Welcome to Off the Kettle, a spin-off series of A Cup of Tea focused on shorter and more reactive content!
In this "inaugural" episode, Jared is joined by Tal to discuss the potential implications of new policies in the United States post-Inauguration Day. They express some optimism amidst a barrage of challenges and the need to embrace the values of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) to create a more equitable society.
Cognitive dissonance is a normal psychological phenomenon that every human being struggles with in distinct ways. These are the moments in life where cognition comes into direct conflict with reality in unique ways. In this episode, co-hosts Antasia, Tal, and Jared explore the psychology and science underpinning cognitive dissonance as well as the theory which attempts to explain it. Ultimately, it is up to the individual on how to best address this state of dissonance.
Photo by Bhautik Patel on Unsplash
Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify
References
18:18 - A Review of Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Its Relevance to Current Social Issues
How do you go from picking up a pair of drumsticks for the first time to becoming the drummer of a local band on the rise? Hear from Chris, drummer of the band 3iDragon, on how his childhood curiosity paved the way for him to perform in front of countless live audiences. As part of the interview, Chris and Jared discuss the challenges and perks of being a live musician. With new singles soon on the way, Chris and his band are making airwaves!
Where to Find 3iDragon (@see3id)
References
35:57 - For A Lie (Sample)
1:02:37 - Marmalade (Sample)
1:05:02 - Invasion (Sample)
Finding the truth in a sea of uncertainty is not a simple task. However, there is a philosophical tool trusted by many (including scientists) which can help guide your thinking—Occam's Razor. What is it about this concept that makes it so appealing to truth seekers? Jared uncovers the value of this abstract razor by applying some research and thought experiments on the topic.
Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash
References
3:15 - Occam's Razor
10:11 - Principle of Parsimony
Employee-employer relations commonly revolve around the negotiation of wages whether centralized or decentralized. In this episode, host Jared closely examines the benefits, and potential drawbacks, that collective bargaining or unions can offer a workforce. How important and relevant are the tangible or intangible benefits they provide? And how much has society suffered possibly as a result of unionization decline over the years?
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
References
8:45 - Facts and Fantasies about Wage Setting and Collective Bargaining
31:31 - Collective bargaining and power: Wage premium of collective agreements in Europe 2002–2018
38:19 - The Enormous Impact of Eroded Collective Bargaining on Wages
The Pacific Coast Highway, otherwise known as the PCH, has a reputation for being a beautiful, yet lengthy, scenic route along the shore of the Pacific Ocean in the United States. Listen as co-hosts Antasia and Jared recount their week-long journey from sunny Monterey, California all the way up to rainy Seattle, Washington. They comment on both the bright spots and bumps in the road along the way! How were they able to plan this endeavor and what moments paid off? 1,000 miles of driving later, they can tell.
Photo by Ethan Dow on Unsplash
To celebrate Pride month, co-hosts Antasia and Jared evaluate the state of inclusion with respect to gender identity in the United States as of late. They examine survey data collected by the Pew Research Center which unveils some encouraging statistics along with other deeply concerning trends. While there is still a long way to go in terms of solving the challenges that come with long-term societal acceptance and LGBTQIA+ resources, the hope is to uncover the human biases along the way which continue to hold us back from respecting each other.
Photo by Aiden Craver on Unsplash
References
6:54 - Americans’ Complex Views on Gender Identity and Transgender Issues
53:23 - About 5% of young adults in the U.S. say their gender is different from their sex assigned at birth
The relationship between the military, government, and society is complex at best. While each body can function independently in a nation, the three can often achieve great heights when working collaboratively together. Co-hosts Avery and Jared review the statistics and scientific literature examining the phenomenon known as the Military-Industrial Complex. Is it a good thing for society to build off of the nation's military forces or is it eventually too great of a burden for society to carry in the long run?
Photo by Michael Afonso on Unsplash
References
8:03 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address (1961)
18:15 - U.S. Defense Spending Compared to Other Countries
29:39 - Emerging Military Technologies: Background and Issues for Congress
40:59 - The Impact of Military Spending on Economic Growth: Evidence from the US Economy
Why does it seem like history continues to rewrite itself right before our eyes? Something that we remember from our past is not how we observe it today. This is a more recent phenomena coined "The Mandela Effect". Co-hosts Antasia and Jared dive into this mysterious effect highlighting some of the most prominent and widely-shared examples of it today. Is this effect a mere illusion caused by a variety of psychological factors? Or is there another unexplained phenomena driving these changes?
Photo by Fredy Jacob on Unsplash
References
It is the 21st century, and humankind has officially created a new epoch in Earth's long history—the Anthropocene. This new epoch has been ushered in as a result of human-induced climate change which has persisted since the industrial age first began. In this episode, co-hosts Tal and Jared discuss the implications of the Anthropocene on society and what needs to be done by humanity to prevent impending ecological disasters across the globe.
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify
References
9:41 - The closed carbon cycle in a managed, stable Anthropocene
To celebrate Earth Month 2024 and embrace the political discourse within the United States in an election year, host Jared asks the question “What really is The Green New Deal?”. Regardless of what biased take you have heard on this proposed piece of legislation, this episode seeks to review the text of the idea itself and evaluate it objectively along with it's implications. While the proposal has exciting potential for the future of sustainable development and is much-needed, what it clearly apparent is that there is an immense gap between where we are today and where we need to be tomorrow as a society.
Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash
References
12:19 - H.Res.109 - Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal
How do you define the causes and conditions of something as abstract and personal as consciousness? This is the exact question that many neuroscientists are racking their brains around today. While the keys to consciousness still have not been unlocked, co-hosts Tal and Jared review the latest scientific literature on consciousness to determine if any of the prevailing theories actually hold water. Regardless of the outcome with ongoing research, can there be insights gleaned from seeking to understand conscious experience?
Photo by Sage Friedman on Unsplash
Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify
References
How is toxic masculinity poisoning the mental health of cisgender males in modern society? What other impacts has the patriarchy had on all people including men themselves? On today's Iced Tea episode, co-hosts Antasia, Jared, and Tal convene to share their thoughts on what makes the 'ideal' form of masculinity 'toxic' in reality. Whether it's a lack of inclusion, accountability, or empathy, the end result is the same. All members of society can benefit from the dismissal of restrictive ideals that prevent people like cisgender men from being their true selves.
Photo by Mitchell Hollander on Unsplash
What exactly are "Love Languages" and how can they speak to sexual and romantic relationships? This is what husband and wife co-hosts Antasia and Jared dive into on this Iced Tea episode to celebrate the season of love! What they ultimately uncover is a toolkit which can help people learn how they need to be loved while understanding how their significant others need to be loved as well.
Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash
References
2:02 - The 5 Love Languages®
7:46 - The Love Language® Quiz
What's it like to set up a chair and ask random strangers to take a seat to tell their story? The special guest on the first episode of this new interview series is Mykhal Polite who does exactly this with his new video-based podcast "Podding in Public"! Listen as host Jared interviews Mykhal about his journey from high school to now and how his creative talents led him to doing stand-up comedy and so much more in the City of Angels.
Where to Find Mykhal
Welcome to the fifth dimension. Here a hypothesized spacetime framework may be lurking in the shadows of reality which could unify all four fundamental forces of nature—electromagnetism, gravity, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. No one knows for sure if hyperspace, space greater than the three dimensions we observe, truly exists or how many dimensions exist. On this episode, co-hosts Tal and Jared embark on a journey into the fabric of spacetime in an attempt to uncover the truth or at least find the breadcrumbs which could one day lead us to it.
Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify
References
33:46 - Thorne, K. S. (2014). The Science of Interstellar.
36:53 - “Quantum Foam” Scrubs Away Gigantic Cosmic Energy
51:52 - A note on the Kaluza–Klein theory
1:11:02 - What is string theory?
1:25:45 - Progress eras of the universe with spacetime dimensions
What are positive behaviors or traits that you look for in a relationship with another human being? These are green flags! In this companion episode to "Red Flags", listen to co-hosts Antasia and Jared as they describe their green flags while encouraging people to think of their own green flags. The importance of modeling these behaviors while looking for them in others is emphasized throughout this episode.
Happy New Year, steeps! In a celebration of the 60th A Cup of Tea episode, co-hosts Tal and Jared have a thought-provoking discussion involving the ancient base sixty (sexagesimal) numeral system created by the Sumerians. Despite being an antiquated counting system, base sixty has various modern-day applications which may surprise you. Aside from the banter around mathematical culture and natural phenomena, they each toast to the new Season 5 of the show while reflecting on what has led to this moment.
Tal's "The Descent Into Illumination" on Spotify
References
Scientific research contributions help advance humankind's understanding of our species and the universe around us. In the healthcare industry, qualitative research is instrumental to determining the efficacy of treatment options and any adverse side effects to watch for. Co-host Antasia recounts her participation in a study focused on pregnant women who received a COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot. Jared interviews her on this unique experience and emphasizes the importance of qualitative research in science.
References
28:29 - Qualitative Research in Healthcare: Necessity and Characteristics
When interacting with other people, there are particular "red flags" to look out for which can signal a possibly toxic relationship which needs to be re-evaluated. The concept of a "red flag" should be familiar to everyone. While most of us may share some of them, there are unique red flags to each individual. Antasia and Jared talk through some of their red flags and highlight key examples of these off putting behaviors. Hopefully this iced tea will give you the perspective that you need to identify potentially harmful red flags in your life.