Episodes

2 days ago
2 days ago
In this podcast, we outline the material we'll cover in our forthcoming series of live talks on zoom. The series starts on 15th October, 1pm BST and more more episodes follow at weekly intervals. To book, visit http://peteyates.uk/live-events/. [Free. 29 minutes.]

4 days ago
LAO TZU 67
4 days ago
4 days ago
In this podcast, we discuss Chapter 80 of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. In this chapter, Lao Tzu considers and recommends a life of rural simplicity in a 'small is beautiful' culture. There are many resonances with some strands of current environmental thinking which we draw out. [Free. 28 minutes.] [Find out about our forthcoming live talks on zoom HERE.]

Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
LAO TZU 65
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
In this podcast, we consider Chapter 78 of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching in the light of current affairs and alignment with the Tao. The theme of the power of the softness of water is a major concern for Lao Tzu here. [Free. 36 minutes.] To book into upcoming zoom event CLICK HERE.

Friday Aug 11, 2023
INTERESTING TIMES 68 - WHERE IS THE WAR ON WOKE GOING?
Friday Aug 11, 2023
Friday Aug 11, 2023
We devote the first few minutes of this podcast to announcing our forthcoming series of live talks on zoom entitled, The Apocalypse and You. The first of the four weekly talks will be on October 15th, 1 - 3pm. Email me on info AT peteyates.uk if you're interested in the series of talks.
The podcast proper jumps off from a consideration of a peculiarly fervid and florid rant which the UK Home Secretary delivered recently in the UK Parliament and which declared war of the 'tofu eating wokerati'. We demonstrate how this diatribe was a part of a concerted programme of divide and rule propaganda which is intensifying as the reactionary UK establishment experiences considerable push back. [Free. 34 minutes.]

Saturday Aug 05, 2023
LAO TZU 63
Saturday Aug 05, 2023
Saturday Aug 05, 2023
In this podcast, we consider Chapter 76 of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. The main theme that emerges is that Lao Tzu distinguishes ways of being which are inflexible, rigid and death-orientated from ways of being which a supple, flexible and life-orientated. We draw out how these orientations play out in all aspects of life, including politics and meditation. [Free. 20 minutes.]

Friday Jul 28, 2023
LAO TZU 62
Friday Jul 28, 2023
Friday Jul 28, 2023
In this podcast, we reflect on Chapter 75 of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. We consider the role of tax and money in various social organisational forms, the notion of surplus product disposed of by a hegemon, anarchism in relation to capitalism and marxism, and resonances with our current state of affairs, and more. [Free. 46 minutes.]

Friday Jul 21, 2023
LAO TZU 61
Friday Jul 21, 2023
Friday Jul 21, 2023
In this podcast, we discuss Chapter 74 of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. Matters discussed include; the power dynamics involved in social organisation, the relative value of fearful and fearless orientations to life, and the tendency of humans to attempt to enhance life through their ingenuity. [Click HERE to buy me a coffee.] [Free. 34 minutes.]

Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
LAO TZU 58
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
In this podcast, we consider Chapter 71 of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. This chapter is about self-deception, understood as a sickness. We appraise the character of many modern politicians in the light of Lao Tzu's insights on this matter. [Free. 25 minutes.]

Saturday Jun 17, 2023
BORIS JOHNSON’S PERFECT POST-TRUTH MOMENT - INTERESTING TIMES 66
Saturday Jun 17, 2023
Saturday Jun 17, 2023
In this podcast, we reflect on the resignation of Boris Johnson from the UK parliament after having been found by the Commons Privileges Committee to have lied to Parliament. We take it that Johnson's subsequent and immediate appointment on a six-figure salary as a columnist for the Daily Mail is significant as a kind of culmination of the UK's deep immersion in post-truth confusion, which has for some time been an advantageous state for global oligarchs in a time of wide-spread unrest. [Free. 26 minutes.]

Sunday May 21, 2023
NAT-C OR NAZI? INTERESTING TIMES 65
Sunday May 21, 2023
Sunday May 21, 2023
In this rather long podcast, we analyse various moments from the National Conservatism conference which was recently held in London, and some of the commentary that has ensued. We focus on the ideological substrate of the organising group, The Edmund Burke Foundation which is named after the 18th Century writer and Parliamentarian who is often hailed as the founder of both UK and US conservatism. [This despite Burke belong to the Whigs rather than Tories.] We ask, is this movement fascist and/or dangerous?" [Free. 96 minutes.]