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
Oct 13, 2025 • 46min
Ep. 377: Emil Cioran's Pessimism (Part Two)
Exploring human solitude, the discussion delves into the existential dread we often avoid. Cioran's skepticism towards language and dreams reveals our struggle with definition. The hosts debate whether nihilism is a genuine stance or just frustrated idealism. Ennui and sloth are praised as noble defenses against falsely absolute ideals. The irony in art serves as a buffer against life’s futility, while the concept of being metaphysical traitors prompts reflections on the cultural urge for absolutes.
Oct 12, 2025 • 51min
PEL Presents PMP#207: Spinal Tap and Other Fake Bands
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al watched Spinal Tap and its new sequel, and we throw these into a mix with K-Pop Demon Hunters and other films and shows involving made-for-TV (and film) bands, including We Are Lady Parts, That Thing You Do, Fear of a Black Hat, CB4, Atlanta, The Blues Brothers, The Commitments, Almost Famous, The Rutles, and The Monkees. Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for this and 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.
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 7min
PEL Presents NEM#239: Adrian Sherwood's Dub Productions
Adrian has applied his distinctive, spacey dub mixing techniques to numerous recordings since 1978 including Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Sinéad O'Connor, and Spoon and has released nine albums under his own name since 2003. He has effectively served as a key band member in several groups including Creation Rebel and African Head Charge. We discuss "Body Roll" from The Collapse of Everything (2025), "Starship Bahia" from Survival & Resistance (2012), and "Sharp as a Needle" by Barmy Army from The English Disease (1989). End song: "Make Up Your Mind" by Coldcut (Ninja Tunes), et al from Outside the Echo Chamber (2017). Intro: "Movement in Space" by Creation Rebel from Starship Africa (1980). More at adriansherwood.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Visit square.com/go/nem to learn about how Square helps local businesses.
26 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 52min
Ep. 377: Emil Cioran's Pessimism (Part One)
The hosts dive into Emil Cioran's bleak yet captivating philosophy, exploring the intersections of art, mortality, and the human condition. They compare Cioran to other thinkers like Nietzsche and Camus while debating his views on freedom, suffering, and the limits of language. Cioran's intriguing claim that disease can enrich our understanding of existence is discussed alongside his critique of philosophy versus poetry. The conversation unveils how Cioran's insights challenge conventional notions of joy, solitude, and the pursuit of salvation.
Oct 4, 2025 • 48min
PEL Presents PvI#102: Pit of Despair w/ Seth Paskin
Mark's Partially Examined Life co-host Seth joins us (i.e. Mark and Mary) to introduce Seth to improv and continue introducing philosophy to Mary. We discuss Seth's attraction to depressing texts, act out couples' therapy and monster beauty parlor, and open up a few philosophical cans of worms: Is truth relative? (Hint: no!) Does outer beauty reflect inner beauty? Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support.
17 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 53min
Ep. 376: Plato's "Laws" (Part Two)
Delve into Plato's vision of creating a new state, Magnesia, and the complex laws that govern it. The hosts explore whether laws should persuade or compel obedience, and how philosophical ideas can be made relatable. Discussions on marriage laws reveal interesting insights into natural desires and societal norms. The nocturnal council raises questions about continuous civic engagement, while Plato's critiques of materialism prompt reflections on virtue and divine belief. Can a state's true aim really be the virtue of its citizens?
Sep 28, 2025 • 53min
PEL Presents PMP#206: Abbott Elementary w/o Emmys
For our Emmys/back-to-school episode, we cover the pinnacle of the current network sitcom landscape: The six-time 2025 Emmy nominated 4-year-old sitcom Abbott Elementary. Yes, it lost this year but has won in the past. Mark, Lawrence, Al and West-Philly-resident Sarahlyn discuss the show's Philly-ness and how it integrates cringe humor with realistic depiction of how messed up it is for schools to be so underfunded. Is this a "black show"? Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for this and 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. Try the Stuck in the '80s podcast at sit80s.com.
Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 6min
PEL Presents NEM#238: Eric Andersen Endures
Eric was a major figure in the 1960s NYC folk scene, and his early tunes have been covered by Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, and many others. He's released 22 solo albums plus several live albums and two albums with The Band's Rick Danko as Danko/Fjeld/Andersen. We discuss "Don't It Make You Wanna Sing the Blues" from Dance of Love and Death (2025), "Rain Falls Down in Amsterdam" from Memory of the Future (1998), and "Six Senses of Darkness" from Ghosts Upon the Road (1989). End song: "Time Run Like a Freight Train" from Stages: The Lost Album (recorded 1973). Intro: "Violets of Dawn" from 'Bout Changes and Things (1966). More at ericandersen.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Visit square.com/go/nem to learn about how Square helps local businesses.
33 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 376: Plato's "Laws" (Part One)
The hosts delve into Plato's later dialogue, exploring the interplay between laws and virtue in an ideal society. They discuss how laws should educate citizens to promote moral character, and the challenges of training both lawgivers and the governed. The conversation highlights the importance of rational arguments for obedience to laws and examines the city-soul analogy. Expect engaging insights into the philosophical implications of creating a just community, and a teaser for the next installment focused on building the perfect city.
Sep 20, 2025 • 10min
PREMIUM-PEL Back-to-School Nightcap 2025
The hosts delve into Steven Pinker's views on Enlightenment and progress, debating the definition of 'progress' and its potential downsides. They then explore Fukuyama's defense of liberal democracy, contrasting it with Pinker's approach. The conversation touches on the impacts of identity politics and institutional failures on democracy, sparking an engaging discussion about current political climates. The segment concludes with an invitation for listener support.
