Preconceived

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.

Both the legality of prostitution and the ethics of sex work are highly debated topics worldwide. Is there anything inherently wrong with a person deciding to sell sex for money? Beyond this, what is the relationship between sex work, and the very different but often conflated topic of sex trafficking? Carly Kalish, a social worker and executive director of Victim Services of Durham Region, joins the podcast to discuss the stigmas regarding sex work and the dangers and misconceptions about trafficking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nate Leipciger survived the Holocaust over 75 years ago. Like millions of others, Nate's world as he knew it was thrown into unimaginable upheaval. His mother and sister were murdered in Auschwitz, and he experienced traumas that are impossible for most of us to comprehend. Nate has since dedicated much of his life to Holocaust education and awareness and is one of the most preeminent Canadian speakers on the topic. Nate joins the podcast to share his insights on what happened so long ago and some lessons and perspectives that have guided him through his life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Black Lives Matter takes the world by storm, one might wonder how the change being sought in this moment can be long-lasting? Dr. George Lawson, author of Anatomies of Revolution, takes both a historical and modern day lens to examine how revolutionary events and gradual evolutionary progress have proven to best manifest in change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As common as divorce is, it is not devoid of stigma. Many view divorce as a failure of sorts, a failure for a couple to keep alive a marriage to which they were once so devoted. Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, commonly known as The Divorce Doctor, joins the podcast to break down the misconceptions about divorce. How can we re-frame our attitude towards divorce and view it for its positives? Can a marriage still be viewed as the right choice even if it eventually ends in divorce? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money is the currency by which society runs. But our modern conception of money is certainly not reflective of how currency has operated throughout history and perhaps may be different to monetary constructs of the future. Cryptocurrency is a relatively new type of currency exchange that can seem quite complicated to those unfamiliar with it. This episode explores how cryptocurrency works, why it was developed and it what it might look like in the future. Pamela Draper, CEO of Bitvo, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Greenspan is one of the most well-respected criminal defence lawyers in Canada. He joins the podcast to share his stories and lessons from years of work in the criminal justice system. What is it like to defend someone who is guilty of murder? Do most murderers show remorse and regret? What are the biggest issues in the Canadian justice system, and how does it differ from that of the United States? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When COVID-19 sent us into quarantine, Michael Nightingale's dental practice took a three month hiatus. So what did he do with his time? The only natural thing a dentist would do - he started a family run Italian style pasta business! A self-described "hobby nut", Michael shares his thoughts on hobbies and passion projects, and how such perspectives led him on this exciting three-month journey into the past making world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Age is one of the primary ways by which society is divided. And with this division comes certain stereotypes about each generation. What historical events and cultural conditions account for why certain generations look at the world in the ways they do?And is the generational divide even as wide as we sometimes think it is? Generational Expert Meagan Johnson joins the podcast to help us better understand the context that shapes certain generational perspectives and to assist us in bridging the existing gaps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For episode 50 of Preconceived, Zale relinquishes his hosting duties to become this week's guest. Zale reflects on the past year of the podcast and some of the biggest preconceptions that he has tried to better understand. How has his exploration into preconceptions changed his views of the world? Have any of the things he's learned influenced the way he lives his life? He is joined by Eric Silverberg and Eli Gladstone of Speaker Labs, who take on the role of co-hosts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living in a capitalist society, it is easy to believe that it is the best and most fair economic system. We often hear messages that capitalism allows equal opportunity for all and that the rewards you reap in the system are directly correlated with the effort you put in. But is this truly the case? Or is this something we have convinced ourselves of in order to justify a system that may not be as fair as we'd like to think? Taylor Scollon, publisher of Passage and co-founder of North 99, joins the podcast to share his perspectives on capitalism and socialism. Publisher of Passage and co-founder of North 99 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As healthcare continues to evolve, particularly in these times of COVID-19, many services that used to be strictly offered in person are now being offered virtually. Telemedicine is increasingly being used to minimize patient visits. Doctors are reviewing patient charts remotely and chatting with them over the phone. But how can doctors provide virtual healthcare without compromising the health of their patients? Can patients still feel assured that their concerns are being sufficiently addressed if the scope of virtual healthcare increases? Dr. Ian Plener, CEO of Diagnose at Home, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The field of medicine is rapidly changing. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, computers are often able to make faster and more accurate diagnoses than doctors. As DNA testing becomes more exact, the potential for more tailored and personalized treatments continues to grow. Kashif Khan, CEO of The DNA Company, joins the podcast to discuss how functional genomics is heralding an era of personalized medicine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Katchen, co-founder and CEO of Wealthsimple, explains how his company challenges the traditional paradigm of investing. When should we start investing? How much should we be investing? Mike also shares his perspectives on buying a home and explains how people tend to overestimate their risk tolerance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pickup Artist community is one that is easily misunderstood. At its core, pickup artistry involves techniques that help men to feel more confident in approaching women in whom they are romantically interested. As society becomes more digitalized and dating is increasingly initiated via apps and text messaging, many men feel unequipped in meeting women naturally and navigating the dating world. Mystery, featured in the generational book The Game, is one of the most famous master pickup artists in the world. He joins the podcast and shares how men can become more adept at approaching women and why this is so important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Julie Lythcott-Haims worked as Stanford Dean of Freshmen, she became concerned by the seemingly increasing lack of independence of her students. Whereas students once came to college prepared to take on the world, she and other faculty began to notice an increasing reliance on parents for even the simplest of tasks. In her bestselling book How To Raise An Adult, Julie explores how the new style of over-involved parenting developed, and more importantly, why it can have such detrimental long-term effects on the next generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karen Silberman had a successful corporate career as an accountant and then a headhunter. But in her forties, she made an unexpected pivot in her life when she decided to become a Rabbi. During Rabbinical school, she was faced with one of the worst tragedies imaginable - the death of her son Scott. Karen joins the podcast to discuss her views on faith, religion and how she looks at the concept of God. She speaks about how her faith helped her through the most trying time of her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cannabis was legalized in Canada over a year ago. But has public perception towards cannabis changed since its legalization? How is cannabis viewed in comparison to traditionally more accepted substances such as caffeine and alcohol? How has cannabis fared economically from a market perspective? Brett Chang, co-founder of Leaf Forward, joins the podcast to discuss the topic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CBC's Dr. Brian Goldman joins the podcast to discuss the current state of COVID-19 in Canada. What is it like for healthcare workers on the front lines of hospitals? Where is Canada on the curve compared to other countries? What are the current recommendations regarding masks and social distancing? What can we expect to lie ahead? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Influencers have taken the worlds of social media and marketing by storm. As this new type of public figure emerges and continues to shape society, it is helpful for people to understand what exactly qualifies someone as an influencer. What types of value do influencers offer, and perhaps more important, how should consumers of social media decide who they allow to influence them? Tracy Komlos, founder and CEO of Pangea Dreams, joins the podcast. @tracykomlos www.pangeadreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the coronavirus pandemic changes much about the world, two of the most affected domains in our lives have been work and travel. Yet as many shift to working remotely, the concept is not entirely new. "Digital nomads" have existed for some time and is a term that describes those who defy the conventions of a typical working life and have found a way to combine both work and travel on a daily basis. What can we learn from digital nomads as we shift to working remotely? And despite travel bans, what elements of travel and values we ascribe to it, can we still incorporate into our lives as we sit in quarantine? Jonathan Kalan, co-founder of the digital nomad travel company Unsettled, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us assume that we couldn't have gotten to where we are today if it weren't for the rigorous education system we had endured. But what if that's not true? What if both the teaching methods and the content being taught are outdated? Ted Dintersmith, author of "What School Could Be" and executive producer of the documentary "Most Likely to Succeed", a feature selection at Sundance, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you imagine if there was a drug that helped you get over a tough breakup? What about medications to reinvigorate the romance in your relationship? Well, some of these drugs DO exist. Brian Earp, a Yale and Oxford ethicist and co-authour of the book "Love Drugs", joins the podcast to explore how commonly used drugs are already affecting our romantic relationships and how currently illicit drugs will likely be legalized in the future as an adjunct to couples counselling Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coronavirus has taken the world by storm, and amidst the important facts that have emerged, many preconceptions and misconceptions have also developed. Dr. Gerald Evans, Infectious Disease Professor at Queen's University, joins the podcast to explain just what we are dealing with in this pandemic, how it developed, what we can expect, and what steps we can all take to keep our communities healthy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the world of musicians, are the most famous ones the most talented? Is skill level truly what differentiates the mega pop star from the lesser known artist? And do you have to have a certain level of risk tolerance if deciding to pursue a career in this difficult to penetrate competitive industry? Tiz McNamara is an Irish singer-songwriter whose songs have racked up over eight million streams on Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Contact sports are dangerous. But just how dangerous? Evidence regarding the dangers of repeated concussions has emerged over the last several decades that make one take pause as an athlete, a coach, a parent and a fan. CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) is a disease associated with repeated concussions, which is characterized by Alzheimer's-like changes in the brain. It can lead to severe mental health disorders include anxiety and depression, and there are cases of professional athletes who have committed suicide, thought to be attributable to the condition. Dr. Charles Tator, a neurosurgeon who has devoted much of his career to the study of CTE, joins the podcast to discuss the science of concussions, the current evidence regarding CTE, and the morality of participating in high contact sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many parents might debate which school to send their kids, but there usually isn't a debate as to whether they should send their kids to a school at all. Josh Steimle is an entrepreneur, and he and his wife were dissatisfied with the state of the current education system. As opposed to just lamenting the present school system as an foregone reality, they decided to take action and home school their kids. He joins the podcast to discuss what home schooling is and why he believes this can be a more effective way for kids to learn. 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.

What separates an elite athlete from others in their sport? Is there a psychological and physical recipe to becoming an athlete on the world stage? Which factors are associated with high performance and what characteristics can lead to an athlete's downfall? Beorn Nijenhuis was a Dutch Olympian speedskater who went on to study the neuroscience and psychology of high performance athletics. He joins the podcast to explore what contributes to the psyche of an elite athlete. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The life coaching industry has really taken off over the past decade. Some people swear by having a life coach, while others don't actually understand what a life coach is. How is a life coach different from a therapist? What kinds of qualifications and certifications does a life coach have? Is there any difference between hiring a life coach and just seeking the advice of your trusted friends and family? Kiki Ura, life coach and founder of the Namaslay brand, joins the podcast to share her experiences and provide clarity to those who might be skeptical. 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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What exactly is hypnosis? And how much do we truly understand about the subconscious and the thoughts that lurk deep in our minds? Hypnotist Luke Chao joins the podcast to discuss both the theories of hypnosis and the practical applications of hypnotherapy that are often used to help people quit smoking and conquer fears such as public speaking. 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.

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.

Circumcision of newborns is a Jewish and Muslim tradition. Beyond that, demographic studies suggest that over 50% of males in the United States are circumcised. Yet ultimately, circumcision in the typical circumstance equates to performing an elective surgical procedure on a non-consenting newborn. How has the situation come to be as such? Yale and Harvard Ethicist Brian Earp joins the podcast to discuss the ethical considerations and preconceptions surrounding both male and female circumcision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we meet somebody, we immediately apply certain stereotypes to try and “figure out” who they are. The first three things that we subconsciously assess in any encounter are a person’s age, gender and race. Yet while the anti-racism and anti-sexism movements are prevalent in society, the widespread issue of discrimination on the basis of age is rarely considered. Dr. Rachael Stone joins the podcast to explain how stereotypes develop, and in particular, how stereotyping based on age contributes to many false preconceptions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) encompasses both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. In Canada and many parts of the world, MAID is slowly becoming incorporated into medical practice, in order to help end the suffering of patients who no longer wish to live. But how will the medical field adjust to this change in paradigm, which is in many ways contrary to the traditional role that doctors have always had in saving lives, not ending them? Palliative Care physician Dr. Craig Goldie joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It can be tough to understand how so many Americans are on the "pro-gun" side of the gun debate. For many, the issue seems simple - "guns are bad, and we should do everything we can to limit them". But what is the background of gun legislation? What is the often well-informed and intelligent perspective of many people who support gun rights yet also share the same goal of lowering crime rates in the United States? Trevor Burrus of the Cato Institute joins the podcast to shed some light on this complicated issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Society conditions us to have particular expectations regarding our careers. Many believe that our work must align with our passions. As the adage goes, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. But is that realistic? And should blending passion with your career always be the goal? Entrepreneur Seira Flores joins the podcast to challenge the preconceptions regarding what makes a fulfilling career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Death Penalty is the most severe sentence that can be passed down onto someone in the judicial system. John H. Blume of Cornell University is the Samuel F. Leibowitz Professor of Trial Techniques and the Director of the Cornell Death Penalty Project. He joins Zale to discuss the preconceptions regarding capital punishment and some of the disturbing realities of arbitrariness, unreliability and prejudice that are embedded in its sentencing patterns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yoga teacher Karina Guthrie shares her insights on yoga and what it can unlock for those who practice it. How and why did yoga in Western culture develop differently from its origins in the East? When referring to concepts like "energy" and "soul", are these meant metaphorically, or as real entities? Karina is a yoga teacher and coordinator at The Practice in Bali, Indonesia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.