Shows
The Interesting Times podcastSUPPLY (off the) CHAIN: An Insider's Account of Logistics in the Age of Liberation DayExcited to bring you this fascinating discussion with my old friend Brandon Stahl who has spent years conducting business with Chinese manufacturers and has a trove of direct insights into how the tariffs are impacting global supply chains. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2025-05-0957 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Cascading Crises of Tribulation DayAnother installment on Liberation Tribulation Day and its many discontents wherein we ponder that indeed you cannot buy or sell stuff you that is not there and why Scott Bessent is terrible for multiple reasons. Also a May Day reflection on notions of ‘labor’ and ‘consumers.’ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2025-05-0239 min
The Interesting Times podcastTrump is indeed now 'trying' to CAVE..(but China is not accepting the friend request)Wherein I try to explain why my standing thesis that in many ways the White House’s historically botched trade gambit makes Trump’s actual CAVE far less significant than it may appear. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2025-04-2419 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Life and Times of Haiti's First (and Last) King, Henry ChristopheIt our great pleasure to welcome Dr. Marlene Daut, professor of French and African American Studies at Yale University. The focus of our discussion is her recent book, The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe . This book takes us on a fascinating journey into the life and times of the Haitian revolutionary who would go on to become its only king. We also delve into the controversies surrounding his place in Haitian history and the wider international environment of the 19th century Caribbean world. Thanks as always for supporting the show.
2025-04-211h 09
The Interesting Times podcastTeam Trump Loses Control of the NarrativeI think it is clear that the Trump team has lost control of the narrative. Not in any superficial horserace sense, but in the deep psychological sense of how actors in various key positions are framing and processing these still very fluid events. Thanks as always for listening. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2025-04-1346 min
The Interesting Times podcastTRUMP CAVES (he most certainly did NOT)Well, well, well. I am back and this time I do think with some important framings missing in the coverage. I think the reporting on this, especially by left of center media is way off, Trump most certainly did not CAVE. In important ways (while staving off the immediate looming financial meltdown driven by the bond sell off), he has escalated the situation immensely. I try to explain why I see it this way in the episode. Thanks for being on this journey with me. These are wild times This is a public episode. If you...
2025-04-1023 min
The Interesting Times podcastIt's Still (probably) Worse Than You ThinkAnother installment in my doom casting series. Heavy stuff, but things we need to consider. I know a lot of folks must me scared and confused, trust me, I am too. Sending this out with nothing but love and compassion to those facing the consequences for these squabbles among the rich and powerful. Sadly, same as it ever was. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2025-04-0926 min
The Interesting Times podcastIt's (probably) worse than you thinkOkay, back with one more tranche of analysis and hopefully some useful ways to think about and process a crisis whose scope I think we have yet to fully appreciate. Thanks as always for listening and supporting the show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2025-04-0436 min
The Interesting Times podcastEmergency Trump Tariff PodWarning: I get a bit saucy here and keep things loose so probably not good for listening around the young ones. Just some swearing, not that saucy!Well here is our first ‘emergency pod’ and my did we wait for a dozy to roll this out. Lots to talk about. Sadly it is just me, but I try to put forward some perspectives that hopefully offer new ways to think about what happened, the ‘rationale’ behind it, and where things are headed. But as I make clear in the episode, we are in unchartered territory so no one real...
2025-04-031h 00
The Interesting Times podcastThe Foreboding Rise of Neo-Reactionary ThoughtThis episode is important—not for anything I have to say, but because of our guest, Prof. Roger Burrows. He brings a depth of knowledge and insight into the key strains of political ideology shaping this moment. Prof. Burrows has been thinking about, and writing on, neo-reactionary (NRx) thought for years, long before it captured ‘mainstream’ attention since Trump’s reelection. This is an outlook very much tied to two key individuals, Curtis Yarvin and Nick Land (pictured). However, its influence has bored deeply into the corridors of power. Vice President JD Vance is a well-known acolyte of Yarvi...
2025-03-2348 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Media, Messaging, & the 2024 ElectionIt is with immense pleasure that we welcome Dr. Stephen J. Farnworth to the show. Dr. Farnsworth was a professor of mine at the University of Mary Washington back in the latter half of the 1990s. More importantly, he is one of America’s foremost experts on the media and the presidency. Given his extensive background in these areas I can think of few better people to have on to discuss the election and dig a little deeper into what went down. I know many may feel oversaturated with post-election (hot) takes, but this conversation, and Dr. Fa...
2024-12-021h 19
The Interesting Times podcastWhy do 'democracies' seem to be breaking down everywhere?I know many people are fretting about the coming election. I understand as the implications of it going one way or the other are massive. However, I don’t have anything of value to add to the daily deluge of polls and takes. So what I wanted to do is release an audio version of an essay I posted here a few years back entitled, ‘A Run on the Bank of Mass Democracy: modern 'participatory' governance relies on non-participation’. As the episode title indicates, it takes a step back to consider why there seems to be an ever-a...
2024-11-0348 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Quest for AuthenticityExcited to share our latest episode featuring a discussion with my colleague at Akita International University, Dr. Kyle Shuttleworth. We use his excellent book, The History and Ethics of Authenticity: Meaning, Freedom, and Modernity to center our discussion of the crucial, yet vexing, concept of authenticity. As becomes clear in the discussion, authenticity is simultaneously a dense philosophical terrain and something that persistently weighs upon the day-to-day lives we lead, or aspire to lead.It is also a term that has been subject to multiple angles philosophical inquiry and dispute. Our discussion takes us through some of...
2024-09-301h 17
The Interesting Times podcastOvertourism and How to Travel WiselyWe like to travel and so do others, but significant problems emerge when we all decide we want to visit the same places. Stories on overtourism and the stresses it places on these desirable locales have been a constant in the summer news. We are joined by my friend and travel writer extraordinaire, Chris Tharp, to dig into this issue as well as discuss his list of 5 do’s and don’ts for the intrepid sojourner. Here is a link to the excellent NYTimes article by Lisa Abend we reference in the conversation.An of cour...
2024-09-061h 02
The Interesting Times podcastA Royal MessFor me, and I would guess for many others, the UK is a country we know well, but don’t really know, well. Thankfully, we are joined by Nick Bibby who brings of trove of experience in UK politics, society, and history to help give us a clearer picture of what is happening, not only in contemporary affairs, but the bigger social and historical forces that are shaping them. I am going to spare you the dozens of British inspired puns I spent 30 or so minutes thinking up and encourage you to just dive right in! One note, there ar...
2024-08-231h 21
The Interesting Times podcastA Conversation with Mr. Jones XVery excited to release my conversation with a pioneer of the educational Tik Tok, or ‘edutok’ space, Mr. Patrick Jones aka Mr. Jones X. He has over 250,000 followers and his videos have garnered roughly 3.5 billion views. So much to learn from what Mr. Jones has to say on a range of topics, including how he grew his enormous following. Please be sure to check out his insightful videos and discussions on Tik Tok and elsewhere. Thanks as always for supporting the show.He can be found on social media using these handles:Tik Tok - @mr.j...
2024-08-071h 20
The Interesting Times podcastBlack Woman on BoardWe are excited to release our latest episode featuring a discussion with Dr. Donna J. Nicol of California State University Long Beach. We discuss her insightful new book entitled Black Woman on Board: Claudia Hampton, the California State University, and the Fight to Save Affirmative Action. Suffice it to say this was an exceptionally interesting conversation built around Dr. Nicol’s exploration of the intersection of race, politics, and higher education surrounding the life and times of Claudia Hampton, the first African American to sit on the Board of Trustees for the California State University system. I am...
2024-07-081h 16
The Interesting Times podcastPanic Now?So happy to welcome back Prof. Ira Allen (Northern Arizona University) to discuss his soon-to-be-released book (July 28), Panic Now? Tools for Humanizing (Univ. of Tennessee Press). In short, Prof. Allen challenges us to consider what steps we must begin to put in motion now—i.e., to think boldly, but cooly, about what ‘world’ will replace the one driven by what he dubs CaCaCo (Carbon, Capitalism, & Colonialism). Indeed, Ira is one of the sharpest intellects I have had the opportunity to know, so I think you’ll want to hear how he thinks about our current...
2024-06-161h 17
The Interesting Times podcastGender Without IdentityAfter a respite, the Interesting Times podcast is back with an illuminating conversation with Dr. Ann Pellegrini and Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou. They join us to discuss their fascinating and genuinely important new book entitled, Gender Without Identity. There is so much to say about this book, but I will leave it to the insightful observations shared by the authors in the conversation. However, I will say that this book was born of the very controversies and toxic politics that have increasingly encased issues related to gender and gender identity. In many ways, I believe this book offers...
2024-04-251h 33
The Interesting Times podcastRace and the Politics of LossWe are excited to share our fascinating conversation with Dr. Juliet Hooker, professor of political science at Brown University. The themes discussed are drawn from her recent book, Black Grief, White Grievance: The Politics of Loss (Princeton University Press). This book directly engages with the important social, political, and historical forces linking black grief and white grievance. Further, it challenges us to consider what kinds of legitimate losses may be necessary in order to create an American society rooted in genuine equality. Thanks as always for supporting The Interesting Times. This is a public episode. If...
2023-11-231h 14
The Interesting Times podcastThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Pasts & Presents (Part III)This is Part III of our re-issues series. More details can be found on the page for Part I here. Part II can be found here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2023-10-1658 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Pasts & Presents (Part II)This is Part II of a re-issued series. More details can be found on the page for Part I here. Part III can be found here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2023-10-1656 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Pasts & Presents (Part I)Given the recent dark turn in this long running conflict I am republishing two conversations (broken into four episodes) from the past that deal with many of the underlying issues driving present day events. They all feature my old friend Mike Hilkowitz. These conversations were recorded in June 2021 and April 2023. The first grew out of what now seems to be relatively ‘small’ but quite intensive standoffs over the status of some residences in East Jerusalem. The second begins by focusing on the large-scale civil unrest in Israel in response to the massive power grabs on the part of t...
2023-10-1647 min
The Interesting Times podcastRacism and Resistance in the Digital AgeWe were quite fortunate to have Dr. Rob Eschmann, associate professor of social work at Columbia University, join us to discuss his important and insightful new book: When the Hoods Come Off: Racism and Resistance in the Digital Age (Univ. of California Press). Our conversation uses Dr. Eschmann’s book as focal point for delving into the complex terrain located at the intersections of race, racism, resistance, and digital media. Thanks as always for supporting the show! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bo...
2023-10-091h 12
The Interesting Times podcastThe Politics of Martin Luther King's LegacyIn this episode we are pleased to welcome Dr. Hajar Yazdiha, who is the author of an insightful new book on the contentious politics of both ‘making’ and ‘claiming’ the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement more broadly. Dr. Yazdiha’s book, The Struggle for the People’s King: How Politics Transforms the Memory of the Civil Rights Movement, advances our understanding of these evolving, and ongoing, political processes which seek to make meaning out of the history inherited from the Civil Rights era. Dr. Yazdiha is an assistant professor of sociology and a faculty af...
2023-09-121h 14
The Interesting Times podcastThe Data WhisperersThe Interesting Times podcast is back with a new episode featuring a discussion with Prof. Lydia Wilkes of Auburn University and Prof. Ira Allen of Northern Arizona University. We use the recent cases of data manipulation by Harvard professor Francesca Gino as a point of entry to explore much wider (and more important) issues tied to how ‘knowledge’ about society is produced. As promised in the show, here is a link to the blog Data Colada where several experts in the field of quantitative analysis point to extremely convincing evidence that a series of studies co-authored by Gino...
2023-07-311h 11
2023-07-2012 min2023-06-2909 min2023-06-0810 min2023-06-0107 min2023-06-0120 min2023-05-2512 min2023-05-1109 minPolitical ScienceWeek 4 'Science' and the Study of PoliticsWeek 4 'Science' and the Study of Politics
2023-04-2718 min2023-04-2016 min2023-04-1315 min2023-04-0811 min
The Interesting Times podcastIsrael's Supreme Political Crisis (Part I)After a winter hibernation, The Interesting Times podcast is back with an exploration of the many causes and consequences of the still unfolding upheaval in Israeli politics and society. To guide us through this complex situation I was fortunate to speak with Michael Hilkowitz. Mike has been living in Israel for over a decade and has worked as the chief content officer for the Israel Innovation Fund. He is currently near the completion of a master’s degree in security and diplomacy studies at Tel Aviv University. His columns on the political situation in Israel have a appeared in a...
2023-04-011h 07
The Interesting Times podcastOur Darkening EnlightmentIn this episode we once again welcome the ever-prolific Dr. James Batcho to dig into the nature of Rousseau’s critique of the Enlightenment in the 18th century and what it tells us about our present age. As always, thanks for listening and, if you have not already, please consider subscribing to The Interesting Times. Graeme Garrard’s book, discussed in the episode can be found here.Dr. Batcho’s books can be found here and here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get...
2022-12-191h 36
The Interesting Times podcastWe Need to Talk About Effective AltruismThis latest installment of The Interesting Times podcast features two exceptional guests well-positioned to explore the significant issues with the effective altruism (EA) framework. Though certainly the recent meltdown of the FTX empire and EA stalwart Sam Bankman-Fried provide a point of entry. As I discuss with Abagail Schneider of Regis University and Ira Allen from Northern Arizona University, the problems with EA go far beyond the person of Bankman-Fried and speak to much larger issues with how we go about framing the mounting crises we are facing in this moment. It’s a great conversation that dives into th...
2022-12-011h 06
History of Modern Koreaxiii. The Reign of Kim Jong IlThe Reign of Kim Jong Il This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-11-2311 min
2022-11-2311 min
The Interesting Times podcastHomecoming Weekend at Trump UniversityThe Interesting Times is back after some time away with a thoroughgoing breakdown and analysis of the election last week in the US. The last few days, you may have found yourself wondering what the middle-aged, American white guy who has lived in East Asia for at least fifteen years and is married to a woman from Busan, South Korea demo has to say about the election. Well, I am here to say than this is just the convo you’ve been looking for as myself and our two guests all fall squarely within this crucial demographic group. But mo...
2022-11-1555 min
History of Modern Koreaxxii. South Korea After the WarWeek 11 South Korea After the War This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-11-0910 min2022-11-0910 min
History of Modern Koreaxi. North Korea After the WarWeek 10 North Korea After the War This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-11-0208 min2022-11-0208 min2022-10-2610 min
History of Modern Koreax. The Korean WarWeek 9 The Korean War This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-10-2610 minHistory of Modern KoreaWeek 8 An Anguished 'Liberation' 1945-1948Week 8 An Anguished 'Liberation' 1945-1948
2022-10-1909 min
History of Modern Koreaix. An Anguished 'Liberation' 1945-1948Week 8 An Anguished 'Liberation' 1945-1948 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-10-1909 minHistory of Modern KoreaWeek 7 Colonial Legacies in Korea_(Recording of Class Lecture)Week 7 Colonial Legacies in Korea
2022-10-1242 min
History of Modern Koreaviii. Colonial Legacies in KoreaWeek 7 Colonial Legacies in Korea This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-10-1242 min2022-10-0511 min
History of Modern Koreavi. A Turbulent DénouementWeek 6 A Turbulent Dénouement This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-10-0511 minHistory of Modern KoreaColonial Complexity with special guest, Prof. Sean O'ReillyWeek 7 Colonial Complexity with special guest, Prof. Sean O'Reilly
2022-10-0241 min
History of Modern Koreavii. Colonial Complexity with special guest, Prof. Sean O'ReillyWeek 7 Colonial Complexity with special guest, Prof. Sean O'Reilly This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-10-0241 min2022-09-2812 min
History of Modern Koreav. Prelude to the March 1 UprisingWeek 5 Prelude to the March 1 Uprising This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-09-2812 min2022-09-2116 minHistory of Modern KoreaWeek 4 The Colonial Turn In Modern KoreaWeek 4 The Colonial Turn In Modern Korea
2022-09-2116 min
History of Modern Koreaiii. The Colonial Turn In Modern KoreaWeek 4 The Colonial Turn In Modern Korea This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-09-2116 min
History of Modern Koreaiv. Extraction and CoercionWeek 4_2 Extraction and Coercion This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-09-2116 min
History of Modern Koreaii. The Last Decades of the Joseon DynastyWeek 3 The Last Decades of the Joseon Dynasty This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2022-09-1413 minHistory of Modern KoreaWeek 3 The Last Decades of the Joseon DynastyWeek 3 The Last Decades of the Joseon Dynasty
2022-09-1412 min
The Interesting Times podcastDevelopmental Tragedies (Part 2)This is the second part of my discussion with Greg Graham, associate professor and chair of the Department of African and African American Studies at the University of Oklahoma. If you haven’t done so, I strongly recommend you check out Part 1 first. Thanks so much as always for supporting The Interesting Times. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2022-08-1634 min
The Interesting Times podcastDevelopmental Tragedies (Part 1)Excited to release our latest episode featuring Prof. Greg Graham from the University of Oklahoma where he serves as associate professor and chair of the Department of African and African American Studies. He is author of an exceptional book on development entitled Democratic Political Tragedy in the Postcolony. His employs the literary motif of tragedy to understand the post-colonial milieu and its discontents within both Jamaica and South Africa. We use this as a launching point for an exploration of what has gone awry with developmental aspirations, both nationally and internationally as well as the problems with the very...
2022-07-311h 11
The Interesting Times podcastTechnically EducationThis and all episodes can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.What is education ‘supposed’ to do? What role does technology have in achieving our educational goals as both students and teachers? Moreover, to the extent that we think of school as a place of learning, what exactly does it mean to ‘learn’? Education is an area of the social world that is highly fraught even in the best circumstances. However, the pandemic in conjunction with a contentious debates over the boundaries of social discourse and what ‘should’ be taught have brought these matters to the forefron...
2022-07-131h 40
The Interesting Times podcastPragmatic UtopiasWelcome to Episode 2 of The Interesting Times podcast. We are joined by the indomitable Ira Allen, an associate professor serving in both the English and political science departments at Northern Arizona University, to discuss the potential shapes of the lights at the end of the dark tunnel we seem to be becoming further encased in by the day. He wields a joyful and fascinating intellect that challenges us to think not only about grandiose possibilities but also the constraints that we must assume will necessarily attenuate these visions. We are so lucky to have him on the show and...
2022-06-211h 33
The Interesting Times podcastWhat's 'going on' in Haiti?Welcome to The Interesting Times podcast. We are happy to present our first original episode. Sadly, there is so much tumult afoot around the world that many people may be unaware of the political crisis racking Haiti at the moment. Fortunately, we are lucky to have Haitian national and scholar, Prof. Eguelson Leganeur join us to help better understand the ongoing situation as well as some of the broader social and historical forces at play. As a bonus, beyond being an intellectual and analyst of the first order, Prof. Leganeur also happens to be an accomplished musician. His original...
2022-05-261h 19
The Interesting Times podcastThe Ethical Vacuum (audio version)As part of our new podcast channel we will be uploading audio versions of all of our essays. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2022-05-1426 min
The Interesting Times podcastHip-hop: Music, Politics, Culture, and Gender (TCOA 13)For this episode we welcome the immanently estimable and multi-talented Dr. Miles White. Dr. White is both an accomplished jazz artist and a scholar of music and music culture. We use his exceptional book From Jim Crow to Jay-Z: Race, Rap, and the Performance of Masculinity (Univ. of Illinois Press) to dig into hip-hop culture, its politics, and evolution over the past several decades. It is a true honor to have such an authority on these matters grace our humble caverns with his presence. Whether you're a hip-hop devotee or not, I think you'll really enjoy hearing the insight...
2021-12-241h 10
2021-11-2707 min
The Interesting Times podcastCritical Woke Fury: The end of the beginning of the end? (TCOA 12)We welcome George Khoury and Chris Tharp back down into the friendly confines of The Caves of Altamira. Beginning with a discussion of the recent elections we leave no stone unturned during our journey into the ever-widening chasm that is U.S. politics and society more generally. This one is a real humdinger nested in a doozy with nary a shred of poppycock, so stretch your ears, suit up, and hit the field. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.s...
2021-11-171h 34States and MarketsWeek 11 Development in Theory and PracticeWeek 11 Development in Theory and Practice
2021-11-1407 min2021-10-2907 min2021-10-2211 min2021-10-1611 min2021-10-1016 min2021-09-2609 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Ways of Knowing: Human Spirit Sauteed in Social Media With a Side of Science (TCOA 11)After a summer respite The Caves of Altamira is back. For this inaugural episode of what we are dubbing Season II, the good Dr. James Batcho once again drops into the caves. Fresh off completing the manuscript for his latest book James sketches out a set of perspectives that help make us sense of the ongoing interplay between compounding social ruptures and the ever-accelerating sphere of social media 'knowledge' production. It’s a doozy of a convo, so be sure to buckle up, and drop in. James’ personal website:www.jimbatcho.com
2021-09-201h 152021-09-1714 min2021-09-1217 minHistory of Modern KoreaWeek 2 The Joseon Dynasty's Changing EnvironmentWeek 2 The Joseon Dynasty's Changing Environment
2021-09-1013 min
History of Modern Koreai. The Joseon Dynasty's Changing EnvironmentWeek 2 The Joseon Dynasty's Changing Environment This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2021-09-1013 min2021-09-0510 min
History of Modern KoreaIntroduction: History, Modernity, KoreaWeek 1 History, Modernity, Korea This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit koreanhistory.substack.com
2021-09-0107 min2021-09-0107 min2021-08-3109 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Authoritarians Strike Back: A Cautionary Tale from Turkey (TCOA 10)After a brief respite we are back in The Caves of Altamira with Turkish political journalist Sevgi Akarcesme. Due to the increasingly dangerous situation for independent journalists in Turkey, Sevgi has been living in exile in the U.S. for nearly 5 years. Her harrowing story tells us not only a great deal about the rise of despotism in Turkey but also the gathering pace of authoritarianism across the globe. Despite being forced to flee Turkey, Sevgi has continued to give lectures across the U.S. to raise awareness and speak out against the Erdogan regime. She has also appeared...
2021-07-171h 07
The Interesting Times podcastBack Rent: Sources and Methods in the Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Hostilities [Part II] (TCOA 9.2)This is the second half of a wide-ranging discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Mike Hilkowitz. If you haven't listened to Part I yet it is highly recommended to check that out first. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
2021-06-1456 min
The Interesting Times podcastBack Rent: Sources and Methods in the Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Hostilities [Part I] (TCOA 9.1)This week we welcome Mike Hilkowitz to The Caves of Altamira. Our conversation takes a relatively deep dive into several significant historical undercurrents shaping the most recent wave of violence in this long-simmering dispute. Our conversation winds its way from a property dispute surrounding two houses in East Jerusalem to the Camp David negotiation in the late 1990s to a broader discussion of Yasser Arafat, Hamas, and Israel’s relations in the region. This circumlocutious path itself speaks to how dense and difficult it can be to get any sort of handle on the conflict. We certainly do not co...
2021-06-0258 min
The Interesting Times podcastThe Good Life and Its Discontents: What are we trying to accomplish? (TCOA 8)Amid the endless churning of outrage and mutual recriminations we often find ourselves drifting further and further from the underlying rationale or purpose that motivated our engagement with the political discourse in the first place. We tend to be motivated by some notion of the good life and justice but yet increasingly devote little time to investigating these perennial questions. To help us dig into to such matters Dr. Gene Healy drops into The Caves of Altamira to impart his wisdom born of decades practicing oriental medicine along with teaching yoga and meditation. Dr. Healy also draws upon his...
2021-05-091h 28
The Interesting Times podcastFuzzy Lines: The Great Woke Wars of the 2020s (TCOA 7)The force of nature that is Chris Tharp wafts into The Caves of Altamira as we traverse the ever-burgeoning frontlines of the woke wars. Join us for a spirited discussion and debate over what exactly it means to be cancelled, the fundamental nature of the issues at hand, and ultimately what is at stake. We also try to place these contemporary contretemps in their broader historical context. All said, this is a conversation that moves beyond the simplistic dichotomies that tend to color these matters in an effort to produce more light than heat. Links t...
2021-04-081h 24
The Interesting Times podcastTo Be, That is the Question: Existentialism and Modern Life (TCOA 6)The intrepid Simone Lee drops into The Caves of Altamira to discuss existentialism and the pursuit of an authentic life amid a world of hyperized everything. Simone breaks down some of existentialism’s core insights and demonstrates the many ways they can offer practical guidance for our everyday lives. In our discussion we delve into questions of what is natural, authentic, and artificial in terms of our own experiences as well as the broader social and political forces shaping us. As our lives are increasingly stretched across multiple modes of being the core questions at the center of existentialism se...
2021-03-201h 02
The Interesting Times podcastBorders, Money, and Movement: The Politics of Migration in Asia (TCOA 5)Professor Thakur Subedi drops by The Caves of Altamira for a fascinating discussion about both broad trends in Asian migration and some of the specific ways they have played out within the context of South Korea, Japan, and Nepal. Professor Subedi brings a host of academic knowledge and real-world experience to these topics which comes across throughout this deep dive into migration in Asia. Also, feast your ears upon our new theme music composed and produced by hyper-talented Jordan Lewis (a link to Jordan’s webpage is below). Website for Jordan Lewis: https://jordanlewismusic.com/...
2021-02-271h 18
The Interesting Times podcastIn the Club: Student Politics and the Struggle for Democracy in South Korea (TCOA 4)Please join me in welcoming noted author and artist Ryan Estrada to The Caves of Altamira for a discussion of his multi-award winning, highly acclaimed, graphic novel Banned Book Club. Listen to our real time reactions to an authoritarian plot in 2020s America as we prepare to discuss a book about combatting authoritarian plots in 1980s South Korea. Hear Ryan recount only learning after years of being together that his wife was once a person of interest to the military dictatorship of Chun Doo Hwan. Learn about the mechanics of disseminating subversive content before the days of ‘shares’, ‘likes’, and ‘ret...
2021-01-3154 min
The Interesting Times podcastA City Way to Live: Digging into Humanity’s Urbanization (TCOA 3)Urban life has become so ubiquitous around the world that we may take for granted just how much is has shaped and continues to shape our lives from day-to-day travails to the increasingly fraught nature of politics to eroding social cohesion. Fortunately, two experts on urban life and the politics of cities drop by The Caves of Altamira to help us better understand the effects of living around a bunch of people. Hear our guest Dr. Joshua K. Leon make the case that it was perhaps around 3,200 BCE when humanity took a significant wrong turn. Listen to Dr. Jeffrey...
2021-01-151h 15
The Interesting Times podcastAll Darts, No Boards: Lingering in the Age of the Hypernow (TCOA 2)Welcome to Episode 2 of The Caves of Altamira. Please join me and the good Dr. James Batcho as we contemplate why we've all decided to become annoying second year grad students and obsess endlessly over matters of ontology. Hear James warn me about unwittingly obliterating my son's soul. Join us again in welcoming the tortured souls of Nietzsche and Marx to the caves as they as they encounter their ebullient predecessor Jean-Jacques Rousseau in our dissection of how things have gone so awry and some alternatives courses available. All this and more in our most recent junket into the...
2020-12-271h 04
The Interesting Times podcastAlternative Factors: A Deep Dive into American Malaise (TCOA 1)Where do Donald Trump, Adam Smith, Sam Harris, Friedrich Nietzsche, Kellyanne Conway, Karl Marx, Jordan Peterson, and Saddam Hussein all meet up and converse over a tacocoptered meal? But of course within the depths of The Caves of Altamira. Join me and my guest George Khoury for a wide-ranging exploration of the contemporary state of American society and the forces past and present shaping the times. Hear us confront our looming middle-agedness as we struggle to recall nearly ubiquitous facets of popular culture. Applaud or wince at our efforts to punch up as this scrappy upstart podcast goes after...
2020-12-271h 23