Preconceived

The idea of 'life extension' has become trendy over the past several decades. If we take the right supplements and certain medications, is it possible to live well beyond a hundred years old and to slow the aging process itself? Dr. Jay Olshansky is one of the world leaders in the field. He joins the podcast to shed some misconceptions. http://sjayolshansky.com/sjo/Background.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the typical preconceived framework in which we tend to view our lives, there are many steps … growing up, getting an education, finding a job, getting married, having kids, being grandparents, and ultimately - retiring. But in recent years, many have come to question what retirement really means and what it entails. So what exactly is retirement, and does society’s concept of retirement ultimately limit us in our endeavors when we get older? And if we do conform to the more traditional view of retirement, should we be seriously rethinking the age of retirmenet given the increased life expectancy of humans? George Jerijian joins the podcast. https://georgejerjian.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sex and romance are core aspects of most people's lives; yet for some, the role they play is different. Aline Laurent-Mayard has never been attracted to anyone—not sexually, not romantically. On her award-winning podcast Free From Desire, they tell us how difficult it was to realize and accept their asexuality and their aromantism in a society that only talks about exactly that: love and sex. Aline joins the podcast to explain what it means to be asexual and aromantic. Check out Aline's podcast at https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/new-memoir-style-podcast-follows-journey-of-aline-laurent-mayard/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When people hear the word 'Jihad', they likely think of extremism, terrorism, and utter disdain for the West. But what is exactly is Jihad? What are its true origins? Is Jihadist philosophy truly violent in its original sense? Or is it a concept that has been politicized and weaponized by some, taken to the extreme as a justification for terrorism and hate? What is the role of Jihad, if any, in typical Islamic doctrine, and how can peaceful Islam be reconciled with these more extreme ideologies? Glenn E. Robinson, author of 'Global Jihad: A Brief History', joins the podcast. https://glennerobinson.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are so many adages in regards to love and relationships. Many hinge on the notion that we must be absolutely certain in our choice of a romantic partner and that there should be no doubts when we ultimately decide on 'the one'. But is that a realistic framework for love? And how can the search for the Hollywood vision of love, in some cases lead to severe cases of relationship anxiety, otherwise known as relationship OCD (ROCD)? Kiyomi LaFleur, founder of Awaken into Love, joins the podcast.www.awakenintolove.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For most of us, it’s a known that global warming and climate change are real and problematic Yet at the same time, despite society’s apparent concern at large, the issue has persisted for decades and in many regards, only gotten worse. So how bad is climate change, and how concerned do we need to be? And for as much as we try to be optimistic, are we perhaps past the point of no return? If that’s the case, why even care about climate change at all? Why not just accept that the damage is done, and that the best we can do is mitigate it as opposed to saving our planet? Quinn Emmett joins the podcast. Quinn EmmettFounder of Important, Not important: Science for people who give a shit Sign up for his newsletter at Importantnotimportant.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift is arguably the most famous person in the world – a pop star the likes of whom many of us haven’t seen in our lifetimes. Especially over the past year with the release of her latest album Midnights and her record-breaking The Eras Tour, it’s not crazy to wonder if what we are witnessing right now is somewhat analogous to the Beatlemania of the 1960s. So what exactly is the phenomenon of Taylor Swift? Why has she risen to the heights that she has and captivated so many people like few other artists have before her? Is this truly a special pop culture moment, or is it perhaps being overstated? Music industry veteran Ralph Jaccodine joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes our convictions can be so indoctrinated that it’s tough to separate them from reality and the facts in front of us. One such example is the Salem Witch Trials from 1692-1693, where an episode of mass hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts led to over 200 people being put on trial for witchcraft, culminating in nineteen executions. So how did this happen? How was it possible that people in one of the most educated societies of the time, not far from Harvard, became so convinced that witchcraft was real, to the point that they killed 14 women and 5 men for being witches? World-renowned Salem expert, Marilynne Roach, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At its core, sex is supposed to be pleasurable. It’s typically considered much easier for a male to reach orgasm than a female, and although orgasm is not the only way to experience pleasure from sex, it’s certainly a more defined and easily measurable endpoint. So with that said, how frequently and to what degree do women experience sexual pleasure when compared to men? Does it often take more time for women to understand their own bodies and what makes them sexually aroused? And how could men learn to be better sexual partners to women, by having a greater understanding of the way they experience sex? Dr. Debby Herbenick, a sexual and reproductive health professor, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the advent of botox and fillers, cosmetic procedures have become much quicker to administer and more accessible to the masses. In many ways, one could argue this is a good thing – it offers a service to people who want it in a more available way than ever before. But in other ways, has the obsession with a certain definition of beauty and staying younger only further stigmatized getting older and aging naturally? Has the world of cosmetic surgery perhaps gone too far and fostered a certain type of ‘addiction’ to looking younger? And how exactly do botox and fillers work? Plastic surgeon Dr. Harmeet Gill joins the podcast. Learn more about Dr. Harmeet Gillhttps://www.eyefaceinstitute.com/our-doctors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Napoleon Bonaparte is considered one of the greatest military leaders of all time. He is often mentioned alongside names such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, but whereas they existed thousands of years ago, he died only 200 years ago. And as such, his legacy is perhaps still being shaped more so than other comparatively more ancient figures. So what is the legacy of Napoleon? What are some of the preconceptions that have permeated into modern thought? Beyond his military achievement, what made Napoleon such a memorable figure? World-famous historian Andrew Roberts joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Choosing a baby name can be stressful. While a name is just a name, it will follow your child around for the rest of their life. What are some of the factors that go into this decision, and what are some newer trends that are being witnessed? The preconception might be that picking a baby name is as simple as googling lists online, but how can the process be more targeted and simplified? Name consultant Steph Coffield joins the podcast. Learn more about Steph CoffieldWebsite - NamesWithSteph.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We often hear American politicians recite lines like, ‘The United States is the greatest country in the world’. Especially when it comes to US presidential elections, the notion that the United States is somehow different than the rest of the world is on full display. There’s an idea of American exceptionalism that persists, the thought that the United States is a fundamentally unique and special country, based on ethical pillars that are rare to find in other countries. So how did this idea originate, and is there indeed truth in it? Renowned historian Andrew O'Shaugnessy joins the podcast. Learn more about Andrew O'Shaughnessy here: https://www.andrewjoshaughnessy.com/home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most significant preconceptions that governs our lives revolves around our career trajectory. For the most part, the status quo typically involves us choosing a general career path in our twenties and sticking with it for the duration of working years. But not for all of us. Robert Markowitz was a practicing criminal lawyer who gave it all up and became a clown. He joins the podcast. Robert's book 'Clown Shoes' -https://www.amazon.ca/Clown-Shoes-Robert-Markowitz/dp/1956474307 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The terms ‘wellness’ and ‘mental health’ have been around for many years, but over the last decade, it’s taken on a life of its own. And while most of us would agree that looking after our wellness and self-care is a very important thing, one might also wonder, has this movement gone too far in some regards? And while it might seem that such a focus on wellness would naturally reduce stigma regarding actual psychiatric illness, is that necessarily the case? Psychologist Huw Green joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 7th, Israel experienced its bloodiest day since its founding in 1948. In the immediate aftermath of these crimes, anti-Israel and anti-Semitic protests erupted around the world, coinciding with Hamas's "Day of Rage" to "attack Israelis and Jews". In this episode, we try to understand the events that transpired and equally try and comprehend the world's response. Risa Epstein, an educator on Judaism and Israel, joins the podcast. To learn more about the conflict in Israel and Palestine, listen to this other Preconceived episode that reviews the conflict in detail, at the link below: https://link.chtbl.com/IsraelPalestine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We live in a world in which we have easy access to almost anything we want. We see something online that we want, and we can have it delivered to our home that same day. And while increased access and availability can be a good thing, it can also be a dangerous one. With limitless access to more seemingly benign pastimes such as shopping and social media, as well as more obviously concerning pastimes such as drugs, gambling, and porn, the predilection to addiction is perhaps stronger than ever. Dr. Anna Lembke, Stanford Psychiatrist and author of Dopamine Nation, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pretty much everyone knows that recycling is important. But what exactly is recycling? The concept that’s been disseminated to society is that when you recycle thing, it gets repurposed and reused, hence recycled. This reduces the amount of garbage that goes into landfills and is ultimately a good thing. But is the glory, so to speak, of recycling somewhat of a preconception? How much of what you put into that recycling bin truly gets recycled? And where does all of our recycling actually go to be processed? Matt Ferrell joins the podcast. Matt Ferrell's YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@undecidedmf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past several years, there has been controversy in many fields of the art world, including literature, film and television. Questions have been posed regarding the appropriateness of authors writing about certain topics, and actors portraying certain characters. For example, is it okay for a White author to write a fictional book about slavery in the United States? Is it okay for a cis male to play a trans male in a movie? At the heart of these questions lies the concepts of cultural appropriation and artistic authenticity. So how do we decide what is acceptable artistry, and what crosses a line, if such a line even does exist in such art forms. Culture writer Rachel Brodsky joins the podcast. Check out Rachel Brodsky's New Podcasthttps://rocknloadmag.com/news/introducing-in-sync-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bipolar Disorder is an oft-misunderstood condition by the public. It can be tough to comprehend, because it requires an understanding of each of depression, mania, and the swings that can occur between them. So what exactly is Bipolar Disorder? What kind of insight does a patient with the disease have when they are experiencing the swings in mood and tendencies? And what are some of the benefits of manic episodes, if there are any at all? Kimi Culp joins the podcast. Kimi Culp's Websitehttps://kimiculp.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Torture is generally thought of as a bad things - an unacceptable means to an end. But what if that end is justifiable? In many cases, torture is clearly unethical - for example when used as a means of political suppression, as a fear tactic, or for a forced confession. But what about torture in more ambiguous cases - when the torturer is fairly confident that the person being tortured has key information that could save many lives if it were obtained? Juan Mendez joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money did not always exist in its current form. There was a time when goods and services were just exchanged for one another, without actual coins or cash changing hands. The preconception is that our current monetary system, the status quo, makes complete sense. But as millennia of history have proven to us, money is very complex, and there is a lot at stake. Jacob Goldstein, host of the popular NPR podcast, Planet Money, joins the podcast.Jacob Goldstein's book -"https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B083J1BPNC/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the life of an athlete, one of the major decision points is getting a sports agent to negotiate on their behalf. For most athletes, this is just ‘what you do’, the status quo. But recently, this paradigm has been challenged to an extent. After one high profile athlete negotiated without a sports agent, the necessity and role of the sports agent was called into question. Sports agent Even Laufer joins the podcast to break down preconceptions about sports agents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With over two billion followers worldwide, Christianity is the most popular religion in the world. For some, the preconception is ‘of course Christianity is the correct religious view’, with so many people subscribing to it. For others, the preconception might be, ‘how is it possible that so many people believe in a religion defined by a historical event that nobody can prove?’. Because in contrast to many other religions and worldviews, Christianity is perhaps more predicated than any on a specific historical event – the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So how does one, and two billion people for that matter, come to devote their life to Christianity, despite all the uncertainty that surrounds the nature of this world? John Stackhouse, author of 'Can I Believe?', joins the podcast. John Stackhouse's Websitehttps://www.johnstackhouse.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of 'Barbenheimer', there is perhaps more excitement surrounding the moviegoing experience than there has been in many years. But why does it feel like the film industry has been a bit lacklustre for the past while? Has the divide been film critics and audience grown, as critically acclaimed movies seem to get less attention than blockbuster Marvel-type films? And ultimately, what actually makes for a solid movie? Enjoyment, emotion, something thought-provoking, or all of the above? Renowned film critic Richard Crouse joins the podcast. Check out Richard Crouse's Latest Podcast - 'Last Call Podcast' https://rss.com/podcasts/lastcallwithrichardcrouse/Richard Crouse's Websitehttps://richardcrouse.ca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shinji Mikamo is a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. His daughter, psychologist Dr. Akiko Mikamo, joins the podcast to share her father's story of survival and resilience in the face of the most deadly bomb to ever be dropped on the planet. She speaks about some of the common historical misconceptions regarding the necessity of dropping the atomic bomb and shares her father's lessons of forgiveness and empathy that he has urged others to adopt throughout his life.Akiko's Film - https://www.815documentary.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you could undergo a scan of of your whole body once a year to screen for any tumors, aneurysms, or any other medical abnormalities? On the surface, it sounds like a great idea, and indeed many companies are offering the opportunity to undergo whole body MRIs to catch medical findings before they become medical 'problems'. But is whole body MRI really all it's cracked up to be? Or can it also lead you down a rabbit hole chasing a diagnosis when nothing of consequence is to be found? Radiologist Dr. Matthew Davenport joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us are familiar with the ethical quandaries of eating meat, and in particular the large-scale abuse of animals in modern-day farming and mass meat production. And in many ways, the question of whether it is ‘okay’ to eat other animals is a philosophical and personal one. But what does the research show about more objective measures of eating meat, like how it affects the environment and the impact it has on our health? Plant-based food diets are becoming increasingly popular – especially with the more recent advent of ‘beyond-meat’ food, food that is vegetarian but designed to taste like real meat. Is this actually a good alternative? Stuart Waldner, author of 'Escape the Meatrix', joins the podcast. https://www.amazon.ca/Escape-Meatrix-Plants-Great-Planet/dp/1544528752 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the past several years, plunges into freezing cold ice baths have become increasingly popular – trendy even. There are growing communities of those who engage in the ritual of ice baths together, combined with breathwork and a form of meditation. Others practice cold therapy by simply taking freezing cold showers. But what does the research actually show? Dr. Matthijs Kox joins the podcast, to share his research in this field, with a particular epmahsis on The Wim Hof Method. https://www.radboudumc.nl/en/people/matthijs-kox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conflict in Israel and Palestine predates even the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. This episode explores the complicated history of Israel and Palestine, chronicling the ancient history of the temples in Jerusalem, to the Crusades, to the settlement of the land by Arabs almost 1,000 years ago, and to the more recent wars of 1948, 1967, the Intifadas, and the state of the conflict in present day. Tour gide and educator Yoav Biller shares shares perspectives from both the Israeli and Palestinian narratives.Yoav Biller's Website - https://www.wanderingisrael.co.il Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When one thinks of traditional parenting, one might remember a stern talking to, or maybe even punished. In many ways, the traditional paradigm of parenting has been quite disciplinarian. In some regards, this has changed over the last several years. Many thought leaders and therapists now seem to be encouraging a different approach – one based less on punishment and ‘taking things away’, but more based on understanding our children’s feelings, walking them through their emotions, and not relying as heavily on punishment and consequences. So what exactly spawned this transformation? And how are kids being raised differently than they used to. Katy Albert joins the podcast. https://redpathcentre.ca/therapists-coaches/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If one looks at the English language, there are many terms now considered offensive that were considered commonplace, perhaps even sensitive, just a few decades ago. A typical pattern tends to emerge – a word is used to describe a particular group, perhaps innocently at first, and over time, it can become misused and turn into a slur. Another word comes in to replace it, but with time, that word too becomes misused and a slur. New words and phrases can be coined multiple times over the course of a few decades as the initial word becomes stigmatized. But is this a good thing? Or has society become too sensitive? Is The Euphemism Treadmill, as it has become known, a good thing? Author and linguist Karen Stollznow joins the podcast. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/karen-stollznow-phd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When one of thinks of a musician, the first image that might come to mind is their favorite recording artist. But the reality is – there are millions of musicians in the world who are not on your favorite Spotify playlist. Musicians include a wide variety of artists who have developed careers in all facets of the music industry. So what are the greatest preconceptions about musicians and what it takes to make 'good' music? Dr. Mike Daley and Jill Daley, two professional musicians, join the podcast. https://mikedaleymusic.comThis episode is sponsored by Ministry of Ideas https://www.ministryofideas.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In modern times, Germany is considered one of the more progressive Western countries in the world. During the Syrian refugee crisis, few countries took in as many Syrians as Germany did. But despite this, the first thing that likely comes to mind to many who hear the word ‘Germany’, is its association with the Holocaust and World War II. There is a stigma that still persists, despite the passage of almost 80 years since the events of the Holocaust took place. So how have Germans grappled with this stigma over the last eight decades? And how has this historical perception transformed in the minds of non-Germans? Professor Monica Black joins the podcast. Professor Monica Blackhttps://history.utk.edu/people/monica-black/This episode is sponsored by Ministry of Ideas https://www.ministryofideas.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our 200th episode, Zale highlights some of the greatest preconceptions that have come to light for him over the course of series. Is the word 'extremism' overused? How do we analyze our preconceptions without being overwhelmed by every aspect of our lives? And is the ultimate preconception that each of us believes deep down that 'I am a good person'? Zale is joined by public speaking coaches Eric Silverberg and Eli Gladstone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve all been to a party and felt a bit awkward walking around, immersing ourselves in some conversations that go nowhere, approaching someone we've kind of met before but don’t really know, and gauging when a conversation has come to an end. Most of us have also been in situations where we want to go up and talk to someone who seems interesting, but it just feels a bit too awkward to approach them out of the blue and initiate a conversation. And if we do start a conversation, what exactly are we supposed to talk about? Catherine Blyth, author of 'The Art of Conversation', joins the podcast. Catherine Blyth's Websitehttps://catherineblyth.wordpress.comThis episode is sponsored by Ministry of Ideashttps://www.ministryofideas.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When one thinks of birth control, it might be natural one might think of women before thinking of men. Aside from condoms and vasectomies, medical forms of birth control have really been directed towards women, with 'the pill' and intrauterine devices. But perhaps things are changing. Research has been underway to investigate the possibility of an on-demand male birth control. Dr. Lonney Levin and Dr. Melanie Balbach from the Levin/Buck Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medical College join the podcast. https://levbucklab.weill.cornell.edu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you ever feel like you can’t simply sit down and do one task uninterrupted? When you sit down to do some work on your laptop, how soon before you check your email unnecessarily, or grab your phone and scroll down Instagram? Or even more basic – when you are doing something for pure pleasure – like reading a book or watching a movie – how long is it before you put the book down or start ignoring the movie in pursuit of some other trivial task? In short, how ‘good’ is your attention span? Dr. Gloria Mark joins the podcast. Dr. Gloria Mark - https://gloriamark.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few would admit to regretting their decision to become parents. But that doesn't mean there are not people who do indeed regret the choice to have kids. Is it possible to still love your children while regretting the choice to have had them? Is the admission of regret necessarily a bad thing? Orna Donath, author of Regretting Motherhood, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The history of humankind has been contemplated for millennia. How did we come to be the dominant life form on the planet? Many stories have been told over the course of civilization to try and explain our presence on Earth, and in the process, many myths of our ancient past have come to dominate popular thinking. So what remains myth, and what do we actually know about the origins of humankind? And for all of their inaccuracies, why have the myths and stories of our past been so important for human civilization over the years? Science journalist Evan Hadingham joins the podcast. Evan Hadingham's Book - https://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Us-Discoveries-Origins-1968-2018/dp/1560852771 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are certain things that are just ‘knowns’ in the world, preconceptions in the sense that we take particular facts for granted. One such ‘knowns’ in the world is that The Beatles is perhaps the greatest band of all time. But as great as The Beatles were, there have been tons of incredible bands since the 1960s. What differentiates The Beatles? Was their music truly so special to warrant the place they have in our cultural history? Is it possible that The Beatles are overrated? Or do they really live up to the hype? Beatles expert Dr. Holly Tessler joins the podcast. Dr. Holly Tessler - https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/music/staff/holly-s-tessler/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you think of some of the most brutal 20th century dictators, your mind likely conjures up images of ruthlessness, mass death, and anything associated with evil. And while there is no doubt that these dictators committed evil atrocities that are tough to comprehend, it’s reasonable to wonder, ‘how did such people come to be?’. Is it enough to just say they were inherently evil, or as with most things, is there a larger story to be told? Is there way to understand the actions of these dictators in, dare I say, an empathetic way? Is there a way to try and understand what led them to their tyranny while not excusing their actions? Brandon Gauthier, author of 'Before Evil', joins the podcast. https://beforeevil.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the paradoxes of sex is that while it is so common, it’s something we often feel uncomfortable talking about. Especially when it comes to sexual experimentation, there is a certain stigma that exists. But to an extent, that is changing, as new initiatives are being undertaken to reimagine sex’s place in society. The New Society for Wellness (NSFW), a Sex Club in New York City, seeks to change the way we view sex. NSFW CEO and co-founder Daniel Saynt joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, there has been substantial stigma associated with psychedelic drugs. After psychedelics’ association with counterculture in the 1960s, much of the medical research into the therapeutic effects of psychedelics was terminated. But over the last 10-20 years, much of the research into the healing powers of psychedelics has resumed. Stemming from this research, many psychedelics companies have emerged and clinics have opened that offer patients the opportunity to experience the powers of such psychedelics. In this episode, we will shift our focus specifically to mushrooms, and its active ingredient psilocybin, as we try to dissect some of our preconceptions regarding its growing use alongside other psychedelics. Matt Zemon joins the podcast. Matt Zemon - https://www.mattzemon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We learn from an early age that it’s not acceptable to harm others. Many would say it’s something we don’t even need to really learn – that it’s a natural human instinct to not want to cause harm. With that perspective, it’s natural that it would be extremely challenging for people to understand why someone would harm themselves. Why would some voluntarily elect to hurt themselves? Non-suicidal self injury refers to this practice, encompassing the terms self-harm, cutting, and other harmful practices. Dr. Chris Simpson, author of 'Cutting and Self Harm', joins the podcast. Check out Chris's book, 'Cutting and Self Harm', at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cutting-and-self-harm-chris-simpson-phd/1121005370 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Aztec Empire famously fell following the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. Much of what we know about the Aztecs – including their rise, the nature of the empire, and its eventual fall, comes strictly from European accounts. But what did the Aztecs themselves think? The narrative has almost solely been shaped by the European perspective – but how did the Aztecs view the Europeans who eventually conquered them? Professor Camilla Townsend joins the podcast. Camilla's Book - Fifth Sun https://www.amazon.ca/Fifth-Sun-New-History-Aztecs/dp/0190673060/ref=asc_df_0190673060/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=411041496657&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2406240501790207548&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000956&hvtargid=pla-715823711027&psc=1This episode is sponsored by Discover More Podcast - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/discover-more-benoit-kim-w1KlycAfQGB/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many years, depression has been treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, better known by its short form, SSRIs. Serotonin, of course, lies at the core of these medications, with the long-held belief that serotonin levels are lower in patients who suffer from depression. But how strong is the correlation between low serotonin levels and depression? Is the neurobiological basis of low serotonin being associated with depression as strong as we think? Some recent research has come out that perhaps casts the serotonin theory in doubt, and with it, our preconception that serotonin truly lies at the core of depression. Psychiatrist Dr. Joel Paris joins the podcast. This episode is sponsored by the podcast, Discover More. Check it out here - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/discover-more/id1478666639 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are told from a very young age that being honest is a good thing. But most of us don’t really believe that honesty is always the best policy. Most of us allow for exceptions, omissions, and the occasional white lie, if it means sparing someone hurt feelings or avoiding an awkward conversation. Michael Leviton, author of "To Be Honest", spent most of his life not making such exceptions, and being honest to a fault, completely devoted to the truth. He joins the podcast to share the beauties and perils of such honesty.Michael's Websitehttp://michaelleviton.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Antarctica is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places on Earth. One of Earth’s seven continents, it is easily the least inhabited, and in many ways, the least known about. To many, the preconception is that Antarctica is this cold, frozen, and desolate places, not fit for human living. But what exactly do we know about this remote continent? Is this unique landscape as inhospitable as one might expect, and what can we learn about humankind and the Earth at large from exploring its frontiers? Jean de Pomereu and Daniella McCahey, authors of 'Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects', join the podcast. Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects https://www.amazon.ca/Antarctica-History-Objects-Jean-Pomereu/dp/1844866211/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29JN3AHDMAEQS&keywords=antarctica+a+history+in+100&qid=1675552629&sprefix=antarctica+a+history+in+100%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know about the potential abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet despite this, alcohol has persisted since the dawn of human societies. Does its persistence suggest that alcohol may actually be an important factor in the history of our civilization? In Edward Slingerland's book, 'Drunk', he explores the social benefits of alcohol and intoxication. He joins the podcast to share his insights. Check out 'Drunk' at https://www.amazon.ca/Drunk-Sipped-Danced-Stumbled-Civilization/dp/0316453382 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.