I'm a skeptic's
skeptic for sure, but if I’m being really honest about myself? I spend most of my time searching for things to believe in. But because I take myself too seriously and it’s so hard to meet my bar of critical scrutiny, I’ve only found a handful of beliefs to cling to. Regardless, I love digging into cults, purported sources ofsecret knowledge,and quick-fix cure-alls because they reveal fascinating aspects of the human condition (as well as their adherents).
But no one’s entirely immune to woo-woo; in fact, I’ve gotten more than my fair share of flak for my obsession with Enneagrams (see below). So please join me a little ways off the beaten path this holiday season by taking a deep dive into cults, alternative medicine, and personality tests.
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The Retreat
- By: Dan Frey
- Narrated by: Kyla Garcia
- Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
- Original Recording
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Under the shimmering light of a full moon, newly engaged couple Paul and Cora head home from a dinner party. But when a devastating car accident leaves Cora paralyzed from the waist down, their future together is changed in the blink of an eye. As Cora’s depression leads to a dependence on prescription pain meds, Paul turns to the works of inspirational self-help author Gabrielle Lawson. After learning of the guru’s week-long retreat focused on "energetic healing", Paul convinces a skeptical Cora to attend.
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Lost me at cultural appropriation...
- By Teresa Goodman on 12-15-19
A twisty turn-y woo-woo journey
My colleague, editor Vanessa, recommends this psychological mystery-thriller to those of us who crave a self-dev angle even while reading outside the genre. In Vanessa’s words: The main character experiences a life changing car accident, can no longer walk, and as a result becomes disillusioned with life and addicted to pain pills. Her fiancé, under the spell of a charismatic spiritualist, takes her to the leader’s woo-woo spiritual retreat in hopes of recovery. After lots of twists, turns, detox, and seemingly familiar rituals that get pretty dark, the main character starts questioning her own sanity—as well as spiritual leader’s influence over everything.
All Aboard the Woo-Woo Train!
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The Skeptic's Guide to Alternative Medicine
- By: Steven Novella MD, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Steven Novella MD
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Original Recording
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Energy medicine. Acupuncture. Superfoods. Healing magnets. What does the scientific evidence really say about these and other eclectic treatments for personal wellness that fall under the popular term “alternative medicine”? How can we know if a treatment is safe and effective? How can you become your own best skeptical consumer of health news in the media? Join neurologist and science educator Dr. Steven Novella for a fascinating exploration of these and other important questions about the truths - and myths - behind alternative medicine.
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An interesting look at one mans bias
- By C. Walker on 04-13-21
The Skeptic's Guide to Alternative Medicine
Given the current state of health care in the States, it makes total sense to me that people are looking more and more toward alternative methods for health and fitness. With that said, the skeptical little devil on my shoulder is constantly prodding me to question the validity of pretty much anything and everything—and alternative medicine in particular is rife with pseudoscience. I’ve got nothing against any method that helps people even anecdotally—but if you’re like me and simply need to know what works (and why), then this listen is for you. Fair warning: it’s virtually guaranteed to irritate proponents of homeopathic remedies, healing magnets, and—gasp!—maybe even chiropractic care. But really? I’m just glad this Great Course empowers people to make informed decisions regarding their own health.
Get Healthy
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The Enneagram Type 6
- The Loyal Guardian
- By: Beth McCord, David Archuleta
- Narrated by: Jill Blackwood
- Length: 1 hr and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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The Enneagram Collection is for anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of their Enneagram type. The Enneagram Type 6: The Loyal Guardian is an interactive book that focuses on those who have a core desire to have security, guidance, and support. The book explores the unique motivations, longings, strengths, and weaknesses of a Type 6.
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Not worth the money. Not Recommended.
- By LB on 12-12-19
Cult of personality
If there’s one thing most self-development obsessed people have in common, it’s that we’re seekers—of truth, meaning, purpose, and everything in between. In that way, I’m constantly thinking about my own thoughts—obsessively—in an attempt to better understand my compulsions, preferences, and true nature, and the Enneagram system is the only personality typology that I’ve found useful in better understanding myself. Both editor Courtney and I adore the system for its user friendly, interesting archetypes to the point where we’ve annoyed nearly all our colleagues with our incessant, cult-y advocacy of the system. Important note: these listens all have a Christian theme to them, but that didn’t deter me from enjoying the heck outta these despite being non-religious. (Six-wing-fives, unite!!)
Get Typed
New & Noteworthy Releases
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No Calculator? No Problem!
- Mastering Mental Math
- By: Art Benjamin, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Art Benjamin
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
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No Calculator? No Problem! Mastering Mental Math , award-winning professor of mathematics and celebrated “mathemagician” Arthur T. Benjamin delivers 10 fun-filled lessons on how to do math in your head with confidence, accuracy, and speed - sometimes faster than a calculator. By the end of Professor Benjamin’s lessons, you’ll be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers faster than ever before. And with your newfound skills, you’ll soon find yourself amazing other people and, perhaps more important, yourself.
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Excellent but need PDF
- By Majeed on 10-15-19
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Leap of Power
- Take Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Your Life
- By: Robert Schwebel PhD
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
Leap of Power, written by psychologist and author Robert Schwebel, offers a fully articulated and proven programmatic alternative to the millions of adults who have a substance use disorder, and to their friends and families, and to the professionals who provide counseling to them. It casts a wide net with a welcoming and nonjudgmental tone, and is filled practical advice about how people can and do take control of their lives, including their use of alcohol and other drugs.
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The Power of Bad
- How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It
- By: John Tierney, Roy F. Baumeister
- Narrated by: Paul Bellantoni
- Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Why are we devastated by a word of criticism even when it’s mixed with lavish praise? Because our brains are wired to focus on the bad. This negativity effect explains things great and small: why countries blunder into disastrous wars, why couples divorce, why people flub job interviews, how schools fail students, why football coaches stupidly punt on fourth down. All day long, the power of bad governs people’s moods, drives marketing campaigns, and dominates news and politics.
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Another outstanding social psychology book!
- By Wayne on 01-06-20
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Indulge Your Senses
- Scaling Intimacy in a Digital World
- By: Michael Dorf, Paul Keegan
- Narrated by: Michael Dorf
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
After starting two iconic music venues and surviving the dot-com bust, Michael Dorf offers gripping stories and hard-earned business lessons with a contrarian twist. As technology becomes more deeply woven into our lives, the key to success can be found in satisfying people’s yearning for live human interaction.
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No Calculator? No Problem!
- Mastering Mental Math
- By: Art Benjamin, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Art Benjamin
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
No Calculator? No Problem! Mastering Mental Math , award-winning professor of mathematics and celebrated “mathemagician” Arthur T. Benjamin delivers 10 fun-filled lessons on how to do math in your head with confidence, accuracy, and speed - sometimes faster than a calculator. By the end of Professor Benjamin’s lessons, you’ll be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers faster than ever before. And with your newfound skills, you’ll soon find yourself amazing other people and, perhaps more important, yourself.
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Excellent but need PDF
- By Majeed on 10-15-19
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Leap of Power
- Take Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Your Life
- By: Robert Schwebel PhD
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Leap of Power, written by psychologist and author Robert Schwebel, offers a fully articulated and proven programmatic alternative to the millions of adults who have a substance use disorder, and to their friends and families, and to the professionals who provide counseling to them. It casts a wide net with a welcoming and nonjudgmental tone, and is filled practical advice about how people can and do take control of their lives, including their use of alcohol and other drugs.
-
The Power of Bad
- How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It
- By: John Tierney, Roy F. Baumeister
- Narrated by: Paul Bellantoni
- Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Why are we devastated by a word of criticism even when it’s mixed with lavish praise? Because our brains are wired to focus on the bad. This negativity effect explains things great and small: why countries blunder into disastrous wars, why couples divorce, why people flub job interviews, how schools fail students, why football coaches stupidly punt on fourth down. All day long, the power of bad governs people’s moods, drives marketing campaigns, and dominates news and politics.
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Another outstanding social psychology book!
- By Wayne on 01-06-20
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Indulge Your Senses
- Scaling Intimacy in a Digital World
- By: Michael Dorf, Paul Keegan
- Narrated by: Michael Dorf
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After starting two iconic music venues and surviving the dot-com bust, Michael Dorf offers gripping stories and hard-earned business lessons with a contrarian twist. As technology becomes more deeply woven into our lives, the key to success can be found in satisfying people’s yearning for live human interaction.