Best Simon Carroll Podcasts (2025)

1
The Politics of Andor (Season 2 Episodes 7-9): Truth and Discipline 1:10:58

6m ago1:10:58

1:10:58

It’s the UConn Popcast, and we continue our analysis of Andor season 2 with episodes 7-9. We break down the politics of these episodes, focusing on the question of when in a rebellion must you break cover and insist - publicly - on the truth. We see a second major theme of this arc as discipline. The rebellion is moving from a para-military to a mi…

1
592. The Best of Greg Egan Part 1 (with Anthony Ha) 2:24:07

3d ago2:24:07

2:24:07

Anthony Ha joins us to discuss the first eight stories in the book The Best of Greg Egan, part of the SF Masterworks series of science fiction classics. Stories discussed: "Learning to Be Me" (20:42), "Axiomatic" (44:03), "Appropriate Love" (50:10), "Into Darkness" (1:00:30), "Unstable Orbits in the Space of Lies" (1:14:47), "Closer" (1:26:42), "Ch…

1
Rethinking the Enlightenment | Historian Aviva Chomsy 26:24

22h ago26:24

26:24

The spectre of the Enlightenment What the Enlightenment a net positive or a net negative? Or is that the wrong question, and should we look at it simply as a historical period? Join Professor of History Aviva Chomsky as she dissects one of the most important periods in modern history from the lens of a critical historian. The Enlightenment was not …

1
Ep. No. 195. Cautionary Tales - Is your business legally naked? 15:15

2d ago15:15

15:15

Send us a text Tune in for a “Cautionary Tales" episode! What happens when a business owner passes away without the right legal documents in place? In this episode, we dive into a real-life story that shows how easily a thriving business can be thrown into chaos—and what every business owner needs to do to avoid it. Sources and episode transcript c…

1
The Politics of Andor (Season 2 Episodes 4-6): Too Much Information 55:24

5d ago55:24

55:24

It’s the UConn Popcast, and we continue our analysis of Andor season 2 with episodes 4-6. We break down the politics of these episodes, focusing on the mirrored political challenges faced by figures from the Empire and the Rebellion. We see a big theme of these episodes as “too much information,” as both sides struggle to distinguish friend from fo…

1
Was Karl Marx misunderstood? | Terry Eagleton on the forgotten ideals of Marxism 24:23

9d ago24:23

24:23

Why Marx was right Having fallen out of favour around the turn of the century, Marxism is now back in fashion, often playing the role of an alternative to the increasingly right-wing politics of the modern world. Once the guiding ideology of Korean guerillas and Hampstead screenwriters alike, Marxism is back and taking universities and intellectual…

1
The power and the pitfalls of narrative | Matthew Beaumont, Ruth Padel, and Theodore Dalrymple 42:34

12d ago42:34

42:34

Lost in stories Is life a story or a sequence of events? Our narratives enable us to make sense of the complex, often confusing, world that we live in. And yet there is a risk that rather than helping us to truly understand this world, narratives can hide reality from us, providing delusional states of mind in its place. From witch hunts to cults, …

1
Ep. No. 194. Celebrity Estate Planning - Estate of Sam Simon 15:44

9d ago15:44

15:44

Send us a text Tune in for an episode on “Celebrity Estate Planning" on the estate of Sam Simon, the co-creator of the famous sitcom, The Simpsons. Sam turned his terminal diagnosis into purpose by directing his mega fortune to causes he loved. Discover how his proactive estate planning created a meaningful legacy and why it's never too late to sha…

1
The Politics of Andor (Season 2 Episodes 1-3): The Personal is Political 51:28

13d ago51:28

51:28

It’s the UConn Popcast, and today we react to Andor Season 2, episodes 1-3. We break down the politics of these episodes, focusing on the motives and aims of the rebellion and the Empire. Both sides have major coordination problems in these episodes, although the causes are very different. We explain and analyze the recurrent problems of authoritar…

1
Planetary Boundaries are Non-Negotiable: Kim Stanley Robinson and Elizabeth Carolyn Miller (JP) 50:52

15d ago50:52

50:52

In Season 9, Novel Dialogue set out to find the Venn diagram intersection of tech and fiction—only to realize that Kim Stanley Robinson had staked his claim on the territory decades ago. With influential series on California, on the terraforming of Mars, and on human civilization as reshaped by rising tides, KSR has established a conceptual space a…

1
591. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 3 (with Tom Gerencer) 2:39:59

17d ago2:39:59

2:39:59

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the book The Top of the Volcano: The Award-Winning Stories of Harlan Ellison, which contains 11 stories not included in Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits. Stories discussed: "A Boy and His Dog" (1:39), "The Region Between" (37:12), "Basilisk" (48:29), "Adrift Just Off the Islets of Langerhans: Latitude 38° 54' N, Longi…

1
Reflections on mental health today | Interview | Susie Orbach 23:02

19d ago23:02

23:02

The dark side of 'mental health' with Susie Orbach Why are psychotherapy, psychology, psychoanalysis, therapy so popular today? Do these respond to a new need in our society or are they evolutions of age-old human approaches to resolution and knowing oneself? Join psychotherapist and psychoanalyst (famously Princess Diana's therapist!) Susie Orbach…

1
Ep. No. 193. Current Trends - Future of Medicaid 16:54

16d ago16:54

16:54

Send us a text Tune in for a "Current Trends" episode! As long-term care costs rise and Medicaid budget cuts loom, Medicaid's future is in question. We're breaking down the proposed federal budget cuts, the long-term care crisis, and why this matters to everyone, not just those currently enrolled. Tune in! Sources and an episode transcript can be f…

1
The life and philosophy of Peter Singer | In conversation with Myriam François 25:56

25d ago25:56

25:56

Peter Singer is one of the world's leading philosophers, renowned for his challenging and often controversial views. From animal ethics to effective altruism, Singer has shaped the philosophical landscape. In this episode we uncover the key events in his life that led to his ideas, and hear him answer his critics and defend the convictions that hav…

1
Ep. No. 192. Cautionary Tales - Dodging Tax Traps 15:40

23d ago15:40

15:40

Send us a text Tune in for a “Cautionary Tales" episode! Taxes can be a silent wealth killer—especially if you don’t plan ahead. Whether you’re planning your own estate or advising clients, this episode is packed with valuable insights on gift taxes, estate taxes, and inheritance taxes. Don’t miss this episode, so you make tax-smart decisions. Sour…

1
The price of everything, value of nothing | Politics series | Daniel Susskind, Abby Innes, Will Hutton, Richard Kibble 51:30

30d ago51:30

51:30

Under capitalism, it can be hard to disentangle an idea of 'value' from that which the market sets as 'valuable' - that is to say, expensive items. Is the price mechanism in any way a useful or accurate way of representing value, or are we unable to measure what we really value through it? Join our panel of four diverse social scientists to make se…

1
The crisis of the new | Stanley Fish, Claire Hynes, and Martin Puchner 59:13

1M ago59:13

59:13

Is genuine originality a realistic goal for artists? From fashion to fantasy, entertainment to enterprise, we seek the 'new' as the means to originality, change, and creativity. And for the most part, we imagine the new is always identifiable as a radical break from the past. But the nature of the new is more elusive and unknown than it first appea…

1
Ep. No. 191. Celebrity Estate Planning - Gene Hackman & Betsy Arakawa 19:58

1M ago19:58

19:58

Send us a text Tune in for an episode on “Celebrity Estate Planning" – This episode delves into the complex legal aftermath when Gene Hackman and Betsy Arikawa died in close succession. Discover how this rare timing scenario created a perfect storm from an estate planning perspective. Sources and episode transcript can be found at: https://www.lega…

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590. The Best of Larry Niven Part 1 (with Mercurio D. Rivera) 1:48:40

1M ago1:48:40

1:48:40

Mercurio D. Rivera joins us to discuss the first nine stories in the short story collection The Best of Larry Niven, edited by Jonathan Strahan. Stories discussed: "Becalmed in Hell" (5:10), "Bordered in Black" (17:54), "Neutron Star" (26:35), "The Soft Weapon" (38:16), "The Jigsaw Man" (56:27), "The Deadlier Weapon" (1:02:55), "All the Myriad Ways…

1
Sartre vs Baldwin | Joanna Kavenna, Jonathan Webber, and Marie-Elsa Bragg 44:30

1M ago44:30

44:30

We take it for granted that through language and communication we can learn about the experience of others. But it remains unknown whether we can fully know what it is like to be another human being. James Baldwin and Jean-Paul Sartre take radically different approaches. For Sartre, the experience of others is unknown to us. Fundamentally, we are a…

1
Ep. No. 190. Current Trends - Estate Planning for College Athletes in the NIL Era 16:48

1M ago16:48

16:48

Send us a text Tune in for a "Current Trends" episode! This episode explores why estate planning has become essential for college athletes in the Name, Image, and Likeness ("NIL") era as they now have unprecedented opportunities to monetize their personal brands. Tune in! Sources and an episode transcript can be found at: LegalTeaPodcast.com.…

1
The philosophy of geopolitics SPECIAL | Donald Trump, Homer's Odyssey, and Korean Web Novels 43:55

1M ago43:55

43:55

What do Friedrich Nietzsche, the Korean War, and Homer's Odyssey have in common? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about the history and philosophy of geopolitics, ranging from Nietzsche's impact on Russia's imperialist strategies to the importance of Ancient Greek tragedies during the decline of the West. Written by Slavoj Žižek, John Mil…

1
The philosophy of dehumanisation | David Livingstone Smith 31:21

1M ago31:21

31:21

The philosophy of dehumanisation with David Livingstone Smith In this exclusive interview, philosopher David Livingstone Smith explores the history, nature, and evolution of dehumanisation. As what is 'acceptable' in society changes, so do the tactics of undercover dehumanisation. How can we identify these, and how might we progress? Smith's soluti…

1
Ep. No. 189. Cautionary Tales - Navigating Estate Plans with Estranged Family 16:03

2M ago16:03

16:03

Send us a text Tune in for a “Cautionary Tales" episode! Many individuals struggle with fractured family relationships, and some become completely estranged from relatives. This episode explores a cautionary tale of someone who died without establishing an estate plan. As a result, their assets were distributed to estranged family members with whom…

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589. Dune Prophecy Season 1 Review (with Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, Rajan Khanna) 1:37:16

2M ago1:37:16

1:37:16

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss Season 1 of the HBO series Dune: Prophecy, a prequel set 10,000 years before the events of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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Consciousness is quantum mechanical | Stuart Hameroff 30:10

2M ago30:10

30:10

Consciousness is one of the most fundamental aspects of our existence, but it remains barely understood, even defined. Across the world scholars of many disciplines - philosophy, science, social science, theology - are joined on a quest to understand this phenomenon. Tune into one of the more original and controversial thinkers at the forefront of …

1
Ep. No. 188. Celebrity Estate Planning - Family Feuds & Fast Cars (Estates of Carroll Shelby and Dale Earnhardt) 14:31

2M ago14:31

14:31

Send us a text Tune in for an episode on “Celebrity Estate Planning" – In honor of the fast-approaching Indianapolis 500 (since this podcast is based out of Indiana!), this episode dives into what happened following the deaths of racing powerhouses, Carroll Shelby and Dale Earnhardt. Sources and episode transcript can be found at: https://www.legal…

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Defending panpsychism | Philosophers Philip Goff and Hilary Lawson 25:37

2M ago25:37

25:37

Metaphysics vs consciousness Panpsychism has recently become something of a household term in philosophical and scientific conversations alike. Deceivingly simple, it defends the view that consciousness is the primary 'stuff' of reality, and that all things have mind-like qualities. Join philosopher Philip Goff, one of the world's leading defenders…

1
588. The Urth of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe Book Club (with James Wynn, Craig Brewer) 1:27:33

2M ago1:27:33

1:27:33

James Wynn and Craig Brewer, hosts of the ReReading Wolfe podcast, join us to discuss Gene Wolfe’s classic novel The Urth of the New Sun, a sequel to The Book of the New Sun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy David Barr Kirtley

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Consciousness beyond the brain | Rupert Sheldrake 31:25

2M ago31:25

31:25

Re-thinking the limits of the mind Most scientists think that consciousness is created by the brain. After all, most assume consciousness vanishes if the brain is destroyed. But what if this consensus view is radically mistaken? Join distinguished scientist Rupert Sheldrake as he argues that the mind extends beyond the brain and explores the radica…

1
Ep. No. 187. Current Trends - O.J. Simpson’s Assets: The Final Verdict 16:54

2M ago16:54

16:54

Send us a text Tune in for a "Current Trends" episode! You may have recently watched a new documentary on Netflix called "American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson." In it, a member of the Goldman Family mentioned O.J. "hiding and protecting assets" - which seemed like an interesting topic to dive into on this podcast. Tune in! Sources and an episode transcri…

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Communication(s) is Key - Jas Corbett (Manta Trust & Wildscape Productions) 1:35:10

2M ago1:35:10

1:35:10

Welcome to Season 3 of Wild and Unprotected!! In this episode of Wild and Unprotected, host Ethan Leaman welcomes Jas Corbett, the media and communications manager for the Manta Trust. They discuss Jas's journey in conservation, the importance of media in engaging the public, and the challenges faced by women in conservation. The conversation highl…

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The consciousness test | Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson 50:19

2M ago50:19

50:19

The consciousness test Could an artificial intelligence be capable of genuine conscious experience? Coming from a range of different scientific and philosophical perspectives, Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson dive deep into the question of whether artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT could one day become self…

1
Ep. No. 186. Cautionary Tales - Gifting Assets: Smart Move or a Mistake? 18:22

2M ago18:22

18:22

Send us a text Tune in for a “Cautionary Tales" episode! To gift or not to gift, that is the question! This week's episode discusses the common scenarios where people and families choose to gift assets and money to children and loved ones, then discusses the possible implications to also consider (when gifting). Sources and episode transcript can b…

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Longtermism SPECIAL: The next stage of effective altruism 33:04

2M ago33:04

33:04

Should we sacrifice the present for a better future? Join the team at the IAI for three articles about effective altruism, longtermism, and the complex evolution of moral thought. Written by William MacAskill, James W. Lenman, and Ben Chugg, these three articles pick apart the ethical movement started by Peter Singer, analysing its strengths and we…

1
The lure of Lucifer | Terry Eagleton, Susan Neiman, and Stephen de Wijze 37:22

2M ago37:22

37:22

Why do we love evil? We may condemn tyrants and abhor serial killers, but we are obsessed with evil and violence. Our news and our entertainment focus on such material. Are we fascinated by evil, violent characters because they make life more exciting? Or because they express our true nature? Should we look to end this morbid obsession, or accept i…

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Ep. No. 185. Celebrity Estate Planning - Matthew Perry 15:24

3M ago15:24

15:24

Send us a text Tune in for an episode on “Celebrity Estate Planning" – this episode dives into what happened following the death of the well-known "Friends" actor, Matthew Perry. Sources and episode transcript can be found at: https://www.legalteapodcast.com/podcast.By Legal Tea

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587. Movie Review: Dark City, Strange Days, The Thirteenth Floor, Looker, Alphaville 1:51:20

3M ago1:51:20

1:51:20

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the science fiction noir movies Dark City, Strange Days, The Thirteenth Floor, Looker, and Alphaville. Time stamps: Dark City (3:25), Strange Days (28:55), The Thirteenth Floor (48:19), Looker (1:00:43), Alphaville (1:16:19). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho…

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The relationship between morality and power | Philosophers Tommy Curry, Michael Huemer, Melis Erdur 1:04:21

3M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Morality and prejudice Is there such a thing as morality? And, if so, can we know what it is and act on it? Or is morality rather a shield for the powerful and a defence of their interest? The answer may have life-changing consequences... Join a heated debate between three philosophers with three different perspectives on the meaning of morality an…

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Ep. No. 184. Current Trends - Senior Co-Housing: Living like the Golden Girls! 16:44

3M ago16:44

16:44

Send us a text Tune in for a "Current Trends" episode! Senior co-housing is on the rise! What is it? Well, think of the Golden Girls! On this week's episode, we talk about what senior co-housing is, as well as the financial and legal considerations to it. Sources and an episode transcript can be found at: LegalTeaPodcast.com.…

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Humans are not morally superior | Alex O'Connor 27:57

3M ago27:57

27:57

Humans are not morally superior Is the meat industry a monstrous tyrant? Join YouTuber Alex O'Connor for a thought-provoking talk on the ethics, or lack thereof, of eating meat. From a horrifying look at the practices of the meat industry to provocative analogies and compelling arguments, Alex doesn't hold back as he holds up a mirror to our modern…

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Is morality human? | Peter Singer, Slavoj Žižek, Nancy Sherman 53:18

3M ago53:18

53:18

Humanity and the gods of nature Do animals and nature have an ethical life of their own? Must, or should, we extend our morality to non-human entities, or are their limits to notions of ethics? Tune in to hear three world-famous philosophers on ethical issues discuss these questions from their different perspectives: Peter Singer has made a name fo…

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Ep. No. 183. Cautionary Tales - Farmland Transfer ... Gone Wrong! 14:14

3M ago14:14

14:14

Send us a text Tune in for a “Cautionary Tales" episode! This week's episode dives into a story where a family learned the hard way that assets like houses and land (called "real property") operate a bit differently when people pass away. Sometimes, mistakes happen - that family members have to clean up, decades later. Sources and episode transcrip…

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586. Harlan Ellison's Greatest Hits Part 2 (with Tom Gerencer) 1:58:04

3M ago1:58:04

1:58:04

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the second half of the new short story collection Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits, edited by J. Michael Straczynski. Stories discussed: "On the Downhill Side" (2:34), "Paladin of the Lost Hour" (12:00), "The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World" (30:08), "I'm Looking for Kadak" (39:10), "How Interesting:…

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Nietzsche on overcoming nihilism | Philosopher Babette Babich 18:03

3M ago18:03

18:03

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Do life's struggles make the search for meaning a hopeless endeavour? Join renowned, continental philosopher Babette Babich as she explains the Nietzschean path to finding purpose, arguing that we must embrace all elements of life - good and bad - in our search for a meani…

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Badiucao and Mellissa Chan, "You Must Take Part in Revolution" (Street Noise Books, 2024) 50:04

3M ago50:04

50:04

You Must Take Part In Revolution is a mind-bending graphic novel by award-winning journalist Melissa Chan and acclaimed dissident artist Badiucao. A near-future dystopia in the vein of George Orwell's Animal's Farm, the book explores technology, authoritarian government, and the lengths to which one will go in the fight for freedom. Three idealisti…

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Ep. No. 182. Celebrity Estate Planning - Anthony Bourdain 14:28

3M ago14:28

14:28

Send us a text Tune in for an episode on “Celebrity Estate Planning" – this episode dives into what happened following the death of the well-known chef and cultural ambassador, Anthony Bourdain. Sources and episode transcript can be found at: https://www.legalteapodcast.com/podcast.By Legal Tea

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Ancient Philosophy SPECIAL | Plato's Gymnasium, Celebrity Messiahs, and Bronze Age Economics 31:27

3M ago31:27

31:27

What can ancient philosophers teach you about exercise, economics, and the myth of celebrity? Join the team at the IAI for three articles about life, ideas, and status in ancient Greece. Written by Etienne Helmer, Steve Fuller, and Sabrina B. Little, these articles cover a range of thought-provoking concepts, including; why Plato wants you to go fo…

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Passion in ancient philosophy and religion | Former Archbishop Rowan Williams 36:07

3M ago36:07

36:07

What both religion and stoicism misunderstood Philosophy and religion appear alternatively dry and ascetic. But is that our misunderstanding? What role do the passions play in our intellectual and mystical life? Can it ever be removed? Join former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (a deeply thoughtful theologian, writer, and poet) as he faces…

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Ep. No. 181. Current Trends - Blood Money: Menendez Brothers’ Inheritances 14:55

3M ago14:55

14:55

Send us a text Tune in for a "Current Trends" episode! This episode is about the well-known Menendez Brothers, Lyle and Erik, who murdered their parents in 1989. Throughout the trials, there have been estate-related mumblings about their motive (financial and inheritance) and how they spent money after their parents' deaths. Sources and episode tra…

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