Recent Episodes

The Scandalous Truth about Memoir

May 24, 2026

A memoir is a personal narrative written about a pivotal time in the author’s life. While the story is told from a particular perspective, the events recounted are supposed to be fact, not fiction. But what exactly counts as truth in memoir? Is the distinction…

Nonduality and the Oneness of Being

December 10, 2023

Some branches of Hindu philosophy propose that reality is nondual in nature. Such schools of thought—called advaita schools, from…

Ensō circle, symbolizing nonduality and oneness.

Microaggressions

November 26, 2023

Microaggressions are small comments or questions that may be insulting or hurtful to another person…

Two young men stand before a whiteboard listing various ethnicities, pondering questions of identity and microaggressions.

Your Brain on Literature

November 12, 2023

Cognitive science has revolutionized our understanding of the brain and how it functions. Researchers have…

Human brain resting on a stack of books. Your brain on literature.

What Is Masculinity?

September 24, 2023

Strong, in control, and stoic—these are traits of the ideal masculine man. Men who fail…

Red utility cover on asphalt with pink markings; lyrics "I'm a man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so

Summer Reading List 2023

September 3, 2023

What books should thoughtful people read this summer? Josh and Ray talk to the authors…

Person relaxing on a beach, reading a book from their 2023 summer reading list.

Hegel

August 27, 2023

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel is without doubt one of the most influential philosophers of all…

Black and white portrait of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a prominent German philosopher.

What Has Replaced Freud?

August 6, 2023

Although the concept that we can have thoughts and desires hidden from consciousness can be…

Figurines depicting a doctor examining a patient, possibly illustrating a shift in psychological treatment beyond Freudian methods.

The 2023 Dionysus Awards

July 30, 2023

What movies of the past year challenged your assumptions and made you think about things…

2023 Dionysus Awards: Gold statuette

The Arts For All?

July 16, 2023

When we think of “real” art, we often think of expensive, highbrow pieces that are…

Arts For All logo: theatre masks, musical note, dancer, paintbrush

Democracy By Numbers

July 2, 2023

The United States prides itself on being “the world’s greatest democracy,” which adheres to the…

US map composed of dots, text overlay: ONE PERSON ONE VOTE. Illustrates democracy by numbers.

The Rhetoric of Big Tech

June 11, 2023

Big tech is known for its “disruption” of established industries and changing fundamental aspects of…

Word cloud showing "Google," "content," "search," "algorithm," and other SEO keywords.

Minds and Matter

June 4, 2023

Everything that seems to have a mind also has a body made of flesh and blood. But…

A translucent octopus on the ocean floor. Its mind is a mystery.

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