The Observing I Podcast
A solo-narrated audio essay exploring consciousness, psychology, and philosophy through deep dives into the lives and ideas of pivotal thinkers.
This is a solo-hosted, narrative podcast that functions as a series of audio essays. Each episode focuses on a single person (like Stanislav Grof or Laura Huxley) or a core concept (like David Chalmers' 'hard problem of consciousness') and explores it from a philosophical and psychological perspective. The host, David Johnson, scripts and narrates these deep dives, often structuring them into distinct chapters with subtle sound design, making it feel more like a documentary than a casual chat.
“Unlike most podcasts in the philosophy and psychedelics space, which are interview-driven, The Observing I is a strictly solo-narrated, scripted, and sound-designed program. Its distinctive quality lies in its audio essay format, where each episode is a focused, documentary-style biography of an idea or a person.”
Who hosts this show
The Observing I is a solo narrative podcast hosted by David Johnson. Described as "pirate radio for the mind," the show delves into philosophy, psychology, and the human experience, with a particular focus on figures from psychedelic and consciousness studies. Johnson, who identifies as a software engineer, author, and philosopher, presents each episode as a tightly scripted, sound-designed audio essay.
Credentials & credits
- Host of 'The Observing I' podcast
- Software Engineer
- Author
- Philosopher
- Psychotherapy background
Other ventures
- Substack newsletter
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- uk
When new episodes drop
- 01What the scanner cannot see: David Chalmers and the hard problem of ConsciousnessJun 23, 2026 · 42 min
- 02The Unconscious Has Bad Manners: Stanislav Grof and the Psychedelic PsycheJun 2, 2026 · 43 min
- 03When the Music Stops: Laura Huxley and Relational ConsciousnessMay 26, 2026 · 36 min
- 04The Observing I: Deconstructing My Own PhilosophyMay 19, 2026 · 47 min
- 05Carlos Castaneda: Wisdom, Fiction, and the Desire to BelieveMay 12, 2026 · 49 min
- 06Be Here Now: The Great Unmaking of Richard AlpertMay 3, 2026 · 42 min
- 07Terence McKenna and the Problem of EnchantmentApr 21, 2026 · 50 min
- 08Turn on, tune in, drop out: The life and ideas of Timothy LearyApr 14, 2026 · 51 min
Notable episodes
- 01What the scanner cannot see: David Chalmers and the hard problem of Consciousness
A clear and compelling introduction to a central concept in modern philosophy of mind, which is a recurring theme for the show.
- 02The Unconscious Has Bad Manners: Stanislav Grof and the Psychedelic Psyche
This episode is a perfect example of the show's signature format: a critical, biographical deep-dive into a key, and controversial, figure in psychedelic thought.
- 03When the Music Stops: Laura Huxley and Relational Consciousness
Highlights the podcast's narrative storytelling strength, contrasting two different modes of understanding consciousness through the lives of Laura and Aldous Huxley.
What you'll be asked on this show
This is a solo narrative podcast with no guests or interviews. Host David Johnson uses a calm, measured delivery to present well-researched, scripted essays. Episodes are often divided into titled sections, using rhetorical questions to frame key philosophical points and guide the listener's journey through the topic. The production includes subtle sound design, enhancing its documentary-like feel.
Signature segments
- · Biographical deep dives on thinkers
- · Solo-narrated audio essays
- · Titled sections/chapters within episodes
- · Rhetorical questioning to frame concepts
- · Signed-off episode descriptions with "Much love, David x"
Topics covered repeatedly
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is presented as ad-free and is listener-supported, with a subscription offered through its official website and Substack.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch this show
d•••@•••.comFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- Who is the host of The Observing I?
- The host is David Johnson, who is also a software engineer, author, and philosopher.
- What is the format of the podcast?
- It is a solo-narrated, scripted podcast. Each episode is a deep-dive audio essay on a specific person or philosophical concept, with no guest interviews.
- Is The Observing I still active?
- Yes, the podcast releases new episodes weekly.
- Does the podcast have guests?
- No, it is a solo narrative show and does not feature guest interviews.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and its official website, theobservingi.com.
- How is the podcast supported?
- The podcast is ad-free and supported by listeners through subscriptions on its website.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
Podcasts like The Observing I Podcast
Rich Roll
Rich Roll
A former corporate lawyer turned ultra-endurance athlete explores wellness, creativity, and human potential in long-form conversations.
Gunjan Talks Clips
Short, shareable clips from an Indian health and fitness podcast, featuring expert advice for a primarily Hindi-speaking audience.
The Necessary Conversation
A novelist moderates weekly political arguments between his liberal sister and their MAGA-supporting mother.
My Therapist Ghosted Me
Two Irish friends, a comedian and a TV presenter, offer unfiltered advice and share outrageously candid stories about their lives.
Talks From The Crypt
Brandon Lea
A visually-driven interview show where host Brandon Lea has long-form, casual conversations with creators in film, horror, and true crime.
Three Minute Therapy Podcast
Three Minute Therapy
A clinical psychologist and his co-host break down the principles of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in focused, weekly discussions.
Grief 2 Growth
A podcast exploring personal transformation through adversity, primarily through interviews with survivors of near-death experiences and major trauma.
Sanjay Saini Showw
Sanjay Saini Showw
A Hindi-language interview podcast exploring personal growth, business mindset, and alternative wellness with Indian experts and practitioners.