Episodes

Friday Nov 03, 2023
A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR OUR FUTURE? - INTERESTING TIMES 70
Friday Nov 03, 2023
Friday Nov 03, 2023
In this podcast, we reflect on recent events in Gaza. We pay particular attention to huge pro-Palestine marches and demonstrations across the earth, as well as geo-political shifts that are taking place this moment. We plead for immediate ceasefire. [Free. 1 hour 6minutes.]

Friday Oct 20, 2023
BALLOTS, BOMBS, BLOWBACK - INTERESTING TIMES 69
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Friday Oct 20, 2023
In this podcast we reflect on three current events - the Tory byelection defeats in the UK, the crescendo in ongoing violence in Israel-Palestine, and the authoritarian crackdowns on the supporters of the people of Gaza in Europe and beyond. We show how these seemingly disparate events are intimately connected by being a part of the same complex pathology. We touch on the importance of geopolitical, global-economic and historical contexts. [Free. 27 minutes.]

Saturday Oct 07, 2023
TORY CONFERENCE 23 - INCOMPETENCE, FRAGMENTATION AND MADNESS - INTERESTING TIMES 69
Saturday Oct 07, 2023
Saturday Oct 07, 2023
In this podcast, we reflect on widely reported items from the 2023 Tory Part Conference, and plug into some of the wider political and philosophical issues they give rise to. [Free. 42 minutes.]

Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
LAO TZU 68
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
In this podcast, we engage with the final chapter [81] of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. In this chapter, Lao Tzu is suspicious of book learning and loquacious oratory, instead intimating that knowledge gained through meditation and clear seeing and plain speech are preferable. He also reminds us that non-doing is the way of both the sage and the Tao itself. [Free. 29 minutes.] For details and to book our forthcoming live event - http://peteyates.uk/live-events/

Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
TRAILER FOR ’THE APOCALYPSE & YOU’ LIVE EVENTS
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
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 four more events follow at weekly intervals. To book, visit http://peteyates.uk/live-events/. [Free. 29 minutes.]

Monday Sep 18, 2023
LAO TZU 67
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Monday Sep 18, 2023
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.]