Seize The Moment Podcast

On episode 240, we welcome Mark White to discuss the ethical philosophies behind the fantastic four, applying utilitarianism to Reed Richards, deontology to Ben Grimm (The Thing), virtue ethics to Sue Storm, examining the moral growth of Johnny Storm, Dr. Doom's twisted morality, how superheroes embody the emotions associated with moral decision-making, whether moral decisions can be perceived as mere calculations, and if the ends always justify the means. Mark D. White is a Professor of Philosophy at the College of Staten Island/CUNY who has written widely on superheroes and philosophy, including in the books Batman and Ethics and the A Philosopher Reads… volumes on Daredevil, Thor, and Civil War, as well as contributions to many volumes in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series. His new book, available now, is called Ethics of the Fantastic Four. | Mark D. White | ► Website | https://www.profmdwhite.com ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/profmdwhite ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/profmdwhite ► Ethics of the Fantastic Four Book | https://amzn.to/4kBHLy0 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://bit.ly/3xLHTIa  

On episode 239, we welcome Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling to discuss his foray into the paranormal, our innate spiritualism and why some lean into it while others don't, how anti-establishment people and institutions misuse the scientific method, who's to blame for the widespread anti-science bias, the challenge of defining the ‘soul,' what happens when experience conflicts with empirical data, alien abduction stories, and why we need to incorporate spiritualism and other types of alternative thinking into the mainstream. Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling is a freelance journalist specializing in narrative features and investigative reporting. He has been named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, won a George Polk Award, and been voted Journalist of the Year by the Maine Press association, among numerous other honors. . His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, USA Today, Popular Science, Atavist Magazine, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, the Associated Press, and elsewhere. His new book, available May 20, 2025, is called The Ghost Lab: How Bigfoot Hunters, Mediums, and Alien Enthusiasts Are Wrecking Science. | Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling | ► Website | https://www.matt-hongoltzhetling.com ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/hh_matt ► The Ghost Lab Book | https://amzn.to/4jeY7v5 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 238, welcome Emile DeWeaver to discuss reforming the US criminal justice system, the lack of a systematic understanding of crime in most rehabilitation programs, white supremacy as a version of the human tendency to dominate, the “near enemy” of incremental change, the roots of US policing and the need for a collective mind to replace it, the struggle with assimilation for formerly incarcerated people, the importance of clarity and courage for social justice, and why Emile's book is just the beginning of deeper work which should include strengthening our imaginations. Emile Suotonye DeWeaver is a formerly incarcerated activist, widely published essayist, owner of Re:Frame LLC, and a 2022 Soros Justice Fellow. California's Governor Brown commuted his life sentence after twenty-one years for his community work. He has written for publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, The San Jose Mercury News, Colorlines, The Appeal, The Rumpus, and Seventh Wave. His new book, available May 13, 2025, is called Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine: Reform, White Supremacy, and an Abolitionist Future. | Emile Suotonye DeWeaver | ► Website | https://www.reframeconsults.com/about-emile ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/emilesuotonyedeweaver ► Substack | https://emiledeweaver.substack.com ► Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine Book | https://amzn.to/4lUkZm8 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment  

On episode 237, we welcome Steven Poser to discuss psychotherapy for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, the symbolism of hallucinations and delusions, transference and countertransference with psychosis, how trauma contributes to the forms hallucinations may take, treating hostile patients, the shared humanity with psychotic patients, psychological defenses as covers for deeper pain, and what makes psychoanalysis effective for psychosis. Steven Poser is a practicing psychoanalyst in New York City and the author of The Misfit and Though This Be Madness. Since 2015 he has been a member of the Faculty Psychotherapy Conference of the Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Hospital. His new book, available 04/22/2025, is called This Is Me, Is That You?: Encounters with Schizophrenia. | Steven Poser | ► This is Me, Is That You? Book | https://amzn.to/44xybXC ► Alternative Book Link  | https://bit.ly/4lFOdF1 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment  

On episode 236, we welcome Nicole Karlis to discuss the benefits of altruism, the link between depression and feeling unimportant, the disaster effect and bounded solidarity, the myth of self-love, burnout as an indicator of poor social structures, why some people won't accept help, how helping others aids our own mental health, altruism's effects on the brain, co-regulation as the rule rather than the exception, and cultivating the Malama Mindset. Nicole Karlis is a health and science journalist. Her work has been published in Salon, The New York Times, Marie Claire, and The Bold Italic. Her new book, available now, is called Your Brain on Altruism: The Power of Connection and Community during Times of Crisis. | Nicole Karlis | ► Website | https://nicolemkarlis.com ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nicolekarlis ► Twitter | https://x.com/nicolekarlis ► Your Brain on Altruism Book | https://amzn.to/4laZ0qy Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment  

On episode 235, we welcome Jaz Brisack to discuss unionizing efforts for Starbucks workers and Project Germinal, how unions form and why workers may fear them, the popular ideas of unions and how they're misrepresented by corporate media, Jaz's experiences in the Starbucks union and “salting,” whether corporate managers act in good faith, anti-union tactics and why they should be considered psychological warfare, and how workers can sustain a sense of hope in the face of their significant and persistent professional struggles. Jaz Brisack is a union organizer and cofounder of the Inside Organizer School, which trains workers to unionize. After spending one year at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, they got a job as a barista at the Elmwood Starbucks in Buffalo, New York, becoming a founding member of Starbucks Workers United and helping organize the first unionized Starbucks in the United States. As the organizing director for Workers United Upstate New York & Vermont, they also worked with organizing committees at companies ranging from Ben & Jerry's to Tesla. Their new book, available on April 29, 2025, is called Get on the Job and Organize: Standing Up for a Better Workplace and a Better World. | Jaz Brisack | ► Website | https://www.insideorganizerschool.com ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/jazbrisack ► Twitter | https://x.com/jazbrisack ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/jaz.brisack ► Get on the Job and Organize Book | https://bit.ly/GetontheJobandOrganize Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment  

On episode 234, we welcome Vanessa Daniel to discuss the personal and professional challenges women of color face, how trauma influenced Vanessa's understanding of the world, how to understand intersectionality, what it means to leave no marginalized groups behind as democrats fight for power, the importance of solidarity in addressing individual trauma, 360 degree vision, the lack of courage among democratic leaders, appealing to voters, why the left isn't immune from criticism, and what cancel culture gets wrong. Vanessa Priya Daniel has worked in social justice movements for twenty-five years as a labor and community organizer and funder. She founded and served for seventeen years as executive director of Groundswell Fund, a leading funder of women of color-led grassroots and electoral organizing. She is a recipient of the Smith College Medal, was featured by The Chronicle of Philanthropy as one of fifteen “Influencers” who are changing the non-profit world, and by Inside Philanthropy as one of the “Top 100 Most Powerful Players in Philanthropy.” Vanessa has written for The New York Times and other publications. Her new book, available now, is called Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning.  | Vanessa Daniel | ► Website | https://www.vanessapriyadaniel.com ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/vanessapriyadaniel ► Twitter | https://x.com/vanessapdaniel ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564853652820 ► Unrig the Game Book | https://www.vanessapriyadaniel.com/books Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment  

On episode 233, we welcome Constantine Sandis to discuss the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein, his lifelong preoccupation with the question of understanding others, the social and clinical consequences of misunderstanding others, Wittgenstein's personal struggles with misunderstanding, criticisms of empathy and how it may lead to further conflict as opposed to resolving it, the problem of mind-reading, understanding culture as opposed to another's inner drives, and the significance of self-reflection. Constantine Sandis is Director of Lex Academic, Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. His books include The Things We Do and Why We Do Them, Philosophy of Action: An Anthology, and Human Nature, and From Action to Ethics: A Pluralistic Approach to Reasons and Responsibility. His newest book, available March 11, 2025, is called Wittgenstein on Other Minds: Strangers in a Strange Land. | Constantine Sandis | ► Website | https://www.constantinesandis.com ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/csandis ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/csandis ► Bluesky |  https://bsky.app/profile/csandis.bsky.social ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/csandis ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantine-sandis-723454a4 ► Wittgenstein on Other Minds Book | https://bit.ly/3Ff6458 Wittgenstein on Other Minds Discount Code for 35% Off: SEWPC35 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 232, we welcome Adam Chandler to discuss the American myth of the self-made man, how it's evolved over time, a potentially better argument for social benefits than the one normally provided by the left, the flaws of the “bootstrap” mentality, the self-made myth of Elon Musk, how billionaires benefit from us believing in the American Dream, the inconsistencies of the libertarian philosophy, how expanding the child tax credit alleviated poverty in the US, and the potential effects of AI on employees. Adam Chandler is a journalist and author based in New York. A former staff writer at The Atlantic, his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, WIRED, Vox, Slate, New York Magazine, Texas Monthly, Esquire, TIME, and elsewhere. Chandler is the author of Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom and a recurring guest on The History Channel's The Food That Built America. He regularly appears across television, radio, and digital platforms including CBS Sunday Morning, NPR's Planet Money, Morning Edition, and Here & Now. His newest book, available now, is called 99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life.  | Adam Chandler | ► Website | https://www.adamchandler.com ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/adamisaac ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/allmychandler ► Twitter | https://x.com/AllMyChandler ► 99% Perspiration Book | https://www.adamchandler.com/99-perspiration Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 232, we welcome Elaine Weiss to discuss the grassroots foundation of the civil rights movement, the origins and aspirations of the Highlander Folk School, how and why Black people educated themselves when schooling was illegal for them, Septima Clark and the activism of ordinary people, Esau Jenkins teaching Black citizens on his bus rides, literacy tests and other ways voting for Black people was thwarted by whites, myths around education in the Black community, Rosa Parks as both a passive and active activist, and lessons from Highlander activists for how to maintain and foster democracy. Elaine Weiss is an award-winning journalist, author, and public speaker. She is the author of Fruits of Victory: The Woman's Land Army of the Great War; and The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote. Her newest book, available on March 4, 2025, is called Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement. | Elaine Weiss | ► Website | https://elaineweiss.com ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ElaineWeissAuthor ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/efwauthor ► Twitter | https://x.com/efweiss5 ► Spell Freedom Book | https://bit.ly/3Qt33R7 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 230, we welcome Michelle Sherman to discuss mental illness within families, the missteps people make in attempting to address it, our tendency to personalize others' struggles, what happens when others aren't aware of why they're struggling and can't explain it, the 4Cs model of navigating mental illness in others, the effects and trauma and neglect, asking for support and overcoming the shame of doing so, and why having a mental illness doesn't necessarily mean one is incapable of being a good parent. Michelle D. Sherman, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified, licensed clinical psychologist who is a nationally recognized leader in the family experience of mental illness and trauma. She is the editor-in-chief of Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice and worked for many years in the Veterans Affairs system. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and was named their Family Psychologist of the Year in 2022. Her newest book, co-authored with DeAnne Sherman, available now, is called Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma: Skills, Hope, and Strength for Your Journey. | Michelle D. Sherman, PhD | ► Website | https://www.seedsofhopebooks.com ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557940777748 ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seeds_of_hope_books ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-sherman-phd-lp-abpp-312897100 ► Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma Book | https://amzn.to/3CSwQiR Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 229, we welcome Steven Heine to discuss his research in existential psychology, humans as meaning-making creatures, existential crises as crises of meaning, the importance of story-telling in cultivating a deeper sense of purpose, cultural differences in meaning and our innate desire to contribute to our cultures, terror-management theory, Nietzsche's nobleman and action vs reaction, tribalism in meaning-making, the importance of gratitude, and healthy ways to cope with death anxiety. Steven J. Heine is distinguished university scholar and professor of social and cultural psychology at the University of British Columbia. He is the author of Cultural Psychology, the top-selling textbook in the field, and his research has been covered in outlets like the New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian, Newsweek, and New Scientist.  His newest book, available now, is called Start Making Sense: How Existential Psychology Can Help Us Build Meaningful Lives in Absurd Times. | Steven J. Heine | ► Website | https://psych.ubc.ca/profile/steven-heine ► Psychology Today | https://bit.ly/3CLtuhA ► Start Making Sense Book | https://amzn.to/3ErQIKf Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast    

On episode 228, we welcome Lorraine Besser to discuss the philosophy of the interesting, why the obsessive pursuit of success tends to backfire, Aristotelianism and Epicureanism, psychological richness as an alternative to happiness, the arrival fallacy, the importance of experiences, cultivating a mindset of open-mindedness, Lorraine's own story of being unfulfilled by professional success, why we resort to cultivating envy, the problems arising from long-term happiness, and how ‘interesting' differs from ‘flow' and ‘awe.' Lorraine Besser, PhD, is a professor of philosophy at Middlebury College, who specializes in the philosophy and psychology of the good life and teaches popular courses for undergraduates on happiness, well-being, and ethics. An internationally recognized scholar, she was a founding investigator on the research team studying psychological richness.  She is the author of two academic books (The Philosophy of Happiness: An Interdisciplinary Introduction and Eudaimonic Ethics: The Philosophy and Psychology of Living Well) and dozens of professional journal articles on moral psychology. Her newest book is called The Art of the Interesting: What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It. | Lorraine Besser, PhD | ► Website | https://lorrainebesser.com/ ► Twitter | https://x.com/LorraineBesser ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lorbesser ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558839725587 ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-besser-0a980212b ► The Art of the Interesting Book | https://bit.ly/3Eob8U4 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 227, we welcome Dr. Robert Smith to discuss the state of mental health care in the US, the historical split between mind and body and its modern ramifications, Robert's struggles as a young doctor addressing mental illness in his patients, the hyper-focus on brain chemistry in psychiatry, the consequences of primary care doctors providing the most amount of care for mental illness, integrating the bio-psycho-social model, the significance of lifestyle choices on major illnesses, the medical industrial complex, and the NURS model of mental health care. Robert C. Smith, MD is internationally recognized for his evidence-based teaching innovations in mental health care and the doctor-patient relationship as developer of the first evidence-based patient-centered method to guide teachers and their medical and nursing students and residents to master a physician's single most important skill: the ability to communicate and form a strong partnership with the patient. Among many awards, Dr. Smith has received the Master recognition from the American College of Physicians, the George Engel Award for Outstanding Research from the Academy on Communication in Healthcare, and the Career Teaching Achievement Award from the Society of General Internal Medicine. His newest book, available now, is called Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?: Why Our Mental Health System Is Failing Us and What Should Be Done to Cure It.  | Robert C. Smith, MD | ► Website | https://www.robertcsmithmd.com ► Twitter | https://x.com/RobertCSmithMD ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/RobertCSmithMD ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcsmithmd ► Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? Book | https://amzn.to/3PH6cMM Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 226, we welcome William Haldeman to discuss five great US presidents, George Washington's prudence and humility in stepping down, FDR's ability to communicate with the American public, his sense of confidence in navigating the Great Depression and World War 2, Ronald Reagan's optimism in the face of Soviet communism, the necessity of it for electoral victories, podcasting as a medium for presidential hopefuls, ways in which current politicians live up to and fail to live up to these predecessors, and how future leaders can benefit from them. William Haldeman is Vice Chancellor and Chief Strategy Officer at the University of Pittsburgh. He has also served the White House Domestic Policy Council, two US secretaries of state, and as a senior staff member to a state governor. His new book, available now, is called Meeting the Moment: Inspiring Presidential Leadership That Transformed America.  | William Haldeman | ► Website | https://www.williamhaldeman.com/home ► Twitter | https://x.com/potushistorian ► Meeting the Moment Book | https://bit.ly/49uJYGD Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment  

On episode 225, we welcome Casey Michel to discuss the roles foreign lobbyists play in shaping US foreign policy, the good and bad aspects of the lobbying industry, Paul Manafort's and Ivy Lee's efforts to aid propaganda for dictators, the differences between government lobbying and diplomacy, US congressional ties to authoritarian regimes and how congressmen are bought, the reasons the democrats lost the 2024 elections and how much hope there is, dark money, and American universities taking in billions from regimes with human rights abuses. Casey Michel is an author, journalist, and director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program with the Human Rights Foundation. He is the author of American Kleptocracy, named by The Economist as one of the "best books to read to understand financial crime." His writing on offshoring, foreign lobbying, authoritarianism, and illicit wealth has appeared in The New York Times, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, and The Washington Post, among other outlets, and he has appeared on NPR, BBC, CNN, and MSNBC, among other stations. He has also testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the links between illicit financial networks and national security. His newest book, available now, is called Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World. | Casey Michel | ► Website 1 | https://www.caseymichel.com ► Website 2 | https://hrf.org/program/combating-kleptocracy ► Twitter | https://x.com/cjcmichel ► Linkin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseymichel ► Foreign Agents Book | https://amzn.to/4hSI8U2 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast    

On episode 224, we welcome Rob Jackson to discuss the effects of climate change, the human contributions to it, weighing the costs of revenue loss against environmental harm, the historical contributions of the Republican party to environmental protections and their road to climate denial, worries about another Trump presidency, the effects of climate change on poor communities, the promise of electric and solar power, and the everyday harms of methane gas. Rob Jackson is the Chair of the Global Carbon Project, a Senior Fellow at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment and Precourt Institute for Energy, and a professor of earth science at Stanford University. Through global scientific leadership and groundbreaking research, communications, and policy activities, Rob's work has reduced millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions and improved human health, safety, and air and water quality. One of the top five most-cited climate and environmental scientists in the world, he has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications, and his writings have appeared in many outlets, including The New York Times, Scientific American, and The Washington Post. His newest book, available now, is called Into the Clear Blue Sky: The Path to Restoring Our Atmosphere. | Rob Jackson |   ► Website 1 | https://jacksonlab.stanford.edu ► Website 2 | https://robjacksonbooks.com ► Into the Clear Blue Sky Book | https://amzn.to/4f74T4E Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 223, we welcome Claudia Strauss to discuss the four types of work ethic, the glamorization of hustle culture and what type of work most people value, how productivity became associated with one's moral standing, whether and how much meaning should be expected from a job, how automation might impact our work lives, studies about the effects of a four day work-week, and the myth of people on government assistance programs not wanting to work. Claudia Strauss is Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Pitzer College. She is the author of Making Sense of Public Opinion and coauthor of A Cognitive Theory of Cultural Meaning.Her newest book, available now, is called What Work Means: Beyond the Puritan Work Ethic. | Claudia Strauss | ► Website | https://www.claudiastrauss.org ► What Work Means Book | https://amzn.to/40bofkH Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 222, we welcome Jon Michaels and David Noll to discuss the alliance between vigilante groups and governments in the US, the four types of vigilantism and how they affect our lives, how vigilante groups utilize state laws to limit freedom of movement, the roots of vigilantism in the slavery era, the argument of individual liberty as a veil for tyranny, and the societal effects of the merger between business interests and right-wing cultural warriors. Jon Michaels is a UCLA professor of law specializing in constitutional, administrative, and national-security law. His award-winning scholarship has been published in The Yale Law Journal, the University of Chicago Law Review, the Columbia Law Review, and the Harvard Law Review; his popular essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Foreign Affairs, The Guardian, and The Forward. A Yale Law graduate and former Supreme Court clerk, Michaels is a member of the American Law Institute, serves on the advisory board of UCLA's Safeguarding Democracy Project, and is a faculty affiliate of UCLA's Center on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy. His first book, Constitutional Coup, was published by Harvard University Press. David Noll is the associate dean for faculty research and development and a professor of law at Rutgers Law School. His scholarly writings on civil procedure, complex litigation, and administrative law have appeared in the California Law Review, the Cornell Law Review, the New York University Law Review, the Michigan Law Review, and the Texas Law Review, among others, and his popular writing has appeared in venues including The New York Times, Politico, Slate, and the New York Law Journal. A graduate of Columbia University and New York University School of Law, Noll is an academic fellow of the National Institute for Civil Justice. He clerked on the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. | Jon Michaels and David Noll | ► Website | http://www.jondmichaels.com/about ► Twitter 1| https://x.com/davidlnoll ► Twitter 2 | https://x.com/JonDMichaels ► Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/david.noll.org ► Vigilante Nation Book | https://amzn.to/3zEjQvM Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 221, we welcome Randy Fertel to discuss the rich history of improv, hot cognition and cold cognition, the importance of a liberal arts education for creativity, Trump's charisma and use of off the cuff comments to charm his audience, the neuroscience of creativity, Saturday Night Live and how those comedians embodied the dark side of improv, improv as a symbol of authenticity and why that connects with an audience, trauma and reintegration into the community, and how to cultivate a “yes and” mindset. Randy Fertel is a writer, scholar, and philanthropist, best known for his work exploring the intersections of improvisation, culture, and politics. Fertel holds a PhD in English and American literature from Harvard and has taught at institutions such as Harvard and Tulane. His previous works include A Taste for Chaos: The Art of Literary Improvisation and The Gorilla Man and the Empress of Steak, a memoir of his family's New Orleans culinary legacy. He is the president of The Fertel Foundation and The Ruth U. Fertel Foundation, supporting various cultural and educational causes. His latest book, Winging It: Improv's Power & Peril in the Time of Trump, delves into how improvisation shapes our world—from the arts and neuroscience to politics and social media. | Randy Fertel | ► Website | https://www.fertel.com ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/rfertel ► Twitter | https://x.com/rfertel ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rfertel ► Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/in/randy-fertel ► Winging It Book | https://bit.ly/3zLKJ0A Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 220, we welcome Jason Stanley to discuss the rising tide of fascism among Republicans, the pivotal role education plays in cultivating it, the divided US and how winning came to override all other values, the authoritarian war on intellectualism, fascist historical revisionism and why the history written by fascists is based on fear and pride, the fascist tendency to target minority groups and the necessary creation of scapegoats, unionizing as an antidote to fascism, Putin's rise to power, and the misguided attempts of populism to address corruption. Jason Stanley is the Jacob Urowsky Professor of Philosophy at Yale University. He is the author of six books, including How Fascism Works and How Propaganda Works. Stanley is a member of the Justice Collaboratory at Yale Law School and serves on the advisory board of the Prison Policy Initiative. He writes frequently about authoritarianism, democracy, propaganda, free speech, and mass incarceration for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Project Syndicate, and many other publications. His new book, available now, is called Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future.  | Jason Stanley | ► Linktree | https://linktr.ee/erasinghistory ► Website | https://campuspress.yale.edu/jasonstanley ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/jasonstanley680 ► Erasing History Book | https://bit.ly/4dbbsBD Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 219, we welcome Alice Driver to discuss the widespread labor violations of the meatpacking industry, Tyson's treatment of its workforce, how the company is able to employ undocumented immigrants, the Arkansas law that allows child labor, how prison labor is used to keep company costs low, the political power of the industry and how government subsidies help sustain it, and the various personal stories of the people working in Tyson's factories. Alice Driver is a James Beard Award-winning writer from the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. She is the author of More or Less Dead (University of Arizona, 2015) and the translator of Abecedario de Juárez (University of Texas, 2022). In 2024, she won the Lukas Work-in-Progress Prize from Columbia Journalism School and the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard for her newest book, a: The Immigrants Taking on America's Largest Meatpacking Company (One Signal Publishers). | Alice Driver | ► Website | https://www.alicedriver.com ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/alice__driver ► The Life and Death of the American Worker | https://amzn.to/3X5tpeR Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 218, we welcome Constantine Sandis to discuss the manifestations of transphobia, why feeling you're in the wrong body isn't delusional, the errors of segregation, ways of addressing the placements of trans people in sports, how biology and culture may interact to form trans identities, the rates and common causes of detransitioning, the sensationalism behind transphobic reactions, epistemic injustice and why we question trans identities unfairly, Imane Khelif and the olympic boxing controversy, and the consequences of assuming widespread deception from trans individuals. Constantine Sandis is Director of Lex Academic, Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. His books include The Things We Do and Why We Do Them, Philosophy of Action: An Anthology, and Human Nature, and From Action to Ethics: A Pluralistic Approach to Reasons and Responsibility. His newest book, coauthored with Danièle Moyal-Sharrock, is called Real Gender: A Cis Defence of Trans Realities.  | Constantine Sandis | ► Website | https://www.constantinesandis.com ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/csandis ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/csandis ► Bluesky |  https://bsky.app/profile/csandis.bsky.social ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/csandis ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantine-sandis-723454a4 ► Real Gender Book | https://bit.ly/46YA7bb Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 217, we welcome Bill Sullivan to discuss the burgeoning field of epigenetics, why genes are better thought of as dimmers rather than light switches, the antipsychiatry argument against mental illness and why all mental illnesses are organic, what we discovered about the microbiome, the Libet experiments and whether they cast doubt on free will, how genes and parasites affect personality development and change, why it's difficult for people to understand and accept genetic determinism, fraud in the field of medications purporting to affect gene expression, the ACE studies and their implications for mental health, and how identical twins can be reared in the same environment and exhibit different personalities. Bill Sullivan is the author of Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are (National Geographic Books), which has been translated into a dozen languages. Sullivan is the Showalter Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he studies infectious disease. He received his Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and has published over 100 papers in scientific journals. An award-winning researcher, teacher, and science communicator, Sullivan has been featured in a wide variety of outlets, including CNN, Fox & Friends, CBS News, ESPN, The Doctors, New York Post, Wall Street Journal, TEDx, The Scientist, and many more. He has written popular science articles for National Geographic, Discover, Scientific American, Washington Post, WIRED, Psychology Today, The Conversation, and more. He is an editor and writer at PLOS SciComm, chairs the Editorial Advisory Board for ASBMB Today, and serves as a board member of the John Shaw Billings Medical History Society. Visit him at authorbillsullivan.com and on X/Twitter @wjsullivan. | Bill Sullivan | ► Website | https://authorbillsullivan.com ► Twitter | https://x.com/wjsullivan ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/billsullivanjr ► Pleased to Meet Me Book | https://amzn.to/3Lkp95L Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://bit.ly/3xLHTIa  

On episode 216, we welcome Mark White to discuss the philosophy of Captain America, how his moral perfectionism informed his decisions and affected him afterward, the clash of morals in his rivalry with Iron Man, why being hard on himself benefited his community, the similarities and differences of deontology and utilitarianism, if we can consider his stubbornness as a moral failing, the qualities he embodied when he was recreated as a fascist, why algorithms don't excuse us from having to make moral choices, and why we hope for others not to have the same degree of moral responsibility that Captain America has. Mark D. White is a Professor of Philosophy at the College of Staten Island/CUNY who has written widely on superheroes and philosophy, including in the books Batman and Ethics and the A Philosopher Reads… series, as well as contributions to many volumes in the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series. His new book, available now, is called “The Virtues of Captain America: Modern-Day Lessons on Character from a World War II Superhero, Second Edition.” | Mark D. White | ► Website | https://www.profmdwhite.com ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/profmdwhite ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/profmdwhite ► Captain America Book | https://amzn.to/3zz4XKN Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://bit.ly/3xLHTIa  

On episode 215, we welcome Roberto Olivardia to discuss Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, its comorbidity with other mental health struggles and learning disorders, ways Roberto learned to manage his own ADHD, how it affects relationships and how to address it in them, why teachers in the past were unable to cope with it in their students, the stigma and shame that may accompany it, why Leon was considered to be a weird kid, the controversy about its existence, and why neuropsychological testing often misses it. Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), executive functioning issues, and issues that face students with learning differences. | Roberto Olivardia | ► Website | https://www.additudemag.com/author/roberto-olivardia-ph-d ► Adonis Complex Book | https://amzn.to/3v4Os6X Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 214, we welcome Tom Chivers to discuss Bayesian statistics, how their counterintuitive nature tends to turn people off, the philosophical disagreements between the Bayesians and the frequentists, why “priors” aren't purely subjective and why all theories should be considered as priors, the difficulty of quantifying emotional states in psychological research, how priors are used and misused to inform interpretations of new data, our innate tendency toward black and white thinking, the replication crisis, and why statistically significant research is often wrong. Tom Chivers is an author and the award-winning science writer for Semafor. His writing has appeared in The Times (London), The Guardian, New Scientist, Wired, CNN, and more. He is the co-host of The Studies Show podcast alongside Stuart Richie.His books include The Rationalist's Guide to the Galaxy, and How to Read Numbers. His newest book, available now, is called Everything Is Predictable: How Bayesian Statistics Explain Our World. | Tom Chivers | ► Website | https://tomchivers.com ► Twitter | https://x.com/TomChivers ► Semafor  | https://www.semafor.com/author/tom-chivers ► Podcast | https://www.thestudiesshowpod.com ► Everything is Predictable Book | https://amzn.to/3UJTOxD Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 213, we welcome Edward Simon to discuss the mythological history of the tale of Faust and Mephistopheles, god and the devil in theology, whether both figures can represent internal struggles between right and wrong, why so many identify with Faust's decisions, whether the story implies that willful ignorance is just as evil as maliciousness, how Faust was redeemed in Goethe's telling, whether denial of his dark side contributed to Faust obsessively pursuing power and pleasure, the mischaracterization of the seven deadly sins as extreme prohibitions, modern cautions about Faustian bargains, and how Viktor Frankl's emphasis on meaning can be a check on our hedonistic temptations. Ed Simon is the executive director of Belt Media Collaborative and editor in chief of literary journal Belt Magazine. A staff writer for LitHub, his essays and criticism have appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Paris Review Daily, the New Republic, the Washington Post, and Aeon. His new book, available July 9th, is called Devil's Contract: The History of the Faustian Bargain. | Ed Simon | ► Website | https://edsimon.org ► Linkedin  | https://www.linkedin.com/in/edsimonwriter ► Devil's Contract 1 | bit.ly/PenguinRandomHouse1 ► Devil's Contract 2 | https://amzn.to/3UuFl8p Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast      

On episode 212, we welcome Mark L. Ruffalo to discuss the misunderstanding of the so-called “medical model” of psychiatry, why there's a gap between mainstream medicine and trauma-informed care, the ways in which biology and environment interact to produce mental illness, the difference between responsibility and blame, Judith Herman and the historical misuse of personality labels to mistreat women, how Lithium saved lives, modern psychoanalysis and its misrepresentation in pop culture and academia, addressing the stigma of mental illness, resolving the problem of poly-diagnosis, the DSM as the punching bag of contrarian academic thought, and the chemical imbalance hypothesis as the foundation for psychotropic medications. Mark . Ruffalo, M.S.W., D.Psa., is a psychotherapist in private practice in Tampa, Florida, and serves as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and Adjunct Instructor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. He has broad clinical experience in the psychoanalytic treatment of mood disorders, personality disorders, and psychosomatic illness, and has particular interest in the psychotherapy of schizophrenia. | Mark L. Ruffalo | ► Website | https://www.drruffalo.com ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/MarkLRuffalo ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-l-ruffalo-71929063 ► Psychology Today |  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/mark-l-ruffalo-msw-dpsa Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast    

On episode 211, we welcome Mark Tuitert to discuss stoic philosophy, Mark winning the Olympic gold medal in speed skating in 2010, our cultural obsession with winning, why success doesn't lead to long-term happiness, the stoic focus on character in cultivating a good life, Mark's relationship with his dad and how suspending judgment improved it, if one can be a stoic and a winner at the same time, perverting stoicism in an attempt to control how successful you are, Mark's reframe of his mother's mental illness, and what he enjoys most about his life. Mark Tuitert won the gold medal in speed skating in the 1500-meter event at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. After retiring from competitive speed skating, Mark has continued to make a positive impact as a bestselling author, successful entrepreneur with a global health and food business, host of the podcast Drive, motivational speaker, and representative for some of the largest organizations in the world. He has been featured on TED TALK, and also serves as an on-air speed skating pundit for Dutch Broadcaster NOS. His new book, available on April 9, 2024 is called The Stoic Mindset: Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism. | Mark Tuitert | ► Website | https://marktuitert.nl/en ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/marktuitert ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/marktuitert ► Facebook | https://www.instagram.com/marktuitert ► Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaF8syFKypTvetACdhc1p-w ► The Stoic Mindset Book | https://amzn.to/3IOG66Y Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 210, we welcome Sabrina Little to discuss the virtues of ultramarathon running, the importance of desire in being good, the deification of American sports, if excellence in performance and good character are mutually exclusive, using envy to better oneself, the mindsets of Tom Brady and Michael Jordan, Sabrina's athletic achievements, if there's an objective basis for defining the good life, and how to become more community-oriented individuals. Sabrina B. Little is an Assistant Professor at Christopher Newport University. Sabrina's research is in virtue ethics, classical philosophy, and moral psychology. She is also a 5-time US Champion and World Championship silver medallist in trail and ultramarathon running. Her new book, available now, is called The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners. | Sabrina B. Little | ► Website | https://sabrinalittle.com ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/sabrinablittle ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sabrinablittle ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-little-54062375 ► The Examined Run Book | https://amzn.to/43lGaEC Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 209, we welcome Robin Reames to discuss how the art of rhetoric is used to spread misinformation, how the concept of truth evolved from Ancient Greece to us, confronting fact-resistant individuals, the spectrum of misinformation and how some use science to mask it, cultivating negative emotions while offering harmful solutions to them, Donald Trump as a truth-teller and how that influences his audience, how con-men use our values against us, and how to help people distinguish which value is most important in a specific context. Robin Reames is associate professor of English at the University of Illinois at Chicago, specializing in rhetorical theory and the history of ideas. Her books include Seeming and Being in Plato's Rhetorical Theory and The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present which was co-authored with Patricia Bizzell and Bruce Herzberg. Her new book, available on March 19, 2024, is called The Ancient Art of Thinking For Yourself: The Power of Rhetoric in Polarized Times. | Robin Reames | ► Website | https://psyche.co/users/robin-reames ► The Ancient Art of Thinking For Yourself Book  | https://amzn.to/3v3IPpQ Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 208, we welcome Louis King to discuss Aim4theheart, working with Leila Steinberg, how 2Pac inspired Louis and Leon, emotional literacy and learning how to access and understand feelings, meeting Edi Mean of the Outlawz, Louis' musical roots, how the music industry shortchanges its artists, selling music as crypto and empowering them, and Louis' work as a music teacher helping underprivileged children. Louis King is the director of outreach, assemblies, and concerts at the AIM 4 The Heart organization. He has expressed his message of Emotional Literacy education behind the walls of San Quentin Prison to the halls of Princeton University + More. Louis King has traveled from San Quentin to Harvard sharing his message and teaching Emotional Literacy through music and art. He has toured the world with artists such as Earl Sweatshirt, Anderson .Paak and the Outlawz. He has been featured as a hip-hop performance artist on Netflix, HBO & Fox Sports and has worked on soundtracks such as Star Wars & Planet of the Apes. He's currently working on web 3 project on Gala Music with some of the biggest Hip Hop Icons.  | Louis King | ► Website | https://www.aim4theheart.org ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/LouiiKing ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/louiiking ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/LouiiKing ► Famous in the Metaverse  | https://bit.ly/49BCAZl Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast    

On episode 207, we welcome Constantine Sandis to discuss free will and determinism, the Libet experiments and criticisms of them, weakness of will and whether belief in it stems from a lack of understanding decisions, the difficulty in separating external and internal reasons for acting, self-deception and whether we can overcome it, if self-knowledge is possible and actually aids understanding, the psychological effects of priming, the significance of distinguishing the process of doing from the results, and the broad, practical purpose of analytical philosophy. Constantine Sandis is Director of Lex Academic, Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. His books include The Things We Do and Why We Do Them, Philosophy of Action: An Anthology, and Human Nature. His newest book, available now, is called From Action to Ethics: A Pluralistic Approach to Reasons and Responsibility. | Constantine Sandis | ► Website | https://www.constantinesandis.com ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/csandis ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/csandis ► Bluesky |  https://bsky.app/profile/csandis.bsky.social ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/csandis ► Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantine-sandis-723454a4/ ► Action to Ethics Book | https://bit.ly/3uO1MN7 Use discount code ACTIONETHICS35 which will give 35% off when entered at the checkout on Bloomsbury.com, and is valid until August 31, 2025. Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast  

On episode 206, we welcome Mark White to discuss the drawbacks of antitrust laws, what rights consumers actually have, if trusts are unfair and unjust, the utilitarian argument against those laws, the flawed healthcare insurance system in the US and how its consumers struggle, whether it's feasible to constantly have new entrepreneurs challenging trusts, the trading system in the NFL and how it prevents unfair competition, and what the economy could look like if antitrust laws are relaxed Mark D. White is Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the College of Staten Island/CUNY, where he teaches courses in philosophy, economics, and law, and is also a member of the economics doctoral faculty at the Graduate Center of CUNY. His books include A Philosopher Reads Marvel Comics' Thor, A Philosopher Reads Marvel Comics' Civil War, The Virtues of Captain America, Batman and Ethics, The Oxford Handbook of Ethics and Economics and A Philosopher Reads...Marvel Comics' Daredevil: From the Beginning to Born Again. His newest book is called Rights versus Antitrust: Challenging the Ethics of Competition Law. | Mark D. White | ► Website | https://www.profmdwhite.com ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/profmdwhite ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/profmdwhite ► Rights versus Antitrust | https://amzn.to/49HNVa7 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 205, we welcome Jack Symes to discuss the possible existence of god, the strongest arguments for it, whether Pascal's Wager justifies belief in god, the different religions and whether they make belief in god irrational, god necessarily existing and being all good, how evil can stem good, whether evil even exists, the simple god hypothesis, if atheism is epistemically justifiable, the debate between Richard Swinburne and Richard Dawkins, Jack's philosophical development, and whether moral relativism negates the possibility of god's existence. Jack Symes is a public philosopher and writer. He is the producer of The Panpsycast Philosophy Podcast and editor of the Bloomsbury series Talking about Philosophy. He is currently a Teacher and Researcher at Durham University, UK. He's the editor of the book Philosophers on Consciousness: Talking about the Mind which features a number of prominent contributors, as does his newest book, available now, Philosophers on God: Talking about Existence. | Jack Symes | ► Website 1 | https://thepanpsycast.com/panpsycast2 ► Website 2 | https://www.jacksymes.co.uk ► Twitter 1 | https://twitter.com/ThePanpsycast ► Twitter 2 | https://twitter.com/_JackSymes ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thepanpsycast ► Philosophers on God Book | https://amzn.to/49anwSo Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast  ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 204, we welcome Aaron James to discuss assholes, who they are and how they think, the difference between a regular asshole and someone with narcissistic personality disorder, whether all politicians are narcissistic and if regular people ever seek power, if assholes understand and care about the rules, how narcissists use the cover of autism to hide their bad behavior, using entitlement to disregard others' feelings, the messiah figure and our pull toward it, why people love Donald Trump, the inherent complexity of those figures and why some people continue to love them, whether we can live with them, if humanity can tolerate a world with no good and bad guys, and a better narrative to good vs evil and how it can shape our national identity. Aaron James holds a PhD from Harvard and is professor of philosophy at the University of California, Irvine, Aaron was awarded the Burkhardt Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies, spending the 2009-10 academic year at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University He is the author of Fairness in Practice: A Social Contract for a Global Economy, the bestselling Assholes: A Theory, Assholes: A Theory of Donald Trump, Surfing with Sartre and numerous academic articles. His latest book, co-authored by Robert Hockett is called Money From Nothing: Or, Why We Should Stop Worrying About Debt and Learn to Love the Federal Reserve. | Aaron James | ► Website | https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/150710/aaron-james/ ► Faculty Website | https://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=4884 ► Twitter |  https://twitter.com/OnAssholes ► Assholes: A Theory Book | https://amzn.to/49oANWX Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon |  patreon.com/user?u=32208666

On episode 203, we welcome EDI Mean to discuss his book ‘Street Fame', how it mirrors and differs from the music industry, EDI's love of hip-hop and his warnings to up and coming rappers, what made 2Pac special, whether conscious rappers can thrive in the current market, how EDI's understanding of mental health and trauma evolved, meeting the rest of the Outlawz, EDI's rules for living and his legacy, what he enjoys about podcasting, EDI's passion for writing and why this book is important to him, how 2Pac was able to merge the different parts of his personality, and EDI's upcoming projects. Malcolm 'Edi' Greenidge is a co-founding member of the legendary Hip-Hop group "Outlawz" founded by Tupac Shakur in the late 90s. His voice can be heard on over 100 million in record sales worldwide. His new book, available now, is called Street Fame. | E.D.I. Mean | ► Website | https://o4ldigital.com ► Twitter |  https://twitter.com/therealedidon ► Facebook 1 | https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEDIMEAN ► Facebook 2 | https://www.facebook.com/TheOutlawz ► Instagram 1 | https://www.instagram.com/edidono4l ► Instagram 2 | https://www.instagram.com/TheOutlawzOfficial ► Youtube |  https://www.youtube.com/@EDIMeanTV ► Street Fame Book | https://amzn.to/48NpxUg Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon |  patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 202, we welcome Michael Amster to discuss the A.W.E. method, how changing your perspective and seeing miracles in the everyday alleviates suffering, how feeling awe interacts with chronic pain, the vagus nerve and the physiological affects of awe states, personality changes that can occur with psychedelics and meditation practices, what stepping away from the ego looks like, and how limiting and dysfunctional thinking shifts when experiencing awe. Michael Amster, MD, is a physician and faculty member at Touro School of Medicine. With twenty years as a pain management specialist, he is currently the founding director of the pain management department at Santa Cruz Community Health. A practitioner of meditation for over thirty years, he is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher. He splits his time between clinical work, research on awe, teaching mindfulness, and leading awe-inspiring retreats around the world. His new book, co-authored with Jake Eagle, available now, The Power of Awe: Overcome Burnout & Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity & Purpose―In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day. | Michael Amster | ► Website | https://thepowerofawe.com ► Linktree |  https://linktr.ee/powerofawe ► Facebook | https://bit.ly/4bbGUzG ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepowerofawebook ► Tiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepowerofawe ► The Power of Awe Book | https://amzn.to/48IGdwk Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 201, we welcome J. Aaron Simmons to discuss why we're so unhappy, the limitations of pursuing external success, faith as risk with direction, Kierkegaard and the aesthetic life, status obsession as a form of avoidance, why cultivating good relationships may be more challenging than becoming rich, the archetypal seducer, becoming trapped in the goal-oriented mindset, and the meaning of authentic friendship. J. Aaron Simmons is a Professor of Philosophy, a widely published author, a popular speaker, and also a trout fisherman and mountain biker. Specializing in philosophy of religion and political philosophy, Aaron is the former President of the Søren Kierkegaard Society (USA). Simmons is an active public philosopher and hosts the YouTube channel, “Philosophy for Where We Find Ourselves” and a frequent writer on Substack, “Philosophy in the Wild.” His newest book, available now, is called Camping with Kierkegaard: Faithfulness as a Way of Life. | J. Aaron Simmons | ► Website | https://jaaronsimmons.com ► Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtktPVW5IrLx0772vl8znWQ ► Substack | https://jaaronsimmons.substack.com ► Twitter |  https://twitter.com/jaaronsimmons ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090093484022 ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/simmonsphilosopher ► LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-simmons-ph-d-98109b36 ► Camping with Kierkegaard Book | https://amzn.to/3TZBSA4 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon |  patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 200, we welcome Tom Morris and Gregory Bassham to discuss stoic philosophy, radical acceptance and its relationship with the divine, what the stoics believed about god and the afterlife, the four cardinal virtues and why one needs to cultivate all of them, whether the stoics actually sought to eliminate negative emotions, how they addressed death and grief, explore what we can and can't control, the stoic conception of good and bad, why being good was their purpose for being, Marcus Aurelius and his ability to balance nobility and humility, how the stoics dealt with perfectionism and overly harsh self-criticisms, and how Epictetus continues to inspire us by being an exemplar of stoic philosophy. Tom Morris is author of Philosophy For Dummies and 30 other books. He was a philosophy professor at The University of Notre Dame. He now heads The Morris Institute for Human Values and is an active business speaker. Gregory Bassham is author of The Philosophy Book, an illustrated history of philosophy, and 10 other books. Gregory was a professor of philosophy at King's College. Tom and Gregory have collaborated together to create a new book called Stoicism For Dummies, available next week on January 11th.  | Tom Morris & Gregory Bassham |   ► Website | https://www.tomvmorris.com, https://staff.kings.edu/sites/ghbassha ► Twitter |  https://twitter.com/TomVMorris ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/tom.morris.562329, https://www.facebook.com/gregory.bassham ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/tomvmorris ► LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-morris-0955474 ► Stoicism for Dummiest  Book | https://amzn.to/48tJdfN Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast

On episode 199, we welcome Jeffrey Fuhrer to discuss the fallacy of trickle down economics and the self-made myth, what companies actually do with tax breaks, the distinct perspectives of the flaws of human nature in communism and capitalism, the wealth gap and racial income disparities, what happens when governments intervene with subsidies for poor people, the hubris of corporations in zero-sum thinking, Leon's exit from libertarianism and the usual mental gymnastics of libertarians, cultivating a system of minimal wage in accordance with profits, reparations, and the importance of meeting people instead of forming preconceived notions of their struggles. Jeff Fuhrer is a nonresident fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution and a Foundation Fellow for the Eastern Bank Foundation. He was previously Executive Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, where he was also responsible for the bank's diversity and inclusion functions. His new book, available now, is called The Myth That Made Us: How False Beliefs about Racism and Meritocracy Broke Our Economy (and How to Fix It). | Jeff Fuhrer | ►Website | https://jefffuhrer.com ► The Myth That Made Us Book: https://jefffuhrer.com/book Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 198, we welcome Mark White to discuss the philosophy of Daredevil, applying utilitarianism and deontology to his vigilantism, his apparent OCD-like tendencies and inability to make firm decisions, Kant's understanding that ethical decisions are ultimately our own, why Daredevil didn't often include others while making choices, his apparent inability to work within the legal system and going beyond it, his ruminations about not being a good person, the concept of satisficing in behavioral economics and how it helps us out of analysis paralysis, and how self-doubt can help us become better people. Mark D. White is Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the College of Staten Island/CUNY, where he teaches courses in philosophy, economics, and law, and is also a member of the economics faculty at the Graduate Center of CUNY. He is the author of A Philosopher Reads Marvel Comics' Thor, A Philosopher Reads Marvel Comics' Civil War, The Virtues of Captain America, and Batman and Ethics. His newest book, available now, is called A Philosopher Reads...Marvel Comics' Daredevil: From the Beginning to Born Again. | Mark D. White | ►Website | https://www.profmdwhite.com ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/profmdwhite ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/profmdwhite ► A Philosopher Reads...Marvel Comics' Daredevil: From the Beginning to Born Again | https://amzn.to/47cbmqb Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 197, we welcome Roberto Olivardia to discuss the Adonis Complex and muscle dysmorphia, how men become obsessed with becoming more muscular, whether the obsession is about attracting a potential mate or something else, Leon's personal history of muscle dysmorphia and Alen's past preoccupations with his body image, the importance of focusing on underlying values and highlighting better strategies in treatment, the distorted thinking and perceptual errors involved in body dysmorphia, why the therapeutic relationship is just as significant as the actual CBT work, creating a more nuanced self-concept for self-esteem, and healthy ways of maintaining a positive body image. Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), executive functioning issues, and issues that face students with learning differences. He also specializes in the treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and in the treatment of eating disorders in boys and men. He is co-author of Adonis Complex: How to Identify, Treat and Prevent Body Obsession in Men and Boys. | Roberto Olivardia | ► Website | https://bit.ly/474j31N ► Adonis Complex Book | https://amzn.to/3v4Os6X Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 196, we welcome Richard Deming to discuss chronic loneliness, being lonely around people, Richard's past tendency to avoid it with excessive alcohol use, loneliness as an existential fact of life as opposed to an illness to be remedied, how it fosters creativity, how writing bridges the gap between people, the different layers of intimacy, writing as inspiration for others, Rod Serling and the expressions of his chronic loneliness on The Twilight Zone, and why all of us appreciate podcasting. Richard Deming is an award-winning poet and critic, whose work explores the intersections of literature, philosophy, and visual culture. He is the author of five books, including Day for Night and Art of the Ordinary. He teaches at Yale University, where he is the director of Creative Writing. His newest book, available now, is called This Exquisite Loneliness: What Loners, Outcasts, and the Misunderstood Can Teach Us About Creativity. | Richard Deming | ► Website | https://bit.ly/47VvjCT ► This Exquisite Loneliness Book | https://amzn.to/3uQDq54 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 195, we welcome Eric G. Wilson to discuss the cult classic ‘Point Blank', toxic masculinity and its deleterious mental health effects, what made the protagonist so appealing, Lee Marvin's real-life war trauma, the obsession with revenge and if it ever resolves pain, the unpredictability of the universe and our never-ending quest for control, if one can ever offset trauma, the nature and purpose of flashbacks in PTSD, the comedy in the film and the inherent lunacy of payback, decision-making when healing and asking what would actually help, the parallels between ‘Point Blank and Michael Mann's ‘Thief', and leaving the wheel of Samsara when giving up one's aggressive impulses. Eric G. Wilson is the Thomas H. Pritchard Professor of English at Wake Forest University. He is the author of books Against Happiness: In Praise of Melancholy, an LA Times bestseller; Everyone Loves a Good Train Wreck: Why We Can't Look Away; and Keep it Fake: Inventing an Authentic Life, How to Be Weird: An Off-Kilter Guide to Living a One-of-a-Kind Life as well as many other books exploring connections among literature, film, and psychology. His writing has been featured in Psychology Today, L.A. Times, The New York Times and Huffington Post. His newest book, available now, is called Point Blank. | Eric G. Wilson | ► Website | http://www.ericgwilson.net ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/keepitfake ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ericgwilson777 ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/ericgwilson ► Youtube | https://bit.ly/3FBhGwr ► Point Blank Book | https://amzn.to/414l50g   Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast ► Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32208666  

On episode 194, we welcome Tom Morris to discuss his 7 C's of Success, developing confidence in the face of difficulties, the importance of consistency and finding meaning outside of the hoped for results, Alen and Leon's podcast journey and the hyper-competitiveness of podcasting, the importance of mentorship amid struggles, Tom's initial foray into public philosophy and doing speaking engagements for free in the late 80s, passion and enjoyment as necessary contributors to success, why major companies sought out Tom's philosophical expertise, and the role of ethical philosophy in helping us create and strive for the right goals. Tom Morris has become one of the most active business speakers in America with clients that include General Motors, Merrill Lynch, IBM, the U.S. Air Force, MBNA Bank, and International Paper. He has published 12 books, including If Aristotle Ran General Motors, True Success, and Philosophy for Dummies. A former professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, he is now Chairman of the Morris Institute for Human Values in Wilmington, N.C. His newest work is the updated Silver Anniversary Edition of one of his most popular books, Art of Achievement: Mastering the 7 C's of Success in Business and Life. | Tom Morris | ► Website | https://www.tomvmorris.com ► Twitter |  https://twitter.com/TomVMorris ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/tom.morris.562329 ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/tomvmorris ► LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-morris-0955474 ► Art of Achievement Book | https://amzn.to/49QHNgt Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast    

On episode 193, we welcome Al Snow to discuss the Netflix documentary series ‘Wrestlers', what makes Ohio Valley Wrestling special, the trajectory of Al Snow's wrestling career, why his earlier WWF characters weren't appealing, the creation of Al Snow and Head and how a severely mentally ill character became popular, the current trend of wrestlers focusing more on their in-ring skills rather than emotionally connecting with the crowd, his struggles with younger wrestlers on his roster, why the WWE and AEW aren't as idealistic as they appear to be, and the importance of long-term and emotionally-driven storytelling for success. Al Snow  is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is best known as one of the co-owners of Ohio Valley Wrestling, and as a former wrestler for Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Wrestling Entertainment. Al has also held various backstage positions for professional wrestling promotions. He  worked as a road agent for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, later Impact Wrestling) from 2010 to 2017 and has owned and then co-owned Ohio Valley Wrestling since 2018. His experiences as an owner and the story of Ohio Valley Wrestling are featured in the hit netflix documentary series, Wrestlers.  | Al Snow | ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/TheRealAlSnow ► Instagram | https://twitter.com/TheRealAlSnow ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/RealAlSnow ► OVW Live |  https://ovwrestling.com ► OVW Academy | https://ovwacademy.com ► Wrestlers on Netflix | https://www.netflix.com/title/81592264 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast    

On episode 192, we welcome Eric Gosselin to discuss the Netflix show ‘Wrestlers', the history of Ohio Valley Wrestling, the documentary series as a human interest story and microcosm of capitalism, succeeding in wrestling and why being great is often not enough, Al Snow's journey in the WWE and pivoting after being released, the documentary exhibiting the complexities of its characters, why the best wrestling shows and rivalries have some elements of truth, HollyHood Haley J and her rivalry with her mom, why the crowds boo her despite her being a sympathetic character, and what season 2 could potentially look like. Eric Gosselin is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, known for his diverse roles as a producer, actor, writer, director, and cinematographer. He's also the co-host of the Kill Streak podcast. Notably, he has contributed significantly to the world of documentary filmmaking. Eric has been involved in the production of 'Last Chance U,' a  Netflix documentary series acclaimed for its deep and empathetic portrayal of junior college football players and his most recent work includes production on the critically acclaimed Netflix documentary series 'Wrestlers.' This series, delving into the raw and intricate world of professional wrestling, highlights his ability to capture and present compelling narratives. | Eric Gosselin | ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/EricTheGosselin ► Kill Streak Podcast | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kill-streak/id1515038799 ► Wrestlers on Netflix | https://www.netflix.com/title/81592264 Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast    

On episode 191, we welcome Dannagal Young to discuss our susceptibility to misinformation, how she fell for and later abandoned conspiracy theories, the hidden incentives behind the media's extreme partisanship, Covid as an indicator that most people form their beliefs based on their tribes, the clout chasing behind the extreme stances in the Israel/Palestine conflict, the types of misinformation various political groups are susceptible to, why conspiracy theorists are “losers,” the necessary harmony between rational and intuitive reasoning, how the US political parties became polarized, and utilizing local politics to begin cultivating a collaborative mindset. Dannagal Goldthwaite Young is a professor of communication and political science at the University of Delaware. She is an award-winning scholar and teacher, a TED speaker, an improvisational comedian, and the author of Irony and Outrage: The Polarized Landscape of Rage, Fear, and Laughter in the United States. Her newest book, available now, is called Wrong: How Media, Politics, and Identity Drive Our Appetite for Misinformation. | Dannagal G. Young | ► Website | https://sites.google.com/view/dgoldyoung/home ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/dannagal ► Mastodon | https://mastodon.social/@dannagal  ► Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/dannagal ► Wrong Book | https://amzn.to/47kfogQ Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast    

On episode 190, we welcome Claire Jean Kim to discuss affirmative action and the arguments for and against it in recent Supreme Court cases, the history of Asian minorities in the US being weaponized against Black minority groups for political ends, if institutions should be considered as contributing to a racist society if some minority groups prosper within them, the economic ceiling of non-white groups in the US, the flaws of diversity programs and the superiority of reparations programs, the denial of systemic anti-Black racism, the conservative backlash against Critical Race Theory, the legal concept of strict scrutiny and the societal benefits of creating racial categories, and the myth of meritocracy. Claire Jean Kim is Professor of Political Science and Asian American Studies at University of California, Irvine.  She is the author of two previous books, Bitter Fruit: The Politics of Black-Korean Conflict in New York City and Dangerous Crossings: Race, Species, and Nature in a Multicultural Age , both of which earned best book awards from the American Political Science Association. Her writing has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Nation, and Ms. Magazine, and she has been a guest commentator on MSNBC and NPR.  Dr. Kim has been a fellow at the University of California Humanities Research Institute and The Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Her new book, available now, is called Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World. | Claire Jean Kim | ► Website | https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=2453 ► Asian Americans in an Anti-Black World Book | https://amzn.to/3ry3twE Where you can find us: | Seize The Moment Podcast | ► Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheMoment ► Twitter | https://twitter.com/seize_podcast ► Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/seizethemoment ► TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@seizethemomentpodcast