Episode 5: How Humor, Belief, and Big Ideas Shape Public Philosophy

Episode 8: Would you trust a robot to teach you?

In this episode we get down to trust and robots, spending a lot of time on a recent in-class experiment we did with our students: could we get them to trust a robot to teach them philosophy? #trust #philosophy #robot #education

Episode 7: Robots, Culture, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

In this episode we dig into why robots can be culturally insensitive, the value of the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy and the philosophical backdrop to imposter syndrome. https://theconversation.com/why-robots-can-be-culturally-insensitive-and-how-scientists-are-trying-to-fix-it-227610https://plato.stanford.eduhttps://kylevo.substack.com/p/imposter-syndrome-is-a-conspiracy#philosophy #impostersyndrome #robots

Episode 6 Transformative Experience: Consciousness, Illness, and What It Means to Change

In this episode, we explore what it means to have a transformative experience — moments that permanently alter how we understand ourselves and the world.From forests to philosophy, we also trace the question of consciousness in unexpected directions: Do trees think? Can our encounter with nature change the way we define mind, agency, and moral worth? We also turn to philosopher Havi Carel’s work on the Philosophy of Illness, asking whether a good life depends on good health — and to Angie Hobbs’ reflections on bringing philosophy to the public through the BBC’s Remembrance project.Together, these conversations reveal philosophy as something lived and felt — not just argued. Whether through illness, art, or awe in the natural world, transformation isn’t an abstract concept; it’s how thought becomes experience.#philosophy #transformativeexperience #illness

Episode 5: How Humor, Belief, and Big Ideas Shape Public Philosophy

In this episode, we explore how laughter can open the door to serious thought. From classroom jokes at Rutgers–Camden to the psychology of better choices, we trace how humor disarms us, helping philosophy land where it matters most — in everyday life. The conversation then turns to belief and reason: what’s the difference between a religious and a philosophical exemption — and why does even the law struggle to tell them apart? Along the way, we reflect on the power of public philosophy, as Michael Sandel’s $1 million Berggruen Prize highlights the enduring need for moral debate in civic life. It’s a lively, good-humored journey through the serious business of thinking clearly, disagreeing well, and remembering that philosophy works best when it makes us smile and think. Using Humor to Spark Deep Thinking in Philosophy | Rutgers University-Camden [https://camden.rutgers.edu/news/using-humor-spark-deep-thinking-philosophy]  https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/psychologist-philosopher-make-better-choices-bookbite/57493/amp/ [https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/psychologist-philosopher-make-better-choices-bookbite/57493/amp/] What's a religious exemption and what's a philosophical one? Even the lawyers see that differently - WV MetroNews [https://wvmetronews.com/2025/10/05/whats-a-religious-exemption-and-whats-a-philosophical-one-even-the-lawyers-see-that-differently/] https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/1-million-berggruen-philosophy-prize-awarded-to-michael-sandel-302580909.html

Episode 4: Don't eat bees

In this episode we dive into what might be the single most crucial skill for college students in today’s rapidly changing world. Drawing on ideas from recent pieces like “The Philosophical Bet in the Age of AI” (Time), we explore why preparing for an AI-transformed future is not just a tech issue but a moral and philosophical one.   We also examine “5 Great Thinkers Who Rejected Their Own Ideas” (Big Think), considering what intellectual humility, adaptability, and the willingness to change one’s mind can teach students about learning, identity, and growth.   There's also a discussion of the controversial idea of Pastoral AI: affective, companion-type generative AI in higher education, asking what happens when institutions become responsible for not just educating minds—but attending to hearts. Whether you’re a student, educator, or just curious, this episode offers something essential: how to think resiliently, change bravely, and prepare for futures that might demand more than just knowledge. The most important skill college students should learn [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbqR_6Qgplw] https://time.com/7320539/philosophical-bet-age-of-ai/ [https://time.com/7320539/philosophical-bet-age-of-ai/] Pastoral AI? Why Higher Ed Must Talk About Affective GenAI Companions. [https://drkieranphelan.substack.com/p/pastoral-ai-why-higher-ed-must-talk] https://bigthink.com/thinking/5-great-thinkers-who-rejected-their-own-ideas/ [https://bigthink.com/thinking/5-great-thinkers-who-rejected-their-own-ideas/]