Modes of Inquiry with Mathew Giagnorio

What is Athiestism? How is it misunderstood and misrepresented? Thomas Sheedy of atheists for Liberty and I discuss all this and more!

What is leadership? And how do diverse life and job experiences help make you a leader in your field? Hi and I discuss these questions and more! 

Welcome to season 7. I am joined by Negar Zarassi a Swedish-Iranian professional opera singer. She is extensively trained in classical music, holding two bachelor's degrees: from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and the Academy for Music and Drama in Gothenburg, both in Sweden. We discuss classical music, what is it? Why does it matter? And where's its place in modern society? All this and more!

In this episode, I speak with Mubin Shaikh. We discuss his journey into and out of Islamist #extremism, his work as an undercover operative in taking down the Toronto 18, and the evolution and growing influence of online extremism and radicalization. We focus on religious and political tribalism as barriers to critical thinking, interpersonal communication, and relationships, and how these issues are made worse with the viral amount of misinformation and disinformation online.

Thanks, Mubin!

I'm joined by Khadija Khan for a thought-provoking discussion on Islamism in the UK and France and compare it to Canada and Quebec, and the current Israel—Palestine conflict. All this and more on MOI!

Thanks, Khadija!

I am joined for a conversation with Francesca Luberti. We discuss #testosterone levels, their function in men and women, their role in parenting, their impact on attractiveness, and their significance in mating practices and relationships. All this and more on MOI!

Grazie, Francesca!

Season 6 Episode 1 welcomes back fellow Canadian Terry Glavin, writer and journalist. We examine the history, culture, society, and politics of British Columbia and Québec and their distinction between how they fit or do not fit into the larger Canadian framework. We also discuss current and ongoing issues in Canada and Canadian politics, the importing of American issues and perspectives, and how Canada is something worth understanding and defending.

This week I speak with Brian Peckford. We discuss the Canadian Constitution, his contribution to it, and why Canadians are under-informed about and take little to no pride in it. We emphasize the importance of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the particular structure of a constitution with respect to the country and the people that create it. We also talk about the importance of understanding the specific nature of Canadian Federalism. 

All this and more!

Thanks, Brian!

Season 5 resumes with returning guest Phil Gurski. We discuss ongoing issues and debates around the repatriation of foreign fighters who left their countries to join ISIS, the laws broken and crimes committed, and the gender question: were women only victims? Or willing participants as well? And touch on the very serious matter of what is to happen with Camp Al-Hawl.

Thanks, Phil!

This week welcomes Nathan Romas, host of the podcast The Quiet Professional. We discuss the largely standardized approach to policing in Canada in contrast to the US, the conflicts officers face, changes in policing over the decades, and how off-duty doesn't automatically imply leaving on-duty experiences behind. All this and more on MOI !

Thanks, Nathan!

This week welcomes Matt Johnson to the podcast. We discuss his book How Hitchens Can Save The Left: Rediscovering Fearless Liberalism in the Age of Counter-Enlightenment, the noise and nonsense of the political left and right today, the universal values and writing style of Christopher Hitchens, and the importance of knowing friends from foes in context, and much more on MOI! 

Thanks, Matt!

This week welcomes William Costello to the podcast. We discuss the world of modern dating, wants and expectations, the growing educational disparities between men and women, dating apps, the skill of flirting, traditional masculinity vs modern masculinity, modern independent women and new needs,  the importance of communication, the difference of communication between men and women, and ability of men to think like women and the ability of women to think like men. All this and more on MOI!

Thanks, William

In the season 5 opener, I speak with Iman. We discuss spirituality, authenticity, deep connections, her journey away from radical Islam and towards spirituality, and her work on healing, understanding, and trauma. We also discuss the importance of negating hate and embracing love and peace. All this and more on MOI!

Thanks, Iman! 

This week welcomes Terry Glavin. We discuss the current state of the Liberal Party of Canada, the illiberal policies and politics of Justin Trudeau, how and why the Left has become incoherent, eerie similarities between Trump and Trudeau, and the media frenzy and political opportunity that got it wrong regarding the coverage of supposed mass graves of residential school children that were never found. All this and more on MOI!

Thanks, Terry!

This week welcomes Elisa Nardi. We discuss the wines and wine estates of Tuscany, Italy, the typical grapes of the region, and the styles and methods found there. The value and gems of local family-owned and operated wineries, ideal pairings of food and ambiance, and wine tour musts when in Tuscany. All this and more on MOI!

This week welcomes Rana Ahmad to the podcast. She talks about her life in Saudi Arabia and her intellectual journey of thoughts, questions, and curiosities that lead her away from Islam and to atheism. She also describes her escape from Saudi Arabia and her daring journey to Germany. We discuss her love of science and philosophy and her passion and activism for women's rights globally. All this and more on MOI!

Danke/thanks/shkran, Rana!

This week welcomes Lawrence Krauss to the podcast. We discuss the importance of science in education, the skill of good science communication and its role, why the knowledge of astrological signs appears more common than a basic knowledge of science, the purpose of common sense, and the relationship between public policy and science. All this and more on MOI!

Thanks, Lawrence! 

This week welcomes Hugo Mercier to the podcast. We discuss his work and research with a particular focus on his book Not Born Yesterday in which he argues with data that we are not as gullible as we may believe but rather we are very good a using reason and decision-making. We discuss real-world issues such as politics, society, individuals and groups, and learning, and the application of his research in evolution and social cognition in those areas. All this and more on MOI

Merci, Hugo!

The season 3 finale welcomes Dr. Erec Smith, an associate professor of rhetoric at York College of Pennsylvania to the podcast. We discuss the new discourse of Anti-Racism and its negative effects on education and course materials, the importance of individualism and why it tends to be feared, erroneous and limited narratives of Black communities in America and the individuals they comprise, Social Justice and the Civil Rights Movement, and significance of Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X as representing free, open, and diverse Black thought. All this and more on #MOI!

Thanks, Erec!