The Lightning Podcast

Roosevelt Montás: Education as Self-Formation S2 E10

This week, Zohar sits down with Roosevelt Montás, Senior Lecturer in American Studies and English at Columbia University, and former Director of the Center for the Core Curriculum at Columbia College from 2008 to 2018, to talk about the contrarian promise of a liberal arts education, how to read religious texts, the importance of quieting the mind, the challenges of self-discovery in an age of politicization and social media.

Samuel Arbesman: Between Knowledge and Wonder S2 E9

This week, Zohar is joined by Sam Arbesman, Scientist in Residence of Lux Capital, and author of the Half-Life of Facts, to talk about the pursuit of knowledge, the sociology and business of science, and the enduring importance of imagination and narrative.

Christian Bök: Orpheus and Eurydice S2 E8

This week, Zohar is joined by Christian Bök, acclaimed experimental poet, to discuss ambition, ephemerality, affordances, technology, games, romanticism, mentorship, poetic history, the egotistical sublime, and whether it is possible to retrieve Eurydice from Hades without looking back.

Ben Purkert: The Men Can’t Be Saved S2 E7

This week, Zohar is joined by poet and novelist Ben Purkert to discuss his debut novel The Men Can't Be Saved, taglines, Ben Lerner, Being John Malkovich, copywriting, the relationship between art and commerce, Jewishness and Judaism, writing as a practice of self-discovery, spirituality in the modern world, masculinity and its discontents, branding, comedy, and academia.Pre-order Ben's book here.

Nicholas Lyons: What’s Better Than Free? S2 E6

This week, Zohar sits down with Nicholas Lyons, investor, autodidact, ex-banker, numerologist, and champion of Verus (a blockchain technology), to talk about consilience, reflexivity, network effects, the promising business model of web3, and whether new technology can cure us of cynicism and misinformation.

Michael Gibson: Charisma and Its Discontents S2 E5

This week, Zohar is joined by Michael Gibson, venture capitalist, founder of the Thiel Fellowship, and author of Paper Belt on Fire, to talk about why philosophers aren't saints, his pivot from studying philosophy to investing, why charisma is a mixed bag, how Aristotle can help with talent scouting, and the future of education.

Damon Linker: Passionate Skepticism S2 E4

This week, Zohar is joined by journalist and pundit Damon Linker, to discuss passionate skepticism, Strauss vs. Heidegger, religion, the legacy of the Enlightenment, humility, judgment, and changing your mind.

Jennifer Frey: Philosophical Friendship S2 E3

This week, Zohar is joined by Jennifer Frey, philosopher, professor, and podcaster, to talk about how to read the ancients, the importance of philosophical friendship, Christopher Lasch's critique of the "therapeutic," the relationship between theoretical and practical wisdom, education as character formation, and why everyone is a conservative about something.