The Ikarus Inspired Podcast

In this week's casual news recap I share three stories I've been focusing on. What news stories have YOU been following this weekend? Drop them in the comments!!My Three Stories: 🚨 Iran-Israel Escalation: Following Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions across southern Lebanon and a ceasefire-breaking attack on Beirut, Iran launched its first wave of missiles at Israel since April. With Israel th...

Democracy vs. monarchy — which political system actually holds up under scrutiny? If you've never questioned democracy, this episode will. Filip ( Pensive Pages ) and I spend two hours doing something most political conversations won't — genuinely stress-testing the assumptions you've inherited about how society should be governed. Whether you're a firm believer in democracy or you've always had d...

In this episode, I use a classic Bulgarian novel by Ivan Vazzoff, called "Under the Yoke," to talk about what it means to kill another individual or animal. I talk about how technology, drones, and artificial intelligence has been designed to prevent humans from feeling the usual emotion and trepidation towards killing that has prevailed for centuries. That feeling of fear and trembling is a "Bapt...

As results roll in from the UK’s May 2026 local, Scottish, and Welsh Parliament elections, Matthew Brown and I break down what the numbers really mean for British politics. Reform UK is surging, Labour and the Conservatives are hemorrhaging seats, and the Greens are making inroads with younger voters — so is the traditional two-party system finally dead? Drawing on their years living in Edinburgh,...

In this episode of The Ikarus Inspired Podcast, I explore the mythology of Hera — Greek goddess of marriage, women, and family — and unpacks the deeply human psychology beneath her legendary jealousy. From her persecution of Zeus’s lovers like Io and Echo, to her role in the Trojan War, Hera’s stories reveal a universal fear: the collapse of the kingdoms we build around our identity, status, and r...

On the eve of Bulgaria’s April 19th parliamentary election, I sat down with Filip Karaivanov — born in Sofia, now based in Edinburgh — for a deep-dive conversation on why this vote matters far beyond Bulgaria’s borders. We unpack the country’s long struggle with post-Soviet corruption, explain how its parliamentary system actually works (and why the president’s power to appoint caretaker governmen...

In this episode of the The Ikarus Inspired Podcast delves into the often overlooked Assyrian genocide with esteemed Professor of Law, Hannibal Travis from Florida International University. The conversation explores the historical context of the Assyrian genocide during World War I, its connections to the Armenian genocide, and the continuing impact on Assyrian populations today. Professor Travis p...

In this episode of the Ikarus Inspired Podcast: Myths Edition , we explore the Greek myth of Atlas , the Titan condemned to hold up the world for eternity. But was Atlas’s punishment only physical—or was it also psychological? Using the myth of Atlas as a lens, this episode reflects on the mental weight of responsibility , the modern experience of information overload, and the growing sense of hel...

As I reflect upon the greater part of the weekend, I realized that I came out of it a better person, more knowledgeable, more wise, and having accomplished certain things that I set out to do. I wish I could reflect at the present moment more profoundly. On the readings of Alexander the Great. It’s remarkable to me that I almost shed a tear at the point in the book when Alexander died, because I h...

After waking up at 3:30 a.m. to watch Novak Djokovic lose to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final, I found myself asking a simple question: why do I care so much? In this reflective episode, I explore the emotional pull of sports fandom, nostalgia, identity, and the difficulty of letting go of the things that once brought us pure joy. A meditation on gratitude, aging, and choosing what we c...

In this episode of the Ikraus Inspired Podcast , we explore the Greek creation myths that follow Chaos, focusing on Uranus, Gaia, and Kronos, and the birth of the Olympian gods. Through stories of banishment, prophecy, and rebellion, we examine how violence, sacrifice, and resistance to change shape the natural order — and what these ancient myths reveal about time, power, and human nature. Get fu...

In this episode, we reflect on a day filled with overwhelming global events — from a shocking free-solo climb of Taipei 101 to violence in Minneapolis, mass protests in Iran, extreme weather across the U.S., and nonstop breaking news from around the world. The episode explores a difficult but often overlooked question: what happens to our personal lives when our attention is consumed by global tra...

We often talk about the world as if it’s a single, shared thing—but in practice, each of us lives inside a world we’ve constructed ourselves. In this reflection, I explore how attention, values, and experience shape our sense of reality—from local political battles to global wars, from social movements to family life. Drawing on philosophy, journalism, and personal observation, I ask what it reall...

Ancient myths weren’t just stories, they were humanity’s first attempt to make sense of chaos. In this episode, I explore the beginnings of Greek mythology, the role of Chaos, Gaia, and Uranus, and how myths reflect timeless human struggles with order, authority, and fear. A philosophical look at why mythology still shapes the modern world. Get full access to athanasios at athanasiosjcy.substack.c...

In this short daily reflection, I return to an experiment I first started at the end of 2025: informal, off-the-cuff audio journals about whatever topic is sitting with me in the moment. In this episode, I wrestle with the idea of authenticity —what it really means to “be yourself” when you’re speaking into a microphone, staring at a camera, or posting online for an audience you can’t see. We talk...

In this illuminating episode, I sit down with human rights lawyer, activist, and filmmaker Chuck Nduka Eze to uncover one of Nigeria’s most silenced atrocities. the Asaba Massacre of 1967, when federal troops executed more than a thousand civilians in the Eastern Delta during the Nigerian Civil War. Eze, whose own mother was among those killed, recounts the events that unfolded on October 7th, a d...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Miron Clay-Gilmore — philosopher, researcher, and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto — for a deep exploration into Africana philosophy, race, and the politics of knowledge. Dr. Clay-Gilmore, the first Black philosopher to earn a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, unpacks how Western philosophy has historically excluded African and dias...

In this short, reflective episode, I explore one of humanity’s most overlooked miracles — the invention of language. How did the first people decide what to call things? How could anyone create a system of words and meanings from nothing? From “stick” to “apple,” I unpack the awe-inspiring evolution of speech, naming, and communication — the foundation of everything we take for granted today. Get...

In this Sunday reflection, I share a thoughtful reminder about the importance of slowing down and taking stock of your life. From the value of mental rest to the insights gained through journaling, this short episode encourages you to pause, breathe, and appreciate everything you’ve already accomplished. A mindful start to your week. Get full access to athanasios at athanasiosjcy.substack.com/subs...

In today’s reflection, Athan shares the simple yet powerful impact of courtesy—looking someone in the eye, offering a handshake, and treating every person with respect, whether it’s a neighbor, a stranger, or a community leader. He also dives into how these small gestures can build stronger connections and why they matter in a busy, fast-paced world. Plus, a quick thought on Yankees vs. Red Sox pl...

In this short but powerful episode, we explore the value of connecting with older generations. Discover why sitting down with elders, hearing their life stories, and learning from their struggles, regrets, and triumphs can offer more wisdom than any book or course. From volunteering in senior homes to befriending community leaders, this conversation highlights the timeless benefits of listening to...

In this reflective episode, we explore the beauty of slowing down and reconnecting with nature. From star-filled skies in the Hudson Valley to cotton-candy sunsets and quiet river views, discover how stepping outside can shift perspective, ease the mind, and inspire gratitude. Tune in for a thoughtful reminder to pause, look up, and embrace the wonders that surround us every day. Get full access t...

Start your week with motivation to stay focused, work hard, and embrace failure as proof you’re making progress. Every setback is a sign you’re in the game and one step closer to success. 907582 Get full access to athanasios at athanasiosjcy.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, the host reflects on a riveting conversation with Chuck Nduka Eze about the Asaba massacre, a tragic yet largely forgotten episode of the Nigerian Civil War that remains unacknowledged by both the international community and the government responsible. Beyond the historical discussion, he opens up about the challenges of virtual podcasting—from unreliable recording platforms to th...

I unpack a strange dream where regret felt real, raising questions about stress, escape, and the fine line between dream and reality. Get full access to athanasios at athanasiosjcy.substack.com/subscribe