Whatslacking Podcast

In this solo pod, I give a brief history of free speech and make the case for its importance in the rise of Western civilization. Blog : whatslacking.wordpress.com Liked the episode ? Please like, rate, share and subscribe. Youtube : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@whatslackingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatslacking-podcast/id1197837203

In part two of our conversation, Henry discusses video games as escapism but also as important didactic tool; choosing health, longevity and fitness after being obese; blogs and useful information; having to stop being a wine aficionado to stay as sharp as possible during medical school and jujutsu competitions; Fight Club and movies that are better than their source books; sequels and their usual...

Henry Duran is a medical doctor from San Bernardino, CA. We discussed his long journey and inspiration to become a doctor, health, nutrition and longevity, his passion for jujutsu, marrying a fellow doctor and expecting his first child, first names and assimilation, his immigrant parents, his father's hardness, getting along with him as an adult, hating his high school experience, moving from...

In part two of our conversation, Elsa and I discuss Puerto Rico's colonial status, bilingual education on the island, how she became fluent in English, neither party offering solutions she's comfortable with, the transitional phase in our politics, optimism in the face of tremendous change, societal collapse, problems with Puerto Rico's electrical grid and infrastructure, proxemics, Ma...

Elsa Figueroa is a digital marketer, translator, writer and belly dancer from San Juan, Puerto Rico. We talk about her journey from Puerto Rico to Oakland and back, hobbies versus passions, writing and dancing as a beautiful struggle, her love of stories and reading, equality of outcome vs. equality of opportunity vs. equality of permission, writing as a passion and not a job, Substack, audience c...

Malik Bennett is a teacher and coach from Philadelphia. We talk about family life, his love of sports, the existence of good and evil, his dislike for Donald trump, how he became a teacher, Slam! by Walter Dean Myers, Spike Lee's Malcolm X, Adam Sandler's Billy madison and Cam'ron. Enjoy! Liked the episode ? Please like, rate, share and subscribe. Youtube : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@whatsla...

In this solo pod, I examine our modern crisis of meaning after the decline of religion and grand political narratives. I evaluate responses like spiritual practices and virtue ethics before arguing that we should embrace rather than lament modernity. By recommitting to classical liberalism and Enlightenment values, and appreciating the unprecedented freedoms and material progress we've made, w...

In the 2nd part of our conversation, Nigel and I talk about his and his mother's conversion to Islam and his desire to rediscover and recommit to it, the dual uses of of religion, religion as the foundation for morality, Nietzsche's critique of slave morality, balance and synthesis as the key to life, therapy and self-healing, masculinity and authenticity, exploring the outside world as a way of e...

Nigel Hill is a videographer, Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) and food truck owner from Philadelphia. We talk about Rhode Island's scenic beauty, constant learning and growth in adulthood, artistry versus creativity, discovering and applying one's imagination later in life, Steve Jobs, his dad's tragic end, male role models, working on yourself in order to have fulfilling relationships, div...

Johanna Palacio is a dentist from Queens, NY. We talk about sharing many identical biographical details and marvel at the statistical unlikelihood of having met in a Queens elementary school; multiculturalism and diversity in Queens; education as the key to a successful life; what motivated her to become a dentist; her experience at UPenn's dental school; her disillusionment with the Democratic Pa...

Ty and I continue our conversation. We talk about true friends, envy and competition ending friendships, SoCal being ideal for outdoor activities, his workout regimen and fitness journey, and why The Wire is the greatest TV show of all time...Enjoy! Liked the episode? Please like, rate, share and subscribe. Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@whatslackingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts....

Ty Bell joins the podcast for our second conversation. We talk about fatherhood, not repeating the mistakes of his father, his immense love for his son, the joys and challenges of raising a child with autism, music as his life's calling, Southern California as the best place to live in the world, celibacy as way to clarify what he wanted and needed from women, perspective and gratitude when compar...

In this solo pod, I read my essay "What's Slacking?" I give an abbreviated history of the concept of slacking, its current appeal and major flaw. Enjoy! Essay Link: https://whatslacking.wordpress.com/2024/07/14/whats-lacking/ Liked the episode? Please like, rate, share and subscribe. Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@whatslackingpodcast⁠⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatsl...

Dionte (Dion) McCain is an educator and small business owner in Philadelphia by way of Washington, D.C. We talk abut his move from D.C. to Philadelphia, adjusting to a new city in middle school, , living with his mom and then aunt and uncle, magnet schools as an alternative to public schools in the 90s, singing for Nelson Mandela in third grade as part of a choir, staying out of trouble as an adol...

In the second part of our conversation, Sergio tells us why he has no regrets in life, how moving to Dallas was the best decision he's ever made, money being the foundation upon which a good life is built, our mutual love of hip-hop, and how podcasts act as his main form of consuming information. Enjoy! Sergio's new single: https://youtu.be/QlACY5VmKmI?si=_lhiqkl_j9gOYEv6 Liked the episode? Please...

Sergio Peña is a communications director for a church in Dallas, TX. We talk about his journey from New Mexico to LA to the Bay Area and finally to Dallas; trying to make it in the music industry; hanging out with West Coast Latin rappers; being broke in the Bay Area; the reality of the Struggling Artist trope; realizing Stanford graduates are regular people too; luck being when preparation meets...

In the 2nd part of our conversation, Zack and I talk about spirituality as hope and as a bulwark against the terror of finitude, the limits of human understanding, a somatic approach to mental and emotional health, dealing with his mother's alcoholism and the joy of rediscovering yourself and the world. Enjoy! Zack's Website: ⁠https://heart-talks.net⁠ Liked the episode? Please like, rate,...

Zack Ramicone is a life coach focusing on interpersonal communication as well as a speech therapist. We talk about the tactical matters of living with your loved one, divorce and outside expectations, children and family versus autonomy and freedom, poverty and its impact on child-rearing, fatherhood and the military, living up to the paternal hero's journey, finding refuge in brotherhood, empathy...

In our second conversation, Gilbert talks about appreciating life and lyrics, being happy with what he has and not needing much, his skill in photography, poetry and writing, the democratization of art and media, Kevin Kelly and 1,000 true fans, the news as a stress machine, youth being wasted on the young, Woodstock 1999, marrying your mission, helping people and The Wonder years...Enjoy! Liked t...

Elena Amador is a nanny and artist from Seattle, WA. We talk about Gen Z and their ideas around having children, being the child of Mexican and German immigrants, exposure to all aspects of life when traveling, the pleasantness of Spanish against the harshness of German, going to the same school where her mother worked, the pros and cons of ADHD, adaptogens, nootropics and healthy eating, differen...

In his first video appearance on the podcast, second overall, Miguel and I talk about break- and House dancing, authenticity, family and exemplifying success, moving to a new city as away of forging personal growth, relationships helping you discover yourself, synergy and synchronicity and the synthesis of innovation with tradition. Enjoy! Liked the episode? Please like, rate, share and subscribe....

Shawn Handy is a photographer (www.handidviewss.com) and teacher from West Philadelphia. In this episode we talk about rediscovering his faith, light at the tunnel, finding his soulmate, the importance of communication in all facets of life, and Wale helping him conquer a particular fear. Enjoy! Liked the episode? Please like, rate, share and subscribe. Youtube: https://youtu.b/PqwP5LLsE5Y?si=4TA9...

In his second appearance, Jordy and I talk about shifts in perspectives and gratitude, biology and selfishness, progress and the Great Enrichment, society and the hedonic treadmill, tending one's friendships, impostor syndrome, therapy and balance in life. Enjoy! Liked the episode? Please like, rate, share and subscribe. Youtube : https://youtu.b/PqwP5LLsE5Y?si=4TA9FkCZHCXMbJh7

In part 2 of our conversation, Gilbert King Elisa and I talk about the shift in opinion about Trump, vigilance against outside forces controlling our hatreds and feelings, rap and programming against success, Paulo Coelho and self-discovery and "old movies and music. Enjoy! Liked the episode? Please like, rate, share and subscribe. Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv9CC4rRvfJgAFwv3i...

Gilbert King Elisa is a photographer, IT technician and teacher from Washington Heights, Manhattan. In part one of the episode we discuss his upbringing, being raised by a single mother, teachers that cared, studying acting and theatre and media. Enjoy! Liked the episode? Please like, rate, share and subscribe. Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv9CC4rRvfJgAFwv3imiNrw