Recorded 05.06.2025. On this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I can't shake the image of an AI-generated Pope Trump – it got me thinking about power, influence, and how we see ourselves. Join me as I explore the cultural impact of such grandiose imagery before diving into the dynamics of personality cults, looking at their appeal and potential pitfalls, even drawing lessons from Dune. Then, I'll connect these external forces to the internal experience of depression, examining how a diminished sense of self can make us vulnerable and underscoring why self-awareness and seeking help are so vital.
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35:32
Rowing with the Homies - 007 - 05.02.2025
Recorded on 5.2.2025. In this episode I engage in exploration of consciousness, that subjective inner awareness that defines our experience. I dive into the leading scientific theories, Integrated Information Theory and Global Neuronal Workspace Theory, and discuss how new research and phenomena like lucid dreaming are complicating our understanding. I also consider how sleep profoundly impacts our conscious state. Shifting gears, I examine the potential for diverse conscious experiences in neurodivergent individuals and the significant alterations trauma can inflict on our internal world. Finally, I ponder the implications of our understanding of human consciousness as we witness the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, questioning if true sentience is on the horizon for artificial intelligence.
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37:22
Rowing with the Homies - 006 - 04.28.2025
Recorded on 4.28.2025. In this episode I dive into the often-challenging journey of starting and maintaining an exercise routine while navigating the complexities of mental well-being. I begin by unpacking the common hurdles that prevent many of us from embracing regular physical activity. From the ever-present crunch of time and the weight of psychosocial barriers like motivation and self-doubt, to the real-world limitations of socioeconomic factors and environmental access, we'll explore why good intentions often fall by the wayside. I'll also share a personal reflection on how creating this podcast has become a surprising yet powerful tool for my own accountability and motivation in staying active. Finally, in the "Today depression feels like" segment, we'll confront the frustrating experience of self-sabotage that can be a hallmark of depression and depression-adjacent mental health conditions, particularly when it comes to pursuing healthy habits like exercise. I explore the internal conflict of wanting to feel better yet feeling incapable of taking that first step, and discuss strategies for self-compassion and small, manageable progress.
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28:02
Rowing with the Homies - 005 - 04.22.2025
Recorded on April 22, 2025. In this episode, I grapple with the Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor out of Maryland. This case, concerning parents wanting to opt their elementary schoolers out of lessons involving storybooks on gender identity and sexual orientation, has been been on my mind.I explored the central tension between what some parents see as potential indoctrination and the school board's goal of creating an inclusive curriculum. I also considered how this situation highlights the delicate balance between local educational control and the idea of a more unified national standard. For me, it brings up fundamental questions about where parental rights end and the responsibility of schools to educate all students begins. I also reflected on the professional judgment of teachers in choosing curriculum and how parental veto power might affect that. Ultimately, I aimed to work through these complex issues and connect them to the feeling of endless conflict that can often accompany my dysthymia.
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26:22
Finlos Lives - The Podcast Void and Finding Connection
In this episode I discuss how podcast (and other types of media) consumption is often used as a way to replace or mimic meaningful connection and relationships. The intent is not to diminish the value of podcasts (that wouldn't be very productive), but rather to consider how people, especially men/people AMAB can challenge their own consumptive patterns or extractive patters and build meaningful relationships.
UK