Free to Suffer Podcast with Martin and Ricardo

In this episode, the hosts delve into the complex and deeply personal experience of grief, exploring its many forms and sources—from the loss of loved ones to the grief that arises from aging, injury, and lost potential. They reflect on Byron Katie’s teachings to illustrate how acceptance can emerge from examining our thoughts and emotions. The conversation highlights the difference between understanding and accepting a painful rea...

In this episode, Martin and Ricardo discuss the nuanced emotional landscapes of helplessness and hopelessness, and how they impact our ability to connect with ourselves and others. They explore the distinction between helplessness and hopelessness, using the Serenity Prayer as a lens for understanding what can and cannot be controlled. The hosts highlight how attending to small, manageable issues can foster a sense of agency. They ...

In this thought-provoking episode on the theme of Money, the hosts explore the complex dynamics between money and personal independence. They discuss the decision to monetize creative endeavors, weighing its impact on authenticity and meaningful content. Delving into deeper questions, they reflect on what constitutes a healthy relationship with money and share Martin's personal journey in this realm. The conversation also contr...

In this episode, Martin and Ricardo discuss Relationships, covering topics such as motivation for relationships, including loneliness, and offering advice based on their relationships. They also discuss grieving past relationships. They discuss the honeymoon phase versus finding longer-term compatibility with a partner. The hosts emphasize the importance of communication skills, strategies for de-escalating conflict, and understand...

Martin and Ricardo discuss some practices to get good at feeling. They mention the need for feedback and how having someone to practice with can help improve accepting and understanding emotions. They emphasize the importance of understanding one's own needs and how they relate to relationships and communicating our feelings. The speakers mention Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication and how it helps translate the l...

In this episode, Martin and Ricardo discuss the concept of mixed feelings. They discuss how society simplifies emotions into good and bad, but in reality, people experience a combination of both. They believe that getting good at feeling helps one to clarify mixed emotions and is crucial for personal development and well-being. They also share personal experiences, like being in a successful marriage where experiencing uncomfortabl...

In this podcast episode, Ricardo and Martin discuss feelings and our relationship to them. The hosts use examples like the recent political events to highlight how different people can have contrasting feelings based on their personal perspectives. They emphasize the need to be aware of our feelings and not let our resistance to them control us. This episode also touches on the dangers of being consumed by our avoidance and resista...

In this episode, recorded last year during the 2024 presidential race, Martin and Ricardo explore the stigma around "negative" feelings and how to learn to accept suffering as a natural part of life. They discuss various stressors, including politics, and the different ways that people respond to stress. They also highlight the role of internal sources of stress and the importance of understanding different perspectives. ...

In this podcast, Martin and Ricardo discuss the stigma of negative feelings and the importance of accepting suffering. They talk about the fear of starting something new and getting stuck in a bad mood or negative mindset. They emphasize the need to be aware of our states of mind and how they affect our perception and experience. They share personal experiences and provide examples of healthy and unhealthy mindsets. They also discu...