The Hub for Important Ideas

The Hub for Important Ideas

The Hub for Important Ideas is a podcast about the serious issues of our time, hosted by cultural critics Stephen James and Ken Swain. They challenge conventional thinking about contemporary problems including Mental Health, Economic Inequality, the Environment, Bigotry, and War in intelligent conversations with thought leaders in various disciplines. Drawing on the groundbreaking work of Ernest Becker, author of The Denial of Death, and the cutting-edge research of Terror Management Theory, this podcast will enable you to think through urgent issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Message in a Bottle

November 30, 2022 • 35 mins

This episode is called Message in a Bottle because it is directed to the people of the future 200 years from now. Hopefully, they will find this recording and hear a unique description of the 21st century.

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

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Environment Crisis featuring Lauren Smith and Stephanie Shouldice–Episode 49–The Hub for Important Ideas

September 28, 2022 • 67 mins

What are new ways to think about and contend with climate change? This episode seeks new ideas to contend with the threat of climate change, how to understand the varied reactions to the danger, and how to communicate with different groups who may not agree.

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

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Legacy featuring Bruce Hirshfield- Episode 48 – The Hub for Important Ideas

August 14, 2022 • 65 mins

What is the psychological importance of leaving a legacy? This episode looks for explanations for some seemingly ordinary aspects of our society that appear strange when examined more closely from a social psychological perspective.

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

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Temperament and Type - Episode 47 – The Hub for Important Ideas

July 4, 2022 • 71 mins

What is temperament and how can it help us to better navigate our lives? This episode features a kitchen table conversation about understanding temperament and psychological type, a useful tool for people to understand how the world is laid out, our place in it, and our strengths and weaknesses.

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

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A House Divided Part 2 featuring Sheldon Solomon - Episode 46 – The Hub for Important Ideas

May 30, 2022 • 115 mins

How do we go beyond the divisions in our society? This episode features part two of a conversation with social psychologist Sheldon Solomon who offers a unique perspective on our polarized country that goes beyond the standard political, social, historical, and economic explanations.

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

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A House Divided featuring Sheldon Solomon - Episode 45 – The Hub for Important Ideas

April 28, 2022 • 70 mins

How can we get a better understanding of the divisions in our society? This episode features a conversation with social psychologist Sheldon Solomon who offers a unique perspective on our polarized country that goes beyond the standard political, social, historical, and economic explanations.

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

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Ukraine War - Episode 44 – The Hub for Important Ideas

March 31, 2022 • 42 mins

What does the War in Ukraine mean to us in America? This episode discusses the war in Ukraine from a different perspective, its implications, and the most difficult aspects for us Americans.

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

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Mortality in this Diverse Culture featuring Dan Liechty - Episode 43 – The Hub for Important Ideas

March 24, 2022 • 85 mins

How do we face up to our Mortality in this Diverse Culture? This episode discusses mortality and human flourishing in a diverse culture from a religious perspective. We talk with Dan Liechty, an expert on the works of Ernest Becker and interreligious beliefs.

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

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Free speech - Episode 42 – The Hub for Important Ideas

February 24, 2022 • 52 mins

What is happening to free speech in America? This episode discusses free speech, cancel culture, book banning, wokeism, lies, post-truth, the equal time rule, conspiracy theories, and the human need for control.

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

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The Abortion Issue featuring Miriam Piven Cotler - Episode 41

January 28, 2022 • 69 mins

How do we get a handle on the complex issue of abortion? This episode discusses the abortion issue, pro-choice, anti-abortion, and the ethical problem from the discerning standpoint of clinical bioethicist Miriam Piven Cotler.

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

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Beyond a Recap

January 14, 2022 • 48 mins

What were some of the important ideas from 2021? This episode, sums up some of the most thought-provoking ideas from our guests, who included Jack Moscou, Lyla Rothschild, Henry Richards, Jerry Piven, Pelin Kesebir, Dan Liechty, Sheldon Solomon, Merlyn Mowrey, and Tomi-Ann Roberts.

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

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Critical Race Theory featuring Henry Richards - Episode 39

December 20, 2021 • 74 mins

How do we understand the problematic reaction to Critical Race Theory in America? This episode discusses Critical Race Theory, wokeism, racial prejudice and discrimination in our society and internationally from the perceptive standpoint of psychologist Henry Richards.

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

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The Psychology of War featuring Jerry Piven - Episode 38 – The Hub for Important Ideas

November 26, 2021 • 72 mins

How do we understand the complex psychology of war? This episode wrestles with a distinction between the realistic danger and the fantastical nature of war from the insightful perspective of psychologist Jerry Piven.

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

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War and Violence featuring Jack Moscou- Episode 37 – The Hub for Important Ideas

October 30, 2021 • 73 mins

Is there more war and wholesale violence in our future? This episode considers the prospect for war in our future from the unique perspective of author Jack Mosscou.

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

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Feminist Existentialism featuring Tomi-Ann Roberts- Episode 36 – The Hub for Important Ideas

September 21, 2021 • 80 mins

What is feminist existentialism, and how does it impact the lives of both men and women? This episode discusses objectification theory, and related psychological and legal issues. It features an interview with Dr. Tomi-Ann Roberts, professor of psychology and chair of the department at Colorado College.

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

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Immersion featuring Merlyn Mowrey- Episode 35 – The Hub for Important Ideas

August 24, 2021 • 73 mins

What is immersion and how does it help us understand our lives? This episode explores the notion of immersion, how it helps us defend against death anxiety, and the many related ideas that notion leads us to. It features an interview with Dr. Merlyn Mowrey, retired Ass...

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Death positive featuring Sheldon Solomon - Episode 34 – The Hub for Important Ideas

July 22, 2021 • 59 mins

How can focusing on death improve our lives and the world around us? This episode discusses death reflection, mindfulness, meditation, what is called the death-positive movement, and related topics. It features an interview with Dr. Sheldon Solomon social psychologist ...

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Examining Important Ideas featuring Dan Liechty - Episode 33

June 25, 2021 • 34 mins

How do we use important ideas to help change ourselves for the better? This episode examines the intrinsic value in some important ideas that can improve our functioning in the world and convey genuine self-knowledge....

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The Quiet Ego featuring Pelin Kesebir - Episode 32

May 27, 2021 • 63 mins

How do we improve our lives and our society by practicing humility? This episode discusses humility: its many aspects, and ways it offers hope for the future. It features an interview with social psychologist Pelin Kesebir honorar...

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Political Fantasy and Illusion featuring Jerry Piven - Episode 31

April 29, 2021 • 69 mins

How do we improve our lives and our society through a better understanding of political fantasy and illusion? This episode discusses rationalization, decision making, our society, and possibilities for hope. It features an interview with psychologist Jerry Piven who

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