What's What
By Vayus Media
What's WhatJul 07, 2021
Ep 20: Power, Privilege, and Why JFK's Assassination Still Matters
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November of 1963 was one of the most significant events of the 20th century. Over the past 60 years, a slew of stories have been told about who killed the president and why - elements of the CIA and American military, the Soviets, Castro and the Cubans, the mafia, or some strange amalgamation of them all? One thing we know for sure is the story the Warren Commission tells about Lee Harvey Oswald being the one and only person involved in the assassination is dubious at best.
In this episode of What's What, we focus on the military-industrial complex, the CIA, and the coup d'état theory of JFK's assassination; citing Oliver Stone's 1991 film "JFK". The second half of the episode takes a detour into power and privilege dynamics in the United States and how racial grievances are fueling misguided public policy.
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 19: Death, Suicide, and Spiritual Resilience
Death is a topic that is often avoided or ignored, but it is one of the few things that is absolutely certain for living beings. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris discuss Eastern and Western perspectives on death, the moral problems with suicide and medically assisted dying, and the spiritual aspects of the dying process.
“When death comes, it's just like winter. We don't say, 'There ought not to be winter.' That the winter season, when the leaves fall and the snow comes, is some kind of defeat, something which we should hold out against. No. Winter is part of the natural course of events. No winter, no summer. No cold, no heat."
- Alan Watts
Warning: This episode contains material that may be disturbing for some listeners and viewers.
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 18: Artificial Intelligence and Creative Expression
For better or worse, the introduction of ChatGPT to the public was a monumental moment for the development of the human species. AI technologies will re-shape every aspect of society and they are ushering in a new era of creative expression - what will this new world look like and how will we maintain the spiritual essence of the human experience as machines take more and more control of our lives? In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris offer their take and explore ways to utilize these tools without losing our humanity.
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 17: What is Propaganda?
On the surface, propaganda is relatively simple - it is the dissemination of information (facts, arguments, rumors, half-truths, or lies) to influence public opinion and it is often used to promote a specific political cause or point of view. But the discussion around propaganda becomes much more complex when we start to ask questions about intent. It is easy to look at opposing view points and say we know the intent behind them and label them as propaganda, disinformation, or misinformation - but it's much harder to look at ourselves and question our own intent and our own beliefs. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris sift through their biases and beliefs about the world, and try to reach a shared understanding of truth.
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 16: Taoism, Transgenderism, and Political Systems (Part 3 of the Eastern Philosophy Mini-Series)
Taoism (or Daoism) emerged in China around 500 BCE when the philosopher Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching. The word Tao has many translations but one of the most common is "the flow of nature" or according to Alan Watts "the course of things". At the heart of Taoist philosophy is the belief that the best way to maintain order is to not try to maintain order. By relinquishing our desire for control, we create space for spontaneity and adaptability. Just as a river flows effortlessly, finding its own path around obstacles, Taoism invites us to navigate life's challenges with grace and flexibility. Rather than resisting the natural flow, we learn to flow with it.
In part three of our mini-series on Eastern philosophy, Rushi and Chris discuss the Tao and how it relates to political and economic systems like communism and free market capitalism. The second half of the show gets deep into Taoism and transgenderism, and what the "flow of nature" truly means when it comes to the free will of human beings. Is it possible for humans to have "unnatural" thoughts and do "unnatural" things, or is everything we do natural because we are part of the natural world? Tune in to find out.
"The great Tao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right.
It loves and nourishes all things but does not lord it over them.
And when good things are accomplished it lays no claim to them."
- Lao Tzu from the Tao Te Ching
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 15: Buddhism - The Origins, Beliefs, and Relevance in the Modern World (Part 2 of the Eastern Philosophy Mini-Series)
India the 6th-5th centuries BCE... according to legend, the Hindu prince Siddhartha Gautama renounced his position and wealth to seek enlightenment as a spiritual ascetic. It is said that he reached enlightenment while meditating under a bodhi tree, and thus became the Buddha. He began to preach his path to others and the religion of Buddhism was born.
In part two of our mini-series on Eastern philosophy, Rushi and Chris delve into the core beliefs of Buddhism such as the Four Noble Truths, Aldous Huxley and Alan Watts's perspective on the teachings, and the modern importance of one of the world's most popular religions.
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 14: Hinduism - The Origins, Beliefs, and Relevance in the Modern World (Part 1 of the Eastern Philosophy Mini-Series)
Hinduism is thought to be the world's oldest religion, and it includes many different systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. But to some, Hinduism is not a religion at all, but rather a lifestyle or simply a way of being. In part one of our mini-series on Eastern philosophy, Rushi and Chris dig into the history, myths, and influence of Hinduism; and how these ancient beliefs are shaping the modern world. What lessons can we learn from Hindu texts like the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Bhagavad Gita? Tune in to find out.
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 13: Industrialized Agriculture and Reviving Traditional Food Wisdom
Two questions are at the core of discussions about sustainable agriculture, food, and health (individual and ecosystem health): Where does our food come from and how is it grown or produced? In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris dig into industrial food systems and explore solutions to the challenges around producing enough food to feed the growing population of the planet, while also keeping ourselves healthy and our environment clean. They touch on regenerative and biodynamic farming, permaculture, food sovereignty, and local food production.
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 12: Science, Mysticism, and the Intelligence of Nature with Lawrence Blair
Lawrence Blair is an anthropologist, author, explorer, and filmmaker. He is the writer, presenter, and co-producer of "Ring of Fire: An Indonesian Odyssey" (1988) a series of five documentary films following the decade-long journey of Lawrence and his brother Lorne, and their search for the lost cultures and forgotten traditions of Indonesia. He is also the author of the 1976 book "Rhythms of Vision: The Changing Patterns of Belief" in which he explores sacred geometry, energy, chakras, and spiritual planes of existence. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris visit Pak Lawrence ("Pak" means "sir" or "mister" in Indonesian) at his home in Bali to discuss a range of topics including his connection with Aldous Huxley, science and mysticism, the counterculture movements of the 1960s and today, and his adventures in Indonesia.
What’s What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion:
Ep 11: How To Die Happy with Martin O'Toole
In this episode of What's What, Chris sits down with author and philosopher Martin O'Toole to discuss his upcoming book, How To Die Happy. Cherry-picking Eastern philosophies like Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism - and introducing mindfulness, psychological practices, and tales of the miraculous healing power of ayahuasca - How To Die Happy distills the secrets to living and dying well. Part curated wisdom, part handbook, part memoir, this inspirational text offers a blend of ancient lessons, stories of real-life suffering, and a host of practical utilities to enjoy a vibrant and contented life.
Ep 10: The Digital Abstraction of Reality
The Internet is a digital abstraction of physical life and reality, and this abstraction continues to dominate more and more of our lives. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris discuss social media, the metaverse, and the effects of technology on the individual mind and society as a whole.
Ep 09: The Neurosis of Civilization and A Tribal Future
In this episode, Rushi and Chris dig a little deeper on Alan Watts, the Sausalito Houseboat Summit of 1967, and the vision of a tribal future as the ultimate manifestation of dropping out. They also discuss the hyper-commercialized spiritual movements in Bali and the current state of the counterculture movement.
Ep 08: The Course of Nature According to Alan Watts
Alan Watts is best known for being one of the first to interpret Eastern philosophy and religion for Western audiences, and has been described as having the gift of ‘writing beautifully the unwritable’. Watts combined Taoist, Buddhist, and Hindu teachings with his own personal philosophy - forming a unique, eloquent, and inspiring perspective on humankind, nature, and the universe. In this episode, Rushi and Chris focus on Watts’s thoughts on the course of nature and returning to our ‘original intelligence’.
Ep 07: Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, and The Revolution of Consciousness (Part 2)
In part two, Rushi and Chris discuss the legacy of Leary and Dass, the current state of the ‘revolution of consciousness’, and the next chapter in the story of psychedelic counterculture with a new generation carrying the torch.
Ep 06: Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, and The Revolution of Consciousness (Part 1)
Transitioning from Greener Us to What's What
Starting in September 2022, the Greener Us podcast will be changed to the What’s What podcast - we will no longer be producing The Blend or Greener Us episodes.
If you’re a fan of What’s What, please continue to join Chris and Rushi as they revive the philosophy and literature at the heart of the counterculture movement of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s - using the work of Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, Ram Dass, Timothy Leary, Buckminster Fuller, Krishnamurti, and others, we take a critical look at societal norms and explore sustainable and Earth-conscious alternatives to the industrialized systems that rule modern life. We will also continue to publish episodes of Vayus Radio on the What’s What podcast feed, so you can get new tunes from across the spectrum of independent music. And finally, Greener Us social media channels will be changed to Vayus Media, so you can continue to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @vayusmedia for visual and written content exploring humankind’s relationship with the natural world. Thank you for following the What’s What podcast from Vayus Media - we’ll talk with you again soon!
Vayus Radio: A Sunday Classic
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Greener Us: The Blend on July 20, 2022
In this episode of The Blend: Europe experiences extreme heat and the mainstream media loves it, a New Hampshire distillery turns invasive crabs into whiskey, the world’s largest carbon capture plant was switched on in Iceland, and lab-grown meat is in the limelight.
What's What Ep 05: What Are Humans For? Thoughts on Alternative Education
Vayus Radio: Rastaman Continued
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Greener Us: The Blend on April 13, 2022
In this episode of The Blend: NPR explores eco-facism and the overlap between far-right politics and environmentalism, Science News touts ‘bubble-blowing’ drones for artificial pollination, a study from Ohio State University says that plants are better than technology for reducing air pollution, and grief can now be officially labeled as a mental disorder.
Vayus Radio: Rastaman
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
What's What Ep 04: Economies of Abundance, ‘Food of the Gods’ Continued, and Buckminster Fuller’s ‘Spaceship Earth’
Greener Us: The Blend on March 30, 2022
In this episode of The Blend: NPR complains about misinformation derailing their utopian energy vision, a cinematographer from SeaLegacy indulges himself while claiming to do conservation work, and a new dating app connects vegans and vegetarians.
Vayus Radio: The Uncertainty Principle
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Greener Us: The Blend on March 23, 2022
In this episode of The Blend: turning human bodies into soil, the basics of hydrogen energy, and the world’s most notorious succulent thief.
What's What Ep 03: The Stoned Ape Theory and Our Nostalgia for Paradise
Vayus Radio: What is Indie Rock? Part II
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Greener Us: The Blend on March 2, 2022
In this episode of The Blend: Disney announces plans to build a residential community in the Palm Desert, Saudi Arabia touts an ambitious but dubious plan for a futuristic eco-city, and Coldplay’s eco-friendly tour starts this month in Costa Rica.
Vayus Radio: What is Indie Rock? Part I
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Greener Us: The Blend on February 16, 2022
Prescription drugs in the world’s rivers, the changing smell of snow, and the Center for Biological Diversity supports a federal plan to gun down feral cows from helicopters. Also, we’ll take a look at the documentary film, Purple Mountains, featuring professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones.
Vayus Radio: Feel It Still
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Greener Us: The Blend on January 25, 2022
Vayus Radio: Pure & Simple
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
What's What Ep 02: Tyrannical Big Pharma
Greener Us: The Power of Minimalism
Vayus Radio: 2022, Cheer Up
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Greener Us: Eco-Snobs and the Polarization of Earth-Conscious Living
Vayus Radio: Soleil Sans Cesse
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
What's What Ep 01: Aldous Huxley’s ‘Island’ and the Inspiration for What’s What
Vayus Radio: Rose
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Vayus Radio: If You Want
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Greener Us: Food Forests, Farm to Table Cooking, and Connections through Food with Evan Rilling
Click this link to buy Evan’s new cookbook, Retreat
To order the book in Bali and receive a signed copy, message Evan on WhatsApp at +1 805 218 0764
Vayus Radio: Come in Closer
Vayus Radio features curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal stories from Greener Us.
Introducing What's What & Vayus Radio
Exciting new additions coming to the Greener Us podcast feed! Starting in December 2021, we'll be launching a companion series called What’s What, co-hosted by Chris Siracuse and Rushi Krishna. In the series, we'll revive the philosophy and literature at the heart of the counterculture movement of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Using the work of Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, Krishnamurti, and others, we’ll take a critical look at societal norms and explore alternatives to the industrialized systems that rule modern life. In addition to What’s What, we’ll also be launching a Music + Talk show made possible by Anchor.fm, Spotify’s podcast creation and distribution platform. The show is called Vayus Radio and it will feature curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal anecdotes and stories.
Combining our two series, Greener Us & What’s What, with the Music + Talk show, Vayus Radio, we’ll be offering an audio experience that is unique in the podcast world. All three shows will live on this podcast feed, so you can stay right here for Earth-conscious stories, philosophical discussions, music, and more. We’ll also be ramping up our visual and written content production, so check us out on Instagram @GreenerUsMedia and on Twitter @TheGreenerUs.
If you like what you hear, please follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen.