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Exploring Minds

Exploring Minds

By Bobby Mack

The object of this philosophy podcast will be to invite on other deep thinkers as we tackle questions of economics, ethics, epistemology, and life experience.
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Episode #003- Isik Cotten: "What is the Baha'i Faith?"

Exploring MindsJan 18, 2020

00:00
01:06:42
Episode #040 - Angel DeSantis: The Family International Cult
May 02, 202159:10
Episode #039 - Tim Burkhardt (Part 2): Is Abortion Immoral?

Episode #039 - Tim Burkhardt (Part 2): Is Abortion Immoral?

Tim returns in this episode to criticize the argument in favor of abortion that he built up in part 1 (episode 36). He argues that Marquis' argument against abortion results in contraception also being classified as immoral. 

Jan 24, 202101:23:17
Episode #038 - Tim Rice & Hans Becklin: Why Esperanto?

Episode #038 - Tim Rice & Hans Becklin: Why Esperanto?

Tim & Hans are board members of Esperanto USA.  Esperanto is a language created in 1887 by Polish opthamologist LL Zamenhof with the goal being to facilitate international communication between nations. They describe the history and advantages of the language of Esperanto, their reasons for learning Esperanto and later becoming fully fluent, as well as their vision for its future. 

Jan 17, 202101:09:02
Episode #037- Tim Burkhardt: Why Abortion is Immoral

Episode #037- Tim Burkhardt: Why Abortion is Immoral

Tim Burkhardt returns for a talk on Don Marquis's essay, "Why Abortion is Immoral." This famous philosophy paper argues that abortion is, except in unusual circumstances, seriously morally wrong. Tim has since earned his Ph.D from Duke University, having successfully defended his dissertation on Epicureanism. He is now the Scholar in Residence at the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization at UC Boulder.

Jan 11, 202101:26:48
Episode #035 - Francesca Minerva: The Journal of Controversial Ideas

Episode #035 - Francesca Minerva: The Journal of Controversial Ideas

Dr. Francesca Minerva is a philosopher who has recently founded the Journal of Controversial Ideas. We discuss her motivations for founding the journal, her views on the ethics of anonymous publishing and engaging with dangerous ideas, and her perspective on the role of a philosopher in our society. We also talk about her work in lookism (discrimination against unattractive peope), plastic surgery, and representations of unrealistic beauty standards in the media.

Here's a link to the journal: https://journalofcontroversialideas.org/

Dec 22, 202001:04:34
Episode #034 - Nathan Nguyen: Voting and Meta-ethics

Episode #034 - Nathan Nguyen: Voting and Meta-ethics

Nathan is a philosophy friend of Katelyn's. On voting, he defends the position that most people should not vote. On meta-ethics, we consider whether moral claims are objective facts that can be evaluted as true or false, or if they're just expressions of emotional dispositions towards certain practices (e.g. "Boo murder!").

At the beginning of the episode Katelyn said that he was currently a grad student in psychology, but he actually recently graduated. 



Nov 09, 202001:22:27
Episode #033 - Miles Hentrup: Teaching Philosophy and Hegelian Marxism

Episode #033 - Miles Hentrup: Teaching Philosophy and Hegelian Marxism

Miles is a philosophy professor at Florida Gulf Coast University who shares his perspective on how to teach philosophy and create an atmosphere where students feel comfortable with having their views challenged. He also describes some of his ethical, political, and epistemological positions relating to Hegelian Marxism and Pyrrhonian skepticism. His introductory course at Stony Brook University ultimately inspired Bobby to pursue a degree in philosophy. 

Nov 01, 202001:06:13
Episode #32 - Brandon Smoke: The Opioid Epidemic

Episode #32 - Brandon Smoke: The Opioid Epidemic

Brandon is a former heroin addict who lives in rural Ohio. He shares what it feels like to do heroin, stories about developing and living with an addiction as a teenager, and how he ultimately overcame his addiction 7 years ago. He describes the medical, financial, and mental health barriers he continues to face as he strives to put the past behind him. He also paints a picture of what the opioid epidemic currently looks like in his small town and speculates about why so many people are driven to abuse opioids.  


If you're currently struggling with addiction and would like to talk directly to Brandon about getting help, please contact us and we'd be happy to put you in touch with him.



Oct 25, 202001:13:39
Episode #31 Malachi Mansfield: Left-Libertarianism
Oct 20, 202001:26:50
Episode #030 - Mark Sargent: Flat Earth Theory

Episode #030 - Mark Sargent: Flat Earth Theory

Mark Sargent, a prominent Flat Earther, believes that the Earth is a flat disk covered by a dome, physical phenomena and human behavior within the dome are determined by simulations created by unknown actors,  and a small group of elites are aware of these facts but keep it hidden to stay powerful. He rejects mainstream established scientific facts such as gravity, heliocentrism, and the existence of a universe.

Sep 13, 202001:12:20
Episode #028 - Ellen Weiss: A Secular Jew's Journey to Faith

Episode #028 - Ellen Weiss: A Secular Jew's Journey to Faith

Ellen is a biology professor at UNC. She tells about her research on the human eye and about her experiences with exploring different faiths throughout her life. 

Sep 06, 202001:09:06
Episode #027 - Thomas Byrne: The Trolley Problem and the Definition of Killing

Episode #027 - Thomas Byrne: The Trolley Problem and the Definition of Killing

MIT Philosophy PhD student Thomas Byrne argues that the bystander who pulls the lever in the trolley problem doesn't actually 'kill' anyone under most of definitions of killing and further argues that most definitions of killing are inadequate and inconsistent. 

Aug 31, 202001:02:17
Episode #026 - Elder Skidmore & Elder Johnson: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Episode #026 - Elder Skidmore & Elder Johnson: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Mormon missionaries Elder Skimore & Elder Johnston share their reasons for becoming missionaries and their opinions on controversial topics related to Mormonism such as gay marriage, traditional gender roles, and polygamy. They've asked us to clarify that the views expressed here are their personal views and are not necessarily the official beliefs of the Mormon church. 

Aug 21, 202001:07:57
Episode #025- Magnus Vinding: Suffering-Focused Ethics

Episode #025- Magnus Vinding: Suffering-Focused Ethics

Magnus Vinding is the author of Why We Should Go Vegan, You Are Them, and Suffering-Focused Ethics: Defense and Implications. He argues that the problem of extreme suffering is the greatest problem of all. He holds the view that not only it is the moral obligation of humans to minimize inflicting suffering on one another, but there is also a moral obligation to reduce suffering amongst animals in nature.

Aug 15, 202001:01:08
Episode #024 - Will Wagner: 90's Vintage and MTV Reality TV

Episode #024 - Will Wagner: 90's Vintage and MTV Reality TV

Will describes owns a vintage 90's clothing store in NYC that was frequented by celebrities like Aziz Ansari. He also talks about his experiences being on the MTV reality show '90s House' and describes the strategies they used to instigate drama between participants. His store is now exclusively online due to covid, and can be found at deepcoverny.com.

Jul 17, 202054:53
Episode #023 - Nadir Ahmed: Science and Islam
May 31, 202001:12:51
Episode #022- Glen Cotten: "What Is the Baha'i Faith? (Part 2)"

Episode #022- Glen Cotten: "What Is the Baha'i Faith? (Part 2)"

Glen Cotten and his wife Isik have been prominent members of the Baha'i Faith and community for over three decades. With a lifetime of pursuing the mission of justice and unity of humanity, Glen lives and breathes the principles of the Faith every day. We discuss Glen's upbringing, how it affected his look on the world, his time serving in Haifa at the Baha'i World Center, and how he met and married his wife.

May 24, 202001:09:41
Episode #021 - Ian Scheffler: Speedcubing

Episode #021 - Ian Scheffler: Speedcubing

Ian shares his experiences delving into the hypercompetitive (but surprisingly wholesome) world of speedsolving Rubik's cubes whilst writing book on the topic. Currently an English teacher, he also shares his perspectives on ways that teaching and testing can be improved. His book is called Cracking the Cube: Going Slow to Go Fast and Other Unexpected Turns in the World of Competitive Rubik's Cube Solving.

May 17, 202001:15:31
Episode #020- Caroline Mack: 32 Years of Nursing

Episode #020- Caroline Mack: 32 Years of Nursing

Caroline is a 32-year veteran nurse. In this episode, Bobby and Caroline talk about some of the highlights and lowlights of being a medical professional for over three decades, and what Caroline has learned from her experiences in the hospital.

May 10, 202001:14:40
Episode #019 - Angela Bischof: Animal cognition and moral agency

Episode #019 - Angela Bischof: Animal cognition and moral agency

Angela is a Duke philosophy grad student who argues that some species of animals  (and theoretically even plants and bacteria) can be considered moral agents. We also explore methods for studying animal cognition, personhood, and the nature of our ethical obligations towards other animals. 

May 03, 202059:46
Episode #017 - John McGlone

Episode #017 - John McGlone

Formerly a Sanders-supporting San Francisco liberal, John's views have shifted in favor of conservatism, Donald Trump, and traditional values. He shares his perspectives on gender roles, gay marriage, adoption, and abortion. He is a programmer and the leader of the local Jordan Peterson meetup group. 

Apr 26, 202002:40:42
Episode #016 - Bobby Bingle: Buddhism, Anger, and Blame

Episode #016 - Bobby Bingle: Buddhism, Anger, and Blame

Bobby is a Duke Philosophy PhD student.  He argues that Buddhist perspectives on "no-self" and anger are not mutually exclusive with blame and moral responsibility. 

Apr 19, 202001:20:47
Episode #015 - Songyao Ren: Zhuangist Perspectives on Emotions

Episode #015 - Songyao Ren: Zhuangist Perspectives on Emotions

Songyao is a Duke Philosophy PhD student. She advocates for a Zhuangist perspective on a good life, which is characterized openness to different paths (daos) and the absence of strong emotional responses such as anger, sadness, and even certain forms of happiness. 

Apr 12, 202058:22
Episode #014- Amanda "Oldphan" Sukenick: Antinatalism

Episode #014- Amanda "Oldphan" Sukenick: Antinatalism

Amanda is the host of the "Exploring Antinatalism" Podcast. She subscribes to the philosophy of Antinatalism as well as EFILism (Life backwards), both of which advocate for the end of all sentient life in the universe by ceasing to procreate.

Apr 05, 202001:07:14
Episode #013- Andy Smith

Episode #013- Andy Smith

Math prodigy. 2013 US National Rubik's Cube Champion. Algorithmic trader.

Mar 29, 202001:19:57
Episode #012- Sarah Mack: A Conversation with My Sister

Episode #012- Sarah Mack: A Conversation with My Sister

Our host Bobby Mack's sister, Sarah.

Mar 24, 202001:10:16
Episode #011- Will Fullwood: "Black Lives Matter and Police Brutality"

Episode #011- Will Fullwood: "Black Lives Matter and Police Brutality"

Will is a lawyer and teacher at Wake Tech. Will, Katelyn and Bobby discuss education, as well as the problem of racism in America, and potential solutions.

Mar 17, 202001:36:15
Episode #010- Vicki Tompkins: To Serve and Protect

Episode #010- Vicki Tompkins: To Serve and Protect

Vicki is a veteran of the US Navy and New York Police Department. She was head of the Hate Crimes Division and was a dedicated worker at Ground Zero post-9/11. 

Mar 08, 202001:36:14
Episode #009- Tim Burkhardt: "Epicureanism and the Wrongness of Killing"

Episode #009- Tim Burkhardt: "Epicureanism and the Wrongness of Killing"

Tim is a Duke Philosophy Ph.D Student. He is currently writing his dissertation on "Epicureanism and the Wrongness of Killing." He argues that killing may still be morally wrong, even if death may not be bad for you.

Feb 27, 202001:43:28
Episode #008- Carson Claud- Christian Apologetics

Episode #008- Carson Claud- Christian Apologetics

Carson is a Christian evangelist studying Christian Apologetics.

Feb 21, 202001:14:10
Episode #007- Matthew Brulhardt

Episode #007- Matthew Brulhardt

Statistician. Mathematician. Data scientist.

Feb 14, 202001:10:22
Episode #006- Joseph Nelson: "Hedonism"

Episode #006- Joseph Nelson: "Hedonism"

Duke Philosophy Ph.D student. Hedonist utilitarian.

Feb 08, 202001:15:23
Episode #005- Thomas Sheedy: "The Death of the Atheist Movement"

Episode #005- Thomas Sheedy: "The Death of the Atheist Movement"

Former President of Long Island Atheists, and political activist.

Feb 01, 202001:16:41
Episode #004- Solomon Gibson: "How to Be A Successful Parent"

Episode #004- Solomon Gibson: "How to Be A Successful Parent"

Solomon is an actor, public speaker, daycare worker, and parent.

Jan 25, 202001:18:00
Episode #003- Isik Cotten: "What is the Baha'i Faith?"

Episode #003- Isik Cotten: "What is the Baha'i Faith?"

Isik is a Turkish-American Baha'i and community organizer who uses the principles of her faith to foster worldwide unity.

Jan 18, 202001:06:42
Episode #002- Lenny Weismeyer (Biography Episode)

Episode #002- Lenny Weismeyer (Biography Episode)

Jan 17, 202001:43:35
Episode #001- Katelyn Bryant: A Modern Day Socrates

Episode #001- Katelyn Bryant: A Modern Day Socrates

Katelyn Bryant is a biomedical engineer and true-to-life philosopher.

Jan 15, 202001:04:21