and why your trauma might be picking your partners. David shares smart advice...

Charles Cornish-Dale - better known as Raw Egg Nationalist - joins me for a frank chat on masculinity, food, and the politics that bind them. Recently doxxed, he's no longer behind a pseudonym and has plenty to say now that he's speaking openly. We talk about his new book The Last Men , the controversial Eggs Benedict Option cookbook, and why he sees modern health as a cultural battlefield. Testos...

Zen priest, author, and developmental thinker Keith Martin-Smith returns for a dive into what happens when ancient wisdom meets modern trauma. We riff on the psychology gaps in traditional meditation, why some Buddhists need therapy more than enlightenment, and how writing a biography of a Zen master changed Keith's own practice. It's candid, occasionally irreverent, and rich with insight for anyo...

I'm sharing some personal reflections from my new life in Slovenia. It's just me on the mic, exploring themes of home, belonging, and what it means to truly feel settled - both in a place and in the body. As someone who has lived all over the world, I've had plenty of cross-cultural experiences that shape how I see things. I talk about migration, embodiment, and the nervous system—not just from a...

Krav Maga instructor, Lewis Groves joins me to get into what Krav Maga really is, where it comes from, and how it's different from traditional martial arts or rule-bound sports. We talk about training for the street rather than the ring, the value of simplicity under pressure, and why so many martial arts end up in fantasyland. We also cover ego, humility, gender differences, strength vs. skill, a...

I'm joined by author and men's work coach Jack Donovan for a deep, honest chat about modern masculinity. We get into why strength matters, how weakness is being sold as virtue, and why the idea that we're all "blank slates" might be doing more harm than good. We talk martial arts, the value of tactical virtues, and what honour really means in a world that often dismisses it. Jack also breaks down...

Scott Hanley joins me to talk about how he turned the tables on his Parkinson's diagnosis. We explore how mindset, movement, and a willingness to experiment played key roles in his recovery. We also talk about CrossFit, brain health, neuroplasticity, and the social disconnection that's worsened since COVID. It's a conversation packed with practical insight, big inspiration, and a reminder that it'...

In this episode, I'm doing one of my not-so-solo solo casts - with Dr. Helen Machen-Pearce in the room. We talk the power of nervous system regulation and how co-regulation plays a key role in well-being. This candid conversation dives into mental health, somatic practices, and how we connect as humans. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just curious about nervous system healing, this episo...

Ex-Dutch special forces operator turned breathwork coach Wouter Huizer joins me to discuss masculinity, elite performance, and mastering the nervous system. We get into counter-terrorism, ethics, high-performing teams, anger, discipline, military identity, the "off switch," up-regulation, insecurity, and refusing the shot. A punchy, masculine, and insightful chat with plenty of laughs and hard-won...

The Warrior Philosopher joins me for a dive deep into the intersection of philosophy, masculinity, and the struggle for meaning in the modern world. Drawing on Nietzsche, Mishima, and the ideals of the warrior poet, we explore how strength, aesthetics, and discipline shape a life of purpose. We also discuss the alienation of modern men, the consequences of comfort and decadence, and why rediscover...

Mikaal Bates joins me for a thought-provoking discussion on the growing divide between men and women, the shifting landscape of masculinity, and why more people are turning back to traditional values. We explore the impact of feminism, the rise of the "trad wife" movement, and the unintended consequences of modern social trends. We also discuss how movement practices like dance and weightlifting i...

Host of The Emerald and animism teacher Josh Schrei joins me to explore topics that span existential questions to practical rituals. We look at what it means to be alive in a world teeming with distractions, the role of myth in modern life, and the tension between liberalism and animism. Josh shares his take on mental health, the importance of authentic connection, and why mindfulness and yoga som...

Spoken word artist and coach Adam Roa joins me for a wide-ranging chat about life, love, and the messiness of it all. We get into the highs and lows of going viral, why self-love can sometimes look a lot like narcissism, and what's total BS in the personal growth world. Adam shares war stories from the world of artistic entrepreneurship - think big money, big egos, and the discipline it actually t...

Uptrust and Relatefulness founder Jordan Myska Allen joins me to tackle one of the biggest challenges of our time - social media. We dig into the dark side of the platforms we all love to hate: polarization, narcissism, addiction, and how algorithms keep us hooked and divided. But Jordan has a plan. He introduces Uptrust, a radical new approach to online interaction designed to promote trust, redu...

Philosopher Nancy Sherman joins me to unpack Stoicism - what people often misunderstand about it, and what's really worth taking away. We dive into Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and how ancient wisdom still speaks to modern practices like CBT. Nancy shares insights on moral injury, PTSD, and the dynamics of resilience in relationships, alongside Aristotle's virtue ethics and the golden mean. We also ta...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Joshua Wenner, a relationship coach specializing in nervous system well-being, somatic healing, and grief work. Joshua opens up about his personal journey through love, loss, and trauma, sharing profound insights on how to process grief, build resilience, and navigate emotional challenges. We dive deep into the science of somatics, the role of the nervous...

Ashanti Branch has made it his life's work to challenge the very idea of men being told to "man up". In this episode, I sit down with Ashanti, the founder and director of the Ever Forward Club, to dive into what it really means to be a man—and why society's version is doing more harm than good. Ashanti opens up about growing up without a father, the emotional roadblocks he faced, and how those exp...

Host of the Man Talks podcast and author of Men's Work Connor Beaton joins me to talk about the myth of vulnerability, suicide, being useful, who defines masculinity, postmodernism, psychological fracturing, women and safety, Chris Bumstead, the psychological industrial complex, APA guidelines, Andrew Tate, weight lifting and mental health, mentoring, developing male friendships and more. A really...

Explore the intersection of masculinity, sports science, and philosophy with Nick Winkelman, Head of Athletic Performance for Irish Rugby. In this episode, we dive into what sports can teach us about personal growth and leadership, overcoming mental barriers, understanding the mind-body connection, and the power of effective communication. Learn why anatomical instructions fall short, how to use c...

Russian martial arts teacher Vladimir joins me to discuss Systema, health, aikido, fear, fight and flight, breathing, community, family and context, 911, fighting evil, post-COVID fighting, protesting and more. A lovely vibrant one. Find out more about Vladimir here: https://www.russianmartialart.com/index.php   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Born...