IdeaLogical

IdeaLogical

Ready to challenge your thinking? Hosted by Zach Lee of the Institute for the Study of Philosophy, Politics, and Culture, Ideological explores the philosophies, worldviews, and cultural forces shaping how we think and live. From history and psychology to the nature of thought, Zach blends sharp insight, humor, and curiosity in interviews and solo episodes. Smart, accessible, and non-partisan, it’s your new favorite space for big ideas and engaging conversation.

Episodes

December 8, 2025 44 mins

He is considered the “Father of Modern Philosophy.” He is one of the most intelligent thinkers who ever lived and in the top five most influential philosophers of all time. Who is Rene Descartes? Why is he important? What does “I think, therefore I am” really mean? In this episode we examine the contributions of this great man. 

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Dale Brisby is a cowboy, rancher, bull-rider, and content creator. He’s been on the Joe Rogan Podcast, has a show on Netflix, has millions of followers on social media, and is the host of the popular podcast, “Rodeo Time.” What is it really like to be a cowboy? How hard is it to ride a bull? On this episode, we interview Dale to get his take on all things country.

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November 10, 2025 41 mins

What does the Second Amendment really mean in context? Does restricting gun ownership cause more or less crime? How can we prevent or minimize mass shootings? In this episode we look at some important statistics around the controversial topic of gun control.

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0:00 Exploring Gun Control, Second Amendment, and Deterrence Strategies4:19 Understanding the Second Amendment and Its Implicatio...

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October 27, 2025 51 mins

He is the most influential philosopher of the 19th century and in the top 5 most influential philosophers of all time. In reaction to his thought marxism, existentialism, historicism, pragmatism, phenomenology, and even positivism will arise. But who is Hegel and why is he such a big deal? In this technical assessment, we unpack the central elements of his philosophy.

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Is running actually the best way to lose weight? What diet works best? How often should you work out? In this episode, we interview personal trainer, Keith Kimberlin, with Anti Dad Bod Squad to learn about fitness myths vs. reality. 


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September 29, 2025 34 mins

In this spooky episode, we go over the haunted history of Halloween. Where does Halloween come from? How does a Celtic holiday morph in the Christian Middle Ages to become what we celebrate today? Where do trick-or-treating, Jack-O-Lanterns, and scary costumes come from? Fact is stranger than fiction. 


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0:00 Exploring The Haunted History And Modern...

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September 12, 2025 28 mins

Political activist and author, Charlie Kirk, was recently shot at a university during a free-speech event. What are the social and political ramifications of this event? How has culture responded to it and why? In this bipartisan episode, we explore the direction of U.S. politics in light of this recent assassination and offer some suggestions for healing the ideological division in America.

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September 1, 2025 33 mins

Did pirates really have hooks for hands? Did they really make people walk the plank? Why is their flag called the “Jolly Roger?” In this episode, we separate myth from reality by looking at the true history of pirates.

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0:00 Separating Pirate Myths from Reality with Humor and History

5:06 Pirate Myths and Realities Unveiled

12:09 The Origins and Meaning of the Joll...

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August 18, 2025 40 mins

He may be the most learned man of all time, but most people have never heard of him. A true polymath and Renaissance man. Who was this philosopher, scientist, historian, diplomat, and scholar? What did he believe and why is it important to understand his system? Get ready to be blown away by how much smarter he is than we are.

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0:00 Exploring Leibniz's Genius and Philo...

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Does God exist? Are there good proofs for God’s existence? Do these proofs work or do they have flaws? In this episode, we look at the most famous four proofs for the existence of a Deity and then show places where these arguments may go awry. Are you a theist or an atheist and why?

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0:00 Exploring Classical Arguments and Refutations for God's Existence

3:35 The Teleological ...

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July 21, 2025 37 mins

He is perhaps the most famous man of the Enlightenment. A true genius and a man of letters. The wit, the charm, the sarcasm, and the irreverence of Voltaire is intoxicating. Who is this figure and why is he important for how we think of the world today? Find out as we examine his influence, life, and works.

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0:00 Voltaire's Influence and Legacy Explored

7:22 Voltaire's Exi...

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In this episode, we interview Dr. Tyler McNabb, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Saint Francis University. He is an author, speaker, and academic who specializes in philosophy of religion and religious epistemology. Tyler explains why he thinks belief in God is justified and goes over some problems with atheism. Regardless of your worldview, you will find this episode helpful and enlightening.

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The two most influential political parties in the U.S. have an interesting history and varying viewpoints. In this episode, we explore a brief history of these dominant political parties and look at 25 differences between the positions they hold. As you’ll see, the main difference between the parties has more to do with a worldview and philosophy than it does public policy.

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0:00 Exploring...

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In this episode, we interview Benjamin Watkins - an author, speaker, podcaster, and host  @RealAtheology . Ben walks us through his transition to atheism, gives some arguments in support of atheism, and exposes some philosophical problems with theistic systems. Regardless of your worldview, you will find this episode helpful and enlightening.

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June 23, 2025 38 mins

Plato and Aristotle are, hands down, the most influential philosophers of all time. In this lecture we take a look at the life and teachings of Aristotle. Aristotle wrote on everything from metaphysics to biology to ethics to politics. What did he believe and why was his influence so overwhelmingly massive?

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0:00 Aristotle's Enormo...

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Do you really get a cold by being cold? How long do you have to wait after eating before you can swim? Will you ever wake up during surgery? How does cancer spread? In this episode, we interview a physician to compare medical myths with medical reality.

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⁠⁠(00:00) Debunking Medical Myths with Dr. Daniel Sanders

(3:32) Debunking Myths About Co...

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May 26, 2025 41 mins

Are actions inherently good or bad or do their consequences make them so? Does morality even exist or do things just happen? What makes something good or bad (and how can we know it if people have different religions and worldviews)? In this episode we examine different ethical systems and look at the pros and cons of each.

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(00:00) Start

(0:08) Explo...

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May 12, 2025 32 mins

Today we have smartphones, airplanes, robotic surgery, and electric lights. But what was it like to live during the Middle Ages? Was it really the “Dark Ages” or was there intellectual flourishing? What did you eat? When did you bathe? In this episode, we look at what the average person’s life would have been like in medieval Europe.

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(0:00) Exploring Philo...

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April 28, 2025 31 mins

Philosophy is the “love of wisdom” but what exactly does this mean? Philosophy is probably the broadest and most fundamental area of inquiry. In this episode we explain what philosophy is, what makes it unlike other subjects, and why it is so important. We also recommend some helpful books to begin your philosophical journey.

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(0:00) Exploring Philosophy: Definitio...

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A large voting block in the U.S. identifies as being religious (with the largest subset being Christian). In this episode, we interview a pastor to get his thoughts on what influence religion should have in the public sphere (if any). We discuss everything from the shift in the platforms of the two major parties, to the contentious election of Donald Trump, to so-called “Christian Nationalism,” to freedom of religion, and more.

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