These Days - podcast cover

These Days

Dimitri Gatsiounisdimitrigats.com
These Days is a podcast about exactly that. And these days we’re in need of something different. We’re in need of a space in which to challenge ideas, to have an honest exchange and the connection that comes from that. Some episodes will be solo missions, and some will be discussions—with figures from the arts, media, politics, psychology and philosophy, science, tech, sports… you get the idea. In each, we'll be aiming for something vital. These Days… join us.
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Episodes

Orioles: Nails in the Coffin

After two straight losses coming out of the All-Star break and news of another injury to a starting pitcher, the Orioles have moved into the category of unequivocal sellers. What pieces will GM Mike Elias look to shop, and what will he be looking for in return? Always more at dimitrigats.com

Jul 22, 20256 min

Our AI Scourge

As AI companies use us, the users, for beta testing of their dangerous and dubious tech we'd do well to ask: What the hell are we doing? Always more at dimitrigats.com

Jul 16, 20257 min

Donald Trump and Christianity's Gamble

Facing declining numbers, the Christian religion in the U.S. has found an odd bedfellow in Donald Trump, who operates for many Christians in this phone-infected age like a virtual messiah. While this pairing makes political sense, it comes at great cost, diminishing the church's already compromised moral standing. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Jul 10, 20258 min

Dogs: Roger and Me—a Tragedy

A recent morning in the field left my beloved dog and me traumatized. A report on the incident itself and some hope for recovery. A link to an article, with a photo of Roger (at top): https://dimitrigatstherapy.com/what-dogs-teach-us-about-ourselves/ Always more at dimitrigats.com

Jul 03, 202510 min

Orioles: Trade Deadline: Buy, Sell or...?

With his team 12 games out of first and seven back in the Wild Card standings, yet still highly talented, Orioles GM Mike Elias faces a tough decision during this trade deadline. Will he buy, sell—or do a bit of both? Always more at dimitrigats.com

Jun 30, 20256 min

It's Our Phones, Stupid (Plus Thoughts on Juneteenth)

Few would question the chronic dysfunction and unease of our world. As we search for causes we'd do well to look beyond the demons of Trump and wokeism to the thing that helped spawn those things in the first place: our phones. Simply put, they're killing us, and the worst may be yet to come. Also, some quick thoughts on Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Jun 23, 20258 min

Orioles: on GM Mike Elias

Since the firing of field manager Brandon Hyde, Orioles fans and national media have been calling for the firing of O's top exec Mike Elias. Why this represents a new level of absurdity, and what makes Elias, despite the recent struggles of the team, one of the best GM's in the game. -------- Jason La Canforna's reckless comments on Foul Territory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5m37k9BRWI&list=PL84SPahB55MVtqigbT0CkufwE3zy0-HNc&index=5&t=2504s Always more at dimitrigats.com...

May 21, 202512 min

Pete Rose to the Hall of Fame?

What Major League Baseball's most recent decision on Pete Rose might tell us about ourselves. Always more at dimitrigats.com

May 19, 20256 min

The NBA on ESPN

ESPN's coverage of Draymond Green's latest on-court outburst and Pat Riley's desire for a humble alpha in Miami reveal a culture of denial at the network. -------- Kendrick Perkins's comments on Pat Riley: https://youtu.be/pqtkpeL-GN8?si=Nb-bchaywscYv2MP Draymond Green's latest drama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1pZtJxS3Y0 Always more at dimitrigats.com...

May 14, 202514 min

A Mother's Day Surprise, plus the Orioles live in Anaheim

A lifelong love for the game of baseball began young, when my mother took my twin and I to Orioles games in Baltimore. This Mother's Day, it turns out, was a perfect time to return the favor. Always more at dimitrigats.com

May 12, 20257 min

Trump's First 100 Days and Political Pathology

After the first 100 days of Trump's second term, his fulsome supporters, much like the woke, reflect a pathological splitting within our national psyche. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Apr 30, 202513 min

Election Reflection: A Crisis Within

The election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump wasn't so much a competition as it was a drubbing. And while much attention, and even hysteria, shift to Trump, this belies a deepening crisis within the American Left. The problem is there's been an almost pathological resistance to looking within and asking the hard questions of what's gone wrong. Here are some places to start. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Nov 07, 202410 min

Orioles: A Season Lost, Plus What's to Come

The Baltimore Orioles, a talent-laden World Series contender at pre-season, were swept out of the playoffs for the second year running. What went wrong? And what's likely to come? A quick but deep dive on the future World Series champs. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Oct 08, 202416 min

On Jordan Peterson and Puff Daddy

Jordan Peterson's endorsement of Donald Trump raises questions about the media commentator, not because he endorsed Trump per se, but because of how his reasoning seems so obviously to have left him in the process. It's fair to ask: Has the Jordan Peterson bubble burst? .... Plus, what does the Sean Combs saga tell us about us, hip-hop and our dissociations? LINKS: Peterson's viral interview with a hostile Cathy Newman Peterson "psychoanalyzes" candidates on Piers Morgan. Trump's PA grocery stor...

Sep 30, 202425 min

Tyreek Hill's Example

The detainment of Tyreek Hill, despite the protests of Hill and his lawyers, is a textbook example of what not to do when pulled over by police—regardless of skin color. LINKS: Flex Your Rights video on "10 Rules for Dealing with Police." Always more at dimitrigats.com

Sep 16, 20249 min

Harris/Trump Debate

Observations from the first (and only?) Presidential Debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Sep 11, 202412 min

Kamala Harris and a Fawning Media

In the weeks since Kamala Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee, much media coverage has been deeply uncritical of the first black female presidential candidate. What does this portend about the discourse we're willing to have about this woman, plus potential others, at this crucial time? Always more at dimitrigats.com

Aug 13, 20249 min

Dogs: On and Off Leash

Some notes from training my dog including why "I don't do on-leash dog greetings," what it means for my dog to "heel," and prerequisites for a happy life playing free with other dogs. Blog entry mentioned in the broadcast. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Apr 23, 202413 min

Death Knell of the Social Justice Movement?

The social justice movement's apparent disregard for the plight of raped and tortured Israeli victims has put its moral ineptitude on full display. Its hypocrisy and selective ethics, particularly in the areas of race and gender that it holds so dear, are now a part of the historical record, but perhaps nowhere more powerfully than here. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Dec 09, 20238 min

Israel's War and Its Long Game

Israel has declared war on Hamas, the militant group responsible for sending thousands of rockets onto Israeli soil over the weekend. Meanwhile Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "turn them into rubble." But military decimation at the hands of Israel could come at a cost, namely Israel's standing in the world and therefore its own long-term peace and security. Thomas L. Friedman's article , referenced in the broadcast. Always more at dimitrigats.com...

Oct 09, 20238 min

Biden's About-Face on Immigration

Reeling from an immigration crisis that could have been prevented, the Biden Administration, in a stunning reversal, announced plans to build a border wall. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Oct 06, 202312 min

Orioles: Rewriting the Script

The splendid performance of this year's Baltimore Orioles isn't just a heartwarming underdog story. It's also a massive rewriting of how baseball teams will look to achieve success in the future. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Sep 30, 202318 min

Orioles: AL East Division Champs

In achieving their first 100-plus win season since 1980, the Baltimore Orioles are now also AL East Champs. What's scary for the competition is they're just getting started. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Sep 29, 202316 min

Orioles: Here's to You Brooksy Robinson

Orioles legend and baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson left behind a singular legacy on the baseball diamond, and well beyond, due in no small measure to his other pursuit: kindness, pure kindness. Link to piece referenced in today's podcast: https://www.masnsports.com/blog/fans-around-birdland-reflect-on-the-loss-of-a-legend Always more at dimitrigats.com...

Sep 27, 20235 min

Megan Rapinoe and the End of an Era

The divisive USWNT winger/midfielder who routinely took a knee and even referred to herself as "a walking protest" has finally retired. Some parting thoughts. Link to Rapinoe on Roe v. Wade decision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vKxVoodnRk Always more at dimitrigats.com

Sep 25, 20237 min

Trump: the Clearest Reason to Say No

A recent poll has Biden and Trump neck and neck at 46 percent each. For those still on the fence, there's a clear-cut reason to steadfastly deny him a second term. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Sep 20, 20236 min

What People Want From Therapy

People come into therapy seeking a cure for what ails them: anxiety, stress, depression, addiction, grief and loss, issues related to sex, relationships, career and money, and so on. But deep down they're often seeking something more. Always more at dimitrigats.com

Sep 13, 20239 min

Orioles: Humbling the Yankees

The Baltimore Orioles sit atop the AL East and are on pace to win 101 games. The New York Yankees meanwhile sit in last place, 17.5 games back, routinely outsmarted, outflanked and outplayed by the upstart O's. With a bloated payroll, a 21st-ranked farm system and a dearth of talent in that system, the road back to relevance for the Yankees may not (much to my delight) be an easy one. Jeffrey Maier incident: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVNlvnsQ828&t=183s MLB 2023 Payrolls: https://www.sp...

Sep 04, 202315 min

Last Thoughts on Bob Dylan

What started out as an obsession for Bob Dylan when I was 15 evolved into something more. In early work Dylan spoke of the dangers of the world out there but he later showed me that the greatest dangers were internal. By holding a mirror to my darkness, rage and fear he let me know I was not alone. My bond to him is now more aptly a love story—yet like any love story it's complicated. (Music for this episode provided by Paul Weinfield .) Always more at dimitrigats.com...

Aug 29, 202316 min
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