The Weekend Pour: I'm Having a "Goth Synthesizer New Wave Moment"👨🏻🎤
I just unwrapped Spotify Wrapped 2024 and thought it’d be fun to share some of my top moments in music and podcasts this year—with a drink in hand, of course.
Welcome to the Weekend Pour!
I know some of you have a profound fear of AI. As such, you may have imagined a techno-dystopian future on the scale of The Terminator and The Matrix where robots take over and humans are reduced to a grubby rebellion fighting for our very existence.
I never felt that way myself until Spotify’s Wrapped for 2024 correctly identified the three very specific phases of music I listened to this year: “Mcbling Hollywood Pop,” “Vampire Permanent Wave Punk,” and “Goth Synthesizer New Wave Moment.” At that point, I knew it was only a matter of time before our AI overlords start sucking battery power from humans and T1000 is whipping past us.
Of course, the “Mcbling Hollywood Pop” wasn’t me. I hadn’t yet signed my son up for a separate account. But, I must admit, I’m a sucker for “Sunflower” by Post Malone and Swae Lee and loved Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
On the other hand, “Vampire Permanent Wave Punk” and “Goth Synthesizer New Wave” are firmly within my sonic wheelhouse and my top artists and songs reflect a post-punk potpourri (see image below for top artists and songs of 2024).
More importantly, I listened to some great podcasts and entered among the top 8% for “Health & Fitness” podcasts, consuming aurally 5,210 minutes this year. That’s nearly 100 hours of podcasts. Some of my favorites were on philosophy and spirituality.
I usually include a drink, article, podcast, and book as part of my The Weekend Pour. Here, I’m just going to include some of my favorite podcasts this year. With a drink in hand, of course.
The Drink: Sierra Nevada Hop Splash
Sierra Nevada Hop Splash is in rotation for my nightly ritual. It’s light, crisp, and ridiculously easy to drink, making it the perfect fridge-grab with food, snacks, or simply on its own. What really stands out is the finish—this refreshing hop water delivers a satisfying citrusy, bitter bite like a whisper of a great IPA but without the body. It’s not trying to be something it’s not; it’s simple, clean, and just plain enjoyable. It feels like the perfect balance between complexity and effortlessness, which is probably why I keep reaching for it.
The Podcasts:
1. Philosophize This: Episode #209 - Improving our world through applied ethics. (Peter Singer, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek)
In Philosophize This! Episode #209, Stephen West dives into applied ethics, featuring the ideas of philosophers Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation: A New Ethics for Our Treatment of Animals, and Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek. It’s a fascinating listen for anyone interested in improving their own ethical decision-making. Singer’s utilitarianism and de Lazari-Radek’s work on altruism also remind us that our individual actions have a ripple effect, whether it’s choosing what we consume or how we interact with others.
Stephen West brings his signature mix of humor and relatability to complex topics, which is why I find his podcast so engaging. It’s not just philosophy—it’s philosophy that feels applicable to our lives. This episode, like much of his work, is a great survey of philosophical concepts but also leaves you thinking about how to integrate these ideas into your own life.
2. Hunger for Wholeness: What’s Our Ambition for the Common Good with Ronald Rolheiser (Part 1)
The Hunger for Wholeness episode from Fransiscan sister Ilia Delio, "What’s Our Ambition for the Common Good?" with Ronald Rolheiser (Part 1), dives into the deep hunger we all feel—not just for personal meaning, but for making a difference in the world. Rolheiser explores how ambition can be reframed, not as a self-centered pursuit, but as a drive to serve the common good.
The episode challenges and inspires us to ask: How do our choices contribute to wholeness, both for ourselves and the world? If you’re curious about integrating spirituality and purpose into mindful living, this is a conversation that will leave you with something to ponder.
3. Sean Carroll’s Mindscape: 281 | Samir Okasha on the Philosophy of Agency and Evolution
Imagine a flock of birds weaving through the sky, each one moving in sync without a leader or a plan. That dynamic interplay of individual agency and collective behavior is at the heart of Sean Carroll’s Mindscape episode #281 with philosopher Samir Okasha. The conversation explores how agency emerges in both humans and the natural world, raising fascinating questions about autonomy and cooperation in evolutionary systems.
What makes this episode stand out is how it uses examples like these to bring complex philosophical and scientific ideas to life. Okasha’s insights into the philosophy of evolution offer a fresh perspective on how purpose and coordination arise in ways that are both intuitive and unexpected. It’s a rich, thought-provoking listen.
BONUS: The Mindful Drinking Podcast: What to Drink When You’re Not Drinking Alcohol
As a little bonus, I’m adding one of the most popular episodes from The Mindful Drinking Podcast: "What to Drink When You’re Not Drinking Alcohol." No philosophy here, per se. Just an episode exploring the world of no- and low-alcohol drinks. I share ideas, inspiration, and stories to help you discover options that are just as satisfying as their boozy counterparts.
If you check it out, I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment and let me know what you think!
Have a great weekend and don’t forget to let me know what’s on your Spotify Wrapped!
Thank you to Oar Health for your important work and sponsorship of Positive Damage! Learn more about how Oar Health can help you drink less or quit here.