The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey
The Partially Examined Life is a podcast by some guys who were at one point set on doing philosophy for a living but then thought better of it. Each episode, we pick a short text and chat about it with some balance between insight and flippancy. You don't have to know any philosophy, or even to have read the text we're talking about to (mostly) follow and (hopefully) enjoy the discussion. For links to the texts we discuss and other info, check out www.partiallyexaminedlife.com.
We also feature episodes from other podcasts by our hosts to round out your partially examined life, including Pretty Much Pop (prettymuchpop.com, covering all media), Nakedly Examined Music (nakedlyexaminedmusic.com, deconstructing songs), Philosophy vs. Improv (philosophyimprov.com, fun with performance skills and philosophical ideas), and (sub)Text (subtextpodcast.com, looking deeply at lit and film). Learn about more network podcasts at partiallyexaminedlife.com.
We also feature episodes from other podcasts by our hosts to round out your partially examined life, including Pretty Much Pop (prettymuchpop.com, covering all media), Nakedly Examined Music (nakedlyexaminedmusic.com, deconstructing songs), Philosophy vs. Improv (philosophyimprov.com, fun with performance skills and philosophical ideas), and (sub)Text (subtextpodcast.com, looking deeply at lit and film). Learn about more network podcasts at partiallyexaminedlife.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 30, 2025 • 44min
PEL Presents PvI#106: Heart Tchochkes w/ Seth Stephon Brown
Seth Stephon Brown, an improviser and life coach known for his 'muse' approach, dives deep into the complexities of authenticity and societal norms. He explores the balance between personal values and oppressive systems while questioning whether there’s an authentic core within us. Seth shares playful improv techniques, like a family dynamic session, to uncover vulnerabilities. Plus, he coins the term 'heart tchotchkes' to discuss the distinction between emotional fulfillment and consumerism. It's a thought-provoking journey into self-discovery and creative identity!
Nov 26, 2025 • 55min
PEL Presents PMP#210: One Paul Thomas Anderson Film After Another
Dive into the fascinating world of Paul Thomas Anderson's films! The hosts explore everything from the gripping narratives of 'There Will Be Blood' and 'Boogie Nights' to the divisive themes in 'Licorice Pizza.' They discuss Anderson's stylistic choices, like his use of long takes and music, and debate the effectiveness of his latest project. Join them as they evaluate character depth, thematic ambiguity, and the evolution of female roles in his works.
Nov 23, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 380: Josiah Royce on Community (Part One)
Kara Barnett, a visiting scholar and expert on Josiah Royce, dives into the philosopher's intriguing ideas on community. They discuss how communities function as a collective mind while preserving individuality. Kara highlights how shared histories and loyalties guide personal meaning and interpretation. The conversation unfolds around the balance between ideal communities and real-world dynamics, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and social connections for a meaningful life. An engaging exploration of how community shapes our identities and expectations!
Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 7min
PEL Presents NEM#242: Marshall Crenshaw Subtracts
Marshall began creating his catchy, harmonically thick rock tunes in the early '80s with six major label albums, but went indie in the '90s to record four more as well as several EPs and live collections. We discuss "Stranger and Stranger," newly reworked for From the Hellhole (2025), "Right On Time" from Jaggedland (2009), "Fantastic Planet of Love" from Life's Too Short (1991), and we conclude by listening to Our Town" from Field Day (1983). Intro: "Someday, Someway" from Marshall Crenshaw (1982). More at marshallcrenshaw.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music at nakedlyexaminedmusic.com. Support us at patreon.com/nakedlyexaminedmusic. Sponsors: Go to surfshark.com/nakedly or use code nakedly at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance; connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at rula.com/nem.
4 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 11min
Ep. 379: Egyptian Philosophy with Chike Jeffers (Part Two)
Chike Jeffers, co-author of the Africana section of the History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps podcast, delves into ancient Egyptian philosophy. He explores the significance of silence as a virtue in leadership and the divine principles of justice embedded in Egyptian thought. The conversation touches on moral lessons from dining etiquette and the relationship between virtue and social hierarchy. They also discuss the compelling tale of the Eloquent Peasant, highlighting systemic corruption and the downfall of moral order. Finally, Jeffers unpacks profound ideas about the afterlife and social restoration.
Nov 14, 2025 • 50min
PEL Presents PvI#105: Friendtor Debate Club w/ Scott Gelfand
Scott, ex-professor at Oklahoma State University and author of "Thinking Ethically: A Handbook for Making Moral Choices," chats with Mark and Mary about ethical debate in our age of seemingly unbridgeable divides. We engage in some suspect philosophical counseling, have a staged mini-debate about affirmative action, and simulate a new class of discussion-intensive air travel. More at scottgelfand.com. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support. Sponsor: Get 15% off at MasterClass.com/IMPROV.
Nov 11, 2025 • 54min
PEL Presents PMP#209: Alien Franchised
In light of Noah Hawley TV show Alien Earth, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al revisit the franchise through its seven canon films beginning with Ridley Scott's 1979 classic. While there's plenty of sheer repetition (alien loose, killing people one by one) throughout these properties, the various filmmakers attempt to avoid sure repetition by shifting genres. On the new show, we get a pronounced shift to focusing on the synthetic humans; is that a good thing? Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for nearly every episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop for only the tiniest per-month financial pledge, or you can sign up directly with Apple Podcasts for a subscription for ad-free and bonus material for three of Mark's podcasts together on the Mark Lintertainment Podcasts Channel. Sponsors: Get 50% off Claude AI Pro at Claude.ai/pmp. Get 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/PRETTY.
7 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 44min
Ep. 379: Egyptian Philosophy with Chike Jeffers (Part One)
G.K. (Chike) Jeffers, a philosopher and expert in Africana Philosophy, dives deep into ancient Egyptian philosophical texts. He discusses why these texts are crucial to African philosophy, emphasizing their ethical weight. Chike examines significant works including 'The Instruction of Ptahhotep' and the 'Great Hymn to the Aten,' revealing insights on justice and monotheism. He also explores the unique literary forms that shaped philosophical discussions and the enduring concept of Ma'at, merging truth and justice in ancient thought.
Nov 9, 2025 • 1h 1min
PEL Presents NEM#241: Humor in Music Discussion
Join Don Rauf, leader of Life in a Blender, David Heatley, an acclaimed singer-songwriter and cartoonist, and Dave "Diggy" Dawson, a hilarious musician and author, as they dive into the rich world of humor in music. They explore how adopting characters can shape funny songs and discuss the interplay between humor and sincerity. Listen in as they dissect the art of parody and how musical styles can be comedic gold, alongside reflections on the legacy of humorous British rock and the profound truths that humor can convey.
Nov 8, 2025 • 9min
PREMIUM-Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part Four)
We complete our Aquinas treatment for the moment by considering emotions: categorizing them, asking whether they have opposites, and making them coherent given Aquinas' Aristotelian conception of soul. If you're not hearing the full version of this part of the discussion, sign up via one of the options described at partiallyexaminedlife.com/support.
