Best Eric Kaplan Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 204 - Bruce Eric Kaplan 1:23:50

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25d ago1:23:50

1:23:50

Bruce Eric Kaplan joins us on the podcast this week. We talk with Bruce about his career in TV, writing books and cartoons and how he's managed to blend all of those career paths together. He doesn't mind getting a little cartoons mixed in with his TV and his TV getting mixed in with his books. We also talk about our favorite BEK cartoons and how a…

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Ep 208: Mike Doran on America’s Strikes in Iran 45:27

1d ago45:27

45:27

Mike Doran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to break down America’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and what might come next. ▪️ Times • 01:00 Reactions • 08:00 Deception • 12:00 More to come • 17:00 Self-deception • 24:00 Next few days • 31:00 Esca…

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Episode 207 - Michael Litwak 1:32:08

2d ago1:32:08

1:32:08

Michael Litwak joins us on the second half of the podcast this week. Michael is a recent contributor to the New Yorker and has had his cartoons published in a number of other publication. He is also a successful filmmaker with his most recent effort, "Molli And Max In The Future" receiving a NYT Critic's Pick and a Certified Fresh (98% rating) on R…

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Why We Stop Noticing What Matters and How to Feel Alive Again with Tali Sharot 1:01:35

3d ago1:01:35

1:01:35

In this episode, Tali Sharot explains why we stop noticing what matters and how to start feeling alive again. She describes what habituation is and how our minds normalize what once moved us. Tali also explores ways that we can reawaken joy, purpose, and even moral clarity. It’s an eye-opening look at the subtle ways we lose and then can reclaim ou…

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Ep 207: Mark Dubowitz on the Israel-Iran War and American Intervention 42:35

3d ago42:35

42:35

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to bring us up to speed on the Israel-Iran conflict, and the possibility of America’s intervention. ▪️ Times • 01:00 Achievements • 05:00 Retaliation • 09:00 Hard math • 16:00 Intervention • 24:00 Outcomes • 30:00 Ground operations • 32:00 Another Iraq? • 38:00 Resolve and stability • 42:00 “Iraq Syndrome” …

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"Don't Tell Larry" w/Greg Porper and John Shimke - Just Shoot It 480 1:15:12

4d ago1:15:12

1:15:12

The directing duo from "Don't Tell Larry" detail their eight-year journey to turn the phrase, "Don't Tell Larry", into a world, a web series, and feature starring Eg Begley., Jr., Dot-Marie Jones, Patty Guggenheim, and Kiel Kennedy. And they chat with Matt and Oren about how their background in unscripted TV prepared them but also left gaps when it…

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‘Comedy Samurai’ Larry Charles Returns: ‘Seinfeld,’ ‘Curb,’ ‘‘Borat,’ and ‘Brüno’ 1:10:35

5d ago1:10:35

1:10:35

Over the course of his 40-year career, Larry Charles has had two central creative relationships with Larry David (‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’) and Sacha Baron Cohen (‘Borat’ and ‘Brüno’). Now, he reveals in a new memoir that he hasn’t spoken to either man in years. In his return to The Last Laugh podcast, Charles breaks down how it all fe…

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Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Life: Finding Ease and Clarity with Charlie Gilkey 51:44

6d ago51:44

51:44

You're doing everything right, staying productive, chasing growth, keeping up. But what if the discomfort you feel isn't a sign that you need to do more, but a signal to let go? In this episode, Charlie Gilkey and I explore the Tao Te Ching, which is one of my favorite books of all time, but not as a relic from the past, but as a guide for navigati…

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Rabbi Yair Ḥayim Bacharach on Jews Drinking Gentile Wine, featuring Rabbi Aryeh Klapper [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #178] 44:23

6d ago44:23

44:23

Introduction A recurring topic on The Jewish Drinking Show is that of gentile wine. Having initially discussed it on episode #71 of the show on early rabbis on gentile [libation] wine, episode #135 of the show on how the rabbis of the Talmud perceived gentiles as compulsive libaters, and episode #83 of the show on Medieval rabbis on gentile wine, w…

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Ep 206: Cleo Paskal on China’s Central Pacific Strategy 49:49

6d ago49:49

49:49

Cleo Paskal, non-resident senior fellow at FDD and author of Crossroads of Competition, joins the show to discuss China’s campaign for influence and control at the scene of America’s bloody island-hopping campaign in WW2. ▪️ Times • 01:35 Introduction • 04:03 Pacific desert • 07:45 Control • 13:48 Post 1945 • 22:43 Significance • 24:31 Yap • 29:43 …

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Ep 205: Mark Dubowitz on Israel’s Unfolding Campaign in Iran 31:16

10d ago31:16

31:16

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of FDD, joins the show to breakdown last night’s spectacular Israeli strikes against the Iranian Regime and its nuclear program, and what comes next. ▪️ Times • 02:00 Deception • 06:00 Targets • 09:00 The Scientists • 11:00 Complacency • 14:00 Israeli goals • 19:00 Regime change • 23:00 Strikes and talks • 29:00 Drones • 31:00 Co…

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How to Recognize the Hidden Signs of Burnout with Leah Weiss 57:56

10d ago57:56

57:56

What if the very thing that gives your life meaning is also what's burning you out? That's the paradox. Leah Weiss found herself in teaching compassionate leadership at Stanford. Working with organizations inspired by the Dalai Lama. Doing the kind of work most of us dream of. And yet she was falling apart. In today's conversation, we unpacked the …

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Editing Chimp Crazy's 1,500 hours of Footage w/Evan Wise - Just Shoot It 479 1:07:04

11d ago1:07:04

1:07:04

"Chimp Crazy" is HBO's top-watched documentary. But being from the team that made Tiger King is both a plus and a minus. In this episode, writer, producer, and editor Evan Wise https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2188036/ chats with Matt & Oren about the hurdles they faced and the moment he knew this doc would be good. We explore the importance of personal…

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Episode 206 - Lawrence Wood 51:35

11d ago51:35

51:35

Larry Wood, the all time New Yorker cartoon caption contest winner, author and CartoonStock caption contest judge, joins us to talk about the current New Yorker contests, our favorite cartoons from this week’s issue of the New Yorker and the latest CartoonStock contest. As always, we have a great discussion about the contests and we take some time …

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Justine Lupe: ‘Nobody Wants This’ and ‘Succession’ 55:26

12d ago55:26

55:26

Justine Lupe thought there was no way she’d ever be able to top the experience of playing Willa on HBO’s ‘Succession.’ Then she got cast as Morgan, one of the “loser siblings” on the runaway Netflix hit ‘Nobody Wants This.’ They are two very different roles on two very different shows, but she says on this episode that she feels extremely “lucky” t…

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The Nobility of Service: Finding Magic and Connection in the Smallest Gestures with Will Guidara 1:00:34

13d ago1:00:34

1:00:34

What do a fine dining maitre d. A magician burying cards in a backyard and a toddler looking for Elsa have in common? They all show us that magic still exists. If we’re willing to care more, than seems reasonable. In this episode, Will Guidara, who’s a former co-owner of 11 Madison Park, which was once named the best restaurant in the world, the au…

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Ep 204: Annie Jacobsen on Nuclear War 55:26

13d ago55:26

55:26

Annie Jacobsen, journalist and author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, joins the show to discuss nuclear weapons and their use. ▪️ Times • 01:20 Introduction • 02:50 Finding the music • 07:02 Reporting • 09:15 Hidden information • 11:22 The scenario • 13:50 Launch on warning • 17:30 Villians • 20:45 Annihilation • 26:25 The Black Book • 30:40 North Kore…

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HEARD (003): Zarella Restaurant, New Mexican gochujang, crispy rice, chefs rallying against childhood hunger, two cookbooks recs, and food processors 9:52

14d ago9:52

9:52

In this episode, Kappy shares what’s on his plate at the moment. Links and handles mentioned in this episode: Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna / ig Chef Lee Wolen Chef Chris Pandel Boka Restaurant Group Fra’ Mani Chef David Ruiz Overland Park Convention Center NM ChileJang KALEJUNKIE, Nicole Keshishian Share Our Strength Childhood hunger Chef letter sign…

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Rabbi Yeḥezkel Landau's Responsum on Isinglass in Mead, featuring Rabbi Elli Fischer [The Jewish Drinking Show, Episode #177] 46:54

14d ago46:54

46:54

Introduction A fascinating matter in the world of kashrut, especially regarding the kashrut of beverages, is the inclusion of using isinglass for the refining of beverages, whether mead, beer, wine, or even other beverages. This was not always the case, as Rabbi Yeḥezkel Landau wrote a responsum permitting its use [for the use in clarifying mead] (…

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Embrace the Chaos: Finding Clarity Through Meditation with Henry Shukman (Part 2) 1:00:08

17d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

In part one of this two-part conversation, we walked along the edge of paradox where effort gives way to ease and the search itself becomes the obstacle. In this second part of my conversation with Zen teacher Henry Shukman, the way begins to reveal itself, not as something we grasp, but something we live. We talk about awakening, the collapse of s…

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Ep 203: Stephen Rabe on the Invasion of Normandy 50:38

17d ago50:38

50:38

Stephen Rabe, historian and author of The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy: A Story of Resistance, Courage, and Solidarity in a French Village, joins the show to discuss one of the countless, incredible stories from D-Day. ▪️ Times • 01:18 Introduction • 01:25 Marine • 02:50 Origins • 06:48 Normandy • 09:29 507th • 15:20 Training • 18:23 Overlord • 21…

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How to Choose a DP w/Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 478 47:42

18d ago47:42

47:42

Matt and Oren dive into the process of finding the right cinematographer or DP for your project, breaking down key factors like reputation, working methodology, artistry, specialties, reel, website, and even foreign language skills. They also explore how budget impacts these considerations. Like what shifts when you're working with $50K versus $2 m…

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Episode 205 - Lindsey Budde 1:30:42

19d ago1:30:42

1:30:42

Lindsey Budde joins us on the second half of the podcast this week. Lindsey is a new cartoon contributor to the New Yorker, with her first cartoon appearing in the September 23, 2024 issue. We talk with Lindsey about her background and her journey to becoming a New Yorker Cartoonist. You can see more of her cartoons om her instagram page: https://w…

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Kevin Smith: ‘Dogma’ Secrets Revealed! 1:12:40

19d ago1:12:40

1:12:40

25 years ago, Kevin Smith released his most controversial and provocative film. Then, after a solid run in theaters and a robust life on VHS, it disappeared into the ether and has never been available to stream. Now, as ‘Dogma’ makes its triumphant return to theaters this weekend, Smith reveals the full story of how he got huge stars like Matt Damo…

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Embrace the Chaos: Finding Clarity Through Meditation with Henry Shukman (Part 1) 1:00:25

20d ago1:00:25

1:00:25

In this episode, Henry Shukman discusses how to embrace the chaos and find clarity through meditation while exploring themes of self-development and self-love. Henry emphasizes the balance between effort and acceptance in spiritual practice, highlighting the interplay between sudden insights (satori) and gradual progress. He also discuss the import…

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Ep 202: Fred Kagan on Ukraine’s Attack and the Future of War 42:48

20d ago42:48

42:48

Fred Kagan, senior fellow and the director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI, joins the show to discuss Ukraine’s drone operation targeting Russia’s strategic air assets. ▪️ Times • 01:46 Introduction • 02:25 What just happened? • 07:48 Escalation risk • 10:20 Control • 12:39 Implications • 21:10 Stratagems • 24:04 Effects • 30:40 Economic pre…

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Navigating Fear and Hope: the Everyday Courage That Shapes Our Lives with Ryan Holiday 52:41

24d ago52:41

52:41

In this episode, Ryan Holiday explores navigating fear and hope and the everyday courage that shapes our lives. He unpacks how to confront our fears and how we need to do so, over and over. With great stories and insights, we are reminded that we don’t have to be fearless, we just have to begin. Key Takeaways: The concept of courage and its signifi…

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Ep 201: Zachary Griffiths & McKinsey Harb on the U.S. Army 45:59

24d ago45:59

45:59

Lt. Col. Zachary Griffiths & Maj. McKinsey Harb joined the show to discuss the U.S. Army’s new Field Manual 1, FM 1 -THE ARMY: A PRIMER TO OUR PROFESSION OF ARMS. ▪️ Times • 01:22 Introduction • 01:51 West Point • 05:43 Culture shift • 08:50 FM 1 • 12:00 Ben Salomon • 18:06 Warrior • 24:04 Tensions • 31:05 Recruiting • 35:18 Leader/follower • 42:19…

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Adventures from Set w/ Matt & Oren - Just Shoot It 477 1:06:24

25d ago1:06:24

1:06:24

Matt and Oren break down their approach to directing on set—from working with celebrity talent like Neil Patrick Harris to navigating the challenges of directing kids. It's a glimpse into their lives as directors. They also explore how user-generated content and influencers are changing the types of projects advertisers want to create and opening n…

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Richard Kind on John Mulaney, Larry David and More 44:16

26d ago44:16

44:16

You might recognize Richard Kind from sitcoms like ‘Mad About You’ or ‘Spin City.’ Or from his voice work as the imaginary friend Bing Bong in Pixar’s ‘Inside Out.’ Now, he has become the ultimate late-night TV sidekick on ‘Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney,’ which wraps up its first season run on Netflix this week. In this episode, Kind talks abo…

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Failure as Fertilizer: Learning to Bloom Again with Debbie Millman 59:56

27d ago59:56

59:56

In this episode, Debbie Millman explores how we can use failure as fertilizer and learn to bloom again. Debbie's book and this conversation is about more than just gardening tips or tools, it's about what happens when we let ourselves be bad at something, especially later in life. Debbie opens up about learning to grow and why failure might be the …

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Ep 200: Rick Atkinson on the American Revolution at 250 53:35

27d ago53:35

53:35

Rick Atkinson, historian and author of The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, joins the show to discuss the causes, conduct, and epic consequences of the American Revolution. ▪️ Times • 02:08 Introduction • 02:21 Journalism • 04:30 Mogadishu • 09:30 Lessons • 12:49 Ideology • 16:36 Diplomacy • 20:21 Bos…

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HEARD (002): San Diego, thermometers, chilli tahini sauce, Southern Smoke, Gail Simmons, LeBron James, knives 11:45

28d ago11:45

11:45

In this episode, Kappy shares what’s on his plate at the moment. Links and handles mentioned in this episode: - Combustion Inc. Predictive Thermometer - Deliciously Ella - Ella Mills - Lotus Foods - Temple Street Eatery - Callie Restaurant - Chef Travis Swikard - Chris Young - Southern Smoke - Chris Shepherd - Gail Simmons Newsletter - Ferrero Pock…

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From Benches to Breakthroughs: A New Approach to Mental Health with Dixon Chibanda 54:52

1M ago54:52

54:52

In this episode, Dr. Dixon Chibanda explores from benches to breakthroughs: a new approach to mental health. He explains why storytelling, radical empathy, and solving daily-life problems often outperform medication-first approaches; how three simple steps—opening the mind, uplifting, strengthening—turn elders into community healers; and why hope, …

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Ep 199: Jonathan Hackett on Our Failures in Iraq & Afghanistan 41:00

1M ago41:00

41:00

Jonathan Hackett, former U.S. Marine Corps interrogator and author of Theory of Irregular War, joins the show to discuss America’s post-9/11 wars and how irregular warfare works. ▪️ Times • 01:12 Introduction • 01:30 A good interrogator • 03:26 Afghanistan • 06:15 In the interrogation room • 12:10 The Reid Technique • 14:27 Galula • 17:10 A militar…

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Building "Friendship" w/Cinematographer Andy Rydzewski - Just Shoot It 476 1:22:59

1M ago1:22:59

1:22:59

The skyrocketing success of "Friendship," starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, is tied to its distinct visual style. Cinematographer Andy Rydzewski https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2198503 shares the recipe behind the film’s look, breaking down key choices in framing, lighting, and camera techniques. Matt and Oren dive into the details, nerding out over…

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Episode 203 - Victor Varnado 1:24:32

1M ago1:24:32

1:24:32

Victor Varnado joins us on the second half of the podcast this week. Victor is an actor, comedian, humorist and, of course, a New Yorker cartoonist. We talk with Victor about his background, being funny and we take a deep dive into A.I. and its use in creativity. You can learn more about Victor at his website: https://supremerobot.com His Anti-Raci…

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Jillian Bell Returns: From SNL to ‘Summer of 69’ 59:57

1M ago59:57

59:57

Jillian Bell has a bad habit of talking herself out of acting jobs. She was supposed to play a much bigger role in Adam Sandler’s ‘Murder Mystery 2’ and almost starred in one of Netflix’s biggest hit shows. So when it came time to make her directorial debut ‘Summer of 69’ (now streaming on Hulu), she decided to stay (almost entirely) behind the cam…

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Beyond Anxiety: How Curiosity Turns Fear Into Fuel with Martha Beck 58:00

1M ago58:00

58:00

In this episode, Martha Beck explores how to move beyond anxiety and how curiosity turns fear into fuel. Martha dives into why anxiety can’t simply be silenced. It has to be replaced with things like creativity, curiosity, and a deep kindness towards ourselves. Key Takeaways: Discussion of anxiety versus fear and their psychological implications. E…

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Ep 198: Robert D. Kaplan on Crisis 38:10

1M ago38:10

38:10

Robert D. Kaplan, Robert Strausz-Hupé Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and author of Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis, joins the show to discuss the world’s current state of “permanent crisis”. ▪️ Times • 01:40 Introduction • 02:00 Far Rockaway • 04:55 Balkan Ghosts • 08:20 Geography and technology • 10:55 Weimar…

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Move Your Body, Free Your Mind: The Science of Movement and Mental Health with Caroline Williams 1:07:20

1M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

In this episode, Caroline Williams shares how moving your body can free your mind as she dives into the surprising science of movement and mental health. Caroline spent years studying the brain until she realized she was ignoring half the equation. She explains how movement of all kinds, walking, stretching, dancing, and even laughter can reshape o…

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Directing The Weeknd's "Hurry Up Tomorrow" w/Trey Edward Shults - Just Shoot It 475 1:03:26

1M ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Trey Edward Shults https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4099092/ has been called a visionary film director. Matt and Oren chat with Trey about his bold leap into auteur filmmaking—what it means to claim that title and how he made it happen. What did he learn as a nineteen-year-old loading IMAX film for Terrence Malick on the edge of a live volcano? And is g…

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Kumail Nanjiani: ‘Poker Face,’ ‘Silicon Valley,’ SNL and More 1:01:51

1M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

For most of his career, Kumail Nanjiani has been asked to play the same type of brash nerd character that he perfected over six seasons on HBO’s ‘Silicon Valley.’ Then, a few years back, everything changed. The Pakistani-American comedian transformed his body to appear in the Marvel movie ‘Eternals’ and ever since, strange new doors have opened for…

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Shmaltz Brewing Transitions Through Experimentation, featuring Rabbi Jesse Epstein [The Jewish Drinking Show, episode #176] 43:31

1M ago43:31

43:31

Introduction Having previously featured Shmaltz Brewing Company founder, Jesse Cowan, to discuss the first quarter-century of the company on episode 117 of The Jewish Drinking Show, on that episode, Cowan introduced Jesse Epstein as the new owner of the company. Returning to The Jewish Drinking Show, Epstein is now an ordained rabbi and lays out hi…

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Navigating the Messy Parts of Life: Embracing Imperfection and Growth with Josh Radnor 50:14

1M ago50:14

50:14

In this episode, Josh Radnor discusses the messy parts of life and embracing imperfection and growth. Josh Radnor explains how, even outward success, fame, acclaim, creative fulfillment isn’t enough to quiet the deeper battles within. He shares how real freedom comes not from achieving perfection, but from making peace with the messy, unfinished pa…

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Ep 197: Mick Ryan on the Ukrainian Battlefield 41:55

1M ago41:55

41:55

Mick Ryan, retired major general in the Australian Army and author of The War for Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation Under Fire, joins the show to discuss the evolving battlefield and cycles of change and innovation going on in Ukraine. ▪️ Times • 01:35 Introduction • 02:17 Touring the front • 05:11 No place safe • 07:01 Change • 11:24 Wire guided dr…

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HEARD (001): haloumi, iconic ice creams, a molecular biologist, giving back, Top Chef, and chili crunch 6:54

1M ago6:54

6:54

In this episode, Kappy shares what’s on his plate at the moment. Links and handles mentioned in this episode: - Aviv, avivsb.com - CookNSolo, cooknsolo.com - @mikesolomonov - saltandstraw.com - @saltandstraw - book: https://a.co/d/5vvo7f0 - @abrowntable - shareourstrength.org - nokidhungry.org/events - @kristenlkish - https://mr-bing.com/collection…