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A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE "EXISTENTIAL HUMAN" PODCAST
A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE "EXISTENTIAL HUMAN" PODCAST
The Existential Human Podcast explores the fundamental idea that every individual holds both the responsibility and the right to live authentically, true to their own nature. It is a journey of questioning to discover oneself, through which we uncover life’s true meaning. In each dialogue, the host invites a guest met through serendipity—individuals who, whether ordinary or well-known, share a heart sincerely moved by life. Our podcast unfolds organically through 2 to 3 segments with themes that remain unknown even to us, reflecting the unpredictable and spontaneous nature of existence. To facilitate this exploration, Chan Dat uses "tools of opening": great philosophical works, scientific books, and various visual cards. Guests and participants are invited to randomly pick a quote or an image, which serves as a catalyst to unlock hidden topics, evoke deep questions, and foster a space where everyone can share their truths sincerely and without a script.
In the book Existential Psychotherapy, Irvin D. Yalom systematized this through four "ultimate concerns": Death (the urge to live authentically), Freedom (the responsibility for one's choices), Existential Isolation (the fundamental aloneness), and Meaninglessness (the need to construct personal purpose).
This philosophy deeply intersects with Buddhism, which acknowledges "suffering" (Dukkha) as an existential reality. While Buddhism offers a path to liberation from attachment, existential psychology proposes living "authentically" by courageously creating a life within these conditions. In our podcast, we do not act as experts giving advice, but as sincere companions, engaging in authentic relationships to explore, become aware, and transform together.
To date, Chan Dat has been fortunate to produce 4 podcast seasons with profound multicultural and intergenerational themes:
Season 1 - Interior Recollection: Guest: Ms. Liz, an Australian-Vietnamese medical practitioner reconnecting with her Motherland through volunteer work. The conversation was guided by Thich Nhat Hanh's Living Buddha, Living Christ and the traditional RWS Tarot deck, helping our guest – Ms. Liz – to open up her journey of reconnection with memory and profound personal experience.
Season 2 - Let It Be: Guest: Mr. Eugenio, an Italian businessman searching for the birth mother of his adopted Vietnamese child. Two classic works – Marcus Aurelius's Meditations (Western thought) and Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching (Eastern philosophy) – served as a meaningful bridge, bringing closer the story of Mr. Eugenio (from Italy) and the sincere reflections shared by two Vietnamese GenZ friends.
Season 3 - Life Experience Across Generations: Guest: Ms. Penney from the US, a former officer and IT professional who decided to transition at the age of 68. From Michael S. Schneider's book "A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe," we transformed its concepts into 10 philosophical cards – each corresponding to a number and a visual symbol, opening a space for sharing about the 10 stages/levels of awareness in a human life.
Season 4 - Dreams & Reality: Probing the Unconscious: Guest Artist Ho Son, exploring the unconscious and the quest for perfection through traditional lacquer and handmade paper. Two artworks, "Sun – Moon" and "1" by painter Ho Son, led us into an exploration of artistic subconscious, while 8 surrealist paintings by Dalí and Magritte were paired with 8 archetypes from C.G. Jung's "The Undiscovered Self," creating a space for random selection where each participant could share their personal experience of the unconscious.
These sessions have been truly open, heart-to-heart, and transformative. Currently, several episodes are in the post-production phase and will be released gradually on our platforms. Chan Dat remains committed to maintaining this rare space for profound conversation, turning random encounters into opportunities to collectively practice a more mindful and responsible life.
We sincerely appreciate your patience and look forward to your continued support and participation in the upcoming topics of the Existential Human Podcast!
Sincerely,
Chan Dat Living Room
PODCAST: "THE EXISTENTIAL HUMAN", DIALOGUE 1, PART 1: INTERIOR RECOLLECTION
PODCAST: "THE EXISTENTIAL HUMAN", DIALOGUE 1, PART 1: INTERIOR RECOLLECTION
In Part 1 of our existential dialogue with Ms. Liz, we had the privilege of hearing her reflections on "Interior Recollection"—a message from a page Chan Dat serendipitously discovered in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Living Buddha, Living Christ. This opened doors to profound cultural and spiritual narratives, such as the revelation that public hospitals in New South Wales (Australia) always include a chapel—a sanctuary for patients and medical staff to seek solace, helping them confront life’s challenges and focus on the present with clarity and positivity.
PODCAST: "THE EXISTENTIAL HUMAN", DIALOGUE 1, PART 2: THE WHISPERING CARDS
PODCAST: "THE EXISTENTIAL HUMAN", DIALOGUE 1, PART 2: THE WHISPERING CARDS
In Part 2, "The Whispering Cards," Ms. Liz used Tarot cards not as a tool for divination, but as mirrors reflecting memory. The trio of cards – the "Queen of Swords"(the daily life of a Vietnamese-Australian championing equality), the "Nine of Pentacles" (the necessity of connecting with nature for peace of mind and body), and "The Hierophant" (the spirit of teamwork and healthy debate for a shared mission) – unfolded a profound narrative journey. Notably, a fourth card unexpectedly clung to them – the "King of Swords" – serving as a confirmation of the gender equality ideal she pursues. Alongside this, host Vy's story about her journey as an adopted child loved by two mothers, and her encounters with many strong women, joined with Ms. Liz's to affirm a positive societal trend in recognizing and advancing equality.
PODCAST: "THE EXISTENTIAL HUMAN", DIALOGUE 1, PART 3: WHO I AM: AND IF SO, HOW MANY?
PODCAST: "THE EXISTENTIAL HUMAN", DIALOGUE 1, PART 3: WHO I AM: AND IF SO, HOW MANY?
Part 3 – the final segment of our dialogue – opens up core existential questions: "Who am I?" and "What message do I want to send to my future self?" The answer from Ms. Liz is a ceaseless journey of "evolving": staying open, loving, and improving oneself through authentic connections. She likens herself to "a piece of clay" that needs continuous shaping, where experiences contribute to forming the person she is today – a person who is still and will forever be changing, growing.
DIALOGUE#2 : "BACK TO THE ROOT" , EP1: LET IT BE
DIALOGUE#2 : "BACK TO THE ROOT" , EP1: LET IT BE
For this episode of The Existential Human podcast, Chan Dat's guest is Mr. Eugenio from Italy. Chan Dat learned of his story through a post seeking the birth mother of the 8-year-old son he adopted in Da Nang. This connection feels deeply personal, as Chan Dat is also an adopted child who has received immense love from a mother. Thus, Chan Dat holds a profound empathy for Eugenio on this journey to find his son’s roots. Regardless of the outcome, this will forever remain a journey of love and responsibility. Through this podcast conversation, joined by two young Vietnamese individuals living in Hoi An, Chan Dat hopes to offer Mr. Eugenio a small spiritual gift: a meaningful, in-depth connection with contemporary Vietnamese culture, as a gift for his own 8-year-old son.
The conversation began with everyone at Chan Dat's space singing The Beatles' "Let It Be" together. The song's profound lyrics resonated like a heartfelt dialogue, naturally flowing with life's current. This opened the way for each participant to share personal reflections on "What 'Let It Be' Means at Your Age." These stories form a beautiful intergenerational and intercultural harmony. Let's listen to the podcast with open heart !
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