Conversations with Peter Boghossian

Ian Rowe, founder of Vertex Partnerships Academy and Katharine Birbalsingh, headmistress of Michaela Community School in England, and I had a fireside chat. Ian and Katherine are pioneers in education, building schools that should be models for all to emulate. Their approach is grounded in timeless virtues: resilience, courage, justice, temperance, wisdom, and virtue. Indeed, these virtues are posted on the walls in every Vertex classroom. Just imagine schools that root their educational process in these principles—how much different would our future look? Now contrast this to what students currently ingest in high dosages: intersectionality, victimhood, and grievance. Watch this episode on Youtube.

Is it possible to objectively assess the value of art? Robert Mckenzie, an expert with the Cayre Art Group, says yes. In our lively discussion, we explored whether art's worth can be quantified, diving into the objectivity of valuation, the art-buying process, and what makes a piece "good." Does your perception of a work need to align with the artist's intent? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Psychedelic historian Tom Hatsis was an atheist until he tried psychedelics. Then he went from atheist to theist. Psychedelic encounters reshaped his understanding of the divine. In our conversation, Hatsis and I dove into the enigmatic world of psychedelics, exploring their history, safety, and transformative potential. Hatsis, a meticulous researcher, unpacked the distinctions between DMT, Ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms, and 5-MeO-DMT, each offering unique pathways to altered states of consciousness. Tom's new book, "Psychedelic Injustice" Watch this episode on YouTube.

I spoke with Dane Jacob Mchangama, founder of The Future of Free Speech, research professor at Vanderbilt, and Senior Fellow at FIRE. While we're both staunch free speech advocates, we debated its best "branding." I argued for framing free speech less as a moral absolute—how I once described it as cognitive liberty—and more as a practical tool for error correction, challenging bad ideas and refining truth. Jacob countered, emphasizing its moral weight as a cornerstone of human dignity. I don't disagree, but I believe the moral framing is too abstract for broad appeal. Watch this episode on YouTube.

My guest for this episode was Jamie Roberts, author of the excellent Intellectual Dark Web: A History (and Possible Future). We traced the IDW's rise, fragmentation, and legacy. The Intellectual Dark Web (IDW) emerged as a loose alliance of heterodox thinkers—figures like Sam Harris, Jordan Peterson, and the Weinstein brothers—who challenged mainstream narratives on free speech, identity politics, and meritocracy. Watch this episode on YouTube.

My friend Tim Urban, author of one of the most important books of the last 50 years, What's Our Problem? We dove straight into the deep end—discussing the three existential threats facing the West. From there we segued into the urgency of clear writing and habits of thought to the role of reasoning and truth-seeking in the age of AI. Then we explored the question on everyone's mind: Is Western society collapsing before our eyes? Watch this episode on YouTube.

In this conversation with Adam Elmasri, we talk about Islam, immigration in Europe, and more. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Is the world overcrowded? My guest, Brett Hall, Public educator, technical advisor and host of ToKCast, argues that the world is not overpopulated—more people fuel creativity, spark innovative solutions, strengthen economies, and pave the way for progress. He sees a growing population as humanity's greatest asset. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In Part 2 of my deep dive with Mia Hughes, we explore the history of the "Transgender Child." How did a new category of human being emerge?Why did the culture, medical fields, and schools not only accept but promote it? Mia takes us through the shift from understanding transvestite adults to transitioning children. Watch Part 1 of the conversation ICYMI. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Warning: Spoilers! I spent a week at The University of Austin (UATX) talking to students, administrators, and professors. From the instant I walked in the door, to the moment I left, it was nonstop intellectual engagement. Paradise! One of the professors I spoke with was Isabella Reinhardt, who is an Assistant Professor of Classics. We discussed the show Severance. Watch this episode on YouTube.

How did a group of fringe activists at WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) manage to dupe the entire international medical establishment? That's the question I posed to Mia Hughes, an Ottawa-based British journalist and director of Genspect Canada. Mia is also the world's leading expert in this subject and author of The WPATH Files report. The report exposed widespread, ghastly medical mistreatment of children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults in the ideologically captured field of "gender-affirming care". Watch this episode on YouTube.

I sat down with Leonardo Orlando, an expert in political science and international relations as well as a fantastic human, to discuss the ascent of Argentina's President Milei. Leonardo is a Visiting Fellow at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium in Budapest. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from Sciences Po Paris, a BA and MA in Philosophy from Sorbonne, and a post-doctorate in Cognitive Science and Evolutionary Psychology from the École normale supérieure de Paris. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker Travis Brown about his new series, "Uncomfortable Truths: the Reality of Gender Identity Ideology." This documentary comes with my highest recommendation, despite the deeply troubling nature of the subject matter and the irreversible harm the ideology is causing children. Travis is the video director for our YouTube channel, a visiting fellow at Danube Institute, content producer for Genspect, the president of a non-profit, and an international filmmaker and commentator known for his thought-provoking docuseries 'The Woke Reformation.' Contribute to Travis to help him finish the series: https://www.givesendgo.com/uncomfortabletruths Watch this episode on YouTube.

I sat down with Omar Sayfo to discuss migration in Europe. We unpacked where both the left and right get it wrong when talking about migration. Watch this episode on YouTube.

While in Taiwan, I sat down with Sona Eyambe from the Good Bike Mob YouTube channel to discuss cultural and political issues. Sona, originally from Texas, and I compared life in Taiwan to life in America. One striking difference is the pristine streets, with people carrying their own trash—remarkable, considering there are no trash bins in sight. In fact, the first night we were there we wandered around looking for trash. After 30 minutes, we saw some tissues in a gutter. We stood around and looked at them, marveling. Sona and I discussed the Taiwanese taking immense pride in their unique identity, which remains resilient despite the ever-present threat from China. He provides numerous example of that pride and how it manifests in daily life. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Peter Boghossian and John Papola (Dad Saves America) discuss Trump, the Department of Education, current events, and more! Watch this episode on YouTube.

In my discussion with the popular Taiwanese figure Lōa Ēng Hôa, we explored various aspects of Taiwan. A key theme for Lōa is the importance of retaining the Taiwanese language, which he sees as vital in the face of Mandarin's dominance. (He views Mandarin as "the language of colonizers.") Lōa emphasizes that language is of ultimate importance and believes that the best way to wage war is through words. We also discussed whether Taiwanese people consider themselves part of China or culturally Chinese, and how this perception impacts traditional Taiwanese culture. During my time in Taiwan, I observed the cleanliness and civility of society, especially in contrast to some leftwing cities in America, like Portland, Oregon and Los Angelos, California. Lōa posed an intriguing question: Is this civility a result of being "well-behaved," or is it a reflection of tyranny? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Jesús is a prominent cultural commentator and has one of the most popular Youtube Channels in Taiwan. His work includes man on the street interviews and insightful commentary on Taiwanese culture, immigration, and Taiwan's relationship with China. We discussed the troubling phenomenon that I describe as the "epidemic of cowardice," which is affecting not only the United States but the entire Western world—the consequence of this cowardice emboldens tyrants. Every time you fail to stand up you give away freedoms. It is particularly vital to not give into the fear tactics of any regime. Stand up for what is right. This is one reason we went to Taiwan, whose citizens live in fear of a Chinese invasion. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In my interview with Jake Klein, we discuss his book Redefining Racism: How Racism Became Power + Prejudice. I read a pre-release of Jake's manuscript some time ago, and I was struck by how thorough and well-researched it was. He does a fantastic job of really explaining the genesis of this concept and how it crept into our discourse. Watch this episode on YouTube.

While in New Zealand, I had the opportunity to interview Kendall Clements, a professor of biology at the University of Auckland. His name may sound familiar because, in 2021, Clements was the lead author of a controversial letter titled "In Defence of Science," published in The New Zealand Listener. The letter (commonly referred to as the "Listener Letter") was a direct response to a proposed curriculum that sought to promote the discussion and analysis of how science has been used to support the dominance of Eurocentric views, including its role in the "colonization" of Māori peoples and the "suppression" of Māori knowledge. The curriculum also proposed that science itself, as a Western European invention, could be viewed as a tool of European dominance over Māori and other indigenous groups. We discussed this and more. Watch this episode on YouTube.

While in New Zealand, I had the privilege of sitting down with Elizabeth Rata, a sociologist of education at the University of Auckland. Elizabeth is the Director of the Knowledge in Education Research Unit (KERU), within the School of Critical Studies at the Faculty of Education and Social Work—and she is based! Her research includes knowledge in the curriculum, knowledge politics, ethnic revivalism, Māori education, research methods, and the history of New Zealand education. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In today's conversation, I am joined by Audrey Unverferth, a visiting Fellow at Hungary's MCC, whose research specializes in Soviet totalitarianism. Audrey draws parallels between Russian totalitarianism and current trends in the United States and across the Western world, highlighting how Russian history serves as a stark warning about the perils of totalitarianism and the fragility of democratic republics. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In this conversation with Wang Kai Chun (Steven), a foreign policy advisor at the Legislative Yuan R.O.C. in Taiwan, we discussed Taiwan-U.S. relations, military preparedness, foreign policy, and the implications of a potential Trump presidency for Taiwan. Watch this episode on YouTube.

I had a delightful conversation with Professor Walter Block, a prominent economist and staunch anarcho-capitalist. Renowned for his extensive publications and contributions to the field, Block offered insightful perspectives on anarcho-capitalism, explaining its core principles and their relevance to contemporary society. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In Taiwan, I sat down with Lin Fei-fan (DPP), the former Deputy Secretary-General of the DPP, who gained prominence as the leading student activist during the Sunflower Movement in 2014. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of a movement that changed Taiwanese politics for a generation. His activism has resulted in being barred from entering China and Hong Kong. We discussed the resilience of Taiwan's defense against China, why Americans should care about Taiwan, the threats posed by China, the impact of Chinese sanctions, and the importance of retaining the Taiwanese culture amid rising immigration. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In this intense conversation in Taiwan, I engage with one of the leading expert in military defense technologies responsible for Taiwan's security. My guest is anonymous due to fears of being targeted (read: murdered) by Chinese spy agencies. We explore the complexities of China-Taiwan relations, emphasizing that these dynamics extend beyond who happens to be in politics at any particular time. Our discussion highlights the interconnections between economics, sanctions, technology, AI, drones, and semiconductors. This was an important conversation about a critical geopolitical issue that's of indispensable importance to the United States. Watch this episode on YouTube and let me know what you think in the comments.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Ralph Schoellhammer, Head of the Center for Applied History and IR Theory at MCC, Budapest, we explored the shifting dynamics of global power and its impact on the culture and values of nations. Our discussion spanned continents—from Africa to Asia, Europe to the Americas—covering the rise of BRICS, the future of the U.S. Dollar, migration, and the growing influence of the state on the family unit. In case you missed part 1, watch it here. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In this two-part series, we sit down with Dr. Ralph Schoellhammer, Head of Center: Applied History and IR Theory at MCC, Budapest. Ralph specializes in the cultural dimensions of identity formation and its impact on social cohesion. He offers incredible insights on understanding the current political climate in America, especially in light of the shifting dynamics in the country's political landscape. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Meet Alexander Huang, Chairman of Taiwan's Council on Strategic & Wargaming Studies. In this conversation, we focus on the geopolitical dynamics involving Taiwan, China, and the United States. Alexander emphasizes the critical importance of Taiwan's ties with the West due to its strategic location and its role as a major producer of 90% of the world's advanced semiconductors. He asserts that if Taiwan falls from Western influence, China emerges victorious. The discussion also covers Taiwan's close watch on the U.S. election, which they believe will significantly impact their future. Additionally, we explore topics such as nuclear weapons, the potential gun rights for Taiwanese citizens, and the social resilience of the population during wartime. This intense conversation provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between Taiwan, China, and the United States. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Wael Taji Miller is a Visiting Fellow at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium's School of Psychology. Taji's research focuses on the intersection of innovation, evolved psychology, and contemporary societal challenges. We discussed social and cultural evolution, particularly the implications of losing our capacity to engage differing viewpoints. We agreed that the erosion of the possibility of dialogue with those who hold opposing perspectives poses a threat to society. This is a kind of cultural decay that's linked not only to entrenched ideologies but also to the challenges posed by modern technology, which too often amplifies division rather than fostering understanding. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Mia Hughes is an Ottawa-based British journalist and researcher for Michael Shellenberger's nonprofit, Environmental Progress. Mia authored the WPATH Files report, which exposed widespread medical mistreatment of children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults in the realm of gender-affirming care. We were both in Lisbon, Portugal, for the Genspect conference—which uncoincidentally coincided with WPATH's conference. (NB I reached out to WPATH organizers and speakers to have a conversation about their reasoning for gender-affirming care. As expected, I received no responses. Throughout this conversation I made an effort to steelman WPATH arguments.) Mia and I began with the concept of "Gender Soul." This led to a discussion about medical interventions in gender-affirming care. Watch this episode on YouTube.

StealthGPT can write academic papers. It can also write peer-reviewed papers and Ph.D. theses. And it can write them in such a way that they are undetectable by AI. In this conversation, I talk with Jozef Gherman, creator of StealthGPT. Jozef on X Watch this episode on YouTube.

In this conversation with author and consultant Africa Brooke, we discuss addiction, self-sabotage, and self-censorship. Africa shares her journey from Zimbabwe to the United Kingdom and how it shaped her understanding of the world and herself—including her struggle with a ten-year alcohol addiction. Writing became a lifeline as did helping others to understand and identify self-sabotage: what are we trying to escape from, and why do we fall into destructive patterns? Africa's book, "The Third Perspective" Watch this episode on YouTube.

Dr. Jan Bentz is a lecturer and tutor at Oxford who specializes in the convergence of medieval and modern philosophy. We covered a wide range of philosophical themes, truth, delusions of utopia, applied epistemology, the importance of friendship, the nature of realism, and if we can claim to know something absent the "dogma" of the scientific method. How does caring for others influence our epistemology? Jan delved into the nature of identity, arguing that when it is rooted in the "I" (Descartes) it can lead to more problems than when it is based in a shared reality (which allows for the acceptance of others). Watch this episode on YouTube.

Dr. Staley has taught computer science at UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly SLO, and Principia College. He has also built software, managed development projects, and co-founded several small software companies. We explored the age-old question of how to measure right and wrong, especially in the context of advancing technology, AI, and robotics. We also discussed the philosophical implications of AI and consciousness and more! Watch this episode on YouTube.

I had the pleasure of conversing with Kirsten Hall Herlin, an Assistant Professor at UATX, a distinguished scholar of literature, and the managing editor of the Genealogies of Modernity Journal. We discussed the intricacies of writing and the role of literature in shaping our lives and understanding the world. Kirsten and I explored the impact of AI and Critical Social Justice on the humanities. Could AI ever win a Pulitzer Prize? Does human consciousness play a crucial role in the writing process? Are the nuances of personal experience, emotional understanding, and subjective thought beyond AI's reach? Or can those be faked? We also considered how societal division has affected the humanities and whether great literature can help unite us. Watch this episode on YouTube.

I had a conversation with Joesph Henrich, a distinguished anthropologist and evolutionary biologist at Harvard. Renowned for his interdisciplinary research on cultural evolution and the origins of WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) societies, Joseph is a deep dude. We had a wide-ranging discussion on topics such as cultural learning, social contagion, and the WEIRD phenomenon. We explored the interplay between truth and religion, the economic and political impacts of kinship structures, and cognitive development in non-schooled environments. Additionally, we talked about David Deutsch's work on falsifiability and its role in building systems of knowledge, divination, witchcraft, rationality, and the question of who might be considered the "weirdest" people in the world. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Yasmine Mohammed and Peter Boghossian discuss women's oppression under Islam and Western Feminism's silence on the issue. Follow Yasmine: Free Hearts Free Minds Yasmine Mohammad Podcast Yasmine's book, "Unveiled: How the West Empowers Radical Muslims" Clarity Coalition Yasmine on Instagram, Facebook, and X Watch this episode on YouTube.

While in Denver with the University of Austin for the Life of Mind Tour, I had a deep conversation about philosophy with Alex Priou. Alex is a professor, philosopher, author, and contributor to The New Thinkery podcast. We talked about the fragility of civilization, what constitutes a good life, and what happens when one's beliefs have been hijacked by ideology. Alex on X Watch this episode on YouTube.

Greg Lukianoff (FIRE organization) is doing crucial work in promoting free speech and defending the rights of individuals who have faced repercussions for their speech. We discussed schools on FIRE's Free Speech List and the associated violators as well as the teacher's unions' ideological capture. The conversation took an unexpected turn when we began talking about people we know in the public space—Greg then used the phrase "name-dropping". More from Greg: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Greg on X Watch this episode on YouTube.

Alan Davison is one of the leading international scholars in the field of cultural history of the long nineteenth century, focusing on the intersection of music and visual culture, portraits of musicians and the reception and representation of the famous Hungarian composer-pianist Franz Liszt. In this episode, Alan and Peter discuss Critical Theory, the ideological capture of universities, and why bad ideas flourish in academic settings. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Jeremy Carl is a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute and has had a varied career, primarily in the public policy arena. His work at Claremont examines nationalism, immigration, technology, and a variety of other subjects. Prior to joining Claremont, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior under President Trump. In this episode, Peter and Jeremy discuss Jeremy's new book, The Unprotected Class: How Anti-White Racism Is Tearing America Apart. They discuss this topic as well as Critical Race Theory, Social Justice, and more. Jeremy on X: https://x.com/realJeremyCarl Jeremy's website: https://www.jeremycarl.com/ Watch the episode on YouTube.

Clint Chavarria, aka Classic Liberal, American patriot and family man, posts on X about Classic Liberalism, Scottish Realism and Anti-Communism. Peter and Clint discuss these topics and more. Links to charts mentioned: https://coggle.it/diagram/Zr2IjPq-Gy45wX-M/t/christianity https://i0.wp.com/authortomharper.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dialectical-Synthesis-of-Critical-Race-Theory.png Watch this episode on YouTube.

Writer Rupa Subramanya and Peter Boghossian discuss Canada's current affairs, the 2024 US Election, the "Right to die" movement, and more. Rupa Subramanya is a writer based in Ottawa, Canada. She began her writing career at the Wall Street Journal India with a weekly column focusing on the intersection of economics, politics, and public policy. Her work has been cited in the New York Times, Financial Times, and the Guardian among others. She currently writes a regular column for the National Post. Find Rupa on X. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Peter and Erik talk about therapy, masculinity, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Erik Anderson is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice located in Los Angeles, California. He holds a third degree black belt in BJJ under Chris Haueter. More from Erik: Erik's Therapy Practice Train BJJ with Erik Watch this episode on YouTube.

In a recent conversation with Naomi Riley, a senior fellow at AEI and child welfare expert, Christina Buttons and I dived into a deeply disturbing topic: the factors damaging child welfare. Riley argues that the emphasis on anti-racism has inadvertently harmed child protection efforts in the United States. Antiracist ideology has led to the wholesale corruption of social work institutions (and individual social workers), which are crucial for protecting child welfare; this has had detrimental impacts on children in various settings, from foster care to homeless encampments. Watch this episode on YouTube.

I just wrapped up a great conversation with author and public intellectual Frank Furedi, who is ever-interesting. Frank has a new book, The War Against the Past, which I haven't read yet but is on my must-read list. Given Frank's heterodox and thoughtful writings, I've put this on my "Must Read" list. Frank and I frequently cross paths at conferences, and I always find his commentary insightful and clear. Although we strongly disagree on some issues, I've always found Frank open to conversation, dialogue, and even friendly debate. We discussed the politicization of identity and his concept of "decivilization," which he explains in detail. I also asked him about his shift from the far left to his now conservative views. We touched on species relativism (versus cultural, moral, or epistemological relativism), as well as the impact of politicization on public discourse and his work with MCC's think tank in Brussels. I'm looking forward to speaking with Frank at Genspect in Portugal and seeing him again in Hungary and possibly Romania. I hope you enjoy our episode. Thanks!

I recently had a conversation with Eli Steele (son of the legendary author Shelby Steele), an award-winning documentary filmmaker. We discussed his incisive, engaging, and timely film, Killing America. Killing America exposes pervasive anti-Semitism in the school system, what keeps it there, and the sickeningly underwhelming responses to it. Eli's sincerity and passion for improving America were evident throughout our conversation and indeed permeates his body of work. I highly encourage you to explore his films. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Johann Hari is a British-Swiss author and journalist, known for his books and his articles in The Independent and Huffington Post. Since 2015, his writing has primarily dealt with the war on drugs, mental illness, and decreasing attention spans. His books on these subjects include Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, Lost Connections, and Stolen Focus. In this video, Christina Buttons, Johann Hari, and Peter Boghossian discuss Johann's new book, "Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs". Watch this episode on YouTube.