Podcasts about University of London

Federal research university in London, England

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Latest podcast episodes about University of London

The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast
#322 Neurologist Explains How to Protect Your Brain by improving Metabolic Health | Dr Shahrukh Mallik

The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2025 114:04


When we think about brain health, most of us jump straight to memory, dementia, or even Alzheimer's. But what if the real starting point is our metabolism?In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Shahrukh Mallik, Consultant Neurologist, to explore how conditions like insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and chronic inflammation don't just affect the body, they directly impact the brain.We dive into: ⚡ Why people with type 2 diabetes have up to a 50% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's

For the Life of the World / Yale Center for Faith & Culture
Women Alone with God: Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women / Hetta Howes (SOLO Part 4)

For the Life of the World / Yale Center for Faith & Culture

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2025 50:19


What is the role of solitude in Christian history? Medievalist Hetta Howes comments on the allure of enclosure, how seeking solitude supports community, and what these ancient lives reveal about our modern search for connection.“Even those moments of solitude that she's carving for herself are surprisingly sociable.”This episode is part 1 of a 5-part series, SOLO, which explores the theological, moral, and psychological dimensions of loneliness, solitude, and being alone.Medieval Anchoresses and Women Mystics sought a life of solitude with and for God—what about their vocation might illuminate our perspectives on loneliness, isolation, and solitude today?In this episode, Hetta Howes joins Macie Bridge to explore the extraordinary lives of medieval women mystics, including Julian of Norwich and Marjorie Kempee. Drawing from her book Poet Mystic Widow Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women, Howes illuminates how these women lived in literal and spiritual solitude—sometimes sealed in stone anchorages, sometimes carving sacred space in the midst of family and community. Together they consider the physical and spiritual demands of enclosure, the sociable windows of anchorages, and the simultaneous human longing for both solitude and companionship. Across the centuries, these women invite us to think anew about loneliness, vocation, and the need for community—even in devotion to God.Helpful Links and ResourcesPoet Mystic Widow Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women – Hetta HowesJulian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love (Penguin Classics)The Book of Margery Kempe (Oxford World's Classics)Episode Highlights“An anchorage is a small cell, usually joined to a church… and the idea was that you would never leave that place alive again.”“Sometimes you do come across these things and you're like, oh, maybe the cultural consciousness was so different that they had a different language for loneliness.”“Marjorie frames herself as a figure who is constantly looking for connection—sometimes finding it, but often being rejected in really painful ways.”“Even those moments of solitude that she's carving for herself are surprisingly sociable.”“What I've learned from them is the importance of community—that even solitary professions absolutely rely on other people.”About Hetta HowesHetta Howes is a Lecturer in Medieval and Early Modern Literature at City St. George's, University of London. She specializes in the literature of the Middle Ages, with particular focus on medieval women writers, mysticism, and representations of gender and devotion. Her most recent book is Poet Mystic Widow Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women (2024).Show NotesSolitude and SanctityHowes introduces her research on medieval women mystics and writers (Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, Christine de Pizan, Marie de France).Exploration of the anchoritic life—cells built into church walls where women lived sealed from the world.The paradox of solitude: enclosure for God that still required connection for survival.The Anchorite's WorldAnchorages included small windows—to the church, the street, and for food—balancing isolation with limited engagement.Guidebooks warned women against gossip and temptation, revealing anxiety about sociability and holiness.“Why have a window to the world if you're not ever going to converse with it?”Loneliness and BoredomLoneliness rarely appears in medieval texts; boredom and idleness were greater concerns.“Boredom comes up as a concept much more often than loneliness.”Modern readers project our loneliness onto them; their silence might reveal difference, not absence.Julian and MarjorieJulian's quiet solitude contrasts with Marjorie's noisy, emotional piety.Marjorie Kempe's “roarings” and unconventional piety challenged norms; she lived in the world but sought holiness.“I wish you were enclosed in a house of stone”—a critique of her refusal to conform.Solitude and CommunityEven in seclusion, anchorites served others—praying, advising, maintaining windows to the world.Julian's writings reveal care for all Christians; her solitude was intercessory, not selfish.Howes connects medieval community to our modern digital and emotional isolation.Modern ReflectionsHowes parallels her own experience of digital overload and motherhood with the medieval longing for quiet focus.“As amazing as the digital can be, it's eroding so much.”She cautions against idolizing solitude but affirms its value for clarity and grounding.Production NotesThis podcast featured Hetta HowesInterview by Macie BridgeEdited and Produced by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Alexa Rollow, Emily Brookfield, and Hope ChunA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Love Is Stronger Than Fear
You Were Never Meant to Do It All with Kelly Kapic

Love Is Stronger Than Fear

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2025 45:47 Transcription Available


S9 E3 — What is the good life? Is it a life marked by money and success and achievement? Or a life marked by love? Author and professor Kelly Kapic joins Amy Julia Becker to rethink our obsession with productivity and self-reliance. They explore:Why “independence” is not the idealHow love—not intelligence or achievement—defines our humanityHow receiving our limits can lead to rest, belonging, and deeper joySubscribe to Amy Julia's Substack newsletter: amyjuliabecker.com/subscribe/00:00 Exploring Humanity's Limits and Gifts 04:30 The Distinction Between Limits and Brokenness 09:35 Redefining Human Value Beyond Achievement 12:16 The Role of Love in Defining Humanity 19:45 The Gift of Humble Dependence in Relationships 26:03 Recognizing and Cultivating Gifts 28:21 The Good Life: Beyond Material Success and Happiness 34:33 Embracing Limits within Work, Rest, and Love 39:16 Practices for Accepting Limits and Cultivating Love__MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Books: You Were Never Meant to Do It All, You're Only Human, and Embodied Hope by Kelly KapicFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanWhen Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert Becoming Whole by by Brian Fikkert and Kelly KapicWorld Happiness ReportI Corinthians 13__WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTubeSUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.comJOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabeckerLISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/_ABOUT OUR GUEST:Kelly M. Kapic (PhD, King's College, University of London) is professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where he has taught since 2001. He is a popular speaker and the award-winning author or editor of more than fifteen books, including the devotional You Were Never Meant to Do It All, The God Who Gives, and the Christianity Today Book Award winners You're Only Human and Embodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering. Kapic has been featured in Christianity Today and The Gospel Coalition and has worked on research teams funded by the John Templeton Foundation. He also contributes to the Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care and various other journals. kellykapic.com___We want to hear your thoughts. Send us a text!Connect with me: Instagram Facebook YouTube Website Thanks for listening!

Electronic Music
Jonathan Snipes - My Life In Modules

Electronic Music

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2025 61:30


Producer, sound designer and composer Jonathan Snipes joins William Stokes to explore his work with experimental hip-hop group Clipping, sharing an inside look at their unique production process, before showcasing five modules in an exclusive live performance.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:12 - Combining Hip Hop And Experimental Sounds12:45 - Unconventional Sounds And Beats 16:52 - Annea Lockwood Piano Burning20:59 - 5U Modular Selection24:31 - Module 1: Q106 Oscillator29:43 - Module 2: Modcan Digital Delay38:51 - Module 3: Modcan Frequency Shifter 39b43:04 - Module 4: Modcan Quad Envelope 60b47:41 - Module 5: Tellun TLN-156 Neural Agoniser52:04 - Live Performance#Q106Oscillator #ModcanDigitalDelay #ModcanFrequencyShifter #ModcanQuadEnvelope #TellunTLN-156Jonathan Snipes BiogJonathan Snipes is a producer, composer and sound designer based in Los Angeles, where he teaches sound design in the theatre and film departments at UCLA. As well as his work for film, television and theatre, he is known as a member of the experimental group clipping., along with fellow producer William Hutson and rapper Daveed Diggs. Having recently released their sixth studio album Dead Channel Sky on iconic label Sub Pop Records, clipping. are an outfit in the vanguard of hip-hop, sound design, beat making and strident experimentalism.https://www.jonat8han.com/https://www.instagram.com/jonat8han/William Stokes BiogWilliam Stokes is a producer, writer and artist in three-piece avant-psych band Voka Gentle. As well as being a critic and columnist for Sound On Sound, conceiving the popular Talkback column and heading up the Modular column, he has also written on music and music technology for The Guardian, MOJO, The Financial Times, Electronic Sound and more. As an artist in Voka Gentle he has made records with producers from Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Grizzly Bear, Nick Cave) to Sam Petts-Davies (Radiohead, The Smile, Roger Waters), has had songs featured on franchises from FIFA Football to The Sims and has toured across the UK, Europe and the USA, playing festivals from Pitchfork Avant-Garde in Paris to SXSW in Austin, Texas. He has collaborated with artists including the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, Morcheeba, Panda Bear and Sonic Boom. Alongside being a guitarist and pianist, he is a synthesis enthusiast with a particular interest in sampling and explorative sound manipulation. As a producer and engineer, he has made albums with acclaimed avant-garde musicians from composer Tullis Rennie to Mute Records artist Louis Carnell. “I'm always seeking out the most ‘out-there', experimental, risk-taking musicians I can find to work with,” he says, “to capture vibrant, detailed recordings and create three-dimensional mixes of music that might otherwise struggle to know where to begin in the studio environment.” Stokes currently lectures in Music Production at City, University of London.https://www.vokagentle.com/Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

The 'X' Zone Radio Show
Rob McConnell Interviews - DOUGLAS HODGSON - Comparative Religion and Spirituality

The 'X' Zone Radio Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2025 54:02 Transcription Available


Douglas Hodgson is a dual citizen of Canada and Australia and a former lawyer and Dean and Professor of Law residing in Perth, Western Australia. He undertook postgraduate legal study at the University of London before embarking on a 35-year career in higher education in Canada, Australia and New Zealand as a teacher, researcher, author, human rights advocate and university administrator. His areas of expertise include International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Causation Law, Comparative Religion and Spirituality. Professor Hodgson has authored and published six books and 30 peer-reviewed law journal articles.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.Please note that all XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won't touch.These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media

Geopolitics & Empire
Bruce Gagnon: The Pentagon-NATO Plan for Space & World Domination

Geopolitics & Empire

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025 61:27


Bruce Gagnon discusses the American Empire's plans for global space domination which ultimately translates into full spectrum dominance of the planet and world empire. He comments on the plans for a Golden Dome, the global surveillance state, and the possible aim of NATO to one day supplant the UN as the world's global governance structure. Watch on BitChute / Brighteon / Rumble / Substack / YouTube *Support Geopolitics & Empire! Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation **Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors! Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics easyDNS (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://easydns.com Escape The Technocracy (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics Outbound Mexico https://outboundmx.com PassVult https://passvult.com Sociatates Civis https://societates-civis.com StartMail https://www.startmail.com/partner/?ref=ngu4nzr Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics Websites Space 4 Peace Linktree https://linktr.ee/space4peace Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space https://space4peace.org Bruce Gagnon's Organizing Notes https://space4peace.blogspot.com About Bruce Gagnon Bruce Gagnon is the Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space.  He was a co-founder of the Global Network when it was created in 1992. Between 1983–1998 he was the State Coordinator of the Florida Coalition for Peace & Justice and has worked on space issues for over 40 years.  In 1987 he organized the largest peace protest in Florida history when over 5,000 people marched on Cape Canaveral in opposition to the first flight test of the Trident II nuclear missile. Bruce was the organizer of the Cancel Cassini Campaign (NASA launched 72 pounds of plutonium into space in 1997) that drew enormous support and media coverage around the world and was featured on the TV program 60 Minutes. Bruce has traveled to and spoken in England, Germany, Mexico, Canada, France, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Japan, Australia, Scotland, Wales, Greece, India, Brazil, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, South Korea, Sicily, Ukraine, Russia, Nepal and throughout the U.S. He has also spoken on many college campuses including: Loyola University, Drake University, Syracuse University, Cornell University, University of Michigan, Cal Poly State University, University of Pittsburgh, California Institute of Technology, University of Oregon, University of Alaska Anchorage, Marquette University, Brown University, University of Florida, Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia), University of London, Bradford University (UK), and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (India). Project Censored (from Sonoma State University, CA) named a story on space weaponization by Bruce as the 8th  Most Censored story in 1999.  Again in 2005, Project Censored picked an article on space issues by Bruce as the 16th most censored story of the year and in 2015 his piece on endless war was listed as the 13th most censored story. Bruce has been featured by artist Robert Shetterly in his collection of portraits and quotes entitled Americans Who Tell the Truth.  In 2006 he was the recipient of the Dr. Benjamin Spock Peacemaker Award. He initiated the Maine Campaign to Bring Our War $$ Home in 2009 that spread to other New England states and beyond.  This campaign makes the important connections between endless war spending and fiscal crisis throughout the U.S. In 2013 he helped organize the passage of a drone bill in the Maine state legislature that requires police to obtain warrants before they can spy on the public. The bill was vetoed by the governor. His articles have appeared in publications like: Earth Island Journal, National Catholic Reporter, Asia Times,

Highlights from The Pat Kenny Show
The rising popularity of the new leader of UK Green party

Highlights from The Pat Kenny Show

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2025 5:45


A new political figure is making headlines all across the UK and its not Nigel Farage. Zack Polanski is the new leader of the Green party and for a political party that rarely made a splash in the ocean are now making waves. We look at the rising popularity of the new leader of UK Green party with Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London.

Turning to The Mystics with James Finley
Bonus: Carmen Acevedo Butcher on Brother Lawrence

Turning to The Mystics with James Finley

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025 61:03


On this special bonus episode, James Finley and Kirsten Oates interview Carmen Acevedo Butcher about her translation of Brother Lawrence's Practice of the Presence. Carmen Acevedo Butcher is an award-winning translator, teacher, poet, and workshop leader.  Her Cloud of Unknowing translation received a 46th Georgia Author of the Year Award, and Martin Laird calls her translation of Brother Lawrence's Practice of the Presence “the new standard.” She holds degrees in Medieval Studies from the University of Georgia, was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of London, and teaches in the College Writing Programs at the University of California, Berkeley. Carmen is a core faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation. Resources: Turning to the Mystics is a podcast by the Center for Action and Contemplation. To learn more about James Finley, visit his faculty profile ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. The transcript for this episode can be found here. Find out more about Carmen here. Carmen's book can be ⁠⁠⁠found here⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with us: Have a question you'd like Jim or Kirsten to answer about this season? Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcasts@cac.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send us a voicemail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠cac.org/voicemail⁠⁠⁠⁠  We'll be accepting questions for our Listener Questions episode until November 7th, 2025. This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you!

Robinson's Podcast
262 - Slavoj Žižek: Marxism, Quantum Mechanics, and Artificial Intelligence

Robinson's Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2025 98:59


Visit our sponsor, Wealthfront!: wealthfront.com/robinsonSlavoj Žižek is international director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities at the University of London, visiting professor at New York University, and a senior researcher at the University of Ljubljana's Department of Philosophy. This is Slavoj's fifth appearance on the show. On episode 109, he and Robinson discussed wokeness and psychoanalysis. On episode 118, he, Sean Carroll, and Robinson discussed quantum physics, the multiverse, and time travel. And on episode 206 he, Lee Smolin, and Robinson discussed quantum physics. In episode 212, Robinson and Slavoj talk about ancient philosophy, god, communism, quantum mechanics, and psychoanalysis. In this episode, they discuss current political events, marxism, quantum mechanics, and artificial intelligence. Slavoj's upcoming book is Quantum History: A New Materialist Philosophy (Bloomsbury, 2025).Quantum History: https://a.co/d/7WFcAGiVisit our sponsor, Wealthfront!: wealthfront.com/robinsonPromo terms & conditions apply. See our affiliated link for more details.Robinson Erhardt is a Wealthfront client and was compensated for the testimonial and promotion of the Wealthfront Cash Account. This compensation creates a conflict of interest. Experiences may vary among Cash Account clients, and results are not guaranteed. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC ("Wealthfront Brokerage"), Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") on cash deposits as of September 26, 2025, is representative, requires no minimum, and may change at any time. The APY reflects the weighted average of deposit balances at participating Program Banks, which are not allocated equally. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where they earn the variable APY.If you are eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.25% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the three-month promotional period.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction01:07 Marxism and Quantum Mechanics07:34 Why We Aren't Pessimistic Enough16:29 The Wisdom of the First Philosopher29:27 The Assassination of Charlie Kirk38:10 On Curtis Yarvin49:23 The Naivety of Pete Hegseth51:06 The Contradiction in American Fascism57:43 Could a Coup Overthrow Trump?01:04:17 The Utter Shamelessness of Today's Society01:14:15 The Danger of the Disappearing Left01:18:06 AI Is a Tool of Authoritarian SuppressionRobinson's Website: http://robinsonerhardt.comRobinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University, where he is also a JD candidate in the Law School.

The History Hour
Music producer Sonny Roberts and treating diabetes

The History Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2025 60:48


Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. Sonny Roberts' daughter tells us about how her father created the UK's first black-owned music studio - this programme contains outdated and offensive language. Music producer and professor emerita at the School of Oriental and African Studies, Lucy Durán takes us through the history of music studios around the world. How a Macedonian scientist's discovery led to treatments for diabetes and obesity, and the story of the Kenyan ecologist who became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Plus, the mysterious sinking of a British oil tanker in Indonesia in the the 1950s and how the first lottery scratchcard was invented by an American mathematician. As well as the story of the first South American to win the International Surfing Association world title back in 2004. Contributors: Cleon Roberts – daughter of Sonny Roberts. Lucy Duran – music producer and professor at the School of Oriental and African studies at the University of London. Svetlana Mojsov – Macedonian scientist who discovered the hormone called GLP-Joseph McCorry – who was on the San Flaviano oil tanker. Wanjira Mathai – daughter of Wangari Maathai. Sofia Mulanovich – three-time world surfing champion. John Koza – the inventor of the scratchcard. (Photo: Jamaican record producer Sonny Roberts Record Shop in Willesden Junction, London, UK in December 1982. Credit: David Corio/Redferns via Getty)

Influencers & Revolutionaries
Andre Spicer 'The Art of Less'

Influencers & Revolutionaries

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025 40:32


This episode of The New Abnormal podcast features Andre Spicer, Dean and Professor at Bayes Business School, City St George's, University of London. He's an expert in the fields of organisational behaviour, leadership and corporate social responsibility, and is the founding director of ETHOS: The Centre for Responsible Enterprise at Bayes. Andre is the author of a number of successful books, has co-authored numerous reports and written columns for the Guardian, Financial Times, New Statesman, and The Conversation. However, in this episode, we mainly focus on his latest book 'The Art of Less: How to Focus on What Really Matters at Work'.In it, Andre explains how "organisational sludge" gets in the way of performance, and what can be done about it. An issue which I'm sure all listeners will recognise as something that leaves us feeling overwhelmed but underproductive.So, listen to this essential guide on how to achieve more by doing less...

Parliament Matters
Parliament vs. Prince Andrew

Parliament Matters

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025 64:46


This week, we explore how far Parliament can go in holding members of the Royal Family to account, as pressure grows for MPs to scrutinise Prince Andrew's finances and royal titles. We ask whether Nigel Farage should get a right of reply at Prime Minister's Questions amid his growing prominence, and examine Labour's reshuffle of select committee posts and calls for greater transparency in how they're filled. Plus, a look back at the rebuilding of the House of Commons Chamber, 75 years after its postwar reopening. ___ Please help us improve Parliament Matters by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.Go to: https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/QxigqshS ___Normally Parliament steers clear of discussing the Royal Family but with Prince Andrew embroiled in the scandal around the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, there are increasing calls for MPs to act. Could he be called before a select committee to explain his finances and housing arrangements? Might Parliament legislate to strip him of his titles? Could he be removed from the line of succession to the Throne? To explore these issues we are joined by Dr Craig Prescott of Royal Holloway, University of London, an expert on the modern monarchy.With other party leaders increasingly using Prime Minister's Question Time to take potshots at Nigel Farage, does the Reform UK party leader deserve some kind of right of reply? The problem is that while he may have a commanding lead in the opinion polls, he leads a tiny contingent of MPs – so giving him a regular slot, ahead of other parties could create more problems than it solves. But there are ways he could hit back at his critics.There's also movement on the select committee corridor as Labour MPs elect new members to fill vacancies left by those promoted in the recent government reshuffle. But questions remain about the process itself. Should there be greater transparency around how parties decide who sits on these influential committees? Finally, this month marks 75 years since the Commons Chamber re-opened after being destroyed in the Blitz. We speak to Dr Eloise Donnelly, Curator of Parliament's Historic Furniture and Decorative Art, about how the reconstruction balanced modernisation with tradition. From a 15-year-old apprentice carving the Speaker's Chair to German prisoners of war quarrying the stone, the story of the rebuild is one of craftsmanship, controversy and continuity. At the heart of a new exhibition marking the anniversary is a remarkable architectural scale model of the postwar Chamber — built in 1944 to help MPs visualise the design, exhibited across the country, lost for decades, but then rediscovered in Parliament. As Ruth reveals, this long-missing model solves a small but fascinating mystery in the Hansard Society's own history.

IFLScience - The Big Questions
Why Do People Believe In The Paranormal?

IFLScience - The Big Questions

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 40:41


Everyone loves a good ghost story. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, there's something about the eerie and the uncanny that we all enjoy. But for many people, the things that go bump in the night are not just the stuff of stories; they're real. In fact, countless numbers of people across the world have their own stories of the strange, whether they're ghosts, aliens, or any other spook. How do we explain that? Join host Dr Russell Moul as we discuss the psychology underpinning paranormal experiences with Chris French, Emeritus Professor of Anomalistic Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London. We explore everything from ghosts and psychic experiences, to alien abductions and Satanic cults, and ask the big question: Is there really something strange going on, or is it all in our heads?

Different Matters by Damien Grant
Dr James Kierstead on Different Matters, Grade Inflation and its links

Different Matters by Damien Grant

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 61:17


Dr James Kierstead is a Research Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative focusing on higher education policy, including academic freedom. James holds a BA in Classics from Oxford, an MA in Ancient History from the University of London, an MA in Political Science from Stanford and a PhD in Classics from Stanford. He is also the co-host, along with Michael Johnston, of Free Kiwis!, a podcast dedicated to discussing free speech in a New Zealand context. In his recent report, Amazing Grades, Kierstead shows that Grade Inflation at New Zealand Universities is a problem.  Between 2006 and 2024, the percentage of A grades (A+, A, A-) grew by 13 percentage points, from 22% of all grades to 35%. A grades spiked during COVID, with almost half (49%) of grades awarded at the University of Auckland in 2020 in the A range.  Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him. For more interviews visit: https://www.differentmatters.co.nz/

SciPod
AI-Powered Prediction of Antimicrobial Peptides in Human Serum: A New Strategy Against Resistant Bacteria

SciPod

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2025 11:20


In the 20th century, antibiotics transformed medicine. Infections that once killed millions could be cured with a pill or injection. Surgeries became safer, cancer treatments more effective, and advanced medical interventions, such as organ transplants, became possible, all because doctors could rely on these drugs to control infections. Unfortunately, today, that foundation is crumbling. Bacteria are evolving faster than medicine can keep up. Common antibiotics are failing, and infections that were once easily treatable are becoming deadly again. In 2019 alone, antimicrobial resistance was linked to nearly five million deaths worldwide, making it deadlier than HIV or malaria. The economic cost is equally staggering: the World Bank warns of trillions lost in global productivity and millions pushed into poverty if nothing changes. This crisis, caused by antimicrobial resistance, has been described as a “silent pandemic.” Unlike a sudden outbreak, it spreads quietly, making routine medical care slightly more dangerous each year. Yet amid this grim outlook, new research is opening a window of hope. At the forefront of new innovations in this area are Dr. Kai Hilpert of City St George's, University of London, and his colleagues, who are pioneering an approach that combines biology, chemistry, and artificial intelligence to reinvent how we discover infection-fighting medicines. Their work has been recognised with a prestigious award from the UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, BBSRC.

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning
Eric Kaufmann: a cultural revolution in winter

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 89:51


Today Razib talks to Eric Kaufmann, a Canadian professor of politics at the University of Buckingham, where he directs the Centre for Heterodox Social Science. He earned his BA from the University of Western Ontario and his MA and PhD from the London School of Economics. Prior to his current role, he held positions at the University of Southampton and Birkbeck, University of London, which he left in October 2023. He is the author of several books, including Whiteshift: Immigration, Populism and the Future of White Majorities, Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?, and The Third Awokening. His research interests include nationalism, political and religious demography, and national identity. Kaufmann is a previous guest on the podcast. Razib and Kaufmann begin their conversation by exploring the thesis of one of his earlier works, 2004's Rise and Fall of Anglo-America. They discuss the definition of “WASP,” White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, and cultural changes in the white American majority because of the massive immigration waves of the 19th and early 20th century. Kaufman argues that a coalition of liberal WASPs and “white ethnics” was instrumental in the eventual overthrow of the cultural hegemony of elite Protestant whites in the second half of the 20th century. Razib and Kaufman then relate the history of the WASPs to his latest book, The Third Awokening, which chronicles the rise of “cultural socialism” centered around race. Kaufman documents the potency of the ideas of the latest variant of wokeness, their traction among the youth, and argues for its historical roots in earlier forms of Anglo liberalism.

New Scientist Weekly
Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)

New Scientist Weekly

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 28:29


Episode 327 A special episode recorded on October 18 at New Scientist Live in London, featuring experts in geoscience, dark matter and neuroscience. Anjana Khatwa is an Earth scientist and TV presenter. In her new book, The Whispers of Rock, she brings together Western scientific knowledge about the evolution of our Earth and indigenous knowledge and stories. She demonstrates this connection by exploring the volcanic formation of the Hawaiian islands, and the fascinating folklore attached to their origin. Chamkaur Ghag is a Professor of Physics at University College London and an expert on dark matter. He discusses the LZ Dark Matter Experiment, which is operating one mile under the Black Hills of South Dakota, in the search for a signal of this illusive particle.  Daniel Yon is a psychologist and neuroscientist at Birkbeck, University of London. He explains how your brain influences your perception of reality - and how particular neurochemicals in the brain control our willingness to change, or to believe in a conspiracy theory. Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet on the Engage Stage at the Excel Centre. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All About Art
Art Fair Review - From Art in Hotel Rooms to Global Galleries: How Minor Attractions Is Changing the London Scene

All About Art

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2025 21:22


From Art in Hotel Rooms to Global Galleries: How Minor Attractions Is Changing the London Scene + exclusive interviewsOn this week's episode of All About Art, I take you behind the scenes of London's vibrant art scene during Frieze Week to one of the most popular alternative art fairs in town: I visit Minor Attractions art fair, launched three years ago with a mission to make contemporary art more accessible and community-focused. In the episode, I chat with a gallerist, an artist, and one of the fair's co-founders about how the fair creates a dynamic space for art, performance, and nightlife - all housed within the unique setting of the Mandrake Hotel. I explore how Minor Attractions stands out from larger fairs with its affordable participation fees, free-form exhibitions, and lively, nightclub-like atmosphere. Plus, I share my thoughts on the fair's role in reimagining what an art fair can be and why it's capturing the attention of the London art scene.Check it out here: https://minorattractions.com/Featuring interviews with Jacob Barnes, co-founder of Minor Attractions, Yarran Gatsby, co-founder of LAILA Gallery, and artist Isabella Benshimol ToroYOU CAN SUPPORT ALL ABOUT ART ON PATREON HERE: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠FOLLOW ALL ABOUT ART ON INSTAGRAM HERE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠ ABOUT THE HOST:I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.Here are links to my social media, feel free to reach out:Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker   ⁠Twitter ⁠@alex_steinacker⁠and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠www.liser-art.com⁠ and Luca Laurence www.lucalaurence.com 

Cambridge Law: Public Lectures from the Faculty of Law
Patents for Wellbeing: CIPIL Evening Seminar

Cambridge Law: Public Lectures from the Faculty of Law

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2025 61:00


Speaker: Professor Andrew Christie, University of MelbourneBiography: Professor Andrew Christie was the foundation appointment to the Chair of Intellectual Property at the University of Melbourne in 2002.He holds BSc and LLB (Hons) degrees from the University of Melbourne, a LLM from the University of London, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge (Emmanuel College). Admitted to legal practice in Australia and the United Kingdom, he has worked in the intellectual property departments of law firms in Melbourne and London. He is a former Fulbright Senior Scholar, and has held research and teaching appointments at the University of Cambridge, Duke University, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Toronto.Awarded 12 Australian Research Council grants and instrumental in winning other research funding in excess of $11 million, he has authored more than 120 publications, and delivered by invitation more than 180 public addresses in 20 countries, across all areas of intellectual property law. He has served on all of the Australian government's advisory committees on intellectual property – the Copyright Law Review Committee, the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property, and the Plant Breeder's Rights Advisory Committee – and has been an expert advisor to World Intellectual Property Organization on a number of occasions. He currently chairs the Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board, the regulator of the Australian and New Zealand patent attorney profession.Abstract: With more than 18 million patents for inventions in force across 140 jurisdictions, patents are a significant area of the law. However, the traditional justifications for having a patent system are incomplete, and do not take full account of developments in economic thinking that recognise the primary purpose of economics is to enhance human wellbeing. The primary purpose of patents should be likewise. There is sparse academic and policy literature on the relevance of wellbeing economics to patent policy, and what exists leaves unanswered many questions about how the patent system can be used to achieve this policy objective. This presentation answers those questions, by tracing the evolution of wellbeing economics, identifying the doctrinal levers available to implement patent policy, and providing practical examples of the application of those levers to ensure the patent system incentivises innovations that advance wellbeing.For more information see: https://www.cipil.law.cam.ac.uk/seminars-and-events/cipil-seminars

Handful of Leaves | Mindfulness & Buddhism in Everyday Life
Ep 63: Emma Slade - a Bhutanese nun's solo journey across 12 mountain passes

Handful of Leaves | Mindfulness & Buddhism in Everyday Life

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 15:52


In this inspiring conversation, Buddhist nun and author Emma Slade (Lopen Ani Pema Deki) shares how compassion fuels her work through Opening Your Heart to Bhutan, a charity supporting children with special needs. From surviving a life-changing hostage experience to preparing for a 37-day trek across Bhutan, Emma reveals how resilience, faith, and kindness can transform both personal suffering and the lives of others.

Shakespeare and Company
How France Lost Its Way, with Andrew Hussey

Shakespeare and Company

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 68:23


In this episode recorded live at Shakespeare and Company, historian and cultural critic Andrew Hussey joins Adam Biles to discuss his powerful new book, Fractured France: A Journey Through a Divided Nation. With wit, erudition, and decades of on-the-ground insight, Hussey examines how France—once the model of revolutionary ideals and republican universalism—has splintered along social, cultural, and political lines. From the banlieues to the boulevards, from secularism to identity politics, Hussey traces the fractures that now define the French experience and asks whether the nation can still live up to its promise of liberté, égalité, fraternité. Their conversation moves between history, journalism, and personal reflection, exploring nationalism, colonial legacies, and the uneasy relationship between Paris and the rest of the country. Fractured France is both an elegy and a challenge: can a republic built on unity survive in an age of division?Buy Fractured France: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/fractured-france*Andrew Hussey was Director of the Centre for Post-Colonial Studies in the School of Advanced Study, University of London. He is a regular contributor to the Guardian and the New Statesman, and the writer/presenter of several BBC documentaries on French food and art. He is the author of The Game of War: The Life and Death of Guy Debord (2001), and Paris: The Secret History (2006). He was awarded an OBE in the 2011 New Years Honours list for services to cultural relations between the United Kingdom and France. His latest book, The French Intifada, was published by Granta Books in 2014. He lives in Paris.Adam Biles is Literary Director at Shakespeare and Company.Listen to Alex Freiman's latest EP, In The Beginning: https://open.spotify.com/album/5iZYPMCUnG7xiCtsFCBlVa?si=h5x3FK1URq6SwH9Kb_SO3w Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci
How China Captured Apple - Patrick McGee

Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 36:52


Patrick McGee was the Financial Times's principal Apple reporter from 2019 to 2023, during which time he won a San Francisco Press Club Award for his coverage. He joined the newspaper in 2013, in Hong Kong, before reporting from Germany and California. Previously, he was a bond reporter at The Wall Street Journal. He has a master's degree in global diplomacy from SOAS, University of London, and a degree in religious studies from the University of Toronto. This is, without a doubt, the best business book of 2025! Get your copy of Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company here: https://amzn.to/3IJTxsF Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge, a global alternative investment firm, and founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and venture studio. He is the host of the podcast Open Book with Anthony Scaramucci. A graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Law School, he lives in Manhasset, Long Island. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch
Prof Paul Dixon: The Military's Influence on Britain's Democracy

Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 34:05


Prof Paul Dixon, Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester and Queen Mary College, University of London, discusses his new book, “The Militarisation of British Democracy: The Iraq and Afghan Wars and the Rise of Authoritarianism.” We explore the military's influence on UK politics and society, the idea of a "militarist coalition," debates over defence spending, media coverage of military issues, and recent and historical conflicts including Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Northern Ireland."I had the luxury as an academic to go back and look at key instances where there were moral panics generated about Selly Oak hospital or the parades at Abingdon or alleged abuses of soldiers in Leatherhead Leisure Centre, and show that there was a lack of substance to a lot of those stories that were used to promote the militarisation of the UK. And what I found in looking back was that there wasn't very much analysis of those moral panics to get to the bottom of actually what was going on and whether there was real substance to these panics.” Buy the book: https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-the-militarisation-of-british-democracy.htmlListen to all our episodes here: https://podfollow.com/beebwatchTo support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership @beebwatch.bsky.social@BeebRogerInstagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatchLinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watchemail: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Start the Week
Endangered languages and vanishing landscapes

Start the Week

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 41:43


Of the 7,000 languages estimated to exist, half will have disappeared by the end of this century. That's the stark warning from the Director of the Endangered Languages Archive, Mandana Seyfeddinipur. The evolution of languages, and their rise and fall, is part of human history, but the speed at which this is happening today is unprecedented. Mandana will be appearing at the inaugural Voiced: The Festival for Endangered Languages at the Barbican in October. A sense of loss also runs through Sverker Sörlin's love letter to snow. The professor of Environmental History in Stockholm writes about the infinite variety of water formulations, frozen in air, in ‘Snö: A History' (translated by Elizabeth DeNoma), and his fears about the vanishing white landscapes of his youth.In the Arctic the transformation from frozen desert into an international waterway is gathering pace. Klaus Dodds is Professor of Geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London and with co-author Mia Bennett sets out the fight and the future of the Arctic in ‘Unfrozen'. While territorial contest and resource exploitation is causing tensions within the region, there is also potential for new ways of working, from Indigenous governance to subsea technologies.Producer: Katy Hickman Assistant Producer: Natalia Fernandez

All About Art
Hot Take / Art Break: Inside the Turner Prize - Four Artists, One Exhibition & A Journey to Bradford

All About Art

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 22:12


On this week's episode of All About Art, I give you some detailed insights into the press trip to Bradford, UK's City of Culture 2025, and my experience of the Turner Prize shortlisted exhibition. In the episode, I explore the significance of the Turner Prize (especially during JMW Turner's 250th anniversary year), discuss cultural accessibility and regional programming, and take you through each artist's installation at Cartwright Hall. Featuring insights on Nnena Kalu, Rene Matić, Zadie Xa, and Mohammed Sami, plus thoughts on decentralizing culture and an unexpected discovery at Salts Mill featuring Ann Hamilton's site-specific work.Check it out here! https://bradford2025.co.uk/programme/turner-prize-2025/YOU CAN SUPPORT ALL ABOUT ART ON PATREON HERE: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠FOLLOW ALL ABOUT ART ON INSTAGRAM HERE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠ ABOUT THE HOST:I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.Here are links to my social media, feel free to reach out:Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker   ⁠Twitter ⁠@alex_steinacker⁠and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠www.liser-art.com⁠ and Luca Laurence www.lucalaurence.com 

The Why? Curve
Are The Tories Toast

The Why? Curve

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 40:25


The most successful political party in Europe is contemplating oblivion. The Conservatives, soundly rejected last year by voters, have a leader no-one likes, the fewest MPs in their history, and an existential threat from Reform UK's rise. Is there a way back, as there was after 1997? Or is this the moment the Tories run out of ideas and time? Phil and Roger ask Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London, and author of “The Conservative Party After Brexit: Turmoil and Transformation” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Working Scientist
How to pause and restart your science career

Working Scientist

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 41:01


In the penultimate episode of this six-part podcast series about career planning in science, Julie Gould discusses some of the setbacks faced by junior researchers, including political upheaval, financial crises and a change in supervisor.Shortly after embarking on a PhD at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, Katja Loos' supervisor relocated to the University of Bayreuth, taking his team with him. But weeks later he died of an aggressive cancer.Loos, who is now a polymer chemistry researcher at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, describes how she worked through the various choices and challenges she faced as a result of her supervisor's sudden death, and why she abandoned plans for an industry career.Funding struggles in Argentina led to paleontologist Mariana Viglino relocating to Germany. But before moving she describes how a very prescribed career path denied her the opportunity to think about her long-term plans.Tomasz Glowacki says abandoning a rigid career plan helped him to better navigate the various challenges he faced after completing a PhD in computer science at Poznan University of Technology, Poland, in 2013.Finally, Julia Yates, an organizational psychologist and careers coach at City St George's, University of London, reassures early career researchers facing a sudden disruption to their careers. It's fine, she says, to put career planning on hold. Sometimes paying bills and putting food on the table has to take priority. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lawfare Podcast
Lawfare Daily: ‘38 Londres Street,' Impunity, and Immunity with Philippe Sands

The Lawfare Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 64:02


On today's episode, Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien sits down with Philippe Sands, a professor of law at the University of London and the Samuel Pisar Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School to discuss his new book, “38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England, and a Nazi in Patagonia.”They discuss the intertwined stories of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and Nazi SS commander Walther Rauff, his uncanny personal connections to those stories, how Pinochet's arrest and the subsequent legal battle over his extradition changed international criminal law, and how writing the book informed his thinking on the U.S. Supreme Court's immunity ruling in Trump v. United States.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artist Decoded
AD 280 | Manuel Mathieu | "Bury Your Masters"

Artist Decoded

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 61:13


Manuel Mathieu (b. 1986) is a multi-disciplinary artist, working with painting, ceramics and installation. His work investigates themes of historical violence, erasure and cultural approaches to physicality, nature and spiritual legacy. Mathieu's interests are partially informed from his upbringing in Haiti, and his experience emigrating to Montréal at the age of 19. Freely operating in between and borrowing from numerous historical influences and traditions, Mathieu aims to find meaning through a spiritual or asemic mode of apparition. Mathieu has developed a distinctive abstract visual language, used to create phenomenological encounters that confront our didactic traditions. Amorphous forms vacillate and dissolve into one another, creating boundless landscapes traversable through desire. Through his quest for meaning, transparency and openness he undertakes a process of discovering his work, as opposed to creating it; by doing so the work holds its autonomy and can be assimilated into a space of collective consciousness. The vibrational effect of his work elicits physical and emotional frequencies that offer alternative methods for navigating the world. Drawing from a wide-range of subjects, Manuel's practice combines his sensibility and his formal arts education, which culminated in an MFA Degree from Goldsmiths, University of London. artistdecoded.com manuelmathieu.com instagram.com/manuelmathieu  

The Science of Personality Podcast
The Psychology of Demonology, Possession, and Exorcism

The Science of Personality Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 69:31


Spooky season is back! In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and I are joined by Chris French, PhD, professor emeritus and former Head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit in the Psychology Department at Goldsmiths, University of London, to talk about the psychology of demonology, possession, and exorcism. With his primary area of research being the psychology of paranormal beliefs and anomalous experiences, Chris is a frequent radio and television guest who casts a skeptical eye over paranormal claims, and is also the author of multiple books on the paranormal, including his most recent one from earlier this year, titled The Science of Weird Shit. For our loyal listeners, you are well aware by now that Ryne and I dedicate our episodes in October to topics like this to celebrate Halloween and the spooky season. Because demonology, possession, and exorcism are at the core of some of history's best horror films and literary works, we thought it would be a fun topic to cover, and Chris is the perfect guest to join us for this special episode.

Savage Minds Podcast
Gilbert Achcar

Savage Minds Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 75:50


Gilbert Achcar, Emeritus Professor at SOAS, University of London, discusses his latest book, The Gaza Catastrophe: The Genocide in World-Historical Perspective (2025), while also analysing the violence and scope of Israel's response to 7 October 2023, to include the clearly stated genocidal intention by Israeli leaders. Covering how the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) started to flatten Gaza with 1-tonne bombs dropped on urban settings with the end goal of killing tens of thousands of people with no regard for civilian lives, Achcar notes how the Israeli government seized the opportunity of 7 October in order to effect its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Historicising the US-Israel relationship, Achcar chronicles how Israel did not always have a strategic alliance with the United States, but that this alliance grew sharply in the mid-1960s just as the US was losing ground in the Middle East due to the rise of Arab nationalism and Israel's blow to Egypt and Syria during the Six-Day War. Achcar examines the deterioration of Israel's image on the international stage from its invasion of Lebanon in 1982, the First Intifada in 1987, the Second Intifada in the 2000s, and 7 October 2023, while he elucidates how the Zionist movement has resorted to the instrumentalisation of the Holocaust and false accusations of antisemitism to deflect criticisms of its genocidal actions. Get full access to Savage Minds at savageminds.substack.com/subscribe

The International Risk Podcast
Episode 272: The Indus at Risk: Floods, Fragility and the Future of Water Security in Pakistan

The International Risk Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 29:32 Transcription Available


Pakistan is once again underwater.In the country's north—specifically the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—torrential monsoon rains dropped 150 millimeters in under an hour. That's six inches of rain, fast enough to overwhelm any drainage system. But here, it didn't just flood streets—it destroyed entire communities. At least 700 people are dead. Over 100 are missing. And in Bishnoi village, 50% of all homes are gone—flattened or washed away.This isn't just bad weather. It's a lethal convergence of natural vulnerability and systemic fragility: hilly terrain, deforestation, poor infrastructure, and collapsing governance capacity. Add climate change, and Pakistan—already one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations—is facing a catastrophe that's becoming alarmingly routine.On today's episode of The International Risk Podcast, we're not just discussing weather patterns. We're talking about how extreme climate events are redrawing the map of risk—impacting state stability, migration flows, food security, and the future of regional cooperation.Today, we are joined by Dr. Erum Sattar, LLB, LLM, SJD, a Pakistani legal scholar specialising in water law amidst global environmental and institutional challenges. She is a lecturer and former Program Director of the Sustainable Water Management Program at Tufts University in Boston. She holds degrees from Harvard Law School, Queen Mary University and the University of London. Dr Sattar is a Member of the Bar of England and Wales, as well as The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn. Her interdisciplinary research examines the impact of water governance and transboundary water sharing on food production, livelihoods and migration, highlighting the legal and institutional adaptation structures required at a global level. She has an upcoming chapter on International Water Law and its history, application and future in Pakistan and is also co-editor of the upcoming The Cambridge Handbook of Islam and Environmental Law. The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.Tell us what you liked!

All About Art
Art, Tech, & Streamlining Sales (in a Tech-phobic Industry), with First Thursday Founder Callum Hale-Thomson

All About Art

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 55:20


Art, Tech, & Streamlining Sales (in a Tech-phobic Industry), with First Thursday Founder Callum Hale-ThomsonIn this episode, I sat down with Callum Hale-Thomson, founder of the art tech company First Thursday, a platform for commercial galleries that helps teams surface insights, streamline sales and strengthen collector relationships.In this episode, Callum shares what sparked his interest in the art world and the origins of First Thursday - how it was born in early 2024, how it's evolved since then, and the unique perspective it offers to art businesses like contemporary art galleries.Plus, we dive into the role of AI in the art industry - how it's transforming workflows and what it means for galleries and art businesses. Callum shares his insights on navigating industry challenges, especially as a startup in a traditionally tech-averse space, and his vision for the future of First Thursday.Thank you Callum for coming on the podcast!You can follow First Thursday on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/first_thursday/You can check out First Thursday here: https://www.first-thursday.com/YOU CAN SUPPORT ALL ABOUT ART ON PATREON HERE: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/allaboutart⁠FOLLOW ALL ABOUT ART ON INSTAGRAM HERE: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/allaboutartpodcast/⁠ ABOUT THE HOST:I am an Austrian-American art historian, curator, and writer. I obtained my BA in History of Art at University College London and my MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. My specializations are in contemporary art and the contemporary art market along with accessibility, engagement, and the demystification of the professional art sector.Here are links to my social media, feel free to reach out:Instagram⁠ @alexandrasteinacker   ⁠Twitter ⁠@alex_steinacker⁠and LinkedIn at ⁠Alexandra Steinacker-Clark⁠This episode is produced at Synergy https://synergy.tech/the-clubhouse/the-podcast-studio/ COVER ART: Lisa Schrofner a.k.a Liser⁠ ⁠⁠www.liser-art.com⁠ and Luca Laurence www.lucalaurence.com 

New Books Network
Kathryn Dyt, "The Nature of Kingship: The Weather-World in Nineteenth-Century Vietnam" (U Hawaii Press, 2025)

New Books Network

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 40:30


When we think about the way that Southeast Asian rulers governed their kingdoms, we usually think of the relationship between the rulers and the people. But as Katheryn Dyt shows in her new book, The Nature of Kingship: The Weather-World in Nineteenth-Century Vietnam (University of Hawaii Press, 2025), royal governance in the Kingdom of Vietnam depended on a highly detailed knowledge of the weather and the natural environment. Kings took a deep, personal interest in the weather, even writing poetry in an attempt to influence it. The Vietnamese royal bureaucracy had a ‘Bureau for the Observation of the Sky' to advise the king on portentous signs and omens which might help him interpret the will of Heaven. This premodern understanding of the natural world was influenced both by classical Chinese learning, as well as by an empirical understanding of Vietnam's distinct climate and landscape. This highly original book connects Vietnam's precolonial political history with an understanding of the natural environment seen through the eyes of Vietnamese kings and royal officials.Kathryn Dyt is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in the History department at SOAS, University of London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

New Books in History
Kathryn Dyt, "The Nature of Kingship: The Weather-World in Nineteenth-Century Vietnam" (U Hawaii Press, 2025)

New Books in History

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 40:30


When we think about the way that Southeast Asian rulers governed their kingdoms, we usually think of the relationship between the rulers and the people. But as Katheryn Dyt shows in her new book, The Nature of Kingship: The Weather-World in Nineteenth-Century Vietnam (University of Hawaii Press, 2025), royal governance in the Kingdom of Vietnam depended on a highly detailed knowledge of the weather and the natural environment. Kings took a deep, personal interest in the weather, even writing poetry in an attempt to influence it. The Vietnamese royal bureaucracy had a ‘Bureau for the Observation of the Sky' to advise the king on portentous signs and omens which might help him interpret the will of Heaven. This premodern understanding of the natural world was influenced both by classical Chinese learning, as well as by an empirical understanding of Vietnam's distinct climate and landscape. This highly original book connects Vietnam's precolonial political history with an understanding of the natural environment seen through the eyes of Vietnamese kings and royal officials.Kathryn Dyt is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in the History department at SOAS, University of London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

New Books in Southeast Asian Studies
Kathryn Dyt, "The Nature of Kingship: The Weather-World in Nineteenth-Century Vietnam" (U Hawaii Press, 2025)

New Books in Southeast Asian Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 40:30


When we think about the way that Southeast Asian rulers governed their kingdoms, we usually think of the relationship between the rulers and the people. But as Katheryn Dyt shows in her new book, The Nature of Kingship: The Weather-World in Nineteenth-Century Vietnam (University of Hawaii Press, 2025), royal governance in the Kingdom of Vietnam depended on a highly detailed knowledge of the weather and the natural environment. Kings took a deep, personal interest in the weather, even writing poetry in an attempt to influence it. The Vietnamese royal bureaucracy had a ‘Bureau for the Observation of the Sky' to advise the king on portentous signs and omens which might help him interpret the will of Heaven. This premodern understanding of the natural world was influenced both by classical Chinese learning, as well as by an empirical understanding of Vietnam's distinct climate and landscape. This highly original book connects Vietnam's precolonial political history with an understanding of the natural environment seen through the eyes of Vietnamese kings and royal officials.Kathryn Dyt is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in the History department at SOAS, University of London. Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/southeast-asian-studies

K-12 Greatest Hits:The Best Ideas in Education
Educators Feel Free Speech Fallout From Kirk Killing: What's Appropriate, Who Decides?

K-12 Greatest Hits:The Best Ideas in Education

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 11:04


Eric Heinze (Maîtrise, Paris; JD, Harvard; Ph.D. Leiden), a former Fulbright, DAAD and Chateaubriand fellow, is Professor of Law and Humanities at Queen Mary, University of London. He writes on justice theory and on human rights, and has worked with the International Commission of Jurists and the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. He has advised NGOs on human rights, including Liberty, Amnesty International and the Media Diversity Institute. Heinze is author of The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech Is Everything. Suzanne Nossel is the CEO of PEN America, the foremost organization working to protect and advance human rights, free expression and literature. She has also served as the Chief Operating Officer of Human Rights Watch and as Executive Director of Amnesty International USA; and held senior State Department positions in the Clinton and Obama administrations. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Nossel frequently writes op-eds for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other publications, as well as a regular column for Foreign Policy magazine. She lives in New York City. Nosssel is author of Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All. Jonathan Zimmerman is the Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. A former Peace Corps volunteer, he is the author of Campus Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know and seven other books. He is also a frequent op-ed contributor to The New York Times, the Washington Post, and other national newspapers and magazines. Zimmerman received the 2019 Open Inquiry Leadership Award from Heterodox Academy, which promotes viewpoint diversity in higher education. Zimmerman is author of Free Speech: And Why You Should Give a Damn.

New Books in Environmental Studies
Kathryn Dyt, "The Nature of Kingship: The Weather-World in Nineteenth-Century Vietnam" (U Hawaii Press, 2025)

New Books in Environmental Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 40:30


When we think about the way that Southeast Asian rulers governed their kingdoms, we usually think of the relationship between the rulers and the people. But as Katheryn Dyt shows in her new book, The Nature of Kingship: The Weather-World in Nineteenth-Century Vietnam (University of Hawaii Press, 2025), royal governance in the Kingdom of Vietnam depended on a highly detailed knowledge of the weather and the natural environment. Kings took a deep, personal interest in the weather, even writing poetry in an attempt to influence it. The Vietnamese royal bureaucracy had a ‘Bureau for the Observation of the Sky' to advise the king on portentous signs and omens which might help him interpret the will of Heaven. This premodern understanding of the natural world was influenced both by classical Chinese learning, as well as by an empirical understanding of Vietnam's distinct climate and landscape. This highly original book connects Vietnam's precolonial political history with an understanding of the natural environment seen through the eyes of Vietnamese kings and royal officials.Kathryn Dyt is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in the History department at SOAS, University of London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

The Plaidcast
The Plaidchat: Dr. Stephen Rich & Eric Siegel

The Plaidcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 16:19


Welcome to The Plaidchat- an extension of The Plaidcast where we expand upon conversations in our sport and discuss the most recent issue of The Plaid Horse Magazine. Today, Piper speaks with Dr. Stephen Rich and Eric Siegel about the discovery of a natural and effective tick repellent from that may help our horses fight tick-borne diseases.Host: Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid HorseGuest: Dr. Stephen Rich is a Professor of Microbiology and Executive Director of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases at the University of Massachusetts (UMass).   Prior to joining the UMass faculty, Dr. Rich was a Professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.  He did his graduate studies at UC Irvine (PhD), Harvard, and University of Vermont (MS).  He is a graduate of St. Lawrence University (BS) and grew up in upstate NY between the Adirondacks and the St. Lawrence River. Guest: Eric Siegel is a graduate student at the university of Massachusetts working for Dr. Stephen Rich. He is also a director of Kabul Small Animal Rescue and a graduate of the royal veterinary college at the university of London. Read the Latest Issue of The Plaid Horse MagazineSubscribe To: The Plaid Horse MagazineSponsors: Taylor, Harris Insurance Services, BoneKare and Great American Insurance Group Join us at an upcoming Plaidcast in Person live event!

Gospel Spice
How are Christians to respond to our current civilizational moment? | with Os Guinness

Gospel Spice

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 41:00


Stéphanie welcomes Os Guinness back again on the Gospel Spice podcast. Os offers his analysis of the critical juncture facing Western civilization, particularly America, and provides a trustworthy framework for Christians to understand and thoughtfully respond to today's unique social, cultural, and political challenges. Os Guinness's recent book, Our Civilizational Moment, gave Stephanie a framework to understand the current news headlines, including the assassination and memorial service of Charlie Kirk, a devoted follower of Jesus who died for his beliefs. She and Os discuss the events as Os provides a uniquely courageous and nuanced perspective. Os urges Christians to think deeply, be courageous, and avoid simple partisanship. He advocates looking back to the biblical foundations—faith, family, education—and promoting them through partnership with like-minded individuals, including Jews. Christian maturity means engaging with nuance, confession, and humility, rather than tribalism or reactionary politics. He also hopes for a significant national conversation and rededication, especially approaching America's 250th anniversary, rooted in prayer, repentance, and recommitment to core biblical principles. THE CONVERSATION MORE IN DEPTH Os Guinness defines the concept of a “civilizational moment,” which is a critical point in a civilization's history when its foundational principles are either renewed, replaced, or lost, leading to decline. For the West, this moment involves deciding whether to return to its Judeo-Christian roots or continue on a path shaped by secular Enlightenment thought and radical ideologies. Every civilization faces a time when it must choose—renew what made it great, replace it with something else, or decline and fall. Os describes four major “waves” or movements currently undermining the West from within: ·         The Red Wave: Rooted in cultural Marxism, this movement has transitioned from economic revolution to influencing culture and institutions over decades. ·         The Rainbow Wave: The sexual revolution, driven not just by recent pop culture but by deep philosophical roots aiming to overturn centuries of Judeo-Christian and Jewish values about humanity and sexuality. ·         The Black Wave: Radical Islamism, which has allied itself with the other movements to destabilize Western civilization. ·         The Gold Wave : A nod to economic and technological factors, less emphasized during the conversation, but brilliantly explained in the book. Os explains their convergence—especially the surprising alliance between radical left movements and Islamism—as an effort to dismantle the traditional Western order. These movements often work together, despite their differences, because they share a goal of undermining the Christian-influenced foundations of Western civilization. Guinness reminds listeners that the West owes its structure to the Christian faith, rooted in Judaism. Other influences (Greek, Roman) contributed, but it was the biblical worldview—especially covenantal thinking from the Old Testament—that shaped institutions and ideals. A loss of conviction in these roots leads to confusion about identity and direction, both culturally and politically. America in particular is experiencing: ·         Ideological Polarization: A deep divide between visions anchored either in the American Revolution (biblical) or the French Revolution (secular, Enlightenment). ·         Institutional Polarization: Growing distrust between elites and ordinary citizens. ·         Crisis of Words: The breakdown of truthful, respectful communication, leading to increased violence and mistrust. Os cautions against seeking solutions purely through power or politics, whether from the left or right. Both extremes, if detached from biblical truth and justice, are dangerous. Hope is found in trusting God, returning to biblical truth, and joining together, beyond politics, to seek the good of society and witness to the gospel. Our  “civilizational moment” requires discernment, wisdom, and Christ-centered courage. Christians are called to be salt and light—engaging culture thoughtfully, grounded in truth, and seeking both the renewal of their nation and the flourishing of humanity worldwide. Os helps us identify the key cultural forces at play, and explore how Christians can wisely and courageously navigate this pivotal time. MORE ABOUT “OUR CIVILIZATIONAL MOMENT” Purchase the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Civilizational-Moment-Waning-Worlds/dp/B0DL3LW558/  Where do you find the great civilizations of the world? In ruins, in museums, and in history books. Each one in its time rose, flourished, and then declined and fell. Is the West facing its own civilizational moment today? A civilizational moment is a critical transition phase in the rise, course, and decline of a civilization when a civilization loses its decisive connection with the dynamic that inspired it. Such a moment must then issue in one of three broad options: a renewal of the dynamic that inspired the civilization in the first place, a successful replacement of the original dynamic by another, or the decline of the civilization. In sum, the issue for a civilization in a civilizational moment is its vision of ultimate reality: Is the civilization in living touch with the ideas, ideals, and inspiration that created it in the first place and that it needs to continue to flourish? Or, with its roots severed, is it destined to decline and die? Guinness's analysis is wide-ranging and hard-hitting, but he ends with hope. This book is for all who care about the state of the world, who strive for a human-friendly future, and who are ready to make a stand for what matters. MORE ABOUT OS GUINNESS Os Guinness is an author and social critic. Great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer, he was born in China in World War Two where his parents were medical missionaries. A witness to the climax of the Chinese revolution in 1949, he was expelled with many other foreigners in 1951 and returned to Europe where he was educated in England. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of London and his D.Phil in the social sciences from Oriel College, Oxford. Os has written or edited more than thirty books, including The Call, Time for Truth, Unspeakable, A Free People's Suicide, and The Global Public Square. His latest book, Last Call for Liberty: How America's Genius for Freedom Has Become Its Greatest Threat, was published in 2018. Since moving to the United States in 1984, Os has been a Guest Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies, a Guest Scholar and Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum and the EastWest Institute in New York. He was the lead drafter of the Williamsburg Charter in 1988, a celebration of the bicentennial of the US Constitution, and later of “The Global Charter of Conscience,” which was published at the European Union Parliament in 2012. Os has spoken at many of the world's major universities, and spoken widely to political and business conferences across the world. He lives with his wife Jenny in the Washington DC area. Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Arts & Ideas
Finding my tribe

Arts & Ideas

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 56:44


In party conference season, we look at what bonds party members and what it means to create a new network with its own shared beliefs and rituals. What light can the big thinkers from the worlds of anthropology and sociology shed? From political tribes to criminal gangs, from social media to social class - how do shared beliefs, rituals, rules and values bond us together - and pull us apart?Anne McElvoy is joined by Kit Davis, emeritus professor of anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London; Lynsey Hanley writer and author of Estates and Respectable: The Experience of Class; Adele Walton, Journalist and author of Logging Off; Alistair Fraser, professor of criminology at Glasgow University; assistant editor of The Spectator and political journalist and Isabel Hardman; and, Rebecca Earle, Professor of History and Chair of the British Academy Book PrizeShortlist for the British Academy Book Prize announced on October 22nd: The Burning Earth: An Environmental History of the Last 500 Years by Sunil Amrith The Baton and The Cross: Russia's Church from Pagans to Putin by Lucy Ash The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World by William Dalrymple Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance by Bronwen Everill Sick of It: The Global Fight for Women's Health by Sophie Harman Sound Tracks: Uncovering Our Musical Past by Graham LawsonProducer: Ruth Watts

All About Art
Exhibition Review: REFLECTIONS — SANGAT AND THE SELF at without SHAPE without FORM (followed by an interview with Artistic Director Deep Kailey)

All About Art

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 33:24


The International Risk Podcast
Episode 269: Middle East in Transition: Non-State Actors, Trump's Policy Shift, and Regional Stability with Shayan Talabany

The International Risk Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 32:06


In this episode Dominic Bowen speaks with Shayan Talabany, Senior Analyst and Advisor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, about shifting U.S. strategies in the Middle East and what they mean for governance, security, and economic opportunity across the region. They explore how the U.S. retreat from interventionism is reshaping regional power balances, whether self-reliance can bring stability, and how countries like Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon are navigating enormous economic and political pressures.Listeners will learn about the risks posed by fragile social contracts and youth unemployment, the uncertain futures of nationalism and populism in the region, how Gaza is influencing both leadership and public opinion in Arab capitals, and the opportunities for businesses as regional governments seek deeper economic integration. Shayan also shares her on-the-ground experiences traveling through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, providing rare insights into the realities citizens face and the optimism that still exists despite immense challengesShayan Talabany is a Senior Analyst and Advisor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, where she focuses on regional politics, security, and conflict dynamics across the Middle East, with particular expertise on Iraq and Syria. She holds degrees from SOAS, University of London, and the London School of Economics, and also serves as a faculty member with the Aspen Institute in the UK. At the Tony Blair Institute, she leads projects on governance reform, regional integration, and youth engagement, and she has traveled extensively across the Middle East conducting research and advising policymakers.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our updates!Tell us what you liked!

Accidental Gods
A Dawning Mind: Exploring the science of spirituality with Dr James Cooke

Accidental Gods

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 79:28


Why are we here? How do we think? What is the nature of life? What are the boundaries between ourselves and the rest of the living web—between ourselves and the rest of the universe across space and through time…and in the timeless, formless place from which everything arises?These are the big, foundational questions of our existence, and how we answer them shapes how we see ourselves and our relationship to everything around us. If we work on a human supremacist frame, then we have no qualms about destroying the rest of the living web. If we know ourselves to be integral to it, if we can 'prove' this at a scientific level, then perhaps we can shift the way we behave. Dr James Cooke is an author, researcher and host of the Living Mirrors Podcast which is how I got to know him. He has three degrees from Oxford, including a PhD in neuroscience. He has been conducting research into the brain basis of consciousness and at the University of London, he achieved a theoretical breakthrough that linked philosophy, the latest in cognitive neuroscience and modern secular mysticism. Outside academia, he directs the Inner Space Institute for NonDual Naturalism, a center for education and participation in topics at the intersection of science & spirituality.  It is here, it says, 'To help you engage in spiritual development in a way that is scientifically grounded.'  Nondual Naturalism is a worldview that synthesises science and spiritual insight, centred around the recognition that we are not separate from nature and are fundamentally at home in existence and James expands on this in detail in his book, The Dawn of Mind: How matter became conscious and alive which synthesises science and contemplative insight to offer a radical solution to the Hard Problem of Consciousness and the question of our place in existence.James' website: https://www.drjamescooke.com/The Inner Space Institute: https://www.innerspaceinstitute.org/The Dawn of Mind Book https://uk.bookshop.org/book/9781633889927Living Mirrors Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/living-mirrors-with-dr-james-cooke/id1516523741James on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@DrJamesCookeWhat we offer: Accidental Gods, Dreaming Awake and the Thrutopia Writing Masterclass If you'd like to join our next Open Gathering offered by our Accidental Gods Programme it's  'Dreaming Your Death Awake' (you don't have to be a member) it's on 2nd November - details are here.If you'd like to join us at Accidental Gods, this is the membership where we endeavour to help you to connect fully with the living web of life. If you'd like to train more deeply in the contemporary shamanic work at Dreaming Awake, you'll find us here. If you'd like to explore the recordings from our last Thrutopia Writing Masterclass, the details are here

The Cosmic Skeptic Podcast
#121 John Cottingham - The Father of Modern Philosophy: René Descartes

The Cosmic Skeptic Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 100:02


John Cottingham (born 1943) is an English philosopher. The focus of his research has been early-modern philosophy (especially Descartes), the philosophy of religion and moral philosophy. He is a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Reading, Professorial Research Fellow at Heythrop College, University of London, and Honorary Fellow of St John's College, Oxford. He is also a current Visiting Professor to the Philosophy Department at King's College, London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Iris Murdoch Society podcast
Iris Murdoch and the Virtues

The Iris Murdoch Society podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 63:25


In this episode we discuss Murdoch's conceptualisation of virtue and what it might mean to be virtuous. We'll range across her philosophy, of course, but we'll also have time to visit her fiction and consider if she embeds some of her ideas about virtue into her novels. Joining Miles to discuss this fascinating topic is Tony Milligan. Tony is a Research Fellow in Philosophy of Ethics in the Theology and Religious Studies at Kings College, University of London. And his current research, as part of the KCL (China) team and the University of Manchester (Russia) team within the Cosmological Visionaries project, takes in the ethical aspects of dialogue building between local scientists, indigenous peoples and national minorities in Russia and China in the face of climate change. The key theme uniting his broader areas of research is otherness and our shared future. This works its way into various publications on Space (other places), philosophy of love (other people), and animals (other creatures). Tony is also an Affiliate of the Lau China Institute. For many years he's been fascinated by Murdoch's philosophy, indeed his PhD thesis at the University of Glasgow was titled 'Iris Murdoch's Romantic Platonism' and he's gone on to publish widely on her work.

FreshEd
FreshEd #398 – University Futures (Cris Shore)

FreshEd

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2025 35:26


Today we dive into universities and their futures. For many people, universities are in crisis. Public funding has decreased. Mounting pressure to move online and offer complete flexibility to students. Job cuts. And whole courses and programs that are on the chopping block. My guest, Cris Shore, unpacks the state of universities and critically explores their futures. Cris Shore is emeritus professor of anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London. He's recently published a book with Susan Wright called Audit Culture: How indicators and rankings are reshaping the world. freshedpodcast.com/shore/ -- Get in touch! Twitter: @FreshEdpodcast Facebook: FreshEd Email: info@freshedpodcast.com

Short History Of...
The Domesday Book

Short History Of...

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2025 52:20


Following the Norman Conquest at the Battle of Hastings, Norman culture transformed the country, as William I governed through force and bureaucracy. One of his lasting legacies - the Domesday Book - was the result of a complex and extensive survey to find out who owned what, and how much tax they should pay. It provided a snapshot of medieval life and has survived almost 1,000 years of turmoil, war and politics.  The Domesday Book can still be consulted in modern legal disputes today, but how did William's bureaucrats create such an in-depth document about an entire kingdom? What does the book reveal about the king's ruthless methods of conquering? And what light does it shine on the so-called Dark Ages? This is a Short History Of The Domesday Book.  A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins. With thanks to Dr Chris Lewis, a fellow at the Institute of Historical Research in the University of London, and co-author of the book, Making Domesday.  Written by Jo Furniss | Produced by Kate Simants | Assistant Producer: Nicole Edmunds | Production Assistant: Chris McDonald | Exec produced by Katrina Hughes | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design by Oliver Sanders | Assembly edit by Dorry Macaulay, Rob Plummer | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Cody Reynolds-Shaw | Fact check by Sean Coleman Get every episode of Short History Of... a week early with Noiser+. You'll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser podcast network. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices