Best Erik Byrne Podcasts (2025)

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Ludwig Wittgenstein's Philosophy: Dr. Genia Schonbaumsfeld 1:20:51

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3d ago1:20:51

1:20:51

Send us a text In this engaging conversation with Dr. Genia Schönbaumsfeld, we explore the radical philosophical journey of Ludwig Wittgenstein—from the tightly structured propositions of the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus to the later insights of Philosophical Investigations. Dr. Schönbaumsfeld unpacks the deep shifts in Wittgenstein’s view of lan…

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Edmund Husserl: His Life and Ideas | Dr. Thomas Byrne 1:14:05

1M ago1:14:05

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Send us a text Edmund Husserl is considered by many as the father of phenomenology, he is also a complex thinker. In this video, Dr. Thomas Byrne joins us to introduce Husserl's philosophy. Dr. Byrne is a research assistant professor at the University of Illinois. He is a classically trained phenomenologist, having completed his PhD at The Husserl …

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Introduction to Sceptical Theism (w/ Dr. Erik Wielenberg) 1:16:35

2M ago1:16:35

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Send us a text Dive into the fascinating world of skeptical theism with Dr. Erik Wielenberg as we explore its key themes, including positive and negative skeptical theism, its philosophical challenges, and its implications for faith and reason. This engaging interview sheds light on the complexities of skeptical theism and its role in addressing th…

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E141: The Bronze Age Collapse and History's Selective Memory 1:03:08

2M ago1:03:08

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Today on Upstream, we’re sharing Erik Torenberg conversation with Samo Burja where they discuss the Bronze Age collapse, technological advancements in ancient civilizations, and the nuanced history of the Roman Empire, along with a detailed analysis of contemporary geopolitical dynamics, particularly focusing on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and i…

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E140: Why Industrial Revolutions Stall 45:59

2M ago45:59

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Today on Upstream, we’re sharing Erik Torenberg conversation with Samo Burja on this week’s Live Players. They discuss the potential industrial revolutions in history, particularly in the Roman Empire and Song Dynasty China, their technological advancements, economic factors, and the reasons these revolutions didn't reach full fruition. — 📰 Be noti…

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The Philosophy and Legacy of Hegel (w/ Dr. Sebastian Ostritsch) 1:32:48

2M ago1:32:48

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Send us a text Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Sebastian Ostritsch as we explore the foundational ideas of Hegel’s philosophy. From his dialectical method to his views on history, reason, and absolute knowing, this discussion provides a clear and accessible introduction to one of the most influential thinkers in Western philosophy. Wh…

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E139: America’s Tech Strategy w/ Qasar Younis, Sen. Jack Reed, and Josh Wolfe 29:38

2M ago29:38

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This week, we’re featuring a panel discussion from the 2025 Hill and Valley Forum with Josh Wolfe (Lux Capital), Senator Jack Reed (RI), and Qasar Younis, Founder and CEO, Applied Intuition They address talent attraction and retention, China's espionage and surveillance state, immigration policies, dual-use technologies, and the challenges and stra…

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E138: Palantir CEO Alex Karp & Rep. Ritchie Torres on Innovation & The West | Hill and Valley Forum 2024 30:28

3M ago30:28

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Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies, and Congressman Richie Torres discuss higher education, Palantir's fearless culture, and the importance of contrarianism in driving innovation at the 2024 Hill and Valley Forum. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess — RECOMMENDED PODCASTS: 🎙️…

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2 Professors Discuss Whether Academic Philosophy is in Crisis 1:31:50

3M ago1:31:50

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Send us a text There are growing concerns about the success and usefulness of academic philosophy. In this video, I am joined by two distinguished professors, Dr. Aaron Simmons and Dr. Bob Hanna to discuss the state of philosophy and how we can move it forward and change the field which means so much to us. Dr. Simmons is a professor of philosophy …

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E137: AI Safety vs Speed: Helen Toner Discusses OpenAI Board Experience, Regulatory Approaches, and Military AI [The Cognitive Revolution] 1:20:01

3M ago1:20:01

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This week on Upstream, we’re releasing an episode of The Cognitive Revolution. Nathan Labenz interviews Helen Toner, director at CSET, about her experiences with OpenAI, the concept of adaptation buffers for AI integration, and AI's role in military decision-making. They discuss the implications of AI development, the need for regulatory policies, …

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E71: Risk Taking, Contrarianism, and Growth [Byrne on Interintellect] 1:39:33

3M ago1:39:33

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In this episode, Byrne Hobart joined Matjaž Leonardis in Austin for an Interintellect salon — a platform for 21st-century intellectual discourse—to discuss his new book Boom: Bubbles at the End of Stagnation, exploring how technological advancements, market paradoxes, and historical and modern financial bubbles — from the Manhattan Project to crypt…

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E136: Trump V2: Tariffs, American Dynamism, Higher Ed | Byrne Hobart 1:02:03

3M ago1:02:03

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In this episode, Erik Torenberg and Byrne Hobart discuss the economic consequences of Trump's tariffs, OpenAI's recent innovations, and their implications for white collar work. They also explore the potential market shifts, the resilience of the US dollar as a reserve currency, and the state of elite higher education institutions like Harvard in t…

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An Oxford Philosophy Student Shares His Testimony 17:25

3M ago17:25

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Send us a text An Oxford student shares why he is a Christian in 2025. Support the show -------------------------- If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/christianityforall Where else to find Josh Yen: Philosophy YT: https://bit.ly/philforall Education: https://bit.ly/joshyen Buisn…

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E70: OpenAI’s Open Source Strategy, Volatility & Tariffs, and Automation’s Consequences w/ Byrne Hobart 1:06:31

3M ago1:06:31

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This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg explore how technological advancements, policy shifts like Trump's tariffs and U.S. industrial policy, the re-industrialization of America, the influence of institutions like Harvard, the evolving role of the U.S. dollar, and the rise of OpenAI are reshaping global markets, businesses, and the future of ar…

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E135: The Problem With Reserve Currencies and Switching to Crypto w/ Lyn Alden [From the Archives] 57:45

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This week on Upstream, we’re sharing Erik Torenberg’s 2024 interview with Lyn Alden. Lyn discusses her book 'Broken Money', the impact of the global reserve currency, inflation, interest rates, and provides advice for navigating an uncertain economic future. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/ex…

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E134: Atheism’s Decline, Consciousness, and The New Right w/ Ross Douthat 57:08

3M ago57:08

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Today on Upstream, Ross Douthat joins Erik Torenberg to discuss his new book 'Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious,' exploring the decline of new atheism, the intellectual defense of institutional religion, and the intersection between traditional Christianity, Silicon Valley, and modern materialism. This episode originally aired on Moment of …

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Why the Resurrection of Jesus Happened? (Dr Andrew Loke) 42:20

3M ago42:20

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Send us a text The historical argument for the resurrection is an important aspect of Christian apologetics. In this Easter upload, I am joined by Dr. Andrew Loke to discuss the argument for the resurrection found in his works. We talk about the varying scientific and historical considerations, possible arguments against his position as well as how…

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E133: China’s Energy Problem w/ Samo Burja 57:09

3M ago57:09

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Today on Upstream, we’re releasing a 2024 conversation between Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja. They discuss China's approach to energy security, exploring why China isn't pursuing energy independence despite significant oil production capability and the potential for further development. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication:…

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Kafka on z/OS 41:02

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A lively conversation with Matt Leming, Anthony Papageorgiou, and Dale Lane about Kafka not only running on z/OS, but making the most of it alongside MQ. Additional Reading Material: Anthony's blog post abotu mainframe to kafka options: https://medium.com/@anthonypapageorgiou/from-cobol-to-kafka-ac8cfb96f238 Dale Lane's blog (all things Kafka): htt…

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E69: Good vs Bad Bubbles, Stagnation, and Bitcoin [Byrne on Bankless] 1:45:48

3M ago1:45:48

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In this episode of The Riff, we are releasing a conversation Byrne Hobart had on the Bankless podcast about Byrne's book Bitcoin, exploring the provocative idea that speculative Bubbles—while sometimes destructive—can be powerful drivers of innovation, with examples from history and present-day trends like AI and crypto, ultimately highlighting the…

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What Catholics ACTUALLY Believe About Justification (Trent Sixth Session) 51:19

3M ago51:19

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Send us a text In all these debates about sola fide, it is often easy to attack a strawman instead of discussing the heart of the matter. In this video, I read through the Sixth Session of the Council of Trent in order to unveil what we actually mean by justification, correcting potential errors in interpretation and understanding. Support the show…

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E132: AI Managers, US vs China Analysis, and AI Art w/ Byrne Hobart 51:38

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Today on Upstream, we’re sharing an episode of The Riff (originally aired on April 1, 2025). Erik Torenberg and Byrne Hobart explore the shifting dynamics of global trade between China and the US, the potential for AI to replace senior rather than junior roles in the workplace, and the economic structure of live entertainment markets like StubHub. …

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E131: Abundance Agenda, The New Right, and 2008 Retrospective w/ Noah Smith 1:08:17

3M ago1:08:17

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Today on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith discuss the Abundance Agenda by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, the impact of the 2008 recession, Obama's presidency, and shifts in political ideology, focusing on the 'New Right' and its cultural and economic implications, while also touching upon the economic recovery strategies post-2008. This epis…

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E68: Chinese Free Trade, AI Managers, and Why AI Art is Art 53:14

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This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg discuss the transformative impact of technological change on global trade, AI’s disruption of senior roles, the debate over AI-generated art, and market dynamics—particularly in live entertainment ticketing—offering a wide-ranging and thought-provoking discussion. --- 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our qu…

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Fyodor Dostoevsky: His Life and Ideas | Dr George Pattison 1:15:30

3M ago1:15:30

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Send us a text In this interview, Dr George Pattison introduces the philosophy and life of Fyodor Dostoevsky. We cover all aspects of Dostoevsky's works from his Slavophilism to his Christianity. Dr George Pattison is a retired Professor of Divinity at the University of Glasgow and was the Lady Margret Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxf…

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E130: Elon Musk’s Network Effects and Checking in on Chinese AI w/ Byrne Hobart 59:31

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This week on Upstream, we're releasing an episode of The Riff (originally aired on March 25, 2025) where Erik Torenberg and Byrne Hobart discuss Don Jr.'s leveraging of the Trump brand, Dustin Moskovitz's departure to address AI risks, economic impacts of various policies, and geopolitical considerations with a focus on AI and China's tech ambition…

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E129: Dark Triad, Romantic Partner Selection, and Dating Advice w/ Rob Henderson 1:02:32

4M ago1:02:32

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Today on Upstream, Erik Torenberg interviews author Rob Henderson about modern romance, discussing evolutionary psychology, the attraction to dark triad men, dating apps, and practical advice for men seeking romantic partners. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our s…

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E67: Hidden X-Risk, Network Effects of Elon’s Empire, and American Hegemony 58:56

4M ago58:56

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This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg explore Donald Trump Jr.'s financial leverage of the Trump brand, Dustin Moskovitz's shift toward AI existential risks, Elon Musk's strategic decisions with Twitter, potential U.S. recessions, political party shifts, China's AI policy, and the broader impact of these developments on Wall Street and Main St…

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E128: US-Europe Relations, How Japan Can Strengthen The Yen, and Predicting AI’s Growth Effects w/ Noah Smith 52:48

4M ago52:48

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Today on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Noah Smith analyze America's European withdrawal, China's selective globalization strategy, and tempers expectations about AI's economic impact while considering GDP measurement challenges. — 📰Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏Help shape our sh…

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E127: The Tech Right and How The Left Can Fix Itself w/ Jon Askonas 45:22

4M ago45:22

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Today on Upstream, we’re airing Erik Torenberg’s conversation with Jon Askonas. They explore the emerging coalition between MAGA supporters and Silicon Valley tech leaders, examines the underlying political realignment, the tensions and fault lines within this coalition, and the potential future conflicts surrounding issues like immigration and tra…

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Dr Liz Jackson Talks EVERYTHING Faith and Pascal's Wager 1:06:03

4M ago1:06:03

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Send us a text Faith is an important concept in both the realm of religious belief as well as the philosophy of religion. What is the relationship between faith and reason? Credence and acceptance? Belief and action? All of these questions are influenced by one's conception of faith in philosophy. We are privileged to discuss these questions and th…

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E126: Data Center Economics and AI Energy Requirements w/ Patrick McKenzie and Azeem Azhar 1:14:17

4M ago1:14:17

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Today on Upstream, we’re releasing Patrick MacKenzie's interview with Azeem Azhar which originally aired in February 2025 on Complex Systems. They discuss the economics and infrastructure of data centers, comparing historical infrastructure rollouts to modern AI-driven data center needs, and explore the implications of exponential power demands, in…

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E125: Palantir’s Politics, Elon’s Approach to DOGE, and AI’s Effects on Writing w/ Byrne Hobart 56:03

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Today on Upstream, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg dive into the wide-ranging effects of technological change on media and society. They cover the AI debate, blogging's social impact, AI's influence on search and data, the changing news industry, foreign aid cuts, and the rise of new tech elites. This episode originally aired on The Riff (March 11,…

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E66: The Politics of Alex Karp and Palantir, DOGE Breakdown, and AI vs Blogging 56:30

4M ago56:30

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This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg explore the effects of technological change on media and society, covering topics such as the AI debate, blogging's social impact, AI's influence on search and data, the changing news industry, foreign aid cuts, and the rise of new tech elites. --- 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey …

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E124: How to Have A Philosophical Marriage w/ Agnes Callard and Arnold Brooks 1:09:21

4M ago1:09:21

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Today on Upstream, we’re releasing an episode from Modern Relationships which originally aired on February 28, 2025 where Erik Torenberg interviews philosophy professors Agnes Callard and Arnold Brooks about their unconventional marriage, the role of philosophy in their relationship, the impact of their public profile, and how they balance personal…

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E123: Trump & The Game of Populism w/ Samo Burja 56:27

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Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the limitations of populist politics, the difficulty populists face in effecting change despite electoral wins, and the influence of digital democracy on modern governance. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking ou…

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The Philosophy and Faith of Tolkien (w/ Dr. Holly Ordway) 55:18

4M ago55:18

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Send us a text We are joined by Dr. Holly Ordway, the world's prominent scholar on J.R.R. Tolkien to talk about the philosophy, theology and life of the 20th century's greatest novelist J.R.R. Tolkien. Dr. Ordway is the Cardinal Francis George Professor of Faith and Culture at the the Word on Fire Institute and Visiting Professor of Apologetics at …

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E122: Victor Davis Hanson on What Trump Thinks of Zelensky and Predicting Geopolitics 35:03

4M ago35:03

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In this Upstream episode, Erik Torenberg sits down with military historian Victor Davis Hanson. They discuss the future of Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, the evolution of the American left, and Donald Trump's potential future legacy. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape …

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E121: Kevin Kelly on What Makes Us Human in an AI World 47:28

4M ago47:28

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In this episode of Upstream, we’re releasing Erik Torenberg’s interview from 2023 with Kevin Kelly, founding executive editor of Wired Magazine, discussing Kevin’s new advice book, the impact of gratitude, and how technology, especially AI, interacts with and shapes human existence and culture. — 📰Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publi…

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The Philosophy of Immanuel Kant: An Introduction (w/ Dr. Bob Hanna) 1:18:55

5M ago1:18:55

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Send us a text Join us for an in-depth discussion with Dr. Robert Hanna on Immanuel Kant's philosophy, covering transcendental idealism, the transcendental deduction, and free will. We explore key concepts from Critique of Pure Reason, including synthetic a priori knowledge, causality, and the limits of human understanding, as well as the distincti…

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E65: Bill Gates’s Persona, Against Copying Berkshire Hathaway, and Making the Economy More Like Chipotle 1:01:15

5M ago1:01:15

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This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg examine why Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway can't be successfully replicated today, analyze Bill Gates's public versus private persona, and consider how economic growth manifests as "premium mediocre" options like Chipotle. --- 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly…

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E120: Why Europe Matters for America’s Future w/ Samo Burja 57:22

5M ago57:22

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This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the widespread interest in U.S. politics and its global influence, particularly in Western and European countries, the internet's role in synchronizing political and cultural norms, and potential changes in European political landscapes influenced by American ideologies and media. — 📰 Be …

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E119: Free Trade, AI Integration, and Shopify Q4 Results w/ Shopify President Harley Finkelstein 55:55

5M ago55:55

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Erik Torenberg interviews Harley Finkelstein, president of Shopify, discussing tariffs, political shifts, Shopify's earnings, and the evolution of entrepreneurship. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick listener survey at https://bit.ly/Turp…

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E64: US vs China’s Strategies, Uber’s Growth Model, AI Supply Chains 1:03:04

5M ago1:03:04

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This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg discuss technological inflection points and examine how legal frameworks mask continued globalization despite apparent retrenchment, explores US-China dynamics, analyzes AI industry structure and emerging models, and considers Uber's strategic positioning against autonomous vehicles. --- 🙏 Help shape our s…

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E118: Ending Woke, Why Elon Wins, and A Return to Innovation w/ Marc Andreessen [Moment of Zen repost] 1:45:40

5M ago1:45:40

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Marc Andreessen and Erik Torenberg discuss the ongoing political and cultural shift in America, covering topics such as preference falsification, the role of DEI in tech and other sectors, the influence of group chats, and the emerging dynamic in politics with highly capable appointments in the new administration. — 📰Be notified early when Turpenti…

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How My Oxford Philosophy Degree Transformed My Faith 11:11

5M ago11:11

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Send us a text Does learning philosophy weaken or strengthen your faith? In this video, I share four ways in which my faith has been transformed by my studies in Philosophy and Theology at the University of Oxford. Support the show -------------------------- If you would want to support the channel and what I am doing, please follow me on Patreon: …

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The Philosophy and Life of Edith Stein (Dr. Sarah Borden) 1:11:52

5M ago1:11:52

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Send us a text Edith Stein is a notable philosopher in the 20th century being most influential in attempting to synthesise the boundaries and movements of Thomistic philosophy with Husserlian phenomenology. In this video, we are joined by Dr Sarah Borden Sharkey to introduce Edith Stein's key ideas and help you get into the works of Edith Stein. We…

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E117: The Future of Martian & Interplanetary Societies w/ Samo Burja 58:37

5M ago58:37

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This week on Upstream, Erik Torenberg and Samo Burja discuss the economic, political, and cultural implications of colonizing Mars and the Moon, discussing space treaties, potential Martian and Earth societal divergence, and the technological advancements driving humanity's future as a multi-planetary species. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine'…

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E63: OpenAI Deep Research, Elon’s Potential Hostile Takeover, and AI Agent Companies 59:04

5M ago59:04

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This week, Byrne Hobart and Erik Torenberg discuss the transformative impact of technological advancements, particularly OpenAI's research, Elon Musk’s $97 billion offer to acquire its controlling nonprofit, and the implications for business, jobs, regulation, and Musk's strategies with X and Doja. --- 🙏 Help shape our show by taking our quick list…

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The WORST Protestant Argument: Response to @NeedGodnet 28:50

5M ago28:50

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Send us a text There are many arguments for protestantism and many of them are powerful and ought to be taken seriously. However, some arguments have just such weird implications which are just flat out ridiculous. In this video, I respond to one such argument which intends to make the argument that Catholics are not Christian. This is plainly inco…