Beyond the Walled Garden Podcast

Explore the powerful intersection of neurodiversity, trauma theory, and liberation in this in-depth conversation with therapist Sara Eldridge. Discover how understanding these three frameworks can help us navigate modern life with greater compassion and authenticity.

Sara explains why neurodiversity should be celebrated rather than "fixed," how tr...

In this installment of the Regenerative Questions series, I explore why it's worth it (or maybe it isn't) to make anything in this world of ours. In the face of a torrent of art and content (not to mention AI), what's the point in making things at all?

As always, I explore this question using philosophy and the thoughts of some great creators, as well as provide ten actionable experiments you can use to bolster your own creative ...

In this powerful episode of Beyond the Walled Garden, I chat with Julio Angel Rivera, a martial artist, writer, and mental health advocate. Rivera opens up about his journey with bipolar disorder and how martial arts became both his sanctuary and a way to help others. 

From discussing the enforcer culture of jiu-jitsu academies to exploring the intersection of mental health and physical discipline, this conversation offers profound...

In this episode, I examine the critical question: Who do your values actually serve? Discover how many of our deeply held values may be inherited rather than consciously chosen, and explore the hidden beneficiaries of your belief systems. Through philosophical context and practical experiments, this episode guides you to recognize whose interests are truly being served by the values you hold.

Join me as I investigate the origins ...

In this episode of Beyond the Walled Garden, Joel Austin sits down with El, a non-binary filmmaker from Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss creativity, identity, and resistance during politically turbulent times. El shares insights about their film projects including "Cam Girl" and "Going Native," while offering wisdom on how to create art with limited resources. The conversation explores how marginalized creators can carve out safe space...

In this first episode of the Regenerative Questions series, I explore how our relationship with time might change if we measured it in seasons rather than hours. Modern society imposes linear time on our naturally cyclical bodies, creating tension that may contribute to burnout and depression. Discover 10 practical experiments to reconnect with cyclical time and realign with natural rhythms.

Our biological systems—from heartbeats t...

This episode of Beyond the Walled Garden features Diego Zanella, a Patrol Commander in Washington state with over 20 years of policing experience. Diego discusses his mission to reform law enforcement from within by moving away from traditional paramilitary structures toward community-focused service.

Learn how modern police departments are integrating social workers, improving mental health response, and reimagining what effective...

In this episode of Beyond the Walled Garden, Joel explores how to navigate our information-rich world with guest Emily Pabst, founder of Remake the Rules. Emily reveals strategies for managing information overload, making better decisions, and finding meaning amid digital chaos. From online dating to business leadership, discover how to use technology as a tool without letting it define your life.

Emily shares her expertise as an I...

In this episode of Beyond the Walled Garden, I speak with indie filmmaker Ashton Livingston about the rewards and challenges of pursuing a creative life through filmmaking. Ashton shares insights from making his 80s-inspired horror comedy "Rat Problem" and discusses how independent films are filling the void left by struggling studio productions. 

Learn about crowdfunding strategies, artistic fulfillment, and why the joy of creatio...

In this episode of Beyond the Walled Garden, I'm joined by Anthony David Vernon, adjunct professor of philosophy at St. Thomas University and Miami Dade College, to explore Epicureanism, an ancient Greek philosophy that offers surprising wisdom for our modern struggles. While stoicism dominates social media feeds, Epicureanism provides a refreshing alternative focused on finding pleasure through simplicity, friendship, and the remo...

Check out my new podcast challenging the conventional self-help industry that merely helps us adapt to late-stage capitalism. "Beyond the Walled Garden" offers an alternative perspective focused on creating cultural change rather than just personal optimization.

In this introduction episode, I talk a bit about my background, then go into my vision for a show that helps viewers become agents of change. Featuring upcoming discussions...