The Read Well Podcast

Episode 115: Nietzsche and the Art of Living Dangerously

Host: Eddy Hood
Date: October 27, 2025

Overview

In this thought-provoking episode, Eddy Hood explores Friedrich Nietzsche’s provocative idea of "living dangerously" from The Gay Science and unpacks what Nietzsche really meant by leading a risky, authentic life. Eddy relates these philosophical concepts to his personal journey, his experience running a bookstore, and practical advice for discovering one’s own meaning. The episode also features recommendations for further reading and unique insights on reading habits and book ownership.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Misunderstanding Nietzsche’s "Living Dangerously"

• What it is NOT:

  • Not about reckless or thoughtless behavior.
  • "A lot of people get this wrong. They assume that that means to go out and be reckless and just…do all of the things that you're told you shouldn't do. That's not, in fact, what he's saying." (01:03)

• What it IS:

  • Living courageously by defining and pursuing your own meaning.
  • "The riskiest thing you can do is to learn to be yourself. To give your own life meaning rather than pulling meaning from your church or your parents or your government or your career. It is up to you…to get and find your own meaning. To do that is a dangerous thing." (03:18)

2. The Pull and Comfort of the "Herd"

• Explains Nietzsche’s criticism of conforming to societal norms ("the herd").
• "Nietzsche really pushed against the concept of fitting in. He called that being a part of the herd…valuing security and comfort more than freedom and self-understanding." (05:36)
• Eddy admits his own attraction to the security of herd life but feels a deep yearning for authenticity.
• Personal Anecdote:
  • Starting Edgewater Bookstore as a bold, personal undertaking despite doubt and fear:
    • "It is terrifying to go out and purchase a commercial building...But I know in my heart that is my true me, that is my self speaking." (08:07)
    • "For the first time in my life feel like I am living life like Eddie Hood." (08:58)

3. Community Reaction: Support and Critique

• Eddy details receiving both support and criticism when stepping out as an individual.
  • "There are other people in the herd that will start to look up with you and they will cheer you on…and also, there are people in the herd that will kick you. They will bring you back down. I've had plenty of that." (10:10)

4. The Core Lesson: Creating Meaning

• Central question: Will your life feel meaningful at the end?
• "Nietzsche's argument is that if you don't live dangerously, if you don't learn to listen to your voice in your head and follow that voice, then when you get to the end of your life, you will be disappointed." (11:43)

5. Practical Exercise: Defining Your Identity

• Activity:
  • Write at the top of a page: "When I meet a new person, I introduce myself by saying I am a ____."
  • Fill in the blank honestly to start exploring your sense of self and meaning.
• "How do you introduce yourself? Trying to help you identify your identity." (13:05)
• Eddy reflects on defining himself as merely an accountant and questioning inherited beliefs: "This means questioning everything to live dangerously. And this is why it's dangerous." (14:38)

6. Book Recommendations

a. Hiking with Nietzsche (by John Kaag, ~16:30)

• Memoir and philosophical exploration of Nietzsche’s ideas.
• Praised for making concepts like the "doctrine of eternal recurrence" accessible.
• "If you read Kaag’s version of this, you’ll walk away going 'Oh, I get it.'" (17:32)

b. A Little History of Philosophy (by Nigel Warburton, ~18:41)

• Accessible, engaging introduction to Western philosophy.
• Suitable for all ages, written in a clear, storytelling style.
• Reads passage from the introduction to show the inviting tone:
  • “About two, 400 years ago in Athens, a man was put to death for asking too many questions… If philosophy has a patron saint, it is Socrates. Snub nosed, podgy, shabby and a bit strange, Socrates did not fit in.” (20:30)

7. Personal Approach to Books: Why the “Ugly” Book?

• Eddy prefers imperfect, worn books over pristine ones.
• "Whenever I go to a bookstore, I always look for the book that's beat up and that's the book that I buy." (23:19)
• Two reasons:
  1. Helps unsold copies from languishing or getting pulped.
  2. Frees him to heavily annotate and engage with the book as a tool rather than an untouchable object.
  • "I get the opportunity and chance to sit at [the author’s] feet and learn…for me, because a book is a tool, I'm going to treat it as such." (25:02)
  • "It's already bent, it's already ruined. So now it doesn't matter if I write on it and if I treat it like a really good friend." (26:29)

Notable Quotes

• On the meaning of living dangerously:
  "To live dangerously is to not be crazy and stupid, but it is to live a risky life. And the riskiest thing you can do is learn to listen to the voice in your own head and follow it." (39:14)

• On following your own path:
  "When you lift your head up above the herd and you start, like, looking around going, wait a minute. What's important to me? What do I value? And you start to try and live that life…there are other people in the herd that will start to look up with you, and they will cheer you on." (09:37)

• On questioning identity:
  "I'm trying to find new meaning and…learn to sort of find myself. Now this means questioning everything…and in the questioning, you might ruffle a little feathers." (14:49)

• On his own bookstore entrepreneurship:
  "I have a lot of family and friends looking at me going, bro, what are you doing? This is not a good idea and I just don't care. I am so passionate about this project." (08:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:03] – Introduction of episode’s theme & correcting misconceptions about Nietzsche’s idea.
• [03:18] – Explanation of living dangerously as taking risks to be true to oneself.
• [05:36] – Nietzsche’s critique of herd mentality; security vs. freedom.
• [08:07] – Eddy’s personal story: starting Edgewater Bookstore.
• [10:10] – Community responses: support and criticism.
• [11:43] – Core lesson: meaning is found in authentic living.
• [13:05] – [14:49] – Identity-defining exercise and reflections on personal narrative.
• [16:30] – Book rec: Hiking with Nietzsche by John Kaag.
• [18:41] – Book rec: A Little History of Philosophy by Nigel Warburton.
• [20:30] – Reading the first paragraph of Warburton’s book.
• [23:19] – [26:29] – Eddy’s philosophy on owning and using “beat up” books.
• [39:14] – Final summary: the real meaning of living dangerously.

Tone and Language

Eddy’s style is personal, approachable, and occasionally self-deprecating. He emphasizes honesty, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge oneself—even (and especially) when it’s uncomfortable. The episode blends philosophical depth with practical, relatable advice and warm encouragement.

Summary

Eddy Hood demystifies Nietzsche’s "art of living dangerously," urging listeners to find and follow their own meaning in life, despite the risks and social friction this might stir up. Blending personal stories with actionable exercises, he draws on the wisdom of Nietzsche and other philosophers, recommending accessible books for deeper engagement. The message is clear: the most radical, risky thing you can do is to be genuinely yourself—and the rewards and challenges of this path will ultimately make life meaningful.