My guest this week is Seth Andrews (@SethAndrewsTTA), host of the thinking atheist podcast and author of several books including most recently Christianity Made Me Talk Like an Idiot. We discuss freedom of expression and concerns about woke cancel culture in secular communities. Seth's podcast: https://www.sethandrews.com/ Impossible Conversations episode: https://www.thethinkingatheist.com/podcast-1/episode/79244081/impossible-conversations-the-best-and-worst-of-woke-culture Convocation: Seth A...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep 239•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Martin Rooke (@DrMRooke), a research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School who’s currently studying the evolution of the far-right “cultural collapse” narrative. We compare notes on the role of movement secularism in the recent rise in those narratives. Martin's Substack: https://eftr.substack.com/ The Center for Technology and Social Change: https://shorensteincenter.org/programs/technology-social-change/ Convocation: Kristin Kobes DuMez Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pods: ...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep 238•Transcript available on Metacast My returning guest this week is Chris Kavanagh (@C_Kavanagh), a cultural anthropologist and co-host of the Decoding the Gurus pod. We discuss competing accounts of how to define "religion" and their implications for church and state conflicts. Decoding the Gurus: https://decoding-the-gurus.captivate.fm/ Chris's article about defining religion: https://aeon.co/essays/can-religion-be-based-on-ritual-practice-without-belief Convocation: Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog Music by GW Rodri...
Apr 21, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep 237•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Callie Wright (@calliegetsit). We discuss the recent history of movement secularism and why it's struggling with a reputation issue amongst LGBTQ communities. Callie's podcast: http://www.queersplaining.com/ Convocation: Julian Ayala Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pods: Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/ Filmed Live Musicals Pod: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/thepodcast.html Support us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoid If you enjoy the show, please Like...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep 236•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week are Tom and Cecil of the Cognitive Dissonance podcast (@dissonance_pod). We discuss their new book, The Grand Unified Theory of Bullshit, and how to apply their GUT check approach to reduce our risk of absorbing misinformation. The Grand Unified Theory of Bullshit: https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Unified-Theory-Bullshit/dp/B09TDW7RSR CogDis podcast: https://dissonancepod.com/ Convocation: Frankfurt Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pods: Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.li...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep 235•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Corinna Cohn (@heterodorx), a gender critical activist, self identifying transsexual and cohost of the Heterodorx podcast. We discuss her views on gender and policies regarding bathrooms, sports, and gender affirming care. Heterdorx pod: https://www.heterodorx.com/ Convocation: George Takei Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/ Filmed Live Musicals Pod: https://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/thepodcast.html Support us at Patre...
Mar 24, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep 234•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Hemant Mehta (@hemantmehta), co-host of the Friendly Atheist and host of the friendly atheist youtube channel. Hemant is also a contributor at OnlySky, a news and commentary website aimed at nonbelievers, as well as the author of several books including the Young Atheist’s Survival Guide and I Sold My Soul on eBay. We discuss nonbeliever communities, image problems with movement atheism, and what we should be focused on these days. Hemant's list of links: https://linktr.ee/...
Mar 10, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep 233•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Jeff Sebo (@jeffrsebo), director of the NYU animal studies MA program and author of Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves. We discuss his new book, what sort of progress non-human animal ethics is making and what it means for the rolling crises of COVID and climate change. Jeff's website: https://jeffsebo.net/ Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/saving-animals-saving-ourselves-9780190861018?cc=us&lang=en& Convocation: Jeff Sebo Music...
Mar 03, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 232•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Mike Hall (@mikehall314), co-host of Skeptics with a K and one of the directors of the UK skeptic magazine. We discuss common misconceptions about the placebo effect, the possibility that it's just an artifact of flawed science, and the implications for things like alternative medicine. Skeptics with a K: http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/category/podcast/skeptics-with-a-k/ Convocation: Bruce Lipton Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilo...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 231•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Rochelle DuFord (@rochellehd) assistant professor of philosophy at university of Hartford and author of Solidarity in Conflict. We discuss her new book and the implications for organizing. Solidarity in Conflict: https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=33817&bottom_ref=subject Convocation: Deeyah Khan Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/ Support us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoid If you enjoy the show, please Like and Revie...
Feb 17, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep 230•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is TracingWoodgrains (@tracewoodgrains) editorial assistant for the podcast blocked and reported and an online writer who focuses on education and cultural issues. Tracking article: https://web.archive.org/web/20200102171922/http://slatestarcodex.com/2018/09/04/acc-entry-does-the-education-system-adequately-serve-advanced-students/ Convocation: Kristen Olson Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/ Support us at Patreon.com/Embr...
Feb 11, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep 229•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Jack Symes (@_JackSymes), cohost of the Panpsycast podcast and editor of the new book in the talking about philosophy series, entitled Philosophers on Consciousness. We discuss his new book and the competing views on consciousness presented in the book. Philosophers on Consciousness: https://www.amazon.com/Philosophers-Consciousness-Talking-about-Philosophy/dp/1350190411/ref=asc_df_1350190411/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532655309268&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&am...
Feb 06, 2022•1 hr•Ep 228•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Philipp Markolin (@PhilippMarkolin), a former data analyst at ETH who writes on the role of technology in our epistemic crisis. We discuss why all issues inevitably get co-opted by commenters and what might short circuit the process. Algorithmic curation article: https://protagonist-science.medium.com/85e9cde79189 Convocation: https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2020/10/monster-island-free-speech-experiment/ Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosop...
Jan 28, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep 227•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Charles Boyd (@MinorityOfOne75), a historian, writer, and activist who teaches at Georgia state university and host of the Minority of One podcast. We discuss the chapter from Sowell's Black Rednecks and White Liberals about the history of slavery. The real history of slavery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWrfjUzYvPo Convocation: Sowell Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/ Support us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoid If yo...
Jan 21, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 226•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, assistant professor at Georgetown university pan african community action. We discuss his new book Reconsidering Reparations and the scale of change needed to bring about global justice. Reconsidering Reparations: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/reconsidering-reparations-9780197508893?cc=us&lang=en& Convocation: Cedric Robinson Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/ Support us at Patreon.c...
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep 225•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Heather Redmond Leise, my civics teacher from Atlee High School. We discuss her 2+ decades teaching high school and her experiences with the rise of the CRT moral panic in Virginia. Convocation: Langston Hughes Aaron's non-believer stereotype workshop: https://evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/the-innerwork-center ~winter-spring-2022?attend=id%3A4465&sharer_id=3509&medium=&notes=Listing+Card&remote_id=RSgy Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers i...
Dec 31, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep 224•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Kai Whiting (@KaiWhiting), a researcher on sustainability and stoicism at UC Louvain and the author of Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In. We discuss what skepticism brings to the activism table. Convocation: Seneca Kai's work: https://stoickai.com/ Aaron's non-believer stereotype workshop: https://evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/the-innerwork-center ~winter-spring-2022?attend=id%3A4465&sharer_id=3509&medium=&notes=Listing+Card&remote_i...
Dec 24, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Ep 223•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Brittany Talissa King (@KingTalissa), a freelance writer, journalist, and writing instructor at Indiana University host of American Shade. We discuss black heterodoxy in politics and the work she's doing to provide a genuine perspective at American Shade. Convocation: Brittany Talissa King American Shade: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVlAwsrGCKLA-3pUudSRjQ "Free Black Thought" https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/dubois-washington-black-lives-...
Dec 17, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep 222•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Brandon Bradford (@BrandonLBradfor), a political consultant, ghostwriter, and columnist. We discuss the black conservative economist Thomas Sowell and try to reconcile his actual work with his reputation. Convocation: Thomas Sowell Four types of black conservatives: http://ivoexplains.com/the-four-types-of-black-conservatives/ Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/podcast.html Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling...
Dec 10, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep 221•Transcript available on Metacast My returning guest this week is Rod Graham (@roderickgraham), a YouTuber and writer on Substack. We discuss his recent post “how moral panics help maintain immoral practices” and how progressives can engage with the right without playing into moral panics. Rod's Article: https://rodgraham.substack.com/p/how-moral-panics-help-maintain-immoral Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/podcast.html Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Ph...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep 220•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Krista Thomason (@kkthomason), an associate professor of philosophy at Swarthmore college and Philip Quinn fellow at national humanities center, author of Naked: The Dark Side of Shame and Moral Life and a chapter on online shaming in the Oxford handbook of Digital Ethics. We discuss the potential harms of online shaming and how to criticize while not contributing to the problem. Krista's chapter: https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198857815.001.0001/...
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep 219•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Chris boutté (@TheRewiredSoul), host of The Rewired Soul and author book Canceled: Inside YouTube Cancel Culture. We discuss his experiences with addiction and cancelation and where he's at on the culture war journey. Convocation: Poe Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/podcast.html Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/ Support us at Patreon...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep 218•Transcript available on Metacast My returning guest this week is Toby Buckle, host of the Political Philosophy Podcast (@PolPhilPod) and Editor of the New Book What is Freedom? We discuss the concept of freedom and America's troubled relationship with that concept. What is Freedom?: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/what-is-freedom-9780197572221?cc=us&lang=en& Convocation: Goethe Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/podcast.html Music by G...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Jesse Singal (@jessesingal), cohost of the Blocked and Reported podcast and a contributor New York mag and a range of other places, primarily Substack. We compare two recently published articles on detransition, Turban (2021) and Littman (2021). Article citing Turban (2021): https://fenwayhealth.org/new-study-shows-discrimination-stigma-and-family-pressure-drive-detransition-among-transgender-people/ Turban (2021): https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/lgbt.2020.0437 ...
Oct 25, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Adam Gurri, founder and editor in chief of liberal currents. We discuss why we still identify as liberals, his recent article on cancel culture narratives, and whether those narratives are an unavoidable part of liberal society. The Case Not Made: https://www.liberalcurrents.com/the-case-not-made-a-response-to-anne-applebaums-the-new-puritans/ Convocation: Zizek Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/podcas...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Dr. Michael Grenke, a tutor at St John’s College and author of the introduction to the recently released Warspeak: Nietzsche’s victory over nihilism. We discuss Nietzsche's worldview, the risks and insights in that view, and how we wrestle with nihilism and meaning in the modern world. Warspeak: https://www.amazon.com/Warspeak-Nietzsches-Victory-over-Nihilism/dp/1895131499 Convocation: Nietzsche Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http:/...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is John Cook (@johnfocook), a research fellow at Monash Climate Change Committee Research Hub, author of the book Cranky Uncle Vs. Climate Change and coauthor of The conspiracy Handbook. We discuss the common features of conspiracies and the challenges of applying this analysis in the modern world. Conspiracy handbook: https://www.climatechangecommunication.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ConspiracyTheoryHandbook.pdf Convocation: Christopher Hitchens Editing by Lu Lyons, check ...
Oct 08, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Alex Arnett, a longtime friend of the show who recently did some serious applied effective altruism. We discuss his experience. Live Kidney Donations: https://www.kidneyregistry.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwNWKBhDAARIsAJ8Hkhd-35ozChkW5Wcq_ybNfyO63FsaExgbta4OoiFSrNonLwettyE011kaAgg4EALw_wcB Convocation: William McCaskill Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/podcast.html Music by GW Rodriguez Sibling Pod Philo...
Sep 30, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Alan Levinovitz (@AlanLevinovitz), a professor of religion and science at James Madison University and the author of Natural: How Faith in Nature’s goodness leads to harmful fads, unjust laws, and flawed science. We discuss the role of naturalness in our political debates. Alan's Website: https://www.alanlevinovitz.com/ Convocation: John Burroughs Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http://www.filmedlivemusicals.com/podcast.html Music by...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast My guest this week is Alan Levinovitz (@AlanLevinovitz), a professor of religion and science at James Madison University and the author of Natural: How Faith in Nature’s goodness leads to harmful fads, unjust laws, and flawed science. We discuss the concept of "natural", when it might be useful and how it can cause harm. Alan's Website: https://www.alanlevinovitz.com/ Convocation: Mark Edwards Editing by Lu Lyons, check out her amazing podcast Filmed Live Musicals! http://www.filmedlivemusicals....
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast