The Soapbox Lex

In this episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross welcome Dr. Sebastian Bryson, chair of the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Kentucky and TEDx speaker, for a conversation that only a room full of nerds would love: Star Wars vs. Star Trek! Which franchise reigns supreme? Is Star Wars just flashy space fantasy? Is Star Trek too philosophical? We break down the diff...

In this episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross dive deep into the complex world of tipping culture in America. With technologies like Square Reader making tipping a standard in non-traditional transactions, we ask: Is this okay? Is it just a polite custom, or has it crossed into digital panhandling? Have we gone too far with tipping? We explore the incentives for retailers to a...

In this episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross dive into the age-old debate: Console vs. PC Gaming. We explore the history of gaming, discuss the impact of piracy and emulation, and debate the shift toward digital-only distribution. We also tackle cancel culture in movies and gaming, publishers refusing to make classic titles available, the importance of game archives, and the...

In this episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross welcome special guest Kevin Schoedinger to discuss the role of bleeding edge technology in education. We explore how technology is transforming classrooms, alternative educational opportunities, preparing students for the job market, the value of trade schools, the push for STEM, and much more. Is the future of education evolving f...

In this episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross dive into the challenges, barriers, and attitudes surrounding learning to code. Eric is a huge advocate for coding and its benefits, while Paul remains more reluctant—leading to some fun debates and personal anecdotes about their experiences with programming. Is coding an essential skill for everyone, or is it overhyped? We break i...

In this special on-location episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross are joined by Andrew "Horse" Hill and Lanny Brannock as we record straight from a lively Super Bowl party! We cover everything from sports (and why Paul still doesn't like watching them) to sports betting, plus an exciting discussion about future collaborations as Horse and Lanny prepare to launch their own podc...

In this special Quick Hits episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross are joined by special guests Piper, Owen, Evan, Caitlin, and Vivian for a fast-paced discussion covering a broad range of topics. We're live at a Super Bowl party, so expect a loud environment and a slightly different vibe! Unlike our usual deep dives, we're keeping things short, sharp, and spontaneous-all set ag...

On this episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross dive into the dark side of engineering. We explore how design and technology can be used against people, from hostile architecture that discourages public use to planned obsolescence that keeps us buying more. We also tackle the right to repair movement and how companies pretend to care about the environment while prioritizing prof...

On this episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross are joined by special guest Samantha Klinger, a graphic designer from the University of Kentucky. Together, we swap stories about bad neighbors, noisy roommates, and wild experiences from dorm and apartment living. From sleepless nights to unbelievable encounters, we’ve all had that one neighbor—and we’re here to talk about it! 🎧...

In this controversial episode of The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross dive into the age-old debate: Can you separate the art from the artist? We tackle some of the most controversial and polarizing figures, including Elon Musk, Adolf Hitler, and J.K. Rowling and we manage to work in a reference to the Lord’s chicken restaurant and 90’s rock ballad machine Creed. Where do we draw the lin...

Rapid-Fire Rants: From Deadlines to Drivers This episode of The SoapBox Lex is a wild ride through a compilation of quirky, everyday topics that spark big debates! Join hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross as they tackle: 11:59 PM vs Midnight Deadlines Choice Isn't an Option Fast Food Table Etiquette Grounded Plug Orientation Left Lane Drivers What Does "Next Friday" Really Mean? Rabbit Hole vs Rabbit T...

In this second installment of our special series, The SoapBox Lex hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross are once again joined by our Andrew Hill, aka "Horse"! This time, we dive into one of our favorite topics from the past year: video games. From nostalgic classics to modern masterpieces, we share our thoughts, debates, and plenty of laughs as we uncover some problems with modern gaming, and s...

This week on The SoapBox Lex, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross are joined by a very special guest—our #1 superfan, Andrew Hill, better known as "Horse"! Together, we take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the best topics from the past year, including our most popular episode: Time Travel. Expect laughs, insights, and plenty of fun as we reflect on our favorite moments and hear Horse’s uniqu...

🎄 On this festive episode of The SoapBox Lex , Eric Green and Paul Ross dive headfirst into the most wonderful—and contentious—time of the year: Christmas! Paul, a devout Christian with a surprising distaste for the holiday, squares off against Eric, an outspoken Atheist who revels in all things yuletide. Together, they unravel this odd paradox, swapping stories of past Christmases, debating the...

🎙️ Welcome to The Soapbox Lex! 🎙️ In this episode, Eric Green and Paul Ross are joined by the incredible Robin Baskette to tackle a hot topic that’s been frustrating drivers everywhere: “Stop Being So **** Nice At Intersections!” 🚦 📌 What’s in this episode? • Why following the rules at four-way stops is actually more polite than waving people through. • Tips for handling intersections the right...

This one goes to 11! In this episode of The Soapbox, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross explore the concept of "Pay it Forward." They discuss how perks and free opportunities often go to those at higher levels, leaving those in lower, underappreciated jobs behind. They dive into the power of paying it forward—using unneeded benefits to help those in need. Join the conversation on kindness, opportunity...

In this episode of The Soapbox, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross, joined by special guest Dr. Joe Crabtree, dive into "The Biggest Problem in Modern Gaming." From retro classics and text-based adventures to modern gaming's pay-to-win mechanics, DLC, and unbalanced online play, they explore how gaming has evolved and where it’s headed. Whether you're a PC gamer, console fan, or nostalgic for the old...

This one is a doozy! Santa better watch out for Russian ICBMs as the North Pole shifts to Russia, and AI may just kill us all in about two years. In this episode of The Soapbox, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross tackle the rise of AI, its growing popularity, and the challenges it presents. From its impact on jobs to concerns about its potential threats to humanity, they explore the balance between in...

In this episode of The Soapbox, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross dive into the captivating world of time travel, blending science with pop culture. From theories of relativity to classic sci-fi films, they explore what makes time travel so fascinating and whether it's scientifically possible. Tune in for an exciting discussion on the science, myths, and cultural impact of time travel!

In this episode of The Soapbox, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross explore the rise of electronic rental scooters. They dive into the challenges of safety, courtesy, and how people are adapting to this app-driven, micro mobility trend. From navigating city streets to understanding scooter etiquette, they discuss what it means to incorporate this new transportation option into daily life. Join the conv...

In this episode of The Soapbox , hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross discuss why "Nobody Likes the Time Change." They explore the twice-yearly time change in America, diving into its effects on health, productivity, and daily routines. From disrupted sleep to public opinion, Eric and Paul unpack why so many people are questioning the need for this tradition. Tune in for an engaging conversation on the...

In this episode of The Soapbox, hosts Eric Green and Paul Ross dive into the heated debate of "Public vs Private School Funding." They explore how taxpayer money is allocated to public, private, and charter schools, and discuss the impact of these funding decisions on education. With an upcoming election looming, the conversation delves into the role politics plays in shaping school funding polici...

In this episode we get a little personal and talk about the A-words! Atheist. Agnostic. Can you be both? We touch on morals, nihilism, faith, and other things that are taboo. Graphics: ⁠https://sheseeksnonfiction.blog/2019/01/06/atheism-vs-agnosticism/⁠ Our friend Ty: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtShJugohT2eaolubHnIuMg⁠ Books: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_God_Delusion https://en.wikiped...

Special guest Dr. Reg Souleyrette discusses roundabouts, diverging diamonds, and other things that make drivers furious. These things have got to be the most idiotic designs ever… or are they?

Paul and Eric talk about the Monte Hall Paradox (remember this from the movie 21?). We then pivot to a semantic argument about whether we see in 3D. Do we?