Preconceived

Do you ever feel like you can’t simply sit down and do one task uninterrupted? When you sit down to do some work on your laptop, how soon before you check your email unnecessarily, or grab your phone and scroll down Instagram? Or even more basic – when you are doing something for pure pleasure – like reading a book or watching a movie – how long is it before you put the book down or start ignoring...

Few would admit to regretting their decision to become parents. But that doesn't mean there are not people who do indeed regret the choice to have kids. Is it possible to still love your children while regretting the choice to have had them? Is the admission of regret necessarily a bad thing? Orna Donath, author of Regretting Motherhood, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...

The history of humankind has been contemplated for millennia. How did we come to be the dominant life form on the planet? Many stories have been told over the course of civilization to try and explain our presence on Earth, and in the process, many myths of our ancient past have come to dominate popular thinking. So what remains myth, and what do we actually know about the origins of humankind? An...

There are certain things that are just ‘knowns’ in the world, preconceptions in the sense that we take particular facts for granted. One such ‘knowns’ in the world is that The Beatles is perhaps the greatest band of all time. But as great as The Beatles were, there have been tons of incredible bands since the 1960s. What differentiates The Beatles? Was their music truly so special to warrant the p...

When you think of some of the most brutal 20th century dictators, your mind likely conjures up images of ruthlessness, mass death, and anything associated with evil. And while there is no doubt that these dictators committed evil atrocities that are tough to comprehend, it’s reasonable to wonder, ‘how did such people come to be?’. Is it enough to just say they were inherently evil, or as with most...

One of the paradoxes of sex is that while it is so common, it’s something we often feel uncomfortable talking about. Especially when it comes to sexual experimentation, there is a certain stigma that exists. But to an extent, that is changing, as new initiatives are being undertaken to reimagine sex’s place in society. The New Society for Wellness (NSFW), a Sex Club in New York City, seeks to chan...

For decades, there has been substantial stigma associated with psychedelic drugs. After psychedelics’ association with counterculture in the 1960s, much of the medical research into the therapeutic effects of psychedelics was terminated. But over the last 10-20 years, much of the research into the healing powers of psychedelics has resumed. Stemming from this research, many psychedelics companies...

We learn from an early age that it’s not acceptable to harm others. Many would say it’s something we don’t even need to really learn – that it’s a natural human instinct to not want to cause harm. With that perspective, it’s natural that it would be extremely challenging for people to understand why someone would harm themselves . Why would some voluntarily elect to hurt themselves? Non-suicidal s...

The Aztec Empire famously fell following the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. Much of what we know about the Aztecs – including their rise, the nature of the empire, and its eventual fall, comes strictly from European accounts. But what did the Aztecs themselves think? The narrative has almost solely been shaped by the European perspective – but how did the Aztecs view the Europeans w...

For many years, depression has been treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, better known by its short form, SSRIs. Serotonin, of course, lies at the core of these medications, with the long-held belief that serotonin levels are lower in patients who suffer from depression. But how strong is the correlation between low serotonin levels and depression? Is the neurobiological basis of l...

We are told from a very young age that being honest is a good thing. But most of us don’t really believe that honesty is always the best policy. Most of us allow for exceptions, omissions, and the occasional white lie, if it means sparing someone hurt feelings or avoiding an awkward conversation. Michael Leviton, author of "To Be Honest", spent most of his life not making such exceptions, and bein...

Antarctica is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places on Earth. One of Earth’s seven continents, it is easily the least inhabited, and in many ways, the least known about. To many, the preconception is that Antarctica is this cold, frozen, and desolate places, not fit for human living. But what exactly do we know about this remote continent? Is this unique landscape as inhospitable as on...

We all know about the potential abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet despite this, alcohol has persisted since the dawn of human societies. Does its persistence suggest that alcohol may actually be an important factor in the history of our civilization? In Edward Slingerland's book, 'Drunk', he explores the social benefits of alcohol and intoxication. He joins the podca...

There is a preconception that once a romantic relationship ends, the whole relationship ends. Is that always a good thing? And should it be considered the norm, or is the status of the post-breakup relationship something that people should give more conscious thought to? A Little Nudge founder, Erika Ettin, joins the podcast to discuss how we might move forward, if at all, in staying friends with...

There are few dreams as glorified and romanticized as that of becoming an actor in Hollywood. And part of what makes the dream so glorified is that thousands of actors are pursuing the same goal, with so many people setting off for Los Angeles in hopes of the same type of success. But what is it like in reality trying to become a successful actor? And is there really such thing as 'making it' in H...

The Trojan War is one of the most famously described and mythologized accounts from Ancient Greek civilization. It was the passion-fuelled war waged by the Greek States against Troy, which has captivated our imagination for millennia and inspired multiple Hollywood portrayals. But what exactly do we know about The Trojan War? And what can a war from so many years ago teach us about some of the war...

In the United States, the term 'originalists' refers to those who believe that the US constitution should be interpreted today with the same conviction as it was followed when written hundreds of years ago. But how can the ideas and laws from over 200 years ago possibly just simply be accepted today, when we live in a totally different world? So what exactly is originalism? And how has it affected...

For centuries, the terms male and female have essentially been synonymous with man and woman. But for many, this is perhaps a misconception - the idea that one's biological sex they are born with portends a certain gender. In this episode, we explore the role of puberty blockers in children and adolescents who are contemplating transitioning. Is there a 'right' time for someone to begin transition...

We all search for meaning in this world. But as we each embark on our own journey, there are many preconceptions that exist about what that quest 'should' entail. Has the self-help movement veered from its initial goals? Do we tend to put too much faith into supposed 'enlightened' gurus? Lifelong seeker and internationally-renowned author Dan Millman joins the podcast to share some of his insights...

When we contemplate the word ‘career’, it’s natural to think of one singular profession that someone pursues via education and then remains in for a long period of time. When you think of a doctor or an accountant, you usually think of them practicing that profession for decades, the majority if not all of their work years. In the ‘corporate world’, job changes are perhaps more common, but it some...

Zale is joined by his first ever guest from episode one, his mother Robin. On the first episode of this series, Robin discussed the idea of jumping into the unknown and embracing the twists and turns that life has to offer. In this episode, she shares one of her biggest "jump in" experiences, when she founded the charitable organization Pencils for Kids. Pencils for Kids provides education, traini...

Aside from sex being the main method of procreation, it is one of humankind’s greatest pleasures, to which most of us subscribe. But there are indeed people in society who do not partake in sex, or at least with the same regularity as one might expect. There are people who identify as asexual. But what exactly is asexuality? Is it decreased libido? Is it rooted in different physiological urges, or...

When you hear the word ‘hypnosis’, you might think of a swinging pendulum, or envision someone on a stage, showcasing a rare skill to a captivated audience. What you probably don’t think of – is hypnosis being used in a medical setting, by physicians. Stanford Professor Dr. David Spiegel joins the podcast to discuss how he has incorporated self-hypnosis into his medical practice. Check out the REV...

There are many people who exist on the shorter end of the height spectrum. For some people, it might be not the biggest deal – but for others, it might significantly impact their lives. But what if there were a way to change your height … to go from shorter to taller? Enter the surgery known as leg lengthening, a procedure designed to help people get taller. Actor Rich Rotella joins the podcast to...

When our history books speak of North American history, it can almost read as if Canada and the United States did not exist until the Europeans settled the lands, while in reality, these lands were populated by indigenous peoples for centuries prior. With the arrival of the Europeans, there were tragic economic implications, massive losses of land and rapid spread of disease that had devastating e...