Stephen Pyne, a world-renowned fire historian and author, delves into our intricate relationship with fire, revealing how it has shaped humanity's evolution. He discusses the dual nature of fire as both a creative force and a catalyst for destruction, connecting it to modern issues like climate change. Pyne emphasizes the need to revisit our ways of managing fire, advocating for sustainable practices that honor its role in ecosystems. The conversation highlights the historical significance of fire and urges a reevaluation for a more harmonious future.

Rick Perlstein, a political historian known for his insights on American conservatism, delves into the absurdity of the 2024 election cycle. Discussing Biden's debate missteps and the attempted assassination of Trump, he draws parallels between today’s turbulence and the chaos of 1968. Perlstein also critiques Project 2025, which threatens non-partisanship, and examines the internal conflict within the Republican Party on divisive issues like abortion. This conversation highlights the fragility of American politics and historical lessons that resonate now.

Law professor Melissa Jacoby discusses how bankruptcy system benefits the wealthy but punishes the poor in America. Topics include disparities in wealth divide, bankruptcy as an economic safeguard turned divider, and challenges in bankruptcy reform for fairer outcomes.

Austin Frerick, an expert on agriculture and antitrust policies, discusses monopolies in the food industry leading to increased costs and lower quality products. Topics include hog barons in the pork industry, impact of agricultural practices, exploitation of labor, environmental concerns like almond milk production, and historical ties between monopolist finance and fascism.

Law professors Leah Litman and Kate Shaw from the 'Strict Scrutiny' podcast join Adam to dissect recent Supreme Court decisions, delving into the erosion of accountability, presidential immunity, climate change, and democracy. They discuss the implications of conservative courts limiting agency power, call for institutional reforms, and analyze the Democratic Party's cautious stance on altering the Supreme Court.

Journalist and influencer Ed Zitron discusses the impending burst of the AI bubble, the hubris of Silicon Valley, and the challenges faced by big tech with AI investments. Topics include the ROT economy, limitations of AI technology, concerns about the tech industry's high valuations, and predictions of a potential burst in the AI bubble with repercussions on the broader economy.

Natalie Wynn, YouTuber behind ContraPoints, discusses gender, conspiracy, and academia’s role in the digital age with Adam Conover. Topics include exploring sexuality through Twilight, controversial themes in the series, connections between philosophy, comedy, and sexuality, gender roles, academic background, content creation challenges on YouTube, protecting personal information, and the value of creativity in media content creation.

Bioscientist Kelly Clancy discusses the essential role games play in development, history, and the natural world. Topics include the evolution of play in animals, the influence of games on society, the impact of war games on empathy, and the appeal of decision-making in games versus real life struggles.

Author Zoë Schlanger enlightens us on the intriguing world of plant intelligence, discussing how plants store information, solve problems, develop social networks, and exhibit adaptive behaviors. The conversation challenges human-centric views, exploring concepts like plant communication, kin recognition, and adaptive behavior. It delves into the moral implications of recognizing plant intelligence and its potential impact on dietary choices and legal perspectives.

Shefali Luthra, author of Undue Burden, discusses the challenges of post-Roe abortion healthcare in America. Topics include personal stories of abortion bans, economic and emotional impacts, unintended consequences, political landscape, Democrats' stance on abortion rights, and the connection between abortion restrictions and IVF access.