Let’s Talk about the Deep Stuff

In this episode, Sean talks with veteran and outspoken commentator Matt Gordon, known as @usmcangryveteran on Instagram and TikTok, about how war, propaganda, and life after the Marines reshaped his worldview. From Afghanistan and Iraq to media manipulation and the rise of extremism, this conversation digs into how narratives are built, who they benefit, and why questioning power matters. Matt also shares why he believes accountability, nuance, and joy are essential if we want to build something better.   The intro music is "Daybreak" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/ Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff Sean's Ig @seankvibes Donate to the show: Venmo: @Sean-kneese Paypal:  Skneese1989@gmail.com Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com      

We all know what it's like to feel something real and then handle it badly. This episode is about closing that gap: naming what you're actually feeling before you react, owning your part instead of assigning blame, actually listening instead of making someone else's moment about you, and dropping "I didn't mean it that way" as a shield. 
The intro music is "Daybreak" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Sean's Ig @seankvibes
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese
Paypal:  Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com  
 
 

What does it really mean to love someone? In this episode, we dive deep into the 2026 horror film Obsession and use it as a lens to explore the difference between genuine love and limerence, the fantasy we project onto someone that has nothing to do with who they actually are. We talk about why real love means wanting someone's freedom and happiness even when it doesn't include you, what it looks like when desire becomes control, and why the scariest thing in the film isn't the horror, it's how recognizable Bear's behavior actually is.
Robert Browning poem mentioned in episode: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43768/my-last-duchess
#ObsessionMovie #Obsession
The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Sean's Ig @seankvibes
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese
Paypal:  Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com  
 
 

Poet and musician Ted Jackins joins Sean for an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to live with bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, and how writing became a second form of therapy when the first wasn't enough. They trace the long, winding road of misdiagnosis, self-medication, a suicide attempt at 27, and finally finding the right treatment after years of trial and error. Along the way, Sean and Ted dig into the way depression warps your entire perception of the world, how food tastes blander, light looks dimmer, and trust becomes harder, and why none of that gets talked about enough. They also get into creativity as a lifeline, the strange gift of hypersensitivity, and why there's genuinely no one-size-fits-all path through mental illness. A raw, candid episode about the ongoing work of learning to give yourself grace.
Ted Jackins instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mount_mourn/
Ted's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwlyD-0sjLM
The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Sean's Ig @seankvibes
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese
Paypal:  Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com  
 
 

This episode of "Let's Talk About the Deep Stuff" features host Sean Kneese and his friend Jason Peak, an improv comedian, as they dive into the meaning and importance of self-awareness.
The conversation explores the balance between being confident and recognizing one's own flaws or weaknesses, arguing that true confidence includes understanding where one needs to improve. They  discuss the extremes of being overly self-critical versus being completely unaware of how one's actions affect others.
 
The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Sean's Ig @seankvibes
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese
Paypal:  Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com  
 
 

In this special Halloween episode of Let’s Talk About the Deep Stuff, we dive into the fascination with horror — from its literary roots in Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft to classic films like Nosferatu and The Shining, and even modern interpretations like Robert Eggers’ 2024 Nosferatu. My incredible guest, Renata, shares her personal insights on why we’re drawn to fear, darkness, and the art of horror, and how it reflects the darker sides of humanity and society. Renata also takes us into the colorful and haunting world of Día de los Muertos, Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration, exploring how it honors ancestors and contrasts with Halloween traditions elsewhere. Plus, she shares stories from her time working with Troma, doing hair and makeup on some of the wildest indie horror productions around. Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or just curious about why humans are obsessed with fear, this episode peels back the curtain on the psychological, cultural, and artistic allure of horror. Renata and Heavy Horror on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavyhorrornyc/
https://www.instagram.com/heavyhorrornyc_backup/
The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Sean's Ig @seankvibes
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese
Paypal:  Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com  

In this episode of Let’s Talk About the Deep Stuff, Sean Kneese explores how impermanence and interconnectedness shape the way we see life, success, and each other. Drawing from Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism—as well as reflections on culture, ego, and meaning—Sean dives into how everything in existence is part of a greater flow. He shows how realizing that nothing ever truly ends, but only transforms, can help us live with deeper awareness, compassion, and purpose.
The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Sean's Ig @seankvibes
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese Paypal: 
Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com
 

In this episode of Let’s Talk About the Deep Stuff, Sean Kneese is joined by Gabrielle Angel Lily, musician, writer, and life coach, for an honest and candid conversation about shadow work. They dive into what it means to face the parts of ourselves we often hide, exploring both the challenges and the breakthroughs that come from this self-reflection. Sean and Gabrielle share personal experiences of confronting negative patterns, integrating their shadow selves, and growing into more self-aware, authentic versions of themselves. They also discuss practical tools and techniques for listeners who want to start their own shadow work journey, emphasizing self-compassion, honesty, and ongoing personal growth.
 
Gabrielle's IG: https://www.instagram.com/thezgala/
Gabrielle's website: https://www.galilly.com/
 
The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Sean's Ig @seankvibes
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese Paypal: 
Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com
 

In this episode of Let's Talk about the Deep Stuff. host Sean Kneese sits down with filmmaker and video producer Stephen Joseph Craig (Stephen Joseph Craig Productions, soon to be Brightcore Films) to explore what drives an artist to create. They dive into the deep questions: Why do artists feel the need to make art? What keeps them going even when the process is challenging?
The conversation touches on the passion, struggle, and persistence behind creativity.
 
Links:
StephenJosephCraig.com
YouTube.com/@HolyTeratoma
The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese
Paypal: Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com 

In this episode of Let’s Talk About the Deep Stuff, Sean Kneese examines the forces that fuel division, dehumanization, and authoritarianism—past and present. He explores how fear, prejudice, and propaganda pit people against one another, and why recognizing shared humanity matters more than ever. Sean also reflects on today’s challenges, from political tensions in the U.S. after Charlie Kirk’s assassination to the destruction of Gaza and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. With personal insight and moral clarity, this episode invites listeners to question narratives, confront injustice, and think critically about the choices shaping our world.   Books referenced:  https://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-World-Revisited/dp/0060776099
https://www.amazon.com/How-Fascism-Works-Politics-Them/dp/0525511830
https://www.amazon.com/Orientalism-Edward-Said-audiobook/dp/B004HOD1Y2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1X1G6KKEQK06A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7JDBK9YxjOb1kp_qndiL3XhoqEE4U18ofmfbI3Qp7Xf3n5gtTFinnc9tVmgkt_4yxfUrL7ejvZG5_x3BuCnTn9e97bd_OmCPj48v7Rx4OtpniaDKGwk12AKla_JDaCc4mUrvxGJbtMjshbogs3iEM8JorDhMkSC3NHcvodMbdxK4CXiUj6fcB-T-AQYwud59sMUmr2cIbQXWkeneTm6h9dK98aYahnCBnRqdGcg-_zI.WvFkuCwVsv6QCL1mSi9zcsgXlvgnTxaJUUma10jeUZE&dib_tag=se&keywords=orientalism&qid=1757996747&s=books&sprefix=orientalism%2Cstripbooks%2C100&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Years-War-Palestine-Colonialism/dp/B083Z3YW4S/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EPANHMMR1BZU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-2saM3bIOJB0-8gcmppnww.yMi029to-pI4FaE2zAu-Db1evKChxgV-m37HRvexExk&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+hundred+year+war+on+palestine&qid=1757996775&s=audible&sprefix=the+hundred+year+war+on+palestine%2Caudible%2C94&sr=1-1
https://www.amazon.com/Being-Jewish-After-Destruction-Gaza/dp/B0DD4M928M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IGVO13KMRCRO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.X3ewAAD1G5W3-QiRH5dLJA.FQIQEJzz5laqBAKLx1mkm0OMEyR5c0dMSbPzKSvvLNY&dib_tag=se&keywords=being+jewish+after+gaza&qid=1757996802&s=audible&sprefix=being+jewish+after+gaza%2Caudible%2C88&sr=1-1
  Sources to things mentioned: 
https://www.vox.com/culture/461239/trump-smithsonian-art-kennedy-center-cia-cold-war
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/charlotte-nursing-student-arrested-ice-150806944.html
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-to-know-about-the-aftermath-of-charlie-kirks-assassination
https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/erdogan-blasts-biden-silent-on-putin-after-both-recognize-armenian-genocide/
 
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/stephen-miller-hatemonger-biography/
https://www.newsweek.com/groyper-charlie-kirk-shooting-nick-fuentes-2129114
https://www.aclu-wi.org/news/scotus-just-gave-ice-a-green-light-to-profile-latinos-we-should-all-be-outraged/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-says-immigrants-are-poisoning-blood-country-biden-campaign-liken-rcna130141
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/stephen-miller-deportation-high-school-classmate-b2768997.html
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/13/business/charlie-kirk-death-fired-comments
https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/09/15/Dangerous-Targeting-Canadian-Journalist/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/16/the-language-being-used-to-describe-palestinians-is-genocidal
https://www.un.org/unispal/about-the-nakba/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-says-returning-hostages-not-the-most-important-thing-sparking-fierce-backlash/
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/investigation-finds-israeli-forces-shot-95-gaza-children-in-head-or-chest-in-over-160-examined-cases/3649091
https://churchleaders.com/news/855020-church-at-the-crossroads-stand-against-gaza-war-rns.html
https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/
https://www.972mag.com/mass-assassination-factory-israel-calculated-bombing-gaza/
    My friend Malak Mattar, incredible Palestinian artist who I mentioned: https://www.wallpaper.com/art/together-for-palestine-artist-malak-mattar-interview
Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish: https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/arts24/20250423-i-shall-not-hate-a-palestinian-doctor-s-call-for-peace
  The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/
Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA
IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff
Donate to the show:
Venmo: @Sean-kneese Paypal: 
Skneese1989@gmail.com
Zelle: Skneese1989@gmail.com