Panic or progress? AI futurist David Shapiro and Paul map the middle path: Vesperance (our in-between), time sovereignty as real wealth, AI as a health learning partner, the analog comeback (third spaces, neighbors), and robots as the true labor reset. Plus: incentives > ideology in policy, and why “neuro-spicy” brains thrive in crisis. Practical, hopeful, and human.

Paul Chamberlain reframes intelligence for a world in flux. Traditional IQ metrics are becoming obsolete. What matters now is acumen, skill, and experience—and your ability to think fluidly in the face of paradox, change, and complexity.

Paul Chamberlain explores “Funny” not as performance, but as your most magnetic human trait—rooted in joy, flow, and embodied rebellion. Reclaim your edge in a world AI can’t replicate.

Everyone loves being smart. Everyone wants to be funny. But what about tortured? In this emotionally raw finale, Paul Chamberlain takes you into shame, trauma, and desire—not to relive it, but to reclaim it. Your deepest wounds contain fuel when processed, integrated, and turned into leadership, creativity, and sovereignty.

Paul Chamberlain candidly recounts his transformative journey from the depths of addiction to the heights of self-discovery. Through an intensive coaching session, Chamberlain reflects on the profound impact of understanding one's identity as "smart, funny, and tortured." He shares insights into balancing one's acumen, joy, and inner struggles to achieve personal growth and authenticity. This episode delves into the significance of self-awareness, the power of coaching, and Chamberlain's mission to help others embrace their unique combination of attributes for a fulfilling life.

Smart Funny Tortured is more than a coaching brand, it is a movement. It isn’t the way. It’s a way. A highly efficient way to prepare for your future, maximize your potential, and pull yourself out of whatever liminal space you find yourself in. This is who we are: The Smart Funny Tortured.

In this thought-provoking episode, Paul sits down with Lumia Coaching Co-Founder and CEO, Noelle Cordeaux, to navigate the converging paths of human coaching and artificial intelligence. They discuss the impact of AI on coaching and therapy, diving deep into the implications of emerging technologies for the coaching profession and the broader human experience.

Paul sits down with Dr. Zachary Stein to explore the future of education and the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. He advocates for dismantling traditional schools and replacing them with systems that prioritize human-to-human interaction. Dr. Stein warns against humanoid AI teachers, emphasizing their potential for deception and manipulation. Instead, he proposes AI systems that enhance and refine human relationships. Additionally, he discusses the impact of AI in sectors like military and finance, emphasizing the need for a universal grammar of value to guide AI development. The episode delves into the metacrisis and the urgent need for a paradigm shift in civilization.

Paul sits down with Elissa Strauss, a prominent journalist, essayist, and author who has been a prominent voice in the conversation surrounding society, parenting, and caregiving for over 15 years. Her new book, "When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others," explores the history and power of care in our lives and communities. Drawing on extensive research and personal experiences, Strauss argues for embracing care as the key to unlocking our potential as a society. She advocates for making the invisible work of care visible and recognizing its immense value to transform relationships and create a more compassionate world.

Paul sits down with Caleb and Shelby Ward, Co-Founders of the World’s First Home for AI Storytellers, Curious Refuge. From western Texas to the mahogany boardrooms of Hollywood studios, Caleb and Shelby are at the center of the AI filmmaking revolution. Artists and educators first, this new generation power couple, share their thoughts and feelings on what is going to keep this technology... human.

Paul sits down with Professor Timothy Morton, eco-philosopher, artist, and author of 25 books, translated 40 times into 18 languages. They explore the connection between philosophy, ecology, spirituality, fascism, and shame. Their discussion centers on the notion that acknowledging our existence within the biosphere is a profound spiritual encounter. Professor Morton's broad range of work spans philosophy, literature, music, art, and more, resonating not only with scholars and philosophers but also with artists and creative minds who cherish the interconnectedness of the natural world. They have collaborated with Bjork and Laurie Anderson. Cowrote and appears in Living in the Future's Past, a 2018 film about global warming with Jeff Bridges. Professor Morton also wrote the libretto for the opera Time Time Time by Jennifer Walshe.

Well, it's 2023 - we made it! As we gather receipts and do an audit on times past while looking forward; I wanted to gather bits and pieces of the past year's conversations in which my guests' brilliance took us places profound, hilarious and enlightening.

What is the Christmas season without thinly veiled trauma and dysfunction in the form of beloved animated family television specials? With the help of trauma research professor, Dr. MC McDonald, sex/love addiction coach, Sean Cardinalli and Life Coach, Carllie Jaxxen, we take an irreverent but nostalgic look at the classic Rankin Bass Christmas Specials: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty The Snowman, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and The Year Without a Santa Claus.

Paul sits down with women's intimacy coach and former sex crimes prosecutor, Rena Martine to discuss ethical non-monogamy (ENM) and her mission to help women love their bodies, experience deep intimacy and have great sex, shame-free.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t powered by vibranium, sorcery or infinity stones...it's powered by trauma and grief. With the help of research professor, Dr. MC McDonald and the incomparably urbane satirist, George Hahn, we break down how the MCU has pulled off a superhuman feat in depicting the impact of these very human experiences.

Kat Courtney is an 18 year veteran of Plant Medicines: She has been traditionally trained to administer the psychedelic medicinal brew Ayahuasca and the botanical cousin of Peyote, Huachuma or San Pedro cactus. She is an integration coach, an author and a certified Death Doula.

Paul sits down with Jeffrey Gurian to talk about being one of the most beloved people in the world of comedy, self-limiting beliefs and picking the right outfit before the ambulance arrives. People often refer to him as a “Renaissance Man”, because he’s involved in so many things. But he’s really a Mensch. A wonderful Yiddish term that defines a person as someone who can be relied upon to act with honor and integrity. Who is kind and considerate; admired within the small circle who know them well.  Well, that small circle includes people like Jimmy Fallon, Chelsea Handler, Chris Rock, Amy Schumer and so many more. I have personally witnessed the biggest stars in comedy stopping in their tracks to hug and chat with Jeffrey while the craziness of a red carpet swirls around them. He was a former Cosmetic Dentist and Clinical Professor at New York University where he taught and lectured for 12 years. He is an author with eight books: three on comedy, five on motivation and happiness. He’s the host of Comedy Matters TV, a YouTube channel sporting millions of views along with being a regular on Sirius XM’s Bennington Show. Above all, he is a survivor. Of both a widow maker heart attack and the deadly New York City 2020 Covid wave that almost took him out. He has battled his own demons which only seem to make him more empathetic, quirky and generous. He was there when I was battling mine and stood by when others didn’t. I will never forget that. He is one of kindest and most interesting people I have ever met and now you get that pleasure as well. Follow Jeffrey Gurian on Instagram: @jeffreygurian Visit Comedy Matters TV Host: Paul Chamberlain Guest: Jeffrey Gurian Produced by: Cerebral Itch Labs

Paul sits down with Dr. Habib Sadeghi to talk about love, medicine and what we can do to regain our health and happiness despite a broken medical system.

Paul sits down with The Angry Therapist, John Kim, LMFT to talk about finding Self, the power of Coaching and how motorcycles, CrossFit and donuts made it all better.

Paul sits down with best-selling author and scholar, Sarah Kendzior to talk about staying vigilant while trying to enjoy life’s simple pleasures as authoritarianism and corruption continues to accelerate.