Read This Today

Step inside the turbulent history of the Korean peninsula since its thoughtless division at the end of World War II. This podcast episode description draws on Don Oberdorfer's "The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History", offering an insightful look at decades of conflict, negotiation, and the enduring struggle for supremacy between the North and South.

Explore how the two halves of this ancient people have grappled with each other and ...

Step into the foundational philosophy of Thomas Hobbes with this episode exploring key ideas from his monumental work, **Leviathan (1660)**. Hobbes embarks on a systematic analysis of the **Commonwealth**, envisioning it as an **artificial man**. He meticulously examines its components: the **matter and artificer (man)**, its creation through **covenants**, the absolute **rights and power of the sovereign**, and the factors contrib...

This episode delves into the foundational political thought of John Locke, exploring excerpts from his influential works, *Two Treatises of Government* and *A Letter Concerning Toleration*. Published together in a Yale University Press volume, these writings have endured for over three centuries, translated into major languages, and remain central to modern Western political argument.

We begin with the **First Treatise**, where Lock...

Step into the profound world of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's later political thought with this episode, exploring key texts from **"(Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought) Jean-Jacques Rousseau_ Victor Gourevitch (ed.) - The Social Contract and other later political writings"**.

This episode delves into Rousseau's major constructive political writings, including excerpts from **"Of the Social Contract"**, the **"Discourse o...

Explore excerpts from Tara Westover's memoir, Educated, which chronicles her extraordinary journey from an isolated upbringing on a mountain in Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. Growing up in a survivalist family, Westover details a life largely cut off from mainstream society, marked by her father's distrust of the government and the medical establishment, strict religious beliefs, and lack of formal education. The...

Forget the idea that racial segregation in America is simply the result of private choices or preferences. This episode delves into the argument that segregation was, in fact, created and maintained by explicit government policies and actions at the federal, state, and local levels. Drawing on a forgotten history, we explore how programs from public housing construction to federal mortgage insurance were designed and implemented to...

Unlock the secrets to building wealth with this overview based on JL Collins' acclaimed book, "The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life". Originally inspired by letters to his daughter, this book, and our discussion, cut through the jargon and complexity of personal finance to reveal a refreshingly simple approach.

Discover the core principles: why avoiding debt is crucia...

Discover a powerful vision of hospitality that is far removed from mere entertaining. In this episode, we explore Rosaria Butterfield's transformative book, The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World. Learn how radically ordinary hospitality is defined not by flawless execution but by using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers neighbors, and ne...

Welcome to an essential overview of Benjamin Graham's seminal work, The Intelligent Investor. This episode distills the timeless principles of value investing, offering practical counsel for the layman investor focused on fundamental principles and the crucial attitudes for success, rather than fleeting market techniques.

We begin by clarifying the all-but-forgotten distinction between investment and speculation. Graham defines ...

Are you looking for a simple yet powerful way to drive performance, align your team, and achieve ambitious goals? Dive into the world of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) with insights drawn from John Doerr's influential book, "Measure What Matters". This episode breaks down the core message of OKRs and how they can transform organizations of all sizes.

Discover how OKRs provide the F.A.C.T.S. — the five superpowers of...

Capitalism is in crisis. Paul Collier, renowned economist and author, argues that while capitalism is the only system capable of delivering mass prosperity, it has derailed since the 1980s, becoming a business culture stripped of ethics and generating new mass anxieties.

In this episode, we delve into Collier's book, The Future of Capitalism, which provides a forthright diagnosis and pragmatic remedies for these anxieties. Disco...

In a world awash with data, statistics often feel like the bedrock of truth. But as Darrell Huff revealed in his classic book, "How to Lie with Statistics," numbers can be artfully manipulated to sensationalize, inflate, confuse, or oversimplify, even while being technically correct. This episode dives into Huff's essential guide, exploring his core warning: don't blindly trust statistics. The book isn't meant...

Join us as we discuss Nick Lane's The Vital Question, a groundbreaking exploration into the origins and evolution of complex life. Why did simple life forms dominate Earth for so long before complexity arose? Lane challenges the traditional "primordial soup" idea, arguing that the key lies in energy, specifically the power harnessed in alkaline hydrothermal vents at the dawn of life and later amplified by mitochondria...

Feeling disconnected and unseen in today's fragmented world? David Brooks's acclaimed book, 'How to Know a Person,' offers a vital guide to overcoming this 'vast emotional, relational, and spiritual crisis'. This episode explores the art of seeing others deeply and being deeply seen by becoming an 'Illuminator'—someone who makes others feel valued, heard, and understood.

Brooks presents this as a learnable craft, teaching practical ...

Dive into Steven Pinker's groundbreaking book, The Better Angels of Our Nature, which challenges the widespread perception that the world is becoming more violent. Contrary to what headlines might suggest, Pinker presents a compelling argument that violence has actually declined significantly across human history, calling it perhaps the most important development ever.

This episode explores Pinker's core message and the moun...

In a world often criticized for its surface-level interactions and distractions, David Brooks' book How to Know a Person offers a vital guide to building genuine human connection. This episode dives into Brooks' insightful work, exploring why knowing others deeply is more crucial now than ever.

Brooks argues that we've shifted towards a shallow culture where we see people more as roles or categories than as unique individuals. This ...

Have you ever left a meeting feeling like it could have been an email? Or attended a social event that felt bland or forgettable? We gather constantly – for work, for celebration, for connection – yet so many gatherings fall short of their potential.

In this episode, we explore the powerful insights from Priya Parker's acclaimed book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters. Parker isn't just another business guru; she'...

These sources primarily discuss the business book "Business Adventures" by John Brooks, highlighting its enduring popularity and key themes. The texts explain that the book consists of various business stories, offering insights into financial events, corporate challenges, and the human aspects of business. Specific examples are mentioned, such as the Texas Gulf insider trading case, which examines the legality of trading on non-pu...

This episode delves into the "Parenting with Love and Logic" approach, a transformative philosophy developed by Foster W. Cline and Jim Fay. Discover how to cultivate responsible, resilient, and independent children by masterfully balancing empathy with real-world consequences. We explore the core principle of allowing children to experience the natural outcomes of their choices, all within clearly defined boundaries. Learn how thi...