
The Dissenter
My name is Ricardo Lopes, and I’m from Portugal. Thank you for visiting my podcast.
Over the past few years, I have conducted and released more than 900 interviews and talks with experts and academics from a variety of areas and disciplines, ranging from the Arts and Philosophy to the Social Sciences and Biology. You will certainly find a subject of your interest covered here.
New interviews are released on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Latest episodes

Apr 21, 2025 • 56min
#1087 Susie Gronski: Men's Sexual Health
Susie Gronski, a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and sexuality counselor, sheds light on crucial aspects of men's sexual health. The conversation tackles erectile dysfunction, linking it to overall health and societal stigma. Gronski discusses premature ejaculation and the importance of communication for a fulfilling sexual experience. She also addresses common anxieties about penis size and emphasizes self-acceptance. The discussion highlights how pelvic pain affects intimacy, promoting a holistic approach to treatment and education.

10 snips
Apr 18, 2025 • 55min
#1086 John Odling-Smee - Niche Construction: How Life Contributes to Its Own Evolution
John Odling-Smee, Emeritus Research Fellow at Oxford and author of 'Niche Construction', dives into how life shapes its own evolution. He discusses the pivotal role of niche construction in ecology, highlighting how organisms like birds and their behaviors mold their environments. The conversation challenges traditional evolutionary views, incorporating concepts like adaptive know-how and even cultural evolution's impact on genetics. From thermodynamics to ecosystem dynamics, Odling-Smee offers a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of life and its surroundings.

Apr 17, 2025 • 52min
#1085 Joshua Glasgow - The Significance Impulse: On the Unimportance of Our Cosmic Unimportance
******Support the channel******Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenterPayPal: paypal.me/thedissenterPayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuyPayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9lPayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpzPayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9mPayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao ******Follow me on******Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/The Dissenter Goodreads list: https://shorturl.at/7BMoBFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedissenteryt/Twitter: https://x.com/TheDissenterYT This show is sponsored by Enlites, Learning & Development done differently. Check the website here: http://enlites.com/ Dr. Joshua Glasgow is Professor in (and Chair of) the Philosophy Department at Sonoma State University. Dr. Glasgow works on a variety of topics in moral, political, and legal philosophy. His publications have covered a variety of issues concerning ethics, the good life, race and racism, language, law, mind, and more. His latest book is The Significance Impulse: On the Unimportance of Our Cosmic Unimportance. In this episode, we focus on The Significance Impulse. We discuss what the “significance impulse” is, and what it means for something to be important or ordinary. We talk about nihilism, pessimism, and absurdism. We discuss how most achievements are collective and not individual, fame and wealth, and whether it is possible to be remembered forever. We talk about whether the lives of important people are better than ordinary lives. Finally, we discuss things that are “worthwhile in themselves”, what makes life meaningful, how our unimportance relieves us of anxiety, and how to avoid mediocrity.--A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, EDWARD HALL, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, PAUL-GEORGE ARNAUD, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ALEX CHAU, AMAURI MARTÍNEZ, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, BARNABAS RADICS, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, GEORGE CHORIATIS, VALENTIN STEINMANN, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, LUCY, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, CAROLA FEEST, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航 豊川, TONY BARRETT, BENJAMIN GELBART, NIKOLAI VISHNEVSKY, STEVEN GANGESTAD, TED FARRIS, AND ROBINROSWELL!A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, TOM VANEGDOM, BERNARD HUGUENEY, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, THOMAS TRUMBLE, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, JONCARLO MONTENEGRO, NICK GOLDEN, CHRISTINE GLASS, IGOR NIKIFOROVSKI, AND PER KRAULIS!AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, ROSEY, AND GREGORY HASTINGS!

Apr 14, 2025 • 55min
#1084 Patrick Hassan: The Pilosophy of Suicide
Patrick Hassan, a Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University specializing in moral and existential philosophy, dives into the intricate philosophy of suicide. He explores its moral implications and contrasts philosophical inquiries with scientific perspectives. Hassan highlights the historical evolution of suicide thinking, particularly through the lens of 19th-century thinkers like Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. He also discusses the impact of societal attitudes on individual suffering and advocates for a compassionate understanding of this complex issue.

10 snips
Apr 11, 2025 • 44min
#1083 Matt Grossmann: How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics
Matt Grossmann, Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and expert in political science, dives into the intriguing dynamics of the diploma divide. He explains how educational attainment has shifted voter demographics and party affiliations since the 1980s. The conversation unveils the cultural wars impacting political identities, with stark contrasts between the Obama and Trump eras. Grossmann also analyzes rising skepticism towards expertise and how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing divides, all shaping the future of American politics.

Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 6min
#1082 Wade Allison: Misconceptions About Nuclear Energy
Wade Allison, Emeritus Professor at the University of Oxford and author of impactful books on nuclear energy, joins the conversation to debunk myths surrounding nuclear power. He discusses the surprising link between energy and life, and the four major energy revolutions that have shaped our world. The talk delves into the differences between nuclear energy and weapons, the risks of radiation, and the realities of nuclear waste management. Allison also critiques the public's perception of nuclear versus renewable energy, emphasizing the need for education to reshape beliefs.

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 5min
#1081 Richard Wolff: Trump's Tariffs, Elon Musk, and the BRICS
Richard Wolff, Professor of Economics Emeritus, dives into the implications of Trump’s tariffs on America’s global standing and economic disparities. He discusses how scapegoating immigrants plays into political narratives amid economic struggles. The conversation shifts to billionaires like Elon Musk and their influence on politics and public transit. Wolff also highlights the rising power of the BRICS alliance and its challenge to traditional economic powers, revealing the shifting geopolitical landscape and potential consequences for U.S. policy.

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 28min
#1080 Tristan Rogers: Conservatism, Past and Present
Tristan Rogers, a philosopher and author specializing in political philosophy, dives deep into the essence of conservatism. He explores the virtues of gratitude, humility, and justice while tracing the historical roots from ancient thinkers like Plato to the complexities of modern populism. The discussion highlights the family's role in moral development and critiques the sexual revolution, advocating for traditional values. Rogers also emphasizes the need for balance between preserving the past and actively engaging with the future of conservatism.

Apr 3, 2025 • 59min
#1079 Christopher Federico: Political Preferences, Belief Systems, Collective Narcissism, & More
In this discussion, Christopher Federico, a Professor of Political Science and Psychology at the University of Minnesota, dives deep into the psychology behind political preferences. He explores how personal traits and societal influences forge liberal and conservative ideologies. Federico highlights the concept of collective narcissism, linking it to prejudice and political behaviors, especially in the context of nationalism in recent U.S. elections. Additionally, he examines how perceived threats to in-group identity fuel hostility and far-right support.

Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 15min
#1078 Debra Lieberman: The Evolutionary Psychology of Disgust, Gratitude, and Emotional Tears
Join Debra Lieberman, a psychology professor at the University of Miami and author of "Objection: Disgust, Morality, and the Law," as she dives into the intriguing world of emotions through an evolutionary lens. Discover how disgust influences moral judgments and social norms. She delves into the role of gratitude in fostering cooperation within relationships and examines the dual function of tears as both protective and communicative. This lively discussion reveals the fascinating connections between emotions, societal dynamics, and our evolutionary past.
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