Podcast
The Mad Genius Thesis
Hosted by Mnemosyne Media · EN
Is there a thin line between brilliance and madness? The Mad Genius Thesis podcast investigates the complex and often controversial relationship between creativity and what we variously call madness—whether it’s labeled mental illness, neurodivergence, or simply the wild temperament of genius. Each episode explores cutting-edge research in psychology, neuroscience, and the creative arts to understand how extraordinary minds work—and why they so often seem to walk the edge. We unpack the myths of the “mad genius,” examine the lives of history’s most electrifying creators, and challenge the assu
22episodes
Episodes
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Without Religion, We Go Mad
Sep 2700:14:56Tap to summarizeReligion is irrational. It makes unprovable claims, contradicts science, and asks for faith where reason demands evidence. And yet — without it, human beings descend into despair, fragmentation, and madness. Across cultures and centuries, the sacred has given suffering meaning, death dignity, and life direction. When societies abandon religion, they don’t become purely rational — they become lost, desperate for substitutes, and vulnerable to darker forms of faith.In this episode, we explore the paradox at the heart of modernity: how something so unscientific remains essential to human sanity and social order. From the neurobiology of ritual to the collapse of meaning in secular societies, from ancient myths to modern nihilism, we trace why the sacred is not a luxury but a psychological necessity — and how rediscovering it may be the only way out of our age of anxiety.#WithoutGodWeGoMad #MadGeniusThesis #ReligionAndScience #MeaningCrisis #PhilosophyPodcast #Spirituality #FaithAndReason #Nietzsche #CarlJung #Psychology #MentalHealth #SacredAndProfane #MythAndModernity #AgeOfAnxiety
Transcribe →Why Modern Freedom Inevitably Leads to Depression
Apr 20, 202500:05:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis, we confront a haunting paradox of the modern world: the more freedom we gain, the more depressed we seem to become. Why does a society built on choice, autonomy, and self-expression leave so many people feeling empty, anxious, and lost?We explore how modern freedom, unanchored from tradition, structure, or inherited identity, creates a crushing psychological burden. Drawing on existential philosophy, psychology, and cultural criticism, we examine how the collapse of external authority forces the individual to become their own god, therapist, and brand. But what if the self can’t bear that weight?Is our freedom liberating—or is it a trap? This episode asks whether depression is not a dysfunction, but a logical consequence of a culture obsessed with infinite possibility and allergic to limits.#FreedomAndDepression #ModernAnxiety #ExistentialCrisis #DepressionCulture #TheMadGeniusThesis #MentalHealthCrisis #ModernFreedom #PhilosophyPodcast #CamillePaglia #Nietzsche#Depression#camilleandjordan peterson
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Anatomy of Melancholy: The book that predicted modernity
Mar 9, 202500:21:30Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy, a Renaissance-era deep dive into the causes, symptoms, and cures of melancholy. Drawing from classical philosophy, astrology, medicine, and personal observation, Burton offers an encyclopedic meditation on human suffering, creativity, and the delicate balance of the mind. How did the Renaissance view mental health, passion, and the influence of the stars? What can Burton’s insights teach us about modern depression, artistic temperament, and the role of moderation in life? Join us as we uncover how melancholy has shaped not only literature and philosophy but also the experience of genius itself.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #RobertBurton #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #RenaissancePhilosophy #TheAnatomyOfMelancholy #MentalHealthAndArt #MelancholyAndGenius #Podcast
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The Birth of Tragedy: Sanity, Madness, and Greek Culture
Mar 9, 202500:16:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode of *The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast*, we dive into **Friedrich Nietzsche’s *The Birth of Tragedy***, exploring how his vision of **Apollonian order and Dionysian chaos** shaped not only Greek tragedy but also German culture and modern thought. Drawing on multiple sources, we examine **Nietzsche’s influences, from Schopenhauer to Wagner**, his critique of modernity, and the book’s impact on **Freud, philosophy, and art theory**. How did Nietzsche’s early ideas evolve into his later philosophy? And what can his theory of tragedy tell us about **creativity, madness, and the human condition**? Join us as we unpack this **complex, provocative, and still-relevant work**. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #Nietzsche #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #TheBirthOfTragedy #ApollonianVsDionysian #PhilosophyAndArt #GermanCulture #Podcast
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"Dark patches": Walt Whitman's struggles with melancholy
Feb 27, 202500:15:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore the life and work of Walt Whitman, drawing from multiple biographies that illuminate his creative journey, personal struggles, and lasting influence. From his humble beginnings and strained family ties to the revolutionary impact of Leaves of Grass, Whitman crafted not only poetry but also a public image that blurred the lines between self-promotion and artistic vision. How did his experiences during the Civil War, his political ideals, and his fluid sense of identity shape his literary legacy? Did his later years, marked by illness and isolation, change the way he saw his own work? Join us as we examine Whitman’s genius, his challenges with fame, and the deep connection between his personal life, mental resilience, and poetic ambition.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #WaltWhitman #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #LeavesOfGrass #PoetryAndIdentity #CivilWarPoet #AmericanLiterature #Podcast
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Murder, Madness, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary
Feb 27, 202500:15:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore The Surgeon of Crowthorne by Simon Winchester, a fascinating true story about the interplay of brilliance, madness, and obsession in the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. At the heart of this tale are James Murray, the dictionary’s tireless editor, and William Chester Minor, a Civil War surgeon turned convicted murderer who became one of its most important contributors—all while confined to Broadmoor Asylum. How did Minor’s mental illness shape his intellectual output? What does his story reveal about the thin line between genius and madness? And how did the collaboration between these two men change the course of linguistics and literary history? Join us as we unravel this gripping and improbable chapter in the history of language, creativity, and mental illness.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #TheSurgeonOfCrowthorne #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #OxfordEnglishDictionary #MentalHealthAndArt #LanguageAndInsanity #Podcast
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Basquiat: 'Perishable' - Art as a Response to Grief and Loss
Feb 27, 202500:17:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore Eric Fretz’s biography of Jean-Michel Basquiat, tracing his meteoric rise from graffiti artist to global art icon. Basquiat’s work, infused with themes of racism, inequality, and African American history, redefined contemporary art—but behind the brilliance was a man grappling with fame, mental health struggles, and drug addiction. How did his heritage, early experiences, and relationship with Andy Warhol shape his creative vision? Did the pressures of success accelerate his self-destruction? Join us as we examine Basquiat’s genius, his battles with inner demons, and the lasting impact of his art on culture and identity.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #JeanMichelBasquiat #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #StreetArt #BasquiatAndWarhol #MentalHealthAndArt #RacismAndArt #Podcast
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"Get as Much of That Poison Out" : Tupac's Art as Therapy
Feb 27, 202500:14:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur by Michael Eric Dyson, a deep dive into the life, artistry, and lasting influence of Tupac Shakur. More than just a rapper, Tupac was a poet, activist, and cultural icon, whose work reflected his intellectual depth, political consciousness, and personal demons. How did his childhood, addiction struggles, and complex relationships shape his music? What role did race, violence, and black nationalism play in his evolving identity? And why does the myth of Tupac continue to grow long after his death? Join us as we examine the intersection of genius, mental health, and the pressures of fame, uncovering the raw humanity behind the legend.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #TupacShakur #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #HipHopCulture #BlackNationalism #HollerIfYouHearMe #RapAndMentalHealth #Podcast
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César Vallejo : The Poet Who Predicted His Own Death
Feb 25, 202500:19:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore Stephen M. Hart’s literary biography of César Vallejo, one of Latin America’s most profound and enigmatic poets. Vallejo’s poetry was deeply shaped by personal loss, poverty, political struggle, and illness, yet his voice remains timeless in its exploration of human suffering and resilience. How did his mental and physical hardships fuel his creative process? What role did his fraught relationships, evolving political convictions, and existential despair play in shaping his poetic vision? Join us as we uncover the interplay between Vallejo’s genius, his emotional torment, and the enduring power of his poetry, proving that art often emerges from life’s deepest wounds.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #CésarVallejo #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #PoetryAndSuffering #LatinAmericanLiterature #ExistentialPoetry #MentalHealthAndArt #Podcast
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Mirrors and Monsters: Jorge Luis Borges's Nightmares
Feb 25, 202500:12:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore Borges and Me by Jay Parini, a surreal and deeply personal journey through literature, memory, and self-discovery. This “novelistic memoir” recounts Parini’s unexpected road trip through Scotland with the blind and enigmatic Jorge Luis Borges, whose mind—filled with labyrinths, mirrors, and riddles—turns the journey into a meditation on love, poetry, and the mysteries of existence. How did Borges, whose own life was marked by isolation, blindness, and existential thought, shape Parini’s understanding of creativity and purpose? And what does their meeting reveal about the interplay between storytelling, mental landscapes, and the struggles of artistic identity? Join us as we navigate the philosophical and psychological depths of Borges’ world, where reality and imagination blur.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #JorgeLuisBorges #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #LabyrinthOfTheMind #BorgesAndMe #LiteratureAndMemory #PhilosophyAndPoetry #Podcast
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