Kind of a Lot with Matt Ruby

Matt explores the prevalence of repetitive and trite discourse among some on the left and what they may be able to learn from standup comedians about getting their points across more effectively. He emphasizes the importance of offering original, engaging, and introspective viewpoints while simultaneously avoiding tired tropes that may alienate an audience. This podcast is produced by Stereoactive Media. === https://www.mattrubycomedy.com/ https://stereoactivemedia.com

Matt embarks on a reflective journey, delving into the profound teachings he's encountered while exploring the world of plant intelligence through, among other things, his experiences with ayahuasca. Discover the valuable lessons in humility, community, and resilience that plants offer, serving as poignant reminders of interconnectedness and sustainability. Embrace the wisdom of plants to cultivate a harmonious coexistence with the natural world and strive for balance and acceptance in life. This podcast is produced by Stereoactive Media. === https://www.mattrubycomedy.com/ https://stereoactivemedia.com === Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/w7YZA6kX-j4

Matt delves into the concept of embracing discomfort as a means of growth and transcendence, suggesting personal experiences where initial discomfort can lead to valuable outcomes. He explores how modern society tends to avoid discomfort, often inflating minor inconveniences into significant issues, as well as the importance of distinguishing between productive suffering that fosters growth and the kind that leads to trauma. During the Pushback/Feedback segment, Matt and Producer J discuss generational differences in processing experiences and learning from supposed hardships along with the impact of technology. The discussion also touches on the role of technology in connecting people and bringing awareness to shared experiences and perspectives. This podcast is produced by Stereoactive Media. === https://www.mattrubycomedy.com/ https://stereoactivemedia.com

Matt shares his views on the upcoming presidential election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Maybe, just maybe, it's reality and not the media that makes everyone think Biden is old. And maybe, just maybe, the thought of another Trump presidency, along with the constant shenanigans and scandals we managed to live through last time, is enough to stress us all out all over again. This podcast is produced by Stereoactive Media. === https://www.mattrubycomedy.com/ https://stereoactivemedia.com

A lot of the conversation around the Israel/Palestine conflict goes off the rails when people start confuse the people for the government or anti-semitism for anti-zionism. So with that in mind, Matt offers some tips to keep in mind if you want to mindfully criticize Israel without coming off as either uninformed or potentially bigoted. Produced by Stereoactive Media

Matt's father was an Israeli who grew up in Palestine back before the state of Israel even existed. He was also reluctantly a tank commander in the Israeli army because he had to serve. Now, Matt brings the perspective of his father, along with his own as he tries to explain how many Jewish people may be feeling in the wake of events in Israel and Gaza this month, which have added yet another chapter to the long cycle of violence in which brutality is disproportionately countered with further brutality. Produced by Stereoactive Media

Have you ever gone to a rock (or pop) show and wondered why people pull out their phones to record it instead of just experiencing it? Well, now there's a place seemingly built just for those people. U2, once a band that explicitly criticized big commercialized theatrics (admittedly while exploiting big commercialized theatrics), recently played at the latestLas Vegas mecca of opulence. And if you were online as it was happening, you could have easily seen footage from it from many of the people in attendance. So, what does this new way of "elevating" live music mean for the future of music, live shows, and the communal experience? Produced by Stereoactive Media

As the saying goes, “a family is a dictatorship ruled over by its sickest member.” Matt describes his first hand experience with this idea by way of his own mother, but also parallels the concept with other organizational structures, from the armed forces to society itself. What lessons can we all learn from the both simple and complicated circumstance of having a loved one that needs special attention. Produced by Stereoactive Media

From time to time, Matt shares some of his favorite paragraphs of writing he’s come across. In this episode, he and producer J. McVay discuss a few of those paragraphs and the ideas behind them. Featuring passages from the following: “Vicious Traps” by Morgan Housel (Collab Fund)“Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Great ‘Indiana Jones’ Adventure” by David Marchese (The New York Times Magazine)“How Stewart Made Tucker” by Jon Askonas (The New Atlantis) Produced by Stereoactive Media

Have you ever been in a coffee shop or other public area when someone gets on a Zoom meeting, plays their music out loud, or does something else that should politely be kept private? Well, Matt has an open letter for all those people about the agreed upon rules of a civil society because it sure seems like a lot of people need a refresher in our after spending so much time away from other people during the pandemic. Produced by Stereoactive Media

From time to time, someone proposes the ingenious idea of a so-called national divorce to finally separate blue and red states that, to some, seem irreconcilable in their differences. Sometimes the proposal comes from someone on the right, sometimes someone on the left – and sometimes it’s someone as completely ignorant as Marjorie Taylor Greene. Well, now it’s Matt’s turn to play out the scenario… So who gets what when the divorce is final? Or is it just too dumb to work, especially if the real divide is between urban and rural neighbors. Produced by Stereoactive Media

“Aging well” is an oxymoron and the future will frown upon all of us. Matt explores the friction between generations that occurs when younger people expect elders to be able to keep up with changing expectations about language, behavior, etc, even as many elders are unreasonable in their refusal to even try. A wider willingness to forgive elders who are trying might be helpful, but it would probably also help if elders better recognized their own generational shortcomings as well as the advantages they had that will largely not be passed on. Produced by Stereoactive Media

Matt collects aphorisms, mantras, and other brief thoughts that represent lessons he’s learned throughout his life. In this episode, he and producer J. McVay discuss a handful of these so-called “Rubyisms,” the stories behind them, and the deeper truths they’re connected to: Produced by Stereoactive Media

Matt collects aphorisms, mantras, and other brief thoughts that represent lessons he’s learned throughout his life. In this episode, he and producer J. McVay discuss a handful of these so-called “Rubyisms,” the stories behind them, and the deeper truths they’re connected to: Produced by Stereoactive Media

Matt collects aphorisms, mantras, and other brief thoughts that represent lessons he’s learned throughout his life. In this episode, he and producer J. McVay discuss a handful of these so-called “Rubyisms,” the stories behind them, and the deeper truths they’re connected to: When we ran out of needs to fulfill, they started manufacturing desire.Never underestimate the power of inertia.We call our medicine “drugs” and our drugs “medicine.”Tension is a form of prayer. Produced by Stereoactive Media

On the heels of the recent psychedelics conference in Denver organized by the MAPS organization – the largest such conference ever held – Matt shares how he thinks psychedelics should actually be treated as they gain wider acceptance as a therapeutic treatment. Maybe it doesn't have to be all microdosing, mental health, and big business. Maybe there should also be room for a little bit of “wild.” Produced by Stereoactive Media

A recent story about how a Colombian girl managed to help keep her younger siblings alive while lost in the jungle for months because of “ancestral knowledge” begs the question of how most American kids – or adults, for that matter – might fare under similar circumstances. Matt ponders the ways in which our increasing isolation from each other, driven by technology that further encloses our personal bubbles, may be closing us off to truths we’d have available to us if we’d only remember how to look. Produced by Stereoactive Media

Viva compartmentalization! Matt makes the argument that you can blame the messenger while still enjoying the message. Or in other words, maybe you can watch ‘Annie Hall’ or dance to “Ignition (Remix)” without condoning anything that the people who made them may have done in their personal lives. Produced by Stereoactive Media

With the series finale of 'Succession' recently aired, Matt is breaking format to share some of thoughts on the show, in conversation with producer J. McVay. Together they review the under-appreciated players of the show, the depiction of the rich and supposedly business-savvy, references to classic cinema, and plenty more. Produced by Stereoactive Media

Despite what the prevailing so-called captains of industry, it’s perfectly fine if your job isn’t your passion. We all have to pay rent and bills, so sometimes it’s just about punching a clock and getting through the day. And as Matt discusses, we also don’t need to build up our day jobs into inspirational journeys that save the world – they’re just jobs, and that’s fine. Produced by Stereoactive Media