Alex O’Connor on Death, Meaning & Why Our Brains Lie to Us
Get ready for a collective existential crisis. TommyInnit puts on his big brain thinking cap as Cosmic Skeptic Alex O’Connor joins the Shut Up I’m Talking podcast for a mind-bending deep dive into consciousness, free will, fear of death, religion, and why our brains lie to us.↓ LISTEN TO THE SECOND HALF ON PATREON ↓ https://www.patreon.com/c/shutupimtalking↓ BUY MERCH HERE! FINAL STOCK REMAINING: ↓ https://suitmerch.store/The boys dig into Alex’s Catholic upbringing, how he got from three U grades to Oxford University via his YouTube channel and how debating Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens shaped him.Tom admits he’s terrified of death, Jack questions whether meaning is something we create or discover, and Alex explains philosophical zombies, panpsychism, and what it feels like to lose your sense of self on psychedelics.They explore consciousness, blind sight, ego death, split-brain experiments, why the self might be an illusion, and whether a worm or a bat experiences reality anything like we do. Alex also opens up about burnout, grounding himself, and trying to keep philosophy fun rather than content-driven.Topics: 00:00 - Intro02:20 - Alex O’Connor introduces himself04:25 - Alex’s worst moment of the week06:30 - Early life & journey into philosophy and theology 11:15 - What happens when we die? 15:10 - How to stop fearing death 19:40 - What is meaning? 23:50 - Alex’s view on purpose 27:00 - Conscious experience and why it exists 29:23 - The Philosophical Zombie 30:14 - Do plants feel pain?33:00 - What is consciousness? 37:55 - What is Jack Manifold?41:28 - Ego death and psychedelic experiences 44:12 - Left brain & right brain 46:01 - Crazy split brain experiments 51:00 - Alien hand syndrome 52:00 - Does Alex get tired of debating? 53:15 - How to switch off from thinking so deeply54:20 - How Alex winds down 55:55 - Playing Warzone whilst talking about the bible 58:30 - Bruce Springsteen & free will1:00:00 - How philosophy can help with anxiety 1:02:00 - Everyone is going to play PUBG together 1:03:40 - Content, social media & control 1:04:42 - How’s the worm doing? 1:05:35 - How to get into philosophy 1:05:56 - The mystery of consciousness1:07:24 - ‘Mary’s Room’ thought experiment 1:09:38 - TommyInnit invites Alex O’Connor for a pint 1:09:50 - Transition over to Patreon Written & presented by: Tom Simons & Jack ManifoldExecutive producer: Mirren MaceDirected by: Mirren MaceProducer: Russell NoonProduction coordinator: Tori SheardSocial media: Tori SheardCamera, sound & lighting: Owen Rogers & Hazar AyyildizEditor: Owen RogersShorts editor & Thumbnail: SnikrepSet design: Mirren MaceThis podcast episode was recorded on 25/10/25Follow us on social media: IG: https://instagram.com/shutuplmtalking X: https://x.com/shutup1mtalkingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/shutup1mtalking
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61: Seagulls, Spicy Dreams & Springsteen (LIVE)
The first ever Shut Up I’m Talking Podcast LIVESHOW! Recorded in Brighton with live studio audience participation and a very special guest appearance from AverageHarry. ⬇Watch the second half ONLY ON PATREON:⬇ https://www.patreon.com/c/shutupimtalking⬇ Get your MERCH while stocks last! ⬇https://suitmerch.store/With far fewer chances to edit out stuff they shouldn’t be saying, watch TommyInnit and Jack Manifold take Shut Up I’m Talking to the stage for a hilarious live show. From Tom’s questionable dream about Jack and his problems with Gen Alpha, to Jack’s booze-filled TwitchCon adventures and his very real problems with working with Tom, expect an even closer look at how these two friends tick. Watch now, and catch the second half of the show exclusively on Patreon!In this episode:● Tom’s unexpected Fright Night horror story● Tom’s questionable sex dream about Jack● Did Tom stalk Bruce Springsteen at the Deliver Me From Nowhere premiere● Audience confessions: vomit disasters, noisy chewers & sausage-roll-stealing seagulls● Brighton’s rite-of-passage moments including James Marriott sightings and The Bird Man● Jack’s newfound love of finger gunsRecorded at The Old Market in Brighton on 23/10/25Written & presented by: Tom Simons & Jack ManifoldExecutive producer: Mirren MaceDirected by: Mirren MaceProducer: Russell NoonProduction coordinator: Tori SheardSocial media: Tori SheardCamera operators: Owen Rogers, Hazar Ayyildiz & Eryn FilmsEditor: Owen RogersShorts editor & Thumbnail: SnikrepSet design: Mirren MaceFollow us on social media: IG: https://instagram.com/shutuplmtalking X: https://x.com/shutup1mtalkingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/shutup1mtalking
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60: Does Jack have a drinking problem?
Jack has a plane crash nightmare, Tom crashes a red carpet and sort of meets Bruce Springsteen, while TwitchCon goes off the rails. TommyInnit & Jack Manifold are back with another unfiltered episode of the Shut Up I’m Talking podcast. ↓ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON HERE for weekly bonus episodes, Jacktivities, TomTalks & BTS ↓https://www.patreon.com/c/shutupimtalkingHuge thanks to MUA Flea Traini-Cobb for facilitating 'Jacktivity #10 - Jack Does Halloween Makeup''. You can check out their work here: https://www.instagram.com/flea.mua/In this episode: Jack’s TwitchCon tales: 10 parties, business-class upgrades and terror at 30,000 feetTom shows up late, unshowered, and embracing nature How Jack got intimate with Pickle RickTwitchCon insights: Minecraft YouTubers go wild, BBNo$ parties, $70 drinks & creator dramaJack’s hangover hell, exploding heating system & being haunted by the wormTom’s theory test adventures, pigeons in the park & firework jeopardy US cities debate: Seattle vs. Austin vs. New York, and Tom’s dream to move to NYCGlorbo the Venus flytrap makes their debut - but are they ok?Plus: Minecraft YouTubers’ soccer game, meeting Quackity, AverageHarry and Zoil in a lift, and confessions from TwitchCon’s afterparties.And of course, how’s the worm doing? Written & presented by: Tom Simons & Jack ManifoldExecutive producer: Mirren MaceDirected by: Mirren MaceProducer: Russell NoonProduction coordinator: Tori SheardSocial media: Tori SheardCamera, sound & lighting: Owen Rogers & Hazar AyyildizEditor: Owen RogersShorts editor & Thumbnail: SnikrepSet design: Mirren MaceThis podcast episode was recorded on 25/10/25
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59: Do ghosts exist?
Tom doesn’t believe in ghosts. Jack definitely does. But when listener stories get spooky, even Tom starts to question reality.
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Join us on Patreon for the chance to submit questions and stories, weekly bonus episodes, Jacktivities, TomTalks and BTS content: 👇
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It’s the Shut Up I’m Talking Halloween Special! Tom’s wearing devil horns, Jack’s talking ghosts, and things get weird. From real listener ghost stories to haunted hotels, hexes, and alien conspiracies, the boys try (and fail) to find logic in the paranormal.
They read your wildest supernatural encounters, debate the existence of aliens, and argue about whether ghosts could hack nuclear codes.
In this episode:
• Tom vs. Jack: Do ghosts exist?
• The psychology of believing and why memories can lie
• Hexes from exes, witches, and the haunted “heat sandwich”
• Morgue stories, moving furniture, and mysterious noises
• Do aliens exist and if so, are they coming for us?
• Radios that play with no power and spirit boxes that talk back
• Real listener ghost stories from haunted beaches to cursed woods
• Tom’s thoughts on Halloween (and why his mum banned it)
If you’re enjoying the chaos, hit subscribe for new episodes of Shut Up I’m Talking every Sunday with TommyInnit and Jack Manifold.
Written & presented by: Tom Simons & Jack Manifold
Executive producer: Mirren Mace
Directed by: Mirren Mace
Producer: Russell Noon
Production coordinator: Tori Sheard
Social media: Tori Sheard
Camera, sound & lighting: Owen Rogers & Hazar Ayyildiz
Editor: Owen Rogers
Shorts editor & Thumbnail: Snikrep
Set design: Mirren Mace
This podcast episode was recorded on 14/10/25
Follow us on social media:
IG: https://instagram.com/shutuplmtalking
X: https://x.com/shutup1mtalking
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/shutup1mtalking
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58: Jack Is Struggling
Why can't Tom keep a secret? And is Jack okay post-breakup? Find out in this week's episode of Shut Up I'm Talking with TommyInnit & Jack Manifold.
MERCH IS AVAILABLE NOW. GET YOURS HERE 👇
https://suitmerch.store/
Also in this episode:
● Jack’s worst morning ever and why fans are convinced he cheated
● Tom’s Waffle House encounter in America
● The woman who found God and can now eat bread
● Tom’s drag alter-ego “Dr Drag” confirmed + plans for a drag episode
● Jack loses it with American billboard lawyers
● Mr Beast jerky reviews
● Tom’s art-school adventures, his new Monet obsession, and Brighton squirrels vs London pigeons
● Halloween in the US, the death of The Simpsons, and Jack’s dramatic Mansfield short film
● What mysterious creature is pooing in Tom’s bathroom?
Join our Patreon for merch discount, weekly bonus episodes, Jacktivities, TomTalks & BTS 👇
https://www.patreon.com/c/shutupimtalking
Watch the 1-year celebration video featuring TommyInnit, Jack Manifold, Jedward, George Memeulous, Jack Septiceye, Average Harry, Freddie Badlinu and Isaac HP now on YouTube and socials.
Written & presented by: Tom Simons & Jack Manifold
Executive producer: Mirren Mace
Directed by: Mirren Mace
Producer: Russell Noon
Production coordinator: Tori Sheard
Social media: Tori Sheard
Camera, sound & lighting: Owen Rogers & Hazar Ayyildiz
Editor: Owen Rogers
Shorts editor & Thumbnail: Snikrep
Set design: Mirren Mace
This podcast episode was recorded on 14/10/25
Follow us on socials:
IG: https://instagram.com/shutuplmtalking
X: https://x.com/shutup1mtalking
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/shutup1mtalking
What do you get when naivety meets extraordinary opportunity? This podcast. An authentic and hilarious insight into the weird, wonderful and endlessly curious brains of two firmly Gen Z YouTubers who have grown up in the intense spotlight of the internet. Meet Tom Simons, aka TommyInnit, and Jack Manifold every week as they open up their diaries and try to make sense of the internet-famous-meets-normal-real-life lives they are living.
New Zealand