Breaking the Surface

In this episode the group discusses the continued degrading of mental health, particularly in our youth. We cite data and our anecdotal evidence of having witnessed this downturn in real time.  

In a monumental move, Elon Musk has purchased twitter. He says it is ensure freedom of speech. The group reacts to this notion in the latest episode. 

Three proud chicken owners gather to discuss the philosophical reasoning for raising these wonderful birds. They ponder whether a fast paced society is encouraging the adoption of old world activities and share the deep impact nature has on their wellbeing. 

The "slap heard round the world" between Will Smith and Chris Rock led the group to discuss if/when physical responses to injustice are appropriate. 

In today's episode the group discusses their current entertainment intake. Including, The Batman, Jack Reacher, old episodes of Survivor, and even a couple of current reads. 

Much continues to happen in Ukraine amidst the Russian Invasion. The entire group gathers together to discuss the latest. 

In this episode Beth and Anthony discuss the continued conflict between Ukraine and Russia. 

In this episode the crew sits down to discuss the critiques of Joe Rogan, free speech, and the move to ban certain books and curriculums from schools. 

Beth is back from sunny California to discuss with Taylor and Anthony some of the happenings of early 2022. 

Anthony and Taylor sit down to discuss a recent article from The Atlantic, "Conservatives and Liberals Are Wrong About Each Other." 

Anthony goes DEEP into the history of Christmas and sets up the group for a discussion about "the war on Christmas." 

In this episode the group is back in person! We discuss the Rittenhouse and Arbery Trial decisions. Including, the topic of legality vs morality. 

Breakthrough cases have been steadily increasing the last few weeks. These cases have also impacted members of BTS Podcast. In this episode we discuss our experiences with breakthrough cases and our outlook as boosters become available. Lastly, we touch on the Aaron Rogers situation in Green Bay. 

On the heels of a HUGE Michigan State vs Michigan football game, the crew discusses sports. Wondering why we value them so much as a culture and the role competition plays as humans. 

Listen in as the group reacts to the latest Dave Chappelle special, the Closer. 

In this episode each member of the group shares what they've been watching recently and the lessons that our entertainment consumption has taught us. 

Mandates continue to roll in during this fall season regarding C-19. The group responds and reacts to these mandates.

In light of the latest IPCC Report, Hurricanes, and Flooding, the group discusses Climate Change.

In this episode the group discusses the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Particularly, looking at the ethical implications of occupying other parts of the world.  

In this episode we discuss how to approach "bad faith arguments." The public discourse is full of bad actors and arguments made in poor faith. What type of interaction do these people deserve? How do we engage with those that seem to lack a desire for truth or use malice as a driving force? And what do we need to keep in mind in order to avoid becoming someone that argues in bad faith? 

In this episode the group revisits old discussions. They provide updates to the news stories and additional thoughts since the original recordings. From everything to the latest with Britney Spears to the unearthing of Native American children's graves. 

We are smack dab in the middle of Juneteenth becoming federally recognized as a holiday and the upcoming 4th of July celebrations. It left us to explore the idea of Freedom and how each American might experience it differently. The history of Freedom in this country varies for many. We discuss how it might serve others best to realize this. We ask how we can seek to understand the realities of others versus putting hurdles in front of them. A link to the "Living in the Margins" article is found below.

In this episode, Beth, Anthony, and Taylor discuss education. COVID drastically impacted education, and even shed light on cracks in the system. How did students, teachers, and parents fare through COVID? And what are some ways we can take what we learned into our increasingly normalized learning environments?

Concerts, ball games, movies, and live events were all impacted by COVID. In this episode the group shares their reaction to entertainment in COVID times and how they plan to appreciate entertainment and art in a a landscape that has been altered by an inability to gather in groups. They also touch on the importance of community and the need for in person contact moving forward. 

In this episode the crew opens a giant can of worms. They each share their views on America's gun culture, discuss why gun owners seem to be so eager to shut down any conversation about gun control, look at the "good guy with a gun theory," and much more.

In this episode, Beth, Anthony, and Taylor sit down to discuss the current Supreme Court case regarding NCAA Student Athletes and their ability to profit off their talents while in school. Should schools be required to pay their student athletes? What about being able to profit off of their own likeness? We cover all of that and much more. 

Michigan is opening eligibility for the COVID vaccine to anyone over the age of 16. In this episode the crew sits down to share some of the research that has informed their decision to get the vaccine. From there they discuss existing in a society that includes vaccinated and unvaccinated people.  

In this episode, Beth, Anthony, and Taylor discuss the recent "Framing Britney" documentary. They discuss the media and public's approach to women in the entertainment industry, particularly, when they are struggling. The conversation then moves towards the complexities of why the way we respond to stories like Britneys says a lot about us as individuals.

"Breaking the Surface" is a proud member of the "Boardman Review Podcast Collective." To learn more about the collective as well as other projects, follow the links below.

On this episode, Beth, Anthony, and Taylor discuss the "State of the Union." They share their views regarding how things have been going since the change in presidency, why things seem more "more quiet," and the difficulty that the US has in recognizing aspects of its history.   

"Breaking the Surface" is a proud member of the "Boardman Review Podcast Collective." To learn more about the collective as well as other projects, follow the links below.