Keep Talking

Konstantin Kisin is a stand-up comedian, the co-host of the YouTube show and podcast "TRIGGERnometry," and is the author of the forthcoming book, "An Immigrant's Love Letter to the West."During our conversation, Konstantin talks about the experience, terror, and totalitarianism of Soviet communism, his upbringing in and the lived experience of the collapse of the Soviet Union, differences in values between the West and other civilizational powers, the role of comedy in a free society, the importance and clarity of Martin Luther King's dream that individuals be "judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character," freedom of speech, and the corrosive threat of polarization, political correctness, identity politics, and equality of outcome movements to Western civilization.Konstantin is one of the most eloquent and informed public voices about the state of modern Russia, the war in Ukraine, and the importance of upholding Western values. His appreciation for Western values is evident, and his story might help us all be a bit more grateful, mindful, informed about, and protective of the sacred freedoms and opportunities that have been bestowed upon us by past generations.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:50) Journey from the Soviet Union to the West(09:57) What about the Soviet experiment matters to a modern audience?(15:45) What was the Soviet experiment about?(21:08) The 1990's Russian experience of democracy(31:45) Vladimir Putin’s rise to power in Russia(36:54) The importance of Western beliefs, ideas, and values(48:45) MLK's ethical, cultural north star - and a quote on truth(53:53) The threat of polarization - and Western beliefs on liberty vs. other civilizations(01:06:41) The primary threats to America and the West are internal(01:13:40) Mark Normand's "new N-word" and the role of comedy in a free society(01:20:52) Hope for the future

Jeffrey Guss is a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist, a researcher, and was the Co-principal Investigator and Director of Psychedelic Therapy Training for psilocybin trials at the NYU School of Medicine. During our conversation, Jeff talks about his interest in psychedelics, its use for treating cancer-stricken patients with existential despair and those with addictions such as alcoholism, anecdotes from those studies, its potential for helping those with mental illness, Michael Pollan's book "How to Change Your Mind," and psychedelics' proper place in our society.Jeffrey's work and those like him are beginning to lend scientific credibility to the promise of psychedelic medicine. I think this is one of the world's most fascinating subjects, and gives real hope to those who are suffering or simply want to live in a more wholesome, honest, and kind world.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:50) Developing an interest in psychiatry(09:08) Learning about the healing properties of psychedelics(23:44) Quotes and ideas from the book "How to Change Your Mind"(30:14) A story of a psychedelic, spiritual transformation(47:55) Rumination and psychedelic's possibility to treat addiction(50:22) An analogy of x-ray technology and psychedelics(01:03:28) Psychedelic's effect on the brain and the mind(01:12:30) The proper role of psychedelics in a sane and healthy society

Jon Birger is a journalist and is the author of "Date-onomics: How Dating Became a Lopsided Numbers Game." During our conversation, Jon talks about the demographic data regarding college-educated men and women in America, how sex ratio differences in colleges and cities influence dating and mating behavior, the effect of #MeToo on modern romance, dating apps, assortative mating, evolution's effect on human mate preferences, and how the significant sex ratio difference in China seems to have led to an increase in criminality.There are millions more young, college-educated women than men in the United States. The educational and career success of women in America is a triumph of our society. Yet, inevitably, many such women will have difficulty finding a partner at their achievement level. This is a largely unforeseen modern phenomena, and one that I think should be taken seriously.Jon and I have some clear disagreements on subjects we discuss - including a disagreement about the precariousness of the situation and its likely outcome. Regardless, his book is crucial in understanding the reality of the situation. And in his new book, "Make Your Move," he makes suggestions that single people, especially women, may want to know about, and to keep in mind.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:24) Developing an interest in modern dating(04:57) College-educated sex ratios in America and its effect on dating(08:21) The effect of China's massive sex ratio imbalance(14:23) Sex ratio-driven increase in criminality in China(17:39) What is meant by assortative mating?(21:48) The evolution of dating culture in recent American history(25:49) The effect of the #MeToo movement on dating(31:55) Hypergamy and modern dating(42:33) Testosterone levels and cultural dating tendencies(44:17) The fluctuation of testosterone levels in men and women(47:12) The dating difficulties of accomplished, educated women(49:59) Ideas for women and men to navigate modern dating(56:01) Female assertiveness in modern dating(59:13) Additional dating strategies for college graduates(01:03:18) Modern-day workplace dating(01:08:09) The state of men today(01:18:34) Opening avenues for "mixed collar" dating(01:21:53) The future of dating

Jonathan Rauch is a journalist, an essayist for "The Atlantic" magazine, and the author of "The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth." During our conversation, Jon talks about what "The Constitution of Knowledge" is and how its norms and practices are the backbone of how our civilization attempts to ascertain the truth and how this innovation in civil discourse has led to an unprecedented rise in peace, freedom, and knowledge.He talks about the two modern threats to that foundation - from both the left and the right - from "cancel culture" and "troll culture." Cancel culture, found throughout history, is a coercive and intimidation method to shut down speech, often deteriorating into a spiral of silence, providing a false sense of uniform belief. He also talks about "troll culture," and how disinformation is, at its root, aimed to confuse the populace, with a demagogue or a strongman leader waiting to step into the vacuum to provide the "truth" people so desperately desire.These dual threats are overt attacks to the center, to the mainstream - what Jon calls the "reality-based community." They're direct assaults on the collective immune system of the nation, and they brilliantly play on our deep-seated, evolutionary tribal biases. Jonathan offers insight into how to accurately assess our unsettling times, and how we might upgrade our own individual software, to help to inoculate ourselves and our society.On a personal note: I think Jonathan's book is one of the best, and most important that I have come across in years. He is a master diagnostician, and his clarity of observation is brilliant, deeply-needed, and timely.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(03:10) Why Jon wrote "The Constitution of Knowledge"(05:47) How do we know what we know?(07:33) What is epistemology?(08:10) What is The Constitution of Knowledge?(15:53) What The Constitution of Knowledge has brought to the world(22:55) The modern threats to free speech in America(27:23) What is cancel culture and the "spiral of silence"?(33:30) The importance of social courtesy and free speech(39:18) What is troll culture?(48:40) How can citizens protect against future disinformation?(58:04) Braver Angels’ work to depolarize America(01:02:28) Evidence to combat "The Big Lie," Trump's claim that he won in 2020(01:10:35) Reasons for hope

Richard Rhodes is a historian, a journalist, and is the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Making of the Atomic Bomb." During our conversation, Richard talks about the technology and the people that led to the creation of the atomic bomb, the threat of nuclear war in modern times, nuclear winter, how nuclear weapons are influencing the war in Ukraine, and how we might mitigate the risk of a nuclear exchange.Richard also talks about his book "Scientist: E. O. Wilson: A Life in Nature." He details Ed Wilson's role in the history and science of evolution, sociobiology and the application of the evolutionary lens on human nature, the role of genes in human behavior, and his role in environmentalism and conservation.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:19) Developing an interest in writing non-fiction books(06:02) Shifting focus from fiction to non-fiction work(10:30) What about The Making of the Atomic Bomb was new and revelatory?(15:27) What from The Making of the Atomic Bomb is still not widely understood(21:21) The Manhattan Project and atomic technology(29:29) Nuclear winter - can we continue to prevent nuclear war?(36:50) Getting interested in E.O. Wilson(43:28) Ed Wilson: his upbringing, discoveries, and achievements(52:28) Sociobiology and Ed's dangerous ideas(01:06:12) The attempt to cancel Ed Wilson(01:12:12) Quotes from Ed Wilson and his place in the history of science(01:17:23) How a difficult childhood shaped Ed Wilson(01:23:02) Ed's enduring importance to the world, to science, to humanity(01:28:48) Finding meaning and spirituality in life

Joseph Goldstein is an author, the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and is one of the most influential and important figures in bringing vipassana meditation practices into the American mainstream.During our conversation, Joseph talks about his journey from Columbia University to the Peace Corps in Thailand to his early meditation training in India, what mindfulness is and how it can help people come to know their own minds, why meditation is a practice that can decrease human suffering, the key observations and insights of the Buddha and the Noble Eightfold Path, and how and why one might begin to practice meditation.It is impossible to talk to Joseph and not be struck by his decency, his openness, his presentness, and his sense of humor. He has committed his life to mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation, and has attempted to share what he knows and has learned with his students and the general public.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:14) Developing interest in Buddhism and meditation(07:08) Reason for interest in Buddhism and meditation(11:28) Immersing in the study of the mind(15:10) The Buddha’s teachings(20:57) Joseph's psychological state when first exposed to Buddhism and meditation(23:30) The daily habits, discipline, and rituals to try to achieve Enlightenment(29:37) Deciding to devote his life to meditation(32:18) Communicating to his mother his desire to devote his life to Buddhism(35:24) Metaphysical views pre and post meditation(40:15) Buddhism is non-theistic(42:43) What is the Dharma?(47:12) Integrating Buddhist teachings with practice and The Noble Eightfold Path(56:06) The first step to use mindfulness to ease psychological suffering(01:03:49) Awareness versus the weather pattern of one's mind(01:06:59) Using mindfulness to respond, rather than to react(01:18:06) Dealing with grief(01:27:19) How can we improve our lives by being mindful?

Helen Fisher is an anthropologist, a professor, an author, and one of the world's experts on the science of love. During our conversation, Helen talks about her background interest in love, the role that love plays in human existence, the evolutionary purpose of love, the possibility of love to endure for many years, how the subconscious influences who we fall in love with, how to know if you aren't in love, and wisdom she would provide to improve one's probability for healthy romance and a compatible mate choice.As Helen notes during our interview, 97% of mammals don't pair bond. Human's drive to love and be loved is one of the sweeter aspects of our animal natures. She has spent her career trying to understand what love is and how we can better understand it. And just two years ago - in her mid-70's - Helen married for the first time since her 20's.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Intro(00:09) Interest in studying the subject of love(04:39) Trailblazing the academic study of love(05:43) What is love?(10:22) Love and love decisions are life's most important choices(12:07) Understanding "love maps" and the unconscious as it relates to love(21:36) Millennials and "slow love"(27:17) When are you not in love? When is it time to end a relationship?(37:19) Identifying great compatibility matches(41:14) Mitigating the risks of neuroticism from torpedoing a relationship(47:51) Attachment styles and compatibility(54:07) Identifying the root cause of depression(56:07) Ending a relationship when indifference is present(01:07:21) Designing a lifestyle that makes you a better and authentic partner(01:10:48) The role of marriage in human life(01:14:51) Helen getting married in her mid-70's

Daniel Schacter is a professor of psychology at Harvard University who specializes in memory and amnesia. During our conversation, Daniel talks about the evolutionary purpose of human memory, the biological basis of memory, the movie "Memento," the correlation between memory and intelligence, how fMRI technology can help detect false memories, what can be done to improve memory, and he explains the difference between "The Seven Sins of Memory": transience, absent-mindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence.Our memories play a crucial role in the stories we tell ourselves about who we are. Daniel has spent a career applying reason to the subject of human memory, and his work helps us better understand who we are and what is true.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:06) The path to researching the cognitive neuroscience of memory(07:55) The general consensus about memory during the 1970s and 1980s(12:14) Why memory exists: to preserve experiences, think and reflect, and learn(14:45) Understanding explicit and implicit memory with the example of a patient with Hippocampus damage(18:12) What is episodic memory?(23:49) The movie Memento - anterograde amnesia(29:50) The correlation between memory and intelligence(38:44) The seven sins of memory: transience, absent-mindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, persistence.(01:05:55) The link between rumination and persistence(01:13:02) Realizing your memory problems to make better decisions(01:19:41) Using technology to preserve your past meaningfully(01:20:24) What the future holds for memory research

Sarah Haider is an activist, an immigrant, an essayist, and the co-founder of Ex-Muslims Of North America. During our conversation, Sarah talks about her journey to the U.S. from Pakistan, Western values, the Salman Rushdie fatwa, Charlie Hebdo, freedom of speech in the Muslim world, the life and example of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the safety of Muslims who leave their religion, feminism and Islam, and the lack of legal equality for women in many Muslim countries.Sarah is committed to providing space and a community to former Muslims who have decided to leave their religion - many of whom fear for their safety and have nowhere else to turn. I admire her commitment to her own conscience, in deciding to go her own way, in creating her organization, in honoring, recognizing, and appreciating her own freedom, and in openly telling the truth - including criticizing Islam - despite its risks.She is a living testament to why our civilization matters, to the rights it bestows to all citizens, to the progress we have made, and to the hope America represents to the oppressed around the world. She is a reminder of our sacred inheritance.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:32) Life in Karachi, Pakistan(05:25) Life in Pakistan vs. America(08:41) The path to atheism(14:53) Breaking out of the belief in God(18:50) Belief in God before becoming an atheist(25:00) The history and foundation of Islam(29:08) What is meant by apostasy?(38:28) Taboos and censorship as a means to protect weak arguments(39:01) The decision to become an activist(43:51) Stories of people inflicting violence against those critical of Islam(49:21) The resistance to changing Islamic beliefs(59:15) Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and aggression toward women in Muslim societies(01:05:54) Empowering Muslim females to fight for their rights

Ian O'Connor is a journalist, a sports columnist for "The New York Post," and the author of the new book, "Coach K: The Rise and Reign of Mike Krzyzewski."During our conversation, Ian talks about Coach K's early life and career, the lesser-known, darker aspects of his personality, the juxtaposition of his love and loyalty towards his players with the fear he engenders and the rage he could exhibit, his relationship with Bobby Knight, his marriage to his wife Mickie, the love and respect Coach K has from his former players, the importance of relationships in his life, his daily habits, and whether Coach K is the greatest basketball coach of all-time.Coach K has had a profound influence on my life. I read books about him in middle school, and his message of excellence and hard work resonated with me at an early age. I was obsessed with going to Duke, and as a student in Durham, in close proximity to his program, I was exposed both to his many admirable qualities and the fundamental humanness and flaws of an amazingly successful head coach. Ian perhaps put it best: while Coach K is not a nice guy, he is a good man.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow "Keep Talking" on social media and access all episodes------------(00:00) Introduction(02:22) What fascinates Ian about Coach K(04:54) Signs of Coach K's leadership from an early age(07:25) Mike's courtship of Mickie and her role(09:41) Coach K surviving as head coach despite a poor start at Duke(12:24) Early recruiting struggles and successes at Duke(14:41) The keys to the rise of Coach K: excellent communication, motivation, and relationship skills(17:59) The softer side of Coach K: his public open-heartedness and emotionality(21:27) The darker aspects of Coach K’s personality(27:32) Competitive rage and the how being a not-so-nice guy was instrumental to his success(32:38) The effect of a working class upbringing and environment(35:45) Fear as a component of success38:59) The integral role of Bobby Knight and what caused their relationship to rupture(44:02) Bobby Knight couldn’t accept Coach K outshining him(46:04) How Coach K has prioritized personal and professional relationships(49:43) Coach K’s impact on his players and the people he has helped(51:41) Coach K’s habits and work routine(55:26) Lessons to imbibe from Coach K’s life: exceptional work ethic, attention to detail, vulnerability, and public open-heartedness(59:45) Is Coach K the best coach in the history of college basketball?