Inspired by The Burnout Society by Byung-Chul Han.
Thessaloniki, Greece.
Today, we explore the paradox of modern life through the lens of Byung-Chul Han’s "The Burnout Society."
How has our culture of relentless positivity and self-improvement enslaved us to unsustainable ideals? Is our obsession with personal projects, perpetual growth, and excessive optimism leading us inevitably to burnout?
Join me in this raw, authentic discussion about finding moderation in an age that glorifies excess. Because, ultimately, balance might be our only way forward.
⚠️ A note to listeners:
This episode was recorded under challenging technical conditions, resulting in poor audio quality. For that, I want to apologize deeply.
I will record the episode once more with proper audio quality, by the end of May, with my new, long-awaited equipment. However, until then, I hope you can still enjoy the episode as it is!
New episodes will follow a monthly format. New episodes will arrive on the first Thursday of each month.
Episode 11 will be here on June 3. Stay tuned for season 2!
Resources:
"The Burnout Society" by Byung-Chul Han
Follow, like, and leave a review to support the show. Thank you for being part of this existential journey. See you next month.
Inspired by: Improv Theater/Improvisation, Johan Gatlung's Conflict Transformation.
Thessaloniki, Greece.
When was the last time you truly built on someone else’s idea, rather than shutting it down?
In this episode, I explore how improvisational theatre, and its central mantra, “Yes, and”, offers powerful insights for navigating life, relationships, and even conflicts & negotiations.
Because sometimes, life isn't about who’s right or wrong. It’s about who’s willing to say yes... and.
—If you enjoyed this episode, please consider liking, reviewing, and sharing it with others; it helps the show grow and reach people navigating life’s changes.
For improv in Thessaloniki, check out ComedyCanvas (in English) and ThessImprovice (in Greek).
For deeper reading on conflict and collaboration, check out my related articles on Conflict Transformation & Negotiation Tips, at gmpapadopoulos.com.
Full episode list and transcripts available at afterthedragon.com. Follow @afterthedragon on Instagram or Facebook, to share your thoughts and stay connected.
🎵 Music Credits: Ba Dum Bum ALL by freesound_community.
📣 Promotional Support: Strategaze
Inspired by: Kaizen Philosophy of Continuous Improvement.
Tirana, Albania.
Growth often comes hand-in-hand with discomfort, but change doesn’t always have to be drastic to be meaningful.
Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, this episode explores the power of gradual, continuous improvement. Through personal reflections, spontaneous adventures in Albania, and the challenge of facing discomfort, I share practical ways to embrace life’s imperfections and move forward intentionally, one step or trip at a time.
What small step can you take today to start improving your life?
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Did you enjoy this episode? Like, review, and share; your support helps the show grow. Visit afterthedragon.com for transcripts, and follow @afterthedragon to connect.
Marketing Materials: Strategaze
Music Credits: A ship Sailing in the Red Sea by Hesham Hanafy
Sources:
Inspired by: Dostoevsky's Notes From Underground.
Domatia, Greece.
What happens when you retreat so far into your mind that you lose touch with the world around you? What kind of life unfolds when disconnection, doubt, and existential dread become your closest companions?
In this episode, inspired by Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground, I reflect on a journey inward; one that took place in the quiet solitude of Domatia, my childhood village, resting in the foothills of Mount Pangaio.
This is an episode about grappling with the darkest parts of ourselves, the fragile balance between connection and disconnection, and the power of reaching beyond our inner walls. It’s about the Underground Man, and what he can teach us about being human.
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Did this episode resonate with you? Please consider liking, reviewing, or sharing it with others; it helps the podcast grow, and I’m grateful for your support.
Visit afterthedragon.com for episode transcripts, and follow @afterthedragon on Instagram or Facebook to share your thoughts and stay connected.
Inspired by: Positive Psychology's Researches on the Power of Gratitude.
Mumbai, India.
Caught up in our daily struggles, it's easy to dwell on the negatives and lose sight of anything else. But sometimes, stepping back—or living experiences that shift our perspective—can let us see the full picture.
In this episode, I reflect on a transformative trip to Mumbai, where I came face-to-face with my own fallacies and the resilience of those who have far less—yet often, more strength.
This is a story of contrasts, of confronting what we take for granted, and of realizing that no matter our struggles, someone else is fighting an even harder battle.
But this isn’t just about guilt or shame—it’s about what comes next. How do we move forward, with both gratitude and intention? How do we take what we’ve seen, what we’ve learned, and make an impact in our lives?
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Did you find this episode meaningful? Please consider liking it on your platform of choice, leaving a review, and sharing it with others. Your support makes a difference—thank you.
Visit afterthedragon.com for the episode transcripts and follow @afterthedragon on Instagram or Facebook to share your thoughts and stay connected.
Music Credits: Sea and Seagull, wave from Suukadi, and Beach with oplaying children from ondercast, both available on PixabayMarketing & Promotional Materials: Strategaze.comSources & Courses on Well Being: The Science of Well Being, Yale, and Positive Psychology Specialization, University of Pennsylvania.
Inspired by: Slava Zizek & Tempi Train Disaster.
Tempi, Greece.
A tragic train collision two years ago keeps a nation in mourning. In this episode, I reflect on the deadliest rail disaster in Greece’s history, the Tempi train crash of February 28, 2023.
This is a story of negligence, systemic failures that repeatedly attempted to conceal the truth about the disaster from the public, and the human cost of avoidable mistakes.
But this episode is not just about a single tragedy; it’s about the patterns that lead to disaster, the responsibility we demand, and the lives forever changed.
And it's a relevant case, for everyone's out there who's seeking meaningful, actual change for themselves.
Sources:
Ground News: https://ground.news/article/tempi-tragedy-sparks-political-outcry_0a48d9
Freedom of Speech Index: https://rsf.org/en/index
OECD Better Living Index: https://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/greece/
The Pervert's Guide to Ideology (2012) - Slavoj Žižek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBcFLmu_tlc
Episode #196 ... The improbable Slavoj Zizek: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Z88L2dtUKlf2sA29lyBie?si=69e87a509f154ead
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Did you find this episode meaningful? Please consider liking it on your platform of choice, leaving a review, and sharing it with others. Your support makes a difference—thank you.
Visit afterthedragon.com for episode transcripts and follow @afterthedragon on Instagram or Facebook to share your thoughts and stay connected.
Music Credits: Chopin Prelude in E Minor by Anastasia Chubarova and Earth in Flames by Nightcast from Pixabay
Marketing & Promotional Materials: Strategaze
Inspired by: The US 2024 Elections, Cas Mudde & Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser's Populism.
Vienna, Austria.
What makes us fall for easy solutions in a complicated world? In this episode, I explore the rise of populism with the case of the US in mind, the isolation of modern society, and how it's trying to hold on from anything simplistic to make sense of it.
Drawing from personal reflections, political observations, and philosophical insights, this episode dives into how loneliness and frustration lead us to trust ideas, leaders, or promises that often fall short.
This is not just about politics—it’s about us, our inner struggles, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Sources: Populism by Cas Mudde & Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser, UN: A Super Year for Elections
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Did you enjoy this episode? Please consider liking it on your platform of choice, leaving a review, and sharing it with your loved ones. It makes a big difference for me, so thank you!
Visit the website, afterthedragon.com for the episode transcripts, and follow @afterthedragon on Instagram or Facebook, to share your thoughts and stay connected.Music Credits: Satie - Gnossienne No. 1, recorded by Gregor Quendel from Pixabay
Marketing & Promotional Materials: Strategaze
Inspired by: Albert Camus's 'The Fall.
Eani, Greece.
After the Dragon returns for 2025, delving into the lessons that emerge from facing life’s hardest moments.
Inspired by personal struggles and Albert Camus' The Fall, the episode explores how avoiding responsibility and pain can leave us fragile, like the trees of Biosphere2.
Through reflections on failures, guilt, and transformation, this episode challenges us to endure hardships, embrace change, and grow stronger in the process.
Further Resources: The Fall (Albert Camus), Biosphere 2 Project
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Did you enjoy this episode? Consider liking it on your platform of choice, leave a review, and share it with your loved ones. It makes a big difference for me, so thank you!
Visit the website, afterthedragon.com for the episode transcripts, and follow @afterthedragon on Instagram or Facebook, to share your thoughts and stay connected.
Inspired by: The Power of Self Dependence, Jorge Bucay.
Athens, Greece.
With the same existentialism notes, this time inspired by Jorge Bucay's Power of Self Dependence and an old love letter, the second episode revolves around a concept that we consider of great value. While also attempting to avoid at all costs. Freedom.
This episode explores deep philosophical concepts that are under-analyzed & overexplained, as the point of the podcast is to inspire you, the listener, to carry on and seek your answers. Great resources to look at are:
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Did you enjoy this episode? Consider liking it on your platform of choice, leave a review, and share it with your loved ones. It makes a big difference for me, so thank you!
Visit the website, afterthedragon.com for the episode transcripts, and follow @afterthedragon on Instagram or Facebook, to share your thoughts and stay connected.
Inspired by: Nietzsche's Stages to the Superior Man.
Thessaloniki, Greece.
The debut of After the Dragon reflects on life’s most profound challenges and the courage it takes to confront them. Inspired by Nietzsche’s philosophy on life stages and his transformative journey, Michalis unpacks the metaphor of slaying dragons—our personal battles—and how they lead to growth and freedom.
This episode explores themes of self-discovery, navigating life changes, and breaking free from limiting contexts. As well as what it takes to evolve from a camel to a lion and, ultimately, to a child, while challenging societal expectations and our own limitations.
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Credits: