The Ammon Venema Podcast
by Ammon Venema
Welcome to The Ammon Venema Podcast! Join us for rich conversations about life and ideas of how to live a life of purpose and meaning. We seek to find ways to improve ourselves as we try to discover the truth and hope that you can take something away from our conversations.
Episodes
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Are Humans Inherently Religious
In this episode we discuss our thoughts on whether human beings are religious by nature or not. We discuss our perspectives on this question. We compare religion and ideology which is particularly rampant in our current culture and discuss the differences between these types of belief. As always...
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A Discussion on "Man's Search for Meaning"
In this episode we discuss our thoughts and takeaways on Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning". After reading this book both Garrett and I would say that it is in the top 10 books that everyone should read at some point. We discuss the Viktor's observations as a survivor of a concentration...
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Differences in Opinion w/ Clayton Bradshaw
Today we sit down with our friend, Clayton Bradshaw, to discuss our views on a range of topics such as values, relationships, drugs and more. We discuss our own thoughts on these topics and how we disagree with some of our positions as there is a wide range of positions that people take with any…
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Modern Feminism. The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
In today's episode Brooke joins us once again for what turned into an impromptu discussion on our thoughts surrounding feminism today and the feminist movement overall. We talk about our likes and dislikes. We talk about the good that has resulted from the original movement of feminism and where…
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Dirty Civilians w/ Dustin Scott
In this episode we shake things up a bit and invite one of my best friends, Dustin Scott, on the podcast to discuss the ideas around the term "Dirty Civilian" and what it means exactly. We discuss the importance of community building and how we as individuals can play our individual role to bring...
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Our Cultural Climate
We are all a influenced by the culture and our environment. The information that we are constantly exposed to shapes our opinions, behaviors and beliefs. What is the impact in this digital age, this era of social media where it seems most people get there information? It seems that this has…
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A Discussion on C.S. Lewis' "The Problem of Pain"
Why do we go through pain? Why should we go through pain? What is the suffering that we endure for? Perhaps most importantly, is our pain meaningless or is there a purpose behind it and how can we discover what it has to give us? We take a look at C.S. Lewis' "The Problem of Pain" and discuss our...
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Meditations Part 1
In this episode we make our introduction into Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations" which is the journal of one of Rome's emporers and a staple of those that follow the stoic philosophy. We take some of the thoughts written within the journal and break them down into a discussion of what they mean to…
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Our Jordan Peterson Lecture Experience
In this episode we discuss our trip out to Seattle to attend a lecture by Jordan Peterson on his Beyond Order tour. We discuss our thoughts on what he talked about and on the experience overall which included my first official encounter with protestors that were outside protesting the event. It…
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What is a Woman? w/ Shane and Hannah Jessop
Carrying on from our previous episode we bring back the original guest with whom we kicked the podcast off, the newly married Shane Jessop, and his wife Hannah. In this episode we discuss the book "What is a Woman?" which is named after a documentary of the same name by conservative political...
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The Transgender Ideology w/ Dan Jessop
In today's episode we discuss one of the biggest problems and possibly the most polarizing idea that our society has ever seen. The transgender ideology is by far one of the most, if not the most, pervasive psychological epidemic that we have seen to date. We all find ourselves confronted now in...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 12- Be Grateful in Spite of Your Suffering
In our discussion of the final chapter of "Beyond Order," our conversation turns to the topic of suffering and how we can find not only the strength to endure whatever pain life gives us but also how we can transcend that pain and even turn it's potential for destruction into a force that can...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 11- Do Not Allow Yourself to Become Resentful, Deceitful, or Arrogant
In today's episode we discuss how resentment, deceit and arrogance are some of the most vile and destructive poisons in a person's life. When we engage in these behaviors we lose the ability to see what flaws in our character need to be addressed in order to put ourselves together more fully. By...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 10- Plan and Work Diligently to Maintain the Romance in Your Relationship
In today's episode we discuss the topic of romance. As our lives move forward we can find ourselves not prioritizing our romantic relationship with our spouse. Even if we don't mean to let it fall by the wayside, oftentimes other aspects of our lives get in the way and distract us. We talk about...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 9- If Old Memories Still Upset You, Write Them Down Carefully and Completely
Do you have memories that still bring pain, sadness, fear and grief? In this episode we discuss the reasons for memory and in particular memories that are associated with negative feelings and experiences. Memory can often be a tricky thing and oftentimes becomes distorted. We discuss how old...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 8- Try to Make One Room in Your Home as Beautiful as Possible
In today's episode we discuss chapter eight of "Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life". We talk about the effects that beauty from art can have on us and why we are drawn to beauty as a means of honoring and connecting us with the transcendent. We discuss the different types such as paintings,...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 7- Work as Hard as You Possibly Can on at Least One Thing and See What Happens
Working hard has always been a big part of achieving our goals in life. In this episode we discuss this simple yet effective rule and how by focusing our efforts towards a particular aim and giving it our full attention and effort can often yield results that we couldn't possibly imagine....
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 6- Abandon Ideology
There is no shortage of ideologies in our culture today. We disucuss the effect that ideological thinking can have on us as individuals and the effects that this type of thinking has had on our society at large and the importance to break out of the ideological control of those that promote…
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 5- Do Not Do What You Hate
Our discussion on this chapter deals with living in accordance with your values as best you can in all areas of your life. This can relate pariticularly to your job. Sometimes we can find ourselves in a job that we hate and that may even put us at odds with our personal values. In such a…
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 4- Notice That Opportunity Lurks Where Responsibility Has Been Abdicated
In this episode we discuss the importance of responsibility and the important role that it plays in living a meaningful life. We also discuss the opportunities that present themselves to you to adopt more responsibility even if it is as a result of someone failing to live up to there's and the...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 3- Do Not Hide Unwanted Things in the Fog
In this episode we discuss the third rule in "Beyond Order". We discuss how we avoid problems or specifying what we want out of certain situations or in life generally and the psychological reasons behind those decisions. If we keep our goals and desires vague and undefined then we can avoid...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 2- Imagine Who You Could Be and Then Aim Single-Mindedly at That (Part 2)
In this episode we wrap up our discussion on chapter 2 of "Beyond Order" and discuss the necessity of constraining the potential within us to pursue a proposed goal and why it is required for each of us to develop into something useful rather than to remain stuck in a world of endless…
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 2- Imagine Who You Could Be and Then Aim Single-Mindedly at That (Part 1)
What makes us who we are? What is the potential that we possess within us? What is our purpose? All of us have asked these or similar questions at some part in our lives. In part one of this discussion on rule #2 of Jordan Peterson's "Beyond Order," we discuss the idea surrounding the expanse of...
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Beyond Order Discussion Series: Rule 1- Do Not Carelessly Denigrate Social Institutions or Creative Achievment
We discuss the first chapter of Jordan Peterson's next book "Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life". In this episode we talk about the importance of accepting the role of the fool when taking on new opportunities that our social institutions offer us and how by doing so allows us to learn and to...
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 12- Pet a Cat When You Encounter One on the Street
Why is there so much suffering in the world and in our everyday lives? What purpose does it serve and how can we justify moving forward? In this episode we discuss the necessity of limitation and how because of it we feel pain but also how to find the meaning of our lives in that limitation....
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 11- Do Not Bother Children When They Are Skateboarding
Garrett and I disucss this interestingly named chapter in "12 Rules for Life". We discuss how us as humans increase our potential and advance by exploring the capacity we posses to move further and further by engaging with danger in small doses to push the limits of our abilities. The only way…
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 10- Be Precise in Your Speech
We discuss the importance of speaking clearly and in order to communicate effectively and articulately what you mean. By doing so we can cut down on many inconvenient or unnecessary misunderstandings as so many of our problems with others is due to our inablility to communicate effectively or...
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 9- Assume That the Person You Are Listening to Might Know Something You Don't
On today's episode Garrett and I discuss Rule 09 of 12 Rules for Life. The topic is about how when talking to a person you should listen to them carefully as they may know something that you don't. Oftentimes in conversations with one another we can find ourselves trying to prove a point, to…
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12 Rules for life Discussion Series: Rule 8- Tell the Truth--Or, At Least Don't Lie
In today's episode we discuss the importance of telling the truth and how deep the effects of a seemingly harmless lie may be. We discuss the impact that lies can have on our personal lives and how the big lies that corrupt and distort our society are made up of many little lies on an individual...
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 7- Pursue What is Meaningful (Not What is Expedient) Part 2
This episode concludes our conversation on rule #7. We discuss the areas that seem to have held the most meaning for us in our individual lives and what makes the pursuit of those particular endeavors worth the hardship. So often we think that things shouldn't be hard and wish that things…
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 7- Pursue What is Meaningful (Not What is Expedient) Part 1
This is one of my favorite chapters in this book. Garrett and I take a deep dive into this chapter and try and figure out what pursuits bring the most meaning in life and the importance of choosing those endeavors rather than over the short term, immediately gratifying pursuits that are all…
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 6- Set Your House in Perfect Order Before You Criticize the World
Oftentimes we see people eager to speak out against perceived injustices and flaws of society and the world around them but how many of us actually look within ourselves to address the flaws that reside within our own Beings? In this episode Garrett and I discuss how we can have the greatest…
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 5- Do Not Let Your Children Do Anything That Makes You Dislike Them
In today's episode Garrett and I discuss the topic of parenting and the importance taking on your role as a parent. We discuss the role that a parent is supposed to play in their children's lives and how important it is to not sacrifice the parental relationship in order to become your child's...
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 4- Compare Yourself to Who You Were Yesterday, Not to Who Someone Else is Today
Garrett and I discuss chapter 5 in Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life book. We talk about how we tend to compare ourselves to others and who we think we should be in relation to them rather than focusing on who we were yesterday and taking steps to be better than our previous selves one day at a...
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 3- Make Friends With People Who Want the Best For You
Friends can have a profound impact on how we live our lives. In this episode Garrett and I discuss the importance of the friends around you and the qualities that you should look for in a good friend as well as how you can be the best type of friend to those around you as well. Join us in our...
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 2- Treat Yourself Like Someone You Are Responsible for Helping
Garrett and I discuss the second rule in Jordan Peterson's "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos". We talk about the importance of taking care of yourself and discuss why it is so important and how it can impact those around you. We highly recommend purchasing his book if you find you are...
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12 Rules for Life Discussion Series: Rule 1- Stand Up Straight With Your Shoulders Back
Garrett and I start our discussion of the first rule in Jordan Peterson's "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos". We discuss the topic of the chapter and break down the ideas expressed within to see what each of us discovered in our reading of the chapter and set the tone for the podcast going...
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The Starter
This is the first official episode of my podcast endeavor and is just simply a conversation with a dear friend of mine, Shane Jessop. I have known Shane for a number of years and asked him to sit down with me so that we could have a conversation where he could tell us a little about himself and...
About this show
Welcome to The Ammon Venema Podcast! Join us for rich conversations about life and ideas of how to live a life of purpose and meaning. We seek to find ways to improve ourselves as we try to discover the truth and hope that you can take something away from our conversations.
Hosted by
Ammon Venema
Categories