Best Stephen Albert Podcasts (2025)

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Let Go to Open Possibilities 11:24

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7h ago11:24

11:24

What if letting go isn’t about losing—but about opening up? 🌿 In this solo episode, Penny Zenker dives into one of the most powerful yet overlooked elements of resilience: the art of letting go. Whether it’s releasing old habits, outdated expectations, or people who no longer fit your life, learning to let go creates space for growth, peace, and ne…

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743 Fairy Tales (with Jack Zipes) [RECLAIMED] | Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (#11 GBOAT) | Chaucer News 1:02:07

2d ago1:02:07

1:02:07

An early encounter with one of the most famous people in the world initiated Jack Zipes into the world of fairy tales - and he never looked back. In this episode, Jacke talks to the fairy tale expert about his book Buried Treasures: The Power of Political Fairy Tales, which profiles modern writers and artists who tapped the political potential of f…

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#101 Brooke McPoyle - Breath, Fascia, Harmony & Flow 2:20:44

5h ago2:20:44

2:20:44

Brooke McPoyle shares her unique approach understanding the human body, emphasizing the integration of fascia and breath control. She discusses her personal journey from professional golf to breathwork, the impact of breath on performance, and the importance of reconnecting with nature. She describes the influence of the moon on human behavior, the…

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E171: Eliot Stephens - A chat about development, tactics and guidebook writing with one of Wales' finest 2:27:57

1d ago2:27:57

2:27:57

We reckon we've asked Eliot onto this podcast about 6 times since we started, clearly we aren't very good at taking the hint but hey, persistence won the day in the end. Eliot is quite a quiet voice on the British scene but he has been one of the most prolific first ascensionists and has repeated many hard classics at home and abroad. It was fun to…

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#100 Aaron Siri - How Vaccines became an ideology. Unpacking Vaccine Controversies 1:43:06

1d ago1:43:06

1:43:06

Aaron Siri is passionate about safeguarding individual and civil rights. He is the Managing Partner of Siri & Glimstad LLP, a law firm with over 100 professionals, and has extensive experience in a wide range of complex civil litigation matters, with a focus on civil rights related to health policy. He also has extensive experience in class actions…

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Playing the Long Game: The Power of Self-Control 34:23

5d ago34:23

34:23

As a special addition to this week's episode, you can see Katy's full sit-down interview with Angela Duckworth, where they also explore the relationship between self-control and grit. Watch or listen to their conversation on YouTube or Spotify. When your emotions flare or temptation calls, what does it take to hold back? Whether it’s resisting the …

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Bonus: A Sit Down With Katy Milkman & Angela Duckworth 33:36

5d ago33:36

33:36

In this bonus addition of Choiceology, Katy Milkman sits down with psychologist and Grit author Dr. Angela Duckworth, a leading expert on self-control. She breaks down what science tells us about managing impulses, why willpower by itself falls short, and how simple environmental tweaks and practical strategies can help anyone delay gratification a…

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742 Edgar Allan Poe (with Richard Kopley) | Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (#12 GBOAT) | My Last Book with Christopher Herbert 1:17:41

5d ago1:17:41

1:17:41

It's October, the perfect month to celebrate the master of mystery and the macabre. In this episode, Jacke talks to author Richard Kopley about his book Edgar Allan Poe: A Life, a comprehensive critical biography that combines a narrative of Poe's enduring challenges (including his difficult foster father, poverty, alcoholism, depression, and his n…

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OTL #992: Revisiting Media Burn and the Center For Immigrant Progress, The Secret History of Panicsville 39:19

4d ago39:19

39:19

Mike Stephen rewinds to get the story of Chicago’s Media Burn archive and the Center for Immigrant Progress and then discovers the Secret History of Panicsville. AND we have a special announcement!By Mike Stephen

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#99 Stephen Grossberg - Father of AI, a.k.a. Newton and Einstein of the Mind. 2:33:50

4d ago2:33:50

2:33:50

A conversation with Stephen Grossberg, whose work on explaining how our brains make our conscious minds has led him to be called the Father of AI and the Newton and Einstein of the Mind. Dr. Stephen Grossberg discusses his extensive journey into the study of consciousness, neural networks, and the evolution of artificial intelligence. He speaks abo…

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Episode #239 ... Authenticity and the history of the self. (Charles Taylor) 36:43

5d ago36:43

36:43

Today we talk about the work of the philosopher Charles Taylor. First, we trace the historical origins of how he views the modern self. From the Greeks to the Reformation. From Descartes to Rousseau. The modern self to him is something "irreconcilably multileveled". Then we talk about our modern focus on authenticity as a moral ideal and why Taylor…

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Turning Self-Doubt Into Strength: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome With Albert Bramante 26:28

7d ago26:28

26:28

Overcoming imposter syndrome is a challenge that even high performers secretly face, yet it can also become a hidden advantage when handled with the right mindset. Talent agent, psychology professor, and author Albert Bramante blends performance psychology, hypnosis, NLP and AI strategies to show creators, educators and professionals how to turn se…

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741 Gabriela Mistral 1:04:27

9d ago1:04:27

1:04:27

In 1945, the Nobel Committee awarded its prize for literature to Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957) "for her lyric poetry which, inspired by powerful emotions, has made her name a symbol of the idealistic aspirations of the entire Latin American world." Born in a rural Andean valley and abandoned by her free-spirited father at the age of three, Mistral s…

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E170: Will it be the red pill or the blue pill for Aidan? 1:27:09

8d ago1:27:09

1:27:09

We're playing a game! Choices choices for Aidan and Sam is playing an incredibly convincing Morpheus, offering Aidan a selection of choices, all Aidan must do is choose! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823 Support the showBy Sam Prior & Aidan Roberts

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740 Mel Brooks and Other Eminent Jews (with David Denby) | War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (#13 GBOAT) 1:03:56

12d ago1:03:56

1:03:56

In this episode, Jacke talks to author David Denby about his new book, Eminent Jews: Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan, Mailer, a group biography (loosely inspired by Lytton Strachey's Eminent Victorians) that describes how four larger-than-life figures upended the restrained culture of their forebears and changed American life. PLUS in honor of War and P…

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OTL #991: Ending political maps in Illinois?, Fewer wrongful convictions overturned, Share Our Spare helps families 39:40

12d ago39:40

39:40

Mike Stephen learns about the effort to end politically drawn voting maps in Illinois from Chicago Magazine writer Ted McClelland, discusses the slowdown in overturning wrongful convictions in Cook County with Injustice Watch reporter Dan Hinkel, and highlights the important work of Share Our Spare in supporting young children and families with int…

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Energy Is Everything: How to Truly Connect With Your Audience 7:30

15d ago7:30

7:30

Your energy tells the story your words can’t. ⚡ In this solo Time to Reset episode, Penny Zenker reveals why energy is everything when it comes to powerful communication. Whether you’re leading a team, presenting on stage, or inspiring others, your impact doesn’t come from what you say — it comes from how you show up. Discover how to harness your e…

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739 Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (#14 GBOAT) | Johannes Gutenberg (with Eric Marshall White) 1:34:01

16d ago1:34:01

1:34:01

Thanks to his invention of Europe's first typographic printing method, and his pioneering work on the first printed Bible, the fifteenth-century German inventor Johannes Gutenberg has a fame and reputation that continues to this day. In 1997, Time magazine credited him with the most important innovation of the past one thousand years. However, due …

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Episode #238 ... Frankenstein - Mary Shelley 30:06

15d ago30:06

30:06

Today we talk about the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. We talk about the mix of Romantic and Enlightenment attitudes and how it leads to problems without the proper oversight. We talk about technology and the responsibility that comes with creation. We talk about how ostracized people often learn to resent the world they live in. Hope you love …

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E169: Mina Leslie-Wujastyk - Eat to climb, hard climbing post-motherhood and the fun vs achievement spectrum 2:32:09

15d ago2:32:09

2:32:09

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#97 Joel Salatin - Decentralization, Freedom & Personal Responsibility 1:20:29

16d ago1:20:29

1:20:29

Joel Salatin co-owns, with his family, Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia. Featured in the New York Times bestseller Omnivore’s Dilemma and award-winning documentary Food Inc., the farm services more than 5,000 families, 10 restaurants, and 5 retail outlets with salad bar beef, pigaerator pork, pastured poultry, and forestry products. The farm ships…

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How Mindset Shapes Success 35:08

19d ago35:08

35:08

Most of us label ourselves early on as academic (or not), athletic (or not), or talented (or not). But even if you feel like you're lacking in natural talent or ability in certain areas, approaching new skills or challenges with openness, effort, and curiosity can take you farther than you might expect. In this episode of Choiceology with Katy Milk…

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738 Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (#15 Greatest Book of All Time) 1:16:09

19d ago1:16:09

1:16:09

Emily Brontë only published one full-length book before dying at the tragically young age of 30. But that book, Wuthering Heights, which tells the story of obsessive and vengeful love on the rugged moors of Yorkshire, is still considered one of the pinnacles of English literature, landing at #15 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time. In this ep…

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OTL #990: Accessory dwelling units are legal (mostly), Federal government funding cuts for CPS, TaskForce celebrates inclusion in the West Side and beyond 40:44

19d ago40:44

40:44

Mike Stephen learns about Chicago’s new ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units in certain areas from Illinois Answers Project reporter Alex Nitkin, discusses the federal funding cuts to Chicago Public Schools with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea, and gets the lowdown on how TaskForce works to promote inclusion on the city’s West Sid…

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Breaking The Worthiness Trap: Scaling Through Alignment With Stephen Scoggins 37:20

22d ago37:20

37:20

True entrepreneurial scalability starts with alignment. In this episode, Stephen Scoggins—self-made entrepreneur, 9-figure business leader, and creator of the Integrated Alignment Method—shares how he transformed his life from homelessness to extraordinary success by focusing on internal growth before external results. We unpack the dangers of the …

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John Tehranian on Copyright & Inequality 43:42

21d ago43:42

43:42

In this episode, John Tehranian, Paul W. Wildman Chair and Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School and a founding partner of One LLP, discusses his new book, "The Secret Life of Copyright: Intellectual Property and Inequality in the Age of AI," which is published by Cambridge University Press. Tehranian begins by describing the critical IP theo…

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Stephen Cicirelli on Philosophy, Literature, and Plagiarism 30:31

20d ago30:31

30:31

In this episode, Stephen Cicirelli, a Lecturer of English at Saint Peter’s University, discusses philosophy, literature, and plagiarism. He begins by reflecting on his studies of Kierkegaard, and how it influenced his later work as an author. He describes some of his recent fiction and how it incorporates elements from his study of philosophy. And …

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737 "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs 42:21

23d ago42:21

42:21

It's October! Jacke kicks off his favorite month with a classic tale of horror, "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. Perhaps you know the general contours of the paradigmatic "be careful what you wish for" story from the Simpsons or another popularization - but just how scary was the original story? And who was W.W. Jacobs? Join Jacke on a trip throu…

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#96 Sarah Kleiner - Unlocking the Secrets of Circadian Biology 56:39

22d ago56:39

56:39

Sarah Kleiner shares her journey into the world of circadian biology, emphasizing the importance of natural light exposure for health and well-being. She discusses her personal experiences with health challenges, the significance of the hormone leptin, and how modern lifestyles disrupt hormonal balance. The conversation also touches on nutrition, f…

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E168: Aidan's plans, Trance and hypotheticals 1:40:30

22d ago1:40:30

1:40:30

Home team episode, we sort of forgot it was recorded at times so gets a bit rambly but we did cover a few big topics, how do you pronounce Nike? How would Jerry cope with the Ace being campused by a chap in a protective boot? As well as some hypotheticals and life updates. Very much a recorded chat really. If you're enjoying the podcast and would l…

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Episode #237 ... The Stoics Are Wrong - Nietzsche, Schopenhauer 30:27

23d ago30:27

30:27

Today we talk about two famous critiques of Stoicism. One by Friedrich Nietzsche who thought the Stoics weren’t life affirming enough and so rob themselves of some of the best parts of life. The other by Arthur Schopenhauer who thought the Stoics were too life-affirming of worldly things to ever reach a deep understanding of things. Hope you love i…

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736 Jane Austen's Favorite Brother, Henry (with Christopher Herbert) | A Letter from the South of France | My Last Book with Nicholas Jenkins 1:00:29

26d ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Jane Austen had six brothers, but her older brother Henry was her favorite. Kind and witty, Henry has long been appreciated by Austen fans for his devotion to Jane and his championing of her novels. But Henry was a fascinating figure in his own right, capering through risky financial schemes and marrying an enigmatic French countess before ending h…

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OTL #989: A Chicago TIF update, New local music with a worldwide influence, Previewing the Black Fine Art Faire 43:07

25d ago43:07

43:07

Mike Stephen gets an update on the latest Chicago TIF numbers from Tom Tresser of the TIF Illumination Project, chats with local musician Carlo Basile about his local music with a worldwide influence, and previews the Back Fine Art Faire with Patricia Andrews-Keenan, founder of Pigment International.…

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AI, Neuroscience, and the Future of Personalization | Why Human Connection Still Matters 21:40

29d ago21:40

21:40

In this solo episode of Time to Reset, we dive into the fascinating intersection of AI, neuroscience, and personalization. While technology is evolving rapidly, one truth remains: people crave recognition and authentic human connection. Discover how the brain responds to personalization, why it drives engagement and trust, and how leaders and organ…

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#95 Dr. Rob Williams - GeoEngineering, Transhumanism & Conscious Breathing 1:59:29

1M ago1:59:29

1:59:29

Dr. Rob Williams and Ryan delve into the profound impact of breath on our physical and mental well-being. They explore various breathing techniques, including the carbon dioxide tolerance test, and discuss the importance of mindfulness in breathwork. Rob emphasizes the playful nature of breathing and the need for a comprehensive approach to breath …

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E167: Stefano Ghisolfi - Transitioning into a boulder bro, hold fabrication and the collaborative future for elite sport climbing 2:05:05

29d ago2:05:05

2:05:05

Stefano, one of the world's best sport climbers has rapidly been becoming one of the world's best boulderers so we thought now was the perfect time to get him on our podcast! We chatted about a bunch of things, his processes with Excalibur, Silence and Burden of Dreams, the situation with hold fabrication in sport climbing, how the future of sport …

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Meet Samuel Clemens: Finding Hope with Humor 16:33

1M ago16:33

16:33

In this episode we tell the story of how the beloved novelist Samuel Clemens made into our book a channeled messages about global warming and climate change. He helps us find hope with humor, and makes a prediction that the world will soon be a much better place. Channeled Messages of Hope at Amazon CMOH website Youtube channel Facebook page Instag…

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Why Starting Over Hurts 37:56

1M ago37:56

37:56

If you've ever gotten well into a project—maybe a DIY renovation—and then realized that you've taken the wrong approach, you probably know that it's very tempting to just stay the course. Starting all over again would be so painful, even if starting over is clearly the best option. Or maybe you've taken a wrong turn on a hike and only noticed it a …

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735 Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (with Mark Hussey) | My Last Book with Graham Watson 1:23:55

1M ago1:23:55

1:23:55

Jacke talks to author Mark Hussey (Mrs Dalloway: Biography of a Novel) about Virginia Woolf's beloved novel Mrs Dalloway, which turned 100 earlier this year. PLUS author Graham Watson (The Invention of Charlotte Bronte) stops by to discuss his choice for the last book he will ever read. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup open thr…

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#94 Troy Casey - Raising Human Consciousness 1:36:58

1M ago1:36:58

1:36:58

Troy Casey, Certified Health Nut, has successfully restored physical, mental, and emotional balance to clients who have failed with all other systems. His unique holistic approach uses nature-based simplicity anyone can follow. His book RippedAt50: A Journey To Self Love has sold thousands of copies and is transforming lives around the globe. He co…

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OTL #988: How the Chicago area gets its news, Exploring the brain science locally, The Secret History of Lani Hall 43:03

1M ago43:03

43:03

Mike Stephen discusses the results of a new report on how Chicago gets its news with Medill professors Tim Franklin and Stephanie Edgerly, gets a preview of some upcoming local events about the brain from Illinois Science Council founder Monica Metzler, and discovers the Secret History of Lani Hall.By Mike Stephen

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Catch It, Check It, Change It: The Resilience Blueprint With Mandy Gill 29:12

1M ago29:12

29:12

Resilience isn’t forged in easy times—it’s built in the moments that test us. Author and well-being advocate Mandy Gill joins the conversation to explore how embracing a “reset” can help you bounce back stronger. She shares her powerful “Catch it, Check it, Change it” mindset framework and explains why accountability—personal, professional, and wit…

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#93 Nico Martens - Harmonizing with Nature and Subtle Energy 1:42:00

1M ago1:42:00

1:42:00

Nico Martens speaks about how people can awaken the hidden layers of their being and bring them into coherence, unlocking a level of power and possibility they didn’t know they had. He speaks about resonance and the process of remembering who we truly are. Nico explores the themes of spiritual awakening, the importance of community, and the role of…