Best Daniel Finneran Podcasts (2025)

Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this episode explores the loneliness suffered by the nameless monster. At one point or another, we've all shared in this loneliness. The monster's despair is born not of ugliness, but of being unloved and of watching the happiness of others, from which he fears himself hopelessly excluded. In the age of soci…

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Anger does more harm than the injury that caused it 13:53

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21d ago13:53

13:53

Seneca the Younger (4 BC–AD 65) was a Roman philosopher and poet. In his essay On Anger, he warns that our own anger can harm us much more than the injury that provoked it. In this episode, we explore the importance of letting go of anger, keeping our cool, and freeing ourselves from suffering twice–once from the injury inflicted on us by another, …

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Should you live like a SIMPLETON? A lesson from Alyosha the Pot 21:16

25d ago21:16

21:16

In this episode, we’ll dig into one of Leo Tolstoy’s shortest stories, Alyosha the Pot, from which a big question arises: Should you live like a simpleton? Alyosha’s life is marked by quiet obedience, unflappable cheerfulness, and long suffering that he accepts without complaint. But is his approach to life an act of goodness or self-erasure? Tolst…

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My early morning reflections on ITALY (recorded at 4:00 AM) 30:58

26d ago30:58

30:58

I just returned from a two-week honeymoon in Italy. Changing time zones is always disruptive. I woke up at 4:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time), couldn’t fall back asleep, and decided to record my reflections. I hope you enjoy them. To those of you who have traveled to Italy, what was the most memorable part? If you're interested in bespoke 1:1 wellness…

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Does fitness begin in the body? Does wisdom begin in the mind? 11:26

1M ago11:26

11:26

In this episode, we answer a listener’s question: “If fitness begins in the body, does wisdom begin there too?” If you're interested in bespoke 1:1 wellness coaching, but prefer someone more approachable than your typical trainer, start here ➡️ https://forms.gle/n1q3rpMYi8YhqQ9y6. If you simply want to get in touch, don’t hesitate to reach out. Sen…

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5 More Easy Ways to Boost your Daily STEPS - Part II 14:06

1M ago14:06

14:06

More tips you can use to boost your daily step count! If you struggle to hit your daily step goal—or you’ve fallen into an all-day sitting rut—this quick, practical episode is for you. Just implement these simple techniques, and you’ll be striding toward 8-10k steps per day. 1. Stroll while you scroll 2. Lose your marbles 3. Launder Longe 4. Re-siz…

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For someone who is overweight, where’s the best place to BEGIN — not just physically, but mentally? 15:00

1M ago15:00

15:00

In this episode, we answer a listener’s question: “For someone who is overweight or out of shape, where’s the best place to begin — not just physically, but mentally?” If you feel a little lost, this episode might provide you with the direction for which you've been searching. If you're interested in bespoke 1:1 wellness coaching, but prefer someon…

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5 Easy Ways to Boost your Daily STEPS - Part I 18:14

1M ago18:14

18:14

If you struggle to hit your daily step goal—or you’ve fallen into an inescapable all-day sitting rut—this quick, practical episode is for you. No need to schedule extra workouts or carve out big chunks of time. You don’t even need to put on gym clothes! Just implement these simple techniques, and you’ll be striding toward 8-10k steps per day. If yo…

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The spirit of the CHASE. Shakespeare, Dopamine, and the secret of DESIRE 16:48

1M ago16:48

16:48

Why do we feel so alive when we’re chasing something, yet so flat once we finally obtain it? Drawing on a line from Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice and the findings of modern neuroscience, we’ll explore the psychology of pursuit, the paradox of desire, and the art of finding joy in the process rather than the prize. If you're interested …

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Life in the shadow of death - A meditation 11:57

1M ago11:57

11:57

By Daniel Finneran

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Avoid these common mistakes when wearing a WEIGHTED VEST 3:46

2M ago3:46

3:46

Have you experienced soreness or pain after walking with a weighted vest? Avoid these five common mistakes and stride confidently, pain-free! Inadequate attire (wear a shirt that covers your shoulders) Inappropriate weight (no more than 5-10% of your bodyweight) Poor posture (don’t slouch) Altered gait (don’t over-stride) Excessive distance (modera…

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Can the KETO diet help relieve menstrual cramps? 32:59

2M ago32:59

32:59

Is a simple adjustment to your diet the cure for menstrual cramps? In this conversation, Lucia opens up about her struggle with severe PMS cramps and the various remedies she tried with little relief. After experimenting with a low-carb, keto- style diet, she noticed that her symptoms were greatly eased. We’ll discuss PCOS, the female cycle, the …

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We met on a dating app. In 2 weeks, we’ll be married. 34:20

2M ago34:20

34:20

In this episode, we share the unlikely story of how a dating app brought us together, and how, just two weeks from now, we’ll be married! From our personal histories with dating to the stigma that still surrounds meeting a romantic partner online, we dive into the reasons why apps have become a powerful (and sometimes necessary) way to connect. Alo…

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What’s the SINGLE best thing you can do to improve your health? 8:07

2M ago8:07

8:07

You probably expect the answer to be “cut carbs, get off your rump, and join a gym!” Not quite. In this episode, we’ll take the question in a different direction–back to the wisdom of the ancients, which we’ll connect to the latest science. I’m curious… What’s the single best thing you’ve done to improve your health? Maybe you’d like more personali…

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Shakespeare the HERBALIST? How Ophelia’s flowers can heal you 16:09

2M ago16:09

16:09

Wait–when did Shakespeare become a wellness guru? Believe it or not, the Bard had more to say about health than you might think. In Hamlet, Ophelia enters with a handful of herbs—rosemary, pansies, fennel, rue, violets. On the surface, they’re poetic symbols. But each also carries a rich tradition of healing, rooted in folklore, herbal medicine, an…

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How I built my CHEST. Simple, straightforward, actionable advice. 14:51

2M ago14:51

14:51

Genetically ungifted with a broad, brawny chest, this episode explains how I grew my pecs. I’ll tell you what worked for me, what didn’t, and the simple principles you can apply to build your dream physique. If you're Interested in bespoke 1:1 coaching, but prefer someone more approachable than your typical trainer, start here ➡️ https://forms.gle/…

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The hour of TRUTH is (always) now 10:28

2M ago10:28

10:28

In this short meditation, we reflect on Albert Schweitzer’s timeless insight: “Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now—always, and indeed then most truly when it seems most unsuitable to actual circumstances.” Together we explore the nature of truth — how it interrupts our lives, why it often arrives at inconvenient moments, and how i…

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How to look SNATCHED for your wedding 29:54

2M ago29:54

29:54

Every bride wants to feel confident, radiant, and yes — a little snatched — on her big day! In this special episode, I’m joined by Lucia, my fiancée, to discuss some simple techniques that brides-to-be can employ to look stunning on the day of their wedding. We dive into the ketogenic diet, smart nutritional tweaks, and other practical techniques t…

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Is fasting a FAD? 9:37

2M ago9:37

9:37

Is fasting just another trendy wellness fad, or is it something much older? In this episode, we’ll explore the history of fasting…. From our hunter-gatherer ancestors who lived in cycles of scarcity and plenty, To the religious traditions that ritualized and made sacred their abstention from food, To the popular protocols of the modern era, like 16…

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Grocery Guide - BEEF JERKY - How to Buy, What to Avoid, and How to Make your own 15:56

5M ago15:56

15:56

In this episode on everyday food choices, we’ll discuss beef jerky. What’s its origin? What’s actually in it? And how do you avoid buying the stuff that’s more sugar and sodium than meat? We’ll cover a quick history of jerky, explain how to shop smart for beef sticks at the store, and walk through the basics of making your own at home. It’s practic…

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Your Intellect is an EMANATION from God. 11:32

6M ago11:32

11:32

"Your intellect–which has come to you as an emanation from God–is the bond that exists between you and Him. The choice is yours: If you wish, you can strengthen and broaden this bond. Or, if you so desire, you can weaken it and make it gradually thinner until you cut it off altogether". This short meditation is inspired by the philosopher, Maimonid…

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Everything that truly HAPPENS, happens to YOU 23:19

6M ago23:19

23:19

“All things happen to oneself, and happen precisely, precisely now”. These words, written by the great Argentine author, Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), appear in his short story, The Garden of Forking Paths. Labyrinthine, dense, esoteric, and yet, at all times, wonderfully eloquent and readable, Borges gives us a lot to think about. This episode ad…

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Why you must MOVE after meals 16:50

6M ago16:50

16:50

Post cibum, ambulandum est “After eating, one must walk” Apply this ancient wisdom to your post-meal ritual, and your health will improve immensely. What do you like to do after a meal? Walk? Dance? Watch TV? I’m curious to know! Send me a message at [email protected]. If you're Interested in bespoke 1:1 coaching, but prefer someone more ap…

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Do you have a DUTY to be happy? 17:45

6M ago17:45

17:45

Is it your duty to be happy? Immanuel Kant, the great German philosopher of the late 18th century, argues that it is. “To secure one’s own happiness is a duty…because discontent with one’s condition, under the pressure of many anxieties and amid unsatisfied wants, might easily become a great temptation to transgress one’s duties.” What do you think…

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Simple exercises for stronger EYES 21:44

6M ago21:44

21:44

How seldom we look toward the horizon, Toward the distance, Toward the heavens. Instead, we’re focused unblinkingly on the luminous little boxes perched six inches away from our noses! (Yes--the fancy phone on which you're reading these words. That box!) Unsurprisingly, this has caused our eyesight to suffer. In this episode, we’ll work to undo thi…

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Intermittent Fasting v. The "30-30-30" Protocol: Which is better? 31:22

6M ago31:22

31:22

The 30-30-30 Protocol—developed by Tim Ferriss and popularized by Gary Brecka—is an approach to nutrition that requires you to: 1. Consume 30 grams of protein 2. Within 30 minutes of waking 3. After which you perform 30 minutes of exercise This method is starkly different from intermittent fasting, in which you to abstain (typically during the morn…

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Turning water into weight LOSS? The secret about SAUNAS 4:56

7M ago4:56

4:56

A sauna can be immensely beneficial to your overall wellbeing: It boosts cardiovascular health, enhances recovery, deepens sleep, and supports detoxification. But there’s a common misunderstanding about its power to help you lose WEIGHT, of which you should be disabused. Does sweating in the sauna = weight loss? Have you implemented regular sauna u…

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Nutrient timing: It's not only what, but WHEN you eat that matters 27:23

7M ago27:23

27:23

The nutrients with which you fuel up and recover are important, but so too is the time of day at which you consume them. The term for this is, simply enough, “Nutrient Timing”. In this episode, my pal James Flood explains the basics of “Nutrient Timing”, including: The post-workout feeding window: what to eat, what to avoid, and when. The differenc…

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A Lullaby for Lovers: SEX and sleep 24:36

7M ago24:36

24:36

The unspoken remedy to restlessness… The quiet cure-all for sleepless nights… Sex! A sleep aid–provided to us by the beneficence of nature–than which there is none more effective, satisfying, nor potent. Have you experienced the soporific impact of sex? Send your (PG-rated) comments to Email: [email protected] If you're Interested in bespok…

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The untold PERILS of Protein Powder 22:34

7M ago22:34

22:34

Are protein powders detrimental to your health? 🤔 Recently published studies have revealed significant amounts of heavy metals (namely cadmium and lead) to be hiding in them. The highest concentrations were found in: 1. Chocolate flavored powders 2. Plant-based powders My good pal James Flood offers his take on the issue. X link: https://x.com/Dani…

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The MILL and the WATER: A meditation on memory, futility, and FLOW 17:46

7M ago17:46

17:46

“The mill cannot grind with the water that has passed”. In this episode, we’ll meditate on an old proverb that addresses the difficulty of: 1. Letting go of the past 2. And focusing, instead, on the present. I wonder… Where is your energy directed? Is it concentrated on the PAST–a deep pool of regret into which it impotently drains? Or is it concen…

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The drain snake of the SOUL 11:49

7M ago11:49

11:49

Imagine using a "sink snake", or a drain clog remover, to clean your mind of negative thoughts. With what kinds of thoughts and emotions is it currently filled? Were you easily able to dislodge and dispose of them? What thoughts and emotions remain stuck? If you're Interested in bespoke 1:1 coaching, but prefer someone more approachable than your t…

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Collagen: The protein (literally) holding you together! 16:23

7M ago16:23

16:23

Skin, hair, and nails-- Collagen is the foundation of them all! And yet... It's severely de-emphasized in our diets. In this episode, we'll cover everything you need to know about this essential protein (including how to consume more of it). Reach out to me with comments and questions. If you're Interested in bespoke 1:1 coaching, but prefer someon…

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They never taste, who always DRINK 18:37

7M ago18:37

18:37

They never TASTE, who always DRINK; They always TALK, who never THINK. -Matthew Prior What did you taste? Let me know! If you're Interested in bespoke 1:1 coaching, but prefer someone more approachable than your typical trainer, start here ➡️ https://forms.gle/n1q3rpMYi8YhqQ9y6. I’m excited to embark on this journey together! Friendly Disclaimer: I…

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What your BRAIN really thinks about your GUT feelings 19:29

7M ago19:29

19:29

Have you ever had a “gut feeling” about something? What about “butterflies in your stomach”? Have you ever had them? It turns out, the GUT is much more than a grumbling, bottomless repository for food; Inextricably linked to the BRAIN, the gut plays a vital role in the regulation of your emotions, moods, and stress. In this episode, we’ll examine t…

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Welcome to Pneuma 0:47

8M ago0:47

0:47

By Daniel Finneran

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How to become UNCLUTTERED 23:40

8M ago23:40

23:40

William Morris (1834-1896) was an English poet, designer, and political reformer. He developed a simple philosophy for “keeping house”: Keep nothing in your house that you do not Know to be USEFUL Believe to be BEAUTIFUL If your possessions are neither useful nor beautiful, dispose of them. Abide by this easy philosophy, and enjoy the bliss of an u…

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Welcome back to Pneuma! (Renewed and Relaunched, 2025) 6:09

8M ago6:09

6:09

After an inexcusably long hiatus, Pneuma returns! I'm so excited to relaunch this program and, with your help, develop healthy bodies and souls. I sincerely hope that you enjoy the forthcoming content. (If you don't, please--don't hesitate to advise me on ways to improve it!) Reach out to me on X @DanielEFinneran, IG @DanielEthanFinneran, or send y…

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To Photograph is to Learn How to Live | Ulrich Baer 1:30:57

8M ago1:30:57

1:30:57

Ulrich Baer is an author, editor, and a professor of photography at NYU. I wanted to chat with someone about photography in the “iPhone” age (along with a bunch of other things!), and Uli was kind enough to indulge me. I was dazzled by his breadth of learning and the expertise he has in so many different fields (poetry, philosophy, and literature, …

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Art, Wonder, and Oscar Wilde | Joseph Pearce 40:18

8M ago40:18

40:18

Joseph Pearce is an educator, essayist, and author of over two dozen books. I reached out to Joseph because I wanted to learn more about the great Irish playwright and wit, Oscar Wilde, about whom he has written extensively. Joseph’s excellent biography of Wilde, “Unmasking Oscar Wilde” is linked below. Using Wilde as a springboard, Joseph and I le…

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Keju: The Ancient Test of China’s Strength | Yasheng Huang 1:50:45

10M ago1:50:45

1:50:45

Yasheng Huang is a professor at MIT and the author of many books, including his most recent work, “The Rise and Fall of the EAST”. I reached out to Professor Huang because, after reading his book, I wanted to learn more about Chinese history. In this episode, Yasheng and I discuss: Imperial China v. The Roman Empire; Keju; The origin of Civil Servi…

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Run like a Philosopher | Sabrina Little 1:01:29

10M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Sabrina Little is an author, ultramarathoner, and a professor of philosophy. Her latest book, “The Examined Run” is suitable not only for competitive athletes, but for anyone who wants to: Strengthen his body, discipline his mind, learn the basics of philosophy, and, most importantly, cultivate long-lasting virtues. In this episode, Sabrina and I d…

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The Genius of Michelangelo | William Wallace 53:59

10M ago53:59

53:59

William Wallace is an author, a lecturer, and a professor of art history at the University of St. Louis. Professor Wallace is America’s expert on Michelangelo, the great Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. In this episode, Professor Wallace and I discuss: Michelangelo’s upbringing; Florence and Rome in the 16th century; Italy before…

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Inside a HAUNTED Manor on HALLOWEEN Night! | Emily Hartley and Charlie Lennox 35:03

1y ago35:03

35:03

In the tiny, sleepy town of Gibbon, Nebraska, a Halloween party was being held. At the party, Emily Hartley–a hometown girl, recently returned from college–met Charlie Lennox, a handsome young man from Chicago. Charlie had inherited Blackthorn Manor, an old, dilapidated mansion in which a ghost was rumored to dwell. Together, Emily and Charlie expl…

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“Love is fed by the IMAGINATION, by which we become WISER than we know, BETTER than we feel, NOBLER than we are” | Oscar Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas 45:01

1y ago45:01

45:01

While imprisoned in Reading Gaol for the crime of gross indecency, Oscar Wilde wrote a letter to his friend and lover, Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas (1897). If you have a love letter that you’d like me to read right here on this podcast for all the world to hear, or a tale of romance you want to be told, send it to me via email at [email protected]…

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“What I DESIRE is impossible, for what I desire is YOU” | Rafiq Ahmed and Radha Menon 35:32

1y ago35:32

35:32

The love story of Rafiq Ahmed and Radha Menon (1965) “If my family finds out what I’ve been up to, they’ll never forgive me. I’ll be disowned!” If you have a love letter that you’d like me to read right here on this podcast for all the world to hear, or a tale of romance you want to be told, send it to me via email at [email protected]. If you’…

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“My SOUL quivers to the vibration of your STRINGS” | Alejandro Moreno and Yelitza Rodriguez 38:28

1y ago38:28

38:28

The love story of Alejandro Moreno and Yelitza Rodriguez (2024) “There is only one audience for whom I wish to play, and she is right here”. If you have a love letter that you’d like me to read right here on this podcast for all the world to hear, send it to me via email at [email protected]. If you’re struggling to find the words with which to…

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“As long as I’ve lived, I’ve YEARNED to love” | Erik Svensson and Katya Ivanova 41:57

1y ago41:57

41:57

A story of the romance between Erik Svensson and Katya Ivanova (AD 823): Erik Svensson, a young Viking from Sweden, joined his warlord father on a mission to cross the Baltic Sea and invade the mainland of Russia. While there, he met and fell in love with Katya Ivanova, a beautiful daughter of the enemy. If you have a love letter that you’d like me…

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“Even before I rise, my thoughts rush to you, my IMMORTAL BELOVED!” | Ludwig van Beethoven to Antonie Brentano 37:39

1y ago37:39

37:39

Ludwig van Beethoven’s billet-doux to Antonie Brentano (1812): “I must live either wholly with you, or not at all”. If you have a love letter that you’d like me to read right here on this podcast for all the world to hear, send it to me via email at [email protected]. If you’re struggling to find the words with which to sweep your beloved off h…