The Essential Guide to Humanity

15 - Mortality Part 2 - Do we need to think about death?

Gareth talks about his near death experience and how it helped him realise what was important in life.

Our heroes discuss some research that develops theories and strategies on how to become less afraid of death.

How, by not denying death and knowing we are on the clock, can spur creativity.

They look at the Terror Management Theory – denial, self soothing, courage and fatalism.

All the above as well as just not giving a monkey’s  which helped New Yorkers go back to work after 9/11 and the idea of constructive distraction that focuses us away from death and towards life-affirming activities such as X factor or Love Island.

Riveting stuff! 

14 - Mortality Part 1 - Maybe by nothing mattering, everything matters

Our heroes toss around all manner of nihilistic topics, muse on the abject pointlessness of existence and perhaps what a flipping relief it is now we realise.

Maybe now that question is resolved, we can get on with actually enjoying life - or can we?

Is it resolved - does life actually have a point? Did Tinky-Winky actually have a point? Does anything actually matter?

We discuss various philosophies on the subject of the meaningless of life,  how coming to terms with the fact that life is just a blip in the endless cosmos can actually set us free.

Studiously they look at some research which suggests that the new generation are in fact ‘happy EMOs’ and are viewing Nihilism as a concept to be celebrated.

Yay for the meaningless void of life!!!

13 - Religion part 2 - How to survive a Jewish upbringing

Gareth talks about the culture and traditions of Judaism, his sense of belonging and being turned away from his own Bar Mitzvah and other classic hypocrisies.

12 - Religion part 1 - How to survive a Catholic upbringing

Michelle talks about her convent education, the impact her catholic upbringing has had on her life, how nuns can float, and discusses the beauty and majesty of cult-like religion.

11 - The "Self-Help" Industry Part 1

Michelle talks about her journey of self-discovery trying a whole plethora of self help courses and retreats and a smorgasbord of quackery seeking enlightenment about what makes her who she really is.

She shares what she was trying to achieve, and what she managed to discover, all the while testing boundaries, learning to say no, finding how to get into her body and out of her head (wow) always choosing love over fear.

 

10 - The "Self-Help" Industry Part 2

Michelle and Gareth,  following the last series of diatribes, relate actual events to parts of established written works on the subject of self-help.

M and G discuss the potential dangers of buying into the cultish nature of contemporary gurus/philosophers/quacks.

They muse on how some celebrities claim to have become enlightened to suit a certain agenda and conclude that it’s mostly bollocks while further advising that a firm, warm, comforting poultice of Winnie the Pooh is the bestest ever ever go-to for self help  (should you need a recommendation)

9 - Media Manipulation - and its after effects

Michelle talks about her tumultuous experience as a contributor on a very early reality TV show.

We focus on her initial excitement, the build up, how it played out, the editing and misrepresentation.

Once the dawn of realisation came to her, we explore how she faced the humiliating aftermath that in part lasts to this day. 

Gareth helpfully warbles on about someone he knows in the music industry who found themselves in a similar position - not even certain why he chipped in but there you are.

8 - Narcissism Part 2 - Is it catching? How to divorce your mother.

Having discussed (disgust?) narcissism in theory Michelle shares her experience of being the Daughter Of A Narcissist (there is a Brownies badge apparently)

We explore her personal healing journey and the final sanction - a mother/daughter divorce and what to do if you recognise yourself in this.

7 - Narcissism Part 1 - Are we all self lovers?

Gareth is rocked on his heels as Michelle explains what in the Sam Hill is a narcissistic personality disorder all about and how to recognise someone with one.

Michelle has properly done her research (as per) and traces the history of the self through the ages citing Alexander Lowen, Will Storr and of course Russell Brand who all opine about the destructive qualities of self-love (not that kind) when taken to the extreme.

6 - Parenting Part 2 - Heather comes to the rescue and explains to Michelle what she has learnt

Heather, (Gareth's long-suffering partner) is interviewed by Michelle and gives an overview of how to bring up a child single-handedly while at the same time saving the world.

Heather discusses how she learnt as much from her daughter as her daughter did from her and how to deal with neuro-diverse children in an uncompromising world.