As It Really Is - Limited Podcast Series

In this unstructured episode, the guys discuss the often abstract non-answers that lie at the ends of many eternal and existential questions. We have greatly enjoyed jabbering away during these episodes, and hope that perhaps you've gained some perspective or gleaned some insight from listening. This episode isn't the last, but it will most likely be a few weeks before the next one.

During this episode the guys review and analyze Ingmar Bergman's 1957 film The Seventh Seal. This film dives into a unique aspect of the human condition, an awareness of our ephemeral existence. Topics covered include those such as character archetypes, as well as opposing religious and philosophical viewpoints. We also dip our toes into some Nietzschean viewpoints as prompted by certain characters in the film. 

In this episode our friend, Landon Knaup, a KU student and beginner meditator, joins the guys to discuss Terrence Malick's Tree of Life (2011), which is a controversial masterpiece. They focus on topics such as religious dogmatic tendency, spiritual gains through meditation, and other paths towards the destruction of ego. 

The guys discuss ideas presented throughout one of J.D. Salinger's 1953 short stories "Teddy". This includes theories regarding Vedic reincarnation, non-dualist thinking, and higher planes of consciousness such as the astral realm. Thomas also recounts parts of a recent summer course he has taken that focuses on ancient Greek magic and witchcraft. 

Colin, Aidan and Thomas discuss technical aspects, underlying philosophical viewpoints, and character building in David Fincher's groundbreaking 1999 film, Fight Club. They also dip into secondary topics discussed within the film via the "narrator", such as the nature of mortality, consumerism, materialism and time. 

In this first freeform episode or AIRI, the guys delve into news from current happenings in the world of film, the writing of Robert Greene ("48 Laws of Power") and Brian Muraresku ("The Immortality Key") while also venturing into other intriguing prompts.

In this episode, Reade Rex, owner of Timeless Pieces KC, an online vintage clothing shop, joins Aidan and Thomas as they discuss ideas presented in Darren Aronofsky's 2010 masterpiece, "Black Swan" starring Natalie Portman. They delve into topics such as the nature of obsession, the shadow self, and the effects of emotional repression.    Check out Timeless Pieces KC on Depop: https://www.depop.com/timelesspieceskc/

Happy Independence Day to our American listeners! In this episode, the guys recap some of the constant themes, motifs and overtones present in the "LOTR" trilogy and attempt to find the roots of its immense popular appeal.

In 2003 the CIA release a document called "Analysis and Assessment of the Gateway Process" after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The document, written in 1983 about previous research and studies taking place, could reach even farther into the past. It attempts to convey a method of navigating different levels of conscious perception and the objective hologram of the universe through out-of-body experiences. We discuss the very theoretical concepts found in and around the document and what practical or real-world applications it could have. Note: We are aware of the audio jumping and cutting out and are working to solve that technical issue before the next episode! Our apologies.

In this remotely recorded episode of AIRI, the guys discuss ideas presented in Dr. Rick Strassman's 2000 book, "DMT: The Spirit Molecule", including their own thoughts on the nature of perception, consciousness and if the brain operates as an antenna capable of perceiving additional information with the help of psychedelics.