Recent Episodes

Crisis and Creativity in Mayan Mythology

July 12, 2026

The Popol Vuh, written in 1702, was based on a Mayan oral tradition encompassing creation myths, history, and cosmology. These stories were written in a time of crisis: European colonialism had decimated the Mayan population and destroyed much of their cultural knowledge. How do stories…

Emma Goldman

July 5, 2026

Activist and anarchist philosopher Emma Goldman fought for human liberation in every realm of life.…

Black and white portrait of Emma Goldman, famed anarchist and writer.

Summer Reading List 2026

June 28, 2026

The Philosophers talk to the authors of recent and forthcoming books that speak to our…

Stack of books, coffee, and flowers on a table, perfect for summer reading.

Jean-Paul Sartre

June 21, 2026

Jean-Paul Sartre was one of the first global public intellectuals, famous for his popular existentialist…

Jean-Paul Sartre, renowned philosopher, in a thoughtful pose.

What Is Gender?

June 14, 2026

Gender is a controversial topic these days, but people can’t seem to agree about what…

Gradient-colored figures representing diverse genders.

Dostoevsky and Doubting Faith

May 17, 2026

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky was a practicing Christian, and his writings often feature characters who…

Portrait of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Russian novelist, author of works exploring faith.

Elizabeth Anscombe

May 10, 2026

Elizabeth Anscombe made hugely influential contributions to contemporary action theory, moral theory, and philosophy of…

Black and white portrait of philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe.

Marx and Morality

May 3, 2026

Karl Marx famously attempted to explain our social, political, and economic systems in terms of…

Karl Marx, philosopher and economist, in a formal portrait.

Marcus Aurelius

April 26, 2026

Marcus Aurelius was a 2nd century Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. He is most famous…

Bronze bust of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius

Hobbes and the Ideal Citizen

April 5, 2026

Seventeenth century philosopher Thomas Hobbes believed that without government to control our worst impulses, life…

Colossal figure of a king, holding a sword and scepter, overlooking a city; illustrating Hobbes' concept of the ideal citizen.

Nísia Floresta

March 22, 2026

Nísia Floresta was a 19th-century writer and translator known as “the Brazilian Mary Wollstonecraft.” She…

Portrait of Nísia Floresta, a Brazilian writer and feminist.

Now Offering Institutional Subscriptions to the Philosophy Talk Archive!

Subscribe to Philosophy Talk

As a member, you’ll gain access to hundreds of engaging episodes, exclusive content, and the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community of curious minds.
Headphones