Drop The Mask Podcast

A free-wheeling episode where Mark and I discuss freedom in America Are freedom and liberty the same thing?  What freedoms do we really have?  + Failures of the Trump admin in recent weeks

Going back to Sam Harris and Jordan Peterson lamenting the future of AI and what that means for the public discourse. Should people be anonymous online? Is AI going to destroy the podcast market?  Let's talk!

Mark and I talk to Howard Bloom, author of a new book The Case of the Sexual Cosmos: Everything You Know About Nature Is Wrong. It's a provocative, paradigm-shifting book that challenges two of science’s core assumptions: the Second Law of Thermodynamics (entropy) and the notion that humans are destroying the Earth.   Bloom argues that the cosmos is driven by a "First Law of Flamboyance," where life and complexity emerge through creativity and sexual processes, not decay. He reinterprets the universe’s history—from the Big Bang to human evolution—as a story of relentless invention, where sex and gene-shuffling produce unique "oddballs" that probe new possibilities. Bloom posits that humans are not savaging the planet but are part of a cosmic project to "garden the solar system and green the galaxy." Described as meticulously researched and engaging, it’s a bold, optimistic counterpoint to apocalyptic narratives, blending science, history, and philosophy.

Breaking down Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris' conversation about the plague of social media To be continued next time!  Join us Mondays live at 8pm ET/5pm AZ

It’s No Kings Day, and your favorite philosophical troublemakers, Jason and Mark, are raising a glass to freedom—and questioning the price of it. In this spirited episode of If By Whiskey, the duo unpacks the meaning behind No Kings Day: a cheeky celebration of self-governance, independence, and the radical idea that no one rules unless you let them. Then it’s off to the dusty plains of FreedomFest, where liberty-lovers, crypto cowboys, and anti-authoritarian oddballs gather in the name of ideas too spicy for polite society. Jason and Mark dive into the wild mix of intellectual debates, free-market evangelism, and just the right amount of tinfoil that makes FreedomFest the Woodstock of the libertarian world. Whether you’re sipping bourbon or black coffee, this episode is your invitation to toast the madness of monarchy, the beauty of dissent, and the weird, wonderful chaos of living free. No gods, no masters—just microphones, mischief, and a few hard truths.

We come roaring back with a tribute to Scott Adams and our "Simulation Sip"; a look at the LA immigration riots and the totally organic, grassroots protests; Then the big ticket item-- Just war theory.  What is it, does anyone practice it, and of course we get into the Israel-Gaza conflict as a major case study.   Wrapping up with the latest Dave Portnoy hissy fit - a perfect example of what not to do if you have a problem with someone.

Looking at the fracturing of right-wing media voices. People we have respected for other reasons are going off the rails-- as you might expect from right-wingers. Good on a few things, but bad on most.  Clips of Jordan Peterson, James Lindsay, Tim Dillon, and more!

Bob Lement of Static Radio, one of the first 50 podcasts ever made, joins Mark and me for some conspiracy talk. Get out your tin foil hats! 

Our friend and fellow libertarian, Jesse, joins us for a wide ranging conversation. We talk libertarian party, woke right, Trump's tariffs, and all sorts of fun stuff on this week's "If By Whiskey"

Apologies for subpar audio quality-- I tried to salvage it as somehow it was recorded through the camera and not my main microphone. It's a little better than the original live recording. Someday I'll be able to live stream without any hiccups... but I guess not today Looking at the persuasion mistakes by the White House response to Amazon's spelling out of tariff price increases, and Andrew Schulz' take on that situation