Our Origin Story
Philosophical Entertainment is a concept coined by Alan Watts, who referred to himself as a Philosophical Entertainer. Through listening to Watts, we decided to take up the mantra of making philosophy entertaining again!
Science only studies the usual, which is why our objective has been to take uncommon topics (the more taboo the better) and dive into why it makes us uncomfortable. As we settle into our fears, we find that it is what lies behind the heebie jeebies that has us scared; it is death that has us frightened. That being the case, we want to explore death and find out why we feel so unsettled with our own mortality.
Who We Are
Philosophical Entertainment is more than just a podcast; it’s a space where deep questions and entertaining discourse merge. Inspired by the teachings of Alan Watts, who famously referred to himself as a “Philosophical Entertainer,” we’ve embraced this identity. Philosophy doesn’t have to be dry or inaccessible—it can be fun, engaging, and deeply relatable. Our goal is to bring philosophical ideas back into the public sphere in a way that’s not only informative but also captivating.
Through engaging discussions, we dive headfirst into topics that most would rather avoid. After all, the best conversations happen where the comfort zone ends, and that’s where we thrive.
Our Mission
At Philosophical Entertainment, we believe that science often limits itself to what is common and predictable—the “usual.” While this has given us a deep understanding of many aspects of our world, it leaves out a significant part of the human experience: the unknown, the unsettling, the taboo.
Our mission is to explore these less-trodden paths of thought. We shine a light on ideas that make people uncomfortable, especially those that touch on our deepest fears and insecurities. In our experience, it’s those dark corners of thought that hold the most fascinating insights. What truly unnerves us? And more importantly, what lies behind that discomfort?
We believe that exploring the things that scare us opens up a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Why the Taboo?
Taboo subjects have always had a strange power over us. We avoid them, but in doing so, we also let them hold sway over our thoughts. That’s why we love taking on topics that people shy away from—the more controversial or unsettling, the better. For example, why does a discussion on death send shivers down our spines? What is it about mortality that makes it such a deeply personal and terrifying concept?
Our podcast doesn’t shy away from these kinds of questions. Instead, we bring them to the forefront of our discussions because we know that in facing our discomfort, we can better understand it—and ourselves.
Exploring Mortality
At the core of many of our episodes is a fundamental theme: death. No other subject has the same power to unsettle people, and yet, it’s the one thing every human will eventually face. We ask ourselves: Why does the topic of death provoke such fear? What lies behind our existential dread?
By unpacking this fear, we aim to demystify death and take a fresh look at what it means to live, knowing that our time is limited. It’s this tension between life and death, comfort and fear, the known and the unknown, that fuels many of our discussions.
Join the Conversation
At Philosophical Entertainment, we’re not just talking at you—we’re inviting you into the conversation. We aim to foster a community of listeners who are unafraid to ask the tough questions and explore life’s mysteries with curiosity and courage.
Whether you’re a lifelong philosophy enthusiast or someone who’s just starting to ask the big questions, we’re here to provide thought-provoking content that challenges and entertains. Dive in with us, question everything, and let’s make philosophy entertaining again!
Philosophers Assemble!
Our team of philosophers met through our involvement at The Bridge Improv Comedy Theater. We are all improv actors and students who have a love for diving in to deep conversation and exploring the depths of ideas. We have been utilizing the theater for our live recordings and podcast meetings as well.
We invite you to become part of our philosophical team! Feel free to reach out to us and express your interest in joining our team! We’d love to have other’s help us create content and explore these tantalizing topics!
