The Human Element with Joe Massey

#17 - Dr Alec Ryrie: We Forgot How to Define Good (And It's Ruining Us!)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849887/fan_mail/new]  What if Adolf Hitler never really left? Not physically, but morally. For over 80 years, Hitler and Nazism have served as the West's ultimate symbol of evil. But what happens when an entire civilization builds its moral framework around what it hates rather than what it loves? In this fascinating conversation, historian and author Dr. Alec Ryrie explores the provocative ideas behind his book The Age of Hitler and How We'll Survive It. Together, we unpack why Hitler replaced Jesus as our dominant moral reference point, how World War II continues to shape modern politics, and why today's culture wars may signal the end of the post-war moral order. We discuss: 01:14 Why We're Still Living in "The Age of Hitler" 04:12 Are We Better at Avoiding Evil Than Pursuing Good? 07:51 Why Evil Became Our Common Moral Language 09:19 Why Hitler Became History's Ultimate Villain 13:46 Christianity's Moral Failure Before World War II 15:40 Godwin's Law & The Internet's Nazi Obsession 18:22 Why Society Is Always Searching for "The Next Hitler" 23:37 Are We Asking Too Much of World War II? 28:41 Peace Through Strength vs Appeasement 31:27 Have We Replaced Blasphemy With Bigotry? 36:50 The Return of Anti-Semitism 42:18 Why Our Post-War Moral Consensus Is Breaking Down 49:24 Are Human Rights Universal Truths? 53:15 Can Human Rights Survive Without God? 54:55 Are Judeo-Christian Values Making a Comeback? 59:24 The Future of Morality After Hitler 01:03:52 Three Big Questions 01:13:18 Where To Find Dr. Alec Ryrie's Work Along the way, Dr. Ryrie offers a powerful warning: when we become fixated on one form of evil, we risk becoming blind to others. This is a conversation about history, religion, politics, morality, memory, and the uncertain future of Western civilization. If you've ever wondered where our values come from, or where they're heading, this episode is for you.

#16 - Professor Ernst Wolvetang: The Age of the Bio Revolution

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849887/fan_mail/new] We are officially entering the Age of the Biological Revolution. In this episode, Ernst Wolvetang explains why the next century will be defined not by the machines we build, but by the biology we rewrite. As CRISPR technology and gene-editing mature, we are moving toward a future where "human nature" is no longer a fixed set of rules, but a hackable system. Ernst dives deep into the high-stakes world of genetic enhancement: * The End of Aging? How we might soon modify genes early in life to prevent disease and increase longevity. * Gene Doping and the Olympics: The terrifying and fascinating possibility of "genetically enhanced" athletes and why we may need entirely new categories for competition. * Hacking the Senses: A look into a future where humans can onboard abilities from other species—like UV vision or moldable skin—directly into our nervous systems. * The Character Gap: If we can "hack" our way to the perfect body or peak performance, what happens to the value of hard work and discipline? Join us for a provocative discussion on the moral and philosophical boundaries of being human in an era where we can finally go straight to the "heart of the machine" to change who we are.

#15 - Dr Randall Flannery: How to Overcome Loneliness and Beat Addiction

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849887/fan_mail/new] Clinical psychologist Dr. Randall Flannery joins me to unpack the loneliness epidemic, the hidden costs of our always-on digital lives, and why constant connectivity is making us feel more isolated than ever. From doom-scrolling and shallow digital reading to the decline of deep focus and authentic human connection, Dr. Flannery explains how devices condition our brains for distraction, reduce retention, and erode real-world relationships — especially among young people. Discover practical ways to reclaim your attention, build meaningful connections, and choose humanity over endless efficiency and productivity. If you're tired of feeling anxious, distracted, or lonely despite being "more connected" than ever, this episode offers clarity and actionable insights. Timestamps and full transcript available below. What’s one change you’re making to your device habits after watching? Comment below!

#14 - Shane Fielding: Inside the Extreme Life of a Pro Swimmer

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849887/fan_mail/new] What’s it really like to beat Michael Phelps in a race… then spend 20 years processing the “what ifs”? In this raw episode of The Human Element, ex-Australian swimmer Shane opens up about racing in the golden era alongside Thorpey, Hackett, and Klim, the brutal 1% margins that decide Olympic dreams, and the car accident that derailed his final shot at the Games. He shares the heavy toll of near-misses, the long road to reframing “failure,” and how fatherhood + converting to Catholicism reshaped his definition of success. From idolising superstars to realising they’re human, this is a heartfelt conversation about sacrifice, resilience, fame’s dark side, and finding peace beyond the podium. If you’ve ever chased a big goal and wondered “was it worth it?”, hit play.

#13 - Professor Ernst Wolvetang: Making Mammoth Meatballs & T Rex Leather

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1849887/fan_mail/new] Join myself and Professor Ernst Wolvetang, a top bioengineer from the University of Queensland and Chief Scientific Officer of The Organoid Company,  as he shares groundbreaking work in genome editing, mini-brains, and regenerative medicine. In this episode you’ll hear about: 1. Lab-grown mammoth meatballs made with stem cells and ancient mammoth proteins — real meat, no animals harmed. 2. T-Rex collagen grown in chicken cells to make eco-friendly dinosaur-style leather. 3. The truth about de-extinction: bringing back mammoths, dire wolves, or even T-Rex — what’s actually possible and where the ethical lines are. 4. Tiny brain organoids that learn to play Pong, show signs of consciousness, react to psychedelics, and help study epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and PTSD. 5. How these mini-brains could lead to personalized medicine tailored just for you. 6. CRISPR fixing genetic diseases today — and the big questions about designing “perfect” humans. 7. Why losing genetic diversity could be risky, plus how AI is changing science (for better and worse). From ethical meat and dino leather to unlocking brain mysteries and the future of humanity, this chat dives into where biology meets sci-fi — and what it means for our health, planet, and who we become. How far is too far? Watch now and decide for yourself.