Best Game Deflators Podcasts (2025)

What ARE ley lines? How can they affect me, and if they are "sick" how can we heal them? Ley Lines are even more powerful than you might think: paranormal activity, sacred places, vortexes and alien portals are all connected to Ley Lines and we are diving into all of that and more on today's episode with the talented Larissa Carter. This Spooky Sea…

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Carlotta Daro, "The Architecture of the Wire: Infrastructures of Telecommunication" (MIT Press, 2025) 37:23

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5d ago37:23

37:23

The Architecture of the Wire explores the development of telecommunications infrastructure and its impact on the architectural and urban culture of the modern age—from poles, wires, and cables, to “micro-architectures,” such as the théâtrophone and the telephone booth. Starting with the intrepid worldwide infrastructures of the late nineteenth cent…

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#27 What Happens at the 3am Witching Hour? Ghosts, Science & Paranormal Theories 38:15

8d ago38:15

38:15

Why is 3am the Witching Hour for paranormal activity? ghosts, poltergeists, sleep science & cultural history collide in this spooky season deep dive. What is it about 3am and creepy ghost stories? Is it really the “witching hour,” or just cultural conditioning and sleepy brains playing tricks on us? In this paranormal episode of Trust Yourself, sis…

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The Game Deflators E361 | Silent Hill f Delivers Chills and GameStop Delivers Chaos 1:13:33

11d ago1:13:33

1:13:33

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive headfirst into the eerie world of Silent Hill f, sharing their early impressions and how the game’s unsettling progression is shaping up. But the horror doesn’t stop there—Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set is spinning a web of disappointment with weak pre-release numbers and slugg…

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#26 The Messy Middle of Spiritual Awakenings with Mother Mystic, Sarah Campbell 45:25

15d ago45:25

45:25

Spirit guides never shame your struggles—Sarah Campbell shares how grief, addiction, and a little grace can open the door to your spiritual awakening. On this episode of Trust Yourself, we dive into the raw reality of why spiritual awakenings can feel lonely, messy, and painful, yet ultimately lead to spiritual healing. Our guest, Sarah Campbell (a…

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The Game Deflators E360 | Nintendo and Sony Court Battles Heat Up 1:16:20

18d ago1:16:20

1:16:20

In this episode of The Game Deflators podcast, John and Ryan dive into a whirlwind of gaming topics. Starting with their latest Magic: The Gathering pickups and Ray's experience with the Spiderman pre-release. The duo then shares what they’ve been playing lately, with John visiting the gritty fantasy world of The Witcher 1 and Ryan eagerly explorin…

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Susan Erikson, "Investable! When Pandemic Risk Meets Speculative Finance" (MIT Press, 2025) 35:03

20d ago35:03

35:03

Investable! When Pandemic Risk Meets Speculative Finance (MIT Press, 2025) by Dr. Susan Erikson presents a critical and sobering look at how international bankers and investors turn pandemics into investment opportunities, and what we stand to lose when we rely on “innovative finance.” In a world increasingly defined by crisis, bankers and investor…

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#25 Are You a Starseed or Just Sick of Earth? - 6 Common Starseed Types 37:34

22d ago37:34

37:34

Ever felt homesick for a place you’ve never been? This episode dives into the galactic soul theory of starseeds — who they are, where they’re from, and why they might just be here to help Earth heal. Don’t worry, Earthseeds—we see you too. Whether you've always stared up at the stars wondering where home really is, or you're just galactic-curious a…

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Julien Mailland on "The Game That Never Ends: How Lawyers Shape the Videogame Industry" 1:10:25

25d ago1:10:25

1:10:25

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks with Julien Mailland, Associate Professor of Media Management, Law, and Policy at The Media School of Indiana University Bloomington, about his book, The Game That Never Ends: How Lawyers Shape the Videogame Industry. The book examines key moments, beginning in the 1970s, in which legal decisions influenced …

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The Game Deflators E359 | Gamers Furious Over Nintendo’s New Patents + Worst Direct Ever? 43:48

25d ago43:48

43:48

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John dives into some current gen PlayStation 2 accessories and his recent play of Prince of Persia Sands of Time. Meanwhile, Ryan’s deep into Silk Song, and he’s got thoughts—lots of them. The duo also tackles Nintendo’s latest round of controversial patents, raising eyebrows across the gaming community. Fro…

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#24 Dying to Live: Dr. Mary Helen Hensley's Near-Death Experience 56:29

29d ago56:29

56:29

If you’ve ever wondered what happens after we die—or you’re obsessed with near-death experience (NDE) stories—this episode is your front-row seat to the other side. Healer, chiropractor, and bestselling author Dr. Mary Helen Hensley shares the incredible details of her 1991 car crash and the soul-altering moments that followed. From leaving her bod…

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Stephanie K. Kim, "Constructing Student Mobility: How Universities Recruit Students and Shape Pathways between Berkeley and Seoul" (MIT Press, 2023) 53:07

1M ago53:07

53:07

Constructing Student Mobility: How Universities Recruit Students and Shape Pathways between Berkeley and Seoul (MIT Press, 2023) challenges the popular image of the international student in the American imagination, an image of affluence, access, and privilege. In this provocative book, higher education scholar Stephanie Kim argues that universitie…

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The Game Deflators E358 | Silksong Backlash & Switch 2 Dev Kit Snub 53:14

1M ago53:14

53:14

This week, John and Ryan kick things off with some fresh gaming pickups. John dives into his full playthrough of Neva, sharing thoughts on its emotional beats and visual storytelling, and gives a first-timer’s take on Beyblade Episode 1—no nostalgia goggles, just curiosity about the hype. Ryan’s been hands-on with Hollow Knight: Silksong, and while…

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Dan Roche, "Eyes by Hand: Prosthetics of Art and Healing" (MIT Press, 2025) 1:05:02

1M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

Eyes by Hand: Prosthetics of Art and Healing (MIT Press, 2025) is a book about artificial eyes—about the artisans and artists who make them, and about the life-changing and sometimes life-saving experience of wearing them, as author Dan Roche has done for 15 years. Eye making is done by hand, for one person at a time, by a very small number of ocul…

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#23 Taylor Swift, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and the Collective Karmic Healing 31:18

1M ago31:18

31:18

Whether you’re a Swiftie decoding every Taylor Swift Easter egg, belting out Golden with K-Pop Demon Hunters, or just singing solo in the shower, this episode will blow your mind. Heidi unpacks how Taylor Swift is leading a pop culture revolution—healing collective karmic debt, awakening the divine feminine, and reclaiming women’s voices worldwide.…

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The Game Deflators E357 | PAX West 2025 Indie Games + VGP & PlayAsia De Minimis 52:26

1M ago52:26

52:26

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan dive into a whirlwind of gaming goodness. Ryan returns from PAX West 2025 with fresh impressions, indie highlights, and a few surprises from the show floor. Meanwhile, John wraps up his journey through Final Fantasy VI with final thoughts on its legacy and storytelling, then jumps into the lush…

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#22 Psychic Moments and Listener Stories 2 27:53

1M ago27:53

27:53

Have you ever had an intuitive hit so accurate it shocked even you? In this week’s episode of Trust Yourself, we spill our own jaw-dropping psychic stories during readings we've given — plus powerful listener submissions that prove intuition isn’t just real, it saves lives. Heidi's nursing background comes in handy during her intuitive body scans a…

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The Game Deflators E356 | Silksong Is Breaking the Industry & Critical Role Ditches Daggerheart? 55:35

2M ago55:35

55:35

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive into their latest pickups—from video games to spicy new Magic: The Gathering cards—and share updates on what’s been dominating their playtime lately. But the real chaos begins with the ripple effect of Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date announcement, as developers scramble to dodg…

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#21 ADHD Isn't a Flaw - It's Your Intuitive Edge 26:14

2M ago26:14

26:14

ADHD as Your Spiritual Superpower: Discover how surrendering to your multi-passionate brain unlocks creativity, flow, and spiritual power. What if everything you’ve been told about ADHD is holding you back? Instead of a “deficit,” what if it’s actually a doorway into intuition, creativity, and feminine energy? In this empowering episode of Trust Yo…

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The Game Deflators E355 | Palworld Knockoff Hits the eShop?! What Is Nintendo Thinking? 1:14:02

2M ago1:14:02

1:14:02

This week on The Game Deflators Podcast – John and Ryan dive into the cardboard chaos of Magic: The Gathering, unpacking their latest pickups and sounding off on the absurdity of collector booster prices. Is Wizards of the Coast pricing out its own fanbase? Meanwhile, John shares his progress on Final Fantasy VI and The Witcher, revealing whether p…

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Jamie Wang, "Reimagining the More-Than-Human City: Stories from Singapore" (MIT Press, 2024) 50:53

2M ago50:53

50:53

As climate change accelerates and urbanization intensifies, our need for more sustainable and livable cities has never been more urgent. Yet, the imaginary of a flourishing urban ecofuture is often driven by a specific version of sustainability that is tied to both high-tech futurism and persistent economic growth. What kinds of sustainable futures…

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#20 How Psychic Coach, Karly Ashworth, Unlocks Intuition with Feminine Energy 53:48

2M ago53:48

53:48

Are you stuck in hustle mode, running on masculine energy, and feeling disconnected from your intuition? In this episode of Trust Yourself, we sit down with Karly Ashworth, a gifted psychic, certified hypnotherapist, and mindset coach, to explore why the world—yes, even men—needs to surrender to their feminine energy. Discover how balancing masculi…

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Hannah Star Rogers, "Art, Science, and the Politics of Knowledge (MIT Press, 2022) 1:01:41

2M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

'Art, Science, and the Politics of Knowledge (MIT Press, 2022)' by Hannah Star Rogers When I sat down with Hannah Star Rogers to discuss her new book Art, Science, and the Politics of Knowledge, I found myself nodding along to a refreshingly obvious yet somehow radical proposition: why do we insist on keeping art and science in separate corners? Ro…

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The Game Deflators E354 | Nintendo’s Pulls Plug on Charity Event + Switch 2 Cart Upgrade 45:59

2M ago45:59

45:59

In this week’s episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan dive into a treasure trove of gaming updates, pickups, and hot takes: Magic: The Gathering fans won’t want to miss the duo’s latest haul from Edge of Eternities, plus an update on the closure of Strixhaven Year Three in their long-running Dungeons & Dragons campaign. The Game Deflators als…

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Frances Egan, "Deflating Mental Representation" (MIT Press, 2025) 1:02:21

2M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

The human mind has the curious, even mysterious, ability to generate thoughts about things with which we are not in causal contact, such as when we think about yesterday’s tennis final, or Aristotle, or unicorns. Naturalizing mental content has usually meant explaining how this is possible in terms that eliminate the mystery while retaining commitm…

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Paul Thagard, "Bots and Beasts: What Makes Machines, Animals, and People Smart?" (MIT Press, 2021) 59:54

2M ago59:54

59:54

Octopuses can open jars to get food, and chimpanzees can plan for the future. An IBM computer named Watson won on Jeopardy! and Alexa knows our favorite songs. But do animals and smart machines really have intelligence comparable to that of humans? In Bots and Beasts: What Makes Machines, Animals, and People Smart? (MIT Press, 2021), Paul Thagard l…

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#19 My Daughter's Past Life Memories From the 1800s 40:59

2M ago40:59

40:59

What if your child started sharing memories from a life they lived before this one? In this exclusive follow-up to our original past life episode, Elise (Sissy) dives deep into her daughter Nora’s incredible journey of recalling vivid past life memories — from the first signs as a toddler to the astonishing details that still give her chills today.…

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The Game Deflators E353 | Nintendo Delivers. Wizards Apologizes. Who Won the Week? 43:50

2M ago43:50

43:50

On this week’s Game Deflators episode, John and Ryan unbox their latest gaming hauls and share what’s hitting their shelves. The duo then dives into Wizards of the Coast's latest attempt to heal wounds in the D&D community by offering virtual tabletop map access across DnD Beyond. Is it a gesture of goodwill, or just clever cartography? Next, the g…

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#18 From Burnout to Boundaries: The Sacred "No" Era 34:24

2M ago34:24

34:24

Is burnout just part of being a high-achiever—or is it actually a sign your soul is waving a red flag? In this deeply personal and hopefully relatable episode, we break down the sneaky signs of burnout and explain why boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re spiritual self-trust. You’ll learn how saying “no” can open space for your authentic “yes,” how bu…

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The Game Deflators E352 | Game Industry Shockwave: Sony’s Multiplatform Pivot + Microsoft’s Price Drop 51:01

2M ago51:01

51:01

In this week's episode of The Game Deflators, John and Ryan tackle a dynamic mix of gaming news, nostalgic throwbacks, and anime hype. They kick things off with a breakdown of the latest One Piece anime episode and dive into their current progress reading the manga. Ryan then shares his newest Magic The Gathering pickups as John contemplates his ne…

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#17 How to Communicate with Your Pets: with Animal Communicator Ursina DeNando 27:54

3M ago27:54

27:54

Ever looked into your pet’s eyes and sworn they were trying to tell you something? Spoiler: they are. In this soul-stirring episode of the Trust Yourself Podcast, we sit down with Swiss Animal Communicator and end-of-life guide Ursina de Nando to explore the world of intuitive communication with animals. From emotional messages from pets who've pas…

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The Game Deflators E351 | Microtransactions Gone Wild + RPG Shenanigans 57:36

3M ago57:36

57:36

John and Ryan are back at it with a jam-packed episode of gaming goodness and industry buzz. Things kick off with their latest gaming-related pickups and what’s currently stealing time from their backlogs. Then it’s onto the mystical halls of Strixhaven, as John leads a recap of their ongoing D&D campaign discussing enchanted puzzles, morally murky…

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#16 The Seven Stages of a Near Death Experience (NDE) 31:34

3M ago31:34

31:34

What really happens when we die? A tunnel of light? A booming voice? A cosmic PowerPoint of our regrets? Aliens? In this episode of Trust Yourself, we deep-dive into the mysterious and awe-inspiring world of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)—real-life stories from people who flatlined, left their bodies, and came back with cosmic receipts. After bingin…

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Cat Dawson, "Monumental: How a New Generation of Artists Is Shaping the Memorial Landscape" (MIT Press, 2025) 39:40

3M ago39:40

39:40

For centuries, monuments have telegraphed the values and origin myths of dominant culture in public space and on massive scale. They have signaled both who is part of a culture and who is not, often overlooking histories that complicate the stories they tell. Yet in the last 50 years in the United States, the role of monuments has changed significa…

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Chris Bernhardt, "Beautiful Math: The Surprisingly Simple Ideas behind the Digital Revolution in How We Live, Work, and Communicate" (MIT Press, 2024) 49:16

3M ago49:16

49:16

Most of us know something about the grand theories of physics that transformed our views of the universe at the start of the twentieth century: quantum mechanics and general relativity. But we are much less familiar with the brilliant theories that make up the backbone of the digital revolution. In Beautiful Math: The Surprisingly Simple Ideas behi…

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The Game Deflators E350 | Chaos Emeralds, Market Moves & Nintendo Noise 1:06:59

3M ago1:06:59

1:06:59

This week on the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan share what they've been playing lately, swapping thoughts on new digital adventures and long-time favorites. John recaps his Crit Hit experience packed with tabletop energy and provides an update from the duos ongoing Strathaven Dungeons and Dragons campaign—expect magical mayhem and unexpected…

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#15 From Redundant to Radiant: Manifesting with Victoria Jackson 56:48

3M ago56:48

56:48

What if getting laid off was actually the best thing that ever happened to you? In this soul-sparking episode of Trust Yourself, we sit down with manifestation coach, EFT practitioner, and bestselling author Victoria Jackson, founder of The Manifestation Collective. Victoria’s story is pure magic: from burnout and redundancy as a fashion magazine e…

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The Game Deflators E349 | Anthem Ends, 3DS and Switch Bit Rot + Mario Swings for the Fences 56:51

3M ago56:51

56:51

In this episode, John and Ryan bring a fastball of nostalgia and digital reckoning to your speakers. The duo dives into EA’s announcement to shut down Anthem's servers in January 2026, dissecting the legacy of a game that promised big but struggled to soar. Then it's a deep-tech discussion as they unravel the silent killer behind your favorite hand…

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#14 Karma Doesn't Have to Be a B!tch 28:59

3M ago28:59

28:59

Understanding Karmic Debt, Soul Lessons, and Numerology Do you keep repeating the same frustrating life patterns — in relationships, money, career, or confidence? What if the problem isn’t you... it’s your karmic debt? In this episode of the Trust Yourself podcast, we unpack the concept of karma, karmic debt, karmic lessons, and numerology in a way…

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Patrick Luiz Sullivan De Oliveira, "Ascending Republic: The Ballooning Revival in Nineteenth-Century France" (MIT Press, 2025) 1:13:42

3M ago1:13:42

1:13:42

On August 27, 1783, a large crowd gathered in Paris to watch the first ascent of a hydrogen balloon. Despite the initial feverish enthusiasm, by the mid-nineteenth century the balloon remained relatively unchanged and was no longer seen as the harbinger of a new era. Yet that all changed in the last third of the century, when following the traumati…

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Matthew Wisnioski on the History of the Idea and Culture of “Innovation” in the United States 1:33:16

3M ago1:33:16

1:33:16

Peoples & Things host, Lee Vinsel, talks with Matt Wisnioski, Professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Virginia Tech, about his new book, Every American an Innovator: How Innovation Became a Way of Life. The pair talk about how the new book connects to Matt’s earlier book, Engineers for Change; how what Matt calls “innovation expertise” fir…

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The Game Deflators E348 | Sonic Crossovers, Nintendo Vibes & Jet-Ski Nostalgia 40:57

3M ago40:57

40:57

In this episode of the Game Deflators Podcast, John and Ryan unpack an action-packed week in gaming with a lineup that spans kart racing chaos, collectible card surprises, corporate culture wins, and a splash of retro nostalgia. They kick things off with the wild new Sonic Racing CrossWorlds where iconic franchises like Minecraft, TMNT, and Avatar:…

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#13 Harnessing Your Goddess Energy 26:36

4M ago26:36

26:36

Ready to tap into a version of you that radiates confidence, power, and presence—without saying a word? In this episode of Trust Yourself, we're showing you how to activate your goddess energy and step into your magnetic, main character moment using neuroscience-backed tools, powerful embodiment practices, and a little Hollywood glam. From Marilyn …

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David Zweig, "An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions" (MIT Press, 2025) 57:39

4M ago57:39

57:39

An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions (MIT Press, 2025) is a devastating account of the decision-making process behind one of the worst American policy failures in a century—the extended closures of public schools during the pandemic. In fascinating and meticulously reported detail, David Zweig shows how…

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The Game Deflators E347 | Critical Picks & Racing Tricks: Daggerheart, MTG x FF, and Wave Race 64 56:36

4M ago56:36

56:36

Strap in for a nostalgia-meets-news deep dive on this week’s episode of The Game Deflators! John and Ryan kick things off with a fresh batch of gaming pickups. Then it's time to roll initiative as the duo shares behind-the-screen updates from their latest Dungeons & Dragons campaign. In the tabletop world beyond their own, the guys examine big move…

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Elliot Lichtman, "The Computer Always Wins: A Playful Introduction to Algorithms through Puzzles and Strategy Games" (MIT Press, 2025) 46:46

4M ago46:46

46:46

In The Computer Always Wins: A Playful Introduction to Algorithms through Puzzles and Strategy Games (MIT Press, 2025), Elliot Lichtman will teach you some of computer science’s most powerful concepts in a refreshingly accessible way: exploring them through word games, board games, and strategy games you already know. Learn recursion by playing tic…

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Jeremy Stolow, "Picturing Aura: A Visual Biography" (MIT Press, 2025) 1:15:58

4M ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Picturing Aura: A Visual Biography (MIT Press, 2025) by Dr. Jeremy Stolow is the first book of its kind: an extended historical, anthropological, and philosophical study of modern efforts to visualize the hidden radiant force encompassing the living body known as our aura. This rich, interdisciplinary study by Dr. Stolow chronicles the rise and glo…

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Trans Technologies 1:03:27

4M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

How can technology creates new possibilities for transgender people? How do trans experiences, in turn, create new possibilities for technology? Trans Technologies, (MIT Press, 2025) by Dr. Oliver L. Haimson, explores how and why mainstream technologies often exclude or marginalize transgender users. Trans Technologies describes what happens when t…

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#12 The Neuroscience Behind Manifestation 45:06

4M ago45:06

45:06

Manifesting with Science and Soul: A conscious Creation with Tayler Milkovich In this powerful episode of the Trust Yourself Podcast, we sit down with spiritual life coach and manifestation expert Tayler Milkovich—known as @thecosmicvegan on TikTok and Instagram. This isn’t your average intro to manifestation conversation. We’re diving deep into th…