Best Rationally Writing Podcasts (2025)

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29th December 2025: Graham Tomlin's Top 3 of 2025 27:43

Play Pause

4h ago27:43

27:43

As 2025 draws to a close, Graham Tomlin shares with us three of his articles, what he's been thinking about as a result of the political and social events and issues of this past year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Reading Rewired the Human Brain. What Happens If We Stop Doing It? 46:23

3m ago46:23

46:23

Maryanne Wolf is a UCLA professor and the renowned author of "Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain" and "Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World." She says deep reading makes you a better thinker, communicator, and citizen. But what happens if you lose the ability to read slowly, patiently, and critically…

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Dorgu’s Volley and the Art of Hanging On 55:45

1d ago55:45

55:45

#952 | Manchester United beat Newcastle 1-0 at Old Trafford and nobody left feeling relaxed. Ed and Dharnish break down an exhausting win defined by one moment of quality and a lot of defensive survival. We talk through Patrick Dorgu’s stunning volley, a first Premier League goal that settled the game early, before Newcastle spent the rest of the a…

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Medieval European Body Culture, with Dr Maciej Talaga 1:23:58

1h ago1:23:58

1:23:58

For transcriptions and more detailed shownotes, please go to: https://swordschool.shop/blogs/podcast/episode-209-medieval-european-body-culture-with-dr-maciej-talaga To support the show, come join the Patrons at https://www.patreon.com/theswordguy Dr Maciej Talaga is an assistant professor at the University of Warsaw. His research interests have re…

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How to Make Your Holiday Gatherings Memorable 42:34

5d ago42:34

42:34

This is one of our favorite episodes — a conversation with Priya Parker, a conflict resolution specialist who’s worked on peace processes around the world, about her book The Art of Gathering. What she told him changed how we think about every dinner party, every work meeting, every family get-together we host. Priya’s argument is simple but radica…

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The Tactics Show: Pressing Good, Defending Bad 35:46

5d ago35:46

35:46

#951 | Ed and Dharnish discus United's defeat to Villa - impressive pressing, out of possession challenges, Lisandro Martinez's cameo at number 6, and what a future without an injured Bruno Fernandes might look like. The conversation also touches on United's challenges over the festive season, with so many players now out, how will Ruben Amorim adj…

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22nd December 2025: Three favourite articles from 2025 23:25

3d ago23:25

23:25

In this episode, as we come towards the end of 2025, I have curated three articles that have made me stop and think this year: Paul Bradbury grieving the demise of the semi-colon; Jessica Norman understanding the big welcome for Lewis Capaldi at Glastonbury and Roger Bretherton considering the role of prayer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f…

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The Nightmare Happened 1:04:44

4d ago1:04:44

1:04:44

#950 | Ed and Wayne dissect Manchester United’s defeat away at Aston Villa, a match that briefly suggested progress before unraveling in depressingly familiar fashion. A strong first half gave way to defensive errors, mounting absences, and an untimely injury to Bruno Fernandes, leaving Ruben Amorim staring at another damaging afternoon. They asses…

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Why Peter Thiel’s Founder Rules Keep Paying Off 1:08:04

9d ago1:08:04

1:08:04

A Note from James: One of my favorite conversations on this show was with Peter Thiel. Yes—PayPal, Facebook, Palantir, and a dozen other hits. I first ran this episode years ago, and the advice still holds up. The same stories, the same frameworks—and the same challenge to think from first principles. Here’s Peter Thiel, one of the most influential…

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Free Kobbie Mainoo? 1:10:58

7d ago1:10:58

1:10:58

#949 | Ed and Tom take stock of where Manchester United really are, amid fitness problems that refuse to clear and tactical compromises that keep piling up. They break down recent performances against Everton and Bournemouth, questioning selection calls, structure, and how much latitude the manager still has to solve problems internally. The conver…

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“If You’re Still Trying to Be Rational Now, You’re Crazy:” Comedian Tim Dillon on Being Informed vs. Being Ignorant 1:49:04

11d ago1:49:04

1:49:04

A Note from James: Tim Dillon is crazy—in the best way. Not “institution” crazy. Crazy smart. Years ago he told me things about Epstein, hustle culture, and how the world really works that felt outlandish then and obvious now. He’s quirky, honest, and usually right about what to pay attention to. Also, he’s flat-out funny. Let’s bring Tim back and …

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FLOURISH: Daniel Coyle on the Art and Science of Feeling Alive 1:17:19

13d ago1:17:19

1:17:19

What does it mean to flourish? According to author Daniel Coyle, flourishing is “joyful, meaningful growth — shared.” But how do you achieve that enviable state? The answer lies in Dan’s forthcoming book, “Flourish,” which you can pre-order now on Amazon, Audible, or Bookshop.org. Highlights: (5:11) Life isn't a treasure hunt; it’s more like treasu…

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Chaos at Old Trafford 52:16

14d ago52:16

52:16

#948 | Ed and Dan react to a breathless, chaotic 4–4 draw that managed to be both exhilarating and deeply exposing. They break down United’s aggressive pressing, fluid attacking movement, and how the side functioned without a recognised striker, while also confronting the defensive fragility that turned control into volatility. The discussion moves…

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15th December 2025: Shock of Christmas; Knives Out & baby Jesus being kidnapped 23:13

11d ago23:13

23:13

In this nearly-Christmas episode, Belle Tindall joins forces with CS Lewis and Dorothy L Sayers to go deep into the shocking truths buried beneath the Christmas tinsel; Krish Kandiah reviews Wake Up Dead Man and finds the Church playing a key role in the mystery; Lauren Westwood witnesses the baby Jesus being kidnapped and follows a trail of believ…

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AHRC 2026: A Brief Hiatus & A Reflection on Vattimo’s “Beyond the Subject 34:58

12d ago34:58

34:58

In this end-of-year installment, we’re sharing a conversation originally released on LEPHT HAND as we take a rare and well-earned brief hiatus from regular publishing. This pause marks a moment of transition rather than retreat, as both LEPHT HAND and Acid Horizon continue to evolve beyond the podcast form! Closing out the episode is a reflection o…

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Pathways and Pressure 58:39

16d ago58:39

58:39

#947 | Ed and Dharnish reflect on United’s recent run, using the games against West Ham and Wolves as a lens to assess where Ruben Amorim’s side is making progress and where problems persist. They dig into tactical patterns, selection decisions, and how absences for AFCON are exposing the limits of the squad.The conversation broadens into the issue…

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Swords are where I can be me, with Vera Martocchia 1:49:16

13d ago1:49:16

1:49:16

For transcriptions and more detailed shownotes, please go to: https://swordschool.shop/blogs/podcast/episode-208-swords-are-where-i-can-be-me-with-vera-martocchia To support the show, come join the Patrons at https://www.patreon.com/theswordguy Vera Martocchia is a professional sword fighting instructor with nearly a decade of experience in histori…

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United, Inc: Shaky Foundations, Rational Strategy 43:09

18d ago43:09

43:09

#946 | In this episode of the United Inc, NQAT's Finance Pod, Ed and Jamie discuss Manchester United's financial performance in Q1, covering July through September. They highlight the club's revenue, operating losses, and debt situation, noting that while total revenue was slightly down year-over-year, the club has made some progress in cost reduct…

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Kari Leibowitz Loves Winter (And You Can Too) 59:25

14d ago59:25

59:25

In our divided nation, there's one thing many of us seem to agree on: winter sucks. A recent study found that nearly half of Americans would skip winter if they could. Yet not everyone dreads the cold months. Psychologist Kari Leibowitz has spent years studying these winter-lovers, and she's arrived at a surprising truth: people who thrive this tim…

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When Food Is a Right, Not a Ration 51:54

15d ago51:54

51:54

As SNAP benefits face new political threats, millions of families are being pushed deeper into food insecurity—including many of our Native relatives whose communities already navigate the long-term impacts of colonization on food systems. In this special All My Relations + Old Growth Table podcast collaboration, Matika Wilbur and Temryss Lane sit …

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Taking a Bite Out of Wolves 53:12

20d ago53:12

53:12

#945 | Ed and Dan break down United's 4-1 win at Molineux – a result shaped as much by Wolves' collapse as United's competence. They look at the tactical choices that set the tone, the patterns that still need work, and the individuals who shifted the game. There's detailed discussion of Bruno Fernandes' influence, Matheus Cunha's threat, and the o…

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8th December 2025: Angels; Juries & Christmas Karma 18:37

19d ago18:37

18:37

This week, Jamie Mulvaney asks us to consider why we love angels so much; after David Lammy suggests amending jury trials in the UK, George Pitcher uses a Nazarene's trial as a case study in legal efficiency; Graham Tomlin suggests Christmas Karma is contradiction in terms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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How to Challenge Moon Landing Hoax Theories: Insights from Brian Keating 1:01:32

22d ago1:01:32

1:01:32

James brings back astrophysicist Brian Keating for a practical takedown of moon-landing conspiracy claims—and a wider lesson in how to reason when everyone has a microphone. From the Van Allen belts to “the flag waving,” Keating separates physics from folklore, explains what evidence actually looks like (hello, laser retroreflectors), and gives a p…

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Digital Social Hour Podcast by Sean Kelly: Why Gen Z Might Be the Most Talented Generation in History 57:48

24d ago57:48

57:48

Today, we're sharing the recent episode of the Digital Social Hour Podcast by Sean Kelly. James Altucher joins the show to break down why the 10,000-hour rule is a myth, how to cheat your way into the top 1%, why obsession matters more than talent, and how AI is now the greatest mentor of all time. From entrepreneurship and failure… to mental healt…

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Pure Frustration 44:46

21d ago44:46

44:46

#944 | Ed and Dharnish dissect Manchester United's 1-1 draw against West Ham at Old Trafford. They discuss the game's key moments, defensive lapses, and tactical decisions, including the four defensive substitutions that stifled attacking momentum. The conversation touches on the struggles in maintaining consistent performance levels and the overal…

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Best Of: How Successful Groups Work 1:10:57

21d ago1:10:57

1:10:57

Daniel Coyle will soon join us on the show to talk about his forthcoming book, Flourish. Today, we're revisiting our 2022 conversation with Dan about his last book, The Culture Playbook. Here's how we described the episode back then: The filmmakers at Pixar. The servers at Union Square Cafe. The badasses on SEAL Team Six. What do these super succes…

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Loud Indigenous Food with Pyet DeSpain 42:15

22d ago42:15

42:15

In this nourishing conversation, Matika and Temryss sit down with Pyet DeSpain (Prairie Band Potawatomi and Mexican), chef, entrepreneur, storyteller, and the first-ever winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef. Fresh from finishing her debut cookbook, Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking, Pyet shares the streams th…

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AI and the Future of the University 44:01

27d ago44:01

44:01

A few weeks ago, Rufus moderated a panel discussion at Vanderbilt’s New York City campus on artificial intelligence and the future of American higher education. Today, we’re bringing you that conversation. It features Nabiha Syed, executive director of Mozilla Foundation; Nicholas Dirks, president and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences; Julie …

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The Tactics Show: Set Pieces, Wing Backs and Squad Dynamics 33:21

28d ago33:21

33:21

#943 | Ed, Daniel and Dharnish break down the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace with a focus on what actually drove the result. The first half offered little control or invention. The second half looked sharper but still exposed the same structural problems that keep holding United back. They examine the setup, the halftime tweaks, and why the team conti…

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1st December 2025: MI6; Elon Musk & the price of parenthood 21:12

24d ago21:12

21:12

This episode finds George Pitcher taking us backstage at MI6; Sam Tomin asks Elon Musk the trillion dollar question and Imogen Ball tracks just how much it costs to have children Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Set Piece FC 1:02:30

25d ago1:02:30

1:02:30

#942 | Ed and Adam break down United’s 2-1 win away at Crystal Palace, a match that split neatly into two stories. The first half looked laboured. The second half looked like a team that finally woke up. They dig into what changed, who stepped up, and why the performance still raises as many questions as it answers. The conversation moves into the …

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Socialism, Spirituality and the Forgotten Occult Roots of the Left with Graham Jones 1:22:50

27d ago1:22:50

1:22:50

Can a genuinely liberatory politics survive without mystery, imagination, or the spiritual experiences that give life its depth? Sereptie speaks with Graham Jones about Jacobin’s article “The Forgotten History of Socialism and the Occult” and why its knee-jerk rationalism gets the history wrong. We explore the intersections of Marxism, mysticism, o…

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The perfectly rational fencer? With Martin Höppner 1:39:40

27d ago1:39:40

1:39:40

For transcriptions and more detailed shownotes, please go to: https://swordschool.shop/blogs/podcast/episode-207-the-perfectly-rational-fencer-with-martin-hoppner To support the show, come join the Patrons at https://www.patreon.com/theswordguy Dr Martin Höppner has been involved in historical martial arts since joining a local reenactment club, “B…

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Best Of: David Brooks on the Art of Seeing Others Deeply 1:05:39

28d ago1:05:39

1:05:39

New York Times columnist and acclaimed author David Brooks has been trying to learn the skills that go into seeing others, understanding others, making other people feel respected, valued, and safe. Such social skills may sound trifling, but mastering them, David believes, could help us all make better decisions, enhance our creativity, and maybe e…

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United, Inc: Squad Cost Rati-oh! 43:06

30d ago43:06

43:06

#941 | Jamie and Ed break down the Premier League’s newly approved financial regulations - rules that will reshape how every club spends, invests, and strategises. They outline the new financial framework, focusing on the Squad Cost Ratio and how it caps total spending on wages, amortisation, and agents' fees relative to club revenue. We analyse ho…