In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the world of parasocial relationships - those emotional connections we form with celebrities, influencers, streamers, and YouTubers. We’ll explore what a parasocial relationship is, and some of the psychological motivators behind them. We’ll weigh up whether they’re beneficial to us or harmful, and take a look at two real life examples from each side of the coin. This one’s a bit meatier than usual, so I decided to start doing a few episodes every...

In this episode, we’re going to be taking a deviation from our usual transmission. This Monday, which was a bank holiday for all of you in the UK, a book that I’ve been working on for about 2 years finally hit the shelves. It’s imaginatively called “The Observing I: A guide to living a more authentic life”, and it’s full of philosophical ideas and psychological methodologies to help you get to the bottom of the nature of you. It’s available to purchase on Amazon as an eBook, and we’re...

In today’s episode, we’re getting into the esoteric realm of thought and consciousness. What is thought, and how does it shape our experience? What part does our consciousness play on the human narrative, and where is the line between thought and awareness? We’ll look at the fundamental definitions of thought, explore what philosophy and theology has to say on the matter, and look at the way in which thought and consciousness dance together. And, of course, we try to distil this down into...

In today’s episode, we are getting into the world of empathy and sympathy. These two emotions play crucial roles in our social interactions, relationships, and personal well-being. I’ll be looking at what they actually are, taking a look at what philosophy has to say on the matter, and exploring their place in psychology. We’ll also be looking at the pros and cons of each and trying to work out which one is better. As an aside, you’ll be pleased to hear that the book is in it’s final stages...

In today's episode, we're exploring the world of Alain de Botton, the philosopher who makes old ideas feel fresh. We'll explore how he takes complex concepts and brings them down to earth, showing us how they can be applied to our everyday lives. Whether you're struggling with love, work, or just the general feeling of being overwhelmed by the modern world, de Botton offers a unique perspective that can help us understand ourselves and the world around us a little bit better. We'll also...

In today’s episode, we delve into the life, philosophy, and enduring influence of one my favourite modern philosophers - Alan Watts. He was an incredible figure who spoke with eloquence and clarity, integrating Eastern and Western thought in a way that had never been done before. Trained as an Episcopal priest, he left the church and went on to become a spiritual luminary in California in the height of the 60s counter culture movement. If you’re interested in Eastern philosophy, this man is...

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the life and philosophy of the famous cynic Diogenes of Sinope, possibly one of the most eccentric philosophers in history. Known for his extreme cynicism and audacious public antics, Diogenes challenged the social and moral norms of his time with a philosophy that is as radical today as it was over two thousand years ago. From living in a ceramic jar to asking Alexander the Great to move because he was blocking the sun, Diogenes' story is a beautiful...

In today’s episode, we’re venturing into the sceptical world of the 18th Century philosopher David Hume. Hume shook the foundations of science, morality, and our sense of self and identity. From his early philosophical crisis, to his critique of the traditional notion of causality, we’ll be exploring how his sceptical mind questioned the limits of human knowledge. We’ll look at how his ideas can be applied to our lives today, through tools such as emotional awareness, critical thinking, and...

In today’s episode, we explore the curious case of Hermes Trismegistus, a philosopher who lived at the convergence of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman culture. We'll explore who this mysterious figure might have been (*clue: it wasn’t Thoth), the core principles of Hermetic philosophy, and how they've shaped thinkers from the Renaissance to the present day. We’ll talk about how Hermeticism can be useful in our lives today, and some of the potential pitfalls and critiques of the philosophy. Such as...

In today’s episode, we explore the life and philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, the 19th-century thinker who challenged traditional morality and championed individual self-creation. We dive into his core ideas surrounding “the death of God”, the Rise of the Ubermensch, the Will to Power, and his Revaluation of Values. We talk about how to live authentically, according to Nietzsche, and then see how his ideology can be applied to our lives today. There is, however, no advice offered on how to...

Ever feel lost in a universe that seems indifferent to your existence? This week on The Observing I, we delve into the world of existentialism and the notion of the absurd, explored through the life and work of Albert Camus. We'll unpack the core themes of existentialism – freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. Then, we'll meet Meursault, the enigmatic protagonist of Camus' groundbreaking novel The Stranger, and see how his story embodies the themes of...

It’s time for a change in direction. Today marks the first episode in our Philosophical Deep Dives, where I pick a certain school of thought and explore what it’s about, where it came from, and how it’s relevant today. This week, as I mention it in almost every episode, you’re getting Stoicism. I talk about the core tenets of the philosophy (wisdom, courage, virtue, and temperance), take a look at the lives of those who influenced it back in Greece and Rome, and then see what Modern Stoicism...

In this episode, I’m doing my damnedest to help you take control over what can be our biggest adversary - our “self”. I'll be exploring the benefits and the challenges we may face, throw a bit of neuroscience in there to make me sound like I know what I’m talking about, and examine various philosophical outlooks on the idea of self control throughout the ages. This is the final episode in our Beyond Resolutions series. I hope you’ve found the topics that we’ve covered over the past few months...

In this episode, we’re getting into the belly of the growth mindset. It’s all about the power of “if I’m consistent and put the effort in, I can do this”, versus the trap of “Nah, I’m good, I don’t like being uncomfortable”. We talk about what a growth mindset is, explore some philosophical ideas that support it (quelle surprise, Stoicism turns up), and look at some strategies for how you can action it in your own life. Hopefully, we’ll leave you with a roadmap for getting on the path to...

In this episode, we explore the topic of procrastination, examining its psychological underpinnings and the effects it has on our mental health, personal success, and interpersonal relationships. We look at some strategies you can employ in your own fight against procrastinatory behaviour. And, of course, it wouldn’t be an episode of the Observing I if we didn’t get into some philosophical outlooks and perspectives around the topic at hand. Much love,David

In this episode, we’re diving into the depths of emotional intelligence. We’ll explore what it means, give it some philosophical and cultural context, look at how it can support our personal growth, and offer some practical tips and strategies to help improve your own emotional intelligence. Much love,David

In this episode, we’re going to unravel the fear of failure. We’ll explore its evolutionary and societal roots, its psychological impact, and how it affects our behaviour. We’ll discuss cognitive patterns and social comparison theory that contribute to this fear. And we’ll cover some strategies to overcome it and how we can apply those strategies to our daily lives. All in the theme of this year’s mantra “get comfortable being uncomfortable”. Much love,David

In this episode, I’m unpacking the intricacies of habit formation, examining the habit loop's cue-routine-reward structure, and the neuroscience that solidifies our habits. Then, we look at strategies for cultivating positive habits and tools for integrating these practices into everyday life, addressing common obstacles and emphasizing the importance of incremental change and support systems. Much love,David PS - Here are the links to the habit apps that I recommended in this week’s...

Firstly, it’s episode 50. That feels like a milestone. It also feels like the time since episode one has gone incredibly quickly. I should celebrate, but I’m unsure of what an appropriate celebration should be. Possibly some wine. Getting onto this episode, I delve into the philosophy of happiness, discussing perspectives from Stoicism to Positive Psychology. I look at the challenges of seeking happiness, such as the hedonic treadmill and the impact of our cultural perspective. And I do my...

In this episode, I'm talking all about accountability. I look at both the philosophical and psychological perspectives of what it means to be accountable, dive in to some historical thoughts and ideas around it, and give you some actionable tips on how to make yourself more accountable to yourself, your goals, and your ambitions. Let’s move towards the person that we’ve always aspired to be. Much love,David

In this episode, we’re continuing with the theme of supporting your resolutions this year. As part of that, I’m delving into the transformative power of having your own personal manifesto. A manifesto is designed to articulate our fundamental values, beliefs, and ambitions. I’ll give you some guidance on how to create one yourself, what you could include in it, and I go through my own manifesto to give you some ideas and inspiration. Much love,David

In this episode, I’m exploring the world of critical thinking. What it is, how it enables us to approach a problem or idea pragmatically, and what all of us can do to try and improve our critical thinking skills. Plus, we'll talk about why knowing yourself and really listening to others is key to being a great critical thinker. Enjoy the podcast, and if you have any thoughts or ideas on any of the content in this episode, drop a comment below. Much love,David

Happy new year you beautiful lot! In this episode, I’m talking about how to get out of our comfort zone. It’s a challenging space, pushing ourselves beyond the boundaries of what we’re used to. It can be unsettling, leave us uneasy. But it’s in this space that we truly grow as a person, and in this space that we can really learn about ourselves. Join me this year as I take on the mantra “get comfortable being uncomfortable”, and let’s see where it leads us. Much love,David

In this episode, I'm talking with Ralph Sutton. Ralph is a TV and radio veteran, the host of the goodsugar podcast alongside Marcus Antebi (founder of the health and wellness platform "Juice Press"), and the SDR Show. He's also the founder of the Gas Digital Network, and you can find him online at www.iamralphsutton.com and on Instagram at @iamralphsutton. Ralph shares his wellbeing journey with us, offers some sound advice on living a healthy life, and opinions on the current state of the...

In this episode, we’re getting into the Christmas spirit and exploring the different personality archetypes of Santa Claus. What do the archetypes tell us about ourselves, what are their potential downfalls, and how do they impact the wider cultural unconscious?  I want to wish you all a fabulous holiday, and to thank you for all of your support. It’s now been one year of running this podcast and both the experience and the feedback have been amazing. There’s much more to come next year,...