Over the past several years, there has been controversy in many fields of the art world, including literature, film and television. Questions have been posed regarding the appropriateness of authors writing about certain topics, and actors portraying certain characters. For example, is it okay for a White author to write a fictional book about slavery in the United States? Is it okay for a cis male to play a trans male in a movie? At the heart of these questions lies the concepts of cultural app...
Sep 26, 2023•41 min
Bipolar Disorder is an oft-misunderstood condition by the public. It can be tough to comprehend, because it requires an understanding of each of depression, mania, and the swings that can occur between them. So what exactly is Bipolar Disorder? What kind of insight does a patient with the disease have when they are experiencing the swings in mood and tendencies? And what are some of the benefits of manic episodes, if there are any at all? Kimi Culp joins the podcast. Kimi Culp's Website https://...
Sep 19, 2023•39 min
Torture is generally thought of as a bad things - an unacceptable means to an end. But what if that end is justifiable? In many cases, torture is clearly unethical - for example when used as a means of political suppression, as a fear tactic, or for a forced confession. But what about torture in more ambiguous cases - when the torturer is fairly confident that the person being tortured has key information that could save many lives if it were obtained? Juan Mendez joins the podcast. Hosted on Ac...
Sep 12, 2023•46 min
Money did not always exist in its current form. There was a time when goods and services were just exchanged for one another, without actual coins or cash changing hands. The preconception is that our current monetary system, the status quo, makes complete sense. But as millennia of history have proven to us, money is very complex, and there is a lot at stake. Jacob Goldstein, host of the popular NPR podcast, Planet Money, joins the podcast. Jacob Goldstein's book - "https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08...
Sep 05, 2023•47 min
In the life of an athlete, one of the major decision points is getting a sports agent to negotiate on their behalf. For most athletes, this is just ‘what you do’, the status quo. But recently, this paradigm has been challenged to an extent. After one high profile athlete negotiated without a sports agent, the necessity and role of the sports agent was called into question. Sports agent Even Laufer joins the podcast to break down preconceptions about sports agents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
Aug 29, 2023•37 min
With over two billion followers worldwide, Christianity is the most popular religion in the world. For some, the preconception is ‘of course Christianity is the correct religious view’, with so many people subscribing to it. For others, the preconception might be, ‘how is it possible that so many people believe in a religion defined by a historical event that nobody can prove?’. Because in contrast to many other religions and worldviews, Christianity is perhaps more predicated than any on a spec...
Aug 22, 2023•50 min
In the wake of 'Barbenheimer', there is perhaps more excitement surrounding the moviegoing experience than there has been in many years. But why does it feel like the film industry has been a bit lacklustre for the past while? Has the divide been film critics and audience grown, as critically acclaimed movies seem to get less attention than blockbuster Marvel-type films? And ultimately, what actually makes for a solid movie? Enjoyment, emotion, something thought-provoking, or all of the above? R...
Aug 15, 2023•37 min
Shinji Mikamo is a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. His daughter, psychologist Dr. Akiko Mikamo, joins the podcast to share her father's story of survival and resilience in the face of the most deadly bomb to ever be dropped on the planet. She speaks about some of the common historical misconceptions regarding the necessity of dropping the atomic bomb and shares her father's lessons of forgiveness and empathy that he has urged others to adopt throughout his life. Akiko's Film...
Aug 08, 2023•45 min
What if you could undergo a scan of of your whole body once a year to screen for any tumors, aneurysms, or any other medical abnormalities? On the surface, it sounds like a great idea, and indeed many companies are offering the opportunity to undergo whole body MRIs to catch medical findings before they become medical 'problems'. But is whole body MRI really all it's cracked up to be? Or can it also lead you down a rabbit hole chasing a diagnosis when nothing of consequence is to be found? Radio...
Aug 01, 2023•51 min
Most of us are familiar with the ethical quandaries of eating meat, and in particular the large-scale abuse of animals in modern-day farming and mass meat production. And in many ways, the question of whether it is ‘okay’ to eat other animals is a philosophical and personal one. But what does the research show about more objective measures of eating meat, like how it affects the environment and the impact it has on our health? Plant-based food diets are becoming increasingly popular – especially...
Jul 25, 2023•46 min
Over the past several years, plunges into freezing cold ice baths have become increasingly popular – trendy even. There are growing communities of those who engage in the ritual of ice baths together, combined with breathwork and a form of meditation. Others practice cold therapy by simply taking freezing cold showers. But what does the research actually show? Dr. Matthijs Kox joins the podcast, to share his research in this field, with a particular epmahsis on The Wim Hof Method. https://www.ra...
Jul 18, 2023•47 min
The conflict in Israel and Palestine predates even the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. This episode explores the complicated history of Israel and Palestine, chronicling the ancient history of the temples in Jerusalem, to the Crusades, to the settlement of the land by Arabs almost 1,000 years ago, and to the more recent wars of 1948, 1967, the Intifadas, and the state of the conflict in present day. Tour gide and educator Yoav Biller shares shares perspectives from both the Israeli and ...
Jul 11, 2023•2 hr 1 min
When one thinks of traditional parenting, one might remember a stern talking to, or maybe even punished. In many ways, the traditional paradigm of parenting has been quite disciplinarian. In some regards, this has changed over the last several years. Many thought leaders and therapists now seem to be encouraging a different approach – one based less on punishment and ‘taking things away’, but more based on understanding our children’s feelings, walking them through their emotions, and not relyin...
Jul 04, 2023•46 min
If one looks at the English language, there are many terms now considered offensive that were considered commonplace, perhaps even sensitive, just a few decades ago. A typical pattern tends to emerge – a word is used to describe a particular group, perhaps innocently at first, and over time, it can become misused and turn into a slur. Another word comes in to replace it, but with time, that word too becomes misused and a slur. New words and phrases can be coined multiple times over the course of...
Jun 27, 2023•40 min
When one of thinks of a musician, the first image that might come to mind is their favorite recording artist. But the reality is – there are millions of musicians in the world who are not on your favorite Spotify playlist. Musicians include a wide variety of artists who have developed careers in all facets of the music industry. So what are the greatest preconceptions about musicians and what it takes to make 'good' music? Dr. Mike Daley and Jill Daley, two professional musicians, join the podca...
Jun 20, 2023•35 min
In modern times, Germany is considered one of the more progressive Western countries in the world. During the Syrian refugee crisis, few countries took in as many Syrians as Germany did. But despite this, the first thing that likely comes to mind to many who hear the word ‘Germany’, is its association with the Holocaust and World War II. There is a stigma that still persists, despite the passage of almost 80 years since the events of the Holocaust took place. So how have Germans grappled with th...
Jun 13, 2023•46 min
In our 200th episode, Zale highlights some of the greatest preconceptions that have come to light for him over the course of series. Is the word 'extremism' overused? How do we analyze our preconceptions without being overwhelmed by every aspect of our lives? And is the ultimate preconception that each of us believes deep down that 'I am a good person'? Zale is joined by public speaking coaches Eric Silverberg and Eli Gladstone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 06, 2023•42 min
We’ve all been to a party and felt a bit awkward walking around, immersing ourselves in some conversations that go nowhere, approaching someone we've kind of met before but don’t really know, and gauging when a conversation has come to an end. Most of us have also been in situations where we want to go up and talk to someone who seems interesting, but it just feels a bit too awkward to approach them out of the blue and initiate a conversation. And if we do start a conversation, what exactly are ...
May 30, 2023•43 min
When one thinks of birth control, it might be natural one might think of women before thinking of men. Aside from condoms and vasectomies, medical forms of birth control have really been directed towards women, with 'the pill' and intrauterine devices. But perhaps things are changing. Research has been underway to investigate the possibility of an on-demand male birth control. Dr. Lonney Levin and Dr. Melanie Balbach from the Levin/Buck Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medical College join the podcas...
May 23, 2023•43 min
Do you ever feel like you can’t simply sit down and do one task uninterrupted? When you sit down to do some work on your laptop, how soon before you check your email unnecessarily, or grab your phone and scroll down Instagram? Or even more basic – when you are doing something for pure pleasure – like reading a book or watching a movie – how long is it before you put the book down or start ignoring the movie in pursuit of some other trivial task? In short, how ‘good’ is your attention span? Dr. G...
May 16, 2023•43 min
Few would admit to regretting their decision to become parents. But that doesn't mean there are not people who do indeed regret the choice to have kids. Is it possible to still love your children while regretting the choice to have had them? Is the admission of regret necessarily a bad thing? Orna Donath, author of Regretting Motherhood, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 09, 2023•56 min
The history of humankind has been contemplated for millennia. How did we come to be the dominant life form on the planet? Many stories have been told over the course of civilization to try and explain our presence on Earth, and in the process, many myths of our ancient past have come to dominate popular thinking. So what remains myth, and what do we actually know about the origins of humankind? And for all of their inaccuracies, why have the myths and stories of our past been so important for hu...
May 02, 2023•32 min
There are certain things that are just ‘knowns’ in the world, preconceptions in the sense that we take particular facts for granted. One such ‘knowns’ in the world is that The Beatles is perhaps the greatest band of all time. But as great as The Beatles were, there have been tons of incredible bands since the 1960s. What differentiates The Beatles? Was their music truly so special to warrant the place they have in our cultural history? Is it possible that The Beatles are overrated? Or do they re...
Apr 25, 2023•45 min
When you think of some of the most brutal 20th century dictators, your mind likely conjures up images of ruthlessness, mass death, and anything associated with evil. And while there is no doubt that these dictators committed evil atrocities that are tough to comprehend, it’s reasonable to wonder, ‘how did such people come to be?’. Is it enough to just say they were inherently evil, or as with most things, is there a larger story to be told? Is there way to understand the actions of these dictato...
Apr 18, 2023•49 min
One of the paradoxes of sex is that while it is so common, it’s something we often feel uncomfortable talking about. Especially when it comes to sexual experimentation, there is a certain stigma that exists. But to an extent, that is changing, as new initiatives are being undertaken to reimagine sex’s place in society. The New Society for Wellness (NSFW), a Sex Club in New York City, seeks to change the way we view sex. NSFW CEO and co-founder Daniel Saynt joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See...
Apr 11, 2023•31 min
For decades, there has been substantial stigma associated with psychedelic drugs. After psychedelics’ association with counterculture in the 1960s, much of the medical research into the therapeutic effects of psychedelics was terminated. But over the last 10-20 years, much of the research into the healing powers of psychedelics has resumed. Stemming from this research, many psychedelics companies have emerged and clinics have opened that offer patients the opportunity to experience the powers of...
Apr 04, 2023•43 min
We learn from an early age that it’s not acceptable to harm others. Many would say it’s something we don’t even need to really learn – that it’s a natural human instinct to not want to cause harm. With that perspective, it’s natural that it would be extremely challenging for people to understand why someone would harm themselves . Why would some voluntarily elect to hurt themselves? Non-suicidal self injury refers to this practice, encompassing the terms self-harm, cutting, and other harmful pra...
Mar 28, 2023•47 min
The Aztec Empire famously fell following the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. Much of what we know about the Aztecs – including their rise, the nature of the empire, and its eventual fall, comes strictly from European accounts. But what did the Aztecs themselves think? The narrative has almost solely been shaped by the European perspective – but how did the Aztecs view the Europeans who eventually conquered them? Professor Camilla Townsend joins the podcast. Camilla's Book - Fifth S...
Mar 21, 2023•46 min
For many years, depression has been treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, better known by its short form, SSRIs. Serotonin, of course, lies at the core of these medications, with the long-held belief that serotonin levels are lower in patients who suffer from depression. But how strong is the correlation between low serotonin levels and depression? Is the neurobiological basis of low serotonin being associated with depression as strong as we think? Some recent research has come o...
Mar 14, 2023•41 min
We are told from a very young age that being honest is a good thing. But most of us don’t really believe that honesty is always the best policy. Most of us allow for exceptions, omissions, and the occasional white lie, if it means sparing someone hurt feelings or avoiding an awkward conversation. Michael Leviton, author of "To Be Honest", spent most of his life not making such exceptions, and being honest to a fault, completely devoted to the truth. He joins the podcast to share the beauties and...
Mar 07, 2023•56 min
