Interintellect Hostcast

Poet, critic, and Interintellect host Paul Franz joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on poetry, reading, and the enduring spirit of Romanticism.He’s editor of the journal Literary Imagination and Serpent Club, and in our conversation we trace his path into literature—from his early love of books to his life as a poet published in The New York Review of Books and an essayist for The Atlantic and The Nation.Paul shares why Romanticism matters today, how Romanticon, where he’s an editor, tackles that issue, and what it means to weave together different forms of writing (poetry, criticism, essays) within one creative life.We dive into the tension between creative writing and academic writing, and how he navigated that space.Finally, Paul reflects on his approach to salons and the art of conversation itself: an invitation to think, read, and share more deeply.You can find Paul’s Host Page and check out his salons here:https://interintellect.com/hosts/paul-franzYou can also check his Substack here:https://ashesandsparks.substack.com/Check our website to become a member of our community or attend one of our salons:https://interintellect.com/

Philosopher and Interintellect host Bryan Kam joins us to preview his upcoming salon, Buddha, Socrates, and Us: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Uncertainties. Drawing on Stephen Batchelor’s work, he explores how these two ancient thinkers embraced uncertainty, humility, and ethical living. Not only that but also how their insights can guide us through today’s personal and planetary crises. In this conversation, Bryan shares his approach to hosting salons that blend intellectual depth with lived experience, inviting participants to treat uncertainty not as a threat, but as a practice.You can sign up for the salon here:https://interintellect.com/salons/buddha-socrates-and-us-ancient-wisdom-for-modern-uncertaintiesYou can check Bryan's work here:Bryan's writing at ClerestoryBryan's talk at London's Philosophy for AllIntro to Neither/Nor: Thinking and SensingLiminal Learning

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with Susan Abbott, a strategist and researcher of democracy and communication. They talk about the relevance of inquiry into democracy today, the possibilities of deliberative democracy, the future of AI in government, and more. Susan’s salon series starting July 2: https://interintellect.com/series/democracy-and-its-discontentsSusan’s website: https://crosspollinateconsulting.com/Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with startup founder and essayist Anton Troynikov. They talk about Anton’s startup Chroma, the role of grand visions in the San Francisco idea ecosystem, the dialectic of strength and victimhood in contemporary culture, and more. Anton’s Interintellect Salon with Casey Handmer on June 7: https://interintellect.com/salons/terraforming-earth-and-beyond-with-casey-handmerAnton’s Website and Essays: https://www.troynikov.io/Find Anton on X: https://x.com/atroynFind Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, Ravi Joseph speaks with writer and veteran Sean Hughes. They talk about the resilience of the American system, the contemporary relevance of Fukuyama’s End of History thesis, Sean’s journey from the military to the tech world and professional writing, and more. If you like this episode, be sure to check out Sean’s salon co-hosted with Katherine Stewart on May 26.  Sean’s Interintellect Salon with Katherine Stewart on May 26: https://interintellect.com/salons/money-lies-and-god-a-discussion-with-author-katherine-stewardSean’s Substack: https://seanpatrickhughes.substack.com/Find Sean on X: https://x.com/seanphughes99Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with philosopher Christophe Porot about the philosophy of religion. They talk about suffering as a path to philosophy, authenticity as a way out of suffering, the possibility of religion after Immanuel Kant’s critique, and more.  Christophe’s first God and Humanity salon on May 9: https://interintellect.com/salons/episode-1-an-introduction-to-philosophy-of-religionFind Christophe on X: https://x.com/porotchristopheFind Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with entrepreneur and engineer Vatsal Kaushik about his upcoming salon on Will Durant’s history books. They talk about why to read about ancient history, the importance of agriculture as a turning point in civilization, his entrepreneurial work building an X curation app with AI, and more. Vatsal’s Interintellect Salon on March 15: https://interintellect.com/salons/our-oriental-heritage-exploring-the-foundations-of-civilization⁠Vatsal’s New Book with Jim O'Shaughnessy: https://www.infinitebooks.com/books/products/two-thoughtsFind Vatsal on X: https://x.com/vtslkshkFind Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with author Ian Leslie. First, they talk about his new book John & Paul, the continued relevance of the Beatles, and the need for a new narrative to understand them. Later in the podcast, they discuss recent developments in politics such as the rightward “vibe shift” in the US and worldwide, and Trump’s unconventional communication strategies. Ian’s Interintellect Salon on February 26: https://interintellect.com/salons/unraveling-the-creative-process-a-conversation-with-ian-leslieIan’s Newsletter: https://ianleslie.substack.com/Find Ian on X: https://x.com/mrianleslieFind Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with scientist and author Samuel Arbesman about his new book, the Magic of Code. They discuss computing as a universal field, the overlaps between computing and biology, the role of wonder in scientific investigation, and more.Samuel’s Interintellect Salon on February 13:https://interintellect.com/salons/the-magic-of-codeSamuel’s Website:https://arbesman.net/Find Samuel on X:https://x.com/arbesmanFind Ravi on X:https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with political philosopher Rebecca Lowe. They discuss the role of freedom in utopian societies, the merits of local control of governance, how space travel could benefit human flourishing, and Rebecca's journey through multiple fields to finding her calling as a philosopher. Rebecca's next salon on Freedom and Utopia: https://interintellect.com/salons/why-utopia Rebecca's Substack: https://theendsdontjustifythemeans.substack.com/ Find Rebecca on X: https://x.com/RMLLowe Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with writer and philosophy professor Stephen Adubato. They discuss the vibes-based nature of contemporary political campaigns, the influence of Nietzsche in online cultural movements, the need for local organizing, and more. Stephen's Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com/ Find Stephen on X: https://x.com/stephengadubato Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with journalist, author, and educator Madison Margolin. They discuss Madison's journey of exploring Judaism through psychedelic consciousness, healing generational trauma through psychedelics, and the cultural changes of recent years leading to psychedelic mainstreaming. Madison's salon series: https://interintellect.com/series/judaism-is-psychedelic-salon-series/ Find Madison on X: https://x.com/margolinmadison Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, Jason Shen and Ravi Joseph about Jason's new book, Weirdly Brilliant, and his upcoming salon series. We discuss Jason's journey from tech entrepreneur to executive coach, what it means to be an outlier, fostering your own sense of ambition, and how to find your place in the modern world. Jason's salon series: https://interintellect.com/series/the-outlier-series-with-jason-shen/ Find Jason on X: https://x.com/JasonShen Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, philosopher Ryan Miller and host Ravi Joseph discuss philosophical themes in the movie Barbie. The conversation covers philosophers from Aristotle to Nietzsche to Haslanger, as well as Ryan's journey from being a curious child to becoming a professional philosopher. Ryan's salon series on Interintellect: https://interintellect.com/series/philosophy-of-barbie-exploring-western-philosophy-through-cinema/ Find Ryan on X: https://x.com/rmm4pi8 Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

Productivity is a crucial aspect of our lives. But how can we combine productiveness and good life? And what is good life? Is it happiness? If so, what is happiness? We've explored this and more topics with Jacob Huber, founder or Revolutionary Character. Listen and dive in! Jacob Huber: https://twitter.com/rev_character Arkadiusz Synowczyk: https://twitter.com/Epagogist

In this episode, host Linus Lu talks to poet and writer Grace Bialecki about her upcoming in-person salon in New York City about holiday traditions, and about her work as a poet. *** Grace's NYC Holiday gathering: https://interintellect.com/salon/new-york-irl-expansive-conversations-a-holiday-gathering/ "What it Takes to be a TikTok Poet": https://themillions.com/2023/09/what-it-takes-to-be-a-tiktok-poet.html Grace Bialecki: https://www.graciebialecki.com/ Linus Lu: https://twitter.com/Linus_Lu

In this episode, host Linus Lu talks to Elaine Wang about her inspirations and processes for writing and about living life as a writer. Elaine's Substack: https://elainewrites.substack.com/ Linus' Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/Linus_Lu https://interintellect.com/community/

This is an audio recording of a salon held on October 19th, 2023, with Arash Azizi about socialism, liberalism, and the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Arash Azizi, a specialist on Iran, and Celeste Marcus, a liberal Zionist, discussed how Arash’s socialism and Celeste's liberalism inform their views of the current paroxysms. Both of their ideologies are universalist, and that universalism is in tension with their respective tribalisms. Arash: https://twitter.com/arash_tehran?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Celeste: https://twitter.com/Celestemarcus3 Interintellect: https://twitter.com/interintellect_

Check out Alex's upcoming salon series on "Breakthroughs in Human History" starting on October 12th. Learn more here: https://interintellect.com/series/breakthroughs-in-human-history/ In this episode, host Linus Lu talks to Alex Criddle about different traditions of mysticism, definitions of the divine, and more. Alex's Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexkcriddle Alex's website: https://alexcriddle.com/ Linus' Twitter: https://twitter.com/Linus_Lu

Interintellect founder Anna Gát talks to philosophy professor Helen De Cruz about hearts, minds, books, and freedoms --- as well as Helen's upcoming Interintellect salon series titled "Social Media and Free Thought – A philosophical guide for tech developers and entrepreneurs." Helen's series will feature renowned philosophers who will help us explore how social media can facilitate freedom of thought and freedom of expression, as a guide to entrepreneurs and tech developers. Helen's salon series on free thought: interintellect.com/series/social-m…-entrepreneurs/ Helen De Cruz: twitter.com/Helenreflects Helen's Substack: helendecruz.substack.com/ Anna Gát: twitter.com/TheAnnaGat Interintellect: twitter.com/interintellect_