Best Manvir Singh Podcasts (2025)

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Parenting: Conversations with Kids in Tough Times / Manvir Singh on Shamanism 56:03

Play Pause

24d ago56:03

56:03

A panel of psychologists will give tips on talking to kids during tough times and we'll hear about shamanism's origins and role in human culture.By Chris Nooney, D Minor

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The Battle for the Soul of the Country 33:36

41m ago33:36

33:36

Armando is at the Labour Party conference (well, in a portakabin in a car park nearby - the glamour!), and is joined by Newscast's Adam Fleming to chat all things conference. Has message discipline killed the party conference? Or does their own momentum still make them newsworthy? Looking at conferences past, we look at what makes them an interesti…

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678 - Tom Murphy (Recovering Astrophysicist) 1:34:45

9h ago1:34:45

1:34:45

Tom is a fascinating man. He’s shot lasers at the moon and measured their reflection. After studying astrophysics at Cal Tech he taught at UCSD for years. But there came a point where his awareness of the destructiveness of the machine made it impossible to keep making adjustments to its smooth functioning. Unlike many people confronted with that c…

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Does Tylenol Cause Autism?/How to Outsmart AI Scams/Mill Valley Film Festival 54:39

10h ago54:39

54:39

State of the Bay digs into the debate over whether Tylenol use is linked to autism. We reveal how AI scams work and how to avoid them. And we preview the 2025 Mill Valley Film Festival.By Anne Harper, D Minor

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Death, Power, and the Charlie Kirk Memorial (w/ Pat Blanchfield) 1:26:21

3d ago1:26:21

1:26:21

To try to understand both the power and strangeness of the Charlie Kirk memorial—one part evangelical worship service, one part MAGA rally—we turned, of course, to our friend Pat Blanchfield. All three of us stewed in the event's footage, which runs to over four and a half hours, then convened to discuss it. After laying out for listeners what happ…

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A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 2: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall 2:36:42

5d ago2:36:42

2:36:42

Matt and Chris once again take up their oars and plunge deeper into the recursive whirlpools of contemporary sensemaking. Picking up where Part 1 left off, having grappled with conscience, touchstones, hierarchies, and normativity, we return to the sensemaking labyrinth to see just how many more words and concepts the combined powers of Peterson, V…

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Hurty Words 29:03

7d ago29:03

29:03

Stewart Lee returns to the show, to join Armando in discussing 'hurty words'. With Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, and in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder, free speech is in the spotlight again. Those who railed against 'cancel culture' are now getting into 'consequence culture'. We also discuss how Marvel's superheroes might respond to the actions of …

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677 - Lloyd Kahn, in Crestone 1:25:45

6d ago1:25:45

1:25:45

Lloyd is one of the most curious, delighted, resilient people I’ve ever known. In his ninety years, he’s been a father, husband, builder, publisher, traveler, writer, athlete and a slew of other things, including a very good friend to many, including Anya and me. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …

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Oakland Ballers Win! / Sweeping New Climate Bills / "The Day the Sky Turned Orange" 55:45

9d ago55:45

55:45

Oakland Ballers championships, Newsom signs sweeping climate bills, the new musical "The Day the Sky Turned Orange"By Wendy Holcombe, D Minor

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Supplementary Material 37: Public Murder Discourse, Heterodox Psychodramas, and Generous Tit for Tat-ers 41:48

10d ago41:48

41:48

Why are we never invited to these dinners? We wonder if it was something we said or if our invitation just got lost in the mail, as we endure the inevitable discourse wave that followed in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 21 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGur…

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The Assassination of Charlie Kirk [Teaser] 3:37

13d ago3:37

3:37

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy. The assassination of Turning Points USA founder Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, seemed to change the landscape of American politics in an instant, inspiring a startlingly unanimous battlecry of vengeance from the conservative movement, the GOP, and the Trump…

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676 - ROMA 94 5:13

12d ago5:13

5:13

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com How was Charlie Kirk the same as the people who hated him most? What’s the dangerous appeal of simplicity and clarity in a complex world? Can/should we tolerate intolerance? The trick of valuing the things we DON’T have or need. All this and more!…

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Phase 2 29:15

12d ago29:15

29:15

In the first episode of the new series, Armando Iannucci and guest co-host, Ria Lina look at the use and abuse of political language. The political summer is often called 'silly season', but with global conflict and rising tensions at home, Armando and Ria look at the language that defined recent months including Keir Starmer's "Phase 2" and the wo…

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COVID Vaccine Confusion / Journalist Shoshana Walter on America’s Rehab Industry / Dance Mission Theater’s Fight to Thrive 55:10

17d ago55:10

55:10

State of the Bay addresses confusion over this year’s COVID vaccine with UCSF’s Dr. Monica Gandhi, investigates America’s troubled rehab industry with journalist Shoshana Walter, and celebrates San Francisco's Dance Mission Theater.

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The Case for Democracy (w/ Osita Nwanevu) 1:20:27

20d ago1:20:27

1:20:27

Since the start of the Trump Era over a decade ago, few words have been deployed as often as "democracy": how it's become imperiled, who threatens it, and what to do to defend it. In The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding, Osita Nwanevu sets out to understand the true meaning of democracy and defend it from its …

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A Sense-Making Odyssey, Part 1: Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke & Jordan Hall 2:15:09

19d ago2:15:09

2:15:09

Join Matt and Chris as they enter an intellectual labyrinth of recursive sensemaking featuring the combined insights of Jordan Peterson, John Vervaeke, and Jordan Hall. You will learn about many, many deep and complex concepts and puzzle over definitions of conscience, the vertical hierarchy, value, normativity, goals & ideals, quests, the ultimate…

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Strong Recommend: Going Postal by Terry Pratchett 6:54

19d ago6:54

6:54

In the last of our summer mini-series, Helen brings a book by Terry Pratchett. To Helen's surprise, this is a blind spot for Armando, who hasn't read any despite being told to do so many times. Where do you start with such an extensive back catalogue? What makes Pratchett's satire so timeless? and has Helen found a new Pratchett super-fan in Armand…

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675 - ROMA 93 2:57

21d ago2:57

2:57

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com What happens to famous people who get lost in their own show and gradually start playing themselves in the movie of their lives?By Chris Ryan

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An Officer and a Spy (w/ John Ganz) [Teaser] 3:48

27d ago3:48

3:48

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy. Roman Polanski's 2019 film about the Dreyfus affair, An Officer and a Spy, only recently made it's U.S. "premier," running for a few weeks in August at Film Forum in New York City. When it originally was released, it couldn't find an American distributor (and li…

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Strong Recommend: Tehran (Apple TV+) 6:43

26d ago6:43

6:43

Armando has been watch Tehran on Apple TV. This multi-language show about spy agencies in Iran and Israel sheds gives you a glimpse in to life on the ground in these countries that you can't get from headlines alone. Like the Post Office scandal in the UK, why does it sometimes take a dramatisation to mobilise the public, and bring about change? Jo…

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674 - Dan Blumstein (Author: The Nature of Fear) 1:19:17

1M ago1:19:17

1:19:17

Dan Blumstein and I explore the multifaceted nature of fear, its evolutionary significance, and its impact on both human and animal behavior. The conversation also delves into existential fears, the manipulation of fear by society, and the importance of understanding and managing fear in a complex world. Dan’s book is The Nature of Fear. This is a …

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673 - Student Loan Justice (Alan Collinge) 1:14:53

1M ago1:14:53

1:14:53

Alan Collinge is the founder of StudentLoanJustice.Org, author of The Student Loan Scam: The Most Oppressive Debt in U.S. History and How We Can Fight Back. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/subscribe…

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Supplementary Material 36: Comedy Cults, Toxic Mould, and WW2 Revisionism 45:37

1M ago45:37

45:37

We risk contamination with toxic mould, endure distressing initiation rituals to a comedy cult, and ponder if the narratives we have received about the Nazis have enough nuance. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (2 hours, 21 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 36 00:00 Introductio…

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Frank Meyer, Inventor of Conservatism (w/ Daniel J. Flynn) 1:45:13

1M ago1:45:13

1:45:13

Devoted Know Your Enemy listeners will recall that, in November 2021, we released a fairly dense, theory-driven episode on Frank Meyer, the Communist from New Jersey whose exploits on behalf of the Party in the UK got him kicked out of the country and back to the United States, where he eventually turned right and became a key figure in the post-wa…

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Strong Recommend: Elden Ring 10:36

1M ago10:36

10:36

If you're interested in fantasy, and fancy taking on a responsibility equivalent to a part-time job, Helen recommends Elden Ring. A wildly popular Japanese video game which allows you to live in a world created by George RR Martin. With place and character names reminiscent of Lord of the Rings, we ask why that is the accepted register of fantasy. …

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Valkyries Vibes / Bay Area Unified? / America's First Black Millionaire 55:47

1M ago55:47

55:47

Maya Goldberg-Safir on the Golden State Valkyries; think tanks SPUR and Joint Venture Silicon Valley on the Bay Area uniting; a new SF City Guide walking tour on American's first black millionaire, William Liedesdorff.

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672 - ROMA 92 58:56

1M ago58:56

58:56

Are we (am I) “stuck in honoring the context of the social media platform,” that is podcasting? Is there a way not to be trapped in playing the commercial game? Did Joe and Duncan sell out, or did their platforms just capture them? I discuss some of the accusations leveled in “Comedy Jonestown” and Marc Maron’s recent appearance on Pod Save America…

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The Christian Right's "Wild Faith" (w/ Talia Lavin) [Unlocked] 1:00:48

1M ago1:00:48

1:00:48

This episode was first published in October 2024, and has been un-paywalled following the death this week, on August 21, of Focus on the Family founder and influential figure on the religious right, James Dobson, at age 89. Subscribe to Know Your Enemy on Patreon to hear more episodes just for subscribers. In this episode, Matt is joined by journal…

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Strong Recommend: The Contestant 10:02

1M ago10:02

10:02

In 1998, a Japanese man was filmed in solitary confinement for our entertainment. Naked as the day he was born, which led to his suggestive nickname, the Japanese people were gripped by Tomoaki Hamatsu's journey. Today, can we see how reality TV has infected our storytelling and our language? Whether it's someone in Big Brother proudly declaring th…

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Supplementary Material 35: Cult Leaders, Gurus, and Evil Economists 29:43

1M ago29:43

29:43

We face a disciplinary crisis as the twin pillars of Game Theory and Gurometry are called into question. The full episode is available to Patreon subscribers (1 hour, 35 minutes). Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingTheGurus Supplementary Material 35 00:05 Introduction 01:52 Matt's Apology 06:55 Just Life... 12:34 Matt's Foodie Corner 14:01…

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California’s Redistricting Plan / SF’s Neighborhood Zoning Debate / Crafting Stories That Resonate 55:03

1M ago55:03

55:03

State of the Bay examines California’s redistricting push to counter Texas, debates San Francisco’s proposed “Family Zoning” plan, and uncovers the art of storytelling with John Aubert.By D Minor

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The Minority Voters Moving Right (w/ Daniel Martinez HoSang) 1:27:05

2M ago1:27:05

1:27:05

A major topic following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election has been his gains with racial and ethnic minorities, a trend that's scrambled many people's assumptions about American politics, not least those of anti-racist liberals. Why have minority voters drifted toward Trump, despite his many comments and campaign pledges that…

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Naval Ravikant: Predictable Polemics and Empty Aphorisms 3:08:40

1M ago3:08:40

3:08:40

In this watery simulation of an episode, Matt and Chris uncover the true purpose of Scott Adams’ existence: not to shape reality, but to provide training data for future AIs working on plumbing-related problems. Somewhere in a cosmic server farm, Scott is endlessly confronted with blocked drains, dripping faucets, and municipal water conspiracies, …

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670 - Mike Gross 1:22:55

2M ago1:22:55

1:22:55

Mike just finished his stint in the army and is celebrating by riding a bicycle from El Paso to Canada. He passed by Crestone recently, and we sat down to get to know each other. Pull up a chair and join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.substack.com/s…

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Strong Recommend: Shamanism, The Timeless Religion by Dr Manvir Singh 8:57

2M ago8:57

8:57

What is xenising? And why do authority figures do it? Can we trace Farage back to the shamans of the past? Helen recommends Dr Manvir Singh's book Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, which helps inform a discussion around ritual and our desire for formality, and even otherness, from authority figures. Helen and Armando also debate whether ayahuasca r…

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SFUSD Update / Back-to-School Parenting Tips / Inside Oakland’s Baba's House 54:58

2M ago54:58

54:58

State of the Bay gets an update on the San Francisco Unified School District, hears back-to-school tips from child psychologist Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, and visits Baba’s House, Oakland’s mahjong speakeasy.By D Minor

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669 - ROMA 91 2:43

2M ago2:43

2:43

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com More blathering. This time, talking about: — Epstein and how fame/power/money distort one’s sense of the possible/permissible; — The joys of watching the Little League playoffs; — A friend’s hard fall. Here’s the link to give Charles some love.…

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From Armageddon to Zionism — More Listener Questions [Teaser] 4:59

2M ago4:59

4:59

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy. Our mailbag runneth over! Unsurprisingly, we received so many excellent questions from subscribers for our most recent episode that we decided to answer even more of them. Once again religion seemed to be on the minds of listeners, and we take up charismatic Chr…

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Exploring the Manosphere with James Bloodworth 1:19:39

2M ago1:19:39

1:19:39

In this episode, we immerse ourselves in the potent juices of the manosphere with British journalist and author James Bloodworth. James recently published Lost Boys: A Personal Journey Through the Manosphere and takes us on a whirlwind tour of various misogynistic and anti-feminist subcultures, including pickup artists, incels, and the blue, red, a…

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Strong Recommend: The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald 5:39

2M ago5:39

5:39

Fancy trying a new author, but don't know where to start? Armando recommends a short novel by Penelope Fitzgerald, and Helen shares a tip on how to try on a new author for size before committing. Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds. Production Coordinator: Sarah NichollsExecutive …

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Supplementary Material 34: Giants, Grifters, and Google Eyed Loons 48:46

2M ago48:46

48:46

We drown in waves of ideological fluidity as the gurusphere continues to crash all around us. Supplementary Material 34 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Irish Stew and Dog Exercise Report 03:45 A new 276 IQ Genius 11:47 Fresh and Fit Antisemitism 16:51 Are things getting dumber? 21:22 Asmongold on the Epstein Files 24:53 Epstein Conspiratorial Discourse he…