Serious Inquiries Only

We had like, a mini war over Iran's nuclear situation and it is barely even a memory in today's news cycle. But what happened there? Did Iran have nuclear weapons? What does it take for them to make some? Was Obama's Iran Nuclear Deal good? And what happened after it was no longer in place? What might happen now? Joining is Evan McDonell, a former nuclear engineer with the US Naval nuclear program to give us the breakdown!

... what? Yep that's right. They say there is no college affordability crisis. And I guess then, presumably no student debt crisis as well? You can read for yourself here, and/or you can sit back and let Dr. Jenessa Seymore break down why this article is so... incorrect.

Part 2: The Data Dr. Jenessa Seymour continues her breakdown of the supposed voting discrepancies that a New York organization has "discovered". Her expertise in statistics gets the spotlight in this episode! Be sure to check out the graphs! Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here! This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.

Part 1: The Legal Stuff Dr. Jenessa Seymour is here to break down something that even our moms are spreading on social media: a group in New York claims to have uncovered discrepancies in the vote count for the 2024 election, and they're suing over it! Dr. Seymour hits ALL of the expert boxes for this one - statistics, voting rights, the law, and New York. Want part 2 early? Head to Patreon.com/seriouspod! Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here! This content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org.

Jordan Peterson, a renowned clinical psychologist and public intellectual, delves into his controversial debate techniques and arguments for God. He claims that atheists often misunderstand what they reject, prompting a lively discussion about empathy's role in moral disputes. The panel critiques his attempts to redefine God as conscience, arguing it dilutes the original meaning. Peterson provocatively states that everyone worships something, leading to an exploration of values and belief as life commitment. The episode tackles heated hypotheticals, especially around morality and truth.

Lydia Smith, a frequent guest known for her skeptical perspective, joins to delve into Jordan Peterson's debate techniques. They break down Peterson's claims about atheists, highlighting his tactics of evasion and vagueness. Topics include the flaws in debate formats, the challenge of defining 'God,' and whether atheists actually understand religion better than believers. Lydia and Thomas dissect Peterson's shifts in argument and his tendency to make blanket accusations of ignorance, offering a lively critique of his approach.

Was that whole thing legitimate? Was it BS? Or something in between? Dr. Eric Jaffe is the perfect expert to give us the objective facts on this and help us understand everything going on!

Dr. Nathan Thompson, an anatomy professor and biomechanist, teams up with Rachel Feltman, an aspiring OB/GYN, to dissect misleading anatomical language in abortion legislation. They showcase surprising statistics from their published study, revealing pain claims and embryo development descriptions often lack accuracy. Their research illuminates how emotional framing shapes public perception. Rachel shares insights on the gaps in medical training regarding abortion, emphasizing the need for accurate science communication in healthcare.

In a deep dive with Dr. Sharon Flicker, a clinical psychologist researching relationships, listeners explore the intricacies of love languages. Sharon discusses her research on whether speaking your partner's love language genuinely enhances relationship satisfaction. She highlights that satisfaction with partner behavior matters most, regardless of primary love languages. Additionally, Sharon suggests that expanding beyond the five love languages could offer a richer understanding of love, introducing new themes like 'giving space' as essential to connection.

Dive into the world of AI as hosts Alejandro and Julia dissect Google’s questionable AI research, highlighting how it's often disguised as science. They explore the dangers of big tech capturing academia and the cultural ramifications of replacing human connections with AI. Hear about biased studies on loneliness and the commodification of personal meaning. The duo also shares valuable tips for recognizing misleading AI research, ensuring listeners can differentiate between genuine insights and corporate propaganda.