Notes on The American Age - Underdogs and Empires: What Compels Us to Care?

022 - The hosts reflect on podcast episode 213 - “Underdogs and Empires: What Compels Us to Care?” Seph applies the concept of empires and underdogs to conservatives and progressives in light of the recent Supreme decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Travis taps into the renewed sense of hope that sports teams bring with every season.

Notes on The American Age - Intellectual Protagonists and Inspirational Antagonists

021 - The hosts reflect on podcast episode 212 - “Intellectual Protagonists and Inspirational Antagonists.” Seph gets in touch with his intellectual ancestry, and how the writing styles of academics he studied influenced his own methods. Travis discusses the challenges posed when framing past intellectuals in his own thoughts and work.

Notes on The American Age - From Abortion to Beauty Standards

020 - The hosts reflect on their podcast “From Abortion to Beauty Standards.” Steven examines Jordan Perterson’s motivations in the Twitterverse in light of recent mass shootings. Seph deconstructs the “my body my choice” assertion as it pertains to abortion, vaccine mandates and religious beliefs. Travis draws a link between the concept of beauty standards and vaccine mandates through the human desire for certainty.

Notes on The American Age - My Body, My Choice, Except When...

019 - The hosts reflect on their podcast “My Body, My Choice, Except When…” Travis discusses the role of the government in regulating bodily autonomy, and views ongoing outrage over issues such as the Musk Twitter acquisition as a distraction from more important concerns. Steven provides food for thought in the form of questions over issues brought up in the podcast, and compares the statements made by select conservative Supreme Court justices during their confirmation hearings to the leaked draft opinion overruling Roe v. Wade. Seph addresses a challenge Travis posed during their discussion last week.

Notes on The American Age- “Don’t Say Gay” Bills: Representations vs Realities

018 - The hosts reflect on their podcast about “Don’t Say Gay” Bills: Representations vs Realities. Steven reasserts his view of the bill as Trojan Horse perpetrated by the GOP, and examines the notion of “benign intent” within the framework of his own life experiences. Seph mines Google for statistics about sex education in middle schools to see if there’s any justification behind the “moral panic.” Travis clarifies remarks he made regarding the mind body duality in western vs eastern thought, and emphasizes his concern over the implementation of gender affirming medical procedures on adolescents.

Notes on The American Age - Dignity and Violence: Will Smith, Ukraine, and Other Things

017 - The hosts reflect on their podcast about Will Smith, Chris Rock, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Travis taps into Ramakrishna’s teachings as he makes a case for humility and understanding in our fraught community. Seph examines his past experiences with violence, brought to the forefront by the Oscar scandal and events in Ukraine. Steven delves into the unjustified backlash against Jada Pinkett Smith.

Notes on The American Age - Jussie Smollett and the Power of Infamy

016 -
The hosts reflect on their podcast about the Jussie Smollett case. Travis expresses his concerns over the use of racial animus to serve ambition. Steven shares his mystification over what Jussie Smollett’s motivations might have been. Seph mines the Twitter feed to illustrate a point about individual vs group behavior. 

Notes on The American Age - Part 2: Joe Rogan and the Right to Be Wrong

015 - The hosts reflect on part 2 of their podcast on Joe Rogan. Travis discusses why free speech is a fundamental principle of democracy and a spur to personal insight and growth. Seph expresses his desire for a higher level of journalistic integrity from those who have the power through their platforms. Steven shares a story from The Atlantic, in which the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is given a platform to speak for himself.

Notes on The American Age - Part 1: Joe Rogan Says What?

014 - The hosts reflect on the first of a two-part podcast about Joe Rogan. Steven shares his thoughts about online free speech, censorship and gatekeepers; Travis reiterates his defense of free speech in light of YouTube blocking the channel of state-controlled Russian news network RT.

Notes on The American Age - Lizzy: Body Neutrality Over Positivity

013 - The hosts reflect on last week’s conversation about Lizzy. Travis discusses the body as a problem, or riddle, that is exclusively our own to solve. Seph shares a personal anecdote about the notion of self improvement through a sense of lack. Steven talks about how advertising steals our imagination over body image.