Best Mad Philosopher Podcasts (2025)

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20.0 Philosophical Talk and Jokes with a decent into madness (Fun Episode) 2:09:19

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29d ago2:09:19

2:09:19

Send us a text So, we do a quick dive into philosophical questions with a few jokes thrown in. We tried to make a fun episode since the world seems to be descending into chaos, and we wanted to make things light. I hit upon this past weekend with some birthday topics too! Hope you enjoy this one, we had fun! If you'd like to be on the show email me…

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Privacy Isn’t What You Think It Is 1:14:22

1d ago1:14:22

1:14:22

Jack sits down with scholar Lowry Pressly to discuss the provocative ideas behind his book The Right to Oblivion: Privacy and the Good Life. They explore what it means to protect our inner worlds in an age of constant exposure, why forgetting can be just as crucial as remembering, and how reclaiming privacy might be the key to living well.…

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HoP 482 Indivisible, Under God: the Revival of Atomism 20:04

7m ago20:04

20:04

Why did Sébastian Basso and Pierre Gassendi think ancient atomism was the key to developing a new, modern science?By Peter Adamson

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Eight Immortals Cross the Sea 18:35

2d ago18:35

18:35

The legend of the Eight Immortals, which gradually arose starting during the Tang Dynasty, particularly associated with the town of Penglai in Shandong. Support the showBy William Han

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The role of spirituality and religion in mental health care 54:36

10m ago54:36

54:36

The connection between body and mind is well established. But mental health expert Daniel Fung also includes the soul in this 'ecosystem' that shapes your overall wellbeing. He envisions a future for mental health services, that is person-centred, holistic and consciously uses digital tools and social media. Beautiful minds, Loving hearts: Asian Me…

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A song for every feeling? Pub Choir's Astrid Jorgensen with Natasha Mitchell 1:04:17

2d ago1:04:17

1:04:17

From innocently conning controversial radio duo Kyle and Jackie O as a kid, time in a Zambian convent as a teen, to nearly becoming an air traffic controller before finding her real passion - helping others find their voice - Astrid Jorgensen has quite a story to tell. Her new memoir is called Average At Best. She is anything but. She is anything b…

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Episode 322: A Theater of Simultaneous Possibilities (William James' "The Stream of Thought") 1:21:00

6d ago1:21:00

1:21:00

David and Tamler return to William James' monumental "Principles of Psychology", this time wading through his famous chapter "The Stream of Thought." We talk about his rejection of empiricist theories of consciousness in favor of a view that consciousness is a continuous stream of thoughts, sensations, and emotions without any elements (atoms) that…

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Victoria's new treaty with First Peoples — a turning point for Australia? 42:51

6m ago42:51

42:51

Australia now has its first treaty with this country's first peoples. After nearly a decade of formal consultation and negotiation, the Victorian Statewide Treaty has become law, and will come into effect from early December. This address outlines the long road to achieving the treaty, why it's important, and what comes next. The 25th Dr Charles Pe…

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Pay attention — writer Emily Maguire finds promiscuous curiosity and cultural receptivity in the creative process 54:35

7d ago54:35

54:35

Humans are by nature creative, but how do we turn a spark of inspiration into something more tangible? Author Emily Maguire draws inspiration from some of the world's most creative minds — from Lin Manuel Miranda, to Susan Sontag, to explore the ingredients of a truly creative life. The 2025 Colin Roderick Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Foundation…

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Lady Shexiang 18:38

9d ago18:38

18:38

The remarkable stateswoman of Ming Dynasty Guizhou. Support the showBy William Han

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Can science keep dementia at bay and keep your brain sharper − for longer? 54:36

3d ago54:36

54:36

As we grow older, changes to our bodies and minds are inevitable. But what if science could help us age better? Our experts on Big Ideas uncover the latest science behind healthy brain aging. What's possible in the fight against cognitive decline and dementia? How might you live a longer, healthier, and more meaningful life? Presented by Sydney Ide…

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Acclaimed author Christos Tsiolkas on fence-sitting in a time of fracture 53:54

9d ago53:54

53:54

When acclaimed Australia author Christos Tsiolkas was invited to give the 2025 Ray Mathew Lecture at the National Library of Australia, he had in mind what he wanted to say, as difficult as it was. Then he got a rage-filled message from a longtime friend. How did Christos respond? Is fence-sitting an indulgence in an ethically troubled, divisive, d…

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21.0 NATO, Joey's Family Lineage, Podcasting and More 3:28:17

13d ago3:28:17

3:28:17

Send us a text We had a request for some thoughts on NATO, so we do a quick dive into that, talk about how crazy Baby Kangaroo's family is, some info on starting to podcast, and a few crazier topics. Thanks for the request topic! Hope you enjoy it! We are now up on YouTube and trying to expand. I hope you enjoy the show and please follow on the fol…

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The stories we tell about cricket — with Paul Giles and Gideon Haigh 1:09:58

7d ago1:09:58

1:09:58

From The Don to Warny, the Gabba to the G, from its legacy of British colonialism, to the Asian powerhouse nations of today — cricket is not just a sport, but also a reflection of the societies who play it. Drawing on a wealth of writing about the sport, including novels, biographies, and media reporting, this lecture explores the cultural and hist…

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Judge Navi Pillay on the fight for human rights, justice and accountability 54:36

11d ago54:36

54:36

Born in apartheid South Africa, she became the country's first female high court judge. She sat on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and helped to establish sexual violence and rape as war crimes in international law. At a time of global conflict and instability, the work and achievements of Navi Pillay are a reminder of what can be a…

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HoP 481 True Fool’s Gold: Pierre Gassendi 20:19

11d ago20:19

20:19

Gassendi’s path from skepticism to “baptized Epicureanism.”By Peter Adamson

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Long Steep: It's Giving Thanks - An Episode on Gratitude 38:35

16d ago38:35

38:35

Spill your ReligiosiTea directly with the show host! Let us know your reactions, stories, and more! In this Long Steep, we brew gratitude slowly and intentionally—through theology, psychology, and lived experience. No buzzwords, no toxic positivity, no “be grateful for your trauma” energy. Just real tea. We start with what gratitude actually is: a …

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The Nanjing-Wuhan Split 20:55

9d ago20:55

20:55

In 1927, when Nanjing and Wuhan were both capitals of the ROC... Support the showBy William Han

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Musician Holly Rankin on why young Australians feel that politics isn't delivering for them 53:51

16d ago53:51

53:51

Young Australians are losing faith that our politics, our civic institutions and the mainstream media are working for them. Why is this? And how can our democracy adapt to win back the trust and engagement of new generations? The 2025 Speaker's Lecture was recorded at Parliament House on 27 October 2025. Speakers Holly Rankin - Musician and recordi…

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What are universities for today? The usefulness of "useless" knowledge 54:36

9d ago54:36

54:36

Are our universities facing an existential crisis by trying to be too many things? Places for learning, research, the production of new knowledge, the production of job-ready graduates, and profit-making enterprises? Does everything they do have to produce a tangible, measurable, practical, or profitable outcome? Should they also foster intellectua…

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Episode 321: The Journey Begins (Plus Blind Ranking Philosophers) 1:29:41

17d ago1:29:41

1:29:41

David and Tamler begin their long journey home to Homer's Odyssey, the tale of king Odysseus' 10 year journey home after the Trojan war (maybe the greatest story ever told). We dive into the first two books, which focus on Odysseus' 20-year-old son Telemachus, the swarm of suitors who have descended on Odysseus' house during his long absence in the…

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Jane Caro — why Australia is failing our school system 59:27

15d ago59:27

59:27

We often hear about "failing schools", but what if it is us, the Australian community, who are failing them? Public school advocate Jane Caro argues that Australia's pursuit of school choice, and the tax payer funding that enables it, has come at a huge cost to the school system, to children's education, and to our broader society. The 2025 Dymphna…

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Ghosts, Gods, and Gratitude 48:39

11d ago48:39

48:39

Spill your ReligiosiTea directly with the show host! Let us know your reactions, stories, and more! Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of parental death, grief, childhood emotional hardship, spiritual disappointment/anger toward God, anxiety, depression, and references to ghosts/hauntings and spirit work. Please listen with care and …

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Coming Out and Inviting In — with Zoe Terakes, Nina Oyama, Mon Schafter, Atari Metcalf, Ji Wallace 54:35

19d ago54:35

54:35

Join ABC's Mon Schafter and four incredible speakers as they share honest, powerful stories about revealing their identities on their own terms. From fear to freedom, isolation to community - this is a conversation about truth, courage, and connection. Held in recognition of 40 years of ACON, it celebrates every journey of coming out and shines a l…

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Southwest United University 21:02

17d ago21:02

21:02

The triple university that continued the educational mission through WWII. Support the showBy William Han

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Searching for convivencia — philosopher AC Grayling makes peace in the culture wars 54:36

23d ago54:36

54:36

If you're a feminist, or pro-civil or gay rights, does that make you "woke"? And if you're not, does that mean you should be cancelled, or abused online, or lose your job? So many of our public debates nowadays are divided along these lines, but is there a better way? This event was recorded at the 2025 Melbourne Writers Festival. To explore more M…

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The Sophia Club live philosophy — what are friends for? 1:10:05

24d ago1:10:05

1:10:05

Friends are different from family. We choose them and they choose us. Philosophers long wondered about what makes friendship such a distinctive relationship in our lives. Is being a good friend a kind of moral virtue? Can friends help us find our true selves? What about the dark and difficult side of friendship — toxic friends and frenemies? How is…

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Understanding China's history is crucial for Australia 44:48

21d ago44:48

44:48

To deal with China as a major trading partner, and also a national security threat requires understanding the history that made China what it is today. That history is shaped by resistance and different waves of uprising. How have governments dealt with these movements? How do they influence politics today? China: Past, Present, Future was recorded…

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Universities and other antidotes to authoritarianism 55:15

22d ago55:15

55:15

The United States has long been famous for its world leading universities. But in the face of research funding cuts, government attacks on free speech, DEI and the right to protest, and the persecution of foreign students, could all that be changing? The speech, Poison Ideas: Universities and other Antidotes to Authoritarianism, was recorded at the…

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HoP 480 Honorable Ignorance: French Skepticism 21:30

27d ago21:30

21:30

So-called “libertines” like Mothe le Vayer revive ancient skepticism, provoking a backlash from Mersenne and Arnauld. Were they right to see the skeptics as anti-religious?By Peter Adamson

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Learning How to Spend Money (While Enjoying Every Dollar Spent) 28:15

21d ago28:15

28:15

After decades of saving/investing, it's hard to immediately flip a switch and go into spending mode. Spending is a skill that you should develop on your way to FI, so that you're better at it when the time comes to really do it. Here's what worked for me over the last few years! Highlights How to reframe expenses and recalibrate how you value money…

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Fan Zhen: On the Annihilation of the Soul 18:11

1M ago18:11

18:11

On the North and South Dynasties philosopher who argued against the immortality of the soul. Support the showBy William Han

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One day, everyone will have always been against this — Omar El Akkad and Peter Greste reckon with Western hypocrisy over Israel's war on Gaza 54:36

24d ago54:36

54:36

The Western world is supposed to stand for values like freedom, justice and human rights, a commitment to meet wrongdoing with consequence, guided by rules and obligations. How then, do we reconcile that with Western governments' and media's support of and complicity in the horrors in Gaza? How do we witness the bloodshed and destruction, and yet l…

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Fixing Australia's housing crisis — is increasing supply really a silver bullet? 1:03:07

27d ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Build more houses. That'll fix Australia's housing crisis won't it? If you listen to governments, you'd sure think so. Under the National Housing Accord, all governments have agreed to support a target of building 1.2 million new, well-located dwellings in 5 years. But will that increase housing affordability, availability, quality, security of ten…

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Episode 320: Forgive Me (Kafka's "A Hunger Artist") 1:29:19

24d ago1:29:19

1:29:19

David and Tamler return to one of their favorites, Frans Kafka, this time on his beautiful and distressing short story "The Hunger Artist," a story that brims with metaphorical possibilities but also implores us to accept it on its own mysterious terms. Plus gooning. The Goon Squad by Daniel Kolitz [harpers.org] "Gooning" definition [urbandictionar…

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Gough Whitlam's dismissal — why is it still relevant today? 54:35

28d ago54:35

54:35

Whitlam's dismissal and following double dissolution 50 years ago, was arguably the most tumultuous period in Australia's political and constitutional history. This political crisis raises key questions about constitutional change and the robustness of Australia's current democracy. What are the lessons? And could it happen again? Presented at the …

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How Is It That Ordinary People Can Commit Such Overwhelming Evil? 1:23:40

1M ago1:23:40

1:23:40

Jack sits down with Elizabeth Minnich, moral philosopher and author, to explore a haunting and urgent question: How is it that ordinary people can commit extraordinary evil? Together, they unpack Minnich’s idea of the evil of banality, a subtle, everyday corruption of thought and conscience that allows atrocities to unfold, and consider what it mea…

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An intriguing story of art and espionage — how a classical scholar turned codebreaker during World War 2 54:36

25d ago54:36

54:36

In the 1930s, New Zealand-born, Cambridge educated Arthur Dale Trendall carved a niche for himself as the world's foremost expert in the study of ancient South Italian vase painting. How then, did he end up leading a crack team of code-breakers working in Melbourne to decipher Japanese messages for the Allies during the Second World War? This lectu…

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Jia Sidao: Hero, Villain, Entomologist 19:56

1M ago19:56

19:56

The late-Song prime minister with a terrible reputation. Support the showBy William Han

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Empire of AI — Karen Hao goes inside the reckless race for total world domination 53:59

1M ago53:59

53:59

When it was founded in 2015, openai — the company behind Chat GPT — had a mission to develop artificial intelligence tools that would benefit humanity. But somewhere along the way, that mission changed. While the use of AI in our daily lives is increasingly pervasive, the technology's toll on the environment, human rights, copyright, privacy and wo…

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ABC's CITIZEN JURY — Fixing salmon farming's environmental harms in Tasmania 1:11:15

1M ago1:11:15

1:11:15

ABC Radio National's CITIZEN JURY takes hard, hot-button issues affecting a community — and places citizens at the centre of finding solutions. It's citizen-driven democracy in action! Tasmanian salmon is on dinner plates across Australia. It's a 1.4 billion-dollar industry producing jobs for Tasmanians, and more than 70, 000 tonnes of fish annuall…

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Anne Summers — 50 Years of Damned Whores and God’s Police 54:35

1M ago54:35

54:35

In 1975, aged just 29, she wrote a bestselling book that changed Australia. Since then, she's courted controversy and acclaim, but Anne Summers has never given up the fight for gender equality. This conversation was recorded live at the 2025 Sydney Writers' Festival. Speakers Dr Anne SummersAuthor, Damned Whores and God's Police, Ducks on the Pond:…

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Why we need to cancel cancel culture — with defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou 54:34

1M ago54:34

54:34

When people say or do the wrong thing, we have laws and a legal system that should be able to deliver consequences and, hopefully justice. But in this digital age, the human instinct to inflict punishment in the court of public opinion has reached fever pitch. So do we want to live by mob rule, or the rule of law? The 2025 James Merralls Fellowship…

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HoP 479 Gideon Manning on Cartesian Medicine 33:57

1M ago33:57

33:57

An interview exploring Descartes' interest in medicine, how his medical ideas relate to his dualism, and his influence on medical science.By Peter Adamson

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19.1 (Follow on) - Happy Hour with an aging discussion 1:56:10

1M ago1:56:10

1:56:10

Send us a text So, I didn't think the last one had the caliber content I wanted so we did a follow up! We quickly touch on the aging thing, discuss some quick football, then dive into all kinda stuff. This one has some Halloween talk too! Check out the Youtube or Instagram to see the video/pics. We gave out candy, waters, beer, wine, and fruit (bee…

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Zhengde, the Emperor with an Alter Ego 22:21

2M ago22:21

22:21

Zhengde or Wuzong of Ming, a most perplexing ruler. Support the showBy William Han

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Out of this world — with Booker Prize winning author Samantha Harvey 54:09

1M ago54:09

54:09

For all of human history, space has been a place of mystery, awe and fascination. But unless you're an astronaut, a billionaire, or a pop star, most of us will never have the opportunity to travel there — except in our minds. This conversation features two writers who've used the perspective of space to explore our humanity, Earth's place in the un…

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What Artists See? Critic Quentin Sprague helps you get to the messy human heart of art 54:34

1M ago54:34

54:34

Have you ever visited an art gallery full of wonder, ready to be inspired, only to leave feeling like it was all a bit over your head? You're about to meet one writer whose new book of essays rejects the over-complication and gets to the messy, human heart of art. What Artists See is a collection of essays from award-winning arts writer and critic …

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Episode 319: The Shadow of the Object (Freud's "Mourning and Melancholia") 1:35:10

1M ago1:35:10

1:35:10

David and Tamler transfer their libidinal energy to Freud's 1917 article "Mourning and Melancholia," in which he tries to understand what's going on with depression, attempts to distinguish it from normal grief, and arrives at some ideas that laid the groundwork for his later theory of normal human development. Plus, another blind ranking segment--…

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Matrescence — on the metamorphosis of motherhood 54:58

1M ago54:58

54:58

When a child is born, so too is a mother. This idea, known as "matrescence", was first conceived in the 1970s by American medical anthropologist Dana Raphael. Parenting in 2025 looks very different in many ways, the scientific evidence now supports the theory that women undergo radical physiological, psychological and social changes during pregnanc…