PODCAST · society
The Absurd World Podcast
by The Absurd World Podcast
The Absurd World is a podcast that dives headfirst into the chaos of existence, exploring life’s biggest (and weirdest) questions through the lens of existentialism, absurdity, and a healthy dose of humor. Hosted by existential psychotherapist Jesse Gill, LCSW, this show unpacks the meaning(lessness) of life, authenticity, and human nature—while also embracing the ridiculousness of it all. Whether you’re questioning reality, laughing at the void, or just trying to make sense of being alive, you’re in the right place. Because if life is absurd… we might as well have fun with it.
Episodes
-
Ep. 85 - Kafka Part 1: Am I Only Worth What I Offer Others?
If you were no longer able to work, do chores, support your friends and family, take care of others, or contribute to the world in some meaningful way... would you still be human? Or would you be as useless as a bug? This is the question we explore this week in the first episode of a series on…
more -
Ep. 84 - Was I Made For This World?
We wake up every morning. We go to work, attend school, take care of the household, and follow the routines we believe we need to maintain just to exist in this world. We try to make friends, build relationships, and find ways to add something meaningful to our lives. These are the steps we are...
-
Ep. 83 - Am I Being Selfish?
If there is one question that comes up time and time again among those hesitant or concerned about the school of thought called existentialism, it is the fear that this way of thinking and living could lead to something terrible for those who embrace it: selfishness. But is it really so easy to...
-
Ep. 82 - Am I Responsible For My Feelings?
How much control do we really have over ourselves and our inner worlds? Sure, we can choose to take one action or another physically, but do we really control the things that drive those actions? Do we actually have control over the internal reactions we call emotions? In this weeks episode, we...
-
Ep. 81 - Why Am I Alone?
Are you alone? Am I? Are we all? And is loneliness a fundamental part of being alive? Something forced upon us? Something we choose? Or something far more personal? In this weeks episode, we dig into the experience of true loneliness: where it comes from, why it occurs, and what, if anything, we...
-
Ep. 80 - Can I Trust Philosophers?
Are philosophers good people? Do they actually live the kinds of lives they tell the rest of us to aspire to? Or are they all talk and no action? In this weeks episode, we take a hard look at the lives of some of our favorite philosophers and the ways they sometimes seemed to completely…
more -
Ep. 79 - Should I Be A Vegan?
Do you like eating meat? Is it delicious in every possible way? Does it remind you of good times with family, friends, or traveling? Same. So why am I vegan? And why am I asking whether you should be? In this weeks episode, I step away from the usual ethical and moral arguments surrounding…
more -
Ep. 78 - Should I Be A Patriot?
Do I love my country? If I do, does that make me toxic? If I don't, does that make me a traitor? Is there even a right answer anymore? And what does it really mean to be a patriot today? In this weeks episode, I explore what it means to love your country in a genuine and authentic way, and how...
-
Ep. 77 - Am I A Liberal?
What does it mean to be liberal? To follow liberal ideology? To be left wing? And what does it mean for me to call myself a liberal in the modern world, in the nation where I was born? Surprisingly, that is a much more complicated question than it might seem. In this weeks episode, I turn to...
-
Ep. 76 - Why Am I Bored?
Why am I so bored all the time? Why is nothing entertaining enough for me anymore? Am I boring? Are other people boring? Have I simply become too accustomed to having endless entertainment at my fingertips? Or is something else going on? In this weeks episode, we take a long, hard look at boredom...
-
Ep. 75 - Am I Living A Healthy Life?
What does it mean to be healthy? Really. Not what the latest fad tells us. Not what we are constantly told we should be doing. And not even what the government says. What does it actually mean to live a healthy life? In this episode, we stop and seriously ask how we know what is healthy for us in...
-
Ep. 74 - Am I A Good Parent?
Am I a bad parent? Did I have bad parents? Is there even such a thing as a good parent? As a therapist, I am not sure there is a question I have heard more often or spent more time exploring. Throughout my career, clients have asked what it really means to be a bad parent, and whether anyone can...
-
Ep. 73 - Should I Have Kids?
Should I have kids? Should you? Should anyone, for that matter? Is anyone ever truly ready to become a parent? Do we really know why we want children? And if we do, how can we tell when we are actually ready? In this weeks episode, I explore what it really means to have a child and the questions…
more -
Ep. 72 - Could I Ever Understand Aliens?
Do you ever wish aliens would just abduct you and take you on an adventure? A chance to leave behind the endless stress, conflict, and uncertainty of life on Earth? It sounds nice... but there is one small problem. Would we even be able to communicate with them? Could they understand us, or we...
-
Ep. 71 - What Am I?
What are we, really? We are told we are human. But what does that actually mean? It seems like such a simple question, yet philosophers have wrestled with it for centuries. This week, we dive into the existential question of what it truly means to be human and whether our understanding of…
more -
Ep. 70 - Do I Exist?
I exist. I am a human being who exists. I know this. I feel this. But how do I actually describe it? Do I list my traits? My personality? My qualities? Do these things really explain my existence, or am I something more than all of them? In this weeks episode, I explore what it truly means to…
more -
Ep. 69 - Do I Actually Experience Time?
There are many things we question on this podcast. We challenge assumptions, call out ideas we take for granted, and examine the concepts we think we understand. But surely there are some things so fundamental to our existence that they are beyond questioning... Time, for example. In this weeks...
-
Ep. 68 - How Do I Live With OCD?
You hear about it all the time. People claim to have it, joke about it, and reduce it to a collection of quirky habits. But for those who actually live with OCD, there is nothing funny about it. So let us explore what it really is. In this weeks episode, I introduce obsessive compulsive disorder...
-
Ep. 67 - Should I Take Psychedelics?
Are you tired of being a square? Tired of always doing what you are told? Tired of following the rules and seeing reality the same way everyone else seems to? Well... have you ever considered psychedelics? In this weeks episode, we swan dive into the world of reality altering substances as we...
-
Ep. 66 - Am I The Hero Of My Own Journey? - Jung Part 3
We hear so much about change. About finding ourselves, becoming authentic, and creating meaning in our lives. But would it not be nice if someone handed us a map? In this weeks episode, and the final installment in our three part series on Jungian psychology, we explore the possibility that such…
more -
Ep. 65 - Do I Live In A Paradox? - Jung Part 2
We know the absurd. By now, we are familiar with it. Heck, this podcast is named after it. But what if there is more to absurdity than randomness, contradiction, and chaos? What if there is something hidden within the paradox itself? In this weeks episode, and the second in our series exploring…
more -
Ep. 64 - What If I Could Have Been Different? - Jung Part 1
We have all made countless choices in our lives. Some big, some small, some easily forgotten, and others that stay with us. Many of these decisions have shaped the course of our lives in ways we may never fully understand. But what if we are also shaped by the choices we did not make, the lives…
more -
Ep. 63 - Should I Set Boundaries?
Life is ambiguous. There are no clear, cosmic rules handed down to guide us. The rules we follow are human made, shaped by culture, history, and belief. Without something claiming absolute certainty, it can be difficult to know what you should be doing at all. That uncertainty can feel…
more -
Ep. 62 - Am I Burnt Out?
I am tired. You are tired. We are all, collectively, tired. Some of us might call it burnout. Maybe all of us have felt it at some point. But what does that really mean, and how do we keep it from spreading any further? In this weeks episode, we explore burnout as something far more complex than...
-
Ep. 61 - Can I Trust What I See In A Time Of AI?
Many of us spend a huge portion of our lives online. Scrolling, swiping, clicking through an endless stream of images and videos that claim to show us the world. But is that world actually reality, especially now that AI is part of the picture? And was it ever reality to begin with? In this...
-
Ep. 60 - What Do I Do About Evil?
We talk about a lot of complex topics on this podcast. Confusing, shifting, and often elusive ideas, and the language we use to try to make sense of them. But if there were one concept we could all count on understanding, it would have to be evil... ... Right? In this weeks episode, I dive into…
more -
Ep. 59 - How Do I Belong?
We’ve spent a lot of time exploring the world around us, how it works, how it misleads us, how it often feels indifferent to our existence. We’ve looked at the many ways we try to survive within it. But we keep returning to something deeper: not just surviving, but creating a place for ourselves...
-
Ep. 58 - Should Freedom Scare Me?
Freedom matters, maybe more than anything else. To some more than life itself. It’s one of the central ideas this podcast has explored from an existential perspective. But have we ever stopped to ask whether freedom is really all it’s cracked up to be? Is it truly the ultimate goal of human life?...
-
Ep. 57 - Philosophical Check-In Part 3: Should I Go To Therapy?
Do you feel like your mind never slows down? Dread, anxiety, aimlessness… a fear of being vulnerable enough to truly connect, paired with a deep longing for belonging and intimacy that only true vulnerability can bring? Sounds like you should talk to someone. In the final episode of this...
-
Ep. 56 - Philosophical Check-In Part 2: What Do I Do With My Anger?
I’ve shared a lot with you over the past year; ideas about money, ethics, morality, society, ideology, and how we treat each other and the world we live in. For some, these ideas spark a desire to take action. For others, they can feel overwhelming… like there’s nothing you can really do. Which...
-
Ep. 55 - Philosophical Check-In Part 1: Am I An Individual Or A Collective?
It’s been a year of episodes, and it feels like the right time to ask a simple but important question… are you okay? We’ve covered a lot together, exploring existential crises, personal struggles, and the many ways the world can feel overwhelming. We’ve looked into some heavy, unsettling ideas....
-
Ep. 54 - One Year Anniversary Special Part 2: The Modern Existentialists
It’s the beginning of the twentieth century. The founders of existentialism are gone, and Europe stands in a near-constant state of upheaval. The world is primed for a surge of thought, questions of purpose, meaning, and above all… freedom. In this episode, the second part of our one-year...
-
Ep. 53 - One Year Anniversary Special Part 1: The Founders of Existentialism
Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote, “I would believe only in a God that knows how to dance.” For him, the actions we choose—those not born out of obligation but out of freedom—reveal who we truly are. In today’s episode, we explore that idea more closely. After a year of episodes, we finally pause to...
-
Ep. 52 - Am I An Existentialist?
What does it truly mean to be an existentialist? To fully embrace the label, not just as an idea, but as a way of living. After everything we’ve explored on this podcast, what would it actually look like to let existential thought guide your life? And does such a thing even really exist? In this...
-
Ep. 51 - What If I’m Wrong?
What does it mean to be wrong about something? And maybe more importantly, what does it say about us to be the kind of person who can be wrong? In everyday life, people seem intensely convinced that they’re right, often in completely opposing ways. So should we begin questioning what it even…
more -
Ep. 50 - Am I Disconnected From My World?
Am I truly connected to my world? Do I feel a sense of belonging with the people and places around me? Do I engage with life in a way that brings unity, or am I simply moving through it on autopilot, barely noticing as it slips by? In this episode, we return to Transcendentalism to wrestle with…
more -
Ep. 49 - Am I Self-Reliant?
What do I believe? What do I think? What are my opinions? In any given moment, how do I actually feel about myself and the world around me, apart from the constant influence of the society I live in? These can feel like impossibly difficult questions to answer, yet they may be among the most...
-
Ep. 48 - Am I A Failure?
We all fail. It’s part of being human; trying, falling short of our own standards or those imposed on us by others. Most of us know this experience well, and for many it’s one of the most painful we face. Failure can bring shame, self-hatred, alienation, and the urge to disappear. But what if...
-
What Do I Do? - Thoughts on Minneapolis
Minneapolis has me thinking, as I assume it has a lot of us. I reflect on the state of the world, my country, philosophy, and I ask myself and you all, what are we supposed to do?
-
Ep. 47 - Am I Too Self-Aware? Part 2
We are self-aware to the point that some see it as a curse, the true source of human suffering. And yet we persist, searching for meaning and purpose in an existence that appears to offer neither inherently. But what happens when we grow tired of performing, of wearing masks, of playing the roles...
-
Ep. 46 - Am I Too Self-Aware? Part 1
As humans, we possess a rare capacity: the ability to reflect on ourselves, to question our existence, to create meaning, and to build entire belief systems around a single question: why? But what if this gift is also a burden? After several heavy episodes, I step back to ask whether we might be...
-
Ep. 45 - What Do We Owe Each Other?
Over the past few episodes, we’ve explored the flaws, struggles, and misguided judgments that have shaped our society into something many people find difficult to live within, let alone find happiness, dignity, or peace. So what now? In this episode, we explore another possibility: anarchism.…
more -
Ep. 44 - What Does Society Owe Me?
The current way of doing things isn’t working for a lot of people anymore. People are angry. People are demanding lives that feel worth living—less alienated from the things that matter most. It may be why democratic socialism is gaining traction in the U.S. But what does it actually mean? And…
more -
Ep. 43 - What Do I Owe My Job?
We work, constantly. For many of us, it consumes most of our waking hours, and we do it simply to survive, often just barely. We’re told we should feel grateful to have a job at all, lucky to be paid to do something many don’t enjoy. Gratitude and loyalty are expected… but when did work become...
-
Ep. 42 - How Do I Actually Change My World?
Philosophy has shaped how we understand ourselves, our relationships, and our world. It has challenged our stories about reality and pushed us to question what we take for granted. But sometimes thinking isn’t enough. Sometimes philosophy must move us toward direct action, especially when the…
more -
Ep. 41 - Should I Kill My Ego? - The Unconscious Part 3
When we think of the unconscious mind, we imagine mystery, depth, and vast uncharted territory. It can feel unsettling to consider what might surface when we stop keeping everything neatly tucked away. But what if the unconscious isn’t just chaos? What if it can be mapped? In this final episode…
more -
Ep. 40 - How Can I Know What’s Real? - The Unconscious Part 2
Since the beginning of this podcast, I’ve been asking the question: “Who am I?” As if finding ourselves would unlock endless possibilities. But what if the answer to that question is far more unsettling than we ever imagined? What if the “you” you think you know… isn’t the real you at all? In…
more -
Ep. 39 - Am I Living A Lie? - The Unconscious Part 1
What’s going on in your mind? What’s going on in mine? Sure, we know the surface-level stuff—the things we say, think, and do every day… but what’s deeper than that? What’s hiding in the dim, weird corridors of my psyche? This week kicks off a three-part series exploring and mapping the interior…
more -
Ep. 38 - Am I Virtue Signaling?
I’ve got a podcast where I talk about ethics, morals, human rights, solidarity, and why we should be fighting for each other instead of against each other. A lot of you care about the same causes. Many of you take action every day because you believe it’s the right thing to do. But… what if some…
more -
Ep. 37 - Should I Fight Gender Norms?
Gender norms. What a topic. People argue about it. Fight, scream, and yell. Your uncle won’t stop bringing it up at every family gathering, whether he’s talking about bathrooms, sports, or… well… everything else. Why does it feel like such a hot-button issue today, yet remain wildly misunderstood...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Absurd World is a podcast that dives headfirst into the chaos of existence, exploring life’s biggest (and weirdest) questions through the lens of existentialism, absurdity, and a healthy dose of humor. Hosted by existential psychotherapist Jesse Gill, LCSW, this show unpacks the meaning(lessness) of life, authenticity, and human nature—while also embracing the ridiculousness of it all. Whether you’re questioning reality, laughing at the void, or just trying to make sense of being alive, you’re in the right place. Because if life is absurd… we might as well have fun with it.
HOSTED BY
The Absurd World Podcast
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Absurd World Podcast have?
The Absurd World Podcast currently has 86 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Absurd World Podcast about?
The Absurd World is a podcast that dives headfirst into the chaos of existence, exploring life’s biggest (and weirdest) questions through the lens of existentialism, absurdity, and a healthy dose of humor. Hosted by existential psychotherapist Jesse Gill, LCSW, this show unpacks the...
How often does The Absurd World Podcast release new episodes?
The Absurd World Podcast has 86 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Absurd World Podcast?
You can listen to The Absurd World Podcast 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 The Absurd World Podcast?
The Absurd World Podcast is created and hosted by The Absurd World Podcast.
URL copied to clipboard!