The Peripatetics

The Hours of Darkness are Necessary

In this episode of The Peripatetics, we explore the interplay of shadow and light — how each shapes and reveals the other, and ultimately defines the contours of our lives. Following Thoreau's assertion that "the hours of darkness are as necessary," we enter the shadows, considering their role not as absence, but as a vital source of restoration and clarity. Host Trey Hill shares stories of crossing personal thresholds – moments when testing limits required courage, and unearthed connection and meaning. From a midnight adventure through the vast American West to the lessons gleaned in the darkroom, he examines how experiences of struggle and hardship can transform into sources of unexpected light. Along the way, we encounter the discoveries of Joseph Niépce, a photographic pioneer, reflect on the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, and ask if the name of one of Japan's best selling automobiles has anything to offer this story. So, join our journey along shadowed paths, as we test the limits of our light, and admire the hidden vistas of meaning waiting to be developed within the dark chambers of our own experience. Transcripts of all episodes are available here [http://www.squarerootofnine.com/peripatetics-podcast]. Find Trey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/squarerootof9/]. Episode Themes Include: * The Necessity of Darkness: Inspired by Thoreau's reflections, this episode explores how the hours of darkness — both literal and metaphorical — are essential for restoration, creativity, and growth. We delve into the role of shadows, sleep, and unseen forces in shaping our understanding of life. * Testing Limits: Through stories of personal adventure and rebellion, this theme considers the importance of venturing beyond the boundaries imposed by society, nature, and ourselves. It's in these moments of daring that we rediscover our untamed rhythm and learn the art of self-governance. * Extracting Light From Shadow: Drawing on the photographic innovations of Joseph Niépce, the episode examines the interplay of light and shadow, illustrating how what seems like irrecoverable darkness can reveal the brightest truths about who we are and the world around us. About The Show Inspired by the ancient tradition of walking philosophers — from Aristotle and his followers to Thoreau and Nietzsche — who walked as a way to engage deeply with their thoughts and ideas, The Peripatetics wanders through th e thoughts of great thinkers in nature, art, literature, and philosophy as they intersect with the simple, transformative act of walking. In season 1, we are discussing Henry David Thoreau's definitive essay on the subject of walking, connecting it with wisdom from a wide swath of philosophic tradtions which share his devotion to achieving clarity and peace through movement. Whether you're a fellow walker, someone looking for a bit of tranquility, or just curious about how a good walk can change your perspective, you're in the right place. May your path be smooth and your pace steady. About The Host Trey Hill is a filmmaker who cut his teeth as a photographer and one-man-band storyteller for non-profits and NGOs, work which carried him around the world as he sought to expose the inner light present in some of the planet's most overlooked people. He also spent 10 seasons in the NHL as team photographer for the Dallas Stars and has, for the better part of the last decade, directed TV commercials for global brands, working with household names, musicians, sports heroes, and politicians. In 2019, his feature-length debut, the documentary LOUD KRAZY LOVE about Korn's Brian "Head" Welch, premiered on Showtime.

Our Only True Names

In this episode of The Peripatetics, we turn our attention to names — their meaning, their limits, and the tension they create between essence and identity. With Thoreau as our guide, we wander through the wild landscapes of Walking, reflecting on his assertion that "at present, our only true names are nicknames." What do names reveal, and what do they obscure? And how do we move beyond the constraints of the names we've inherited to discover the truth of who we are? Such a journey requires vulnerability, and willingness to remember the things we ultimately need to forget. Modeling this, Trey traverses the topography of himself through the stories of some of the names he's answered to in his life. Along the way, we trace the philosophical threads of Aristotle, Linnaeus, and Monet, weaving their ideas into a rich tapestry of inquiry into clarity, essence, and the human need for connection. Join us as we strip away the labels, rediscover the unbridled nature within, and seek the truest name of all — the one that emerges when we dare to crest the higher hills of our own becoming. Transcripts of all episodes are available here [http://www.squarerootofnine.com/peripatetics-podcast]. Find Trey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/squarerootof9/]. Episode Themes Include: * The Essence of Identity: This episode delves into the meaning and limitations of names, reflecting on Thoreau's idea that "our only true names are nicknames." By examining the tension between essence and identity, we explore how names can reveal, obscure, or constrain our understanding of who we are. * Remembering to Forget: In a conversation that spans millenia, this episode explores the paradoxical act of remembering the things we must ultimately forget to see clearly. Drawing on the ideas of Monet, Aristotle, and Linnaeus, the episode challenges us to strip away the assumptions and biases attached to names and labels. * The Journey to the Truest Name: This theme explores the idea of becoming — how the names we answer to evolve with us and how discovering our truest name requires vulnerability and self-exploration. The episode reflects on the human need to transcend inherited labels and connect with the unbridled nature within. About The Show Inspired by the ancient tradition of walking philosophers — from Aristotle and his followers to Thoreau and Nietzsche — who walked as a way to engage deeply with their thoughts and ideas, The Peripatetics wanders through th e thoughts of great thinkers in nature, art, literature, and philosophy as they intersect with the simple, transformative act of walking. In season 1, we are discussing Henry David Thoreau's definitive essay on the subject of walking, connecting it with wisdom from a wide swath of philosophic tradtions which share his devotion to achieving clarity and peace through movement. Whether you're a fellow walker, someone looking for a bit of tranquility, or just curious about how a good walk can change your perspective, you're in the right place. May your path be smooth and your pace steady. About The Host Trey Hill is a filmmaker who cut his teeth as a photographer and one-man-band storyteller for non-profits and NGOs, work which carried him around the world as he sought to expose the inner light present in some of the planet's most overlooked people. He also spent 10 seasons in the NHL as team photographer for the Dallas Stars and has, for the better part of the last decade, directed TV commercials for global brands, working with household names, musicians, sports heroes, and politicians. In 2019, his feature-length debut, the documentary LOUD KRAZY LOVE about Korn's Brian "Head" Welch, premiered on Showtime.

Reassert Your Native Rights

In this episode of The Peripatetics, we return to the theme of wildness with Thoreau as our guide. Reflecting on instinct, the raw power of wild nature, and the human struggle to reassert our own "native rights," we explore the deeper tensions between civilization and the untamed spirit within. Through personal stories of transformation and a re-wilding experience in the heart of Kenya, we delve into the sharp contrast between the forces that seek to control and those that preserve the wild. From domesticated animals breaking free to the untamable intellect, we ask: What happens when we lose touch with our wildness, and how do we reclaim it? Join us as we unravel the rhythms of nature, creativity, and the self, weaving together reflections on art, vocation, and the harmony found only in the wild. Transcripts of all episodes are available here [http://www.squarerootofnine.com/peripatetics-podcast]. Find Trey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/squarerootof9/]. Episode Themes Include: * Reclaiming Our Native Rights: This episode explores the concept of wildness within, drawing from Thoreau's vision of domesticated animals reasserting their native rights. We examine how humans can reclaim their instinctual power, breaking free from societal constraints and rediscovering their true nature. * The Contrast Between Wildness and Civilization: Through personal stories and philosophical reflection, this theme contrasts the raw, untamed forces of nature with the rigid systems of industry, religion, and academia that seek to tame the human spirit. The episode asks how these forces shape, and sometimes suppress, our creativity and freedom. * Wildness as a Creative Force: From the savannahs of Kenya to the inner landscape of the human soul, this theme explores wildness as a source of artistic and intellectual power. The episode reflects on how reconnecting with the wild leads to a more authentic expression of self and art. About The Show Inspired by the ancient tradition of walking philosophers — from Aristotle and his followers to Thoreau and Nietzsche — who walked as a way to engage deeply with their thoughts and ideas, The Peripatetics wanders through th e thoughts of great thinkers in nature, art, literature, and philosophy as they intersect with the simple, transformative act of walking. In season 1, we are discussing Henry David Thoreau's definitive essay on the subject of walking, connecting it with wisdom from a wide swath of philosophic tradtions which share his devotion to achieving clarity and peace through movement. Whether you're a fellow walker, someone looking for a bit of tranquility, or just curious about how a good walk can change your perspective, you're in the right place. May your path be smooth and your pace steady. About The Host Trey Hill is a filmmaker who cut his teeth as a photographer and one-man-band storyteller for non-profits and NGOs, work which carried him around the world as he sought to expose the inner light present in some of the planet's most overlooked people. He also spent 10 seasons in the NHL as team photographer for the Dallas Stars and has, for the better part of the last decade, directed TV commercials for global brands, working with household names, musicians, sports heroes, and politicians. In 2019, his feature-length debut, the documentary LOUD KRAZY LOVE about Korn's Brian "Head" Welch, premiered on Showtime.

Make The Darkness Visible

We continue Walking with Thoreau through the wild terrain of uncivilized thought — where genius shatters the temples of knowledge, exposing the unseen forces shaping our reality. Thoreau reminds us that it is the wild, uncultivated mind that truly delights, as free and swift as a mallard in flight. In this episode of The Peripatetics, we explore the invisible connections that bind us — atomic thoughts dancing like pollen on a pond, elusive yet undeniable. From the rediscovery of an ancient poem, lost for a thousand years, to my own realization of the creative life's atomic nature, we delve into the tension between certainty and wildness. We examine how long-suppressed ideas, once freed, can spark revolutions in thought, science, and art. Our journey turns toward the question of the untamed intellect's role in creativity and the quest for truth itself. Through poetry, philosophy, and personal revelation, we ask: What does it mean to make the darkness visible, and how can we reclaim the wildness within us all? Transcripts of all episodes are available here [http://www.squarerootofnine.com/peripatetics-podcast]. Find Trey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/squarerootof9/]. Episode Themes Include: * The Unseen Forces of Genius: This episode explores the invisible elements that drive creativity and knowledge. Through Thoreau's lens, we encounter the wild, uncultivated thought that shatters conventional understanding, revealing the unseen forces that shape our reality, much like atomic particles that move beneath the surface. * The Tension Between Certainty and Wildness: Drawing on the rediscovery of Lucretius' On the Nature of Things, this episode delves into the friction between structured knowledge and untamed intellect. It highlights how suppressed ideas, once unleashed, have the power to revolutionize science, philosophy, and art. * Creation as a Manifestation of the Wild: By reflecting on personal revelations about the creative process, the episode likens creation to the atomic nature of existence. Creativity is not about bringing something from nothing, but about connecting wild, seemingly invisible thoughts and making them visible. * Making the Darkness Visible: Inspired by Thoreau's words, the episode explores the act of illuminating what is hidden, both within ourselves and the world. This theme weaves through poetry, philosophy, and personal reflection, asking how we can uncover the truths buried in our subconscious and wild nature. * The Power of Untamed Thought: Through Thoreau's celebration of wild thinking, the episode questions the role of untamed intellect in the pursuit of truth. It challenges the listener to reclaim their wildness, to look beyond the domesticated structures of knowledge and rediscover the deeper truths that lie beyond civilization's grasp. * Wildness as a Catalyst for Creative Thought: The episode presents wild, uncivilized thinking as essential to artistic and intellectual breakthroughs. By embracing the unpredictability and spontaneity of wild thought, we open ourselves to new ways of seeing and understanding the world, much like the way atomic theories reshaped our view of the universe. About The Show Inspired by the ancient tradition of walking philosophers — from Aristotle and his followers to Thoreau and Nietzsche — who walked as a way to engage deeply with their thoughts and ideas, The Peripatetics wanders through th e thoughts of great thinkers in nature, art, literature, and philosophy as they intersect with the simple, transformative act of walking. In season 1, we are discussing Henry David Thoreau's definitive essay on the subject of walking, connecting it with wisdom from a wide swath of philosophic tradtions which share his devotion to achieving clarity and peace through movement. Whether you're a fellow walker, someone looking for a bit of tranquility, or just curious about how a good walk can change your perspective, you're in the right place. May your path be smooth and your pace steady. About The Host Trey Hill is a filmmaker who cut his teeth as a photographer and one-man-band storyteller for non-profits and NGOs, work which carried him around the world as he sought to expose the inner light present in some of the planet's most overlooked people. He also spent 10 seasons in the NHL as team photographer for the Dallas Stars and has, for the better part of the last decade, directed TV commercials for global brands, working with household names, musicians, sports heroes, and politicians. In 2019, his feature-length debut, the documentary LOUD KRAZY LOVE about Korn's Brian "Head" Welch, premiered on Showtime.

A Mere Animal Existence

To a world on the brink of madness, at war with itself, Thoreau pointed to a paradoxical truth: "There is a keen enjoyment in a mere animal existence." In this episode of The Peripatetics, we explore the precarious balance between humanity's creative genius and the traps we've set for our wild nature. From the endangered mountain lions of Los Angeles, confined by freeways, to the ways in which algorithms confine today's artists, we navigate a way to bridge the tension between freedom and control, wildness and civilization. Building on the reflections in episode 7 about Romulus and Remus, I reflect on the original sin of civilization — our betrayal of the wild — and consider whether we can, like the cougar of the Santa Monica Mountains, find our way back to a more untamed existence. Transcripts of all episodes are available here [http://www.squarerootofnine.com/peripatetics-podcast]. Find Trey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/squarerootof9/]. Click here [https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/lion-watches-over-los-angeles-at-night-gm1532500394-525253581] for Jason Klassi's Cougar Photo. Episode Themes Include: * The Precarious Balance Between Creativity and Control: This episode explores how humanity's genius for creating can also entrap us, both physically and creatively. From mountain lions confined by highways to artists constrained by algorithms, the tension between freedom and control becomes a central focus. * Civilization's Original Sin: Building on the reflections from Episode 7, the episode delves deeper into civilization's primal betrayal—the decision to suppress and dominate the wild. This betrayal is seen as the root of humanity's disconnection from nature, and, by extension, from our own untamed instincts. * The Dangers of Domestication: Just as wild animals are confined by human-made barriers, our intellectual and creative freedoms are increasingly limited by societal and technological constraints. The episode questions whether modern life's algorithmic grids are strangling our wild creativity. * Rewilding as a Path to Healing: By exploring the possibility of rewilding both our physical environment and our imaginations, the episode considers how humanity can heal from the wounds inflicted by our disconnection from nature. Can we, like the mountain lion in L.A., find a way to bridge the divide—both within ourselves and in our world—and return to our wild roots? * Rewilding the Imagination: We highlight the imagination, not just as a tool for artistic expression, but as a necessary force in rewilding our minds and our landscapes. The episode suggests that a new kind of creativity is required—one that nurtures, rather than confines, the imagination. * Freedom Through Connection to Nature: Nature is presented not as something to be controlled or conquered, but as a guide toward freedom. By reconnecting with the natural world, the episode argues that we can break free from the traps of modern life and restore our untamed selves. Join us as we explore the fragile balance between freedom and control, creativity and confinement, and discover how reconnecting with the wild might just be the key to reclaiming our truest selves. About The Show Inspired by the ancient tradition of walking philosophers — from Aristotle and his followers to Thoreau and Nietzsche — who walked as a way to engage deeply with their thoughts and ideas, The Peripatetics wanders through th e thoughts of great thinkers in nature, art, literature, and philosophy as they intersect with the simple, transformative act of walking. In season 1, we are discussing Henry David Thoreau's definitive essay on the subject of walking, connecting it with wisdom from a wide swath of philosophic tradtions which share his devotion to achieving clarity and peace through movement. Whether you're a fellow walker, someone looking for a bit of tranquility, or just curious about how a good walk can change your perspective, you're in the right place. May your path be smooth and your pace steady. About The Host Trey Hill is a filmmaker who cut his teeth as a photographer and one-man-band storyteller for non-profits and NGOs, work which carried him around the world as he sought to expose the inner light present in some of the planet's most overlooked people. He also spent 10 seasons in the NHL as team photographer for the Dallas Stars and has, for the better part of the last decade, directed TV commercials for global brands, working with household names, musicians, sports heroes, and politicians. In 2019, his feature-length debut, the documentary LOUD KRAZY LOVE about Korn's Brian "Head" Welch, premiered on Showtime.