Podcast
Myoclonic Jerk
Hosted by Daniel Kaufman · EN
"Beautifully made... brilliantly original," says The Telegraph. A 20-part public-radio-style series that asks big questions about life and how to live it. Ex-lawyer/comedian Daniel Kaufman takes on a different subject each episode using monologue, stories, interviews, music, and more. This show is made with a lot of love and care (and OCD) and new episodes come out very infrequently, but they will keep coming, so be sure to subscribe to get all future episodes. You can also be notified of new releases by joining the mailing list at the website. FYI, a myoclonic jerk is that twitch that happens as you're falling asleep that wakes you up. Scientists think the brain confuses the feeling of your muscles relaxing with the feeling of falling or dying and sends a startle impulse to your body to save it. Why is that the name of this podcast? Why not?
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 11 - The Long View
Jan 20, 201601:29:00Tap to summarizeWhat do we see when we zoom out? Scientists Michelle Thaller and Sean Carroll talk about the beginning and end of the Universe. Dan Carlin talks hardcore history, poker pro Annie Duke advises on improving your long game, Prof Hal Hershfield explains how we are disconnected from our future selves, psychologist Gabrielle Oettingen says positive thinking actually leads to negative outcomes, comedian Jimmy Dore relates a fight with a disgruntled audience member, and much more! Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Transcribe →Episode 10 - Evil
Feb 14, 201501:33:00Tap to summarizeWe know people do horrible stuff, but why? Is there really such a thing as evil, or are bad people just sick? If so, how do we handle them? Daniel hashes it out with Derf Backderf (author of My Friend Dahmer), Adrian Raine (author of The Anatomy of Violence), Rick Nevin (economist who explains how lead leads to crime), Bill Miller (author of Eye for an Eye), and Fred Luskin (Author of Forgive for Good). There will also be talking snake. Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Transcribe →Episode 9 - Sex
Dec 31, 201301:40:00Tap to summarizeWhat does sex mean? Is loveless sex okay? Daniel chews it over with Chester Brown, Tracy Quan, Ryan Ridley, and more. Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Transcribe →Episode 8 - Eating Animals
Sep 19, 201202:40:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode we consider the ethics of eating animals with help from a chef, a slaughterer, a hunter, a scientist working on lab-grown meat, a vegan advocate, an undercover slaughterhouse investigator, a Humane Society VP, an animal behaviorist, ranchers, a doctor, an ecologist, three comedians and a buddhist! Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Transcribe →Episode 7 - Failure
Apr 23, 201201:33:30Tap to summarizeHow do we think about failure? How should we? Cory MacLauchlin uncovers the myths surrounding the life and death of John Kennedy Toole. Jane Anne Staw looks for the deeper causes of writer's block. Comedian Jimmy Pardo tells about bombing on the Tonight Show. Plane crash follies returns, Uncle Marty debuts, and much more! Check out the website for more information on the show and join the conversation on our Facebook page.
Transcribe →Episode 6 - Enemies
Nov 25, 201101:24:00Tap to summarizeWhy can't we all just get along (and why do people think that question is funny)? Daniel talks to comedian and political commentator Jimmy Dore, social psychologist Lee Ross, an Israeli who went from Right to Left, a Cypriot who lost his home in the Turkish invasion, a new episode of Plane Crash Follies. And much more!
Transcribe →Episode 5 - Addiction
Jul 1, 201101:01:00Tap to summarizePart 2 of the Gaming series! In this episode we look at the dark side of games, how they hook us and the damage they can do, and where they might be taking us. Daniel talks to therapist and author Shavaun Scott about her time as an in-game therapist. Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani talks about his life in games. Writer/performer Justine Barron explains why games are more appealing than guitar lessons. Online gaming pioneer Richard Garriott (aka Lord British) and Vlad Cole of Blizzard Entertainment both return to defend games. All this and much more!
Transcribe →Episode 4 - Escape
Apr 1, 201101:00:00Tap to summarizePart 1 of the Gaming series! In this episode we look at why games are so seductive, why we choose to lose ourselves in them, what they do for us and how. Daniel talks to online gaming pioneer Richard Garriott as well as Vlad Cole of Blizzard Entertainment. Costaki Economopoulos talks Fantasy Football and Ryan Ridley talks about his time in Oblivion. David Cale performs a story about a troubled girl, and much more!
Transcribe →Episode 3 - The Beast
Jan 12, 201100:56:20Tap to summarizePart 2 of the Beauty and the Beast series! In this episode we look at the beast's side of things. If you had to be one or the other in a relationship, which would you be? Daniel talks to Jesse Case about a humiliation he suffered at the hands of a beauty. We hear more from our beauties from last episode, and more from therapist Sagit Schwartz. Ryan Ridley defends himself against Dan's ugly attacks. A cockroach writes a poem, and much more!
Transcribe →Episode 2 - Beauty
Nov 19, 201001:00:00Tap to summarizePart 1 of a 2-part series - Beauty and the Beast! In this episode we look at beauty and ask, is it bad for you? Does it make people dumb, mean, shallow? Or is that just sour grapes from an ugly podcaster? Daniel interviews several beautiful women including Playboy Party Girl, Suzy McCopin, he talks to podcasting pretty boy, Ryan Ridley and then sees a therapist who specializes in models. We hear a bit of Todd Glass, a new episode of Plane Crash Follies, and much more!
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