Best Ship Of Knowledge Podcasts (2025)

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Linda Upham-Bornstein, "'Mr. Taxpayer versus Mr. Tax Spender': Taxpayers’ Associations, Pocketbook Politics, and the Law during the Great Depression" (Temple UP, 2023) 45:45

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3h ago45:45

45:45

During the Great Depression, the proliferation of local taxpayers’ associations was dramatic and unprecedented. The justly concerned members of these organizations examined the operations of state, city, and county governments, then pressed local officials for operational and fiscal reforms. These associations aimed to reduce the cost of state and …

1
Elizabeth Currie, "Street Style: Art and Dress in the Time of Caravaggio" (Reaktion, 2025) 37:51

1h ago37:51

37:51

In late sixteenth-century Rome, artists found inspiration in bustling streets and taverns, depicting soldiers, Romani fortune tellers, sex workers and servants among the city’s poorest inhabitants. Street Style: Art and Dress in the Time of Caravaggio (Reaktion, 2025) by Dr. Elizabeth Currie explores these hidden lives, uncovering how the stories o…

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Louise Nyholm Kallestrup, "The Construction of Witchcraft in Early Modern Denmark, 1536-1617" (Routledge, 2025) 45:13

12h ago45:13

45:13

Louise Nyholm Kallestrup joins Jana Byars to talk about her new book, The Construction of Witchcraft in Early Modern Denmark, 1536-1617 (Routledge, 2025) This book examines how the experience of witchcraft developed and evolved from the Lutheran Evangelical Reformation of Denmark 1536 to the celebration of the Lutheran centennial of 1617. As well a…

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How Do Cruise Ships Actually Float? 10:19

1d ago10:19

10:19

Why does a quarter sink, but a cruise ship doesn't? Have you ever wondered how something as massive as a cruise ship defies gravity and stays afloat? Prepare to dive deep into maritime engineering and discover the secrets behind buoyancy, density, and ship design. Join Hunter as we explore how these floating cities manage to stay stable and balance…

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Tamar Mitts, "Safe Havens for Hate: The Challenge of Moderating Online Extremism" (Princeton UP, 2025) 45:21

1d ago45:21

45:21

Content moderation on social media has become one of the most daunting challenges of our time. Nowhere is the need for action more urgent than in the fight against terrorism and extremism. Yet despite mass content takedowns, account suspensions, and mounting pressure on technology companies to do more, hate thrives online. Safe Havens for Hate: The…

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How Was Halloween Actually Created? 11:35

4d ago11:35

11:35

Unearth the spooky secrets behind Halloween's origin! From ancient Celtic rituals and the legend of Stingy Jack to the evolution of jack-o'-lanterns and trick-or-treating, discover how diverse cultures conjured up the American Halloween we celebrate today. Join Hunter as he digs into the origins and cultural evolution on this SPOOKY episode of Fool…

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The Geopolitical, Geoscientific, and Geoeconomic Arctic 33:02

6d ago33:02

33:02

In this episode, we bring you an open dialogue on the Arctic’s growing geopolitical, geoscientific, and geoeconomic importance. The Session was co-moderated by H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of Arctic Circle and former President of Iceland, and Mihir Sharma, Director of the Centre for Economy and Growth at the Observer Research Foundation. T…

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Amanda Laury Kleintop, "Counting the Cost of Freedom: The Fight Over Compensated Emancipation After the Civil War" (UNC Press, 2025) 1:00:00

7d ago1:00:00

1:00:00

During the Civil War, the U.S. federal government abolished slavery without reimbursing enslavers, diminishing the white South’s wealth by nearly 50 percent. After the Confederacy’s defeat, white Southerners demanded federal compensation for the financial value of formerly enslaved people and fought for other policies that would recognize abolition…

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Jeremy Swist, "Julian Augustus: Platonism, Myth and the Refounding of Rome" (Oxford UP, 2025) 1:29:40

6d ago1:29:40

1:29:40

The Roman emperor Julian (r. 361-363 CE) was a man of action and of letters, which he employed in an effort to return the Empire to the light of the pagan gods, and reverse the Christianization of the empire advanced by his uncle Constantine and the sons of Constantine. This enterprise was inspired and guided by his conversion to the Neoplatonic ph…

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Its Wednesday My Dudes 1:43:21

6d ago1:43:21

1:43:21

Episode Notes This week, we return to check in on the Wednesday fandom. We had a good time with the first season but time has passed and only 3 characters really stuck with us. Join us as Grace explains the second season and its new British men, Nick remains disappointed as an original Addams fan, and James disregards the whole thing in favour of s…

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Your Life 41:06

8d ago41:06

41:06

Have you ever felt God calling you to step into something bigger than yourself? In Pastor Van's powerful message, he unveils Cedarcrest Church's transformative three-year discipleship journey called "Light It Up." Drawing from Moses' encounter at the burning bush, he challenges us to "take off our sandals"—removing self-reliance, casual faith, and …

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Is The Loch Ness Monster Actually Real? 16:02

8d ago16:02

16:02

Is there a mysterious creature lurking beneath the dark waters of Scotland's Loch Ness? Uncover the captivating story of Nessie, the legendary Loch Ness Monster, as we separate fact from fiction and explore the depths of this enduring myth. Join Hunter as we dive into the sightings, scientific investigations, and cultural impact of the Loch Ness Mo…

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Selena Daly, "Emigrant Soldiers: Mobilising Italians Abroad in the First World War" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 1:03:32

8d ago1:03:32

1:03:32

During the First World War, over 300,000 Italian emigrants returned to Italy from around the world to perform their conscripted military service, a mass mobilisation which was a uniquely Italian phenomenon. But what happened to these men following their arrival and once the war had ended? In Emigrant Soldiers: Mobilising Italians Abroad in the Firs…

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Robert C. Bird, "Legal Knowledge in Organizations: A Source of Strategic and Competitive Advantage" (Cambridge UP, 2025) 59:26

11d ago59:26

59:26

Legal Knowledge in Organizations: A Source of Strategic and Competitive Advantage (Cambridge UP, 2025) offers a step-by-step guide on how to utilize the law as a source of value in organizations. Robert C. Bird demonstrates how legal knowledge can be a valuable asset for firms, providing them with a sustainable competitive advantage that is difficu…

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Nathan E. Sanders and Bruce Schneier, "Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship" (MIT Press, 2025) 43:32

11d ago43:32

43:32

AI is changing democracy. We still get to decide how. AI’s impact on democracy will go far beyond headline-grabbing political deepfakes and automated misinformation. Everywhere it will be used, it will create risks and opportunities to shake up long-standing power structures. In this highly readable and advisedly optimistic book, Rewiring Democracy…

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The Destruction of All Knowledge {AKA The Library of Alexandria} 1:01:01

11d ago1:01:01

1:01:01

Welcome or welcome back to Wicked, Weird, and Grim, your number one podcast for a trip through the history of the odd, haunting, and mystifying. On today's episode, we dive deep into one of Ara's favorite subjects: the Library of Alexandria. Listen as we discuss the incorrect yet persistent idea that the Library was destroyed in one fell swoop and …

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Polar Connections 51:36

12d ago51:36

51:36

In this episode, we discuss how the polar regions serve as bridges connecting Asia with the global community, highlighting collaborative efforts and partnerships that address urgent challenges and drive scientific discovery and innovation. Moderating the session was Loulia AlKhatib, Researcher at the UAE Presidential Court and Emirates Polar Progra…

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Why Is There Traffic When There's No Accident? 9:38

11d ago9:38

9:38

Ever been stuck in a traffic jam that seems to appear out of nowhere? We're diving deep into the mysterious world of phantom traffic jams, uncovering the science behind those frustrating traffic waves and what causes them. Could AI cars and smarter traffic management be the key to smoother roads? Join Hunter as we navigate the chaos of congestion a…

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Wisdom Over Knowledge 37:15

15d ago37:15

37:15

By Van Vandegriff

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Elisabeth R. Anker, "Ugly Freedoms" (Duke UP, 2022) 1:00:09

14d ago1:00:09

1:00:09

Freedom is often considered the cornerstone of the American political project. The 1776 revolutionaries declared it an inalienable right that could neither be taken nor granted, a sacred concept upon which the nation was established. The concept and actualization of freedom are also to be defended by the state. However, when such a concept has been…

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Lorenzo Castellani, "Alberto Beneduce, Mussolini's Technocrat: Power, Knowledge, and Institutions in Fascist Italy" (Routledge, 2025) 47:27

16d ago47:27

47:27

Should "good" people work for authoritarians? Does their implicit endorsement do more harm than their replacement by someone potentially worse? This was a common debate during Donald Trump's first term in the White House. Less so, during his second as loyalists assume most top positions in the administration. A century ago, this was a central quest…

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Why Are Yawns Contagious? 13:37

15d ago13:37

13:37

Ever wonder why one yawn can set off a chain reaction? Is it just about being tired, or is there something deeper going on? Explore the surprising science behind yawning, from brain cooling to social bonding, and uncover the evolutionary secrets hidden in this universal human behavior. Join Hunter as he cracks open the case of the contagious yawn o…

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Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio, "Shipping Sculptures from Early Modern Italy: The Mechanics, Costs, Risks, and Rewards" (Brepols, 2025) 54:54

15d ago54:54

54:54

Shipping Sculptures from Early Modern Italy: The Mechanics, Costs, Risks, and Rewards (Brepols, 2025) by Dr. Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio focuses on enormous amounts of sculptures moved from Italy to Spain from ca. 1500-1750. An analysis of an important body of unpublished archival documentation regarding the practical issues involved in making and tr…

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Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio, "Shipping Sculptures from Early Modern Italy: The Mechanics, Costs, Risks, and Rewards" (Brepols, 2025) 54:54

17d ago54:54

54:54

Shipping Sculptures from Early Modern Italy: The Mechanics, Costs, Risks, and Rewards (Brepols, 2025) by Dr. Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio focuses on enormous amounts of sculptures moved from Italy to Spain from ca. 1500-1750. An analysis of an important body of unpublished archival documentation regarding the practical issues involved in making and tr…

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Rehan Abeyratne, "Courts and LGBTQ+ Rights in an Age of Judicial Retrenchment" (Oxford UP, 2025) 1:02:17

18d ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Democratic backsliding, culture wars and partisan politics in the past two decades has seen the regression of human rights protections in the courts and across societies. However, having made incremental gains in constitutional courts, LGBTQ+ rights operate as somewhat of a paradox. In this pivotal work, Professor Rehan Abeyratne makes an argument …

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Do Animals Have Their Own Language? 15:07

19d ago15:07

15:07

Ever wondered if your pet is trying to tell you more than just "feed me"? Do animals have their own secret languages we're only beginning to understand? From the intricate dances of bees to the deep rumbles of elephants and the sophisticated clicks of dolphins, we're diving deep into the world of animal communication to explore what they're really …

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Climate Action for Arctic Biodiversity 53:49

20d ago53:49

53:49

In this episode, we focus on Arctic biodiversity, which supports food security and the livelihoods of Arctic communities. Yet today, with climate change accelerating, these ecosystems are under threat of irreversible loss. Moderating the session was Archana Singh, Scientist D at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, India. This conversa…

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Future of the Forest: Struggles over Land and Law in India 31:45

20d ago31:45

31:45

How did India’s landmark Forest Rights Act come into being? And what difference has it made to the lives of historically marginalized forest-dwelling communities? These questions are at the heart of Anand Vaidya’s new monograph Future of the forest: Struggles over land and law in India that we discuss in this episode. Future of the forest offers a …

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Justin Stover and George Woudhuysen, "The Lost History of Sextus Aurelius Victor" (Edinburgh UP, 2023) 1:26:32

21d ago1:26:32

1:26:32

This book rediscovers a lost history of the Roman Empire, written by Sextus Aurelius Victor (ca. 320-390) and demonstrates for the first time both the contemporary and lasting influence of his historical work. Though little regarded today, Victor is the best-attested historian of the later Roman Empire, read by Jerome and Ammianus, honoured with a …

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Nick and James Play Truth or Dare 1:36:12

20d ago1:36:12

1:36:12

Episode Notes This week, Nick and James check in on Wikihow and discover it's provided some handy guides on playing party games. So join us as we play truth or dare, unearthing some horrifying stories from our teenage years. Then Nick gets to learn what a Labubu is. And then finds out about Sigma Males. And then he realises he might be one himself.…

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It is More Blessed to Give Than Receive 38:46

22d ago38:46

38:46

By Van Vandegriff

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Did Alexander Graham Bell Really Invent The Telephone? 11:17

22d ago11:17

11:17

Think Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone all by himself? Think again! Get ready for a shocking call as we dial into the untold stories of rival inventors, patent battles, and the hidden figures behind one of the world's most iconic inventions. Join Hunter as we untangle the wires of truth behind the telephone's invention on this episode o…

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S. Orestis Palermos, "Cyborg Rights: Extending Cognition, Ethics, and the Law" (Routledge, 2025) 1:00:37

24d ago1:00:37

1:00:37

Until recently, no one could access the detailed contents of your mind directly the way only you can. This level of protection of our mental data was guaranteed by the way we are built biologically – and it can no longer be taken for granted. In Cyborg Rights: Extending Cognition, Ethics, and the Law (Routledge, 2025) S. Orestis Palermos considers …

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Miranda Spieler, "Slaves in Paris: Hidden Lives and Fugitive Histories" (Harvard UP, 2025) 53:33

26d ago53:33

53:33

In the decades leading up to the French Revolution, when Paris was celebrated as an oasis of liberty, slaves fled there, hoping to be freed. They pictured Paris as a refuge from France’s notorious slave-trading ports. The French were late to the slave trade, but they dominated the global market in enslaved people by the late 1780s. This explosive g…

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Did an Asteroid Really Wipe Out the Dinosaurs? 11:26

26d ago11:26

11:26

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Interpolar Knowledge Exchange Program 57:26

27d ago57:26

57:26

By Arctic Circle

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Do You Live to Please God or Man? 37:16

29d ago37:16

37:16

What if standing firm in your faith meant walking through fire? In this powerful message, Pastor Van unpacks the timeless story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to reveal how true emotional intelligence means pleasing God alone, not people. Through their courageous example of respectfully but firmly refusing to bow to culture's golden idols, we l…

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Is It Bad to Swallow Gum? 8:02

29d ago8:02

8:02

Swallowing your gum as a kid always came with a scary warning: "It'll stay in your stomach for seven years!" But is there any truth to this sticky situation? Hunter chews on the facts, separating myth from reality when it comes to gum and your digestive system. Discover what really happens when you swallow gum and if you should actually be worried.…