SM explores a new creature from the Mind Menagerie. This 'cast starts with an exploration of servitude -- the ancient programming in our brains that allows the exploitation of our time and labor.

The main theme of this episode is how platform work (ride-share apps, food delivery apps, etc) have reframed the servant class using modern tools and slick interfaces, bringing about a sort of voluntary caste system being sold as "freedom" and "being your own boss."

This week's story revolves around SM's good friend from Seoul, South Korea, who learned the hard way that servitude with a promise of entering elite circles is destined to fail. That provides our introduction to the Menagerie creature called "The Towerback" -- a fantastically-huge Elephant with a regal castle on its back who represents Authority Bias.

Then, SM explores how the Optimizer Robot and the TechnoSoverign Oligarch develop apps and algorithms that allow them to profit off of a combination of Towerback servitude and baby-garch desires to be served. The Gleamer and the Justifier are also hard at work...find out how!

Subscribe at the "Certified Liver" tier of membership on Patreon to access the entire Mind Menagerie and Enemy Spotting Guide as downloadable pdfs!

Links to all the platforms that host the podcast, as well as the Living a Liver's Life merchandise store, are on our website.

Until the next episode...Get out there Liver! Get out there and Live a Liver's Life!

How does our worship of riches impair our efforts to live a happy life?

SM continues exploring the Enemy Spotting Guide, this time diving into one of the Oligarch types -- the Financier, or Kingmaker! We also explore how the internal creatures of our Mind Menagerie permit and promote wealth disparity.

This week's story revolves around SM's good friend, A.C. -- a small business owner crushed by an oligarchic transfer of power. It doesn't have a happy ending...but we Livers have the power to change the way our own stories play out.

Then, SM explores how the Optimizer Robot enforces the Financier/Kingmaker's desires, how the ultra-rich got richer, and how the infamous Citigroup memo from 2005 classifies our economy as a "Plutonomy."

Also featured are the Octopus of Confirmation Bias, the Peacock of Package Deal Fallacy, the Balloon Frog of the Straw Man Fallacy, and the Towerback Elephant of Authority Bias -- you'll need your Spotting Guide and Mind Menagerie for this one!

Subscribe at the "Certified Liver" tier of membership on Patreon to access the entire Mind Menagerie and Enemy Spotting Guide as downloadable pdfs!

Links to all the platforms that host the podcast, as well as the Living a Liver's Life merchandise store, are on our website.

Until the next episode...Get out there Liver! Get out there and Live a Liver's Life!

SM dives back in with the exploration of a new creature from the Mind Menagerie. This 'cast starts with a discussion of confidence, as well as the enemy of trust -- the counterfeit. Our tendency to trust confidence when it is married to competence also leads us to put trust in con artists, posers, and leaders who practice the act of performing certainty.

This week's story revolves around a martial arts class with a guest presenter -- a "master" of acupressure and healing energy. It doesn't go as expected. That provides our introduction to the Menagerie creature called "The Boaster" -- a Rooster who represents Over-Confidence.

Then, SM explores how Fog Vampires and Oligarchs keep us ungrounded and uncertain, leading us to trust and follow the charlatans who boast the loudest. Ironically, Boasters are incapable of learning and growth -- yet they are promoted to levels where true experts and real competence are needed.

Subscribe at the "Certified Liver" tier of membership on Patreon to access the entire Mind Menagerie and Enemy Spotting Guide as downloadable pdfs!

Links to all the platforms that host the podcast, as well as the Living a Liver's Life merchandise store, are on our website.

Until the next episode...Get out there Liver! Get out there and Live a Liver's Life!