Best Brain In A Vat Podcasts (2025)

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Should We Stay or Should We Go | Lionel Shriver (Rebroadcast) 55:47

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2h ago55:47

55:47

When is death preferable to living? Are there fates worse than death? And what sort of future society should we build? Lionel Shriver discusses her latest novel, Should We Stay or Should We Go.

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Accountancy Insights: LLMs and spreadsheets, Companies House IDV, and the OBR’s role 34:11

5d ago34:11

34:11

In this episode, we’re exploring just how useful Large Language Models (LLMs) are when it comes to spreadsheets; what needs to happen by 18 November when it comes to Companies House ID verification; and how the OBR comes to its conclusions. Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Simon Thorne, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, Cardiff Metropolitan Unive…

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Parental Licensing | Connor Kianpour (Rebroadcast) 1:02:07

7d ago1:02:07

1:02:07

Should you be required to get a parental license from the State before you can raise your own children? Do the wishes of parents matter at all – or should we only care about the best interests of their children?

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Can AI Bring Our Loved Ones Back? Inside Reflekta AI’s Digital Afterlife | Miles Spencer 51:57

16d ago51:57

51:57

In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, we step outside our usual format to interview Miles Spencer, founder of Reflekta — a company using cutting-edge AI to recreate digital reflections of loved ones who’ve passed away. Miles shares his personal journey of using Reflekta to reconnect with his late father and explains how the system blends voice…

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Behind the Numbers: How to bounce back from a cyber attack 32:29

20d ago32:29

32:29

In this episode, we discuss how prepared organisations really are for cyber attacks, what to do if and when your business is affected, and how to manage the communications challenges. We have a great case study from a company that suffered a cyber attack, with plenty of lessons about how to mitigate the impact on customers and return quickly to bus…

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Behind the Numbers: Dealing with uncertainty, and mental health 30:06

27d ago30:06

30:06

We’re all navigating uncertainty right now. How can accountants manage it professionally and personally? Riaz Shah OBE, former EY Partner and Professor of Practice at Hult International Business School, breaks down the biggest factors affecting the profession at the moment, and how it might shape the role and future of accountants. Then Paul Guess,…

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Cultural Appropriation | Stephen Kershnar (Rebroadcast) 51:42

1M ago51:42

51:42

Is it permissible for members of one group to appropriate the cultural practices of another? Is there anything wrong with cultural appropriation at all, or are there benefits to cultural appropriation?

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Behind the Numbers: Should we compensate whistleblowers? 31:00

1M ago31:00

31:00

Whistleblowing is a vital process but often fraught with far more risk and emotional upheaval than it should be. In Western Europe, 43% of all occupational fraud cases come to light thanks to whistleblowers. And it’s not just fraud: cases from poor health-and-safety practices to bad team management have all been righted thanks to people speaking ou…

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Aztec Philosophy: What the Aztecs Knew About Life | Sebastian Purcell 57:31

1M ago57:31

57:31

How did the Aztecs understand life, morality, and human purpose? What can Aztec philosophy teach us about living well? Sebastian Purcell guides us through Aztec thought, beginning with a thought experiment from Homer’s Odyssey and moving into the core ideas of Aztec wisdom. Along the way, he contrasts Aztec ethics with Western traditions and applie…

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#212: Inside IKEA’s End-to-End Supply Chain Overhaul with Susanne Waidzunas 24:34

1M ago24:34

24:34

*Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Susanne Waidzunas has spent over 25 years shaping one of the most intricate global supply chains on the planet at IKEA. From her early days managing suppliers in the Baltics to leading a sweeping digital and sustainability transformation, Susanne offers a rare look inside IKEA’s end-to-end strategy. We explore how her tea…

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Accountancy Insights: Kemi Badenoch on growth and the profession 23:20

2M ago23:20

23:20

In this special episode of Accountancy Insights, we bring you a timely interview of Kemi Badenoch by ICAEW’s Chief Executive Alan Vallance who sat down with her after a speech she gave at Chartered Accountants’ Hall. Badenoch talked about tackling perennial long-term problems like productivity and smarter regulation. She spoke with feeling about he…

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The Assassination of Charlie Kirk 30:11

2M ago30:11

30:11

In this special episode of Brain in a Vat, Mark and Jasondiscuss the tragic assassination of political commentator, Charlie Kirk. The episode discusses Kirk's commitment to open dialogue and civil discourse, particularly on college campuses, and critique the societal implications of hisdeath. The episode delves into themes of free speech, academicf…

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Accountancy Insights: Companies House update, scaling up smartly and the Next Generation ACA 34:09

2M ago34:09

34:09

Accountancy Insights explores the month’s top stories in the profession. In this episode, we discuss the introduction of four statutory instruments to enforce Companies House reform, as well as the common mistakes to avoid when scaling up a business. We also cover the introduction and content of the Next Generation ACA qualification. Philippa Lamb …

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Using AI to Fight Crime | David Boonin (Rebroadcast) 1:14:07

2M ago1:14:07

1:14:07

Is racial profiling always wrong, even if used by an AI to decrease crime? Should we use AI to judge criminal cases, recommend sentences for the guilty, or decide parole for prisoners? Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to AI in Crime Fighting [00:12] Thought Experiment: The Looting Scenario [06:32] Predictive Policing and AI [10:13] Debating the Ethic…

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#211: Why Calm Leadership Wins in Supply Chain with Arne Flemming of Bosch 33:41

2M ago33:41

33:41

*Hosted by Fei Yu* I sat down with Arne Flemming, Senior Vice President of Corporate Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics Services at Bosch, a €90B global powerhouse operating across mobility, industrial tech, home appliances, and more. Arne leads supply chain operations impacting 30,000+ associates and 230 plants worldwide. We discuss his …

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Are We Free at Work? Marx on Capitalism Today | Brian Leiter 1:10:47

2M ago1:10:47

1:10:47

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we’re joined by Brian Leiter, co-author (with Jamie Edwards) of a new book on Marx. We explore whether workers in contemporary capitalism are truly free—or trapped in a form of “wage slavery.” Leiter uses thought experiments to probe the limits of workplace freedom. He also examines Marx’s labor theory of value—it…

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The Possible Worlds of David Lewis | Barry Lam (Rebroadcast) 52:04

2M ago52:04

52:04

What are possible worlds? Could you have been born to different parents, and could an object be both completely green and completely red? Barry Lam explains how David Lewis’s views on possible worlds can help us understand everything from time travel to the nature of who we are.

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Accountancy Insights: Can history teach us anything about digital money? 33:47

3M ago33:47

33:47

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we explore what the history of money can tell us about its future. Currency has been evolving for thousands of years, but the pace of change has now escalated with the introduction of online banking and digital currencies. We discuss the parallels between modern and historical advances in currency, and key les…

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Procreative Ethics | Rivka Weinberg (Rebroadcast) 1:02:39

3M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

Is it wrong to bring new life into the world? Is adopting a child a moral obligation? Is parenting meaningful?

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Accountancy Insights: Bonus episode - how to tackle late payments 23:16

3M ago23:16

23:16

ICAEW’s Iain Wright hosts a conversation with Emma Jones CBE, the government’s newly appointed Small Business Commissioner, in this special episode of Accountancy Insights. Jones discusses the Small Business Plan, launched on 30 July, which introduces new measures to tackle late payments. Estimates place the cost of late payments to the UK economy …

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Imagine There’s No Gender | Holly Lawford-Smith [with Raja Halwani] (Rebroadcast) 56:18

3M ago56:18

56:18

Would the world be better if we didn’t recognize genders? In such a world, there would be males and females, but nothing associated with what it means to be male or female other than biological facts. Men and women would be equally likely to be social leaders. And there would be no stereotypically male or female behavior. In this world, there’d be …

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#210: Operational Innovation at TE Connectivity with Jim Tobojka 32:15

3M ago32:15

32:15

*Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Jim Tobojka is the Chief Operations Officer at TE Connectivity, a USD 16B industrial tech powerhouse whose products power everything from EVs to life-saving devices. We dived into Jim’s bold career path, from turning around plants at age 24 to scaling TE’s logistics network through a transformative initiative called Integ…

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The Moral Lives of Spies | Cécile Fabre 1:01:41

3M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

What does a spy owe — to their country, their conscience, or their cause? In this episode, Cécile Fabre investigates the moral lives of Cold War operatives like Kim Philby and Oleg Gordievsky. With Fabre, we probe the strange morality of spies and the ethical paradoxes they inhabit. Is it ever right to betray your country? Can deception be a moral …

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#209: Building Resilient, Local-Global Supply Chains with Manuel Wildberger of Givaudan 36:21

3M ago36:21

36:21

*Hosted by Fei Yu* Manuel Wildberger leads European operations at Givaudan, a global flavor and fragrance giant with 7.4B Swiss Francs in sales and customers across 150 countries. I spoke with Manuel about how he manages a 800M Swiss Francs supply chain across seven plants and five countries while balancing hyper-customization, precision, and resil…

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The Right to Sex | Raja Halwani (Rebroadcast) 59:01

3M ago59:01

59:01

Do we have a right to sex, and is there an obligation to sexually fulfill the disabled? Should sex work be not only legal, but obligatory? [00:00] Introduction and Guest Welcome [00:16] Exploring the Right to Sex: Thought Experiment [03:43] Negative vs. Positive Rights to Sex [09:50] State-Sponsored Sex Work and Ethical Considerations [11:52] Sexua…

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Accountancy Insights: Inside the Post Office Inquiry and new mid-tier research 34:12

3M ago34:12

34:12

In this episode, we discuss the findings of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s first report, including lessons for other companies around culture and values. We also explore ICAEW’s latest research into mid-tier practices, covering the key drivers of growth and the biggest challenges ahead. Philippa Lamb is joined in the studio by Peter van Veen,…

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#208: Apple in China with Author and Journalist Patrick McGee 39:03

3M ago39:03

39:03

*Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, we dive into one of the most consequential supply chain narratives of our time: how Apple became the single largest private contributor to China’s tech rise. Patrick McGee, a longtime Financial Times reporter and author of Apple in China, joins me to unravel the $55B-a-year investments, the Foxconn partne…

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Decriminalizing Sex Work | Jessica Flanigan 1:01:25

4M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we welcome back Jessica Flanigan for a discussion on the decriminalization of sex work. Using a decriminalization framework, Flanigan examines the ethics of sex work and the role of state regulation. The conversation explores autonomy, consent, and coercion. It also addresses the stigma surrounding sex work, its p…

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Behind the numbers: Appraising Starmer’s Labour 42:06

4M ago42:06

42:06

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the hits and misses of the Labour government’s first year in power. While there have been some clear wins over the past 12 months, particularly on the international stage, domestic politics have felt far less controlled. Our panel evaluates the previous year, as well as suggesting where the governme…

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Disgust | Martha Nussbaum (Rebroadcast) 58:01

4M ago58:01

58:01

What exactly makes us feel disgusted? Is disgust for a person or group ever justified? And is disgust useful, or should we try to eliminate it? Chapters: [00:00] Introduction to Disgust and Cognitive Content [00:11] Paul Rosen's Experiments on Disgust [02:16] Disgust and Its Connection to Animality and Mortality [03:05] Projective Disgust and Socia…

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Accountancy Insights: Inside the Industrial Strategy and navigating VAT reform 37:48

4M ago37:48

37:48

In this episode, we discuss the government’s new Industrial Strategy and, in particular, its sector plan for professional and business services with Iain Wright, ICAEW Chief Policy and Communications Officer. Iain is Chair of the Professional and Business Services Council, which has worked closely with government in devising the final plans. We als…

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Patriotism Unpacked | Spencer Case (Rebroadcast) 59:38

4M ago59:38

59:38

What does it mean to be patriotic, or to love your country? Some argue that patriotism is virtuous because it allows us to transcend our selfish needs and act for the good of our community. But others argue that patriotism is overly narrow-minded, arbitrary and sometimes immoral. Microdigressions Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Micro-Digressions …

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#207: From CSCO to CEO, Building a Global Board Career, and the GAP framework with Pier Luigi Sigismondi 38:44

4M ago38:44

38:44

*Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Pier Luigi Sigismondi helped build Unilever’s supply chain into a global benchmark, then pivoted to become a sought-after board member across three continents. In this episode, we explored his remarkable journey from Latin America to C-suites and boardrooms, and how a mindset rooted in humility, ambition, and adaptability…

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Is Tarot a Tool for Thought? | Georgi Gardiner 1:01:44

4M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, Georgi Gardiner returns to explore the epistemic value of tarot: its capacity to shape self-understanding, spark creative reflection, and influence major life decisions. Drawing on personal experience and philosophical analysis, Georgi examines how tarot can serve as a mirror for introspection while also raising c…

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Living The Philosophical Life | Agnes Callard 55:21

4M ago55:21

55:21

In this episode, Brain in a Vat is joined by public philosopher and author Agnes Callard to explore the relevance of philosophy in everyday life. Drawing from her work on Socrates, Agnes makes a case for why philosophical inquiry matters, now more than ever. From the pig farmer analogy to Socratic love, this conversation is a deep dive into how phi…

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Behind the numbers: Investment risk - lessons from Russia 35:11

5M ago35:11

35:11

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss how businesses can best navigate geopolitical risk. With the Trump administration’s push for tariffs, and wars taking place in Europe and the Middle East, doing business internationally is increasingly unpredictable. We explore the lessons learned from Russia’s recent history – beginning with the fa…

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The Israel Palestine Conflict | David Benatar 59:21

5M ago59:21

59:21

Are Jews entitled to their own homeland? Is the Israeli response to the massacre of civilians perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th justified? Should there be a ceasefire? David's Article in Quillette: https://quillette.com/2023/10/21/its-not-the-occupation/ Raja Halwani wrote to us about Jason's exposition of his view at 33:06. Here is Raja's clarif…

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Accountancy Insights: Supporting SME growth and professional judgement in audit 23:33

5M ago23:33

23:33

In this episode, we discuss how SMEs can pursue growth in today’s environment of economic uncertainty, as well as explaining how auditors should be fulfilling their responsibilities to exercise professional judgement and scepticism. Philippa Lamb is joined by start-up consultant Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam and Rhodri Whitlock, Director at HPL Associate…

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#206: Data-Driven Supply Chain Transformation with Ruth Beadle of Sanofi 30:32

5M ago30:32

30:32

*Hosted by Stéphanie Moles-Rota* In this compelling episode, I interviewed Ruth Beadle, the Head of Supply Chain at Sanofi, where we talked about her transformative leadership journey across various industries and geographies. Ruth shared pivotal moments that shaped her career, the challenges of leading large-scale ERP and AI-driven initiatives, an…

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The Ideal State: An AI Debate - Plato vs Nozick 47:59

5M ago47:59

47:59

In this episode of Brain in a Vat, we examine two competing political visions through an AI debate between Plato and Robert Nozick. Plato defends rule by philosopher kings and a unified society, while Nozick argues for individual liberty and a minimal state. Following our previous episode featuring Mill and Kant, we continue investigating major phi…

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#205: How Unilever’s Ice Cream Division Became the $8.5B “Magnum Company” with Sandeep Desai, CSCO 31:28

5M ago31:28

31:28

*Hosted by Radu Palamariu* Unilever is turning its iconic ice cream business, home to Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s, into a standalone powerhouse. What does it really take to spin off an €8.5B global business? Sandeep Desai, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Unilever Ice Cream, takes us inside the transformation. From leading 9,000+ employees across 38 fact…

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Organ Markets | James Stacey Taylor (Rebroadcast) 1:13:57

5M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

Should we be allowed to sell our organs on the open market? Would the poor be exploited under such a system? And does organ donation impose an unfair burden on the relatives of those that need a transplant? Check out FeedSpot's list of 90 best philosophy podcasts, where Brain in a Vat is ranked at 15, here: https://podcast.feedspot.com/philosophy_p…

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Behind the Numbers: Rebuilding trust in volatile times 52:05

5M ago52:05

52:05

Accountancy Insights is celebrating its 100th episode. To mark the occasion, we’ve brought together experts from across business, politics and technology to look at a fundamental problem that’s holding back economic growth: trust. Just how deep is the trust crisis in business and institutions that we hear so much about? And how can it possibly be r…

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Academic Freedom in Universities | Eric Sampson and Rebecca Tuvel 1:07:23

5M ago1:07:23

1:07:23

Eric Sampson and Rebecca Tuvel explore the contested issue of academic freedom. They discuss the tensions that emerge when universities try to balance the promotion of diverse intellectual perspectives with concerns over potential harm to community members, as seen in controversies involving figures like philosopher Peter Singer. Drawing on debates…

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#204: Tariffs and Global Supply Chains with Brian Nemeth of AlixPartners 29:50

6M ago29:50

29:50

*Hosted by Radu Palamariu* In this episode, I interviewed Brian Nemeth, Managing Director at AlixPartners, where we talked about the ripple effects of tariffs on global supply chains. We dived into real-world case studies, the resurgence of the bullwhip effect, and the strategic decisions supply chain leaders must make under pressure. Brian shared …

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Children's Rights and Parenting | Connor Kianpour and Ella Coleman 1:02:09

6M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

Connor examines involuntary commitment, substance abuse disorders, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding parenting and children's welfare. Should children be allowed to transition genders? When is the state justified in removing children from harmful environments? And what is the role of non-parental caregivers in a child's life? Join us for this th…

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Accountancy Insights: Collecting unpaid taxes and revisions to the Code of Ethics 12:16

6M ago12:16

12:16

In this episode, we discuss the government’s new measures to collect billions of pounds in unpaid taxes, as well as covering the key changes to ICAEW’s Code of Ethics, which come into effect on 1 July 2025. Philippa Lamb is joined by Stephen Relf, Technical Manager, Tax; and Laura Hough, Director of Trust and Ethics. This episode refers to penalty …

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Are Conspiracy Theories Right? | Jared Millson and Ella Coleman 58:01

6M ago58:01

58:01

Jared Millson delves into the intriguing world of conspiracy theories, exploring well-known cases like Pizzagate and lesser-known but historically significant events such as the COINTELPRO. The discussion spans the definitions and philosophical debates about what constitutes a conspiracy theory, the criteria for evaluating these theories, and the p…

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Animal Liberation Now | Peter Singer (Rebroadcast) 1:05:15

6M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

Peter Singer delves into difficult ethical questions regarding animal rights, the morality of factory farming, and difficult human-related ethical dilemmas. Singer discusses his views as a consequentialist, examining the impact of our choices on animal suffering, the ethical considerations around organ donation from anencephalic children, and the b…

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Behind the numbers: The professional pitfalls of social media 25:52

6M ago25:52

25:52

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss how professionals should approach social media. Social media can be a minefield, particularly when personal and professional lives are closely interwoven. Online debate has become increasingly polarised, including how people use professional networks such as LinkedIn. We cover some common pitfalls a…