Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)

Werner Herzog, legendary filmmaker and author of The Future of Truth, reflects on his lifelong search for ecstatic truth. He contrasts storytelling with factual cinema. He discusses artifice revealing deeper meaning, risks of digital deception, Mars exploration skepticism, opera’s emotional power, and ethical stakes when fabricating scenes. Short, vivid, provocative conversation.

Robert Harrison, cultural critic and author of The Dominion of the Dead, reflects on mortality, communal memory, and how technology reshapes human life. He explores death as a source of meaning and institutions, worries that screens and AI erode interiority and discourse, and urges simplification, humility, and hope in natality and poetry.

Ato Quayson, Stanford professor of English and interdisciplinary studies and author of Tragedy and Postcolonial Literature, discusses how tragedy intersects with postcolonial experiences. He traces Saro-Wiwa's hanging, distinguishes tragedy from catastrophe, explores boredom, waiting, and social atomization, and reads modern texts from Achebe to Tyler Perry through tragic form.

Miles Osgood, communications manager at the Ho Center for Buddhist Studies and longtime Stanford instructor who teaches Ulysses and modern literature. He traces Odysseus from Homer to modernists, explores the Sirens and storytelling, probes Joyce’s mapping of Homer onto Dublin, and surveys Walcott and Gluck’s reworkings of Penelope and journey motifs.

In this show Robert Harrison and Adrienne Corn discuss the biology, psychology, and sociology of aging. Adrienne Corn earned a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in Leadership, Policy and Organizational Behavior. She is the founder of HumanTalented, a software and services company located in Nashville. Songs in this episode: “From the Beginning” by Emerson, Lake & […]

Mark Gonnerman, a Religious studies scholar with a Ph.D. from Stanford, dives into the life and philosophy of William James. He highlights James's journey from medicine to psychology and his declaration of personal freedom. Gonnerman discusses James's ideas on pragmatism, the will to believe, and individuality in religion. They explore James's notion of an 'open universe' and his critique of reductionism, emphasizing the importance of mental states in spiritual experience. This conversation provides a fresh perspective on James's legacy in modern thought.

In this engaging discussion, Abby Walthausen, host of A Lovely Wallpaper, invites Robert Harrison, a literary scholar and radio host, to explore the winter solstice's significance. They delve into how darkness serves as a transformative space, where life gestates and renews. Robert shares fascinating insights on cyanobacteria’s role in Earth's atmosphere and reflects on the eerie feeling of live radio. The conversation culminates with personal reflections on memorizing poignant poetry, including works by Rilke and Donne, linking themes of exile, grief, and beauty.

Join Robert Harrison as he chats with Crystal Cassidy, meditation master and founder of SoulPod, who blends neuroscience and contemplative practices. They delve into the essence of meditation, likening it to an aperture that can expand awareness. Crystal covers focused versus unfocused practices and the role of the ego in self-construction. She discusses the transformation meditation offers beyond mere stress relief and emphasizes the importance of personalized approaches. Expect insights on the science of meditation's effects on the brain and the intricate connection between breathwork and nervous system regulation.

Join Christy Wampole, a Princeton professor and cultural critic, as she delves into the zeitgeist, exploring the spirit of our times. She connects 19th-century spirit photography to Enlightenment thought and discusses how the term's meaning has evolved since the French Revolution. Wampole also outlines her book's structure, touching on the intersections of time, technology, and community. Meanwhile, Robert Harrison offers insights into how the Earth's atmosphere fosters a sense of spirit, emphasizing the importance of breath and poetic reflection in our lives.

In this engaging conversation, Christy Wampole, a Princeton professor and former producer, celebrates two decades of insightful dialogue alongside host Robert Harrison. They explore the show's origins, its unique title pun, and the spiritual power of radio. Robert shares tales of his musical awakening and the compelling voice that binds listeners. Delving into the art of conversation, he emphasizes thoughtful engagement over mere interviews. The duo also reflects on the show's avoidance of fleeting political topics, opting instead for timeless intellectual nourishment.