Best Alex Webber Podcasts (2025)

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The struggle for the good life | Massimo Pigliucci on ancient philosophy for the modern era 29:29

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4m ago29:29

29:29

We all want to live the good life. But how many of us can claim to be truly content? Join philosopher and evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci as he argues that pleasure, character, and a healthy dose of doubt, form the basis of the good life, and that purpose in life is crucial to realising our potential. Massimo Pigliucci is a renowned philos…

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Hangover Sessions 330 Ft. A Farewell Device ~ September 14th 2025 2:00:01

3h ago2:00:01

2:00:01

The 330th episode features Justin Vanegas under the guise of A Farewell Device, following on from the release of his new EP ~ Before Daylight, which came out in mid-August 2025. Tune in to hear Justin talking about all of his current/parallel music projects, life as an open mic host and so much more! Also, don't forget to follow A Farewell Device, …

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Psychedelics and the structure of reality | Julian Baggini, Eileen Hall, and James Rucker 46:51

4d ago46:51

46:51

Truth, delusion and psychedelic reality Do psychedelics reveal hidden layers of reality, or are we simply tripping? Psychedelics are back in the cultural zeitgeist, this time as a treatment for mental health issues. However, critics argue that psychedelics only work by replacing mental illness with a distorted view of reality - but, is this an accu…

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Urban Meyer: Selfless Teams [Glue Guys Classic] 1:04:50

44m ago1:04:50

1:04:50

Teams that gel. It’s every leader’s ambition. And legendary college football coach ⁠Urban Meyer⁠’s specialty. His approach earned him 17 championship titles, 3 perfect seasons, 5x coach of the year, and one of the most winning records in history (187-32). What does it take to go from a collection of players to a winning institution? Alex and Coach …

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The unconscious mind: Is the unsconcious real? 48:58

7d ago48:58

48:58

The unconscious has become a well-known feature of our human lived experience since Freud. We often refer to unwanted impulses, suppressed thoughts, unconscious desires, and the like. But what IS the unconscious? Is it just an easy excuse for our behaviour? Or is it a necessary piece of what it means to be human? Join our diverse and rich panel as …

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Susan Li - Meta's CFO on Building a Fast Learning Culture - [Glue Guys, EP.53] 1:23:38

5d ago1:23:38

1:23:38

Meta CFO Susan Li joins Glue Guys to share her incredible journey from an immigrant to becoming one of the youngest Fortune 100 CFOs. Susan discusses joining Facebook in 2008 when it had only 400 employees and was smaller than MySpace, her unique childhood experiences, and the sacrifices her parents made coming to America. She reveals insights abou…

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A landscape of consciousness | Robert Lawrence Kuhn and Hilary Lawson 41:19

14d ago41:19

41:19

Will we ever reach a conclusive, agreed-upon theory of consciousness? Over the millennia of recorded history, countless stories, theories, and arguments have emerged to explain the origins of consciousness. And yet, here we are in 2025 - post-Plato, post-Descartes, post-scientific revolution - and still we don't understand the phenomenon of conscio…

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Hangover Sessions 329 Ft. Sean Forth ~ August 31st 2025 2:00:00

10d ago2:00:00

2:00:00

The 329th episode of Hangover Sessions features the talented Mr Sean Forth, who joins us after from the mystic Santa Cruz mountains! Sean Forth is a singer-songwriter from the Bay Area CA, who started his musical journey in 2014, forming the Oakland Ca. based garage rock-boogie band, "The Skookum Brothers" along side his three older brothers. Tune …

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Will psychedelics revolutionize mental health treatment? | Matthew Johnson, Shayla Love, and Kevin Sabet 49:34

18d ago49:34

49:34

The psychedelic revolution Will LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine treatments live up to the hype? For decades, psychedelics were derided as dangerous recreational drugs; now many claim they have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of mental health. With hundreds of clinical trials now taking place, the psychedelic therapeutic market is p…

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Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal - The Obsessive Craftsmanship Behind Acquired - [Glue Guys, EP.52] 1:24:33

16d ago1:24:33

1:24:33

Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, hosts of the mega-hit podcast Acquired, join Glue Guys to share their incredible journey from side hobby to multi-million dollar business. They reveal how they've doubled their audience every year for 10 years through organic growth and discuss their intense research process. The duo opens up about David's leap from…

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The illusion of separation | Jessica Frazier on the Monism of Hindu philosophy 24:39

21d ago24:39

24:39

Indian philosophy and the search for unity In our everyday lives we act as though we are all separate individuals, but is this really the case? Jessica Frazer argues that reality is ultimately unified, and that this shift in perspective can change the way we live our lives. It can help you lose your isolated ego and escape feelings of alienation fr…

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The Competitor's Paradox - [Glue Guys, EP.51] 58:36

19d ago58:36

58:36

Alex Smith, Shane Battier, and Ravi Gupta dive deep into Scottie Scheffler's controversial "What's the point?" press conference before the British Open. The world's #1 golfer questioned his purpose despite dominating the sport, sparking debates about competition, family priorities, and what drives elite performers. The guys explore how Scheffler's …

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The limits of nothingness | Peter van Inwagen 27:44

27d ago27:44

27:44

From philosophy to science, metaphysics to psychology, the idea of 'nothing' is central to the universe, existence and experience as a whole. But the nature of 'nothing' is even more bewildering than we might first imagine. Parmenides argued that non-being is impossible because thinking about nothing is still something. Join philosopher Peter van I…

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Hangover Sessions 328 Ft. The Tiny Musician ~ August 17th 2025 2:00:01

23d ago2:00:01

2:00:01

This 328th episode features The Tiny Musician aka. Joana Carvalhas, who joins us for a full 2-hr session, intertwined with her desert island discs compilation and several of her unique originals (associated videos also below). Follow The Tiny Musician @ TheTinyMusician.com Instagram @The.Tiny.Musician YouTube @The.Tiny.Musician & More! Here are the…

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Earning the Right to Take Risks - [Glue Guys, EP.50] 58:54

26d ago58:54

58:54

Shane Battier and Ravi Gupta dive deep into the art of risk-taking. They explore when to "swing big" versus playing it safe, drawing from Shane's NBA career and Ravi's venture capital experience. The duo discusses earning the right to take risks, avoiding financial and opportunity ruin, and why standing pat can sometimes be the riskiest move of all…

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Is free will an illusion? The chemistry of freedom | Patrick Haggard, George Ellis, Jennifer Hornsby 40:10

1M ago40:10

40:10

The question of free will - and whether we have it or not - is age-old across philosophy, religion, and human thought in general. Having free will allows us to have meaning, responsibility, reward and punishment. Yet discoveries in neuroscience have put our ability to choose, outside of a set of neuronal reactions, in question. Do we have free will…

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Steve Kerr - Leadership Lessons From a Glue Guy Career - [Glue Guys, EP.49] 1:07:20

1M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr joins the Glue Guys for a conversation about leadership, mindset, and championship culture. With nine championship rings (five as a player, four as a coach), Kerr shares intimate stories about playing with Michael Jordan and coaching Steph Curry, the mental strategies that helped him overcome anxiety, and…

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Has the world gone to Hell? | Slavoj Žižek on fascism, shame, and dirty jokes 41:11

1M ago41:11

41:11

Žižek: "Trump did what The Left couldn't" As we look around at the state of the modern world, it's very easy to get disheartened - and that's putting it lightly! From pointless wars and endless suffering to the decline of social bonds and trustworthy institutions, there really is a lot to get you down. Fortunately, maverick philosopher Slavoj Žižek…

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Hangover Sessions 327 Ft. The Leafs ~ August 3rd 2025 2:00:01

1M ago2:00:01

2:00:01

The 327th Hangover Sessions features a debut performance by The Leafs! The Leafs comprise 4 friendly fellas, going by the names of Donovan, Jason, Lliam & Michael, all but one of whom joined me in the barn studio to talk music and perform some originals and a cover song, LIVE. The Leafs are regulars on the SF band circuit, and I've had the fortune …

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Mandell Crawley - From Chicago's West Side to Morgan Stanley's C-Suite - [Glue Guys, EP.48] 1:04:21

1M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Mandell Crawley, Chief Client Officer at Morgan Stanley, shares his extraordinary journey from growing up on Chicago's west side to the C-suite of Morgan Stanley. After losing his mother at age 2 and father at 17, Mandell was raised by his grandparents who instilled values of faith, education, and resilience. Mandell discusses vulnerability as a su…

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Video games and the meaning of life | James Tartaglia 27:49

2M ago27:49

27:49

Video games are changing how we think. Many are so realistic that some argue they are becoming reality. In this talk by philosopher James Tartaglia, he uncovers the relationship between games and reality. James Tartaglia is Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at Keele University. His latest book is Inner Space Philosophy: Why the Next Stage of Hum…

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The philosophy of literature SPECIAL | George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Aldous Huxley, and more 44:01

2M ago44:01

44:01

How literature helps us to understand morality, totalitarian politics, and the life of Jesus Christ. Join the team at the IAI for four articles about great, classic literature, covering world-renowned authors such as George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Clarice Lispector, to name but a few. These articles were written by Michael Marder, Emrah Atasoy, …

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Fidji Simo: Meta, Instacart, & OpenAI journey [Glue Guys Classic] 1:07:56

2M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

From a family of fishermen in southern France to CEO of Instacart – ⁠Fidji Simo⁠'s path breaks every convention. After becoming her family's first high school graduate and attending France's leading university, she rose to lead the Facebook app before taking the helm at Instacart. She shares how she ‘finds the magic’ in people while delivering incr…

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How other species challenge our idea of consciousness | Peter Godfrey-Smith 21:13

2M ago21:13

21:13

In this IAI Studio interview, philosopher and science writer Peter Godfrey-Smith explores the evolution of consciousness and the enduring mystery of the mind–body problem. Drawing on his work with octopuses and other animals, he argues that consciousness emerged gradually through increasingly complex forms of sensory-motor interaction, rather than …

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Hangover Sessions 326 Ft. David Colón ~ July 20th 2025 2:00:01

2M ago2:00:01

2:00:01

The 326th Hangover Sessions features the return of the multi-talented Mr David Colón! Tune in to hear David talking about his adventures since we last chatted on the show almost a decade ago (when he lived in the SF Bay Area), including his new life in Seattle, a life-affirming post-burning man incident, several original song performances and of co…

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Chris Webber - Building a Legacy - [Glue Guys, EP. 47] 27:21

2M ago27:21

27:21

In this episode of Glue Guys, NBA Hall-of-Famer Chris Webber talks about building a legacy that outlasts stats or fame. Webber opens up about the moment he realized it was bigger than basketball—and why culture, teamwork, and humility define true success.The guys talk about the feeling of getting drafted #1 overall, passing on the mantle to younger…

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Utopia and human nature | Paul Bloom 27:15

2M ago27:15

27:15

Human nature and the possibility of utopia The idea of utopia - of a perfect society devoid of suffering and inequality - is planted firmly in the human imagination and psyche. From pre-biblical times to Thomas More and communism and beyond, widely disparate groups have attempted to plan or create a utopia. But is it achievable? And if not, why not…

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More choice means less freedom | Psychologist Barry Schwartz 18:32

2M ago18:32

18:32

Why more is less We're surrounded by choice - an endless sea of possible paths we might take. However, does the overwhelming range of choices leave us better off or worse? In general, we tend to think that more is better, but Barry Schwartz, author of the ground-breaking book 'The Paradox of Choice', argues that this view is mistaken. More can lead…

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Dawn Staley - The Championship Mindset - [Glue Guys, EP.46] 58:22

2M ago58:22

58:22

Dawn Staley joins the Glue Guys to discuss her incredible journey from North Philadelphia to becoming one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. The three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time national champion opens up about her new book, sharing insights on leadership, dealing with modern parenting challenges, and build…

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The limits of logic: Should we embrace the irrational? |Iain McGilchrist, Beatrix Campbell, Simon Blackburn 43:28

2M ago43:28

43:28

Our culture prizes logic and rationality, if not above all else, as two of the most fundamental social traits. But are we missing out by overlooking the irrational? Can logic explain everything, or what is it missing? And is it possible to live (and enjoy) a life led by logic? Logic, in philosophy and beyond, seems to always to be self-evidently ri…

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The "Learn Fast" Philosophy Used by Elite Teams - [Glue Guys, EP.45] 1:01:19

2M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

The Glue Guys dive deep into Mark Zuckerberg's philosophy of "learning faster than anyone else" and how it applies beyond tech. They explore the differences between innovation in football vs. basketball, discussing how roster flexibility affects a team's ability to adapt quickly. Alex shares powerful insights from his injury recovery, revealing how…

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Consciousness begins in the body | Antonio Damasio 30:56

3M ago30:56

30:56

We tend to believe consciousness is purely mental. And since Descartes' "I think therefore I am", we've privileged the mind as the centrepiece of thought and consciousness. But such a view is mistaken argues award-winning neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. Feelings, long dismissed as secondary to thinking, are where consciousness begins, and are deepl…

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The Selfish and The Selfless SPECIAL | JD Vance, Pope Francis, and the 10 Commandments 45:09

3M ago45:09

45:09

What can JD Vance's arguments with Pope Francis teach us about selfishness, altruism, and the morality of the modern world? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about egoism, self-sacrifice, and everything in between, analysing a range of subjects, including: Friedrich Nietzsche and his rivalry with former maestro Arthur Schopenhauer; the 10 …

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Seth Wickersham - Inside the Elite Quarterback Mind - [Glue Guys, EP.44] 1:04:07

3M ago1:04:07

1:04:07

ESPN's Seth Wickersham joins Glue Guys to discuss his new book "American Kings" - a deep dive into the unique world of NFL quarterbacks. From Tom Brady's self-affirmations to the Manning family's approach with Arch, Wickersham explores what makes quarterbacks different from every other position. The conversation covers quarterback parenting, the pr…

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Being mindful in a mindless world | Ellen Langer 22:46

3M ago22:46

22:46

The mindful body with Ellen Langer Can mindfulness be contagious? Ellen Langer's research certainly seems to suggest that's the case. As Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and the author of 'The Mindful Body', Ellen has racked up decades of experience and numerous awards during her investigations into the impact of mindful living. In thi…

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Hangover Sessions 325 Ft. Clementine Darling ~ June 22nd 2025 2:00:01

3M ago2:00:01

2:00:01

The 325th episode of the show features the Lovely Clementine Darling, an Americana Folk Singer-Songwriter with her heels dug deep in San Francisco Bay Area’s music scene. Originally from Seattle, Washington, Darling busked her way down the West Coast in 2010, on a road trip that led her to put down roots in Sonoma County, California! We gave Clemen…

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The beautiful in philosophy | Babette Babich, Paul Ernest, Ankhi Mukherjee, Sarah Wilson 42:00

3M ago42:00

42:00

The good, the bad, and the beautiful What is beauty? Why are we so drawn to it? And should we be - or is it a distraction? The philosophy of aesthetics and beauty has a long and fascinating history. Over the millennia, while we mostly agree on the essential nature of this ephemeral thing, "beauty", we disagree on the reasons why it is important, on…

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David Anderson - From NFL Slot Receiver to Sports Data Revolutionary - [Glue Guys, EP.43] 1:15:52

3M ago1:15:52

1:15:52

Former NFL slot receiver David Anderson joins Alex Smith, Shane Battier, and Ravi Gupta to discuss his journey from Colorado State to six NFL seasons, and his transition into sports data analytics. Anderson shares insights on the mental toughness required to play slot receiver, the physicality of professional football, and his work with Second Spec…

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A world without values | Janne Teller, Dale Turner, Robin van den Akker, Isabel Hilton 44:37

3M ago44:37

44:37

Once values such as justice and equality were agreed upon by all. Now they are identified by some as vehicles to entrench or overturn power. On the left, 'justice' as a means to sustain and impose privilege, 'truth' as an attempt to claim enduring authority. On the right, 'diversity' and 'equality' as means to undermine the status quo in favour of …

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Eli Manning - Pressure, Leadership & Showing Up - [Glue Guys, EP.41] 1:01:42

3M ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Former Giants QB Eli Manning joins Alex, Shane, and Ravi for an incredible conversation about fatherhood, pressure, and leadership. Eli opens up about growing up as Archie Manning's son, dealing with New York media expectations, and his approach to parenting his own kids. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from his Super Bowl runs, the emotional e…

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The Mercenary Dilemma - [Glue Guys, EP.42] 1:13:57

3M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

In this episode of Glue Guys, former NFL QB Alex Smith, former NBA player Shane Battier, and venture capitalist Ravi Gupta dive into the fascinating dynamics of loyalty versus transactionalism in sports and business. They explore what it means for an athlete to identify with a single city, debate the merits of "mercenary" players who chase champion…

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The challenge to optimism | Angus Deaton 21:34

3M ago21:34

21:34

The economy is a vital part of the way we understand our lives and our politics more generally. But after years of growth, development, and progress, on the surface everything is rosy. But as Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton argues, behind the big picture many people have been left behind by the modern economy, and this is precisely because of the blind…

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Hangover Sessions 324 Ft. Scarth Locke ~ June 8th 2025 50:24

3M ago50:24

50:24

The 324th episode features a grand friend of the show and yet another outstandingly talented SF Bay Area artist; Mr Scarth Locke! Join us for a full 2-hour interview, featuring a bunch of live Scarth performances, intertwined amongst an exquisite desert island discs playlist chosen by Scarth himself! Keep up with all of Scarth's latest music @ http…

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Searching for the purpose of life |Babette Babich, Frank Tallis, Jonathan Webber, Sandra Laugier 45:53

4M ago45:53

45:53

The journey in search of the destination Does life have a purpose? Is that what gives life meaning? Or is it the journey that matters the most? Join our four speakers - Nietzschean philosopher Babette Babich, clinical psychologist Frank Tallis, existentialist philosopher Jonathan Webber, and linguist philosopher Sandra Laugier - as they explore the…

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Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap | Babette Babich 24:19

4M ago24:19

24:19

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Babette Babich discusses Nietzsche, the importance of tragedy, and the danger of technology interfering with our judgement. Babette Babich is a world renowned Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University in New York. In this in-depth interview, she looks to Nietzsche's Bi…

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Pablo Torre - Finding Your Voice in Sports Media - [Glue Guys, EP.40] 1:12:05

3M ago1:12:05

1:12:05

ESPN journalist Pablo Torre joins Shane Battier, Alex Smith, and Ravi Gupta for a thought-provoking conversation about sports media's evolution. Pablo shares his journey from aspiring lawyer to acclaimed sports journalist, discussing how he found his authentic voice in media. The group explores the changing landscape of sports journalism, balancing…

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Hangover Sessions 323 Ft. Abbii Grace ~ May 25th 2025 2:00:01

4M ago2:00:01

2:00:01

For this session, I had the fortune of inviting Abbii Grace and her dear friend Meagan to the studio to jam on some of Abbii's glorious original tracks. Abbii also hails from the SF Bay Area and joins us in-studio from 54 minutes onward into this, the 323rd Hangover Session! Follow Abbii @ LinkTr.ee/AbbiiGrace…

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The Parent Trap - [Glue Guys, EP.39] 1:01:01

4M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

The Glue Guys dive into parenthood and what it means to be a good person while raising children. They discuss whether becoming a parent brings out the best or worst in people, how they handle their kids' aspirations, and what single trait they hope their children develop. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check ou…

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The philosophy of fun | Myriam François, Freya India, James Tartaglia 50:35

4M ago50:35

50:35

The essential philosophy of fun Do we need to have fun or is it an unnecessary excess? Are we living in an age of fun's decline, what with the moralism and strictures of Gen Z, or is there something else going on? On this panel, our three guests - philosopher James Tartaglia, film-maker Myriam François, and writer Freya India - dive into the idea o…

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Neoliberalism: A Soviet nightmare | Abby Innes 31:25

4M ago31:25

31:25

There is an old Soviet joke, ‘Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is its exact opposite.’ On the surface, neoliberalism, with its emphasis on free markets, competition and privatisation, is as far removed as possible from the Soviet Union. But behind the policies, could they be guided by the same false utopianism? Abby Innes, pr…