Best Mark Linsenmayer Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 346: Nyaya Sutra on Knowledge (Part One) 45:52

1h ago45:52

45:52

On The Nyaya Sutra: Selections with Early Commentaries, originally by Gautama (ca. 150 CE), plus explanations by Vatsyayana (450 CE), Uddyotakara (550), and Vācaspatimiśra (900), and the editors Matthew Dasti and Stephen Phillips (2017). We discuss "knowledge sources," mostly in this part the various kinds of perception, which is supposed to be ine…

1
PvI#79: Edificial Intentions with Danny Mora 51:58

2d ago51:58

51:58

Danny was in a sketch troupe called Maximum Party Zone back in the day with your improv host Bill, and they’ve now revived that trio to create the MPZ Listening Party podcast, which workshops sketch ideas in real time as a fun form of conversation. So we try out some of their tricks, such as combining two properties (in this case nominally The Appr…

1
PEL Presents PMP#177: Inside Out - Animated Psyche 50:04

3d ago50:04

50:04

We discuss the 2015 and 2024 Pixar films by writer/director Pete Docter , featuring the usual crew of Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. These films show kids that it's OK to be sad and how to cope with anxiety. Is the films' emotional impact objectionably manipulative? Does the "mental landscape" depicted helpfully represent the various elements we…

1
PMP#177: Inside Out – Animated Psyche 50:04

5h ago50:04

50:04

We discuss the 2015 and 2024 Pixar films by writer/director Pete Docter , featuring the usual crew of Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. These films show kids that it's OK to be sad and how to cope with anxiety. Is the films' emotional impact objectionably manipulative? Does the "mental landscape" depicted helpfully represent the various elements we…

1
NEM#219: Oliver Wakeman Beyond the Keyboard 1:50:30

34m ago1:50:30

1:50:30

Oliver is the son of Yes keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, and has not shied from this association, displaying similar sounds and chops, and serving as Yes’ keyboardist himself for four years. His work has in part played in this prog rock space, creating concept albums with Clive Nolan, working with Yes’ Steve Howe and Peter Banks, and playing with Sta…

1
Ep. 345: William James on Religious Experience (Part Two) 51:34

1h ago51:34

51:34

Continuing on The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902). Does James' claim that science and culture shouldn't ignore the subjective point of view really mean that the religious objects that motivate people are metaphysically real? Is the "unseen realm" part of our common world? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.c…

1
PEL Presents NEM#219: Oliver Wakeman Beyond the Keyboard 1:50:30

5d ago1:50:30

1:50:30

Oliver, son of Rick, has played on around 50 albums, including maybe 10 solo albums plus collaborations with Clive Nolan, Steve Howe, Gordon Giltrap, Yes, Starcastle, Light Freedom Revival, and more. We discuss "Golden Sun in Grey" from Anam Cara (2024), "Is This the Last Song I Write?" from Ravens and Lullabies (2013), and "Mind Over Matter" from …

1
Announcement: Mark's "Big Books in Continental Philosophy" Fall 2024 Class 5:55

4h ago5:55

5:55

Do you want to wrestle yourself with some of the weirdest and most engaging texts in philosophical history? Do you want to do this in a beginner-friendly environment with a familiar voice guiding you and sharp fellow learners? Consider signing up for Mark's Fall class, and experience Hegel, Sartre, Arendt, and more first hand in a supportive, low-r…

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PvI#78: We Essence Merge with Tamler Sommers 1:03:09

11d ago1:03:09

1:03:09

Tamler teaches philosophy at The University of Houston and hosts the Very Bad Wizards podcast. He joins Mark and Bill to talk about personal identity and whether the “self” is necessarily co-extensive with a particular body. Plus: meditation, Daniel Day Improv’s method acting, All of Me vs. Regarding Henry, what does “metaphysics” mean to YOU, drea…

1
Ep. 345: William James on Religious Experience (Part One) 46:34

6d ago46:34

46:34

On The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902), focusing on lectures 1-3 and 20. What is religion and how should philosophers study it? James describes it as a sincere, full-life reaction to the world, more emotional than intellectual, and conveys the experiences of the extreme "religious geniuses" that are merely received second or third hand by …

1
PEL Presents PvI#78: We Essence Merge with Tamler Sommers (Very Bad Wizards) 1:01:39

7d ago1:01:39

1:01:39

Tamler teaches philosophy at The University of Houston and hosts the Very Bad Wizards podcast. He joins Mark and Bill to talk about personal identity and whether the "self" is necessarily co-extensive with a particular body. Plus: meditation, Daniel Day Improv's method acting, All of Me vs. Regarding Henry, what does "metaphysics" mean to YOU, drea…

1
PMP#176: Furiosa: Are We Mad Maxed Out? 53:57

17d ago53:57

53:57

Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the five films in George Miller's Mad Max/Road Warrior franchise. What was the original appeal of the series, and has this changed? Are we still afraid of an "Apunkalypse," or is this just an aesthetic to be ripped off by Fallout and other properties? How can films 80% occupied by car chases be actually good…

1
PREMIUM-PEL Mid-Summer Nightcap 2024 12:01

8d ago12:01

12:01

Mark, Wes, and Seth talk about worries about the utility of various subgenres or explanation types in philosophy, Dr. Drew's recent interview with Seth and Seth's writing project about non-linguistic communication, accuracy in historical or scientific details in philosophy, and our current political moment (our candidate choices, the debate, etc.).…

1
Ep. 344: Gettier and Goldman on Justified True Belief (Part Two) 51:13

12d ago51:13

51:13

On "What Is Justified Belief?" (1979) by Alvin Goldman, where he tries to come up with a "function" for justification: If a belief has such-and-such non-epistemic properties, then it counts as justified. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion. Sponsor: Get …

1
PEL Presents PMP#176: Furiosa: Are We Mad Maxed Out? 53:57

13d ago53:57

53:57

Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the five films in George Miller's Mad Max/Road Warrior franchise. What was the original appeal of the series, and has this changed? Are we still afraid of an "Apunkalypse," or is this just an aesthetic to be ripped off by Fallout and other properties? How can films 80% occupied by car chases be actually good…

1
NEM#218: Pat Mastelotto: Prog Neanderthal Drum-Painting 1:22:45

18d ago1:22:45

1:22:45

Pat has been a session drummer since the mid ’70s, was a founding member of Mr. Mister in the ’80s, and played in all line-ups of King Crimson since ’94. He’s also a producer and no stranger to electronics. We discuss “31” by Tu-Ner from T-1 Contact Information (2023), “Flinch” by TUNER from Totem (2005), “Life Goes On” by Mr. Mister from I Wear th…

1
Ep. 344: Gettier and Goldman on Justified True Belief (Part One) 42:29

22d ago42:29

42:29

On "Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?" (1963) by Edmund Gettier, "What Is Justified Belief?" (1979) by Alvin Goldman, and "The Inescapability of Gettier Problems" (1994) by Linda Zagzebski. What is knowledge? Even if a belief is true and justified, does that make it knowledge? Gettier came up with exceptions, and other philosophers tried to figur…

1
PvI#77: Fashionation with Sheri Flanders 59:01

1M ago59:01

59:01

The actor/writer/comedian joins us to talk about the philosophy of fashion, from the ancients to the present: Is clothing a mode of self-expression or something more (or less)? What does retro fashion say about the current state of culture? Should you wear clothes that you have to be sewn into? If you only had one little piece of cloth to wear, whe…

1
PMP#175: Podcast of the Planet of the Apes 53:55

29d ago53:55

53:55

We discuss the ten films that all started with the 1968 Charlton Heston vehicle (based on Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel) through the latest offering, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. What psychologically are these films about? Which parts of this sprawling franchise are worth your time? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com. Hear bonus content at patreo…

1
Ep. 343: Plotinus the Neo-Platonist (Part Two) 50:13

1M ago50:13

50:13

Continuing with guest Chris Sunami, mostly discussing "The Good or The One," though we start off by completing "The Descent of the Soul" about why there is something rather than nothing, given that materiality is so undesirable compared to The One. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episode…

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PEL Presents SUBTEXT: Psychedelic Regrets in "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" (Part 5) 1:13:40

1M ago1:13:40

1:13:40

Wes & Erin continue their discussion of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner." Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh.com/subtextapps for free appetizers for life.

1
PEL Presents NEM#217: Richard Thompson's Moments in Time 1:13:46

29d ago1:13:46

1:13:46

Richard started as guitarist in the folk-rock staple Fairport Convention in 1967 but left in 1970 after five albums. He then recorded his debut solo album, six as Richard and Linda Thompson, and has since recorded 20 more solo albums of lyrically inventive, stylistically varied tunes that nearly always feature very skilled guitar work. We discuss "…

1
NEM#217: Richard Thompson’s Moments in Time

1M ago

—

Richard started as guitarist in the folk-rock staple Fairport Convention in 1967 but left in 1970 after five albums. He then recorded his debut solo album, six as Richard and Linda Thompson, and has since recorded 20 more solo albums of lyrically inventive, stylistically varied tunes that nearly always feature very skilled guitar work. We discuss “…

1
Ep. 343: Plotinus the Neo-Platonist (Part One) 39:24

1M ago39:24

39:24

On selections from the Enneads (270 C.E.), as presented by Elmer O'Brien as the first four essays in The Essential Plotinus: "Beauty," "The Intelligence, Ideas and Being," "The Descent of the Soul," and "The Good or The One." Featuring Mark, Wes, Dylan, Seth, and guest Chris Sunami. Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife…

1
PvI#76: Hello, Larry w/ Lawrence Ware 59:04

1M ago59:04

59:04

The philosopher and entertainment journalist direct from Mark’s Pretty Much Pop podcast joins PvI for an hour of merriment. We talk parenthood, philosophy of race, the RULES of improv (or the singular answer to a philosophy question), old 9th graders, one black Peggy, using racy improv in a classroom setting, and more. Here’s an excerpt from the es…

1
Ep. 342: Zhuangzi on Knowledge and Virtue (Part Two) 43:27

1M ago43:27

43:27

We're concluding our treatment of the Daoist sage, focusing on the relation between metaphysics and ethics. Is a "wu wei" (non-action) philosophy compatible with fighting for justice? Does it even necessitate kindness? Get more at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Visit partiallyexaminedlife.com/support to get ad-free episodes and tons of bonus discussion…

1
PMP#174: Fallout Plays Post-Apocalyptic

2M ago

—

Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al discuss the new Amazon TV show based on on the video game series that launched in 1997. How does one best adapt a sandbox game? How dark is too dark for comedy? We talk world-building and exposition dumps, narrative structure and character revelation, and morality in a ruined world. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com.…

1
NEM#216: Kim Richey Learns to Cherish Collaboration

2M ago

—

Kim has recorded about ten meticulously recorded country-evolving-to Americana albums out of Nashville since 1995. We discuss “Joy Rider” (written with Aaron Lee Tasjan) from Every New Beginning (2024), “A Place Called Home” (written with Mike Henderson) from Rise (2002), and “I’m Alright” (written with Angelo Petraglia and Larry Gottlieb) from Bit…

1
Ep. 342: Zhuangzi on Knowledge and Virtue (Part One) 42:46

2M ago42:46

42:46

More on the Zhuangzi, books 1-6 and 17-19 with guest Theo Brooks. We discuss epistemology (Can we know the mind of someone else? How can virtue make truth more accessible?), metaphysics (Is the world constantly changing such that we can't actually refer to anything? Does each thing somehow contain its opposite in virtue of being defined by its cont…

1
Ep. 341 Supplemental: Zhuangzi for Closereads Evergreen Network Launch 1:05:53

2M ago1:05:53

1:05:53

Mark and Wes read through and discuss the first couple of pages of ch. 19, "Fathoming Life," following up on ep. 341. How does Daoism compare to Stoicism, Aristotelianism, and Existentialism? How can being a Daoist sage keep one from harm? How is a really effective cicada catcher such a sage? Get more on Zhuangzi at partiallyexaminedlife.com. Sign …

1
PMP#173: Cowboy Beyoncé? (Cross-Genre Music) 1:05:12

2M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al look at pop music and the idea of genre. Beyoncé is beloved enough that she can do whatever she wants to musically, but the response to her Cowboy Carter album among country music listeners has been pretty critical. Is it real country, and what is it to even ask that question? Is gate-keeping about your favorite gen…

1
PvI#75: The Alien Literally Has Two Faces w/ Bran Peacock 1:07:27

2M ago1:07:27

1:07:27

The Hitchhikers and Appetizers co-host joins Mark and Bill to talk about cultural relativism. We talk about foreign-ness, what parts of ethics seem to apply to all cultures, the Museum of Soup, pushing back tactfully in a scene, and more. In my culture, listening to this episode while in a work meeting is polite. Everything you want to know about t…

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