The Gray Area with Sean Illing cover image

The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Latest episodes

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Dec 18, 2023 • 41min

Living Mindfully

"Living Mindfully" features Jon Kabat-Zinn, a mindfulness pioneer and author. In this podcast, they discuss the mainstream popularity of mindfulness, the purpose of living mindfully, the impact of mindfulness becoming more popular, mindfulness in sports, conservation efforts at Silver Meadows Farm, closing the gap between knowledge and action, and expressing gratitude.
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Dec 11, 2023 • 51min

Taking anarchism seriously

Philosopher Sophie Scott-Brown discusses anarchism as a serious political philosophy focused on egalitarianism. They explore the history, debunk misconceptions, and the spectrum of anarchism. They delve into living with a mindset of openness and neutrality, challenge different worldviews, and discuss the paradox of freedom. They also cover re-imagining societal organization and reclaiming agency.
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Dec 4, 2023 • 37min

3,000 years of The Iliad

Constance Grady, a culture writer at Vox, is joined by Emily Wilson to discuss her bestselling translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey. They unpack the buzz surrounding them and the significance of The Iliad today. Host: Constance Grady, (@constancegrady), culture writer, VoxGuest: Emily Wilson, classics professor and translator of The Iliad and The OdysseyReferences: The Iliad by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson (W.W. Norton, 2023)The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson (W.W. Norton, 2018) Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area by subscribing in your favorite podcast app.Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcastsThis episode was made by:  Engineer: Patrick Boyd Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Nov 27, 2023 • 54min

Late-stage liberalism

Sean Illing is joined by John Gray, political philosopher and author of the new book, The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism. They discuss Thomas Hobbes and the origins of liberalism, the current state of democracy, and the very uncertain future of the global liberal order.Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray AreaGuest: John Gray, author and political philosopherReferences: The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism by John Gray (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023)Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes (1651)Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area by subscribing in your favorite podcast app.Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcastsThis episode was made by:  Engineer: Patrick Boyd Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Nov 20, 2023 • 59min

The case against free will

Neurology professor Robert Sapolsky challenges the concept of free will, exploring the illusion and its impact on society, morality, and the criminal justice system. They discuss determinism, behavior shaping, and the nonsensical nature of congratulating achievements. They also address objections to scrapping belief in free will and discuss Sapolsky's book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will.
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Nov 13, 2023 • 1h

A Jew and a Muslim get honest about Israel and Gaza

Two respected guests, Zack Beauchamp and Shadi Hamid, tackle the Israel-Gaza conflict, discussing topics like the motivations and context of Hamas' actions, the implications for the Middle East, the impact on global politics, and challenging perspectives on the conflict. They also touch on issues of betrayal, anti-Muslim sentiment, and the importance of engaging in dialogue with opposing views.
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Nov 6, 2023 • 50min

How to keep panic from attacking

Matt Gutman, author of 'No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks,' joins Sean Illing to discuss their personal experiences with panic, the evolutionary roots of it, and how Matt gained control over his feelings of panic and anxiety. They also explore different treatments, including psychedelics, breath work, and the value of surrendering to the psychedelic experience.
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Oct 30, 2023 • 57min

We Are What We Watch

Walt Hickey, author of "You Are What You Watch: How Movies and TV Affect Everything," discusses the impact of entertainment on viewers' physical and mental states. Topics include blood coagulation during horror movies, Dalmatian adoptions after "101 Dalmatians," and the importance of celebrating our responses to what we watch.
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Oct 23, 2023 • 57min

Werner Herzog’s ecstatic truth

Werner Herzog, Filmmaker, poet, and author of the new memoir Every Man for Himself and God Against All, talks about his concept of ecstatic truth in filmmaking and why he's interested in Mars. They also touch on the destruction of humanity and explore the limits of language and the power of poetry. Herzog shares insights into his approach to factual filmmaking and discusses some of his abandoned film projects and current inspirations.
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Oct 16, 2023 • 56min

The lessons of Sam Bankman-Fried

'Sam Bankman-Fried: From Genius to Villain' explores the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX. Michael Lewis discusses his book about Bankman-Fried, highlighting initial impressions, his eccentric persona, and the challenges of writing about such a controversial figure. The podcast also touches on Bankman-Fried's alleged crimes, conflicting reports about lost and remaining money, and the lessons we can learn from the larger financial system. The episode concludes with reflections on writing about a complicated character and a call to support the podcast.

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