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Decoding the Gurus
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An exiled Northern Irish anthropologist and a hitchhiking Australian psychologist take a close look at the contemporary crop of 'secular gurus', iconoclasts, and other exiles from the mainstream, offering their own brands of unique takes and special insights. Leveraging two of the most diverse accents in modern podcasting, Chris and Matt dig deep into the claims, peek behind the psychological curt... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes200Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Decoding the Gurus

Latest Episodes

Matt and Chris once again take up their oars and plunge deeper into the recursive whirlpools of contemporary sensemaking. Picking up where Part 1 left off, having grappled with conscience, touchstones, hierarchies, and normativity, we return to the s... more

Why are we never invited to these dinners? We wonder if it was something we said or if our invitation just got lost in the mail, as we endure the inevitable discourse wave that followed in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder.

The full episode is avail... more

Join Matt and Chris as they enter an intellectual labyrinth of recursive sensemaking featuring the combined insights of Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, and Jordan Hall. You will learn about many, many deep and complex concepts and puzzle over definit... more

We risk contamination with toxic mould, endure distressing initiation rituals to a comedy cult, and ponder if the narratives we have received about the Nazis have enough nuance.

The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 21 minut... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

James Bloodworth
British journalist and author
Episode: Exploring the Manosphere with James Bloodworth
Eric Weinstein
Conspiratorial theorist and commentator, often discussing complex social issues
Episode: Supplementary Material 33: Weinstein Enigmas, The Epstein Conspiracies, and Dwarves punching ducks
Chaz Firestone
Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Mind, Culture & Visual Illusions: Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone on Visual Illusions
Dorsa Amir
Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University
Duke University
Episode: Mind, Culture & Visual Illusions: Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone on Visual Illusions
Manvir Singh
Anthropologist, psychologist, and cross-cultural researcher specializing in shamanism.
Episode: Shamanism and the Art of Charismatic Otherness with Manvir Singh
Chamath Palihapitiya
Tech billionaire and venture capitalist
CEO at Social Capital
Episode: The All-In Podcast: How Tech Titans Besties Saved the World
David Sacks
Tech entrepreneur and investor
Co-founder of Yammer and investor in various tech companies
Episode: The All-In Podcast: How Tech Titans Besties Saved the World
Jason Calacanis
Entrepreneur and angel investor
Founder of Inside.com
Episode: The All-In Podcast: How Tech Titans Besties Saved the World
David Friedberg
Entrepreneur and environmentalist
CEO of The Production Board
Episode: The All-In Podcast: How Tech Titans Besties Saved the World

Hosts

Chris Kavanagh
Co-host and anthropologist, known for his critical analysis and insights into contemporary gurus and societal narratives.
Matthew Browne
Co-host and psychologist, engaged in challenging discussions about intellectual figures and their societal implications.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 3.5k ratings
  • Freed from the gurus grip

    I used to be influenced by all manner of gurus, from Lex, to Jordan Peterson and even more traditional spiritual ones. But no more! Now they are all irreversibly ruined for me, their hypocrisy and rhetoric bare for my eyes to see. All my favourite podcasts are ruined. Now I only need someone to help me decode this, and I will finally be free from podcasts all together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MrMagicBeans9000
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • I’m worried they’re screwing up the Overton window

    .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tobin Moffatt
    Canadaa month ago
  • Honestly, mandatory listening in today’s media environment –at least for me.

    I don’t say that lightly, as I have never written a review or rated a podcast before. This is one of the few places I go to check up on people and topics I have in my media diet. These guys make you realize what sheer amounts of claims you blindly trust –and serve as a much needed little shock to the system, inviting you to truly think for yourself and actually double-check a lot of things (including their claims here). Probably the most fun way to expose my own gullibility I can think of, with ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    notso_
    Germany2 months ago
  • they go on and on

    endless milquetoast opinions. they claim to be analysing rhetorical techniques but they’re mostly just giving very run of the mill commentary. i love it tho

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yisroel duvid
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • I love the podcast. They truly try to be neutral and don't just focus of the low hanging fruit like most of the skeptics movement tends to do. They also look at people that are neither obvious gurus nor are just American type right wing. Sometimes they lack depth and focus too much on ad hominems. But generally and most often it's really good.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    aemilius89
    3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback suggests a divide in opinions regarding the hosts' political perspectives, indicating that while some find their views refreshing, others may perceive them as overly critical or smug.
The blend of humor and informed critique resonates well with audiences, encouraging critical engagement with mainstream narratives.
Listeners appreciate the insightful critique of self-proclaimed gurus and the humorous, engaging dialogue between hosts.
The educational background of the hosts adds depth to discussions, making it a stimulating experience for those who enjoy intellectual analysis.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Exploring the Manosphere with James Bloodworth
Q: What is the broad pitch about your book, Lost Boys?
It's basically a 30-year overview of the Manosphere, exploring anti-feminist subcultures and their evolution from pickup artistry to the current political and social implications.
A Return to Gary World
Q: Do you think it's fair to say that the wealthy should be taxed more?
Yes, but it's complicated; we need to ensure that the implementation doesn't have loopholes.
A Return to Gary World
Q: Where do you think the money from the wealthy is going?
It's vanishing from the statistics; it's going to the ultra wealthy who are hiding it away.
Supplementary Material 33: Weinstein Enigmas, The Epstein Conspiracies, and Dwarves punching ducks
Q: What advice would you give the listener, an actionable piece of advice, so that they could live a subjectively better life?
Eric suggested various life pathways including exploring music, travel, and personal ambition, while hinting at deeper philosophical pursuits.
Shamanism and the Art of Charismatic Otherness with Manvir Singh
Q: How do we differentiate between figures like Jesus or the Buddha and shamanic figures?
If they engage with unseen realities using non-ordinary states to provide services, they might be considered shamanic, but the context matters.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Decoding the Gurus

What is Decoding the Gurus about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the critique of contemporary intellectual figures, the content explores various personalities labeled as 'gurus' and their influence on society. The episodes reflect a combination of humor and analytical discourse, often tackling complex themes from philosophy to psychology, including moral values, cultural narratives, and societal critiques. Noteworthy for its conversational approach, the show aims to expose the inconsistencies and ideologies behind popular figures, encouraging listeners to think critically about mainstream narratives while also incorporating unique accents and personal anecdotes from hosts with academic backgrounds.

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Which podcasts are similar to Decoding the Gurus?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Decoding the Gurus:

1. Very Bad Wizards
2. Conspirituality
3. Robert Wright's Nonzero
4. QAA Podcast
5. Knowledge Fight

How many episodes of Decoding the Gurus are there?

Decoding the Gurus launched 5 years ago and published 200 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Decoding the Gurus?

Recent guests on Decoding the Gurus include:

1. James Bloodworth
2. Eric Weinstein
3. Chaz Firestone
4. Dorsa Amir
5. Manvir Singh
6. Chamath Palihapitiya
7. David Sacks
8. Jason Calacanis

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