Shows / Decoding the Gurus
Decoding the Gurus
An exiled Northern Irish anthropologist and a hitchhiking Australian psychologist take a close look at the contemporary crop of 'secular gurus', iconoclasts, and other exiles from the mainstream, offering their own brands of unique takes and special insights. Leveraging two of the most diverse accents in modern podcasting, Chris and Matt dig deep into the claims, peek behind the psychological curtains, and try to figure out once and for all... What's it all About? Join us, as we try to puzzle…
Episodes
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 37: Public Murder Discourse, Heterodox Psychodramas, and Generous Tit for Tat-ers
Why are we never invited to these dinners? We wonder if it was something we said or if our invitation just got lost in the mail, as we endure the inevitable…
- Decoding the Gurus
A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 1: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall
Join Matt and Chris as they enter an intellectual labyrinth of recursive sensemaking featuring the combined insights of Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, and…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 36: Comedy Cults, Toxic Mould, and WW2 Revisionism
We risk contamination with toxic mould, endure distressing initiation rituals to a comedy cult, and ponder if the narratives we have received about the Nazis…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 35: Cult Leaders, Gurus, and Evil Economists
We face a disciplinary crisis as the twin pillars of Game Theory and Gurometry are called into question.The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (1…
- Decoding the Gurus
Naval Ravikant: Predictable Polemics and Empty Aphorisms
In this watery simulation of an episode, Matt and Chris uncover the true purpose of Scott Adams’ existence: not to shape reality, but to provide training data…
- Decoding the Gurus
Exploring the Manosphere with James Bloodworth
In this episode, we immerse ourselves in the potent juices of the manosphere with British journalist and author James Bloodworth. James recently published Lost…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 34: Giants, Grifters, and Google Eyed Loons
We drown in waves of ideological fluidity as the gurusphere continues to crash all around us.Supplementary Material 3400:00 Introduction01:26 Irish Stew and…
- Decoding the Gurus
A Return to Gary World
In this exhausting deep dive, Matt and Chris take a break from counting their billionaire stipends to devote (what some might call) an inordinate amount of…
- Decoding the Gurus
Mini Decoding: Sabine's Contrarian Outrage- How Dare You Criticise Eric!
In this mini-decoding, Matt and Chris examine Sabine Hossenfelder's recent fervent defence of Eric Weinstein and her sharp rebuke of his critics, including…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 33: Weinstein Enigmas, The Epstein Conspiracies, and Dwarves punching ducks
In this packed supplementary episode, we tackle all of the urgent global issues, ranging from Epstein file conspiracies to Matt’s immense love of a fantasy…
- Decoding the Gurus
Required Readings: Buddhism - A Journey Through History
In this episode of "Decoding Academia: Required Readings", Chris and Matt take a joint stroll through the history of Buddhism through Donald S. Lopez Jr.'s…
- Decoding the Gurus
Mind, Culture & Visual Illusions: Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone on Visual Illusions
In this academic-themed interview episode of Decoding the Gurus, Matt and Chris sit down to chat with Dorsa Amir and Chaz Firestone (@chazfirestone) about…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 32: A Shower of Bastards
We wallow in the mud with some of the worst gurus of the gurusphere. Join us and lament the guru paradise that we all live in.Supplementary Material 3200:00…
- Decoding the Gurus
Matthew McConaughey: Selling is Love!
In this episode, Matt and Chris try to get from where they are to where they want to be, accepting their hidden strengths and dismantling their egos as they…
- Decoding the Gurus
Decoding Academia 33: The Great Müller-Lyer Debate from Fish Tanks to Eye Operations *Patreon Preview*
Welcome to another enlightening episode of Decoding Academia. In this bonus preview of our highly secretive Patreon content, we are discussing a controversial…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 31: Aquatic Nightmares, Strategic Obliviousness, & Race Realists
We venture into the darker corners of the gurusphere and marvel at some very, very brave individuals, their valiant efforts to play devil's advocate, and some…
- Decoding the Gurus
Shamanism and the Art of Charismatic Otherness with Manvir Singh
The Decoders welcome back cognitive anthropologist Manvir Singh for a continued exploration into the social and cognitive dimensions of shamanism. Building…
- Decoding the Gurus
Trump vs. Elon: The Gurusphere Reacts
There’s been a disturbance in the Gurusphere. Two of its central objects of worship are feuding. The guru’s guru, Elon Musk, and the MAGA God-King, Donald…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 30: Decoding Irish Stew, Owl Hate, and Hypothetical Avoidance
Prepare for a hearty mix of culinary tips, avoidance of hypothetical scenarios, and the usual guru grievances. Will Jordan Peterson ever admit he's a…
- Decoding the Gurus
Eric Weinstein vs. Sean Carroll: Pomp & Fury
In this medium-decoding episode, Matt and Chris turn their attention to an unlikely venue for cutting-edge theoretical physics: Piers Morgan Uncensored. There…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 29: Sensemaking Evolved Relationship Constellations, Woke Lucifer, and Cancerous Outrage
We enter the ontological in-between to try and spin up our paradigms to understand the next stage in relationship technology, the horrific damage of modern…
- Decoding the Gurus
The All-In Podcast: How Tech Titans Besties Saved the World
Fresh from unbuckling their seatbelts on the Gliding Guru luxury jet and mooring the show’s mega-yacht, our decoders are feeling an unexpected surge of empathy…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 28: The Ultimate Geometric Unifying Cognitive-Theoretic Iceberg
We exercise our ethnographic muscles as we revel in the esoteric dynamics of Australian Pool Culture, the mysteries of Eric Weinstein's theories as revealed by…
- Decoding the Gurus
Gurometer: Gary Stevenson
The podcast arrives at 'late stage' Gary discourse as Matt and Chris attempt to enter the man, the myth, and the legend, Gary Stevenson, into a reductive…
- Decoding the Gurus
Gary Stevenson: The People's Economist
In this episode, Matt and Chris take a look at one of the UK’s most compelling economic crusaders: Gary Stevenson, aka Gary’s Economics. A millionaire trader…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 27: Joe Rogan vs. Douglas Murray vs. Sam Harris vs. DTG
We immerse ourselves in the dark waves of the discourse to bring you treasures beyond mere mortal ken. Supplementary Material 2700:00 Introduction & Australian…
- Decoding the Gurus
Michael Shellenberger: Conspiratorial Propaganda
In this episode, Matt and Chris pour themselves a stiff drink and slip into the fever‑dream crossover of Jordan Peterson and Michael Shellenberger, a…
- Decoding the Gurus
Decoding the Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps
In this stunning crossover episode, Matt and Chris are joined by Australian 'media personality' and podcast host Josh Szeps for a joyful discussion of…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 26: Flint Dibble Interview, Bonding over Outgroup Hate, and Manly Sycophancy
We project our insecurities onto the gurusphere, wallowing in our inadequacy to bond over shared hatred of outgroups, and interview Flint Dibble along the…
- Decoding the Gurus
Lex Fridman & Douglas Murray: The Wise Man from the Land of Peace
In this very special decoding, Matt and Chris revisit the wisdom of the internet’s favourite philosopher-warrior/political theorist, Lex Fridman, as he dives…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 25: Ancient Pyramids, Sesame Street Monsters, & MORE Lab Leak Discourse
We embrace our hybridity, stare down Lovecraftian Donkey-Dragon hybrids, and enter into true Dialogos.Supplementary Material 2501:06 DTG Grievance…
- Decoding the Gurus
Mini Decoding: Back in the K-Hole
In this very special episode, Matt and Chris, despite swearing off any further Dr. K content after their previous three-part series, find themselves…
- Decoding the Gurus
Gurometer: Naomi Klein
In the wake of our Naomi Klein episode, the masses have spoken. And like the responsible Gurometricians that we are, we've taken your feedback to heart and…
- Decoding the Gurus
Naomi Klein: It was Neoliberal Capitalism all along!
In this episode, your favourite neoliberal Decoder shills take a break from managing the decline of late-stage capitalism to examine the insights of famed…
- Decoding the Gurus
Special Supplementary Material: Two Psychologists, One Anthropologist, Three Beers
In this special quasi-crossover episode, we stare deeply into the abyss while enjoying a beverage with renowned psychologist and occasional podcast co-host…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 24: Dialogos with Greek Gods, the Metaphysics of Pepe, and Red-Pilled Embarrassment
Chris and Matt confront their inner demons, manifest their personal deities, and dive into the Onto-Logos.Supplementary Material 2400:00 Introduction02:32…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 23: Content Shark Psychology, Rorschach Tweets, and the Art of Radicalisation
Chris and Matt have their models exploded, the maps ripped up, and their minds blown as the Gurusphere expands into exciting new territory.Supplementary…
- Decoding the Gurus
Chris Langan: The Smartest Person in the World with a 200 IQ!
In this episode, Matt finally gets his revenge on Chris by dragging him deep into the eccentric world of Chris Langan—the self-proclaimed possessor of a 200 IQ…
- Decoding the Gurus
Decoding Academia 32: Do Babies REALLY like good guys?
In this episode, Matt and Chris take a look at a recent developmental psychology paper on the social evaluation of young babies. Do they display a preference…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 22: Tim Tams, Nazi Salutes, and AI Demonology
We immerse ourselves in the Dark Side of the Gurusphere and come out forever altered by what we've seen and praying for an escape from this demon-haunted…
- Decoding the Gurus
Gurometer: Peter Thiel *Patreon Preview"
'Tis a New Year (sort of), and amidst all the chaos in the world, we thought we'd offer a small glimmer of light by making this Patreon episode available to…
- Decoding the Gurus
Peter Thiel: The Techno-Apocalypse is Nigh
In this episode, Matt and Chris tackle the big ideas—or at least the ones rattling around in Peter Thiel’s mind. Tech billionaire, venture capitalist, and…
- Decoding the Gurus
The Wounded Bird Lex Fridman vs. The Evil Ukrainian Bot Farms
In this episode, we look at a recently released segment by Lex Fridman, where he reflects on his interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.We…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 21: The emergency snake, thought = secularised prayer, and Love and War
It's 2025, and the Gurusphere shows no signs of slowing down—so here we are, diving into some grim crossovers. This time, the bro-optimiser Andrew Huberman has…
- Decoding the Gurus
Gurometer: Curtis Yarvin
Back once again with the dark art of Gurometry, we turn our sights to the bad boy of Silicon Valley—the mulleted maestro, the edgy eejit, Curtis Yarvin. A…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 20: Stolen Valour, Based Murder, and Eric Weinstein's Phonecall Problems
In this end-of-year supplementary material, we unleash the hounds of war, battle through the discourse, and emerge alive but bloody and battered on the other…
- Decoding the Gurus
Curtis Yarvin: The Edgelord's Guide to Monarchy 40K
In this long-anticipated episode, Matt and Chris venture into the peculiar world of Curtis Yarvin—a reactionary blogger, tech entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed…
- Decoding the Gurus
DTG Christmas Quiz 2024 with Helen Lewis & Badstats
In this special festive episode, Chris and Matt are joined by seasoned decoder and quiz master Helen Lewis to discuss the myths around genius, extract her 2025…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 19: Critic-O-Rama with extra trans-dimensional alien demons
In this truly epic-length supplementary material, we spin 70 critical paradigms simultaneously while trying to avoid the wily tricks of some hostile…
- Decoding the Gurus
Dawkins vs. Peterson: There Be Dragons
In this special episode, we return to the forboding Dragon's Den of the Peterson-verse and enjoy a rather punchy conversation between Jordan Peterson and…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 18: The Clown Car Cometh
Still in the land of the free and restocked with important new insights from his US travels, Matt is confronted with the Gurusphere's predictably depressing…
- Decoding the Gurus
Sabine Hossenfelder: Science is a Liar ... Sometimes
In this highly non-topical episode, Matt and Chris dive into the entertainingly gruff world of Sabine Hossenfelder, the German theoretical physicist and…
- Decoding the Gurus
Guru US Election Special
Matt and Chris dip their toes into the fetid, guru-infested swamp surrounding the 2024 U.S. election. Straining to see what lurks in the murky depths, they…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 17: American Dreams, YouTube Algorithms, and Poisonous Plastics
In this episode, Chris and Matt open the lid on Matt's adventures in America. Basking in the land of the free, Matt is forced to consider YouTube dynamics…
- Decoding the Gurus
Book Review: The Selfish Gene
In this special international episode of Decoding the Gurus, Chris and Matt jump on the hottest online topic and devote an hour to reviewing Richard Dawkins'…
- Decoding the Gurus
Interview with Flint Dibble (Round 2): Battling Pseudo Archaeology & Sharing Science
We return to the world of lost civilizations, pseudo-archaeology, and real archaeology with Cardiff University archaeologist Flint Dibble. Sadly the senior…
- Decoding the Gurus
John Vervaeke and Jordan Peterson: Word Worshipers
That's right—we’re back in the heady world of sense-making, but don't worry, we're just in time to witness the final resolution of the ever-looming 'Meaning…
- Decoding the Gurus
Supplementary Material 16: Riding a Phoenix to Rescue the Gurusphere
We plunge ever deeper into the convoluted world of guru punditry and are dazzled at the theatrics at the 'Rescue the Republic' event, inspired by the profound…
- Decoding the Gurus
Gurometer: Dr. K (Bonus Preview)
There are many different systems for quantifying a person's essential essence. You could use an Ayurvedic questionnaire to determine your doshic levels, you…
- Decoding the Gurus
Decoding Academia 30: Sadistic Trolls love Dark Humour *Preview*
This is a preview episode to remind those who might be interested that we have a bonus Decoding Academia series, available at the Patreon at the Revolutionary…