Episode 84: Let's Talk About Last Words: From Suicide Notes to Death Poetry

In this compelling episode of Put Em On The Couch, hosts Jason McCoy and Nelson Beaulieu explore the powerful concept of last words, diving into everything from famous last statements of historical figures to suicide notes and death poetry. What do these final words really say about a life lived, and what can they teach us about human psychology and mortality?

Jason enriches the conversation by weaving in insights from psychological research, including the work of Todd Kashdan (George Mason University), Kurt Gray (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill), Heather Servaty-Seib, and Kathryn Mannix. They explore the significance of final statements, addressing questions such as, "What would your last words be?" and whether it's truly necessary to think about death or if it only serves as an anxiety-inducing distraction.

Join Jason and Nelson as they reflect on the intersection of death awareness, psychological research, and the fascinating role that last words play in understanding our lives and our legacy.

Key Topics:

• Famous last words of historical figures
• Suicide notes and death poetry
• Psychological research on mortality and death anxiety
• Todd Kashdan’s insights into death and anxiety
• Kurt Gray’s research on human behavior and mortality
• Exploring what last words reveal about a life’s meaning
• The impact of thinking about death on mental health and well-being

Tune in to Put Em On The Couch for a thought-provoking discussion about death, mortality, and the lasting words that define us.

In this 83rd episode of Put Em on the Couch, we break down 10 clear signs that suggest President Donald Trump may be steering our country towards Autocracy. Nelson and I rewind Trumps recent speech to a joint session of congress. Using the President's own words, we analyze his rhetoric and discuss how it mirrors that of authoritarianism. Tune in to find out what all of this might mean for the future of American democracy.

References:

Arendt, H. (1973). The origins of totalitarianism. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Friedrich, C. J., & Brzezinski, Z. K. (1956). Totalitarian dictatorship and autocracy. Harvard University Press.

Hetherington, M. J., & Weiler, J. D. (2009). Authoritarianism and polarization in American politics. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511627012

Pepinsky, T. (2017, January 9). Life in authoritarian states is mostly boring and tolerable: Americans have an overly dramatic view of what the end of democracy looks like. The Big Idea. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-big-idea/2017/01/09/life-in-authoritarian-states-is-mostly-boring-and-tolerable/

Episode Title: "Could Shooting Bambi Help Save Mother Earth?"

Podcast Description: 🎧 Episode 82: Could Shooting Bambi Help Save Mother Earth? | Put Em on the Couch In this thought-provoking episode, we’re putting Mother Nature on the couch to explore our complex relationship with her. From bizarre weather events to the psychology behind anthropomorphizing non-living things, we dive deep into how we perceive and interact with the planet. Freud would have a lot to say about our maternal metaphor, and we discuss how our conservation efforts (or lack thereof) have left Mother Nature “hormonal” and in need of care.

We also challenge traditional views with the controversial idea that hunting might actually help save the Earth. You’ll hear why “shooting Bambi” could be more beneficial than you think for conservation efforts. Plus, we explore the history of Earth Day, how weather impacts politics, and why we’re still at Mother Nature’s mercy.

🌍 Listen now to discover how we can help Mother Nature thrive, one controversial idea at a time.

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