Doomer Optimism

Transition Engineering with Susan Krumdieck and Josh Susan Krumdieck (PhD, mechanical engineering) is a Professor at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and is the foremost global proponent of the emergent discipline of Transition Engineering. Susan figured out “Doomer Optimism” before it was a thing and asked herself, “What can I do as an engineer?” The answer was to elaborate a novel approach to...

Ashley and Robert bounce through a wide range of topics — everything from the tug-of-war between natural law and man-made law to how postmodernism has shaped (and maybe warped) the way we see truth and art. They look at how Western values were shaped, especially through Christianity, and wonder what gets lost when those foundations are ignored. There’s also a back-and-forth on the psychological st...

Casey Spinks joins Mayor James Decker to discuss Texas's complex political and cultural landscape, focusing on the tensions between urban, suburban, and rural areas. The discussion highlights the historical shifts in Texas politics, the influence of suburbanites, the rise of weekend ranches, and the ecological changes resulting from privatization and the introduction of exotic species. The spe...

Understanding Risk in a Modern SocietyAshley interviews Olek Pisera, a recent PhD graduate in biomedical engineering. They discuss various topics, including the importance of independent thinking in science, the complexities of public health recommendations, and the societal implications of risk perception during the COVID-19 pandemic. Olek shares insights from his research on sunscreen and car se...

James Pogue interviews John Lechner, a journalist and author who has extensively covered the Wagner Group and its influence in Africa, particularly in the Central African Republic. They discuss John's unique path to journalism through language learning, the historical context of the Central African Republic, ethnic divisions within the country, the civil war, and the role of external powers. J...

Roxanne Ahern and Katherine Pakalak, join Ashley to discuss the pressing issue of declining birth rates and the cultural implications of antinatalism. They explore the grim trends in population decline, the societal and technological factors influencing family dynamics, and the potential future of family structures. The conversation emphasizes the need for a cultural shift to support larger famili...

Where do we go from here? Antitrust lawyer Basel Musharbash joins Ashley and Nate to explore anti-monopoly advocacy's historical and contemporary landscape. They discuss the evolution of antitrust laws, the impact of the Reagan administration, and the resurgence of antitrust efforts under Lina Khan. They discuss the intersection of populism and antitrust, the role of government in regulating corpo...

Enchantment, Magic, & Supernatural Technologies w/ Historian Dr. Francis Young "Is magic real? Does magic work?" "It's a question that is worth asking." "The world is full of spirits." Enchantment is fast entering the mainstream conversation. More people doubt mechanical materialism; there is something out there. Scholars, however, have hesitated. Stories of flying friars and encounters with s...

Community in a Fragmented WorldIn this episode of the Doomer Optimism podcast, host Ashley and guest Leah Sargent discuss the importance of building community in today's world. Leah shares insights from her book, 'Building the Benedict Option,' emphasizing practical steps individuals can take to foster deeper connections with others. They explore the challenges of hosting, the impact o...

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joins DO to discuss her unique perspective as a Congresswoman from a rural background, covering environmentalism, localism, and the importance of agency in politics. She critiques the disconnect between policymakers and the communities they represent, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and grounded approach to policy-making. The discussion also delves into the c...

Ashley, Gabe (@VividVoid) and Rich (@RichDecibels) discuss what an integrated, post-woke synthesis might look like. In this episode, we all discuss times and places where we have seen a functional pluralistic social environment – from public school to the Marines to Occupy. We discuss how you might take lessons from those examples into the present divisive social and political moment.

How does modern society shape our perceptions of childbirth, and are we missing a deeper, more primal experience? Ashley sits down with Leah, a software engineer and mother, to explore childbirth's deeply personal and often overlooked spiritual dimensions. Together, they unpack the ways modern society frames birth—medicalized, blissful, or terrifying—and contrast these narratives with Leah’s r...

How has the Bruderhof community balanced individual autonomy with collective decision-making to maintain harmony and functionality? Ashley sits down with Alan Kopschel, editor at Plough Magazine and a member of the Bruderhof community. Together, they explore the unique history and philosophy of the Bruderhof community, a Christian community founded on values of pacifism, shared resources, and dire...

In this episode, Ashley interviews husband and wife team Ben and Lucy about their eco-market in upstate New York, and Geoffrey from Longstory Farms about his planned local farm story in South Carolina. We discuss the importance of local commerce, challenges, and nuts and bolts approaches to competing in the market. Ben and Lucy Janssen both grew up in upstate NY and met at the local Community Coll...

How have urban development patterns in California, particularly in LA, exacerbated wildfire risks? James Pogue and Leighton Woodhouse discuss the LA fires following Leighton’s piece in the Free Press “ LA Was Built to Burn. ” The conversation explores the ecological, political, and cultural factors contributing to the wildfire crises across Los Angeles and beyond. We shed light on the human and en...

How can localism serve as an alternative to large-scale governance and globalized economies? Ashley and Wally discuss small-scale, secular models for civic and economic organizing, and compare/contrast them with their Catholic equivalents (subsidiarity and distribution). We discuss practical ways to build community agency, neighborliness, and autonomy at the smallest scale, exploring the New Engla...

How will the overturning of Chevron deference reshape the regulatory landscape for environmental policy? Special guest investigative journalist Jimmy Tobias joins Ashley and James to discuss the complexities of environmental policy and regulation. They explore how the Chevron decision will reshape the regulatory landscape and what it means for NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and federal land man...

Can AI rival human artistry? Is the potential of AI rivaling human creativity an opportunity to enhance artistic expression and reimagine authorship? Travis Logan, Charles, and A.R.X. Han discuss the complexities of consciousness, creativity, and the limits of AI, drawing on David Bentley Hart’s critique of materialism to explore whether human experiences and meaning can be reduced to physical pro...

In this episode, James and Ashley speak with a return guest and climate and disaster researcher Ilan Kelman. We discuss the state of climate activism, the eco-modernist approach to solving climate change, the uselessness of international climate summits, how the new Trump administration factors on the environment, and what are some points of optimism to focus on. 

Josh catches up with Tom for a second conversation (first interview here) about two new series on Tom’s excellent Do The Math blog. Tom has produced a “Metastatic Modernity” series of 18 short (~10 min) videos accompanied by write-ups providing a succinct but comprehensive explication of the poly crises of modernity, along with a convenient index to the series . Tom also became an ad hoc demograph...

DO 245 - Regenerative Ag Technology W/ Josh Jenske and Ashley

DO 245 - Regenerative Ag Technology W/ Josh Jenske and Ashley

In this episode, Going Godward guest hosts X’s Audrey Horne in a Doomer Optimist/e-girl crossover. GG and Audrey discuss how the Machine affects women and its consequences on beauty standards, self-image, and identity.

In this episode I link up with my new buddy from a recent Doomer Optimism event in Margaretville NY, Travis Logan. Travis brought an essay to my attention, Techne-Zen and the Spiritual Quality of Global Capitalism, by Yale professor R. John Williams. We decided to call John up to see if he would discuss his work, and where he lands with trying to navigate technology, spirituality and religion. One...

Ashley met Michael Sellas as a couple recent Doomer Optimism events and they immediately hit it off. After discussing urban planning’s connection to DO, Michael suggested some writing by his friends Dr. Timothy Patitsas, who not only thinks a lot about cities, but worked with Jane Jacobs! Michael Sellas, M.Div, is the founder of Michael Sellas Photography, and the Audio Producer for the No-Till Gr...