Preconceived

Preconceived

Preconceived, hosted by Zale Mednick, dives deep into the intricacies of human experience, challenging the assumptions that shape our understanding of the world. In each episode, Zale engages with leading experts, thought leaders, and individuals with unique perspectives to uncover the layers beneath societal norms and expectations. From exploring cultural phenomena to dissecting scientific breakthroughs, Preconceived invites its listeners to question their preconceptions about love, life, technology, health, history, and beyond. With a blend of curiosity and critical thinking, Zale navigates through complex topics, offering his audience a chance to gain new insights and broaden their horizons. Whether it's debunking myths, confronting biases, or simply indulging in the joy of learning something new, Preconceived is more than just a podcast; it's an invitation to view the world through a different lens. Join Zale Mednick every week on Preconceived for enlightening conversations that promise to inspire, inform, and intrigue. Perfect for the inquisitive mind, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone eager to challenge their understanding of the world and embrace the complexity and beauty of human existence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

July 2, 2025 58 mins

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is a movement aimed at promoting diversity on college campuses and a variety of institutions. On the surface, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are all positive words; for most people at least, promoting these values is a good thing. But in the particular context of the DEI movement, there are many who do express concerns. Does DEI place too great a premium on identity over ideas?&...

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In increasing trend is emerging of kids deciding to cut their parents off completely. What is driving the younger generations to become estranged from their parents? Are their reasons justified as a step to better 'self-care', or does it reflect a certain selfishness and disloyalty? How can parents respond when their child decides to excommunicate them? Psychologist Joshua Coleman joins the podcast.


Dr. Joshua Coleman - http...

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Torture is generally thought of as a bad things - an unacceptable means to an end. But what if that end is justifiable? In many cases, torture is clearly unethical - for example when used as a means of political suppression, as a fear tactic, or for a forced confession. But what about torture in more ambiguous cases - when the torturer is fairly confident that the person being tortured has key information that could save many lives...

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With the plethora of dating apps that have arrived over the last decade, one would think that it's easier to date than ever. Yet for some reason, dating has been down. Data has shown that people are finding it tougher than ever to find a romantic partner. So why is this the case? Is it a change in the way we view love and relationships? Have the apps paradoxically led to a reduction in dating? Kelsey Eyre Hammond joins the podcas...

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For most of the Western world, the main headline of the war in Ukraine has been something along the lines of ‘Russia invades Ukraine, Putin is a war criminal, and Ukraine has been the victim of a terrible, nonsensical war’. And this may very well be accurate. But if you spoke to someone in Russia, what would they say about the war? How would Putin justify this war against Ukraine, and how would the average Russian citizen...

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May 20, 2025 66 mins

Climbing Mount Everest is one of the most extreme adventures on which a human can embark. The highest peak in the world, there is a certain mystique and allure associated with the mountain. Some seek the summit for a love of climbing, and others climb it for the glory and fame. Is there a 'right' reason for someone to climb Everest? Why is Everest so challenging to climb? What can the mountain reveal about the human condition? And ...

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Most of us do try and eat healthy in some capacity. The majority of us are at least conscious of the fact that what we put in our bodies deeply shapes our present and future health. But even with a certain degree of health awareness, are we still in many regards doomed? Do the basic food systems and manufacturing processes that are in place in North America inherently lead to foods that are not only unhealthy, but pe...

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Part of 'The American Dream' is predicated on home ownership. Conventional wisdom suggests that it is a financially sound and important decision to buy a home rather than to rent from a landlord. But is this just something we've been indoctrinated to believe, or does the math really add up to support the financial wisdom of owning a home? Brad Barrett of the ChooseFI podcast joins the show.


Subscribe to Brad's weekly newsletter ...

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April 29, 2025 53 mins

While AI is starting to dominate many facets of the cultural conversation, perhaps the potential impacts of AI are highlighted no more clearly than by looking at AI in the military. AI has been increasingly used in military operations to more accurately determine targets, allow for more efficient military operations, and to ideally limit civilian casualties. But what is at stake if we allow decisions of life or death to b...

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When hear the term 'genetic engineering', what do you think of? Does your mind immediately jump to the extreme thoughts of eugenics and creating 'the perfect human'? Or do you think of more socially acceptable genetic modifications to treat medical diseases such as cancer and inflammation? Well regardless of what you facet of genetic modification you think of, genetic engineering in any form is considered controversial by many. ...

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Sigmund Freud was one of the most prominent figures of the 19th and 20th centuries. The founder of psychoanalysis, he's viewed as one of the fathers of modern day psychiatry and psychology.  But for all the interest in Freud, there's also much intrigue around him and perhaps even confusion as to what exactly his theories were, how accurate they were, and what kind of importance they play in our modern unde...

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There are many people who exist on the shorter end of the height spectrum. For some people, it might be not the biggest deal – but for others, it might significantly impact their lives. But what if there were a way to change your height … to go from shorter to taller? Enter the surgery known as leg lengthening, a procedure designed to help people get taller. Actor Rich Rotella joins the podcast to share his recent experience underg...

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April 1, 2025 46 mins
The Pope is one of the most revered humans on the planet, garnering devotion from Catholics and Christians all over the world. But what is the Pope supposed to represent? Is the Pope just an ordinary person who was simple been chosen to represent Catholicisim? Or is the Pope rather considered to be a divine figure Himself, a prophet of some sort? Brownen McShea joins the podcast to discuss the role of the Pope, how the role has...

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In this third and final episode of our mini-series on juries, we speak with a criminal lawyer about the ultimate question we've been leading to - Does the jury system make sense? While the idea of having one's peers decide their fate in the justice system sounds idealistic, does it actually work in practice? Should laypeople be called for jury duty to assess cases that are often very complex? Are personal biases too tough to over...

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In this second of three episodes regarding the jury system, we explore the science of forensics. Are fingerprint and DNA analyses less accurate and more susceptible to bias than we might be led to believe? Are there situations in which jurors are overly swayed by forensic evidence that may be less ironclad than we think? International forensics expert Dr. Itiel Dror joins the podcast.


Dr. Dror's Website https://www.cci-hq.com/dr...

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In this first of three episodes on the jury system, we examine how biased jurors tend to be. What unexpected variables factor into jury decision making? Are jurors able to check their biases at the door, or do they tend to make their minds up before all the evidence has even be presented? Are there certain cases to which juries are particularly partial in delivering a verdict of guilty or not guilty? Lee Curley, an expert in ju...

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March 4, 2025 32 mins

Most people veer away from dangerous places. Yet there are some people in this world, who not only don’t avoid such places, but rather seek them out; journalists who report on some of the most dangerous and devastating conflicts in the world. So why would somebody risk their life, in some cases, to report on deadly conflicts far away? Why would somebody become a war correspondent, and what does the job entail? War correspondent Sam...

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February 25, 2025 38 mins
With Trump's proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, may are concerned that some form of a trade war might emerge in the coming months. Particularly in Canada, where 75% of its exports go to the United States, uncertainty and fear are developing amongst Canadians. So if these tariffs do end becoming imposed, how will it affect each of the Canadian and American economies? By virtue of its larger sized economy, is this a tr...

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February 18, 2025 53 mins
Nobody expects to get sick. Especially for someone in their 20s or 30s, being diagnosed with a significant medical condition is not something that's truly on one's radar. So how does one process a scary medical diagnosis? In whom does one confide? And how, if at all, just it change one's perspective on life? Adam Noyek was diagnosed with a serious spinal tumor when he was in his mid thirties. He joins the podcast to share his ...

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With further scientific breakthroughs and more accurate and widespread genetic testing increasingly available, it is becoming much more common to detect genetic abnormalities in a fetus during the early stages of pregnancy. As a consequence, conditions such as Down Syndrome are diagnosed much more frequently prenatally than in past decades. In parts of the world where abortion is still legal, more people are likely choosi...

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