Keep Talking

Avi Loeb is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist at Harvard University. During our conversation, Avi talks about his interest in science, humanity's search for truth, his view that the interstellar object 'Oumuamua is an alien spacecraft, his book "Extraterrestrial," and The Galileo Project, which he leads, which will embark on the "Scientific Search for Evidence of Extraterrestrial Technological Artifacts."------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:05) Meet Avi Loeb(02:28) Avi shares his background and upbringing(07:21) Avi shares the intentions behind his book, "Extraterrestrial"(08:42) Avi shares his understanding of science and philosophy, explaining the difference between the two(14:15) Avi shares his personal development story and how he cultivated a curiosity for the facts and evidence behind explanations(21:41) Avi shares how he used to question spiritual beliefs growing up and how it made him stand out from other people(23:54) Avi’s views on human life considering his current worldview(31:07) Avi’s ideas on evolution and the meaning of life(41:38) Avi shares his most high-profile work to date(51:13) Avi discusses the importance of holding onto evidence and offering a valid justification for your work(59:54) Avi shares his goals and aspirations behind sourcing funds for his future projects(01:09:39) Avi explains Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and how it's different from Unidentified Flying Objects, or UFOs.(01:27:11) Avi shares references to the most respectable people he’s come across in his life(01:39:23) Advice for people enthusiastic about approaching the world in a more realistic and accurate way

Bruce Poulter is an MDMA therapist, trainer, and clinical supervisor. During our conversation, Bruce talks about his interest in MDMA as a therapy, his years as a practitioner, the experience of such therapy for patients, its efficacy in helping people work through trauma, and the MAPS clinical trials that aim to legalize MDMA therapy in the U.S. by 2023.------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:00) Intro(02:39) Bruce explains where his interest in MDMA stemmed from(06:51) What does it mean to have PTSD?(09:40) Symptoms of PTSD and the clinician-administered PTSD scale(14:36) What is it that makes the life of an individual with PTSD difficult? What are the triggers they experience?(16:32) Bruce explains how they identify someone with PTSD(18:15) Why is PTSD said to be a defense mechanism for what has happened to people?(23:08) Bruce’s dedication towards helping people with this medicine in a therapy setting(31:30) Bruce explains his wife’s battle with PTSD, and what he noticed in her personality, disposition, and mentality as a result of her going through MDMA therapeutic sittings(37:55) What is MDMA? How does it function?(40:43) The dosage amount, duration, setting, and other parameters that decide the usage of MDMA for PTSD(45:29) An outline of an MDMA treatment session(01:04:15) What does a person experience during the 8-hour period of treatment(01:09:21) Different phases of the MDMA drug trial(01:15:52) MDMA is not for everyone - Bruce explains why coercing should not be an option(01:26:08) What is the future of MDMA?(01:33:31) How is MAPS getting involved in the conversation concerning PTSD treatment?(01:40:32) Misconceptions, facts, and anecdotes that could benefit those listening

Stephen Fried is an author and investigative journalist. During our conversation, Stephen talks about his life and work in Philadelphia, and his most recent book "Rush: Revolution, Madness, and Benjamin Rush, the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father." "Rush" details the life of one of America's most important early citizens: an abolitionist, the uniter of the acrimonious relationship of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and the founder of American psychiatry.------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:00) Intro(00:49) Stephen shares where his initial interest and talent in nonfiction history comes from(13:35) How Stephen spent years of his life researching and writing books(18:35) About Stephen’s first book, "Thing of Beauty: The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia"(39:25) Stephen explains how he learned about Benjamin Rush(56:39) Stephen notes that Benjamin Rush was somebody who was well ahead of his time. He explains his understanding of Rush and how he was able to create a new perspective on people who had mental illnesses and addiction(01:15:00) Stephen explains why bleeding someone who’s psychotic is the craziest thing in the world(01:27:34) Stephen’s advice for people learning about Patrick Kennedy’s story(01:37:30) Stephen shares his thoughts on modernity(01:45:06) What Stephen thinks is the best thing we as a country could implement to ease some suffering and improve the mental health crisis

Dan Barker is a former evangelical Christian preacher, current co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and co-founder of The Clergy Project. During our conversation, Dan talks about his two decades as a public Christian figure, what caused him to leave his religion, the purpose of FFRF, how the perspective of atheists and agnostics can be more beautiful and meaningful than the religious outlook, and The Clergy Project, an organization that provides assistance and support to active members of the clergy who have lost their faith.------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:17) Dan talks about the circumstances that led him to become a believer and an evangelical Christian preacher(06:20) Dan’s Christian musical background(13:06) On beliefs and religion(22:45) Understanding Christianity and evolution more deeply(27:48) About the Adam and Eve story(30:15) Dan speaks further about the evolution of his beliefs(38:17) What was the intention behind the creation of the Freedom From Religion Foundation?(47:03) Dan talks about the different services that The Clergy Project offers(48:37) What are the resources available to members of the clergy who no longer believe?(53:50) How Dan faced the truth of his beliefs(01:03:10) Dan’s beliefs about religion in America today(01:10:14) The most persuasive observations and arguments from members of The Clergy Project that changed that caused a perspective shift in people

Nancy Segal is a behavioral geneticist, evolutionary psychologist, and one of the nation's preeminent experts on twin studies. During our conversation, Nancy talks about what we can learn from identical twin studies, the role of genes in human nature, and her forthcoming book, "Deliberately Divided: Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart."------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:59) Nancy shares her background and what got her interested in twin studies(02:04) The state of research around twins when Nancy started her career(03:40) Nancy’s initial intuition about fraternal twins and identical twins and what that looked like once the research was actually fleshed out(06:04) About identical twins, how they're created, and their biological similarities(07:51) The story of two pairs of identical Columbian twins who were raised as two pairs of fraternal twins(13:48) The University of Virginia’s study on identical and fraternal twins(17:43) The role of epigenetics in the development of any human being(21:12) A peek into Nancy’s upcoming book, Deliberately Divided: Inside the Controversial Study of Twins and Triplets Adopted Apart(26:01) Nancy talks about the Louis Wise Agency(34:23) What is the moral and reasonable way to try to raise the next generation of kids?(41:20) Misunderstandings or corrections that Nancy clarifies about twins through her research and expertise(43:26) The most interesting information Nancy has received about her discipline, both research-based and anecdote-based(50:03) Do our genes predispose us in a particular direction when making decisions(56:25) Nancy talks about virtual twins, their traits, and about Canadian photographer, Francois Brunelle who has taken pictures of look-alikes (not biological twins(59:03) Questions on twins beyond the realm of scientific inquiry(01:07:42) What are the pushbacks to academic research on twin studies? What can we, as citizens, do to help protect researchers?

Daryl Davis is an African-American musician, author, and activist. Throughout his life, he has engaged with and befriended members of the Ku Klux Klan, leading dozens of former white supremacists to leave the organization. During our conversation, Daryl talks about his upbringing, how he began meeting KKK members, and race in America.------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:16) Daryl’s background and moving to the U.S.(06:04) Daryl’s first racist encounter(12:36) The incidents that led Daryl to dig deeper into understanding racism(21:36) Meeting Matt Cole the second time(27:07) How Matt Cole got more and more people into the American Nazi Party(32:52) Daryl’s first encounter with a KKK member(42:13) Daryl’s second encounter with a KKK member who had for the first time spoken to a person of color(48:46) Daryl’s decision to interview Roger Kelly(59:28) A journey to meet the “Grand Dragon,” Roger Kelly(01:21:11) Why ignorance breeds hate(01:34:43) Dan and Daryl discuss a scene from a documentary about Daryl's life, Accidental Courtesy(01:41:57) Daryl’s closing advice for the listeners(01:49:16) Daryl and Dan talk about the state of our society today and how it has evolved over the years

H.W. Brands is a professor at UT-Austin, a historian, an author of more than 30 books, and a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. During our conversation, H.W. talks about his book "Dreams of El Dorado," which details the exploration and settlement of the American West.------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:19) Brands explains the context of his book Dreams of El Dorado(03:18) What inspired Brands to write about the history of the American West(07:37) The general public impression about the Louisiana purchase back in 1803(13:55) Description of the Great Plains in the Lewis and Clark journal(17:00) The beginning of the Oregon Trail and the overall objective of the people who traveled to the West(22:25) The challenges in heading to the Oregon territory - get there in one piece, find a plot of ground to farm, find better health, and the best-case scenario(26:15) Why is Texas key to Brands’ life and his writings?(35:22) What changed HW Brands’ perception of the country as he learned its history(40:10) Brands’ thoughts on penning another book on the history of Western America

Jonathan Zimmeramn is a Professor of History of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. During our conversation, Jonathan talks about his time in the peace corps in Nepal, the history of free speech jurisprudence in America, current attacks on freedom of speech in academia, and his new book, Free Speech: And Why You Should Give a Damn.------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:51) Where does Jonathan’s interest in history stem from?(03:25) What did Jonathan learn about US history that resonates with him to this day(12:36) Learnings from Clifford Geertz’s essay on anti-relativism.(15:20) About Jonathan’s book, Innocents Abroad.(22:34) Jonathan talks about the difference between the word judgment and discernment.(24:58) How did Jonathan’s Nepal life influence his personal life?(31:04) Jonathan’s ideas on communities.(42:29) Jonathan discusses the book, Passing on the Right: Conservative Professors in the Progressive University by Jon A. Shields and Joshua M. Dunn Sr.(57:14) About Jonathan’s new book Free Speech: And Why You Should Give a Damn and what he strives to achieve with it.(01:07:11) What has caused the present panic or disregard for freedom of speech(01:09:03) Talking about micro-aggressions.

Jeremi Suri is the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at UT-Austin. During our conversation, Jeremi talks about his interest in history, the lessons of the Cold War, and how history can be used to create a more dynamic, interconnected, and healthy society.------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:50) How Jeremy developed an interest in his current area of study and what he spends a lot of his time doing.(04:46) Jeremy’s ideas on what happened in the Soviet Union that led to its collapse(12:29) The Chernobyl explosion of 1986.(13:17) Jeremy shares what brought him to his current place in life and in academia(23:40) How can we help to break some of the unease happening around in the country?(31:15) Why do we say that empathy is the most important characteristic that we all need to nurture in ourselves?(36:34) What are some things people can do to stand as a bulwark against the tide of tribalism and bifurcation?

Anthony Charles Graves is an exonerated death row inmate. In his 20's, he was arrested, charged with, and wrongfully convicted of the murder of a family of six in Somerville, Texas. During our conversation, Anthony talks about how he was convicted without a motive or physical evidence, the prosecutor's reliance on eyewitness testimony, his 18 years in prison, his twice being scheduled for lethal injection, the events that led to his eventual release, and his forthcoming podcast, "Infinite Hope," which will share the stories of other wrongfully convicted citizens.------------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 Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:15) Anthony talks about his life before his wrongful conviction.(04:11) The horrific crime that Anthony was later wrongfully convicted for.(05:59) How and why Anthony was dragged into the case.(10:35) Anthony recounts the day he was charged for the murders.(13:38) The role of racism.(17:14) Convicted before the hearing and what happened in the court.(18:50) The defense at the trial.(20:40) The evidence presented to convict Anthony.(22:01) Robert Carter’s relationship with Anthony.(23:08) The reason why Robert Carter testified against Anthony.(26:42) The conviction of Anthony and the role of the prosecutor.(34:06) How people began to know about his case and believe that he was innocent(39:04) The times Anthony was about to be executed and how he was saved(40:15) Life as a murder convict.(43:04) How Anthony kept from reaching a mental health breaking point.(44:22) The role of Pamela Colloff and Nicole B. Casarez in saving Anthony’s life(55:58) The article that triggered the special prosecutor to recommend that Anthony’s charges be dismissed.(56:52) The day Anthony was released from prison.(01:04:43) Anthony’s initiatives in helping innocent people get justice.(01:15:07) Sensationalism and the role of the media in cases of injustice.