The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table

Dan Naturman, a comedian known for his sharp wit, and Periel Aschenbrand, an insightful author and cultural commentator, engage in a thought-provoking discussion. They delve into the moral complexities surrounding hostages in Gaza and the harsh realities of far-right anti-Semitism. The conversation touches on the obligations of public figures to uphold ethical principles. Their banter is laced with humor, making the serious topics both engaging and accessible.

Dan Naturman and Periel Aschenbrand are joined by comic, Gray West. West is originally from Alabama, has performed all over the United States and frequently MCs shows at The Comedy Cellar. In this episode, they discuss the differences between hosting and doing spots, how your style on stage affects your persona and West shares some personal anecdotes.

Adam Muller is a New York based, MIT-educated, former finance professional turned comedian. His comedy specials, "According to Plan" and "Funny to You" are available on YouTube.

Jeff Asher is a nationally recognized data analyst with expertise in evaluating criminal justice data. He is the co-founder of AH Datalytics and author of Jeff-alytics Substack.

Uri Berliner, a seasoned former NPR reporter with 25 years of experience and various prestigious awards, shares his insights on media bias and journalistic integrity. He discusses the intricate relationship between media narratives and political dynamics, particularly at NPR. Highlighting issues like the treatment of candidates and the erosion of journalistic standards, Uri advocates for diverse opinions in media. The conversation also touches on crypto debates and the complexities of voting in today’s political landscape, all laced with humor and pop culture references.

Aurelia Song is the winner of the Brain Preservation Prize and has spent the last several years working to adapt the technology for human use. Her company, Nectome, works to preserve and store brains with the future goal of bringing people back to life.

Ross Barkan is a novelist and journalist from New York City. He's a contributing writer to the NY Times Magazine and his reporting and essays have appeared in a wide variety of publications. His next novel, Glass Century, will be published in 2025 and he's writing a book about American politics and the 2024 elections. 

Get Ready To RumbleJohn Spencer is an award-winning scholar, professor, author, combat veteran, national security and military analyst, and internationally recognized expert and advisor on urban warfare, military strategy, tactics, and other related topics. Considered one of the world’s leading experts on urban warfare, he served as an advisor to the top four-star general and other senior leaders in the U.S. Army as part of strategic research groups from the Pentagon to the United States Military Academy.He’s authored over 130 articles in our leading intellectual publications. He is the author of three books, including The Mini-Manual for the Urban Defender, which was translated into 16 languages.Robert A. Pape is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago specializing in international security affairs. His commentary on international security policy has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, New Republic, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, as well as on Nightline, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, and National Public Radio. Before coming to Chicago in 1999, he taught international relations at Dartmouth College for five years and air power strategy for the USAF's School of Advanced Airpower Studies for three years. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago in 1988 and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pittsburgh in 1982. His current work focuses on the causes of suicide terrorism and the politics of unipolarity. He is the director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats.0:00 Introduction3:36 Coin Toss Decision5:30 Robert Opening Pape's Argument11:20 John Spencer's Counterargument15:53 Pape Responds29:53 Assessing Hamas's Strategic Goals34:00 Critique on Planning for the Future37:13 Rebuilding Democracy in the Middle East41:01 Pape's Preferred Israeli Strategies for October 8th42:46 Creating a Wedge Strategy47:09 Insights from General McChrystal49:42 Differing Military Strategies50:23 Debating Military Approaches51:38 Winning Battles vs. Winning Wars55:58 Political Power Dynamics59:00 Importance of Words in Strategy1:01:27 Acknowledging Past Mistakes1:04:53 Counterinsurgency Strategies1:08:36 Role of Threat in Strategy1:10:20 Separating Militant Groups1:12:05 Achieving Strategic Objectives1:12:09 Counterinsurgency Tactics1:14:20 Importance of Meaningful Conversations1:14:38 Sharp Arguments and Surviving Contact with the Enemy

Elie Honig is CNN's senior legal analyst, a former federal and state prosecutor and the bestselling author of Hatchet Man.

Join the host and Nick Gillespie for a lively chat exploring Japanese cuisine evolution, political violence, Black Lives Matter riots, Kimberly H. Sheedle controversy, conspiracy theories, Sheath Underwear sponsorship, bralettes comfort, Trump's presidency analysis, and Trump's Supreme Court impact compared to Biden.