The Hope Axis by Anna Gát

Writer, podcaster, and activist Sarah Haider joined me to discuss New Atheism, neo-religion, spiritual journeys, Cultural Islam. We reminisced about the Four Horsemen era and explored vibe shifts, trads, fanatics, immigration, woke taboos, the lack of constructive dialogue. Can democracy function without religion? What do people do with their big feelings like love, hate, or fear in the age of secularism? Why do so many people return to faith these days — are their motivations valid? Follow Sarah: https://newsletter.sarahhaider.com/ Follow Anna: https://x.com/TheAnnaGat Follow The Hope Axis: https://x.com/thehopeaxis

Writer and community builder Paul Millerd joined me to discuss his two excellent self-published books The Pathless Path and Good Work, as well as: Scenes and tribes. The Intellectual Renaissance were living through. John Stuart Mill, Sartre, Havel. The end of the corporate default. Language, community, virtue. SF vs Austin, GenZ vs Millennials. Cold emailing and rejection. The implosions of the social and the parasocial. Starting a publishing house. And much more... https://pmillerd.com/

Reggie James, Co-founder and CEO of Eternal, dives into the intriguing intersection of technology and spirituality. He discusses the potential of 'spiritual technology' and its role in enhancing well-being. Reggie critiques how AI might misguide spiritual journeys and explores how traditional practices need innovation. The conversation examines the dark side of gambling apps and their impact on individual spirituality, while also addressing how tech can function as a modern religion, emphasizing the need for community in a digital age.

The brilliant anonymous blogger Cartoons Hate Her joined me to explore dating and attraction, marriage and work, raising children and being in the media -- and cleared up a lot of misunderstandings around seduction, trads, fame, monogamy, domination and disappointments. https://www.cartoonshateher.com/

A. Natasha Joukovsky, a novelist and essayist known for her exploration of status and attraction, dives deep into the nuances of elitism and creativity. She discusses the intricate dynamics of characters in literature, like those in 'Anna Karenina,' and how social standings shape their identities. Joukovsky critiques the insecurity that often accompanies privilege and explores the interplay between art and self-love. The conversation also emphasizes the joy of creating for its own sake, advocating for the beauty of 'uselessness' in art.

Dwarkesh Patel, a prominent podcaster known for his engaging interviews with influential figures, shares insights into the art of podcasting. He discusses how his unique interests fuel his creative process and the necessity of optimistic narratives in media. Patel reveals effective strategies for reaching out to high-profile guests, maintaining authenticity during interviews, and the dynamics of storytelling. He emphasizes the importance of personalized communication in networking and reflects on his experiences with notable guests like Mark Zuckerberg and Tony Blair.

Professional end-of-life doula Emma Acker joined me to discuss the mystery of dying -- and the forgotten art of being there with the dying. Her job is just this, and we talked about the various stages of departure, how the family might react, what administrative things one needs to take care of. But also about dying when young versus old, when in pain versus no pain, when religious versus atheist. There is no one like Emma!

Musa al-Gharbi, sociologist, journalism professor, author of the new book 'We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite' (Princeton University Press), and today's popular explorer of Pierre Bourdieu's ideas around symbolic elites and symbolic capitalism talked to me about being an outsider in academia, how symbolic elites buy their legitimacy, and why intellectuals living in fear of cancellation is such bad news for everyone.

Wesleyan University president Michael S. Roth joined me to talk about virtue and the arts, the campus and the political student of the future, and why he believes the humanities will save us.

Quillette founding editor Claire Lehmann joined me for this exceptional episode where we dive into all the conditions, ideals, and effort that ensure that a new magazine dedicated to democracy and free speech can achieve its goals.