Best Sandra and Karlee Podcasts (2025)

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Consciousness Begins in the Body | Antonio Damasio 30:56

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1d ago30:56

30:56

We tend to believe consciousness is purely mental. And since Descartes' "I think therefore I am", we've privileged the mind as the centrepiece of thought and consciousness. But such a view is mistaken argues award-winning neuroscientist Antonio Damasio. Feelings, long dismissed as secondary to thinking, are where consciousness begins, and are deepl…

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“Your voice is always going to be original.” Interview with EldritchLibertine, FanFic Author 1:47:08

3d ago1:47:08

1:47:08

On this episode, Sandra and Kasey are chatting with Ke, known as EldritchLibertine on AO3 and tumblr. Ke’s watched Supernatural for years but only recently dived into SPN fandom and writing about the show’s characters. Sandra discovered one of Ke’s fics, Celestial Requiem (OFC x Castiel), which tackled the considerable undertaking of weaving her OF…

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The Selfish and The Selfless SPECIAL | JD Vance, Pope Francis, and the 10 Commandments 45:09

7d ago45:09

45:09

What can JD Vance's arguments with Pope Francis teach us about selfishness, altruism, and the morality of the modern world? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about egoism, self-sacrifice, and everything in between, analysing a range of subjects, including: Friedrich Nietzsche and his rivalry with former maestro Arthur Schopenhauer; the 10 …

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Ramble On - Second Base With Sammy 7:40

7d ago7:40

7:40

Podfic Time – “Second Base with Sammy” by Sam_Is_My_Safe_Word Kasey’s entry into our Self-Inflicted Word Count Challenge: Big Things in Little Spaces, inspired by my Smut Closet Live Narrations. But, wait, what’s this? Sam Winchester/Reader? A Teen-Rated, Smut-Free fic by Kasey, the Agent of Chaos and Kink? Yep, never know what you’re gonna get. We…

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Being mindful in a mindless world | Ellen Langer 22:46

10d ago22:46

22:46

The mindful body with Ellen Langer Can mindfulness be contagious? Ellen Langer's research certainly seems to suggest that's the case. As Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and the author of 'The Mindful Body', Ellen has racked up decades of experience and numerous awards during her investigations into the impact of mindful living. In thi…

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Self-Inflicted Word Count Challenge: Big Things in Little Spaces 1:35:21

10d ago1:35:21

1:35:21

Sandra and Kasey just can’t help themselves. No, it’s not just a ranking issue. In this episode, Sandra and Kasey are discussing the fruits of their labor from a recently wrapped self-inflicted word count challenge. They’re bringing back special guest and judge runawaydr3amer with the verdict on how well they fulfilled the “Big Things in Little Spa…

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The beautiful in philosophy | Babette Babich, Paul Ernest, Ankhi Mukherjee, Sarah Wilson 42:00

14d ago42:00

42:00

The good, the bad, and the beautiful What is beauty? Why are we so drawn to it? And should we be - or is it a distraction? The philosophy of aesthetics and beauty has a long and fascinating history. Over the millennia, while we mostly agree on the essential nature of this ephemeral thing, "beauty", we disagree on the reasons why it is important, on…

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A world without values | Janne Teller, Dale Turner, Robin van den Akker, Isabel Hilton 44:37

17d ago44:37

44:37

Once values such as justice and equality were agreed upon by all. Now they are identified by some as vehicles to entrench or overturn power. On the left, 'justice' as a means to sustain and impose privilege, 'truth' as an attempt to claim enduring authority. On the right, 'diversity' and 'equality' as means to undermine the status quo in favour of …

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Let’s Get Wicked! The Best Witches of Supernatural 1:01:36

17d ago1:01:36

1:01:36

Sandra and Kasey don’t have the same disdain for witches as Dean Winchester does. However, thoughts and feelings are discussed in this episode about the wicked representation of this magical bunch on Supernatural. All that aside, they’ve ranked their top ten favorite spellcasting characters on the show. Have a listen and see if you agree! Wicked Ep…

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The challenge to optimism | Angus Deaton 21:34

23d ago21:34

21:34

The economy is a vital part of the way we understand our lives and our politics more generally. But after years of growth, development, and progress, on the surface everything is rosy. But as Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton argues, behind the big picture many people have been left behind by the modern economy, and this is precisely because of the blind…

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“I never throw away an idea.” Interview with kittenofdoomage, FanFic Author 2:04:16

24d ago2:04:16

2:04:16

Sandra and Kasey got to check a guest off their podcast bucket list! Listeners may have heard them collectively agree, “We’ll have made it when we can interview kittenofdoomage!” That day has arrived! Rhi, known in fandom writing circles as kittenofdoomage, has been posting fics on AO3 since 2016 and is one of the most prolific reader-insert writer…

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Searching for the purpose of life |Babette Babich, Frank Tallis, Jonathan Webber, Sandra Laugier 45:53

1M ago45:53

45:53

The journey in search of the destination Does life have a purpose? Is that what gives life meaning? Or is it the journey that matters the most? Join our four speakers - Nietzschean philosopher Babette Babich, clinical psychologist Frank Tallis, existentialist philosopher Jonathan Webber, and linguist philosopher Sandra Laugier - as they explore the…

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“Words have power.” Minority and Cultural Representation in FanFiction 1:49:09

1M ago1:49:09

1:49:09

Sandra and Kasey welcomed authors and friends to dig deeper into fanfiction on this episode. The topic is minority and cultural representation (or the lack thereof) in fanfics, focusing on Reader Insert and Original Characters. Alex, known as ZepSkies, is a reader-insert and OFC writer who has penned many stories centered around characters brought …

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Ride with Pride in June! Priding in the Impala Fundraiser 9:18

1M ago9:18

9:18

Idling in the Impala’s 2025 Priding in the Impala Fundraiser is live! Visit the merch store and pick up anything with the “Ride with Pride” artwork (designed by the immensely talented Quickreaver)! Net revenue will be split between the LGBTQIA+ non-profit organization The Trevor Project and expenses that keep Idling in the Impala running (things li…

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Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap | Babette Babich 24:19

1M ago24:19

24:19

Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap with Babette Babich Babette Babich discusses Nietzsche, the importance of tragedy, and the danger of technology interfering with our judgement. Babette Babich is a world renowned Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University in New York. In this in-depth interview, she looks to Nietzsche's Bi…

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The philosophy of fun | Myriam François, Freya India, James Tartaglia 50:35

1M ago50:35

50:35

The essential philosophy of fun Do we need to have fun or is it an unnecessary excess? Are we living in an age of fun's decline, what with the moralism and strictures of Gen Z, or is there something else going on? On this panel, our three guests - philosopher James Tartaglia, film-maker Myriam François, and writer Freya India - dive into the idea o…

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Towing the company line - Zachariah Character Deep Dive 36:18

1M ago36:18

36:18

Sandra and Kasey took a little time to discuss an angel that symbolizes middle management and chews scenery with the best of ‘em. He also voiced an iconic line describing the co-dependent relationship of Sam and Dean. They’re talking about Zachariah, one of the baddest baddies to appear on Supernatural. ~~~ Reminder ~ “Ride with Pride” fundraiser m…

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Neoliberalism: A Soviet nightmare | Abby Innes 31:25

2M ago31:25

31:25

There is an old Soviet joke, ‘Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is its exact opposite.’ On the surface, neoliberalism, with its emphasis on free markets, competition and privatisation, is as far removed as possible from the Soviet Union. But behind the policies, could they be guided by the same false utopianism? Abby Innes, pr…

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Ramble On - Magdalena 26:32

2M ago26:32

26:32

Podfic Time – “Magdalena” by Impala_Dreamer Beka is well-known for her reader-inserts, but don’t discount her abilities to create original, fleshed out characters. This is an angsty, bittersweet story with an OFC and MOC!Dean that was a pleasure to narrate. It made me want to cuddle my murder baby man; bodily harm be damned! Please visit the fic on…

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The dark side of chasing rewards | Paul Bloom, Nancy Sherman, and Dan Ariely 46:48

2M ago46:48

46:48

Something for nothing Do rewards and incentives damage our humanity? In much of our personal and professional lives, we receive rewards for good behaviour and carrying out our responsibilities. But, evidence now suggests there are risks to this approach. Studies show rewards can damage wellbeing, fostering dependence and undermining our own sense o…

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“Write what’s in yourself to write.” Interview with SPN FanFic and Original Fiction author, Impala Dreamer 2:24:35

2M ago2:24:35

2:24:35

Sandra and Kasey chatted with an author creating OFC and reader-insert fics for the SPN fandom since 2016. Beka, known as Impala Dreamer, was one of the first tumblr blogs Sandra followed in 2019. Beka keeps the fandom well supplied, with over 1000 fics to her name, and also writes and publishes original fiction. She indeed lives up to her tumblr t…

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Rethinking the Enlightenment | Historian Aviva Chomsky 26:24

2M ago26:24

26:24

The spectre of the Enlightenment What the Enlightenment a net positive or a net negative? Or is that the wrong question, and should we look at it simply as a historical period? Join Professor of History Aviva Chomsky as she dissects one of the most important periods in modern history from the lens of a critical historian. The Enlightenment was not …

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Sandra and Kasey’s Writing Challenge Updates 1:22:03

2M ago1:22:03

1:22:03

Sandra and Kasey thought it was time for a WIP update. They’ve both been busy tying some stories up into neat little bows and representing the love of their favorite Winchester brother. Listen to them bang and bing away. As always, massive thanks to those in the fandom community who offer creatives the chance to shine in an array of challenges and …

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Was Karl Marx misunderstood? | Terry Eagleton on the forgotten ideals of Marxism 24:23

2M ago24:23

24:23

Why Marx was right Having fallen out of favour around the turn of the century, Marxism is now back in fashion, often playing the role of an alternative to the increasingly right-wing politics of the modern world. Once the guiding ideology of Korean guerillas and Hampstead screenwriters alike, Marxism is back and taking universities and intellectual…

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The power and the pitfalls of narrative | Matthew Beaumont, Ruth Padel, and Theodore Dalrymple 42:34

2M ago42:34

42:34

Lost in stories Is life a story or a sequence of events? Our narratives enable us to make sense of the complex, often confusing, world that we live in. And yet there is a risk that rather than helping us to truly understand this world, narratives can hide reality from us, providing delusional states of mind in its place. From witch hunts to cults, …

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The Worst One-Off Characters in Supernatural 1:00:48

2M ago1:00:48

1:00:48

It’s another ranking episode! Not too long ago, Sandra and Kasey picked some of the best one-off characters in Supernatural, and that got them thinking… why not pick some of the worst? The guidelines were as strict as last time: a character could only appear in one episode of Supernatural. Have a listen and see if you agree with Sandra and Kasey’s …

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Reflections on mental health today | Interview | Susie Orbach 23:02

2M ago23:02

23:02

The dark side of 'mental health' with Susie Orbach Why are psychotherapy, psychology, psychoanalysis, therapy so popular today? Do these respond to a new need in our society or are they evolutions of age-old human approaches to resolution and knowing oneself? Join psychotherapist and psychoanalyst (famously Princess Diana's therapist!) Susie Orbach…

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Tags and Tropes: Transformation 1:00:37

2M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

It’s another Tags and Tropes episode in which Sandra and Kasey focus on a category or aspect of fanfiction they may or may not have delved into before. The genre up for discussion is Transformation. Link to Metafic Fanlore Page: https://fanlore.org/wiki/Animal_Transformation and https://fanlore.org/wiki/Anthropomorfic. Doc with all the stats and fi…

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The life and philosophy of Peter Singer | In conversation with Myriam François 25:56

3M ago25:56

25:56

Peter Singer is one of the world's leading philosophers, renowned for his challenging and often controversial views. From animal ethics to effective altruism, Singer has shaped the philosophical landscape. In this episode we uncover the key events in his life that led to his ideas, and hear him answer his critics and defend the convictions that hav…

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Charlie Character Discussion - The Little Sister the Boys Never Knew They Wanted 41:09

3M ago41:09

41:09

Sandra and Kasey are talking about one of their favorite SPN characters that walked on sunshine… until she met her fate in Dark Dynasty. Charlie Bradbury is the subject of this character discussion. There are so many highs with Charlie on the show and, arguably, the lowest of the lows. What’s your take on Charlie’s fate? Were you on board for the A…

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The price of everything, value of nothing | Politics series | Daniel Susskind, Abby Innes, Will Hutton, Richard Kibble 51:30

3M ago51:30

51:30

Under capitalism, it can be hard to disentangle an idea of 'value' from that which the market sets as 'valuable' - that is to say, expensive items. Is the price mechanism in any way a useful or accurate way of representing value, or are we unable to measure what we really value through it? Join our panel of four diverse social scientists to make se…

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The crisis of the new | Stanley Fish, Claire Hynes, and Martin Puchner 59:13

3M ago59:13

59:13

Is genuine originality a realistic goal for artists? From fashion to fantasy, entertainment to enterprise, we seek the 'new' as the means to originality, change, and creativity. And for the most part, we imagine the new is always identifiable as a radical break from the past. But the nature of the new is more elusive and unknown than it first appea…

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“Don’t let your stories haunt you.” Interview with Nyxocity, SPN FanFic Author 2:54:39

3M ago2:54:39

2:54:39

Sandra and Kasey have had zero complaints about the homework assigned for this interview! If you’ve been a connoisseur of J2 and Wincest fanfic for more than a minute, the stories by the legendary writer on the podcast today have probably been recommended required reading. Nyxocity is a prolific creator who has been writing and posting since the he…

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Sartre vs Baldwin | Joanna Kavenna, Jonathan Webber, and Marie-Elsa Bragg 44:30

3M ago44:30

44:30

We take it for granted that through language and communication we can learn about the experience of others. But it remains unknown whether we can fully know what it is like to be another human being. James Baldwin and Jean-Paul Sartre take radically different approaches. For Sartre, the experience of others is unknown to us. Fundamentally, we are a…

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"Just write it down and do it." (Gently) Taking Authors to Task with CLeighWrites 1:16:06

3M ago1:16:06

1:16:06

Sandra and Kasey were delighted to welcome Candice, known as CLeighWrites, back to the podcast. Candice recently returned to writing SPN fanfic after a year-long break and has been working on some original writing. She graciously accepted the invite to be taken (gently) to task on her original fiction journey. Links to Candice: AO3 and tumblr ~~~ W…

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The philosophy of geopolitics SPECIAL | Donald Trump, Homer's Odyssey, and Korean Web Novels 43:55

3M ago43:55

43:55

What do Friedrich Nietzsche, the Korean War, and Homer's Odyssey have in common? Join the team at the IAI for four articles about the history and philosophy of geopolitics, ranging from Nietzsche's impact on Russia's imperialist strategies to the importance of Ancient Greek tragedies during the decline of the West. Written by Slavoj Žižek, John Mil…

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The philosophy of dehumanisation | David Livingstone Smith 31:21

3M ago31:21

31:21

The philosophy of dehumanisation with David Livingstone Smith In this exclusive interview, philosopher David Livingstone Smith explores the history, nature, and evolution of dehumanisation. As what is 'acceptable' in society changes, so do the tactics of undercover dehumanisation. How can we identify these, and how might we progress? Smith's soluti…

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Carry On My Wayward Sisters! Character Deep Dive 1:21:04

3M ago1:21:04

1:21:04

Sandra and Kasey are continuing their character discussions in this episode. The lovely women who made up what was to be Wayward Sisters are in the spotlight - Jody, Donna, Claire, Alex, Patience, and Kaia. Who’s your favorite? Would you have watched the Wayward Sisters spinoff? Reminder ~ “Ride with Pride” merch will be available through June 30th…

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Consciousness is quantum mechanical | Stuart Hameroff 30:10

4M ago30:10

30:10

Consciousness is one of the most fundamental aspects of our existence, but it remains barely understood, even defined. Across the world scholars of many disciplines - philosophy, science, social science, theology - are joined on a quest to understand this phenomenon. Tune into one of the more original and controversial thinkers at the forefront of …

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“The guys are weird about each other.” Interview with Jackie, “The Epic Love Story of Sam and Dean” podcast creator 3:08:41

4M ago3:08:41

3:08:41

Sandra and Kasey are chatting with an absolute gem of a fandom friend in this episode. Sandra had the pleasure of meeting Jackie in real life in September 2024 at the CreationCon in DC. Jackie, known as jinkieswouldyoulookatthis, in many a fandom circle, identifies as a bibro (for clarification purposes ~ Dean!girl with an obsessive Sam!kink). She’…

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Defending panpsychism | Philosophers Philip Goff and Hilary Lawson 25:37

4M ago25:37

25:37

Metaphysics vs consciousness Panpsychism has recently become something of a household term in philosophical and scientific conversations alike. Deceivingly simple, it defends the view that consciousness is the primary 'stuff' of reality, and that all things have mind-like qualities. Join philosopher Philip Goff, one of the world's leading defenders…

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Consciousness beyond the brain | Rupert Sheldrake 31:25

4M ago31:25

31:25

Re-thinking the limits of the mind Most scientists think that consciousness is created by the brain. After all, most assume consciousness vanishes if the brain is destroyed. But what if this consensus view is radically mistaken? Join distinguished scientist Rupert Sheldrake as he argues that the mind extends beyond the brain and explores the radica…

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“Fandom is my fandom.” Interview with Jules, SuperWiki managing editor 2:18:00

4M ago2:18:00

2:18:00

Sandra and Kasey got to chat with a very special guest who manages a legendary resource well-known in the Supernatural fandom. Jules is the managing editor of SuperWiki, a Supernatural Canon and Fandom resource. This site about the CW show Supernatural is a collaborative archive used far and wide for decades. It’s helped the production of creative …

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Fresh Start 6:20

4M ago6:20

6:20

Join me as my neuro-divergently beautiful brain tries to waffle through a summary of why I started the podcast 7 years ago and how I'm ready to dive back in; okay maybe test the waters...who am I kidding, I secretly love audio editing and chatting with people way more interesting than myself—qué hermosa vida!…

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The consciousness test | Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson 50:19

4M ago50:19

50:19

The consciousness test Could an artificial intelligence be capable of genuine conscious experience? Coming from a range of different scientific and philosophical perspectives, Yoshua Bengio, Sabine Hossenfelder, Nick Lane, and Hilary Lawson dive deep into the question of whether artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT could one day become self…

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The Best One-Off Characters in Supernatural 47:23

4M ago47:23

47:23

It’s another ranking episode! Sandra and Kasey got a great suggestion from one of their listeners, fictionallemons. The guidelines were strict for this list: a character could only appear in one single episode of Supernatural. Have a listen and see if you agree with Sandra and Kasey’s picks. ~~~ We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat. Dean'…

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Longtermism SPECIAL: The next stage of effective altruism 33:04

4M ago33:04

33:04

Should we sacrifice the present for a better future? Join the team at the IAI for three articles about effective altruism, longtermism, and the complex evolution of moral thought. Written by William MacAskill, James W. Lenman, and Ben Chugg, these three articles pick apart the ethical movement started by Peter Singer, analysing its strengths and we…

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The lure of Lucifer | Terry Eagleton, Susan Neiman, and Stephen de Wijze 37:22

4M ago37:22

37:22

Why do we love evil? We may condemn tyrants and abhor serial killers, but we are obsessed with evil and violence. Our news and our entertainment focus on such material. Are we fascinated by evil, violent characters because they make life more exciting? Or because they express our true nature? Should we look to end this morbid obsession, or accept i…

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From Lightbringer to The Trickster - Archangels Deep Dive Discussion 1:36:42

4M ago1:36:42

1:36:42

Sandra and Kasey are doing a character(s) deep dive into the Archangels in this episode. After their Princes of Hell discussion, it seemed fitting to talk about the four on the tippy top of the angel hierarchy. Full disclosure: this episode was recorded at the end of a 6+ hour recording day. Sandra decided to keep what would usually be outtakes in …

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The relationship between morality and power | Philosophers Tommy Curry, Michael Huemer, Melis Erdur 1:04:21

5M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Morality and prejudice Is there such a thing as morality? And, if so, can we know what it is and act on it? Or is morality rather a shield for the powerful and a defence of their interest? The answer may have life-changing consequences... Join a heated debate between three philosophers with three different perspectives on the meaning of morality an…

Sandra And Karlee Podcasts