Best Silicon Theory Podcasts (2025)

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137: How One of The Top American Scholars Converted to Islam w. Sh Suhaib Webb 1:08:30

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8h ago1:08:30

1:08:30

In this episode of the Ansari Podcast, Sheikh Suhaib Webb shares his personal journey converting to Islam. Can weed lead people to Islam? Sheikh was a blood member and a rapper - now he's one of the top Muslim scholars in America, how did get there? Tackling spiritual Loneliness, the importance of community support, father Figures and how converts …

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The Forgotten Shock Jock Who Paved the Way for Rush Limbaugh 9:39

8h ago9:39

9:39

This week, we're airing part two of a documentary series, courtesy of Radio Diaries, about three radio personalities who had huge audiences in their time, but today, are largely forgotten. These days, we’re used to media that thrives on conflict, that amplifies the most outrageous voices in the room. It’s something we often trace back to shock jock…

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#140 Poker, Projects, and Probability: Lessons from the Poker Table with Stacy Oliver 59:20

9h ago59:20

59:20

“In both poker and business, humans are the biggest variable—and the biggest opportunity." In this episode of Mastering Agility, Jim welcomes long-time friend and seasoned agile coach Stacy Oliver for a fascinating conversation that blends the worlds of poker, game theory, and agility. Drawing from decades of experience at the card table and in the…

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Buddha Didn't Want You to Quit Thinking with W. Tom Pepper 1:28:42

2d ago1:28:42

1:28:42

Journey into the often-overlooked intersection of Buddhism and critical theory with Tom Pepper, author of "The Faithful Buddhist" and "Indispensable Goods." Tom challenges conventional Western Buddhist practices by exposing how deeply they're entangled with romantic ideology and capitalist structures. Pepper argues that Western Buddhism has largely…

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Quantum Careers for Gen Z with Deeya Viradia 35:44

5d ago35:44

35:44

Episode Overview Join Sebastian Hassinger in conversation with Deeya Viradia, a Gen Z voice and rising researcher in the quantum computing field. Deeya discusses her multifaceted journey—from early inspiration and undergraduate research to hackathons, quantum clubs, and her ambitions in commercialization. This episode is packed with resources, pers…

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GPT-5 Backlash + Perplexity C.E.O. Aravind Srinivas on the Browser Wars + Hot Mess Express 1:11:29

5d ago1:11:29

1:11:29

OpenAI spent the week responding to outcry from users who miss the behavior of the old ChatGPT, before the latest flagship model was released. We discuss the criticism, why it caught the company by surprise and what it indicates about the deepening emotional relationships that people are forming with chatbots. Then, Aravind Srinivas, the chief exec…

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Silicon Valley's Rightwing Roots. Plus, the CEO of Bluesky Reimagines Social Media 50:28

5d ago50:28

50:28

When Donald Trump returned to office, tech companies donated millions of dollars to his inaugural committee. On this week’s On the Media, the rightwing roots of Silicon Valley. Plus, the CEO of the burgeoning social media platform, Bluesky, on how to billionaire-proof the internet. [01:00] Micah Loewinger speaks with Becca Lewis, a postdoctoral res…

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#46 - Isabelle Boemeke - Why Nuclear Power Is The Rad Future We Need 2:16:32

7d ago2:16:32

2:16:32

Energy is the lifeblood of civilization. Is nuclear power the source of abundant clean energy that's been under our noses this whole time? In this episode of the Win-Win Podcast, Liv sits down with Isabelle Boemeke (founder of Isodope & energy expert) to tackle the debate between abundance and degrowth, sustainability, safety & energy infrastructur…

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Ep 227: The Importance of 'Seriousness,' or Why Palestinians Can't Be Witness to Their Own Genocide (Part II) 1:33:52

7d ago1:33:52

1:33:52

"Exclusive Look at Life in War-Ravaged Gaza," reads the title for a CNN interview with correspondent Clarissa Ward. "'It's a Killing Field': IDF Soldiers Ordered to Shoot Deliberately at Unarmed Gazans Waiting for Humanitarian Aid," report Yaniv Kubovich and Bar Peleg for Ha'aretz. "I’m a Genocide Scholar. I Know It When I See It," argues Omer Bart…

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136: How You Know You've Made The Choice Allah Wants For You w. Mohammed Faris 1:17:47

7d ago1:17:47

1:17:47

In this episode, we are joined by Brother Mohammed Faris, author of 'The Barakah Effect' and 'The Productive Muslim,' as well as the founder of The Productive Muslim Company. Mohammed Faris coaches individuals of any faith background through a faith-based productivity mindset known as the Barakah Effect. Mohammed explains the concept of Barakah, ho…

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The Famous Black Preacher Who Feuded With MLK 15:41

7d ago15:41

15:41

For these final weeks of summer we wanted to transport you away from the doom and gloom of the daily news with a trio of stories produced by our friends at the public radio documentary-maker, Radio Diaries. The series is called “Making Waves” and it profiles three people who pushed the boundaries of radio: one to warn, one to rile, one to preach. T…

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#139 The Leader in All of Us: Changing Narratives, Changing Organizations with Laura Heikkurinen 28:02

8d ago28:02

28:02

“I dream of a world where we don’t have managers — just autonomous, inspired teams.” In this insightful episode of Mastering Agility, hosts Sander and Jim sit down with Laura Heikkurinen, Lead Transformation Coach at OP Financial Group, live at the Scan Agile 2025 conference. Together, they dive into the nuances of modern leadership, the tension be…

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Rereading Lenin: Context, Chronology, and Revolutionary Change with Alexander Herbert 1:14:25

9d ago1:14:25

1:14:25

What happens when you read Lenin completely, chronologically, and in context? You discover a thinker far more complex and pragmatic than most portrayals suggest. In this illuminating conversation, Professor Alex Herbert shares insights from his ambitious "Lenin in 45 Volumes" project, where he's systematically reading Lenin's complete works in thei…

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Trump's Fact Eradication Program. Plus, How Jubilee is Transforming Political Debate 50:20

12d ago50:20

50:20

President Trump fired the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics following a weak jobs report. On this week’s On the Media, how the Trump administration is threatening government data. Plus, a viral YouTube channel raises questions about the meaning of political debate. [01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone situates President Trump’s recent firing …

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Silicon Spin Qubits with Andrew Dzurak from Diraq 33:33

12d ago33:33

33:33

Host: Sebastian Hassinger Guest: Andrew Dzurak (CEO, Diraq) In this enlightening episode, Sebastian Hassinger interviews Professor Andrew Dzurak. Andrew is the CEO and co-founder of Diraq and concurrently a Scientia Professor in Quantum Engineering at UNSW Sydney, an ARC Laureate Fellow and a Member of the Executive Board of the Sydney Quantum Acad…

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GPT-5 Arrives, and We Try the New Alexa+ 1:12:57

12d ago1:12:57

1:12:57

This week, OpenAI released its much-anticipated flagship model, GPT-5. We break down what we know about the upgrade, drawing from our initial testing and a special news briefing with Sam Altman. Then, we explain why we were underwhelmed by Amazon’s new Alexa+, which is powered by generative A.I., and take our feedback to Daniel Rausch, vice preside…

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#138 More Watts, Less Waste: Efficiency Lessons from Triathlon and Scrum with Dana Mykytiuk 32:57

13d ago32:57

32:57

“You can build software with Excel. You can finish an Ironman on a cheap bike. But will it be enjoyable? That’s another question.” In this inspiring and energetic episode, Sander and Jim sit down with Dana—Scrum Master, team lead, and passionate triathlete—just ahead of her session at the Online Scrum Master Summit. Together, they unpack: Dana’s jo…

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Ep 226: The Importance of 'Seriousness,' or Why Palestinians Can't Be Witness to Their Own Genocide (Part I) 1:08:20

14d ago1:08:20

1:08:20

“12 UN Relief Works Agency staff members are accused of involvement in Hamas' attack against Israel,” reports NPR. “Details Emerge on U.N. Workers Accused of Aiding Hamas Raid,” announces The New York Times. “Hamas Military Compound Found Beneath U.N. Agency Headquarters in Gaza,” claims The Wall Street Journal. In January 2024—literally on the sam…

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Eric Adams' Latest Scandal 20:13

14d ago20:13

20:13

Here in New York we’re not due to select our next mayor till November but somehow it feels like we’re already embroiled in pre-election chaos. Eric Adams is now running as an independent, and to do so he was required to present the signatures of 7,500 New Yorkers who support him. He actually handed in around 50,000 signatures so he more than made t…

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135: Study Finds Majority of Single Muslims Have These Common Traits w. Osama CenterDC 1:36:35

14d ago1:36:35

1:36:35

Osama from Center DC discusses a study his team conducted to address the systemic issues preventing marriages in the Muslim community. Osama and Ansari talk about the cultural, social, and economic challenges men and women face in the marriage market, and what solutions there are. Plus, hear Osama’s experience of creating an animated project that t…

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Serious mood and fewer perks: Silicon Valley enters its 'hard tech' era 5:35

15d ago5:35

5:35

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, August 5: As the plastic pollution summit begins in Geneva, Libération highlights the little-known but devastating scourge of plastic pellets ravaging the planet. Also, Silicon Valley’s shift into a new “hard tech” era reflects a changing political climate; former CNN journalist Jim Acosta sparks controversy after interviewi…

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Signs, Symbols, and Silicon: How AI Changes Our Understanding of Thought with Nicolas D. Villarreal 2:39:45

18d ago2:39:45

2:39:45

What makes human thought distinctive, and can machines ever truly think like us? In this profound conversation with Nicholas Villarreal, author of "A Soul of a New Type: Writings on Artificial Intelligence and Materialist Semiotics," we journey into the heart of what makes intelligence possible—through the often overlooked lens of semiotics. The di…

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Images of Mass Starvation Shift Gaza Coverage. Plus, the Forgotten History of the First Sitcom. 50:30

19d ago50:30

50:30

As reports of starving children in Gaza mount, France, Britain, and Canada are preparing to recognize Palestinian statehood. On this week’s On the Media, Palestinian journalists documenting food scarcity in Gaza are themselves going without food. Plus, how Israeli tv stations are deflecting blame for the blockade on aid. [01:00] Host Micah Loewinge…

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Hybrid Quantum Materials with Charlotte Bøttcher 26:22

20d ago26:22

26:22

This episode of The New Quantum Era podcast, your host, Sebastian Hassinger, has a conversation with Dr. Charlotte Bøttcher, Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Dr. Bøttcher is an experimental physicist working with superconducting quantum devices, and shares with us her areas of focus and perspective on this critical area of materials resear…

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Age-Gating the Internet + Cloudflare Takes On A.I. Scrapers + HatGPT 1:11:32

19d ago1:11:32

1:11:32

This week, we look at the fallout from a sweeping internet age-verification law that went into effect in Britain. We explain why age restrictions are suddenly popping up all over the internet — and how some might create more problems than they solve. Then Matthew Prince, chief executive of Cloudflare, returns to the show to discuss his company’s ne…

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‘Mathematics of starvation’: The Guardian on famine in Gaza 6:25

19d ago6:25

6:25

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, August 1: Shocking images of famine in Gaza dominate front pages today, as US envoy Steve Witkoff travels to the territory amid mounting humanitarian concerns. Also, a Ukrainian soldier was reportedly rescued from enemy lines using an electric bike dropped by a drone. And, Microsoft has released a list ranking professions by …

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Arab nations call on Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza 6:11

20d ago6:11

6:11

PRESS REVIEW - Thursday, July 31: We look at reactions to a call by Arab nations for Hamas to disarm in order to establish peace in the Palestinian territories. Also: French Olympic champion Léon Marchand smashes a record at the world championships in Singapore. And: is a new celebrity couple on the horizon? Speculation is rife after singer Katy Pe…

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McKay Coppins on The Murdochs 19:46

21d ago19:46

19:46

Brooke spoke in May with McKay Coppins, a staff writer at The Atlantic, about the remarkable, extensive interviews he conducted with members of the Murdoch family — particularly James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn. (Rupert and his eldest son, Lachlan, declined to participate). Hear about the infighting and sibling rivalry, and how the HBO show “Succ…

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#45 - Dominic Cummings - Stagnation, Corruption & Rebooting The System 2:20:53

21d ago2:20:53

2:20:53

Dominic Cummings is one of the most polarizing figures in Britain. He's a political strategist who masterminded the main campaign for Brexit. He was also Chief Advisor to Prime Minister Boris Johnson for some of his term, including through COVID. He even had Benedict Cumberbatch play him in a movie! He's also a student of systems, having worked in …

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134: The Truth Behind Muslim Nonprofits w. Waleed Gabr 33:37

21d ago33:37

33:37

Waleed Gabr, Co-Founder of Humaniti Nonprofit, and one of the most connected men in the Muslim world gets asked hard questions! Is there a Muslim Deep state? Are Muslim nonprofits and charities the new Banks or have they practically replaced the absence of a Muslim government?BUY TICKETS @ khabibusa.org | USE CODE: "ANSARI30" for 30% OFF!Support Us…

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Iran's climate crisis: Tehran could ‘run out of water within weeks’ 5:34

24d ago5:34

5:34

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, July 29: We take a look at reactions across the European press following the newly agreed tariffs deal with Donald Trump. Will Europe be the big loser? Also, Iran's capital Tehran could run out of water within weeks amid a deepening water crisis. A video ad starring Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney sparks backlash for referenci…

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Evolution's Grip on American Politics with Dr. Melvyn Lurie 59:50

23d ago59:50

59:50

What if our bitter political divisions aren't just about policy differences but reflect ancient biological drives hardwired into our DNA? Dr. Melvyn Lurie, Harvard-trained psychiatrist with expertise in genetics, presents a groundbreaking framework for understanding America's current crisis through evolutionary biology. Drawing from his observation…

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Trump's Presidential Library Grift. Plus, the Hacker Behind the NYT’s Mamdani Story. 50:09

26d ago50:09

50:09

The FCC just approved a lucrative merger between Paramount and Skydance. Weeks earlier, Paramount settled a lawsuit with the president by paying him 16 million dollars. On this week’s On the Media, hear how that money is being funneled to Donald Trump’s future presidential library. Plus, how conservative outlets are coordinating attacks on universi…

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Neutral Atom Qubits with Mark Saffman 31:21

28d ago31:21

31:21

In this episode of The New Quantum Era, host Sebastian Hassinger sits down with Dr. Mark Saffman, a leading expert in atomic physics and quantum information science. As a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Chief Scientist at Infleqtion (formerly ColdQuanta), Mark is at the forefront of developing neutral atom quantum computing pla…

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Trump Fights ‘Woke’ A.I. + We Hear Out Our Critics 1:06:20

26d ago1:06:20

1:06:20

On Wednesday, President Trump signed three A.I.-related executive orders, and the White House released “America’s A.I. Action Plan.” We break down what’s in them, how the federal government intends to target “political bias” in chatbot output, and whether anyone will stand up against it. Then, do we hype up A.I. too much? Are we downplaying potenti…

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#137 Strategic Storytelling: Shaping Agile Culture Through Narrative with Osita Ifezue 39:09

27d ago39:09

39:09

"Origin stories create die-hard fans. Once your story and your product are inseparable, you win." In this powerful episode of Mastering Agility, Jim and Sander sit down with storytelling strategist Osita Ifezue to explore how strategic storytelling can reshape the way agile teams operate, connect with customers, and innovate beyond the status quo. …

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EXTENDED VERSION: Michael Douglas Movies And The Crisis Of Masculinity 32:44

28d ago32:44

32:44

EXTENDED VERSION: Brooke sits down with Jessa Crispin, critic and editor-in-chief of The Culture We Deserve, to talk about her new book What Is Wrong with Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything, which tracks the “masculinity crisis” through Michael Douglas films. On the Media is supp…

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Ep 225: How US Media Frames Democracy that Actually Helps People as 'Buying Votes' 1:04:21

28d ago1:04:21

1:04:21

"Student loan forgiveness is a bribe for young voters," shouted Newsweek in 2022. "Harris's call for price controls on groceries is more pandering than policy," declared The Hill in 2024. "Free for all: Democratic socialist’s policy pitches face tough fiscal reality in New York," warned Politico this year. Every time an elected official or politica…

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133: Everything You Need To Know to Build A Future Muslim Empire w. Saad Yacoob 53:34

30d ago53:34

53:34

Georgetown PhD candidate Saad Yacoob is back! What is needed to build a Muslim Empire? What is the formula to create a civilizational project? The simple answer is, we have to dream. Each Muslim has to imagine being apart of a larger civilizational project. Imagination, ideals, culture, education, money, and military power impact the vision for a f…

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Afghan beauty salons in struggle to survive after Taliban ban 6:34

29d ago6:34

6:34

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, July 22: The Washington Post looks at how US President Donald Trump is trying everything to deflect attention away from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, including reposting a fake AI-generated video of Barack Obama being arrested in the White House. Also: Afghan beauty salon owners struggle to thrive under the Taliban's strict c…

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E1.Progress, Wealth and Sustainable Abundance 45:26

1M ago45:26

45:26

Industry leaders Drs. Brad Davidson, Andrey Kunov, Kapa Lenkov and German Dziebel are discussing Elon Musk's concept of sustainable abundance.By German

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Bridging Theory and Experiment in Quantum Error Correction with Liang Jiang 33:58

1M ago33:58

33:58

In this episode, Sebastian Hassinger sits down with Dr. Liang Jiang from the University of Chicago to explore the exciting intersection of quantum error correction theory and practical implementation. Dr. Jiang discusses his group's work on hardware-efficient quantum error correction, the recent breakthroughs in demonstrating error correction thres…

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The Rise of Caudillo Politics in America with Calixto Lopez 2:14:49

1M ago2:14:49

2:14:49

We explore how American politics has increasingly embraced Bonapartist and Caudillo elements, transforming the executive branch from its original constitutional role into an imperial presidency with vast unchecked powers. • Caesarism and Bonapartism as models for understanding the imperial presidency that has evolved since FDR and Eisenhower • Cong…

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MAGA Fractures Over Epstein. Plus, What Michael Douglas Movies Tell Us About Masculinity. 50:13

1M ago50:13

50:13

The Trump administration is trying to subdue fury from all angles over the Epstein Files. On this week's On the Media, how the controversy is fracturing Republicans and firing up Democrats. Plus, tracing today’s so-called “masculinity crisis” through the films of Michael Douglas. [00:00] Host Brooke Gladstone dissects the bitter division between Pr…

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X Hits Grok Bottom + More A.I. Talent Wars + ‘Crypto Week’ 1:08:19

1M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

This week, we tick through the many dramatic headlines surrounding xAI, including the departure of X’s chief executive, Linda Yaccarino; the Grok chatbot spewing antisemitic comments; and the A.I. companion Ani engaging in sexually explicit role-play. Then, we explain why a fight to acquire the start-up Windsurf startled many in Silicon Valley and …

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WSJ bombshell report: Trump's 'bawdy' birthday letter to Epstein 3:50

1M ago3:50

3:50

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, July 18: We take a look at The Wall Street Journal's exclusive report on US President Donald Trump's alleged racy letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. Also, we learn how Trump's team was on an "f***ing warpath" to kill the story, and we get reactions from his supporters. Finally, what's the effect of the bombshell…

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Report: European missile group MBDA selling parts for bombs that killed children in Gaza 6:06

1M ago6:06

6:06

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, July 17: A photo report from The New York Times documents the mass forced exodus of Afghans from Iran, while US President Donald Trump's new migrant detention centre is accused of inhumane conditions. The Guardian reports on European missile group MBDA, which has sold parts for a type of bomb used by Israel in attacks that …

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Episode 224: Corporate Self-Regulation and the Fine Art of 'Preempting" Public Outrage 1:11:52

1M ago1:11:52

1:11:52

In this episode, we detail the classic PR gambit of corporations anticipating regulation, offering to "self-police," implementing token or superficial reforms, waiting for the outrage to blow over, then going back to business a usual. With guest Timi Iwayemi of Revolving Door Project.

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132: Is It Haram? Art & Music Are Beautiful Human Experiences w. Sh. Ammar Al-Shukry 48:31

1M ago48:31

48:31

Is music actually haram? Are drawing eyes prohibited? Is art haram? Sheikh Ammar Al Shukry from Al Maghrib Institute talks about Islamic art, music & creativity in our modern world. He talks about how the Muslim community needs creative trailblazers: storytellers, actors, and even media editors, to convey Islamic values to the masses. He also touch…

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French papers divided over PM Bayrou's 'shock treatment' budget 6:20

1M ago6:20

6:20

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, July 16: French left- and right-wing papers have different evaluations of Prime Minister François Bayrou's proposed new budget: necessary "shock treatment" or a "purge"? Next, British papers explain the unprecedented superinjunction legal order that was used to hide a "catastrophic" data leak that put thousands of Afghans …