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In this episode we host Megan Gafford, who tells us how she moved from painting into architectural drawing and freelancing writing. Megan shares her grant-funded project to design a new ornamental architecture and we talk about why ornament is fundamental to human nature, her theory that modernist architects won over peers through seductive drawings rather than buildings, and why she works slowly, spending up to 20 hours per drawing. We also talk about her Book Salon series on East of Eden, her reflections on Steinbeck's portrayal of evil, and what people can expect for her next sessions. You can join the next session of her salon here: https://interintellect.com/series/book-club-east-of-eden And follow her Substack here: https://www.fashionablylatetakes.com/

In this episode, we talk with our host, DJ Scruggs. DJ is a serial entrepreneur and programmer who has run multiple businesses, has a passion for reading and learning, and hosts the monthly series "Claude Code for Humanities," where he helps non-technical people start their journey with AI. We discuss his journey learning to code on his own, his path as an entrepreneur, and how to best think about AI in this current moment. You can follow DJ on his website: https://djscruggs.com And sign up for his next Claude Code for Humanities session here: https://interintellect.com/salons/claude-code-for-the-humanities-august-2026

In this episode of Hostcast, João sits down with Liv Li and Stephanie, co-hosts of a four-part salon series on Joseph Campbell hosted on Interintellect. Together they explore why Campbell remains both a philosopher and a provocateur in the postmodern world, unpacking the durability of the hero's journey across cultures, the lesser-known heroine's journey developed by Dr. Maureen Murdoch, and the tension between ancient myth-making and a fragmented, algorithm-driven society searching for new meaning. From the role of masks as tools for authentic self-discovery to the question of whether a "third model" beyond Campbell and Murdoch is possible, this conversation weaves together psychology, mythology, pop culture, and philosophy. The fourth and final salon in their Campbell series is still open to join here: https://interintellect.com/salons/the-eternal-story-joseph-campbell-in-a-postmodern-world-episode-4 Follow our Hosts here: https://substack.com/@notesbysl https://archetypica.substack.com/

In this episode of Hostcast, we sit down with James Cussen, an Interintellect host whose work centers on practical, livable philosophy. James shares how his journey into philosophy began during a difficult period in his teenage years, when reading Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus gave him a sense of being understood for the first time. From there, his curiosity took him through Nietzsche, Jung, and much more. The conversation also explores how to approach reading philosophy, with James emphasizing humility, patience, and a willingness to temporarily inhabit a worldview different from your own. The episode then takes a focused look at Nietzsche's On the Genealogy of Morals, the text at the center of James's current salon series on Interintellect. You can join his salon here: https://interintellect.com/salons/what-is-the-meaning-of-ascetic-ideals-friedrich-nietzsche-on-the-genealogy-of-morality You can also follow James, here: https://www.thelivingphilosophy.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@TheLivingPhilosophy/videos

In this episode of the Hostcast, I sit down with political philosopher Adam Gjesdal to explore some of the biggest questions in political philosophy: from how we correct for our own biases, to why diversity of perspectives leads to better outcomes, to what John Stuart Mill's On Liberty can teach us about free speech and individual freedom today. We also get into Adam's own academic journey, his research on justice pluralism, and, of course, his upcoming salon series on Mill's "On Liberty". A conversation full of ideas that are as relevant now as they've ever been. You can sign up for Adam's first episode here: https://interintellect.com/salons/on-liberty-revisited-mill-harriet-taylor-and-the-case-for-freedom

In this episode of Hostcast, we have Rania Nasis, physician, serial entrepreneur, and generalist operator who has built and advised companies across biotech, digital health, senior tech, and pediatric care. Rania shares the story of leaving medicine before ever practicing, getting hooked on startups through a business plan competition, and spending the last 12+ years navigating one of the hardest industries to innovate in: healthcare. She breaks down why the space is both deeply rewarding and brutally complicated, from misaligned stakeholder incentives to year-long sales cycles as well as what it takes to persist through all of it. She's also launching Nimble, a high-protein French-style ice cream brand hitting New York grocery stores in early April. We talked about her Atlas Shrugged book club hosted through Interintellect in New York City. Why she chose Ayn Rand's most ambitious novel, what timeless tensions it surfaces around individualism, excellence, and productive output, and what she hopes participants take away regardless of where they land politically are some of the themes explored. Want to join or just keep up with what Rania is building? Find her on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, or through her Interintellect profile.

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