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
Sep 18, 2025 • 54min
PEL Presents PvI#101: Co-Hostery: Season Five Premiere with Mark and Mary
It is a new era! Merry Mary Hynes is now Mark's co-host, and we do some improv related to that and feel our the degree to which Mary has not studied philosophy. Could it be that we ALL do philosophy whether we know it or not? Also: The Feminist Café, Luce Irigaray, Mark's voice training, an aging child pop star, non-binary preliminaries, gratis post-game chatter, and more. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support. Sponsor: Get 15% off at MasterClass.com/IMPROV.
Sep 15, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 375: Luce Irigaray's Feminism (Part Two)
Jenny Hansen, a scholar of feminist thought, delves into Luce Irigaray’s groundbreaking work on the commodification of women. They discuss how societal structures objectify femininity, critiquing the economic underpinnings and patriarchal implications. Hansen highlights the importance of recognizing women as full subjects rather than mere objects. The conversation also explores the cultural narratives surrounding motherhood, the power dynamics of gender, and the philosophical intersections that shape contemporary discussions on identity and agency.
Sep 14, 2025 • 56min
PEL Presents PMP#205: Fantastical Foursome
What do we expect out of a superhero film? Does it need overqualified dramatic actors? Does it even need a real budget? Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the various films modeled after Marvel's Fantastic Four comics initiated by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961. First Steps is clearly the best of them and surpassed our low expectations, with its delivery of a believable family dynamic and a fun retro-futurist production design. 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 15% off an annual membership at MasterClass.com/PRETTY. Check out the That Aged Well podcast.
Sep 8, 2025 • 45min
Ep. 375: Luce Irigaray's Feminism (Part One)
In this engaging discussion, Jenny Hansen, an expert on Luce Irigaray, uncovers the nuances of feminist philosophy and identity. They dive into Irigaray's critiques of male-centric thought and the transformative power of embracing femininity in philosophy and society. Key themes include the importance of sexual difference, the commodification of women, and the complexities surrounding gender dynamics. They also reflect on the challenges female philosophers face and critique traditional metaphors, advocating for a more inclusive representation of women's experiences in philosophical discourse.
Sep 7, 2025 • 50min
PEL Presents PvI#100: Maximizing Turtle Revenue w/ Tim Sniffen and Anthony LeBlanc
Tim Sniffen, a philosophy acorn turned improv sapling, and Anthony LeBlanc, an improv aficionado who loves philosophy, dive into intriguing topics. They explore the Ship of Theseus, blending philosophy with gaming and discussing narrative choices. The conversation flows into Renaissance rivalries, revealing humorous connections between Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. With whimsical tales of turtles and ethical dilemmas, they critique consumer culture while delighting in the absurdity of corporate decisions and the quirks of turtle care.
Sep 1, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 374: Discussing Liberalism (Lincoln, et al) with Walter Sterling (Part Two)
In this engaging discussion, Walter Sterling, president of St. John's College and a scholar of liberal education, dives into the complexities of liberal democracy. He reflects on the critiques of Patrick Deneen, contrasting individual rationality with communal norms. The conversation touches on the challenges of identity politics and the need for robust civic education. Sterling argues that liberal democracy can protect minority cultures while exploring the fragility of judicial independence and the hope for civic renewal through shared virtues.
Aug 31, 2025 • 50min
PEL Presents PMP#204: Naked Gun Rapid Firing
What is the state of the stream-of-gags formula that used to stand tall in the films of the Zucker Brothers (mainly Airplane) and Mel Brooks? A new generation attempts to revive that with a new Naked Gun film. How does this new effort relate to the classic films? Are these kinds of films particularly timeless? Rewatchable? Do young people appreciate this kind of thing? Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and (for the third or so) Al speculate wildly as usual. 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.
Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 17min
PEL Presents NEM#237: Maia Sharp's Homey Subversion
Maia has released ten lush, Americana-influenced singer-songwriter albums since 1997 and has collaborated with artists like Art Garfunkel, Bonnie Raitt, and Trisha Yearwood, and been covered by Cher, Paul Carrack, etc. We discuss "Counterintuition" (and listen to the title track) from Tomboy (2025), "Phoenix" from The Dash Between the Dates (2015), and "A Home" from Fine Upstanding Citizen (2005) (co-written with her father Randy Sharp and popularized in a cover version by The Chicks). Intro: "I Need This to Be Love" from Hardly Glamour (1997). More at maiasharp.com. Hear more Nakedly Examined Music. Support us on Patreon. Sponsor: Visit functionhealth.com/NAKEDLY to take control of your health through testing and get $100 off your membership.
Aug 25, 2025 • 47min
Ep. 374: Discussing Liberalism (Lincoln, et al) with Walter Sterling (Part One)
Join J. Walter Sterling, President of St. John's College, as he dives into the pressing crisis of liberal democracy. The discussion covers Lincoln's insights on political institutions and critiques modern works like Pinker's and Deneen's. Sterling emphasizes the importance of liberal education in combating hyper-partisanship and fostering civic engagement. The conversation also explores the delicate balance between revolutionary change and the rule of law, highlighting how character and education are key in sustaining democratic values and navigating pluralistic beliefs.
Aug 24, 2025 • 53min
PEL Presents PvI#99: Philosophy of Humor w/ Nessa Voss
Nessa teaches philosophy at Lone Star Community College and writes on the philosophy of humor. We thought we should get this topic out before we wrap our season (and Bill's regular participation) and reach 100 episodes. We go through the main theories (superiority, incongruity/surprise, unconscious triggering, i.e. funny because it's true on some level we don't necessarily want to admit). Then Nessa (fictionally) becomes our podcast format consultant. We wrap up by considering the appeal of various stand-up comedians. Hear more at philosophyimprov.com. Support the podcast and listen ad-free at philosophyimprov.com/support.
