Pros & Concepts

Episode 48: Ressentiment – Is it Good to be Weak and Poor?

September 27th, 2022  |  41 mins 55 secs

nietzsche, personal development, philosophy, psychology

Steve takes the charge on dipping into Nietzsche’s concept of Ressentiment, which we’ll define simply as “a sense of hostility directed toward an object that is identified as the source of one's frustration. The sense of weakness or inferiority complex (possible jealousy) in the face of this source generates a rejecting/justifying value system, which attacks the source. This value system is then used to justify one's own weaknesses.”

Episode 47: Need for Cognition - Is Thinking a Pleasure or a Pain?

September 12th, 2022  |  45 mins 28 secs

personal development, philosophy, psychology, science

In this episode, Phil explains what Need for Cognition is, most easily defined as a scale ranging from enjoying thinking and finding it as something internally motivated, down to something that is a reluctant chore that requires external motivation. Most notably, someone can be highly intelligent but low need for cognition.

Episode 46: Paradoxical Outcomes - Causing the Exact Thing You Didn't Want

August 30th, 2022  |  50 mins 46 secs

paradoxes, personal development, philosophy, psychology

In this episode, Phil introduces a homebrewed concept that he defines as "Any action taken to stop a particular outcome results in causing that outcome."

Episode 45: Codependence - Can You be Addicted to a Person?

August 15th, 2022  |  48 mins 52 secs

mental health, personal development, philosophy, psychology

In this episode, Steve leads the charge on discussing the ill-defined, commonly flung about term "codependence". What it is, what it means, and what to do about it.

Episode 44: Self-Handicapping - Limiting Ourselves to Protect Ourselves

August 3rd, 2022  |  46 mins 16 secs

mental health, personal development, philosophy, productivity, psychology

In this episode, Phil takes the lead in explaining the two types of self-handicapping. He and Steve discuss why people do this, what they can do about it, and it's possible positive purpose.

Episode 43: Cognitive Defusion - The #1 Secret in Psychology that THEY Don't Want You to Know

July 18th, 2022  |  48 mins 56 secs

anxiety, counseling, depression, mental health, philosophy, psychology, public speaking

In this episode, Steve talks about the idea of Cognitive Defusion. It is the process of distancing yourself from your thoughts, seeing them as suggestions or informants rather than inherent truths, and building greater psychological flexibility to improve overall mental health and adaptability.

Episode 42: Decadence - Societal Depression and its Symptoms

July 5th, 2022  |  53 mins 35 secs

community, philosophy, polisci, political science, politics, psychology, sociology

In this episode, Phil goes through an existential crisis spurred by the research for this episode, discussing what decadence is, what the symptoms are, and what can be done about it.

Episode 41: Laziness - An Unmotivated Concept

June 21st, 2022  |  48 mins 35 secs

philosophy, politics, psychology, sociology

In this episode, Steve leads the conversation to do with the idea of Laziness, whether it exists, what should be labeled as "lazy", and how to better approach these problems.

Episode 40: Propaganda Techniques: Manufacturing Consent

June 6th, 2022  |  48 mins 16 secs

logical fallacies, philosophy, political science, psychology, rhetoric, sociology

In this episode, Phil and Steve go down the list of Propaganda Techniques and discuss the ones they find most relevant. We define them as marketing for political ideas, seeking to change minds through as many paths as possible - aside from rational engagement with reason.

Episode 39: Motivational Interviewing - Getting People to Change

May 16th, 2022  |  44 mins 36 secs

addiction, counseling, interpersonal skills, mental health, philosophy, psychology, self-improvement, sociology

Wish people would take your advice? Want more influence on those around you? Feel like your insight goes to waste? Then this episode is for you!

Steve walks us through what Motivational Interviewing is, and how it’s basically real-life magic. The various techniques that enable you to actively engage with those around you while more tactfully getting them to consider your advice.