Best Bryan Rucker Podcasts (2025)

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200 CIGARETTES with Bryan Rucker! 1:07:54

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14d ago1:07:54

1:07:54

It's the New Year's Eve movie everyone's heard about, but no one has seen. Until now! Our Holi-gay's Jubilee ends with a bang as we smoke 200 CIGARETTES with John's smoking hot husband, Bryan Rucker!!! (Goop Yourself, podcast) Follow Bryan on Twitter & Instagram: @ruckerbry Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens Follow Mark on Letterbox:…

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EMMET OTTER'S JUGBAND CHRISTMAS with Mitch Silpa! 1:25:05

2h ago1:25:05

1:25:05

It's "A Merry Musical Treat For The Whole Family!" but what kind of family are we talking about? We're talking about EMMET OTTER'S JUGBAND CHRISTMAS! and our guest is bound to be up your persuasion! It's actor/writer/director Mitch Silpa! ("All Rise," "Spy," "Bridesmaids," and a series of videos called Two Old Queens!) Follow Mitch on Twitter: @mit…

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ALL I WANT IS CHRISTMAS a.k.a. IRA FINKLESTEIN'S CHRISTMAS a.k.a. SWITCH-MAS with Gilli Nissum! 1:29:06

7d ago1:29:06

1:29:06

Jingle all the Oy Vey! Is it called ALL I WANT IS CHRISTMAS? IRA FINKLESTEIN'S CRISTMAS? Or SWITCH-MAS? Helping us unwrap this conundrum, and have a little bonus Diana/Spencer talk, is actor/writer Gilli Nissum! ("The Other Two," "We're Gross!") Follow Gilli on Twitter and Instagram: @time2getgill Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens F…

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Why liberalism has failed | John Gray on civilisation, morality, and the illusion of progress 36:18

9d ago36:18

36:18

Why is the world moving away from liberalism and towards conservatism? One of Britain’s most provocative thinkers, John Gray is a political philosopher known for dismantling liberalism and exposing the illusions of human progress. Former Professor of European Thought at the London School of Economics, Gray has challenged orthodoxy across the politi…

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Analytic or Continental philosophy | Christoph Schuringa, Genia Schönbaumsfeld, Babette Babich 49:07

16d ago49:07

49:07

The future of European thought What is analytic philosophy and what is continental philosophy? And, perhaps most importantly, does this distinction make any sense? The division between these two branches has divided Western philosophy for decades now, with the Anglo-Saxon world largely associated with the analytical school, and the European contine…

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How Words Warp Reality | Nick Enfield 32:53

21d ago32:53

32:53

Language shapes how we think, remember, and reason. But does it help us to uncover the fundamental nature of reality? Join the author of Language vs. Reality and linguistic anthropologist, Nick Enfield, as he explores why language excels at persuasion but falters at faithfully representing reality. From media spin to courtroom rhetoric, he reveals …

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DOUBLE HOLIDAY with Jennie Pierson! 1:27:57

21d ago1:27:57

1:27:57

It's Christmas! It's Hanukkah! How can we handed off of these presents? Speaking of gifts, our guest is the delightful and multi-talented Jennie Peirson! The Holi-gay Jubilee continues with DOUBLE HOLIDAY! Follow Jennie on Twitter: @jenniepie Follow Jennie on Instagram: @jenniebeep Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens Follow Mark on Le…

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Consciousness and psychedelics: In conversation with Rupert Sheldrake 31:33

27d ago31:33

31:33

Philosophers cannot stop talking about consciousness - what are its limits? What is it made of? What does it allow us? This podcast is part of that conversation, but from a more experimental perspective. Join biologist and researcher Rupert Sheldrake as he discusses consciousness with philosopher Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes from the lens of psychedelics.…

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JINGLE ALL THE WAY with Olivia Norman! 1:09:22

28d ago1:09:22

1:09:22

"Two Dads, One Toy, No Prisoners." This was not the movie we wanted it to be. But our guest this week is everything we've ever wanted! It wouldn't be a Two Old Queens Holi-gay Jubilee without her, we're talking with Olivia Norman! Follow Olivia on Instagram: @oliviasnownorman Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens Follow Mark on Letterbo…

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The philosophy of religion and love with Alain de Botton and Alex O'Connor 26:11

1M ago26:11

26:11

Why we worship without knowing it What should be included within the remit of philosophy? Religion? Love? Hair? Join well-known public speakers and writers Alain de Botton and Alex O'Connor as they talk through what philosophy can offer us, why we should study love, and what the role of religion is in philosophy and in our lives. See Privacy Policy…

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DEATH SPA with Ryan Stanger! 1:56:10

1M ago1:56:10

1:56:10

"Strange things are a brewing at the local gym!" Are we talking about the steam room, because that's not strange! Grab your water bottles and towels because this week we've got a day pass to DEATH SPA! Joining us is everyone's favorite coach, Ryan Stanger! Follow Ryan on Twitter & Instagram: @stonestanger Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOld…

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FUNNY LADY with Jimmy Ray Bennett! 1:30:03

1M ago1:30:03

1:30:03

"Streisand and Caan - How Lucky Can You Get!" Mark's lucky this isn't part of a trilogy! This week we're closing the loop on the Streisand Funny-verse with FUNNY LADY! Joining us is actor and and fan favorite, Jimmy Ray Bennett! Follow Jimmy on Instagram: @jimmyraybennett Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens Follow Mark on Letterbox: @…

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Mazes of the mind: The philosophy of neuroscience | Iain McGilchrist, Colin Blakemore, Bryan Appleyard 47:58

1M ago47:58

47:58

Over the past decades, neuroscience has blossomed, positioning itself as a kind of master discipline over everything else. For who understands the brain surely understands all of human activity and creation? Or not? Neuroscience's reach has extended past its scientific remit and into the world of philosophy and its major questions. What is a human?…

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In search of nothing | David Deutsch, Amanda Gefter, Lee Smolin 1:00:17

2M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

What is nothing? Can it be defined, either philosophically or scientifically? Or will the exploration of nothing bring, ultimately, to nothing? The philosophical exploration of nothingness is an ancient one, from the mysterious number zero through theological understandings of the absence of God right to modern physics and ideas of the void. Join l…

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THE INVITATION with Jim Penola! 1:27:24

2M ago1:27:24

1:27:24

"There is nothing to be afraid of!" I hope you've RSVP'd because you've been invited to THE INVITATION! And our plus one for this party is none other than writer, producer, and host of the podcast An Invitation to THE INVITATION, Jim Penola! Follow Jim on Twitter & Instagram: @jimpenola Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens Follow Mark …

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Halloween SPECIAL | The philosophy of the apocalypse 44:25

2M ago44:25

44:25

Why are we fascinated by apocalyptic stories? Join the team at the IAI for a reading of four Halloween-themed articles, written by historian and philosopher Natalie Lawrence, professor of political philosophy Matthew Festenstein, and professor of comparative literature Florian Mussgnug. From the allure of the end times to the symbolic value of mons…

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CHILD'S PLAY (2019) with Erin Whitehead! 1:27:05

2M ago1:27:05

1:27:05

Friends to the End! We've reached the end of our search for the gayest movie in the Child's Play franchise with CHILD'S PLAY (2019) and we've got one of our dearest friend's to help us talk about it! We're talking with writer, performer, and Wild Horse: Erin Whitehead! Follow Erin on Twitter and Instagram: @girlwithatail Follow us on Twitter and In…

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The importance of giving up | Adam Phillips 27:14

2M ago27:14

27:14

Einstein was called “slow” at school, J. K. Rowling collected a dozen rejections, and Walt Disney was once fired for “lacking imagination.” We love stories of perseverance—but what’s the cost of never letting go? In this conversation, psychoanalyst Adam Phillips argues that our obsession with endurance can have hidden, corrosive effects. He invites…

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CULT OF CHUCKY with Connor Shin! 1:13:19

2M ago1:13:19

1:13:19

"You may feel a little prick!" Okay, we're interested! We continue our search for the gayest movie in the Child's Play franchise with CULT OF CHUCKY! Joining us is one of our friend's to the end, a writer, who's dealing with the sniffles, it's Connor Shin! ("Harley Quinn," "Fairfax") Follow Connor on Twitter: @thatconnieshin Follow Connor on Instag…

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Slavoj Žižek on philosophy today | The madness of reality 38:03

2M ago38:03

38:03

Slavoj Žižek is back in a new interview where he takes us through his thoughts on the role of philosophy, the future of sex, his fear and love of AI and, as always, so much more. Tune in to hear one of contemporary philosophy's most original and darkly comedic minds expose his thoughts on the present and where we are heading - though that is imposs…

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CURSE OF CHUCKY with Kristen Rozanski! 1:11:44

2M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Fear has a new home, and we love the architecture! Our search for the gayest movie in the Child's Play franchise continues with CURSE OF CHUCKY! Be afraid. Be effing afraid, because we're talking with actor and comedian Kristen Rozanski! ("Adam Ruins Everything," "Scilicon Valley," "black-ish") Follow Kristen on Twitter and Instagram: @kristenrozan…

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How to fathom timelessness | Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes 31:23

2M ago31:23

31:23

What should time mean to us? Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes is a philosopher of mind who specialises in the thought of Alfred North Whitehead, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Benedict de Spinoza, and in fields pertaining to panpsychism and altered states of mind. In this talk, he combines insights from psychedelic experiences with an intriguing view put forward by…

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After postmodernism | Hilary Lawson, Robin van den Akker, Abby Innes, Sophie Scott-Brown 47:13

3M ago47:13

47:13

Hugely influential in the latter decades of the 20th century, postmodernism transformed many academic disciplines and culture at large. Associated with an attack on objective truth and the uniqueness of meaning, it called into question the whole edifice of knowledge which Western culture had previously glorified. But it left many lost, and in the w…

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SEED OF CHUCKY with Joan Ford! 1:04:59

3M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Deliver Us Some Evil! We're getting a load of Chucky as we continue our search for the gayest movie in the Child's Play franchise with SEED OF CHUCKY! It's time to raise some hell with comedian and writer Joan Ford! ("ThunderCats Roar!" "This Day in Useless Celebrity History," "Tiny Toons Looniversity") Follow Joan on Twitter and Instagram: @joanha…

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The language of the unconscious: Pyschoanalysis and AI | Alenka Zupančič 29:46

3M ago29:46

29:46

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BRIDE OF CHUCKY with Betsy Sodaro! 1:19:49

3M ago1:19:49

1:19:49

Here comes the bride... there goes everyone else. We're continuing our search for the gayest movie in the Child's Play franchise. Our "plus one" is your favorite and ours, Betsy Sodaro! ("Golden Arm," "Duncanville," podcasts: @funnyfeelingpod and @welovetrashpod) Follow Betsy on Instagram: @betsysodaro Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQue…

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The Enlightenment is racist (and why) | Kehinde Andrews 20:38

3M ago20:38

20:38

The Enlightenment has faced a lot of criticism in recent years - its defenders and detractors often come head to head, scrambling to articulate its ultimate value or lack thereof to contemporary society. This podcast contributes to this wider debate and question facing all those interested in philosophy and politics: Are Enlightenment ideas salvage…

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CATCHIN' UP: Sept '22! 1:28:23

3M ago1:28:23

1:28:23

This week John and Mark are catching up! Indulging in a little self-care, talking about what they've been watching, and just catchin' up! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens Follow Mark on Letterbox: @markrennie Email us: [email protected] WE'VE GOT MERCH! CAN YOU IMAGINE? Click on this link! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/two-…

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CHILD'S PLAY 3 with Steve Szlaga! 1:08:31

3M ago1:08:31

1:08:31

There comes a time to put away childhood things. But some things just won't stay put! We're continuing our search for the gayest movie in the Child's Play franchise. Joining us to talk CHILD'S PLAY 3 is actor and writer STEVE SZLAGA (co-host of the podcast: Why Do You Know That?) Follow Steve on Twitter: @steveszlaga Follow Steve on Instagram: @szz…

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CHILD'S PLAY 2 with Justin Michael! 1:12:57

3M ago1:12:57

1:12:57

"In 1988, He startled us with a frightening vision. Then, he was destroyed and left for dead. Now, he's about to be reborn." We're continuing our search for the gayest movie in the Child's Play franchise. Joining us to talk CHILD'S PLAY 2 is actor and writer JUSTIN MICHAEL ("Infinity Train," FX's "Cake," podcast: Nature Talks to Itself) Follow Just…

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

3M 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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Psychedelics and the structure of reality | Julian Baggini, Eileen Hall, and James Rucker 46:51

3M 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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CHILD'S PLAY with Mano Agapion! 56:46

4M ago56:46

56:46

"When people have nightmares they dream of Freddy. When Freddy has nightmares he dreams of Chucky." And that's why we're starting our second year of Patreon by asking the question: "What's the gayest movie in the Child's Play franchise?" We're starting at the beginning because as that icon of horror Julie Andrews always says, "It's a very good plac…

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

4M 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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CATCHIN' UP: June '22: SAUSAGE FACTORY! 1:01:19

4M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

We're letting you inside our closet to see how the sausage is made! John & Mark are revamping their scoring system and in this episode you get to listen to them fight it out as categories go from the cannon, bonus, the wheel, etc! Welcome to the sausage factory, dear listeners! Pick up John's book, Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Comedy: https:/…

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

4M 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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Will psychedelics revolutionize mental health treatment? | Matthew Johnson, Shayla Love, and Kevin Sabet 49:34

4M 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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THREE AMIGOS! with Rachel Van Nes! 1:34:25

4M ago1:34:25

1:34:25

"They're Down On Their Luck And Up To Their Necks In Senoritas, Margaritas, Banditos And Bullets!" Sounds like a pretty fun weekend to us! Saddle up boys, because we're headed to Mexico to talk THREE AMIGOS with a delightful señorita known as comedian/writer/artist Rachel Van Nes! (McSweeneys, New Yorker, Reductress) Follow Rachel on Twitter & Inst…

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

4M 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 limits of nothingness | Peter van Inwagen 27:44

4M 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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THE WATERMELON WOMAN with Kale Hills! 1:14:59

4M ago1:14:59

1:14:59

It's the first feature film directed by a black lesbian filmmaker! What took us so long! This week we're looking at the iconic landmark in "New Queer Cinema," THE WATERMELON WOMAN! And speaking of iconic landmarks in new queer cinema, our guest this week is actor/comedian Kale Hills! (Adam Ruins Everything, Scare Package, College Humor, UCB) Follow…

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MANHUNTER with Dave Horwitz! 1:29:40

4M ago1:29:40

1:29:40

"Hannibal Lecter's legacy of evil begins here!" We love an origin story! With a name like MANHUNTER, it's got to be pretty gay, right? Joining us on the hunt is writer/comedian Dave Horwitz! (Rick & Morty, My Little Pony: Pony Life & Make Your Mark) Follow Dave on Twitter: @Dave_Horwitz Follow Dave on TikTok: @incrediblynormalguy Pick up John's boo…

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

4M 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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SPEED! with Erin Whitehead! 1:41:57

5M ago1:41:57

1:41:57

"Get ready for rush hour!" And for once, we don't mean poppers! Grab your bus pass because we're talking SPEED with actress/comedian Erin Whitehead! (Wild Horses!) Follow Erin on Twitter & Instagram: @girlwithatail Pick up John's book, Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Comedy: https://amzn.to/3tUbvOM For autographed copies: https://www.johnflynnco…

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

5M 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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CATCHIN' UP: July '22! 1:10:29

5M ago1:10:29

1:10:29

This week John and Mark are catching up! Indulging in a little self-care, talking about what they've been watching, and just catchin' up! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens Follow Mark on Letterbox: @markrennie Email us: [email protected] WE'VE GOT MERCH! CAN YOU IMAGINE? Click on this link! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/two-…

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SHAUN OF THE DEAD with James Mastraieni! 1:39:47

5M ago1:39:47

1:39:47

"In a time of crisis a hero must rise...from his sofa." Happy 4/20 everyone! To celebrate we're talking SHAUN OF THE DEAD, and joining us on our sofa is James Mastraieni! Follow James on Twitter & Instagram: @jmazz1111 Pick up Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Comedy: https://amzn.to/3tUbvOM For autographed copies: https://www.johnflynncomedian.co…

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

5M 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

5M 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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A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN with Raiza Licea! 1:29:47

5M ago1:29:47

1:29:47

This summer, Tom Hanks and the Rockford Peaches prove that a woman's place is at home...first, second & third. Batter up! This week we're heading to the dugout as we talk about A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN! And our visiting player is actor/comedian/baller Raiza Licia! (Spanish Aqui Presents, Hacks) Follow Nina on Twitter and Instagram: @raizalicea Follow …