PODCAST · society
Naked Humanity
by Stefani Ruper
Existentialist philosophers such as Albert Camus and Hannah Arendt once said the modern world has rendered us naked: we are stripped of traditional beliefs, grasping for truths constantly out of reach, and devastatingly aware of our finitude. Is this true? Where do we go from here? Who are we? Who COULD we be? For Season I of this podcast (all currently posted episodes) I ask historians, psychologists, sociologists, and biologists: what does it mean to be human in the modern world?
Episodes
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Finding Meaning in Coronavirus
I have taken a pause from our regular programming to respond to the flood of people asking me to talk about coronavirus. In the beginning of this episode I briefly address anxiety and coping strategies. But because I believe these are addressed widely elsewhere, I then move on to what I can truly...
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What Makes Things Funny? with Alex Farrow
Alex Farrow is both a philosophy teacher AND a really extraordinary stand up comedian (I’ve seen his show live!) so this is a heck of a podcast. Alex and I chat about what he learned teaching philosophy to high schoolers in London, what makes something funny, the precise science of crafting a…
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If I were Emperor for a Day...
A listener wrote in and asked me: Stefani, if you were Emperor of the World for a day, what would you do? I sat down and put some thought into the question, and came up with a list of four things involving education, safety, freedom, and meaning. Take a dive into the fun question with me, and…
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The Lost Art of Logic with Steve Patterson
This week I have the enormous pleasure to chat with freelance philosopher Steve Patterson, who studied philosophy and became an expert in logic entirely outside of the academy. Steve and I chat about his adventurous career, as well as the state of logic in our world today. Steve chats with me…
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Living Outside the Philosophical Box
Our society says you are who you are because of your beliefs, butt how much does that confine you, restrict you, draw you too much in the ilnes, and hinder your growth? In last week’s question, a listener claimed that we were polar opposites.But what does this mean? I don't consider myself ppolar...
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The State of Philosophy Today with John Perry
Today I chat with one of the pioneers of philosophy podcasting, John Perry. But Professor Perry is such a pro that he’s not actually a podcaster: he hosted the philosophy radio show Philosophy Talk for decades. We chit chat about the state of philosophy today. Tune in for an entertaining dip into...
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Intersectionality: Truth vs. Misconceptions
A listener writes in and asks me to unpack intersectionality (which is basically the idea that categories of marginalisation on the basis of group identity such as gender, race, and ability can intersect to create unique sociopolitical situations). I start at the bottom, telling you all about the...
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Yoga in the West: Scam or Sacred Practice? with David Garrigues
What’s up with yoga as a spiritual practice? Is it legit, or just wishy washy new age woo woo? In this podcast I chat with long-time yoga advocate David Garrigues. We get to the heart of what yoga can do for you, as well as talk about how issues of appropriation, consumerism, and trendiness…
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Why You Think You're Right but Probably Aren't
A listener writes in and asks, how do I know if I’m objective? I say right off the bat: you aren’t. Period. No such thing truly exists. BUT, this doesn’t mean you should take offense (because we’re all just human), or lose hope. Truth exists - we are simply all on a journey toward it. In this...
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Using Feminism to Question Society and Yourself with Hannah McGregor
Finally, a Naked Humanity episode devoted to feminism! I chat with scholar-activist Professor Hannah McGregor, and we get to the heart of feminism and why it matters in today’s world. We talk about misconceptions of feminism, how feminism can be useful for your daily life, and how feminism helped...
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4 Steps to Overcome Alienation and Nihilism
Alright, four steps might be a *hair* of an oversimplification, but not by too much. In this episode, a listener writes in and tells me she feels listless, uninterested in life, meaningless, and alienated from the people around her. What gives? Is there anything she can do to fix this existential...
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Using Empathy to Improve yourself and the World with Daryl Cameron
Ever shocked by people’s complete lack of empathy? In this episode, I chat with experimental psychologist Dr Daryl Cameron, who runs a lab at Penn State that investigates empathy. What circumstances enhance or diminish our capacity to be empathetic? Many of us think that having empathy is…
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Can Multiple Religions be True?
A listener writes in and asks, can multiple religions be true at the same time? I respond by describing what I think are four different ways of thinking about religious truths and beliefs: metaphysically assertively (I’ll explain this in the podcast!), symbolically, as gesturing towards a…
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Making Meaning Before you Die with Jessie Dezutter
This week I have on experimental psychologist Jessie Dezutter of KU Leuven University in Belgium, who studies how people make meaning, with a focus on how people deal with existential concerns later in life. We chat about how humans need to tell their stories, how Alzheimer’s and later life...
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Pros and Cons of Eckhart Tolle & Other Spiritual Gurus
Eckhart Tolle is the famous spiritual guru who wrote “The Power of Now” - a book about being present, letting go of your ego, and becoming a happier and better person. Is it all BS? Or is it worthwhile? In this X episode I respond to a listener question about whether she should like Tolle. I use…
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Nietzsche, the Death of God, and Donald Trump with Hugo Drochon
Friedrich Nietzsche is a controversial figure. He proclaimed “God is dead!” and has often been held up as a hero of Nazis and the alt-right. A closer look at Nietzsche reveals however that what he said is actually really valuable and relevant to our modern moment. In this chat with political and...
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Why You Shouldn't Rely Only on Reason
A listener writes in and asks, why are some people so obsessed with reason? He asks the question because “prioritizing reason to know the world” is listed as a mission statement of a church he tried going to. I respond. I talk about limitations to reason and the kinds of danger we get in…
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Are Robots the Next Gods? with Dr. Beth Singler
Super-intelligent machines are coming - but what does that mean for us? Will they become like Gods? Maybe. Will we treat them like Gods? Some people are already doing it. In today’s fascinating episode, Dr Beth Singler and I talk about how some people are already worshipping technology, how…
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Philosophical Perspective on Slut Shaming
A listener writes in and asks: am I a slut? I use what I know about the histories of religion, philosophy, and culture to explain why the idea of a slut exists at all, and options for handling it. I also argue that we need to get rid of shame based on promiscuity and instead pay attention to how...
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The Compatibility of Christianity and Science with Tom McLeish
One of the biggest misconceptions in the world today is that religion is irrational, or disproved by science. Wrong. When you actually study religion and science, like I have, you learn that it’s a much more complex and potentially harmonious picture. Today’s guest, Tom McCleish, is a renowned...
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What You Need to Know about Postmodernism
Postmodernism has been rumored to be BOTH the cause of Donald Trump’s popularity as well as the movement that will ultimately be the ruin of him. How could it be both at once? In this episode I respond to a listener who wrote in and asked: “What the heck is postmodernism?” I set the record...
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Philosophical Answers to the Meaning of Life with Iddo Landau
What is the meaning of life? You might not know it, but you probably assume a lot of things that affect your feelings about meaning. For instance, it is a very common bias for people to think that life is meaningful for others, but not necessarily for themselves. Philosopher Iddo Landau asks, Why...
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The Insignificance of Humanity
This week a listener asks, does humanity seem small and insignificant to you? Does it scare you? I reflect on how modern humans are more worried about insignificance than any before, and I describe two primary philosophical ways of solving the problem. You could very generally describe them as...
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Our Untold and Uncomfortable Histories with the Uncomfortable Oxford Project
We grow up hearing about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, the midnight ride of Paul Revere. These are glorious tales of courage and triumph. But what other stories aren’t being told? Today I chat with the co-founders of Uncomfortable Oxford, an organization that leads walking tours around...
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How Healthy are Your Coping Mechanisms?
For this episode, a listener writes in and asks: is it a problem that I go shopping every time I get bad news or have a bad day? This listener isn’t alone - #primetherapy is a hashtag that trends on social media on a regular basis. So what gives? Why are humans constantly medicating and...
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The Nuance you Miss in Political Opponents with Feminist Libertarian Cathy Reisenwitz
Many people think that libertarianism are selfish misers who like free markets because it helps make them rich. But that’s a radical misperception. In today’s episode, I chat with political commentator Cathy Reisenwitz, who identifies both as a libertarian and as a feminist who cares about…
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What Everyone gets Wrong about Political Differences
A listener writes in and asks: I think my family’s political views are backwards--how do I deal? I talk about her own experiences of dealing with political difference. I also describe how we can--no, must--use political difference NOT as an opportunity to change other people’s minds, but rather…
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Religions are Often Bad for the Environment: Here's Why, with Bron Taylor
Pope Francis might try to make Catholicism more green, and priests and pastors all over the world might make their churches recycle, and many small groups and individuals might try very hard to help, but in today’s podcast specialist in religion and the environment Bron Taylor reveals the truth…
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Why so many People Struggle with Purpose
For this episode a listener writes in and asks, how do I figure out what to do with my life? Why is it so hard to feel purposeful? I reflect on the current cultural moment, explain why so many people struggle with finding a “purpose” these days, and provide three ways to respond to the problem...
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How Marketing Shapes our World with Kaila Tova
Is there a way to advertise to people that is ethical, or are we basically doomed to forever con one another into buying our services? On today’s podcast, I chat with drag king, burlesque dancer, and PhD student Kaila Tova about the ways in which marketing influences our decisions and the shape…
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Is Life Worth Living?
Today’s episode goes deep. A listener writes in with the question: is life worth living? This is not an uncommon question. But, have people always struggled with life’s worthwhileness and meaning? I talk about the idea of meaning and why people today are more convinced life is meaningless than…
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The Historical Era that Made us Who We Are with Brad Gregory
Did you know that relativism, capitalism, and consumerism were all born at the same time? It was in the 1500s, during the period we now know as the Protestant Reformation. This Reformation started humbly: people like Martin Luther just wanted Church officials to be less corrupt. But it ended up...
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Why Trying to be Happy Makes you Sad
This week a listener asks me about how to be happy. She’s got a steady job, friends, romance--what gives? Why isn’t she happy? I talk about advertising in the modern world, the demand that you be happy, the illusions of social media, and why chasing happiness all make you sad. I reflect on my own...
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The Religious Causes of Violence with Mark Juergensmeyer
Mark Juergensmeyer is a leading expert on religion and violence. In today’s episode, Professor Juergensmeyer and I dig deep into the psychology of violence in religion: what is it about religion that enables, facilitates, and exacerbates violence? What is it about humans that make us so…
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Why You Should Care about String Theory with Tasneem Zehra Husain
Tasneem Zehra Husain is the first female Pakistani string theorist, and if that’s not impressive enough, she’s also the author of an extraordinary work of fiction. In this episode Dr. Husain and I chat about the role of exploration and discovery in the creation of our modern world, focusing on…
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The Busyness Epidemic
Are you constantly busy? Stressed? Over-worked and over-committed? In this episode, a listener asks me how to balance commitments so she can be less stressed and feel better. I respond by questioning the idea of keeping busy altogether. Being busy for the sake of busyness is practically a…
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Trusting Strangers: Why it Matters and How it can be Created and Destroyed with Peter Thisted Dinesen
How much do you trust other people? The answer depends on where you live. Today, political scientist Peter Thisted Dinesen tells me all about the importance of trust for a functioning society. Some societies, like Denmark, have uniquely high amounts of social trust. Unfortunately, many of the...
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How to Quit Religion
This week, X episodes turn into listener questions! Our first listener question is from Suzy. Suzy gave up Catholicism, but now she’s worried about losing her friendships and finding her way without traditional religion. I share what I know about religious communities and beliefs in the modern...
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Exclusion in Academic Publishing: A Rant
In this episode I share some facts and figures about the horrifying charade of academic journal publishing. If you want to read any of most journal articles today you have to pay between thirty and sixty dollars; if you want a subscription it’ll be several hundred dollars per year. Institutions...
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Why We Don't Care about the Environment with Siobhan Senier
Why are we so indifferent and passive when it comes to protecting the environment? Today I chat with specialist in Native American literature Siobhan Senier. We lean into Senier’s keen insights about the nature of human relationships, rituals, and stories to get to the heart of difference between...
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35: Why Spirituality Needs Science with Ursula Goodenough
We tend to think that science robs the world of meaning. But today’s guest, world famous biologist (who’s met with the Dalai Lama) Ursula Goodenough has changed the way that we see nature forever. This is because Goodenough interprets scientific facts in unique and powerful ways that many people...
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34x: The Philosophy of Power
Power is the most important but least talked about part of what it means to be human. Power is everywhere and in everything in your life, from your romantic relationships to your religion and to your political beliefs and practices. No matter what you do, someone's going to have more power than...
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34: The New Spirituality of the 21st Century with Linda Woodhead
Surveys just confirmed that as of 2019 exactly the same number of Americans claim “no religion” as evangelical Christianity--a first in all of our history. Spirituality has transformed in extraordinary ways in recent decades, and today Stefani has on one of the world’s leading theorists of...
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33x: The Importance of Suffering
We often talk about ending suffering--but would that really be good for us? In this podcast, Stefani argues that suffering is necessary for a good, meaningful, and happy life. ---------- To enter the weekly giveaway for a FREE book, write a review of the podcast on iTunes...
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33: The Neuroscience of Belief, Identity, and Consciousness with Jonas Kaplan
Why do we believe what we believe? What happens when our beliefs are tested? In this fascinating episode, Stefani chats with cognitive neuroscience Jonas Kaplan about the brain and how it steers our experience of the world. They discuss the fact that when presented with alternative evidence…
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32x: The Loneliest Society
Stefani argues that the modern West is--in some ways--the most lonely society to ever have existed. This means contrasting it with ancestral hunter-gatherers and telling the story of how we moved from there, to nuclear families, to Greek city states, to capitalistic trade and the arts, to a…
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32: The Epidemic of Loneliness with Eiluned Pearce
Loneliness: Mother Teresa once said that it was the great disease of the West. Was she right? Today experimental psychologist Dr. Eiluned Pearce discusses the one pain we all know: the pain of being lonely. Dr Pearce and Stefani discuss the origins of loneliness, why and how singing became an...
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31x: Is Capitalism Racist? & Other Myths
Three common myths about capitalism are that it’s racist, that it’s the cause of a wide variety of problems in the world including depression, and that its libertarian proponents hate all government and hate all organizing and are basically just selfish misers. Stefani talks through the reasoning...
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31: How Americans make Work Religious with James Dennis LoRusso
Americans are obsessed with working hard, but why? And how deep does this run? Today’s guest, Dr. James Dennis LoRusso, is a specialist in the ways in which Americans intertwine religion (and spirituality) with work. Stefani and Dr. LoRusso chat about the religious qualities of work and also...
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30x: 5 Myths about Religion
If there’s one thing we get wrong today, it’s religion. In today’s episode, Stefani discusses five common myths concerning religion, disproving things you might assume like that religion helps people feel better about dying.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Existentialist philosophers such as Albert Camus and Hannah Arendt once said the modern world has rendered us naked: we are stripped of traditional beliefs, grasping for truths constantly out of reach, and devastatingly aware of our finitude. Is this true? Where do we go from here? Who are we? Who COULD we be? For Season I of this podcast (all currently posted episodes) I ask historians, psychologists, sociologists, and biologists: what does it mean to be human in the modern world?
HOSTED BY
Stefani Ruper
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Naked Humanity have?
Naked Humanity currently has 105 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Naked Humanity about?
Existentialist philosophers such as Albert Camus and Hannah Arendt once said the modern world has rendered us naked: we are stripped of traditional beliefs, grasping for truths constantly out of reach, and devastatingly aware of our finitude. Is this true? Where do we go from here? Who are we? Who...
How often does Naked Humanity release new episodes?
Naked Humanity publishes regularly with 105 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Naked Humanity?
You can listen to Naked Humanity on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Naked Humanity?
Naked Humanity is created and hosted by Stefani Ruper.
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