The Disagreement

Marci Bowers, a seasoned pelvic surgeon and former president of WPATH, joins political commentator and trans rights advocate Brianna Wu. They dive into the evolving landscape of gender-affirming care for youth, addressing recent legislative changes that challenge access to care. The discussion touches on the importance of informed consent, personal narratives, and the complexities of treatment standards. Bowers and Wu emphasize the need for compassionate, evidence-based approaches while advocating for unity among medical professionals in the fight for trans rights.

Zaid Jilani, a journalist focused on politics and culture, and Jeffrey Kripal, a philosophy professor and author, tackle the provocative claims of The Telepathy Tapes. They explore whether nonverbal autistic individuals truly possess telepathic abilities, critically examining the impacts of such claims on the autistic community. The discussion navigates the intersection of skepticism, science, and belief, emphasizing the ethical considerations surrounding facilitated communication techniques. They advocate for open-mindedness while calling for integrity in evaluating extraordinary claims.

Benjamin Riley, founder of Cognitive Resonance, and Alex Kotran, CEO of The AI Education Project, dive into a lively debate on teaching AI literacy in K-12 education. They explore the pros and cons of AI’s role in classrooms, stressing the importance of critical thinking and the risks of over-reliance on technology. Their discussion also touches on AI ethics and the need to prepare students for a future where AI is ubiquitous. Their varying views highlight the complexities of integrating AI into education while ensuring ethical considerations are front and center.

In this enlightening discussion, Michelle Dimino, the Education Program Director at Third Way, and Neal McCluskey, Director of Cato’s Center for Educational Freedom, debate the controversial relevance of the Department of Education. They explore the balance between federal and state control in education, analyzing policies like No Child Left Behind. The conversation also tackles the implications of Title IX enforcement and whether civil rights oversight could shift to other agencies, raising questions about equity and student outcomes.

Doriane Coleman, a Duke Law professor and elite track athlete, and Joanna Harper, a medical physicist and sports researcher, dive into the heated debate surrounding trans athletes in elite sports. They tackle complex questions about biological advantages and fairness, focusing on the impact of hormone therapy. The conversation highlights the need for nuanced policies that respect gender identity while ensuring competitive integrity. They also discuss the political implications and challenges faced by trans individuals in sports, emphasizing open dialogue and mutual respect.

Destini Ann Davis, a peaceful parenting advocate with over 1.5 million TikTok followers and author of "Very Intentional Parenting," engages in a thought-provoking dialogue about discipline in child-rearing. They debate the nature of punishment versus nurturing practices, highlighting the importance of empathy and connection. The conversation touches on balancing freedom and boundaries, the significance of discipline in fostering authority, and creative strategies for cooperation in household tasks. Davis emphasizes compassion over fear, paving the way for empowered parenting.

In the last couple of years, sports betting has exploded across the United States. The rise of mobile, app-based sports betting is having profound impacts on the nature of sports viewership, fandom, and gambling addiction, particularly amongst young men.Is the rapid ascent of online sports betting creating a public health crisis? Is the online sports betting industry predatory? How should it be regulated?Dr. Harry Levant is the Director of Gambling Policy with the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University. Harry is also an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor and a gambling addict in recovery for more than ten years.Ben Fawkes is a sports betting expert and industry insider. As a consultant and writer, Ben has produced work for CBS Sports, Gannett, and ESPN. Previously, was the Vice President, Digital Content at VSiN, The Sports Betting Network.Show Notes3:16 - Legalization: Benefits and Risks6:44 - Public Health Concerns11:30 - Infrastructure, Addiction and Revenue22:00 - Same Game Parlays32:00 - Advertising and The Impact on Young People36:21 - Sports Gambling and Fandom45:00 - VIP Hosts and Reload Bonuses48:08 - The Need for Regulation55:51 - SteelmanExtra CreditSurge in problem gambling in NJDraftKings CEO rebuffs argument that AI could make sports betting more addictive: ‘There is some onus on the individual’A Psychiatrist Tried to Quit Gambling. Betting Apps Kept Her Hooked.Fanduel network shows an industry bought and paid for by gamblingWhat did you think about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com. You can also DM us on Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Questions or comments about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or find us on X and Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thedisagreement.substack.com/

This disagreement is on The Ethics of Having Kids.In the age of climate change, is it more ethical to have kids or not have kids? What are the costs and benefits of either choice when the reality of our shared future is unknown? What does the pro-natalist movement and its policies get right and wrong?Heather Houser is a professor of English Literature at the University of Texas at Austin. A cultural critic and author of the book Infowhelm, Heather is an expert on climate change and feminism.Liz Bruenig is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she writes about theology, politics and policy. Previously, Liz was an opinion writer for The New York Times and The Washington Post, where she was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing.What did you think about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com. You can also DM us on Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Questions or comments about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or find us on X and Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thedisagreement.substack.com/

Niels Hoven, Founder and CEO of Mentava, discusses how AI could create personalized learning pathways, particularly for high-achieving students. Benjamin Riley, founder of Cognitive Resonance, offers a skeptical view, emphasizing the importance of collective learning and the risks of over-individualization in education. The debate touches on AI's limitations, the historical failures of personalized learning, and the need for rigorous evidence before fully embracing AI tutoring. Both explore the balance between AI benefits and the potential dangers of magnifying educational inequalities.

Gentle parenting can be seen as a movement and generational push-back against the parenting styles that Gen-Xers and Millennials grew up with. We use “Gentle Parenting” as a stand-in for the entire constellation of modern parenting brands: Peaceful, Respectful, Mindful, Intentional, Conscious, Compassionate, Sturdy…While there are some small differences between each method, they all generally follow the core “gentle” tenets.Ryan Allen is a licensed child therapist and gentle parenting expert and influencer. He specializes in helping “little kids with big emotions.” He’s a bit of a social media phenom, with 1M followers on TikTok.Lori Gotlieb is a psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author. Her book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, has sold more than a million copies. She also co-hosts the podcast “Dear Therapists” and writes The Atlantic’s “Dear Therapist” advice column. The QuestionsHow should parents help kids regulate their emotions? What is the right role for punishments and consequences?And…what is the happy medium between “Because I said so!” and Lord of the Flies? MentionsLori Gottlieb’s 2011 Article in the Atlantic: “How to Land Your Kid in Therapy”Dr. Becky, Founder of Good Inside and ‘Millennial Parenting Whisperer’Janet Lansbury’s ‘No Bad Kids’ Method What did you think about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or DM us on Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Questions or comments about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or find us on X and Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thedisagreement.substack.com/