Gratitude

218 - The hosts take a break from fretting about the world to discuss the things they’re most grateful for, both personally and historically.

Institutional Trust: Faith vs Naivete

217 - With the country’s long history of injustices, is it naive to have faith in US institutions? Is there reason to believe that democracies yield better results for the people who live in them. The hosts explore these and other aspects of institutional faith and skepticism.

“Elite Capture”: Olúfémi Táíwò and the Politics of Privilege

215 - The hosts discuss the politics of race and privilege in elite discourse. How much should race and gender be weighted when discussing social issues?

Vs, The War of All Against All: Abortion

214 - Steven rejoins the podcast, and the hosts discuss the “vs” mood in US politics. Roe vs Wade vs SCOTUS vs women vs the Bible vs left vs right vs trans-rights vs white men vs...

Underdogs and Empires: What Compels Us to Care?

213 - Seph and Travis discuss underdogs and “evil” empires in sports and celebrity. Steven is off this week.

Intellectual Protagonists and Inspirational Antagonists

212 - The hosts discuss the thinkers who shape their own thinking, both positively and negatively. In sports it’s common to have productive rivalries, and the same is true in the realm of thought.

From Abortion to Beauty Standards

211 - The hosts continue their conversation about abortion and discuss the politics of “principles,” before they move on to Jordan Peterson, and the notion of “objective” beauty standards.

My Body, My Choice, Except When...

210 - The hosts discuss the speculation that Roe v Wade might be overturned. What does “My Body, My Choice” mean in an era of vaccine mandates? What makes government regulation of our bodies permissible in some instances but not others?

“Don’t Say Gay” Bills: Representations vs Realities

209 - The hosts discuss the media’s representations of recent parental rights and transgender sports bills. How much is moral panic? How fair is the coverage? The hosts look at the actual legislation as well as the stories about the legislation.

Dignity and Violence: Will Smith, Ukraine, and Other Things

208 - The hosts discuss the implications of Smith smacking Rock. Is this a further breakdown in our collective civic space, a breakdown amongst elites, or just some a random human event? War and the history of “grooming” are also up for discussion.