Is there a thin line between brilliance and madness? The Mad Genius Thesis podcast dives deep into the fascinating and often controversial connection between c...
Anatomy of Melancholy: The book that predicted modernity
In this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy, a Renaissance-era deep dive into the causes, symptoms, and cures of melancholy. Drawing from classical philosophy, astrology, medicine, and personal observation, Burton offers an encyclopedic meditation on human suffering, creativity, and the delicate balance of the mind. How did the Renaissance view mental health, passion, and the influence of the stars? What can Burton’s insights teach us about modern depression, artistic temperament, and the role of moderation in life? Join us as we uncover how melancholy has shaped not only literature and philosophy but also the experience of genius itself.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #RobertBurton #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #RenaissancePhilosophy #TheAnatomyOfMelancholy #MentalHealthAndArt #MelancholyAndGenius #Podcast
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The Birth of Tragedy: Sanity, Madness, and Greek Culture
In this episode of *The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast*, we dive into **Friedrich Nietzsche’s *The Birth of Tragedy***, exploring how his vision of **Apollonian order and Dionysian chaos** shaped not only Greek tragedy but also German culture and modern thought. Drawing on multiple sources, we examine **Nietzsche’s influences, from Schopenhauer to Wagner**, his critique of modernity, and the book’s impact on **Freud, philosophy, and art theory**. How did Nietzsche’s early ideas evolve into his later philosophy? And what can his theory of tragedy tell us about **creativity, madness, and the human condition**? Join us as we unpack this **complex, provocative, and still-relevant work**. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #Nietzsche #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #TheBirthOfTragedy #ApollonianVsDionysian #PhilosophyAndArt #GermanCulture #Podcast
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A welcome from the hosts of The Mad Genius Thesis
The podcast hosts reveal something important about themselves and tell listeners what the podcast is all about.
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2:59
"Dark patches": Walt Whitman's struggles with melancholy
In this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore the life and work of Walt Whitman, drawing from multiple biographies that illuminate his creative journey, personal struggles, and lasting influence. From his humble beginnings and strained family ties to the revolutionary impact of Leaves of Grass, Whitman crafted not only poetry but also a public image that blurred the lines between self-promotion and artistic vision. How did his experiences during the Civil War, his political ideals, and his fluid sense of identity shape his literary legacy? Did his later years, marked by illness and isolation, change the way he saw his own work? Join us as we examine Whitman’s genius, his challenges with fame, and the deep connection between his personal life, mental resilience, and poetic ambition.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #WaltWhitman #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #LeavesOfGrass #PoetryAndIdentity #CivilWarPoet #AmericanLiterature #Podcast
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Murder, Madness, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary
In this episode of The Mad Genius Thesis Podcast, we explore The Surgeon of Crowthorne by Simon Winchester, a fascinating true story about the interplay of brilliance, madness, and obsession in the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. At the heart of this tale are James Murray, the dictionary’s tireless editor, and William Chester Minor, a Civil War surgeon turned convicted murderer who became one of its most important contributors—all while confined to Broadmoor Asylum. How did Minor’s mental illness shape his intellectual output? What does his story reveal about the thin line between genius and madness? And how did the collaboration between these two men change the course of linguistics and literary history? Join us as we unravel this gripping and improbable chapter in the history of language, creativity, and mental illness.🎧 Listen now on Spotify! #TheSurgeonOfCrowthorne #MadGenius #CreativityAndMadness #OxfordEnglishDictionary #MentalHealthAndArt #LanguageAndInsanity #Podcast
Is there a thin line between brilliance and madness? The Mad Genius Thesis podcast dives deep into the fascinating and often controversial connection between creativity and mental illness. Each episode explores cutting-edge psychological research on creativity, unpacks the myths and realities of the "mad genius" trope, and examines the lives of history’s most celebrated artists, writers, musicians, and innovators who battled mental illness. Join us as we debate the science, analyze the stories, and challenge the stereotypes surrounding genius and psychological struggle.
Ireland