Best J. K. Rowling Podcasts (2025)

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#1012 - Alex O’Connor & Joe Folley - Is Being Smart Worth the Depression? 1:58:56

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5h ago1:58:56

1:58:56

Alex O’Connor is a YouTuber, writer and a podcaster. Joe Folley is a philosopher, writer, and host of the Unsolicited Advice YouTube channel. Philosophy has spent thousands of years trying to teach us how to live well. But the deeper you go, the darker it gets. So what’s the point? What can we take from all that heaviness—and how do we find beauty …

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Setting the Stage (Tea Leaves S1 E3) | Aftermath at the Hut on the Rock, Traveling to the Leaky Cauldron and going through Diagon Alley, Harry learns about his past 33:00

17h ago33:00

33:00

Send us a text In this episode, we discuss Harry's journey from the hut on the rock and his introduction into the wizarding world. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 1:19 Recap and opening with the hut on the rock. We should see a little bit of what the Dursleys think about this revelation. Petunia always wanted to hear this for her, so how does this show wi…

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#1011 - Eliezer Yudkowsky - Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All 1:37:08

2d ago1:37:08

1:37:08

Eliezer Yudkowsky is an AI researcher, decision theorist, and founder of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute. Is AI our greatest hope or our final mistake? For all its promise to revolutionize human life, there’s a growing fear that artificial intelligence could end it altogether. How grounded are these fears, how close are we to losing con…

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#1010 - Bernie Sanders - Who Actually Runs the US Government? 1:09:03

4d ago1:09:03

1:09:03

Bernie Sanders is a US Senator, former presidential candidate, political activist and an author. What happened to the Democratic Party? After a brutal defeat to Trump in 2024, the Left looks lost, divided, leaderless, and unsure of its future. Bernie Sanders breaks down what went wrong, how Democrats are trying to recover, and whether they’ve learn…

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214. Spacebook Relationship Status (TOS 2.01) 53:25

2d ago53:25

53:25

It's wedding season! Anika and Liz are looking at some of Star Trek's key wedding episodes, beginning with the one that launched season 2 of The Original Series and rewrote a lot of people's brain chemistry: "Amok Time". And in typical "Antimatter Pod does it Antimatter Pod's way" fashion, we're gonna talk about ... how great it is for the Spock/Ch…

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#1009 - Bugzy Malone - Harsh Lessons in Unorthodox Strategy 2:31:35

7d ago2:31:35

2:31:35

Bugzy Malone is a British rapper, actor, and entrepreneur from Manchester, England. From gang life to greatness, Bugzy Malone’s rise is a story of struggle, survival, and self-belief. As one of the most defining voices in UK rap, his journey is equal parts pain and power. Expect to learn why being a role model takes it’s toll on some people, the li…

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The Dursley's 1% | What does that small percentage look like, Does their relationship get better or worse over time, This is a relationship for a more mature audience 30:52

8d ago30:52

30:52

Send us a text In this episode we discuss what seeing a glimpse of affection for Harry from the Dursleys would do for the story. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 1:54 What is the 1% difference? It’s that little moment where we see the Dursleys for real. It could be a simple look or a complete scene. No matter how it’s delivered, we should see that just may…

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#1008 - Angelo Somers - Why Life Feels So Pointless (and what to do) 2:13:25

9d ago2:13:25

2:13:25

Angelo Somers is a content creator, YouTuber, and author. Why does life sometimes feel like it’s lost its meaning? Everyone hits moments where optimism fades and the world starts to look a little darker. You’re not broken for feeling that way; it happens to the best of us. But why does this quiet pessimism seem to be growing, and how do we find our…

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#1007 - Dr K HealthyGamer - The Toxic Fuel That’s Destroying Your Motivation 2:53:41

11d ago2:53:41

2:53:41

Dr K is a psychiatrist, Harvard Medical School instructor, co-founder of Healthy GamerGG, Twitch streamer and a YouTuber. Why are we driven by what destroys us? Using anger or jealousy can spark our motivation, but when it goes too far, it consumes us. What are healthier ways to stay motivated, and how do we find peace instead of pressure Expect to…

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#1006 - Chris Bumstead - Life After Olympia: Fatherhood, TRT & Finding Purpose 2:00:05

14d ago2:00:05

2:00:05

Chris Bumstead is a professional bodybuilder, 6x Mr. Olympia Classic Physique title holder, and a business owner. From 6× Mr. Olympia to full-time business owner and stay-at-home dad, it’s safe to say Chris Bumstead’s been enjoying retired life. So what’s he been up to this past year, what’s changed most for him, and what’s he looking forward to ne…

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The Journey Begins (Tea Leaves Season 1 Episode 2) | Dursleys finding Harry, Growing up with Muggles, Going to the Hut on the Rock 33:04

11d ago33:04

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Send us a text In this episode, we design the second episode of the first season of our Tea Leaves series. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 1:48 Recap of Season 1, Episode 1 · 3:55 We open with Vernon and Petunia finding Harry. They make the decision to keep them in, and I want to see what they were thinking when making that choice. Harry is their family, …

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#1005 - Warren Smith - J.K. Rowling & The Cost of Speaking Freely 1:15:28

16d ago1:15:28

1:15:28

Warren Smith is a filmmaker, educator, and host of the “Secret Scholar Society” YouTube channel. If freedom of speech can be shouted down, does it really exist? When every debate turns into partisan noise, what does honest discourse even look like? If we can’t talk about our problems without resorting to anger or violence, how can we ever solve the…

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#1004 - Sam Corcos - Inside DOGE, The IRS & How to Scam the US Government 2:56:09

18d ago2:56:09

2:56:09

Sam Corcos is an entrepreneur, CEO of Levels, and a special advisor to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). What’s really happening inside the U.S. government? For the first time, a DOGE insider exposes the chaos, corruption, and dysfunction plaguing Washington. How did America’s most powerful system lose its way, and can we climb out of…

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#1003 - Konstantin Kisin - The Forces Behind Britain's Downfall 2:17:56

21d ago2:17:56

2:17:56

Konstantin Kisin is a podcaster, a speaker and an author. Is the UK facing its breaking point? Once the world’s greatest empire, the UK now finds itself engulfed in political chaos and cultural upheaval. From leadership crises to deep divisions, what’s really happening on the front lines, and can Britain be saved from itself? Expect to learn why th…

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NEW SERIES Tea Leaves: Season 1, Episode 1 | Lily and James at Hogwarts to Dumbledore leaving Harry with the Dursleys 33:27

18d ago33:27

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Send us a text In this episode, we begin a new series called Tea Leaves where we will design each and every episode of the Harry Potter TV before they are announced. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 3:06 We open in Hogwarts. But not in Harry’s time, but Lily and James’. We will get to see the Marauders, Snape, and Lily and James in their youth and watch th…

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#1002 - Andrew Doyle - Political Violence & The Lunatics of Your Own Side 2:33:01

23d ago2:33:01

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Andrew Doyle is Titania McGrath, host of GB News, a comedian and a writer. The world has shifted dramatically over the past few years, and the pace of change has only accelerated in recent months. Ideas that once lived outside the mainstream have quickly entered the Overton Window, while others have been pushed out. So what does the future hold for…

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#1001 - Ryan Holiday - Stoicism’s Lessons on Becoming Wise 1:52:43

25d ago1:52:43

1:52:43

Ryan Holiday is a podcaster, marketer and an author.If intelligence were enough, the smartest among us would also be the wisest. Yet time and again, they stumble over life’s simplest lessons. Wisdom isn’t about knowing more; it’s about seeing deeper. So how do we shed the illusion of being ‘smart,’ and actually grow into wisdom?Expect to learn what…

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#1000 - Matthew McConaughey - The Art of Living a Courageous Life 1:58:00

28d ago1:58:00

1:58:00

Matthew McConaughey is an Academy Award-winning actor, producer and an author. Expect to learn why Matthew says life often “rhymes”, why it’s okay if you do everything right and still not get the result you want, how Matthew views the role courage plays in his life, how to learn to deal with failure, the difference between a nice guy and a good man…

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We got more leaked photos from the TV show! | Vernon looks quite accurate, TV show is getting inspiration from the films, filmed in chronological order, More! 29:19

25d ago29:19

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Send us a text In this episode we discuss the new leaked photos of a scene involving Mr. Dursley. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 1:44 This could suggest that the show is going in chronological order. Because this is an episode-by-episode filming, they are filming each scene closer to where it will be placed in the episode. · 10:34 It is closer to the boo…

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#999 - 21 Lessons from 999 Episodes - Naval Ravikant, Roger Federer & Vincent van Gogh 1:55:05

1M ago1:55:05

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To celebrate 999, almost 1000, episodes of Modern Wisdom, I broke down some of my favourite lessons, insights and quotes from the last hundred episodes. Expect to learn how 999 episodes of Modern Wisdom have reshaped my understanding of happiness, success and relationships, what i've learned on losing points from Naval Ravikant & Roger Federer, the…

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#998 - Zack Telander - Everything You Want Is On The Other Side Of Cringe 1:47:33

1M ago1:47:33

1:47:33

Zack Telander is a musician, weightlifter, coach & YouTuber. Why are we so afraid of being cringe? If being cringe online is the price of success, why don’t more people pay it? So how do you train yourself past criticism and actually do what needs to be done in your life, whether people are watching you or not? Expect to learn why getting over bein…

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#997 - Bonnie Blue & Louise Perry - The Modern Sex Work Debate 2:13:37

1M ago2:13:37

2:13:37

Louise Perry is a writer, Press Officer for the campaign group We Can’t Consent To This and an author. Bonnie Blue is a British pornographic actress and online content creator. Louise is the author of The Case Against The Sexual Revolution and Bonnie is the world’s most extreme example of the sexual revolution in action, so I figured it might make …

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Breakdown: Harry Potter (EPISODE 300) 33:49

1M ago33:49

33:49

Send us a text In this episode, we break down the character of Harry Potter. Happy five years, and enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 4:20 Why haven’t we done a breakdown of Harry before? He’s only one character. It’s everyone else around him that make the story pop. Also, we understand Harry pretty well. The point of closer analysis is better understanding …

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#996 - Stephen J. Shaw - Why Population Collapse is Closer Than You Think 2:53:10

1M ago2:53:10

2:53:10

Stephen J. Shaw is a data scientist and filmmaker. Birth rates in Western countries are collapsing, a trend even Elon Musk calls an existential threat. But what’s the true cause? Is it economics, fear of the future, cultural shifts, or something deeper? And more importantly, can anything actually reverse the decline? Sponsors: See me on tour in Ame…

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#995 - Lionel Page - Born to Lie: How Humans Deceive Ourselves & Others 1:43:13

1M ago1:43:13

1:43:13

Lionel Page is a professor at the University of Queensland and an author. Why is human communication so complicated? For something we rely on every day, you’d think it would be simple, but language, tone, and context make it one of the most complex skills we have. So what makes communication so difficult, and what are some practical ways to get bet…

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213. Twentieth Century Thinking (SNW 3.10) 1:03:52

1M ago1:03:52

1:03:52

Noted Doctor Who podcasters Anika and Liz settle in to watch a very bad Steven Moffat pastiche. Yes, it's time for the season 3 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and spoilers, turning into a statue might be preferable to this. It turns out Marie's whole arc has been about becoming tradwife statuary The weird Christian subtext of the season i…

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#994 - Sam Sulek - The Endless Pursuit of Progress 2:10:19

1M ago2:10:19

2:10:19

Sam Sulek is a professional bodybuilder and YouTuber. From zero to millions of fans, Sam Sulek’s rise has been nothing short of explosive. In just a few years, he’s become one of social media’s most-watched and talked-about creators. Sit back as we dive into the story of the man behind some of the internet’s most beloved vlogs, fueled by hefty scoo…

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If Jude Law doesn't play young Albus Dumbledore, I quit | Why we need two actors, Why it should be Jude Law, Other characters who deserve multiple actors, More! 32:08

1M ago32:08

32:08

Send us a text In this episode, we talk about why Jude Law should play young Dumbledore in the new TV show. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · Listen to episode 298 called “Warwick Davis is returning as Flitwick? Who else should reprise their role?” here! · 2:14 Why two actors? Well, Dumbledore has a complex past. He feels like he was a different person back…

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#993 - Katie Herzog - A Controversial New Cure for Alcohol Dependence 1:35:35

1M ago1:35:35

1:35:35

Katie Herzog is a journalist, podcaster, and writer. What does it take to get sober in today’s world? From traditional paths like AA to the grit of going cold turkey, the old methods of sobriety may no longer be enough. But what if counterintuitive, cutting-edge approaches, backed by modern science, offer new ways to manage alcohol use? And what do…

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#992 - Dr Sarah Hill - The Period Brain: How Hormones Change Women’s Behaviour 1:39:28

2M ago1:39:28

1:39:28

Dr Sarah Hill is a professor at TCU, a research psychologist, expert in women’s hormones and brain science, and an author. Each month, women experience hormonal changes that go far beyond the clichés of PMS. These shifts can influence mood, stress response, and even how women relate to others. So how can recognizing these patterns make it easier fo…

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212. Gamer Gorn Girlfriend (SNW 3.09) 1:03:07

2M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Anika and Liz get sucked into a wormhole and trapped on a moon orbiting a gas giant, which is actually pretty standard when you're adults with jobs trying to organise a board game night. We're discussing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, season 3, episode 9, "Terrarium", an episode which comes so close to being good before it snatches defeat from the …

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#991 - Dr John Delony - The Blueprint for Better Relationships & a Peaceful Life 1:48:10

2M ago1:48:10

1:48:10

Dr. John Delony is a mental health expert, author, YouTuber, and speaker. How you we build a thriving relationship in the modern world? With constant distractions and endless options at our fingertips, trust between partners can feel harder than ever. So what does it really take to create a relationship rooted in trust, intimacy, and growth in toda…

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Warwick Davis is returning as Flitwick? Who else should reprise their role? | Matthew Lewis, Jude Law, Jason Isaacs, More! 31:41

2M ago31:41

31:41

Send us a text In this episode, we discuss which actors should reprise their roles in the new Harry Potter TV show. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · Listen to episode 287, “Tom Felton is returning to Broadway. Who should return to the TV show?” Here! · 4:10 Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy. He was the perfect blend of haughty, rude, and fearful. He portrayed …

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#990 - Dr Tara Swart - How to Use Your Intuition as a Superpower 1:24:39

2M ago1:24:39

1:24:39

Dr Tara Swart is a neuroscientist, senior lecturer at MIT Sloan, and an author. What is intuition? We’ve all heard the phrase “trust your gut,” but where does that feeling actually come from? Is it grounded in neuroscience or something more mysterious? And most importantly, can you rely on it, and how do you get better at listening to it? Expect to…

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#989 - James Kimmel Jr. - Why Violence & Revenge Fantasies Feel Good 1:38:57

2M ago1:38:57

1:38:57

James Kimmel Jr. is a professor at Yale, a psychiatrist, and an author. Why are we drawn to revenge? From playground grudges to epic betrayals, the urge to strike back is universal. But is it a survival mechanism, or an ancient drive that no longer fits the modern age? Expect to learn why the feeling of revenge exists and how it is adaptive, what t…

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211. Ghostwritten by J. K. Rowling (SNW 3.08) 1:11:13

2M ago1:11:13

1:11:13

With heavy hearts, Anika and Liz discuss "Four and a Half Vulcans", the worst episode of Star Trek's streaming era, and possibly one of the top five worst episodes of Star Trek ever. So that's fun. Liz keeps returning to the question, "Is this worse than 'Code of Honor'?" "I understand that this is meant to be funny." Genetics and hair don't work l…

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#988 - Dr Rahul Jandial - Brain Surgeon: Inside The Dreaming Brain 2:05:09

2M ago2:05:09

2:05:09

Dr Rahul Jandial is a brain surgeon, neuroscientist, and an author. Why do we dream? For centuries, people have debated their meaning. Are they hidden messages, random brain activity, or something else entirely? Today, modern neuroscience is uncovering how the brain creates, processes, and remembers dreams, and what they may reveal about the inner …

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Cut the fluff, let's get straight to it | Making new stuff up, History, Welcoming back, More! 31:16

2M ago31:16

31:16

Send us a text In this episode, we discuss how to reintroduce an old world. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 1:33 It’s not welcome, it’s welcome back. None of this is going to be brand new, so I’m hoping the filmmakers realize that they shouldn’t be trying to reinvent the wheel. We didn’t know what any of the characters or sets looked like when the films w…

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#987 - Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett - The New Science Of Emotions, Anxiety & Brain Health 1:29:07

2M ago1:29:07

1:29:07

Lisa Feldman Barrett is a professor at Northeastern University, psychologist, and a neuroscientist. Why do we feel emotions? From happiness and joy to anger, anxiety, and sorrow, emotions shape how we experience life. But what purpose do they serve, and how can we learn to manage them more effectively? Expect to learn the unique way each of us expe…

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#986 - Esther Perel - How Love Dies: The Psychology of Cheating & Attraction 1:24:50

2M ago1:24:50

1:24:50

Esther Perel is a psychotherapist, podcaster, and New York Times bestselling author. Why do modern relationships feel so difficult? Even the happiest couples on the outside often hide unspoken rules and silent expectations that slowly erode intimacy. Resentment grows, trust fractures, and love feels harder to sustain. So how can men and women build…

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210. Selling Starfleet (SNW 3.07) 49:09

2M ago49:09

49:09

It's documentary time! Anika and Liz look straight into the camera and share their feelings about Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' "What Is Starfleet?", including... We have complicated feelings about this episode! It interrogates the documentary as a form of propaganda, but also interrogates the Federation in bad faith? SNW is not equipped to deal w…

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#985 - Dr David Spiegel - Hypnosis, Brain Hacking, & Mental Mastery 1:33:36

2M ago1:33:36

1:33:36

Dr. David Spiegel is a psychiatrist, Stanford professor, and leading authority on hypnosis and stress-related health. What exactly is hypnosis? Most of us picture it as a magician’s trick, when someone dangles a watch, your eyes get heavy, and suddenly you’re suggestible. But that barely scratches the surface. The real question is, what’s the true …

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Lucius Malfoy is the worst person ever | Analyzing the Malfoy Family, change their dynamic, pulling back the curtain, More! 30:42

2M ago30:42

30:42

Send us a text In this episode, we analyze the Malfoy family and discuss what should be carried over into the TV show. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 1:53 Something has to change. I’m not saying something is wrong, that’s just a fact. The books are the books and the films are the films. The TV has to show us something new, and that will mean they have to…

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#984 - Coltan Scrivner - Why We’re Drawn to Death, Crime, & Danger 1:06:47

2M ago1:06:47

1:06:47

Coltan Scrivner is a behavioral scientist, an expert on morbid curiosity in horror and true‑crime media, and an author. Why are humans so curious about death? From car accidents to scary stories, roller coasters, and horror movies, some people are fascinated while others are repulsed. What draws us toward the very things we should naturally want to…

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#983 - Gay Hendricks - Deeply Connected Relationships 1:32:04

2M ago1:32:04

1:32:04

Gay Hendricks is a psychologist, teacher, and an author renowned for his work on relationship transformation. Conscious loving is about more than just romance, it’s about clarity, commitment, and growth. With endless advice on the internet on how to optimize your love life, what if the real answer is aligning your expectations and evolving together…

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209. The Shape of Star Trek (SNW 3.06) 58:09

2M ago58:09

58:09

Anika and Liz battle an ancient and unbeatable enemy: grimdark anti-morality in Star Trek. We're discussing Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' "The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail", an episode with all the ingredients of Star Trek except its soul... This feels like a backdoor pilot for a series which has been around for nearly 60 years Why are we spending so m…

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#982 - Jesse Michels - UFOs, Aliens, Antigravity & Government Secrets 2:10:23

2M ago2:10:23

2:10:23

Jesse Michels is a YouTuber and show host, exploring subjects like UFOs, consciousness, and reality. For nearly a century, UFOs have captured our imagination as one of humanity’s greatest mysteries. Are they secret technology, alien visitors, or something else entirely? Who is behind them, what has been concealed, and what has been revealed about t…

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I Want More Flashbacks! | Snape, Marauders, Dumbledore, More! 30:22

2M ago30:22

30:22

Send us a text In this episode, we discuss why we need more flashbacks from the Harry Potter TV show. Enjoy! Topics/Summary: · 1:33 The Marauders. We didn’t get any flashbacks from the Marauders in the story, even though we know a lot about the characters individually. Each of the characters are vital for Harry’s life, and their relationships defin…

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#981 - MacKenzie Price - Alpha School: A New Approach To Education 1:11:21

2M ago1:11:21

1:11:21

MacKenzie Price is an entrepreneur, podcaster, and co-founder of Alpha Schools. Just how broken is education? For fifty years, lofty promises in education have yielded dismal results. Now, with AI, infinite knowledge at our fingertips, and personalized one-on-one learning, how radically different could the school of the future look? Expect to learn…

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#980 - David Pinsof - This is Your Brain on Bullsh*t 1:12:26

2M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

David Pinsof is a research scientist at UCLA, co-creator of Cards Against Humanity, and an author. Everything is bullshit. Your opinions, your arguments, even your thoughts. Most of it’s manufactured, borrowed, or absorbed without question. So if all that’s fake, what’s real? And if we can’t trust our own minds, or anyone else’s, what can we trust?…