What tactical deployment of the word "bro" can do for men who need to call out other men. Also, a rundown of Heretic , which the pair saw this week. (00:00) - 2024-11-24 Episode 53 (01:17) - Brendan's birthday playlist (03:38) - Mark's 40 hour fast (09:19) - Brendan got a splinter (14:42) - Men can't help themselves (28:07) - Emasculation vs objectification (35:15) - Bro (39:55) - Masculine and feminine energy (48:40) - Orgazmo (49:19) - Free Speech (Tune Tumult round 4) (50:11) - #freespeech (M...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 53
Free Speech and Marshmallow Madness In this rollercoaster episode, we dive into everything from the hypothetical beauty of a 'Godmode' What To Eat podcast with Brendan Hutchins to the real-life hilarity of a live Randy Feltface puppet show. Along the way, we tackle deep issues like men's responsibility in society, the botched 'free speech' argument, and even touch on culinary monstrosities like cottonseed oil and vegetable oils' dubious origins. Tune in as we become pundits, theorists, and accid...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 52
We open with classic podcasting clichés and dive into the aftermath of the 2024 US election. Our hosts swirl around debates, looking for silver linings in a rather grim scenario. We then transition seamlessly into music territory, with exciting new hymn compositions, vocal experiments, and the creative processes we engaged in to create our masterpieces. The latter half of the discussion shifts to the escapism of productivity management, midlife crises, finding meaning, a bit of plumbing, and how...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 51
Exploring Faith and Unplugging from the Matrix: Is There a God? We dive deep into our personal journeys with spirituality, discovering what 'Is there a God?' means to us. We chat about breaking free from past traumas related to religious experiences, ponder our own definitions of belief, and how music has become a transformative part of our spiritual lives. From meditations to discussions on software and hardware analogies reflecting our mental states, we leave no stone unturned. And yes, there'...
Nov 08, 2024•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 50
Happy one-year podcast anniversary! Join us as we reflect on our life plans from days past—who has time for a bucket list when life keeps us on our toes? Last week's deep chat resurfaces with healing guidence and the creeping horror of Five Nights at Freddy's nightmares. We fly from bedtime Tolkien to crafting our futures one LEGO block at a time. We delve into the Enneagram's finer points and the quirky journey of finding the perfect health coach for those of us who are 'neuro spicy.' We reflec...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 49
We dive into the humorous and strenuous sides of physical/mental/emotional health. We discuss how some activities, despite being labeled 'not good', might just be worth it for the laughs and the unexpected benefits they bring to our well-being. Expect some funny anecdotes and a light-hearted take on the ups and downs of staying healthy. And a delightful amount of singing off key. convergencepod@icloud.com is one way to provide feedback. If you enjoy the show, tell a friend: convergencepod.com. 0...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 48
Life, Laughter, and AI: Unraveling Decisions, Beard Drama, and Emotional Rollercoasters Lyrics and videos for the Battle Of The Songs entries here: https://newsletter.hellosteadman.com/game-changer-battle-of-the-songs-1/ In this jam-packed episode, we tackle everything from robots threatening our podcasting gig to philosophical debates on free will. Get ready to laugh about gym struggles, canal walks, and the quirks of AI-generated content. We'll navigate the choice paradox through games, explor...
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 47
Forever to go down in infamy, this episode is where Mark and Brendan decide to start giving each other a prompt to write a song in a week. Let’s see where this goes. And now, the beautiful AI show notes. Glorious.. Join us for a roller-coaster episode as we acquire the quirky domain 'pn.ms' from 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' (no sandwiches included), and unravel the complexities of getting our computer to say hello to the outside world (spoiler: it's harder than herding cats.. who are on fi...
Oct 04, 2024•57 min•Ep. 46
It's a musical episode where Brendan and Mark happen to break out in song, like the new Joker movie but with more sense to it. We discuss AI, dropping amazon, and how We're Mad as Hell AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE! If you want to be Mark's friend, you must listen to this and agree that it is exceptional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9YqvG4GY28
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 45
Gather ‘round, folks, and bring your popcorn – we’ve got a treat of emotional escapades and bean-timer antics! Join us in the men’s group saga as Brendan takes us through the wild ride of talking jealousy, empathy, polyamory, and societal norms. Who knew reflecting on divorce and friendships could be so enlightening? Sprinkle in a relentless bean timer, and boom – instant profundity and humor. We delve deep into emotional intelligence, discussing why forgiveness is either the hardest step or a w...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 44
Breaking down American culture and politics, focusing on the differences between programming languages and frameworks, the ongoing dismantling of the American Dream, and the problematic first-past-the-post electoral system. This episode touches on issues like capitalism, tribalism, and the historic welcoming of immigrants to the US, expressing a desire for open borders and harmony. Additionally, it humorously critiques American soccer terminology and the perceived superiority of the country whil...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 43
Wholesome Surprises and the Power of Rest Explore the joy of wholesome TV content and personal encounters with the streaming service Dropout, highlighting shows like 'Game Changer', 'Make Some Noise', and 'Dimension 20.' Mark delves into a particularly emotional episode of 'Game Changer' dedicated to a contestant named Jess. The conversation transitions to a birthday present a thoughtful personal blog project, reflecting on the impact of social media and the importance of documenting life's prec...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 42
Frustrations with substandard podcast editing, the challenges of maintaining a high-quality freelance business, mental and physical pressures, and an insightful conversation about Apple's new fee policy on Patreon subscriptions, as Mark and Brendan reflect on balancing work and creativity, they share personal stories and experiences about keeping the passion alive and striving for excellence amidst growing industry challenges. rockstarremodel.com...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 41
Mark wants the people he works with to be delighted, and Brendan is opting out of Amazon. (00:00) - Fuck me, I’m a biscuit (08:35) - It’s grifts all the way down (18:45) - Opting out of Amazon (27:25) - Mark’s salient point about the environment (28:55) - Mark is adrift (42:15) - The robots are coming for our jobs! (48:49) - Mark tries to explain LLMs (56:47) - Craft (01:24:05) - Attention-poor (01:31:51) - Pricing and value (01:33:47) - Opinions as a service Links MacWhisper...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 40
Mark advocates for the devil of social media, Brendan addresses addiction and challenges the need for us to lean on crutches… and they both discuss ease and craft. (00:00) - Spike me, daddy (01:13) - Happy anniversary (02:15) - Escape valves (08:55) - Our strange addictions (22:49) - Needs vs wants (26:18) - Reading ahead on stoicism (30:32) - Meditation (33:26) - Ease (38:59) - Everyone's tired (43:47) - Feels (49:18) - Moving out Links Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy Wor...
Aug 02, 2024•55 min•Ep. 39
Mark echoes a fundamental question: “What are you doing to make yourself more attractive and interesting?”. (00:00) - Hey, you're cute (02:14) - 16 hour fasting (12:02) - What men need to do to date women (24:42) - Physical appearance as branding (35:33) - Physical appearance across genders (43:35) - "You're not as charming as you think you are" pt 1 (46:49) - The girl at the Frank Turner gig (01:00:18) - Don't ask yourself "can I do this goal?" (01:07:26) - There is always a new level to play (...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 38
What do you give up once you’ve given up – to quote a popular Irish sitcom – cigarettes, alcohol, and roller-blading? Joy? Is it joy next? This one’s spicy if you’re a puritan. Otherwise it’s your pretty bog-standard Convergence fare. (00:00) - Rattling around like Marley’s ghost (00:23) - Mark's accidentally good idea (10:39) - Intrinsic motivation (15:37) - Podiant vs Bramble (17:53) - Podcast Advocate Network, circa 2017 (21:33) - Naro (23:22) - Asking for a hand in marriage (26:37) - Brendan...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 37
The one where Mark and Brendan build a new society. Links Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food … and Why Can’t We Stop? , by Chris van Tulleken Why doing more exercise won't help you burn more calories – New Scientist Trying Not to Try: The Ancient Art of Effortlessness and the Surprising Power of Spontaneity , by Edward Slingerland Top 5 ways we can actually make a difference – List Envy, with Rebecca Bratspies...
Jul 12, 2024•52 min•Ep. 36
Brace yourself – Mark’s developing a theory of existence. Links Cosmo Sheldrake
Jul 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 35
Brendan throws down a debate for the boys to chew over. Wish them luck! (00:00) - I get that reference (01:47) - Food's effects on personal identity (17:13) - Group identities (20:24) - Dunbar's number (28:29) - Brendan's joke (29:36) - MA succulent Chinese meal (31:22) - Brendan likes to get stuffed (39:52) - Dopamine dieting Links This is democracy manifest (”A succulent Chinese meal”)...
Jun 28, 2024•53 min•Ep. 34
Strap in, pull the safety bar down tight, and prepare to launch deep into some stuff in this episode. (00:00) - The thing about rollercoasters (02:00) - Brendan's sacrificial log (09:38) - Mark's wormhole (21:53) - Self-motivation for those that live on their own (27:18) - Rollercoaster content (34:54) - The metaphor extends (47:58) - We do the swiping Links Frequency illusion (Baader–Meinhof phenomenon) I Will Teach You to be Rich: No guilt, no excuses , by Ramit Sethi...
Jun 21, 2024•59 min•Ep. 33
Mark went to London and met Rory Sutherland, and Brendan has a communion with the universe. Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism , by Daniel Pinchbeck The Egg , by Andy Weir (00:00) - 2024-07-13 Episode 32 (00:18) - Mark at the Podcast Show London (06:38) - Brendan's Darkenshrub adventure (26:31) - Brendan's first trip (37:24) - Thesis (38:32) - Bad Things (41:27) - Impermanence (44:07) - The ego only gets one lifetime (48:34) - Brendan's second ...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 32
Mark can’t get arrested in this town, Gen X is clapping back, and Brendan’s playing a game but he needs it for his work . (00:00) - 2024-07-13 Episode 31 (04:47) - Mark can't get arrested in this town (09:10) - Gen X is clapping back (13:37) - Brendan's spicy question 🌶️ (26:10) - You can't be the one who's losing it (31:19) - 100 $1,000,000 Leads (42:41) - Karma (52:37) - Brendan needs it for his work (57:12) - Bullying as a service...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 31
The boys wrestle with the question of man vs bear, explore the fertility epidemic, and deliver an update on Brendan’s arbitration. (00:20) - Mark’s cat is a precious angel (01:40) - Man vs bear (03:40) - The case (14:56) - The fertility epidemic (39:36) - It’s a Jungle Out There Links How pollution is causing a male fertility crisis Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (WHO) Three Principles It’s a Jungle Out There (Monk intro) Enshittification...
May 31, 2024•50 min•Ep. 30
Brendan kicks the new calorie knowledge, Mark talks about his vision and not his Vision Pro, and Brendan takes Mark on a virtual tour of the NFT Museum. Links Web3 is Going Great The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed... for Now The Dropout Marissa Mayer, этот смех! laugh compilation Top 5 Korean TV romcoms – List Envy, with Anya Pearse...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 29
The boys discuss Mark's doppelgänger, and Brendan's plans for him (Mark, not the doppelgänger). (00:17) - Followup (03:17) - Fasting and food scarcity (08:22) - Mark’s food and home (12:12) - Brendan’s 40th (22:12) - Airport content (25:59) - Brendan’s Portland plans: Food (41:39) - Brendan’s Portland plans: Activities (01:03:55) - Mark’s doppelganger
May 17, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 28
Brendan discovers his food is continuing to Gaslighting him, Mark meets the Mayor of Bike Shed, and plans begin for Brendan’s 40th. (00:00) - Your food is Gaslighting you (02:40) - Willpower (06:32) - Being right (20:08) - The Mayor of Bike Shed (26:12) - So, what do you do? (36:34) - Internal family systems (43:12) - Brendan’s 40th birthday plans (01:00:24) - Saying no (01:04:08) - Bag Links Vector theory of change No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma & Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family ...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 27
Profound insights and entertaining takes on life's quirks. This episode delves into a rich tapestry of personal experiences, legal challenges, and engaging banter, highlighting the Brendan’s journey through litigation, personal development, and humorous everyday observations. Key discussions include the unique wear patterns on a wooden desk, the intense preparation for and insights from an arbitration case, and the importance of honesty and integrity. The conversation also covers physical health...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 26
Exploring Personal Identities, Happiness, and Human Experiences Mark and Brendan discuss individualism, happiness, and personal identity, particularly gender identity. They discuss societal pressures, the implications of aligning too closely with a specific identity, and the importance of personal happiness and acceptance. The conversation also touches on their personal experiences with team sports and its social implications, and the process of self-discovery and acceptance. Additionally, they ...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 25
Cycling, Personal Reflections, and Drug Experiences Mark starts with some cycling anecdotes that include several instances of bike theft and the acquisition of an e-bike. The discussion expands to cover topics of legality and accessibility of cycling for visually impaired individuals. Beyond cycling, they explore deeper themes of personal growth, the use of psychedelics for enlightenment, and reflections on societal norms around drug use. Famous figures such as Ram Dass and the impact of psyched...
Apr 19, 2024•50 min•Ep. 24
