Greg is a straight edge, teetotaler, so I brought a peace offering of Bundaberg Root Beer. He is also is an award-winning champion speaker who makes people laugh while inviting them to think. He is a bit of a renaissance man to me because he is also the lead singer of the band Trial, Activist, Philanthropist, Entertainer, Keynote Speaker, Film Writer, and Producer. The list could go on because the guy is doing all sorts of amazing shit. The fact that I got to sit down with him and record two episodes was an absolute privilege.
We caught Greg right before his annual trips to Rwanda and Uganda. Among all the things he does, he makes time to travel around the world to places of human trauma to see and study how people and culture respond to trauma. Taking others along and asking, "Why do places once ruled by dictators become shining examples of a solid economy?" Taking note, to pay attention to the people's need of a dictator in the aftermath of trauma. Our human need to have people rule over us is a fascinating study.
Raised Reformed Jewish, he left the faith immediately after fulfilling the family obligations of bar-mitzvah. He's an atheist, and once again I get to sit and learn from not only his extensive life study of Ernest Becker, a Jewish-American cultural anthropologist, and writer. Who is noted for his 1974 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Denial of Death. But also from his life experience and stories from traveling the world as an activist.
As a kid, Greg was kicked out of Jewish school and declared "a menace to education" by the Newtown Connecticut Jewish Board of Education.
Greg is also the Co-producer and Co-writer behind Flight From Death: The Quest For Immortality and The Philosopher Kings, two award-winning documentaries that look at how we see ourselves, the people around us, and ask how we are to live in an increasingly complex world. He offers presentations on each of these films for universities, theaters, and conferences worldwide.
We Chat with Greg About:
Trump and Politicians using fear rage anger and hate to consolidate people behind a dream. It feeds people on a psychological level; they need what he is giving them. Getting along with Nazis? Hug a Nazi? How we as humans need leaders like Mark Driscoll, Donald Trump, Adolf Hitler. We created and allowed these men to rule us. Own your shit - Own Your Terror Embracing human suffering, first our own, and then the pain of others. Are we intelligent enough to have religion? Do we have the emotional, psychological intelligence to embrace it? The legalization of marijuana, drugs, and alcohol and whether humans can handle it. Why Greg is a teetotaller. Being a Straight Edge, Musician, Activist, Philanthropist, Entertainer, Keynote Speaker, Film Writer, Producer. One of those people that simply lives his life in a such a way to make a difference in the world and society. One Hundred for Haiti & Words As Weapons.JOIN US
Join the CounterCulture Society: http://eepurl.com/bwqMWT Become a Producer: https://www.patreon.com/losingourreligion Find Out More: http://www.losingourreligion.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/LosingRReligion Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LosingOurReligion Call 'Losers Anonymous' Hotline: 206-395-5608 This Episode's Landing Page: http://www.losingourreligion.org/episodes/2016/5/24/episode-044-embrace-your-terror-part-one-greg-bennick-of-trial-straight-edge-vegan-activist
