Best Rhetorical Answers Podcasts (2025)

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The COP30 climate talks are under way In Brazil. What is the point of the conference? 48:13

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3d ago48:13

48:13

COP30, which began this week in Belém, Brazil, marks a decade since the Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in 2015. It’s being billed as the “implementation COP”: instead of grand new announcements of international agreements, governments are supposed to be focused on delivering on the commitments they have already made. Host Ed Crooks and regula…

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How are businesses rethinking energy and sustainability? COP30 starts in Belem as climate action falters 31:01

4d ago31:01

31:01

COP30, now getting under way in Belem, Brazil, has been billed as “the implementation COP”, which means a focus on governments taking real steps to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. We will be examining all the key issues for government negotiators in the talks very soon. But for this show, we are looking at the role of business. At New Yor…

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Rhetoric and Philosophy: Part One of the Gorgias with Athenian Stranger and Johnathan Bi 2:03:11

4d ago2:03:11

2:03:11

"In war and battle, this is the way to do your part." Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by the Athenian Stranger and Johnathan Bi to introduce the Gorgias and discuss the first part: the dialogue of Gorgias and Socrates. What begins as a polite inquiry into the nature of rhetoric erupts into a war for the sou…

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Energy addition, not energy transition? What does it mean for the future of our energy system, and the climate? | Special episode recorded at ADIPEC, the world’s largest energy event 45:16

8d ago45:16

45:16

As world leaders, businesses and NGOs start their journeys to Brazil for the COP30 climate talks, more than 200,000 people attended ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi, the world’s biggest energy event. Energy Gang was there to bring you the highlights from the week’s discussions. One of the key talking points was the theme of energy addition, rather than transiti…

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Plato's Meno and Education with Dr. Daniel Wagner 1:41:01

10d ago1:41:01

1:41:01

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Daniel Wagner dive into Plato’s Meno as a masterclass in education, contrasting Meno’s stagnant, power-seeking sophistry with his slave boy’s humble, rapid learning during the famous geometry demonstration. Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule. See our COLLEC…

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Speed to power: how can America accelerate the build-out of the next grid? | special episode from the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington DC 1:01:19

11d ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Electricity demand in the US is rising faster than it has in decades, driven by AI and a wave of investment in domestic manufacturing. But with transmission lines and other electricity infrastructure taking years to permit and build, how can America secure the power it needs fast enough to remain competitive? In this special episode of The Energy G…

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Episode 816: MRI's Are Not Routine; Zohran Becomes Blame for Shutdown? 44:34

16d ago44:34

44:34

This week on Ring of Fire! While he was busy confusing a dementia test for an IQ test, Donald Trump made a casual, yet shocking, admission about his health on Monday. Trump claimed that he had an MRI during his recent trip to Walter Reed Medical Center, prompting doctors to warn people that this is NOT normal. MRIs are performed when doctors are lo…

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AI could break the electricity grid. What do regulators and the industry need to do to keep the lights on? 59:47

16d ago59:47

59:47

What happens when the surge in electricity demand comes faster than we can build the infrastructure to support it? Live in front of an audience at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, host Ed Crooks leads a conversation on the future of the US energy grid, skyrocketing load from data centers and electrification, and why politics keeps gett…

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How energy diversification can drive development | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode 28:01

17d ago28:01

28:01

As global energy systems evolve, emerging economies face a defining challenge: how to secure affordable power for today while investing in the low-carbon solutions that will drive tomorrow’s growth. Can energy diversification unlock a new era of industrial development, resilience, and inclusive prosperity? In the third and final episode of our spec…

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Halloween Short Story: The Chief Mourner of Marne by GK Chesterton 1:29:04

18d ago1:29:04

1:29:04

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! In this episode, Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Joseph Boyne explore G.K. Chesterton's short story 'The Chief Mourner of Marne,' discussing its themes, characters, and moral implications. Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule! Check out our COLLECTION OF GUIDES TO THE GREAT BOOKS. They delve into the significan…

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Permitting reform and the politics of building the grid | Live from the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington, D.C. 47:28

23d ago47:28

47:28

Everyone agrees it takes too long and costs too much to build energy infrastructure in America, but what exactly needs fixing, and can we make progress without rolling back vital environmental protections? In this special episode of Energy Gang, recorded live at the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington D.C., host Ed Crooks takes a deep dive into one of t…

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Plato's Phaedo Explained with Dr. Christopher Frey Part II 1:25:48

25d ago1:25:48

1:25:48

The Phaedo is a beautiful dialogue! Join Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Christopher Frey, McFarland Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tulsa, as they conclude their exploration of Plato’s Phaedo, a profound dialogue capturing Socrates’ final hours and his arguments for the soul’s immortality. Reading schedule and more! Collection of guid…

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The new nuclear renaissance - real or rhetoric? | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode 38:07

26d ago38:07

38:07

Nuclear power is back at the centre of the global energy conversation again. Is a real renaissance in the industry under way? Or are we just in another moment of excitement before familiar challenges emerge and the hype cycle turns down again? In the second of three special episodes ahead of ADIPEC 2025, host Ed Crooks speaks with Dr Sama Bilbao y …

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Episode 815: Trump's Vows to End "Democrat" Programs During Shutdown; Are the No Kings Protests Paid Antifa Rallies? 37:34

1M ago37:34

37:34

This week on Ring of Fire: Donald Trump is trying to blame and punish the Democrats for the government shutdown even further this week by announcing that he is permanently “closing Democrat programs” within the federal government. Because there are no partisan programs inside the government, Trump is likely referring to programs that Democrats supp…

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Plato's Phaedo Explained with Dr. Christopher Frey Part I 1:25:28

1M ago1:25:28

1:25:28

Today on Ascend: the Great Books Podcast, we are discussing Plato's Phaedo, or in ancient times, it had the subtitle of On the Soul. It tells of the death of Socrates and his various arguments for the immortality of the soul. The Phaedo is a complicated dialogue. It's a long dialogue, but it's very beautiful and very much worth the effort. So it me…

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The connected world of energy | Special episode from Wood Mackenzie 44:05

1M ago44:05

44:05

Host Ed Crooks talks to Jason Liu, Chief Executive of Wood Mackenzie and co-author (with Chief Analyst Simon Flowers) of a new book, Connected, about the fast-changing world of energy. They are also joined by Sunaina Ocalan, formerly Senior Director for Corporate Strategy & Climate at the oil and gas company Hess, now Senior Analyst and Co-Head for…

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Does low-carbon hydrogen still have a future? | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode 39:50

1M ago39:50

39:50

Low-carbon hydrogen has taken a few knocks in the headlines lately. There have been cancelled projects and fewer splashy announcements. Policy support has been jittery. Is momentum fading, or are we simply moving out of the hype phase and into the serious work of delivery? Host Ed Crooks puts that question to two industry leaders who are aiming to …

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Episode 814: AG Bondi Can't Answer Simple Questions; Behind Trumps Argentina Bailout 32:36

1M ago32:36

32:36

This week on Ring of Fire! Attorney General Pam Bondi was grilled by Senators about a myriad of issues, particularly the recent revelation that border czar Tom Homan was busted in an undercover FBI sting last summer. Bondi refused to answer a question from Senator Sheldon Whitehouse about whether or not Homan kept the $50,000 that he accepted from …

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On the Death of Socrates: Introducing Plato's Phaedo 2:06:34

1M ago2:06:34

2:06:34

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Episode 813: Trump's Sinking Economy; Pritzker Calls for Trump Removal 30:12

1M ago30:12

30:12

This week on Ring of Fire: As Donald Trump prepares to lay off potentially thousands of government workers, the economy is already reeling from an unemployment crisis that is getting worse by the month. The jobs numbers for September from ADP have revealed that the country LOST nearly 40,000 jobs last month, the first time we’ve seen NEGATIVE growt…

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How can the grid help AI, and how can AI help the grid? Live from NYU at New York Climate Week, featuring leaders from Nvidia and Amazon | Energy Gang Live from Climate Week 1:08:25

2M ago1:08:25

1:08:25

Recorded in front of a packed room at NYU’s Kimmel Center during Climate Week NYC, Ed Crooks and Amy Myers Jaffe moderate a debate on the high-stakes topic of AI and energy. They dig deep into the questions raised by the surge of investment in data centers: what it means for grid stability and electricity bills, and how new technologies and market …

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The Crito by Plato with Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos 1:46:52

2M ago1:46:52

1:46:52

In this episode, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos dive into Plato’s Crito, a dialogue set in Socrates’ prison cell as he awaits execution. They explore Socrates’ refusal to escape, his debt of gratitude to Athens, and the tension between philosophy and the polis’s poetic traditions. Through engaging analysis, they unpack the dialog…

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Episode 812: Trump Fails Bigly at United Nations; Fox News Host Ramps Up Rhetoric 38:36

2M ago38:36

38:36

This week on Ring of Fire! Donald Trump delivered a speech at the UN on Tuesday that not only did it leave the folks watching at home embarrassed for their country, but it also caused the audience in the room to break out in laughter. Trump lectured the rest of the world about the importance of teleprompters, escalators, and preventing Muslim peopl…

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What do China’s climate commitments mean for energy? 50:41

2M ago50:41

50:41

For COP30, the international climate talks in Brazil in November, the countries of the world are supposed to roll out their new Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs: their commitments to cut emissions. China’s NDC is particularly eagerly awaited: it is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Its NDC has been described as the most im…

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Everyone is talking (again!) about a coming revival in nuclear power. What needs to change to make it happen? | More from New York Climate Week 47:50

2M ago47:50

47:50

At Climate Week NYC continues, the hottest topic is the question of how to meet growing demand for electricity while cutting emissions. In New York State, electricity use is expected to increase by 25% over the next 15 years. To meet that demand, the state plans to add tens of gigawatts or renewables. But that is not enough. It also wants more “dis…

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As the pressure for climate action fades, what is driving investment in clean energy? | The big talking points from New York Climate Week 36:03

2M ago36:03

36:03

It’s New York Climate Week this week, and we’re bringing you highlights from all the key debates and discussions. Climate Week NYC is one of the most important gatherings in the energy calendar, bringing together business leaders, investors, scientists, campaigners and policymakers to discuss the global effort to prevent catastrophic global warming…

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Plato's Apology Part II with Fr. Justin Brophy, OP 1:54:35

2M ago1:54:35

1:54:35

In this episode of the Ascend the Great Books podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick and Father Justin Brophy, OP, delve into the second part of Plato's Apology, exploring Socrates' defense during his trial. They discuss the significance of Socrates' thoughts on death, virtue, and the role of philosophy in life. The conversation also touches on the influ…

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Carbon capture could be an important tool for tackling climate change. Can we find productive ways to use that carbon? 42:58

2M ago42:58

42:58

As fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, there is renewed interest in what can be done to capture carbon dioxide. Until now, most of the investment in carbon capture has gone into projects to take those emissions and store them underground forever. But what if we could make use of that captured carbon? To find out what role…

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Data centers for AI will need to embrace flexibility if our electricity system is going to cope. How can large loads support the grid? 50:43

2M ago50:43

50:43

AI is adding to US electricity consumption at a pace not seen in decades. That demand growth is creating new strains on the grid in many parts of the country. But what if AI could instead help keep the system running? Varun Sivaram is a founder & CEO of Emerald AI and a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He says that far from underm…

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Plato's Apology Part I with Fr. Justin Brophy, OP 1:58:35

2M ago1:58:35

1:58:35

In this episode of Ascend, The Great Books Podcast, host Deacon Harrison Garlick is joined by Fr. Justin Brophy, a Dominican friar and Assistant Professor of Political Science at Providence College, to dive into the first half of Plato’s Apology. Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule. Check out our collection of guides on the …

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Episode 811: Note: This Week's Episode Was Taped Before the Death of Charlie Kirk 30:47

2M ago30:47

30:47

This week on Ring of Fire! While the rest of his White House staff is attempting to claim that the Epstein files released this week – including Trump’s crude sketch featuring his signature – are “fake,” Donald Trump decided to take a different approach. When asked by a reporter on Tuesday about the release of the files, Trump said that he would not…

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Episode 810: Trump Seen Alive; Judge Rules Pirro's Case "Garbage" 34:46

2M ago34:46

34:46

This week on Ring of Fire! Donald Trump attempted to put the rumors of his failing health to rest by posting on social media that he “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE” and then sharing photos of himself playing golf with disgraced former NFL coach Jon Gruden. The only problem is that the photos were from a golf outing that happened a week before, which…

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Aquinas and the Euthyphro Dilemma with Dr. Donald Prudlo 1:27:31

2M ago1:27:31

1:27:31

How would a Christian answer the Euthyphro dilemma? Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Donald Prudlo, the Warren Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of Tulsa, to discuss Aquinas and the Euthyphro dilemma. Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule and more! Need a guide to a gre…

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The Euthyphro by Plato Part II with Dr. Joey Spencer and Friends 1:36:36

2M ago1:36:36

1:36:36

In this episode of the Ascend the Great Books podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick and guests delve into the complexities of Plato's Euthyphro, exploring themes of piety, morality, and the divine - including the famous "Euthyphro Dilemma." The podcast welcomes back Dr. Joey Spencer, who serves as a tutor of theology, an archivist, and an expert in ange…

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What will the COP30 climate talks mean for energy? 49:58

2M ago49:58

49:58

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Episode 809: Dictator in Chief? Trump Raids Political Enemies; Dementia? 38:33

3M ago38:33

38:33

This week on Ring of Fire! During an absolutely incoherent and rambling talk with reporters on Monday, Donald Trump finally said what many of us have been expecting for a long time. Trump said that there are “people” telling him that they would actually like to have a dictator in charge of the country, which is a complete fabrication. Trump isn’t b…

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The Euthyphro by Plato Part I with Dr. Joey Spencer and Friends 1:47:12

3M ago1:47:12

1:47:12

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we are joined by Dcn. Garlick, Dr. Frank Grabowski, Thomas Lackey, and Dr. Joey Spencer to discuss the first part of Plato’s Euthyphro—a dialogue on piety. Dr. Spencer is the diocesan Archivist for the Diocese of Tulsa, a tutor in Theology, and an expert in the theology of angels and demons. We discuss the …

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Episode 808: Does Putin Own Trump? Trump Tariffs 29:02

3M ago29:02

29:02

This week on Ring of Fire! Donald Trump dipped out of his meeting with leaders from the European Union this week in order to take a phone call from Vladimir Putin, and Trump admitted on Tuesday that he did it because he didn’t want to “disrespect” Putin. This is all the proof you need that Trump is deathly afraid of Putin to the point where he will…

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Petrostates, electrostates, and the energy transition. Gerard Reid of the Redefining Energy podcast visits the Energy Gang 1:03:57

3M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Is the global transition to low-carbon energy accelerating or slowing down? One answer is that it depends where you look. In the US, energy policy has shifted away from support for low-carbon technologies, but China is continuing with record installations of solar, wind, and batteries, and record sales of EVs. With AI emerging as the central arena …

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Teaching Plato's First Alcibiades with Dr. Daniel Shields 58:58

3M ago58:58

58:58

In this episode of the Great Books Podcast, Deacon Harrison Garlick and Dr. Daniel Shields discuss the significance of Plato's First Alcibiades, particularly in the context of its use at Wyoming Catholic College. They explore the themes of self-knowledge, the relationship between philosophy and politics, and the importance of mentorship in educatio…

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Episode 807: Trump Uses National Guard for Political Stunt; Epstein's Girlfriend Moved to Minimum-Security Facility 37:50

3M ago37:50

37:50

This week on Ring of Fire! Donald Trump, the convicted felon President of the United States, has been telling lie after lie about crime rates in this country for well over a year, but his decision to deploy the National Guard and take over the Washington, D.C. police force this week is not rooted anywhere close to reality. Crime rates in DC have fa…

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First Alcibiades by Plato Part Two with Alec Bianco and Athenian Stranger 1:07:25

3M ago1:07:25

1:07:25

KNOW THYSELF. Today, we have the second part of the excellent conversation on First Alcibiades with Dcn. Garlick, Alec Bianco, and Athenian Stranger. The conversation starts at 124(b)! First Alcibiades is one of the BEST PLACES you could start with Plato. Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule and more! Check out our WRITTEN GU…

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Episode 806: Texas Dems Doing What's Right! Bondi Under Fire 36:13

3M ago36:13

36:13

This week on Ring of Fire! The Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas to prevent the legislature from having a quorum to approve new, gerrymandered districts are now facing civil arrest warrants from the Republican leadership of the state. These are not criminal warrants, and they are only seeking to force the Democrats back into the chamber so …

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First Alcibiades by Plato Part One with Alec Bianco and Athenian Stranger 1:58:10

3M ago1:58:10

1:58:10

PLATO IS PHILOSOPHY - and there is no better place to start with Plato than First Alcibiades. Today, we are discussing First Alcibiades with Alec Bianco of the Circe Institute and with the Athenian Stranger. Go check out their X accounts. Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for our reading schedule. Check out our PATREON for written guides on the great …

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Planning the grid to meet future energy demand | A discussion on the future of the grid, AI, energy innovation, and delivering the electricity supply we will need in the coming decades 1:11:07

3M ago1:11:07

1:11:07

The grid “is designed for the core components - supplying electricity - but we are definitely pushing it to its limits,” says Melissa Lott, Partner for energy technologies at Microsoft*. The electricity grid has been described as one of the greatest achievements of human civilisation, because of its complexity, scale, and essential role in our soci…

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Episode 805: Trump Can't Escape Epstein's Ghost; Megyn Kelly Turning on Trump? Habba Won't Leave 33:34

4M ago33:34

33:34

This week on Ring of Fire! Donald Trump found out over the weekend that he can’t escape the Epstein scandal, even when he leaves the country. Trump snapped at a reporter for asking about the scandal, and the next day he kicked a reporter out of the room for asking about Ghislaine Maxwell. Trump is desperately trying to distract the public with fake…

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The Life of Alcibiades by Plutarch with Alex from Cost of Glory 1:45:49

4M ago1:45:49

1:45:49

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, we are continuing our study of Plato by diving into the Life of Alcibiades by Plutarch with Alex from the Cost of Glory podcast. Visit thegreatbookspodcast.com for more resources! Visit our PATREON page for written guides and to chat with others! Alex is fantastic. Alex and Dcn. Garlick discuss a few prelim…

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Episode 804: Trump Melting Under Epstein Spotlight; But Hilary's Emails; Trump Goes Full Racist for Sports? 31:27

4M ago31:27

31:27

This week on Ring of Fire! A clearly deranged and desperate Donald Trump shared a video to his Truth Social account that features an AI-altered video of former President Barack Obama being violently arrested in the Oval Office before eventually being shown in an orange jumpsuit behind bars. This is coming from a man that has 34 felony convictions a…

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Plato 101: An Introduction with Friends 1:34:30

4M ago1:34:30

1:34:30

WE ARE STARTING PLATO! Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast we are launching into our studies on Plato. We are kicking off with a roundtable of friends—a lawyer, two Phds, and an independent scholar—discussing the preliminary questions on Plato. Questions: Who was Plato? Why should we read Plato? Why should Christians read Plato? How should we …

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What will energy look like 5 years after the 'Big Beautiful Bill?' The Energy Gang report from 2030. 1:14:57

4M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

In this episode, we take a trip in a time machine, five years into the future. 2030 has been set as a deadline for many climate goals, and is a milestone for checking progress towards a low-carbon energy system. Ed Crooks, Amy Myers Jaffe and Melissa Lott imagine themselves five years from now, and look back at how the US energy industry has change…