Lost in Thought

It's normal to feel overwhelmed when thinking about success. Perhaps success reflects something about our true selves, or it may signal our intelligence or ability to be creative, or perhaps it demonstrates our capacity to conform to social norms. But success is one of those concepts that is so hard to define that it seems to be entirely subjective. In today's episode, I look at the psycho...

It's normal to take antidepressants. They calm down the inner existentialist, they make depression manageable, they make it easier to get out of bed, and they generally make life feel less overwhelming. But none of us really know how they help, or whether it's worth pushing through some of the side-effects they cause. In this episode, we unpack how the most common antidepressants (SSRIs) w...

My 100th episode. Thanks for being here.  SUPPORT: — Patreon — PayPal SOCIALS: — Instagram — TikTok — Personal Site

Setting goals feels counterintuitive because it inevitably ends up in self-loathig. Maybe, though, there's a way we can set goals AND be happy. SUPPORT: — Patreon — PayPal SOCIALS: — Instagram — TikTok — LinkedIn — Personal Site LEARN PHILOSOPHY WITH ME: — Beginners Philosophy with Aleks

Bryn Chapman-Parish is an Actor and Musician, best known for his role as Spider in Heartbreak High.  SUPPORT:  — Patreon — PayPal SOCIALS:  — Instagram   — TikTok — LinkedIn — Twitter   — Personal Site

I analyse and try to resolve 5 key issues within Progressive politics, while also keeping the Conservative alternative in mind. I speak about the difficulty progressives have finding an idol, cancel culture, echo chambers, openness to experience and difference, as well as the psychology behind Progressive and Conservative views. ~ 👉 Support on Patreon 👉 Follow Aleks on Instagram or TikTok

After nearly 5 years on antidepressants, I've decided to come off them. This episode explores my reasons why, and what's changed in my life to encourage me to make this decision. ~ 👉 Support on Patreon 👉 Follow me on Instagram @alekshammo 👉 Follow me on TikTok @alekshammo

Émile P. Torres is a Philosopher and Historian whose work focuses on existential threats to civilization and humanity.  Émile has published on a wide range of topics, including machine superintelligence, emerging technologies and religious eschatology, as well as the history and ethics of human extinction. Follow Émile on Twitter , or visit their website ~ 👉 Support on Patreon 👉 Follow me o...

Our world is made of thoughts, but we are lost in them.  Welcome to Lost in Thought, a podcast about our world, our thoughts, and how these things impact our mental health. 👉 Support Aleks Listens via Patreon or PayPal   👉 Follow me on Instagram @alekshammo 👉 Follow me on TikTok @alekshammo

Aurelia St Clair is a comedian, model, writer, and podcaster.  Aurelia and I spoke about 'idiosyncratic' Naarm/Melbourne meme and suburb cultures, the perils of being a content creator, as well as diversity, otherness, and whiteness.  ~ Support Aleks Listens via Patreon or PayPal  Tickets for my upcoming public interviews in Naarm/Melbourne —Instagram @alekshammo —TikTok @alekshammo —Twitter @alek...

Abbie Chatfield is a public figure: social critic, political activist, radio/tv presenter, podcaster, and business woman. I ask Abbie about being a celebrity, what it means to have 400k+ followers on Instagram, and how stardom impacts mental health. I also ask Abbie to define the meaning of life. TW: Suicide ~ Enrol in my Beginners Philosophy Course Support Aleks Listens via Patreon or PayPal  —In...

I sat down and chatted with Anjelica Angwin of CLUB NITE. CLUB NITE is a piercing, tongue-in-cheek analysis of Melbourne’s distinct party scenes; a live-action meme filled with banter, rainbow lighting, dance, certified bangers, and a cathartic commentary on Zoomer self-exploration and current social-woke-politics. Get tickets to CLUB NITE Follow CLUB NITE on Instagram ~ Support Aleks Listens via ...

Dr. Mehreen Faruqi is a Senator for NSW who represents The Greens. ~ Support Aleks Listens via Patreon or PayPal  —Instagram @alekshammo —TikTok @alekshammo —Twitter @alekshammo Get tickets to my public interview with Philosopher Justin Clemens

I talk about the loss of hope that comes with full-time work. ~ Support Aleks Listens via Patreon or PayPal  Follow @alekshammo on Instagram Follow @alekslistens on TikTok Shop my handmade t-shirts

Conversation around phone addiction is stilted and infrequent. What are our reasons for losing ourselves in our phones, and how can we hope to change our relationship to them? Also, I mention and misquote an article about phone addiction. Correct stats are here: "the average smartphone user rarely goes two hours without using her device, unlocks her device 50 or more times a day, and swipes or tap...

Simon Critchley is a Philosopher at The New School (NYC), an author, and a writer/moderator at The New York Times. Simon and I spoke about the nature of philosophy, life before philosophy (which included punk music and an interesting evening with Lemmy of Motörhead), the current state of world politics, as well as how scenes, communities, and new ideas develop. ~ Follow @alekslistens on Instagram...

2021 is winding up and I take a moment to reflect on the changes to my "philosophy of life," and I also ask the question of what we become when we are so plugged in (social media, internet, etc.) You can also watch this episode on YouTube. ~ Follow @alekslistens on Instagram and @alekslistens on TikTok Check out my shop  Support Aleks Listens via Patreon or PayPal  Enrol in my Beginners Philosophy...

Flex Mami / Lil Ahenkan is a Ghanaian-Australian Entrepreneur, Author (The Success Experiment), Podcaster, DJ, and TV Presenter. Flex and I explore the marvels and perils of online life, influencing, setting boundaries, communicating with strangers, creating the world in one's image, and selling/commodifying the self.  Follow @flex.mami on Instagram. ~ Follow @alekslistens on Instagram and @aleksl...

Moktar is an Egyptian / Australian producer based in Naarm / Melbourne. Moktar’s recent EP “Silk” is a  meditation on Arabness, otherness,  and self-discovery. “Silk” represents a shift in  Moktar’s sound which echoes his identity as a Middle-Easterner, an Egyptian, and an Arab. Moktar and I discussed our experiences as Arabs in Australia, the changes in Moktar's sound, and what it takes to get in...

Becoming a social media influencer is a very strange phenomenon. You have incredible control over the priorities and beliefs or your audience. But, at what cost? Have you ever thought about what it actually means to represent yourself online? How personally impactful is it when we develop an online personality? Is there a way to ethically influence people? ~ Follow @alekslistens on Instagram and @...

Why is the West fanatical with productivity? Why are we always pushing to become more, to make more, to produce more? Today I consider a simple question: are we losing our sense of self by over-identifying with the things we make? ~ Follow @alekslistens on Instagram and @alekslistens on TikTok Watch this episode on YouTube  Support Aleks Listens via Patreon or PayPal  Enrol in my Beginners Philoso...

After 6 months off Antidepressants, I'm back on them. In this episode, I reflect on what the past 6 months have been like, and what it's been like returning to antidepressants. Love, Aleks x ~ You are not alone: Lifeline (24hrs): 13 11 14 - www.lifeline.org.au Kids' Helpline (24hrs): 1800 55 1800 - www.kidshelp.com.au BeyondBlue (24hrs): 1300 22 4636 - www.beyondblue.org.au  ~ Watch this episode o...

Jess Zanoni is a musician and writer living in Naarm. Jess is the singer and bassist of alt-rock band Arbes, and is currently working on a solo project called Za Noon. Jess and I spoke about work, time, the infinite quest of establishing a routine, being creative (Jess does loads of creative stuff), escapism, distractions, and music.  Thanks for listening. Love, Aleks x ~ Support Aleks Listens via...

I reflect on the changes to my life since coming off antidepressants. One of the biggest changes has been the blurred lines between my depression before, during, and after antidepressant use. It will be helpful (but not essential) for you to listen to Parts 1 and 2 before listening to this episode.  ~ Support Aleks Listens via PayPal or Patreon. Follow Aleks Listens on Instagram Enrol in my Beginn...

Gregor is a progressive pop musician based in Naarm (Melbourne).  We spoke about the changing nature of Gregor's music, music as a form of therapy, perfectionism and validation, as well as multiculturalism and the creative scene in Naarm. You can listen to Gregor's music on Spotify or Bandcamp. ~ Support Aleks Listens via PayPal or Patreon. Follow Aleks Listens on Instagram Enrol in my Beginners P...