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Today’s Interintellect host is Neil Thanedar, author of Positive Politics. We spoke about his journey in entrepreneurship, from working with his father to build a testing lab to co-founding Laboor, and why he believes the future belongs to scientist-CEOs. Naturally, we also dug into the core ideas behind Positive Politics. Neil is currently leading a four-part series on Interintellect where he explores the book and offers a reframing of our relationship with politics. In our conversation, we discussed his plans for the remaining sessions, the role of writing and activism in getting started in politics, the real barriers to entry for political engagement, and why he believes we are all called to make a difference. You can sign up for the remaining two sessions of his series here:https://interintellect.com/salons/session-3-positive-politics-what

In this episode of Hostcast, we sit down with Grant Mulligan, a writer, investor, and conservationist. Our conversation ranges across fatherhood, progress, abundance, and The Odyssey. Grant is currently hosting a reading series on Interintellect dedicated to The Odyssey, which we’re exploring together. You can find the series, along with Grant’s writing, here: https://www.grantmulligan.com/ https://interintellect.com/hosts/grant-mulligan-1128177

In this episode with Brian Gallagher, we dive into the subtle art that separates a writer from an editor, his years shaping stories at Nautilus, the thinkers and writers he admires, and the role of taste in writing a journalistic piece. We also talked about his upcoming book on Mars, what are some of the non-obvious hurdles we might need to deal with and, of course, his previous salons at our community. You can follow Brian here: https://www.briangallagher.org https://twitter.com/bsgallagher

In this episode of Hoscast, we talk with Olga Yakimenko, film-maker, writer and of course, Interintellect Host. Throughout the conversation we talk about how moving around so often shaped her view of the world, why she really enjoys human perception and what is the power of stories. We also talk about her most recent project: "The User Illusion", which you'll want to know all about. You can be on the look out for Olga's next salons here: https://interintellect.com/hosts/olga-yakimenko Follow Olga on Twitter: https://x.com/AnalogWhole

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-franz You 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-uncertainties You 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-discontents Susan’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-handmer Anton’s Website and Essays: https://www.troynikov.io/ Find Anton on X: https://x.com/atroyn Find 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-steward Sean’s Substack: https://seanpatrickhughes.substack.com/ Find Sean on X: https://x.com/seanphughes99 Find 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-religion Find Christophe on X: https://x.com/porotchristophe Find 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-civilization⁠ Vatsal’s New Book with Jim O'Shaughnessy: https://www.infinitebooks.com/books/products/two-thoughts Find Vatsal on X: https://x.com/vtslkshk Find 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-leslie Ian’s Newsletter: https://ianleslie.substack.com/ Find Ian on X: https://x.com/mrianleslie Find 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-code Samuel’s Website:https://arbesman.net/ Find Samuel on X:https://x.com/arbesman Find 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