Conversations with Peter Boghossian

Sean Nottoli is a Danube Institute researcher, self-identified conservative, and a political renaissance man. We discussed China and the US, energy, Iran and Israel, and more. Watch this episode on YouTube and read the accompanying Substack post. Follow Peter Boghossian

Like most honest people, Morgan Marietta, formerly Dean of Economics, Politics & History at the University of Austin (UATX), is repulsed by the dishonesty that's consumed our academic institutions. I'm sure you've heard most of the reasons why academies need open inquiry and honest conversation before, but I particularly liked Morgan's comment, "There's a conformist answer and those answers are boring, monochrome, and humorless." He's right. When there's a set of prescribed opinions and responses to issues in general, and moral issues in particular, you're no longer educating students. You're indoctrinating them. Watch this episode on YouTube and read the accompanying Substack post. Follow Peter Boghossian

Danny Kaplan is a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at The University of Austin. Danny has forgotten more about math and statistics than I will ever know, and I found it wondrous and delightful to explore my ignorance with him. Indeed, advanced math or even basic math is almost never something I think about, and I've been unclear whether not knowing it hindered me in any way. I now have a clearer answer to that question. Watch this episode on YouTube and read the accompanying Substack post. Follow Peter Boghossian

It's critically important that what you want to be true does not influence your beliefs about what is actually true. I found this happening to myself in this sobering conversation. I don't want to believe much of what philosopher Benedict Beckeld says about a majority of Muslims or his claim that we should abandon the term "Islamism." We discuss the West, Islam, Jews, and more in this fascinating conversation. Benedict's website: https://www.benedictbeckeld.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube and read the accompanying Substack post. Follow Peter Boghossian

In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a savage assault on Jews and ignited a global bonfire of hatred, we've witnessed a surge in attacks against Jews. Synagogues have been defaced, Jewish students harassed on campus, Jews assaulted and even lit on fire, and online bile spewed endlessly. These are manifestations of an enduring plague. Prolific author and public intellectual Adam LeBor joins me for a sober conversation about the rise of Jew hatred. Watch this episode on YouTube and read the accompanying Substack post. Follow Peter Boghossian

Dr. Calum Nicholson has become a close friend. We first met in Hungary in 2021. Since then, we've had countless spirited dinners together while hashing out the world's problems over bottles of wine. He's sincere, thoughtful, and not afraid to question assumptions. With neoliberalism being all the rage, a key question in this conversation was: Is the neoliberal order collapsing? Similar to a recent conversation I had with Philip Pilkington ,understanding the end of the prevailing world order and what comes next is, if I may say so, a tad ahead of the curve. As the existing global order becomes increasingly disrupted, we'll see more discussions like this (but perhaps with less informed conversants). Watch this episode on YouTube and read the accompanying Substack post. Follow Peter Boghossian

This is one of the best and most important conversations I've ever had. Dr. Ralph Schoellhammer is an Austrian political scientist, Head of Center for Applied History at MCC Budapest, scholar, and a terrific person. He's forthright in his speech, incredibly well read and knowledgeable, thoughtful, open to criticism, and intellectually nimble. This episode features discussions on economics, touching on world news and the idea of an economic bloc being formed. It compares the US military comparison against others, debating economic power versus military might, and more. Find my two previous conversations with Ralph here and here. Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Peter Boghossian

"Fantasy politics" is the best descriptor of what we're currently witnessing in Western political discourse. That phrase is from my interview with author, public intellectual, and Danube Institute fellow Philip Pilkington. Philip has numerous zingers in this interview, like: "Now they've created a roach motel in Britain," "The West is in terminal decline," and "68% of the people in Britain think the country is fundamentally broken". This is my second interview with Philip. (The first interview was only released as a podcast due to filming issues.) Philip is a thoughtful, knowledgeable, and smart guy. He's also sincere. Not in spite of but because of this, I find our conversations sobering and his arguments compelling: The decline of the West has been obvious for some time now, and it's evident in nearly every aspect of life. This is not only obvious to Philip, and to other economists, but it's obvious to anyone who's paying attention. Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Peter Boghossian

Gavin Haynes is a good dude. Smart, too. He's a fellow at the Danube Institute, which is how we met. This is far more of a conversation than an interview. And for the record, every time I've been with Gavin he's used at least three words which are not in my active vocabulary. I love that! We talked about Dominic McKenzie Cummings, the OODA loop, culture, and more. Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Peter Boghossian

Naomi Epps Best, a whistleblower who blew up the cesspool with a Wall Street Journal OpEd, has splattered the ideological sewage on her colleagues. I invited Best on my show to amplify the discharge. Subscribe for more in-depth conversations: @drpete@drpeterboghossian Follow Naomi Epps Best X: @naomieppsbest Substack: Clinically Incorrect ⸺SUPPORT MY WORK⸺ Newsletter | https://boghossian.substack.com Donate | https://nationalprogressalliance.org/donate ⸺LINKS⸺ "Conversations with Peter Boghossian" Podcast | https://rebrand.ly/ConversationswithPeterBoghossian Website | https://peterboghossian.com National Progress Alliance | https://www.nationalprogressalliance.org/ Resignation Letter | https://peterboghossian.com/my-resignation-letter ⸺BOOKS⸺ "How To Have Impossible Conversations" | https://rebrand.ly/impossibleconversationsbook "A Manual For Creating Atheists" | https://rebrand.ly/manualforcreatingatheists ⸺SOCIAL MEDIA⸺ Twitter | https://twitter.com/peterboghossian Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/peter.boghossian TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@peterboghossian All Socials | https://linktr.ee/peterboghossian __________ #peterboghossian #conversationswithpeterboghossian #freespeech #academic

"London is over. It's so over." In this Conversation with Peter Boghossian, Peter and UK political commentator and GB News' Matt Goodwin walk through Budapest while dissecting mass migration's devastating toll on the UK's economy, culture, and safety. From free speech clampdowns to integration failures, this raw, fact-driven talk exposes a nation on the brink of cultural collapse. Guest: Matt Goodwin —academic, writer, pollster, campaigner and GB News presenter. Follow Matt Goodwin on Substack: https://www.mattgoodwin.org/ Follow Matt Goodwin on X: @GoodwinMJ Subscribe to Matt Goodwin's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drmatthewgoodwin Books by Matt Goodwin: http://www.matthewjgoodwin.org/books.html Subscribe for more in-depth conversations: @drpeterboghossian ⸺SUPPORT MY WORK⸺ Newsletter | https://boghossian.substack.com Donate | https://nationalprogressalliance.org/donate ⸺LINKS⸺ "Conversations with Peter Boghossian" Podcast | https://rebrand.ly/ConversationswithPeterBoghossian Website | https://peterboghossian.com National Progress Alliance | https://www.nationalprogressalliance.org/ Resignation Letter | https://peterboghossian.com/my-resignation-letter ⸺BOOKS⸺ "How To Have Impossible Conversations" | https://rebrand.ly/impossibleconversationsbook "A Manual For Creating Atheists" | https://rebrand.ly/manualforcreatingatheists ⸺SOCIAL MEDIA⸺ Twitter | https://twitter.com/peterboghossian Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/peter.boghossian TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@peterboghossian All Socials | https://linktr.ee/peterboghossian __________ #london #uk #migration #mattgoodwin #peterboghossian #conversationswithpeterboghossian #freespeech #academic

Is liberalism collapsing under the weight of its contradictions? In this Conversation with Peter Boghossian, Peter sits down with economist and political thinker Philip Pilkington to examine the unraveling of liberalism, not as a policy failure, but as a philosophical dead end. From John Locke's contract theory to the chaos of contemporary identity politics, Pilkington argues that liberalism has been stretched beyond its functional use and now teeters on the edge of absurdity. They explore what comes next: a return to civilizational roots, a post-liberal future shaped by ancient ethics, economic realism, and the re-emergence of pre-liberal norms. Peter pushes back on Christian nationalism, the legitimacy crisis in Western institutions, and the techno-optimism surrounding AI, while both wrestle with the future of Western civilization, if there is one. Liberalism is not evolving, it's collapsing. And what replaces it may not be liberal at all. Find Philip Pilkington: Host of the Multipolarity Podcast: @MultipolarPod. Follow Philip on X: @philippilk Follow Philip on Substack: https://substack.com/@macrocosm ⸺SUPPORT MY WORK⸺ Newsletter | https://boghossian.substack.com Donate | https://nationalprogressalliance.org/donate ⸺LINKS⸺ "Conversations with Peter Boghossian" Podcast | https://rebrand.ly/ConversationswithPeterBoghossian Website | https://peterboghossian.com National Progress Alliance | https://www.nationalprogressalliance.org/ Resignation Letter | https://peterboghossian.com/my-resignation-letter ⸺BOOKS⸺ "How To Have Impossible Conversations" | https://rebrand.ly/impossibleconversationsbook "A Manual For Creating Atheists" | https://rebrand.ly/manualforcreatingatheists ⸺SOCIAL MEDIA⸺ Twitter | https://twitter.com/peterboghossian Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/peter.boghossian TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@peterboghossian All Socials | https://linktr.ee/peterboghossian __________ #liberalism #ideology #peterboghossian #conversationswithpeterboghossian #freespeech #academic

What if the people shaping public policy are the most deluded among us? In this episode of Conversations with Peter Boghossian, Peter and Dr. Scott Scheall, Associate Professor of Philosophy & Economics at the University of Austin (UATX) dig into what happens when ideology overrides mission. From California's literal wildfires to the metaphorical ones burning through our institutions, the two explore the delusion of competence, the psychological trap of "unknown unknowns," and the real-world consequences of electing leaders more obsessed with optics than outcomes. Guest: Dr. Scott Scheall, Associate Professor of Philosophy & Economics in the Center for Economics, Politics & History at the University of Austin (UATX) Follow Dr. Scott Scheall on Substack: policymakerignorance.substack.com Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell to never miss a new video! ⸺SUPPORT MY WORK⸺ Newsletter | https://boghossian.substack.com Donate | https://nationalprogressalliance.org/donate ⸺LINKS⸺ "Conversations with Peter Boghossian" Podcast | https://rebrand.ly/ConversationswithPeterBoghossian Website | https://peterboghossian.com National Progress Alliance | https://www.nationalprogressalliance.org/ Resignation Letter | https://peterboghossian.com/my-resignation-letter ⸺BOOKS⸺ "How To Have Impossible Conversations" | https://rebrand.ly/impossibleconversationsbook "A Manual For Creating Atheists" | https://rebrand.ly/manualforcreatingatheists ⸺SOCIAL MEDIA⸺ Twitter | https://twitter.com/peterboghossian Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/peter.boghossian TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@peterboghossian All Socials | https://linktr.ee/peterboghossian __________ #ideology #dei #peterboghossian #conversationswithpeterboghossian #freespeech #academic

Mia Hughes and Peter Boghossian tackle the NYT's "The Protocol," a six-part podcast that sanitizes the horrors of transgender medicalization and sterilization. They unpack its heavily filtered themes. Mia Hughes, leading expert and critic of The WPATH Files, revealed ghoulish medical abuse in "gender-affirming care" targeting kids, teens, and vulnerable adults.

In this episode of Conversations with Peter Boghossian, Peter speaks with Dr. Howland who traces how historical atrocities resurface in today's progressive rhetoric. From the psychology behind Nazi youth and post-Holocaust Europe to the ideological alignment between liberal activism and Jew hating narratives, the discussion spans generations of hatred cloaked in "righteous" causes. Jake shares how witnessing the wreckage of post-Soviet Eastern Europe - marked by crumbling infrastructure, cultural amnesia, and the lingering shadows of totalitarianism - shaped the course of his scholarly life. His experience serves as a sobering prelude to today's rise in Jew hatred. Their conversation culminates in insights about scapegoating, identity politics, and moral confusion. Peter draws out Jake's insights about victimhood culture, the legacy media's complicity, and the dangers of ignoring history's warnings. What happens when critical thinking is replaced by propagandistic slogans and moral clarity is abandoned for righteous activism? We know the answer. Nothing good. Howland reminds us that confronting these challenges demands honesty and intellectual rigor, not obsequiousness and ideological surrender. At UATX, Howland and colleagues are doing just this by equipping students to think clearly, carefully, and critically and to be forthright in their speech. Peter and Jake understand that the stakes —freedom and humanity—are too high to ignore. Guest: Jake Howland, Ph.D., Author, Holocaust Scholar, Provost at UATX Find Jake Howland Online: www.uaustin.org/people/jacob-howland Jake Howland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-howland-7565938/

I had a fascinating conversation with Dr. Patrick Gray, Dean of the Center for Arts and Letters and Professor of Literature at the University of Austin (UATX). We spoke about issues of free speech as they pertain to college campuses. Patrick brings a nuanced perspective: He's a defender of free speech but insists it needs guardrails. Patrick argues that pushing universities to adopt the Chicago Statement ("Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression")—a blanket commitment to unrestricted expression—is a mistake. Students should be free to debate diverse, even controversial ideas, but within a framework of civil, respectful dialogue. He argues that the approach he advocates fosters real intellectual growth without descending into chaos. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Harry Saul Markham, a 25-year-old recent graduate of University College London (UCL), takes a keen interest in addressing threats to democracy, social cohesion, and the rights of minorities. In his roles as a Junior Research Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy and an Advisory Board member of Academics for Academic Freedom, he has been involved in media interviews, discussions with policymakers, journalists, and other prominent public figures in advancing centrist, but bold approaches, to some of the major social issues facing Western Europe. Watch this episode on YouTube.

I spoke with US commentator and author David Pakman, host of the wildly popular progressive YouTube channel, The David Pakman Show. David just published a new book, "The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America". It's extraordinarily rare for a left-leaning figure to accept my invitation to come on the show and have a conversation, and I'm grateful David did. Our conversation was civil, respectful, and engaging. We dove into the state of America, with David sharing his views on the left, right, and MAGA. We tackled major issues—from the Trump administration's strategy to Elon Musk and the future Tesla stock. The David Pakman Show (TDPS) started as a radio show called Midweek Politics in the basement of community radio station WXOJ's studio in Northampton, Massachusetts. Today, it is one of the most watched independent progressive podcasts and online shows. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In a candid conversation with Dutch sociologist Dr. Eric Hendriks, we dive into the geopolitical currents shaping Europe, America, and China. From Europe's identity crisis to the specter of a U.S.-China conflict, we wrestle with questions about immigration, power, and morality in a world in which the US is no longer the global hegemon. Watch this episode on YouTube.

In Budapest, US scholar Raymond Ibrahim and I hit the streets to confront the growing problem of Muslim immigration in Western countries and the cowardice of our leaders to be honest about the nature of the problems this creates. It is often claimed that Muslims and Christians have coexisted peacefully for centuries. Raymond dismantles this myth, tracing a history of Islamic doctrines that sow division. Beyond cultural practices like polygamy, he highlights laws targeting non-Muslims: The mandate to harbor hatred, even toward a Christian spouse, and the demand to convert or accept second-class status, paying tribute to Muslims. Watch this episode on YouTube.

I sat down with Australian science educator Brett Hall to tackle the claim: The universe is "queerer than we can suppose." This idea stems from British scientist J.B.S. Haldane, who wrote in his 1927 book Possible Worlds and Other Essays, "The universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose." Haldane was struck by reality's strangeness, esp. in light of early 20th-century science. He thought that our minds might hit a wall when facing the universe's oddities. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Every month, I host a virtual hangout for my Paid Substack Subscribers (Join now and join us for the next one! https://boghossian.substack.com). In February, I was joined by Mia Hughes and Brett Hall to tackle delusional transgender ideology. My subscribers brought thoughtful questions that cut to the heart of the issue: The concept of gender, the pressure to use preferred pronouns, the rise of furries(!), and men in women's spaces. We dug into the composition of the trans community, which often includes transvestites, autogynophilic men, autistic youth, and women grappling with severe trauma. To be clear, and for the millionth time, I strongly believe that adults can lead any type of life they want to lead, providing it does not harm others. The key word in that sentence, of course, is "adults". Watch this episode on YouTube.

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.