Shows
The Philosophy of Living WellFriendship and FlourishingDo you divide your friends into tiers or levels? If so, what does it take to get into the first tier, to count as a close friend? In this episode, Luke Russell discusses the nature of friendship with Associate Professor Sam Shpall from the University of Sydney. They ask what makes friendships so valuable, and whether it is possible to live a good life without having any friends. Associate Professor Shpall also explores the rivalrous friendship that is at the heart of the Neapolitan Quartet of novels written by Elena Ferrante.
2025-12-1729 min
Werner Herzog - Biography FlashWerner Herzog's November 2025: Instagram Debut, Ghost Elephants, and the Future of TruthWerner Herzog BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Werner Herzog, the legendary German filmmaker known for his audacious vision and philosophical musings, has had quite an eventful November 2025. The eccentric director made a surprising entrance into social media this month by joining Instagram, marking a significant shift for someone who famously avoided cellphones and digital platforms. In his inaugural reel, Herzog explained to his followers that despite his historical resistance to social media, he felt compelled to share his creative process and aspects of his personal life with the world.On the documentary front, Herzog's latest feature-length...
2025-11-2903 min
不男不女读书会Episode 27: 番外｜Interview with Dr Sam Shpall: Let's talk about sex本期节目为特别番外篇！以下是胡写talking：
本期节目算是特别番外篇，是我以澳大拉西亚本科生哲学期刊（UPJA）的编辑的身份与我的伦理学老师，Dr Sam Shpall的访谈。在这期节目里，我和Dr Shpall聊了聊，作为以哲学为工作的‘哲学家’是怎样的体验；关于性别、爱情、欲望的哲学思考又为什么对我们来说重要；以及，选择走上学术道路‘做‘哲学的意义与重要性——如果有的话——会是什么。本期节目全程为英语，希望你能喜欢这期特别的访谈。
本期节目为UPJA的播客Conversations from the region的一部分。如果你对UPJA期刊感兴趣，欢迎访问upja.online了解更多信息。
2024-03-0955 min
The Road To Find OutSam Shpall: Arts, Adoption and Global WarmingWhat is the point of studying an arts degree? How is university research funded? Is it morally permissible in the 21st century to have children when doing so would contribute to global warming? Join Sam Shpall, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, as he shares his insightful answers to these questions and discusses the ethical hazards of procreating in a world stricken by climate change.
2022-04-151h 10
Strong SongsThe Music All Around Us, with Imogen HeapOn this episode, Kirk sits down for a conversation with composer, singer, and music technologist Imogen Heap.The two talk about the creative process, live performance in the pandemic age, the shifting relationship between artist and audience, the process of developing new music technology, several of Heap's ambitious musical projects, and of course, her song "Hide and Seek," which was the subject of an episode of Strong Songs earlier this year.REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:Imogen Heap's App, home of the "Heapsters": https://imogenheap.app/The Mi.Mu Gloves: https://mimugloves.com/“Promo” by Tim Exile live...
2021-07-141h 18
Strong SongsStrong Covers, Vol. 1It's time for Strong Songs to talk about some Strong Covers! On this episode, Kirk tackles four famous covers, comparing each with the original while trying to suss out what makes a great cover in the first place. COVERED (HEYO):"Respect" by Otis Redding, as covered by Aretha Franklin in 1967"Satisfaction" by Jagger/Richards, as covered by Devo on Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, 1978"Mad World" by Roland Orzabal/Tears for Fears, as covered by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules for Donnie Darko, 2001"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, as covered by Jeff Buckley on...
2021-06-301h 00
Strong Songs"New Born" and "Micro Cuts" by MuseLink it to the world, link it to yourself, link it to your podcast app, because it's time to talk about Muse.Kirk takes a deep dive into not one but two songs off of Muse's seminal 2001 album Origin of Symmetry: "New Born," which kicks the album off with a strong pop-rock approach, and "Micro Cuts," a mid-album high point that shows off their more eclectic influences. It's time for some contrapuntal harmony mixed with some good old fashioned blues riffs, and a lot of guitar fuzz on top.Written by: Matthew Bellamy...
2021-05-1956 min
Strong SongsStrung Beats, Jazz Battles & The Notes You Don't PlayThe Strong Songs mailbag has gotten pretty overstuffed lately, so Kirk decided to take another crack at it. That means it's time for more of your musical questions!On this episode, we bounce around between the best songs for performing CPR, country music multiphonics, Noname's strung beats, the slide saxophone, Stevie Nicks guitar tones, Roxanne syncopation, how to find a voice teacher, whether competition is good for music, and what it means when people say jazz is about "the notes you don't play."REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“Stayin Alive” by the Bee Gees from the Saturday Nigh...
2021-05-051h 01
Strong SongsSidechain Compression & Saxophone Traffic ConesMailbag time! Kirk peruses the Strong Songs inbox to answer your questions about jazz drum solos, practicing with play-a-longs, Tame Impala tunes, saxophones with traffic cones, vocal technique, sidechain compression, and several tricky rhythms.REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“Tubes” by Moon Hooch from their NPR Tiny Desk live concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwBhxBBa7tE“Strangers” by The Kinks from Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround, Pt. 1, 1970“Tubular Bells” by Mike Oldfield from Tubular Bells, 1973“In The Moonlight” by Pearl Jam from Last Dogs, 2003“Good Time Boys” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from Mother’s Milk, 1989"One Night i...
2021-04-2159 min
Strong Songs"Stolen Moments" by Oliver NelsonJazz is all about the contrast between the individual and the collective, and few recordings embody that as beautifully as "Stolen Moments," the opening track from Oliver Nelson's 1961 hard-bop record The Blues and the Abstract Truth.On this episode, Kirk dives deep into Nelson's classic tune, starting with his dense horn arrangement, then considering the three improvised horn solos as distinct creations that reflect the at-times wildly different ambitions of each individual player. Also, there's jazz flute.Written by: Oliver NelsonPerformed by: Freddie Hubbard (tpt.), Eric Dolphy (alto/flute), Oliver Nelson (tenor...
2021-04-0759 min
Strong Songs"Cameo Lover" by KimbraOpen up your heart! Open up your heart! Open up your heart, let Kimbra pull you out!On this episode, Kirk goes for a swim in the extra-buoyant waters of Kimbra's 2011 pop stomper "Cameo Lover." It's an intricate musical narrative told through shifting time-feels, retro drum beats, leaping vocals, and sneaky key changes, and it's just the song to raise our spirits after a long, dark winter.Written by: Kimbra JohnsonAlbum: Vows (2011)Listen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Goty...
2021-03-2455 minStrong SongsThe Mysteries of Music, with Carmen StaafWhat's this? An off-week episode of Strong Songs??Indeed it is! For this episode of Strong Conversations (working title), Kirk hopped on a call with New York pianist Carmen Staaf to talk about the fundamental elements of music, learning to sing as an instrumentalist, teaching jazz and ear training, her collaborations with vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and drummer Allison Miller, and the similarities between jazz and chess.Learn more about Carmen at her website: https://www.carmenstaaf.com/Check out her music here: https://carmenstaaf.bandcamp.com/REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“Blackbird” by P...
2021-03-171h 07
Strong Songs"Wuthering Heights" by Kate BushHeathcliff! It's us, it's Strong Songs, we've come home!The time has come for a deep dive into the music of the great Kate Bush, and what better song to analyze than her breakthrough 1978 hit, "Wuthering Heights." This song has it all - odd phrasing, shifting key centers, soaring vocals, character narration, an epic guitar solo, a red dress, and a celesta.Written by: Kate BushAlbum: The Kick Inside (1978)Listen/Buy via Album.LinkALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:“James and the Cold Gun” and “The Man with the Child...
2021-03-1057 min