Kind of a Lot with Matt Ruby

Comedian Matt Ruby delivers an exactly 150 word mini-essay on how men need to stop blaming others and just man up, already. No more complaining! === - Written and presented by Matt Ruby - Produced and edited by Jeremiah Lee McVay for Stereoactive Media https://www.mattrubycomedy.com/ https://stereoactivemedia.com/

Comedian Matt Ruby delivers an exactly 150 word mini-essay on how we've replaced all boredom in our lives with endless smartphone-fueled scrolling and slop has left us collectively more anxious, depressed, and lonely. Watch on YouTube or Instagram === - Written and presented by Matt Ruby - Produced and edited by Jeremiah Lee McVay for Stereoactive Media https://www.mattrubycomedy.com/ https://...

Comedian Matt Ruby delivers an exactly 150 word mini-essay on how we're all living in different timelines of opinions and bias that affect our ability to recognize truth and facts and also keep us from understanding each others' perspectives on the world. === - Written and presented by Matt Ruby - Produced and edited by Jeremiah Lee McVay for Stereoactive Meida https://www.mattrubycomedy.c...

>>> Watch this episode on  YouTube . Matt Ruby delves into the enchanting story of Ronan Mattin, a young boy whose spontaneous expression of joy—an exuberant “Wow!”—at a symphonic performance ignites a deeper conversation about authenticity and expression. This particular incident occurred in 2019 at Boston's Symphony Hall during a piece by Mozart, and it serves as a perfect backdrop...

>>> Watch this episode on YouTube . Matt Ruby dives into the ever-controversial world of media bias, particularly focusing on the New York Times and its critics from both the left and the right. This widespread disdain raises a crucial question: is the Times doing its job effectively if it is equally reviled by both sides? Matt tackles the notion that the New York Times, despite its criti...

Matt explores the concept of 'weird' in the 2024 presidential election cycle, noting the Democratic Party's rhetorical shift from taking the higher ground to embracing something at least a little bit like rage. He discusses the GOP's cultural vibe and contrasts it with how the left is perceived and delves into political dynamics, such as the power play behind using terms like '...

Matt explores the prevalence of repetitive and trite discourse among some on the left and what they may be able to learn from standup comedians about getting their points across more effectively. He emphasizes the importance of offering original, engaging, and introspective viewpoints while simultaneously avoiding tired tropes that may alienate an audience. This podcast is produced by Stereoactive...

Matt embarks on a reflective journey, delving into the profound teachings he's encountered while exploring the world of plant intelligence through, among other things, his experiences with ayahuasca. Discover the valuable lessons in humility, community, and resilience that plants offer, serving as poignant reminders of interconnectedness and sustainability. Embrace the wisdom of plants to cult...

Matt delves into the concept of embracing discomfort as a means of growth and transcendence, suggesting personal experiences where initial discomfort can lead to valuable outcomes. He explores how modern society tends to avoid discomfort, often inflating minor inconveniences into significant issues, as well as the importance of distinguishing between productive suffering that fosters growth and th...

Matt shares his views on the upcoming presidential election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Maybe, just maybe, it's reality and not the media that makes everyone think Biden is old. And maybe, just maybe, the thought of another Trump presidency, along with the constant shenanigans and scandals we managed to live through last time, is enough to stress us all out all over again. This...

A lot of the conversation around the Israel/Palestine conflict goes off the rails when people start confuse the people for the government or anti-semitism for anti-zionism. So with that in mind, Matt offers some tips to keep in mind if you want to mindfully criticize Israel without coming off as either uninformed or potentially bigoted. Produced by  Stereoactive Media

Matt's father was an Israeli who grew up in Palestine back before the state of Israel even existed. He was also reluctantly a tank commander in the Israeli army because he had to serve. Now, Matt brings the perspective of his father, along with his own as he tries to explain how many Jewish people may be feeling in the wake of events in Israel and Gaza this month, which have added yet another...

Have you ever gone to a rock (or pop) show and wondered why people pull out their phones to record it instead of just experiencing it? Well, now there's a place seemingly built just for those people. U2, once a band that explicitly criticized big commercialized theatrics (admittedly while exploiting big commercialized theatrics), recently played at the latestLas Vegas mecca of opulence. And if...

As the saying goes, “a family is a dictatorship ruled over by its sickest member.” Matt describes his first hand experience with this idea by way of his own mother, but also parallels the concept with other organizational structures, from the armed forces to society itself. What lessons can we all learn from the both simple and complicated circumstance of having a loved one that needs special atte...

From time to time, Matt shares some of his favorite paragraphs of writing he’s come across. In this episode, he and producer J. McVay discuss a few of those paragraphs and the ideas behind them.  Featuring passages from the following: “Vicious Traps” by Morgan Housel ( Collab Fund ) “Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Great ‘Indiana Jones’ Adventure” by David Marchese ( The New York Times Magazine ) “How Stew...

Have you ever been in a coffee shop or other public area when someone gets on a Zoom meeting, plays their music out loud, or does something else that should politely be kept private? Well, Matt has an open letter for all those people about the agreed upon rules of a civil society because it sure seems like a lot of people need a refresher in our after spending so much time away from other people d...

From time to time, someone proposes the ingenious idea of a so-called national divorce to finally separate blue and red states that, to some, seem irreconcilable in their differences. Sometimes the proposal comes from someone on the right, sometimes someone on the left – and sometimes it’s someone as completely ignorant as Marjorie Taylor Greene. Well, now it’s Matt’s turn to play out the scenario...

“Aging well” is an oxymoron and the future will frown upon all of us. Matt explores the friction between generations that occurs when younger people expect elders to be able to keep up with changing expectations about language, behavior, etc, even as many elders are unreasonable in their refusal to even try. A wider willingness to forgive elders who are trying might be helpful, but it would probab...

Matt collects aphorisms, mantras, and other brief thoughts that represent lessons he’s learned throughout his life. In this episode, he and producer J. McVay discuss a handful of these so-called “Rubyisms,” the stories behind them, and the deeper truths they’re connected to: We’ll have so many photos of so much nothing and no one will look at them. Meanwhile, your grandparents had a few photos in...

Matt collects aphorisms, mantras, and other brief thoughts that represent lessons he’s learned throughout his life. In this episode, he and producer J. McVay discuss a handful of these so-called “Rubyisms,” the stories behind them, and the deeper truths they’re connected to: Cynics are just disappointed romantics. Tradition makes you focus on the wrong things. Want people to remember your wedding?...

Matt collects aphorisms, mantras, and other brief thoughts that represent lessons he’s learned throughout his life. In this episode, he and producer J. McVay discuss a handful of these so-called “Rubyisms,” the stories behind them, and the deeper truths they’re connected to: When we ran out of needs to fulfill, they started manufacturing desire. Never underestimate the power of inertia. We call ou...

On the heels of the recent psychedelics conference in Denver organized by the MAPS organization – the largest such conference ever held – Matt shares how he thinks psychedelics should actually be treated as they gain wider acceptance as a therapeutic treatment. Maybe it doesn't have to be all microdosing, mental health, and big business. Maybe there should also be  room for a little bit of “wi...

A recent story about how a Colombian girl managed to help keep her younger siblings alive while lost in the jungle for months because of “ancestral knowledge” begs the question of how most American kids – or adults, for that matter – might fare under similar circumstances. Matt ponders the ways in which  our increasing isolation from each other, driven by technology that further encloses our perso...

Viva compartmentalization! Matt makes the argument that you can blame the messenger while still enjoying the message. Or in other words, maybe you can watch ‘Annie Hall’ or dance to “Ignition (Remix)” without condoning anything that the people who made them may have done in their personal lives. Produced by Stereoactive Media

With the series finale of 'Succession' recently aired, Matt is breaking format to share some of thoughts on the show, in conversation with producer J. McVay. Together they review the under-appreciated players of the show, the depiction of the rich and supposedly business-savvy, references to classic cinema, and plenty more. Produced by Stereoactive Media