Preconceived

When one used to think about psychedelics, the image that most likely came to mind was of someone tripping out during the height of 1960s counterculture. Yet what is less known is that prior to psychedelics’ association with counterculture, there was significant medical research being done regarding the clinical applications of many psychedelic substances. Most of this research, however, was discontinued when psychedelics became so associated with the rebelliousness of the 1960s. But as time has passed, and preconceptions have gradually been shed, the research into the medical uses of psychedelics has resumed, and some psychedelics are now legalized and being used clinically in North America. So why is the resurgence of psychedelic research so important, and how can psychedelics offer potentially life transforming experiences? Ronan Levy, co-founder of Field Trip Health, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of humans' most basic instincts is sexual desire. It is natural for humans to have sex, and most people do engage in sexual activity of some kind. Yet as commonplace as sex is, we often don’t talk about it openly. Even more, we tend to not talk about sex and how it often changes during the course of a relationship. It’s not uncommon for sex to be a primary focus of a romantic relationship in the early days of a couple, only to go by the wayside as time goes on. How does this happen? What is a “sexless relationship”? Dr. Jane Greer is a leading national expert in sex, love and relationships who has been a guest on Oprah and CNN. She joins the podcast to shed some of the misconceptions regarding sex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the last episode of Preconceived, we explored the history of the British Monarchy, the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II and analyzed how the Royal Family has adapted in modern times. On this sequel episode, royal commentator Ed Wang joins once more to weight in on the recent interview with Prince Harry and Princess Meghan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is something about royalty and the idea of “the crown” that captures the public’s attention and imagination. Yet while historically, monarchies used to run many countries and empires around the world, only several remain today, the most public of which, is the British royal monarchy. Yet while for some it ignites reverie and imagination, it is reasonable to ask what purpose the monarchy actually serves. Why is the British monarch so important, if it really is at all? Is the idea of a monarchy actually outdated, or does it still serve as some important symbol? Has the British monarchy sufficiently changed with the times, or has it become an outdated institution that will fall by the wayside in due time? Royal Commentator Ed Wang joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Silverberg and Eli Gladstone, founders of Speaker Labs, shed light on why it is ingrained into our DNA to fear public speaking and how we can look at public speaking "failures" in a more favourable light. Why is public speaking so important, and how do we decipher an authentic public speaker from a charismatic phoney? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Humans are conditioned to be attracted to beautiful things and to beautiful people. We use phrases such as “don’t judge a book by its cover” and “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. But are these adages really true? How real and significant is the effect of beauty on our perceptions of other people? Is beauty as subjective and malleable as we like to believe? How do our perceptions then influence our actual behaviours? Are beautiful people happier in general? And do beautiful people even make more money over the course of their lifetimes? Daniel Hamermesh, economist and author of the book "Beauty Pays", joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you meet someone, you probably take stock of their name, gender, age and occupation. These are some of the basic "get-to-know" questions. But how does knowledge of these demographics perhaps impact our perceptions of the people we meet? What types of stereotypes and assumptions do we subconsciously make about people before we have really even gotten to know them? Zale explores the "get-to-know-you" questions on this episode of A Preconceived Moment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When our history books speak of North American history, it can almost read as if Canada and the United States did not exist until the Europeans settled the lands, while in reality, these lands were populated by indigenous peoples for centuries prior. With the arrival of the Europeans, there were tragic economic implications, massive losses of land and rapid spread of disease that had devastating effects on the indigenous peoples. Perhaps most tragic was the Indian residential schools policy and initiative that took indigenous children away from their families, where their culture was eradicated. Theodore Fontaine, a member and former Chief of the Sagkeeng Ojibway First Nation, joins the podcast to share his story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the society’s most basic fabrics has been the traditional family unit – that is, a mother, a father, and their biological children. But as society becomes more progressive and accepting of alternative family types, we have begun to see the emergence of a new type of family, the “modern family”. So as we embrace the range of newer and less traditional family units, it’s important for us to understand the impact they have on our lives, and the lives of the children who are being raised. How does the gender of a parent influence a child’s development? Is there benefit in still having a traditional “mother” and a traditional “father” figure in one’s life? Does a couple need to be “in love” in order to raise a child? Moreover, does one even need to be a part of a couple to raise a child, or has single parenting by choice shown to be effective? Professor Susan Golombok joins the podcast to share the main takeaways from her 40 years of research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first fraternity in the United States was established in the 1700s. And while much has changed since then in regards to what a fraternity is and how it operates, tradition and reverence for past customs is also an important cornerstone of frat culture. But as our culture, social norms and perspectives regarding inclusivity continue to change rapidly, how have fraternities adjusted? What is the purpose of a fraternity? Why does someone decide to become a part of a fraternity? Are fraternities just for White privileged folk, or is that just an outdated misconception? While many cite their fraternity experiences as some of the most significant and monumental in their lives, others have certainly been traumatized by their pledging and hazing experiences. Dan Faill joins with the podcast to discuss his experience working with fraternities and sororities over the past 20 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is it like to live with an intellectual disability? Jeffery Masci was deprived of oxygen during his birth, which led to lifelong challenges with intellectual disability. This manifested as slower information processing, as well as language and speech difficulties. While his condition has led to significant social and professional challenges, Jeffery has persevered to accomplish much during his life. He joins the podcast to discuss preconceptions regarding his disability and to challenge the notions that many people have regarding what is possible for him to achieve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The decision to die by suicide is perhaps one of the most tragic possible outcomes of a person’s life. And while society at large has expanded its understanding and open mindedness regarding mental illness, stigma is certainly still quite high. Many still refer dismissively to suicide attempts as mere cries for help, and when someone does kill themselves, they are then often labelled as selfish and weak. Josh Rivedal has spoken about mental health and suicide across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. He joins the podcast to share his personal story and family history of mental illness and the insights he has learned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Diamonds are Forever" was a slogan used by De Beers to help turn the diamond into a symbol of everlasting love. It is now estimated that up to 80% of diamond rings have a diamond in them. In the first part of this episode, Zale tries to break down the very expensive custom of the "diamond ring proposal" and evaluate the logic behind it. In the second part of the episode, Professor Roy Maconachie joins the podcast to shed light on the ethics of the diamond industry itself and the injustices and hardships faced by those at the bottom of the supply chain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walking through the meat aisle of a grocery store, do you ever wonder whether it is normal to eat animals? Even if you do think it is normal to eat animals, what about well-documented abuse of animals in the food industry? The veganism movement is associated with many preconceptions, both regarding the types of people who become vegans and the ideology itself. Dr. Corey Wrenn is a sociologist, social justice activist and a leading voice in the veganism movement, who joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The stripper industry is full of judgments and preconceptions. Strippers are often seen as taking an easy way out to make money, and the men who attend strip clubs are often considered shallow. But has society become overly judgmental of strippers and those who partake? Are people too quick to impose their version of morality on others? And do the positive contributions of the stripping world get overlooked? Paige Cole is an entrepreneur who recently went public about the fact that she is a stripper. She joins the podcast to shares her perspectives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fictional characters from books, movies and television shows have some of the most resonating impacts on our lives. Yet is it not ironic that many of the characters we love so much, would likely be scorned by us if they existed in real life? This episode of A Preconceived Moment attempts to untangle some of that irony. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ferkat Jawdat has been one of the world's most vocal advocates against the genocide of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, China. His advocacy stems from the harrowing story of his own family being torn apart by the conflict. His mother has been trapped in China, unable to emigrate and join her family in the United States. She has been detained in concentration camps and prison alongside other persecuted Uighurs. Ferkat joins the podcast to share his story and the realities of the cultural genocide transpiring in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you remember life before social media? Sometimes it is tough to recall such a time when iPhones, Facebook and Instagram weren't a normal part of our daily lives. But as these platforms and media have become entrenched as staples in our everyday lives, it is increasingly important to pause and reflect on the impact they have on us. The recent Netflix docudrama, The Social Dilemma, explores our connection to social media and our electronic devices. Dr. Anna Lembke, a Stanford psychiatrist featured in the docudrama, joins Preconceived to discuss how social media has become an addiction that plagues many of us in society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tipping is so engrained in our cultural framework that we rarely take a step back to question how this custom developed and why we continue to practice it. Dr. William Michael Lynn is a professor in Hospitality department at Cornell University and is a world-renowned expert for his research on tipping. How did tipping come to be? Does better service actually lead to better tips? What are tipping preferences amongst servers, customers and restaurateurs? And ultimately, is our current system of tipping really the strategy that makes the most sense? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does age really matter ? Is life so simple that it can be broken down into milestones typically associated with specific ages ? Zale breaks down the preconceptions of aging with his mother Robin Mednick, who has taken many twists and turns in her life, starting with an extensive education in law, economics and politics, but ultimately veering in completely different career paths. Robin challenges the notions that "younger is better" and urges us to continue to "Jump in" to new facets of life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amit Gupta was a successful entrepreneur by all accounts, having started several very innovative and successful companies. But when he was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia at a young age, his whole life changed immediately. At one point being given less than 25% chance of surviving, Amit's story is a phenomenal recount of resilience, friendship and reflection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most unthinkable nightmares for a parent is that their child encounters danger, whether a serious injury, abducted by a stranger, or god forbid, dies. But does the incidence of these events warrant the degree of caution that many parents exercise when raising their kids? How common is it for tragedy to strike a child? And perhaps just as important, what detriment is being done to kids when they are overly supervised, monitored and coddled? Psychologist Dr. Marianna Brussoni joins the podcast to share her research and clinical experiences in this area. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Substance abuse and addiction are common yet often misunderstood. Many of us have an image in our heads when we think about about an alcoholic, yet that image often reflects only a narrow group of those who are suffering. So how do we reshape our view of addiction? What drives someone towards substance abuse? What are the fundamental principles of treatment recovery? is it possible for someone suffering from alcoholism to get back to a point where they can casually drink? Stuart joins the podcast to share his experience with alcohol addiction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Holding is a wildlife cinematographer who makes wildlife films in the heart of Africa’s wilderness. Based out of Botswana, he has collaborated on many wildlife documentaries including the critically acclaimed series Planet Earth. Mike joins the podcast to discuss common preconceptions regarding the wildlife filmmaking process, what he has learned from his time living amongst animals and how humans can become more connected to our natural environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is not hard to put a case together that Jesus Christ has been the most influential figure over the past two thousand years. And as the holiday season approaches, we are frequently reminded of the ever-present impact he has had on the world. But what do we actually know about the life of Jesus Christ? Why is he, and how did he become, such an influential figure? What was at the core of Jesus's message, and how did that diverge, if at all, from prior religious teachings? Archaeologist and Duke Professor of Religious Studies, Dr. Eric Meyers, joins the podcast to discuss the historical truths regarding Jesus Christ and to share what some of his archaeological finds tell us about his life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The "pro-life" vs. "pro-choice" dilemma regarding abortion is the centre of much heated debate in the United States. On a previous episode of the podcast, we spoke with an obstetrician regarding abortion in Canada and the United States and examined the concept of reproductive justice and why it is important for a woman to have the right to choose. On this episode, we are joined by Annette Lancaster, who identifies as pro-life. She describes her experience working at Planned Parenthood and sheds light on why she and many others hold the stance that they do. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The universe is so vast that it is quite literally impossible to comprehend. Yet with so much unknown, there is also so much room for hypothesizing and pontificating. What is the likelihood that other earth-like planets exist? What are the chances of extraterrestrial life? What is the practical purpose of studying the universe? Dr. John Johnson, a Harvard Professor of Astrophysics, has discovered over one hundred planets. He joins the podcast to share what we do know, what we don't know, and what we can postulate about the cosmos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In "A Preconceived Moment", Zale shares some brief reflections on the preconceptions that shape our every day thoughts. In the first episode of this mini-series, Zale reflects on the idealization of "moments" and how our romanticization over the past can be both beautiful and dangerous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the COVID pandemic, it has become even more imperative to examine how we treat our elder generations. In this episode, Zale is joined by geriatrician Dr. Samir Sinha, who sheds light on Western society's general treatment of our elderly and how our system has perhaps failed in many regards. What is the ideal living situation for people as they age? Retirement homes? Independent living with home care? Moving in with kids and grandkids? In the latter part of this episode, CEO of Parachute, Pamella Fuselli, joins the podcast to speak about the risk of falls as we age and how that is being influenced by COVID. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most basic frameworks of society includes the traditionally binary approach to gender - male and female. But as more people have opened up about their transgender experiences, many of our preconceptions have come into question and greater consideration. Jeremy Wallace is an author and speaker who joins the podcast to discuss his transgender experience and to dissect some of the broader questions regarding gender and identity and how a new paradigm can be embraced by society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The conversation surrounding infertility is often shrouded in secrecy. Many prefer to keep their personal struggles quiet, to the point that they may not even share with family and close friends. Dr. Kimberly Liu is an Infertility Physician who joins the podcast to answer some of the questions that many might be too uncomfortable to ask. She explains recent trends in infertility and reviews the latest research into treatments such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg freezing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode from mid 2019 was a listener favourite. Have you ever sat down at a restaurant and felt out of sorts pretending to know which wine to order? What stories and backgrounds can be told in one bottle of wine? Sommelier Svetlana Atcheva of Pearl Morissette winery breaks down wine in a way that can help the novice appreciate it without feeling intimidated, while discussing new trends and perspectives in the global wine market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After one of the most controversial murder trials in Canadian history, Rick Sauve was ultimately convicted of first degree murder. What followed for him was over seventeen years spent in prison, including one of Canada's most notorious prisons, Millhaven. In this second of two episodes with Rick, he opens up about his time in prison, the harsh realities of violence in the prison system, and how he has devoted much of his life to prison reform since his release over twenty years ago. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A person's life can change in the blink of a eye. And for Rick Sauve, that life changing moment came on October 18, 1978, when a member of another bike club was shot and killed right in front of him. Rick, along with seven other members of the Satan's Choice biker club, was charged and put on trial for first degree murder. Now widely believed to have been innocent, Rick was nonetheless convicted of first degree murder and spent over seventeen years in high security prisons. In this first of two episodes, Rick joins the podcast to discuss the night that changed his life and the trial that determined his fate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As election season in the United States is upon us, I am reposting this episode with the wise Mayor Crombie which sheds an honest and candid look on what it is like to be a politician. Former Toronto Mayor David Crombie was known as "The Tiny Perfect Mayor", and as the name reflects, he is one of Toronto's most beloved political figures from the last many decades. Mayor Crombie joins the podcast to share some thoughts on politics and to impart some wisdom on life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The personalization of medical treatments and preventions based on one's unique DNA will likely emerge as a mainstay in the field of medicine. In this episode, geneticist Dr. Mansoor Mohammed reveals Zale's DNA results. As a follow-up to a prior episode on functional genomics, Dr. Mohammed uses Zale's DNA results to exemplify what types of practical information can be derived from understanding one's own DNA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark King was diagnosed with HIV in 1985. Before a treatment was developed in the nineties, he saw many close friends succumb to the disease, all the while struggling with the reality of his own diagnosis and that it could take his life at any time. So what is it like at the beginning of the HIV pandemic, when little was known of the disease other than its devastating effects? What kind of social division did HIV lead to, both within the gay community and society at large? And how does the HIV stigma still manifest today? Mark shares his insights on HIV over the past 35 years of living with it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode from over a year ago was one of our most popular, helping people navigate one of the most important decisions in their lives - whether or not to have kids! How does one make this ever important decision? And do enough people really approach this milestone as a conscious decision, or do their preconceptions of what a normal life entails get in the way? Merle Bombardieri, author of The Baby Decision, joins the podcast to offer her insights on the choice of having kids versus having a child-free life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How would you cope if you suddenly found out that your parents were not who you thought they were? This was the scenario in which many Germans found themselves at the end of World War II, when news surfaced of the crimes against humanity that occurred during the Holocaust. Tania Crasnianski published "Children of Nazis", a book that takes an extensive look at the children of some of the most infamous Nazis and examines how they responded to the uncovering of the truth about their fathers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ari Nagel is perhaps the most famous sperm donor in the world. He has fathered seventy children through sperm donation and has more children on the way. Unlike traditional sperm donation, Ari does not charge any money for his sperm and is involved in varying degrees in the lives of his kids. So what prompted Ari to devote his life to this cause? How does he keep track of seventy kids? What problems does he foresee in the future, and how does he respond to some of the negative criticism he has gotten? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harvard Professor and psychologist Dr. Deirdre Barrett is one of the most well-renowned dream experts in the world. She joins Zale to discuss all things dreams-related. What exactly is a dream? How, if at all, should we interpret our dreams? Is there a way to control the content of our dreams, and even use our dreams to solve problems in our waking lives? What is lucid dreaming, and why is there so much surrounding them? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gene Steinberg was born and raised in a Jewish Hasidic community in New York. At age 28, he made the difficult decision to leave orthodox-Judaism to live a life more aligned with his personal values. Gene explains what it is like to live in an isolationist Hasidic community, how he came to leave this way of life and the challenges that he and many others face when they do so. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 7th, Harper's Magazine published "A Letter on Justice and Open Debate", which was signed by world-renowned public figures and thought leaders including Malcolm Gladwell, Noam Chomsky and J.K. Rowling. The letter warned of the dangers of cancel culture. Nadine Strossen, one of the co-authours of the letter, and a distinguished professor of New York Law School, joins the podcast to explore the messages of this letter. She expresses what prompted her to sign the letter (11:00) and explains why censorship of free speech is counterproductive (18:00). Zale and Nadine discuss how cancel culture intersects with the Black Lives Matter movement (21:30) and review several recent examples of cancel culture including the Justin Trudeau Blackface controversy (31:30), kneeling in the NFL (34:30), and J.K. Rowling's comments on transgenders (44:30). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What exactly is magic? Is it simply a series of tricks rehearsed to perfection, or is there a more fantastical element to it? How do mentalism, precision and "deception" play into the world of magic? In a time when information is more accessible than ever, how do magicians feel about amateurs entering their world and performing tricks that took others years to study and master? Jonah Babins, co-founder of the Toronto Magic Company and host of the Discourse in Magic Podcast, joins Preconceived. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When many people think about psychedelic drugs, they think about hippies and counterculture in the 1960s. But research into the medical uses of LSD, psilocybin, ketamine and other psychedelics was well under way before the 1960s and actually became derailed by its association with counterculture. Only over the last couple of decades, has research resumed and subsequent legalization of some of these substances has come on the horizon. Why are these substances so important, both for treating mental illness but also for expanding the scope of consciousness for all human beings? International lawyer Robert Laurie joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know that we are going to die. But even with this knowledge, many of us still do not have last wills and testaments. So why is it so crucial that one does have a will, regardless of age and degree of assets? What are the consequences of not having a will, in terms of who gets your assets and who makes important decisions when you are gone? What are the implications for your children? What happens to your social media pages when you die? Daniel Goldgut, co-founder of Epilogue, joins the podcast to discuss these issues and to share how his new company makes the process of creating a will simpler and more accessible than traditional models. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When examining ancient history, it can be hard to decipher myth from reality. Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great have gained legendary status as some of history's most renowned figures; yet they also committed some of the most devastating war crimes and atrocities to date. The Roman version of sport was gladiators fighting to the death; but does that really mean they valued life so little? Why have some ancient civilizations become so celebrated, while others have all but vanished in the history books? And what can we learn from the many civilizations that have come and gone and how it relates to our world today? Historian Aaron Irvin, from Netflix's hit documentary series "Roman Empire", joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Black Lives Matter movement gains worldwide attention, it is important to take an honest look at the history of Black discrimination in our own country. While perhaps less known, Canada had its own dark history of slavery for 200 years. The social, economic and political inequalities have persisted in modern times. What are the main issues affecting racial inequality in Canada? What do White people just "not get" when it comes to racism? And how do we challenge some of the deeply embedded stereotypes regarding race that so many of us hold? Anthony Morgan, a lawyer and the manager of Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit in Toronto, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a collaboration with Parachute Canada, Preconceived explores why poisoning is a leading cause of accidental deaths in Canada. Which substances are the most common culprits of accidental poisoning of toddlers? How has the legalization of cannabis led to increased cases of poisoning in children? And what do we really need to know about carbon monoxide in order to keep our families safe at home? Pamela Fuselli, President and CEO of Parachute, joins the podcast to share the latest statistics and research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.