Topic: Alan Watts

Alan Watts comes up in 22 chapters across 19 episodes of The Higherside Chats Free Show, from February 2012 to May 2026.

February 2012 May 2026

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Remembering Gordon White w/ Miguel Conner & Chris Knowles
• 21:22 - 25:12

Remembering Gordon White w/ Miguel Conner & Chris Knowles

Leadership Style and the Guggenheim Presentation

Christopher Knowles reflects on White's natural leadership, recalling a talk White gave with Diana Pasulka at the Guggenheim. He describes White as the "grown-up in the room" who commanded genuine affection from his followers. The hosts compare White to other influential figures who died relatively young, such as Alan Watts, Yogananda, and Osho.

Nick Hinton | The Psypocalypse, Father Seraphim Rose,  & Quantum Sorcery Chaos Magic
• 12:32 - 16:45

Nick Hinton | The Psypocalypse, Father Seraphim Rose, & Quantum Sorcery Chaos Magic

Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future, Technocracy Predictions

Father Seraphim Rose's background as a student of Alan Watts and a scholar of Chinese philosophy is explored. His 1975 book, "Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future," is cited for its prophetic descriptions of the convergence of Eastern religions, transhumanism, and the UFO phenomenon. The text argues that these elements are merging to create a new global religion centered on the Antichrist.

father seraphim roserene guenonalan wattstechnocracytranshumanism
THC+TV Announcement & Update
• 23:17 - 27:35

THC+TV Announcement & Update

Generational Evolution in Podcasting, Outro, and Theme Music

Reflecting on turning 40, the host discusses the need to evolve with technology to avoid the fate of older radio-era figures like Jeff Rense, Alan Watt, and John B. Wells. The segment concludes with a commitment to adapt rather than remain stagnant in old methods. The episode transitions into the closing theme music, which features lyrics about misdirection, the Vatican, and the "higher side" of conspiracy culture.

jeff rensealan wattjohn b. wellsgenerational shiftevolution
Free Plus Show: Ben Joseph Stewart | Esoteric Agendas, Cosmic Colonization, & The Mud Flood
• 16:02 - 20:46

Free Plus Show: Ben Joseph Stewart | Esoteric Agendas, Cosmic Colonization, & The Mud Flood

Social Media Discourse, Sarcasm, and Web3 Art

The conversation shifts to the negative tone of social media discourse, characterized by "college kid syndrome" and mean-spirited memes. Ben Joseph Stewart advocates for a more inspiring and artistic approach to information sharing, citing his recent collaboration with Charles Eisenstein. He expresses hope that Web3 technologies and NFTs will allow for decentralized, owner-controlled artwork that moves away from cynical or sarcastic tones.

John Kirwin | The Conspiracy Theorist Survival Guide & Advice For Persecuted Truthers
• 42:37 - 44:55

John Kirwin | The Conspiracy Theorist Survival Guide & Advice For Persecuted Truthers

Attention Currency, Terrence McKenna and Social Grace

Greg Carlwood discusses the idea of attention as a currency and the importance of "hanging up the phone" once a message is received. He advocates for a "talk less, smile more" approach in social settings like golf to maintain high "laughs per minute" with non-conspiratorial friends. This strategy is presented as a way to improve life experience without constant ideological conflict.

Jim Elvidge | Digital Consciousness, Decoding Reality, & Unpacking The Paranormal
• 1:00:05 - 1:04:50

Jim Elvidge | Digital Consciousness, Decoding Reality, & Unpacking The Paranormal

Corporate Management and the Industrial Revolution Paradigm

Jim Elvidge discusses his professional role in the corporate world, where he works to dismantle rigid, hierarchical management structures. He argues that modern companies still rely on mechanistic paradigms from the Industrial Revolution that are ill-suited for creative and innovative work. Referencing Alan Watts, the discussion encourages listeners to follow their passions rather than succumbing to the "belief trap" of the competitive rat race.

Robert Bonomo | Tarot Archetypes, Banking Alchemy, & Marketing Magic
• 44:54 - 47:47

Robert Bonomo | Tarot Archetypes, Banking Alchemy, & Marketing Magic

Tarot as Spiritual Awakening, Yoga and Alan Watts

Tarot, Buddhism, and Yoga are presented as paths for Westerners to awaken to their spiritual selves and quiet the mind. The cultural shift between the mid-90s and early 2000s, exemplified by films like The Matrix and Fight Club, signaled the emergence of a new myth. Referencing Alan Watts, the segment discusses the importance of adopting a worldview that makes life worth living.

Richard Cassaro | The Triptych, Freemasonry, & The Godself Icon
• 35:42 - 38:22

Richard Cassaro | The Triptych, Freemasonry, & The Godself Icon

Serpent Symbolism and the Evidence of Ancient Wisdom

The conversation explores the pervasive use of serpent symbolism, which Cassaro links to eternal life and the shedding of the physical body. While Carlwood suggests potential links to psychedelics like ayahuasca, Cassaro focuses on presenting architectural and artistic "evidence" from various centuries to prove a consistent tradition. He compares his research methodology to presenting a case in court, using quotes from figures like Joseph Campbell to validate his findings.

Daniele Bolelli | Taoist Philosophy, Rejecting Dogma, & The Warrior’s Path
• 14:43 - 16:12

Daniele Bolelli | Taoist Philosophy, Rejecting Dogma, & The Warrior’s Path

Alan Watts, Zen Buddhism, Western Mindset

Greg Carlwood and Daniele Bolelli credit Alan Watts for successfully translating Eastern philosophy for Western audiences without losing its poetic subtlety. Bolelli clarifies the relationship between Zen Buddhism and Taoism, describing Zen as Taoism "wearing Buddhist clothes." They reflect on how the Western mindset often struggles with these concepts due to a lack of deep pondering in modern life.

Daniele Bolelli | Taoist Philosophy, Rejecting Dogma, & The Warrior’s Path
• 52:23 - 55:05

Daniele Bolelli | Taoist Philosophy, Rejecting Dogma, & The Warrior’s Path

Perseverance, Alan Watts on Life, Suicide Philosophy

Daniele Bolelli discusses the need for both perseverance and the ability to adapt when doors are slammed in one's face. Greg Carlwood references a provocative Alan Watts quote suggesting that if the "game" of life isn't worth the effort, one has the right to end it. Bolelli expresses a non-judgmental view of suicide, acknowledging the extreme existential burdens some individuals face.

perseverancealan wattssuicidejudgmentexistence
Jan Irvin | Mind Control, Mushrooms, & Terence McKenna
• 1:18:01 - 1:22:10

Jan Irvin | Mind Control, Mushrooms, & Terence McKenna

Post-Interview Reflection, THC Plus and Outro Music

Host Greg Carlwood reflects on the interview, expressing skepticism about Irvin's connections between figures like Alan Watts and MKUltra. He mentions that the second hour of the subscriber show covers Irvin's views on diet and wheat. The episode concludes with the song "Psychedelic Secret Agent Man" by Adam Gorightly and a final plug for the new MKUltra-themed shirt at Conspiratees.net.

THC 121: Adam Gorightly | Discordianism, Operation Mindfuck, & Famous Tricksters
• 17:25 - 22:31

THC 121: Adam Gorightly | Discordianism, Operation Mindfuck, & Famous Tricksters

Universal Popehood, The Groovy Packs Art Project

In 1969, Greg Hill expanded Discordianism by declaring that anyone could be a Pope, removing the need for formal initiation. This period saw the creation of "groovy packs," which were mail-art envelopes filled with oddities and poems sent between members like Robert Anton Wilson and Louise Lacy. These collaborative exchanges eventually formed the basis for the widely circulated fourth edition of the Principia Discordia.

alan wattspopesoperation mindfuckgroovy packsmail art
THC 120: Chad Lewis | UFOs, Crop Circles, Curses, Tulpas, & Cryptids
• 58:24 - 1:01:18

THC 120: Chad Lewis | UFOs, Crop Circles, Curses, Tulpas, & Cryptids

Creative Passion, Partner Support and THC+ Transition

Greg Carlwood closes the show by encouraging listeners to break out of the "9-to-5 rut" and invest time in their personal passion projects. He praises Money Bomb winner Brittany for supporting her husband's musical ambitions and urges listeners to foster creativity in their own partnerships. Carlwood makes a final plea for sign-ups for the THC+ extended show, emphasizing that the future of the program depends on the success of the new subscription model launching August 1st.

alan wattsmanly p hallpassion projectscreative expressionthc+subscription
THC 99: Alexx Bollen | Occultism, Chaos Magick, & The THC Tarot Forecast
• 1:09:55 - 1:12:19

THC 99: Alexx Bollen | Occultism, Chaos Magick, & The THC Tarot Forecast

Breaking the Habitual Mind through Shamanism and Zen

The ultimate goal of spiritual practices like Buddhism, Zen, and Shamanism is identified as breaking the "habitual mind" and waking up from a state of sleep. The hosts discuss using techniques such as drumming, chanting, or cannabis to induce a "shamanic state of consciousness." By disrupting routine thought patterns, the practitioner seeks a moment of clarity to avoid becoming a slave to repetitious mental loops.

THC 88: Duncan Trussell | Fear & Mindfulness In The Internal Universe
• 21:56 - 27:01

THC 88: Duncan Trussell | Fear & Mindfulness In The Internal Universe

Spiritual Practice, Alan Watts and the Bhagavad Gita

Duncan Trussell reflects on his spiritual journey, noting that many people initially enter spirituality for personal gain or to "get high" through meditation. He references the Bhagavad Gita and the dissolution of LSD distribution networks to explain how initial selfish motivations eventually fall away through practice. The conversation emphasizes that spirituality is a continuous "practice" rather than a permanent state of perfection.

THC 75: Robert Sullivan | The Secrets of Masonic Ritual, Philosophy, & Symbolism
• 1:18:25 - 1:22:10

THC 75: Robert Sullivan | The Secrets of Masonic Ritual, Philosophy, & Symbolism

Fear Narratives and the Psychology of Paranoia

A discussion on the injection of fear into society through ritualized news events like Sandy Hook explores how these narratives create a paranoid public. An anecdote about a lost wallet illustrates how people have become conditioned to view strangers as potential threats. Referencing Alan Watts, the hosts suggest that relaxing and accepting the unpredictability of nature is a healthier alternative to constant defensive tension.

sandy hooktrauma-based controlparanoiaalan wattshuman naturefear injection
THC 66: Jon Rappoport | Snowden Suspicions & Control Methods of the Elite
• 57:40 - 1:00:22

THC 66: Jon Rappoport | Snowden Suspicions & Control Methods of the Elite

Human Nature and the Principle of Non-Interference

Referencing Alan Watts, the discussion explores whether humans are inherently good or dangerous. Rapoport argues that people are generally good but easily manipulated by manufactured threats. He proposes an alternative historical path based on the principle of non-interference and national self-sufficiency, particularly in energy, which would have removed the need for global conflict and resource wars.

THC 63: Santos Bonacci Interview | False Reality, Astrology, & The Biblical Code
• 12:25 - 18:46

THC 63: Santos Bonacci Interview | False Reality, Astrology, & The Biblical Code

Roman Institutional Control, Universal Truth, Alan Watts

The influence of Rome is identified as the architect of a false reality designed to enslave human consciousness through institutional distractions. Concepts from Alan Watts regarding the interconnectedness of the universe and the subconscious control of bodily functions are used to explain human divinity. The discussion posits that understanding secret sciences and activating the pineal gland leads to spiritual ascension and empowerment.

THC 63: Santos Bonacci Interview | False Reality, Astrology, & The Biblical Code
• 18:48 - 21:23

THC 63: Santos Bonacci Interview | False Reality, Astrology, & The Biblical Code

Taoism Philosophy, Alan Watts Lectures, Eternal Flow

The philosophy of Taoism is explored through the works of Alan Watts, specifically his book The Watercourse Way. The Tao is described as an eternal, changing flow that represents the "now" and remains impossible to fully contextualize with words or symbols. This philosophical framework is linked back to the DMT experience of witnessing everything that has ever existed in a single moment.

THC 63: Santos Bonacci Interview | False Reality, Astrology, & The Biblical Code
• 1:26:44 - 1:32:47

THC 63: Santos Bonacci Interview | False Reality, Astrology, & The Biblical Code

Esoteric Architecture, Garden of Eden Interpretation, Cosmic Joke

The hosts reflect on the dense esoteric information provided by Santos Bonacci, specifically the architecture of control and the hidden meanings in sacred texts. A Gnostic interpretation of the Garden of Eden is discussed, where the serpent represents the divine feminine and Kundalini energy, while Yahweh is viewed as an external intruder. The conversation touches on the "cosmic joke" that enlightenment is something humans already possess from birth.