This episode is basically an introduction to the series. But generally speaking, do you think people do enough thinking? Or, thinking about the right things? Or have we dumbed down so much that only shouting at one another on Facebook or X is the only stimulation we can find? Let me know.
Oooh you almost lost me there with the 'keep politics out of it'. You can't keep politics out of anything. It is pretty much impossible and really it should be impossible. You don't want to create something only to find that what you have made is neutered and anodyne. I get it though, you are worried about discussion descending into petty division and controversy. Don't worry. I will not bring that.
A good case study for intellectual podcasting is the very successful Brené Brown pods off the back of her brilliant Ted Talks. Once you get traction people will be very very frustrated and insulted if you stay quiet on world affairs. (See also how people have shifted their feelings on 'spiritual leaders' in the last year). She eventually released a statement and it was...not good. I think she did internalise the response and make some attempt to address what was wrong with her thinking but also retreated into a more enclosed 'safe space' to continue her work. My point is there is no safe way to build a platform for discourse. You are in 2024 and this is not a world for the careful and faint of heart who only want to talk to a moderate, limited demographic. Be bold. Be brave. Good hunting!