Dr. Spencer Barnes, Professor of Finance at UTEP, co-authored a study examining how postseason officiating differs for the Mahomes-era Kansas City Chiefs. The research finds that in the playoffs, the Chiefs are more likely to receive first-down–extending and subjective penalties compared to other teams, a pattern not seen in the regular season or with other dynasties like the Brady Patriots. The authors do not argue games are rigged, but suggest the pattern reflects subconscious, financially driven regulatory capture, benefiting the league’s most valuable, ratings-driving brand.

Madeleine Beekman, Professor Emerita of Evolutionary Biology and Behavioral Ecology, explains when and why humans first began to speak — arguing that language likely emerged around 150–200,000 years ago because our babies are born extremely helpless and require long-term, cooperative care. That need to work together pushed our ancestors to develop clear, precise communication, and children’s flexible, learning-ready brains helped shape the structure of language as it spread.

Dr. Gerd Gigerenzer is a renowned German psychologist and director emeritus at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, widely recognized as a global authority on decision-making, heuristics, and risk literacy. In this conversation, Gigerenzer explains why AI excels only in stable, rule-based environments and struggles with uncertainty and human behavior. He critiques AGI hype and the myth of fully autonomous machines, arguing that fear of job-stealing robots is often misplaced. Instead, he warns that the real threat lies in surveillance capitalism, addictive digital environments, and the slow erosion of human autonomy and attention.

Richard Ryan is a software developer and media executive with 20+ years in tech, co-founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company, and a creator whose platforms have generated billions of views. This episode explores how the attention economy evolved (post-2012 shift), why feeds polarize and extract time, and Richard’s playbook from The Warrior’s Garden to reclaim attention and privacy.

Dr. Luke Kemp, an existential risk researcher at Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, unpacks how wealth concentration, arms races, and surveillance make societies fragile—through the lens of his new book, Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse. We dive into the book’s case studies and prescriptions, from curbing plutocracy to regulating AI and nukes, outlining practical, democratic reforms to steer toward a safer, freer future.re.

Historian Fyodor Tertitskiy, PhD, explains how North Korea’s Kim dynasty endures through isolation, terror, elite incentives, and nuclear deterrence—making collapse or unification unlikely. He traces the regime’s Soviet-backed origins, mythmaking, black-market economy, cyber theft, and succession risks, stressing that democracy’s triumph isn’t guaranteed.

Clinical Professor of Psychology at Loyola University Chicago, Dr. Price, dismantles the “laziness lie” that equates human worth with productivity, showing how it drives burnout, stigma, and hollow status games. Drawing on AI’s impact, Graeber’s “bs jobs,” and academia’s adjunct crisis, Price urges revaluing care and creativity, setting boundaries, minimizing debt, and building a society that centers human needs over output.

Dr. Joseph Crawford, Senior Lecturer in Management explains how AI is reshaping higher ed: post-plagiarism assessment, recorded lectures, and students swapping human support for chatbots—eroding belonging and hurting performance. We cover massification pressures, faculty misuse, and workforce readiness—and why colleges must rebuild soft-skill practice and replace lost micro-interactions with people.

Eric Weiner, author of The Geography of Bliss, explains why true happiness stems from relationships, trust, and meaning....not money or technology. We explore how social media, AI, and shifting cultural trends shape well-being & why expectations are often the biggest obstacle to joy.

Stella Morabito, former CIA analyst & author of The Weaponization of Loneliness, explains how fear of isolation is exploited to silence and control. We discuss propaganda, social media, education, and why family, faith, and community are vital defenses against totalitarianism.

Dr. Angus Fletcher, a neuroscientist and professor at Ohio State, helps the military, big companies, and schools unlock creativity. He explains why kids lose creativity in school, how to break free from the “right answer” mindset, and why intuition, imagination, and asking better questions matter more than data for real innovation.

Shelly Marshall, author of HOA Warrior, explains how many HOAs act like private governments—able to change rules, levy fines, and even jeopardize homes—while homeowners shoulder shared liabilities they never expected. She details survival tactics if you’re already in an HOA (pay first, appeal later, document everything) and argues the safest move is to avoid buying in—rent or use an LLC if you must.

Chadwick Turner, a Seattle-based technologist, and Dr. Emmanuel Maggiori, a London-based software engineer and author, debate whether AI is truly transformative or simply overhyped. They examine its effects on jobs, industries, and society, weaving together philosophical questions and practical realities in a conversation that challenges assumptions about AI’s future.

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Gary Rivlin discusses his new book AI Valley: Microsoft, Google, and the Trillion-Dollar Race to Cash In on Artificial Intelligence. We dive into the AI hype cycle, how venture capital fuels the boom, why Big Tech dominates the field, and what the future may hold for jobs, education, and innovation.

Melise Panetta, marketing lecturer at Wilfrid Laurier University & former Fortune 100 executive, discusses how AI is transforming entry-level jobs and Gen Z’s career paths. We discuss which skills are most at risk of automation, which remain “AI-resistant,” and how students can future-proof their careers.

Dr. Jeffrey Funk, retired tech professor & economist, breaks down the hype and financial fragility behind today’s AI boom. He also explores Gen Z’s job struggles, the decline of higher education, and why solving real problems—not hype—matters most.

Levy Scholar Jeffrey Seaman researches criminal justice policy, focusing on clearance rates, sentencing reform, and aligning the system with community standards. He is the co-author of Confronting Failures of Justice. In this episode, he discusses mass incarceration myths, falling crime clearance rates, and practical reforms to improve public safety.

Graham Hillard, editor at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, explains how NIL deals, antitrust rulings, and the House v. NCAA settlement are rapidly professionalizing college sports, especially football and men’s basketball. He outlines the legal battles, Title IX complications, and economic pressures that could lead to a super league for revenue sports and a return to amateurism for others.

Richard Vedder, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Ohio University, shares his views on why colleges are struggling. He talks about falling enrollment, rising costs, too many administrators, and grade inflation. With over 60 years in academia, Vedder explains how AI and changing student needs are forcing universities to adapt—or risk shutting down.

Neurologist Dr. Robert Friedland discuss his latest book, Unaging: The Four Factors That Impact How You Age. Dr. Friedland explores how lifestyle choices—including diet, exercise, social relationships, and psychological health—significantly affect aging and Alzheimer's risk. He reveals surprising insights about dementia, polypharmacy, genetic testing, and why aging well isn't just about genetics, but largely about the decisions we make every day.