Episode 249: Phlegm and Carelessness (Hume's ...

David and Tamler talk about Jorge Luis Borges' disorienting short story "The Other." A 70-year-old Borges sits on a bench by the Charles River and who should he encounter but himself as a 19-year-old, by the Rhône River in 1918 Geneva. Is this a dream? Who is dreaming it? What do ...  Show more

In another Back 2 Basics episode, David and Tamler talk about Plato's "Crito," a dialogue that takes place two days before Socrates' death by hemlock. His friend Crito wants him to escape, but Socrates will only agree if they judge that it's the right thing to do. One imagined de ...  Show more

We all want to live our lives to the fullest potential, but sometimes it's hard! Mental illness, depression and just being human can wear on our ability to thrive in this life. Listen to today's episode for tips on how to go from merely surviving to thriving! In this episode with ...  Show more

How is it that we can have a partner, friends and family, and yet still feel alone? Loneliness is a real issue for many people whether or not they have others in their lives. Listen to today's show to learn how to deal with loneliness personally, or to help your partner with the ...  Show more

Sean Illing talks with psychologist Paul Bloom about his new book The Sweet Spot, and whether it's necessary to experience suffering in order to live a fulfilling, meaningful life. They discuss the rich philosophical history of the question: what does it mean to be happy? They al ...  Show more

Dan Shapiro never thought he would have to become his wife's caretaker and raise three kids on his own, but that's just what happened. Life can throw us curve balls and navigating them can become extremely difficult. Listen to today's show to hear Dan's story and know that if you ...  Show more