A Song Called Life

In Episode #247, historian Sophia Rosenfeld sits down with Osi to dig into one big question: Does having more choices really make us freer? They discuss how modern society’s obsession with choice can backfire, leading to decision fatigue, anxiety, and second-guessing. From politics to everyday life, this conversation unpacks the hidden costs of “more options” and what true freedom might really mea...

In Episode #246, whistleblower Reality Winner joins Osi to talk about her decision to leak a classified NSA document on Russian election interference. She reflects on the consequences of her actions, the prison sentence that followed, why she chose to write her memoir I Am Not Your Enemy , and new details that provide deeper context on her case and its lasting impact. Reality Leigh Winner is a for...

In Episode #245, author and journalist Paul Vigna joins Osi to explore the world’s most widely practiced religion: Money. If money is not truly “real” but only functions because we believe in it, why have we allowed it to govern nearly every aspect of our lives? What happens when that belief falters and trust in the system breaks down? And why did ancient societies embrace debt forgiveness through...

In Episode #244, author and journalist Tom Zeller Jr. joins Osi to shine a light on one of the most overlooked medical conditions: headaches. For many people, headaches are an occasional nuisance, but for others, migraines and cluster headaches can be utterly debilitating. Perhaps most frustrating of all, the medical community still struggles to provide real answers for those who suffer. Tom share...

In Episode #243, law professor Joan C. Williams joins Osi to discuss how the widening gap between college graduates and non-college grads is reshaping American politics, and threatening democracy itself. How did the Democratic Party go from championing the working class to being seen as out-of-touch elites? And why has the right been so successful at tapping into the frustrations of working-class...

In Episode #242, Damizza joins Osi to unpack the ongoing fallout from the Epstein files scandal. There’s a growing hunger among Americans to uncover how the rich and powerful operate behind closed doors, and to hold them accountable when wrongdoing surfaces. In an age where major news stories are often buried under the weight of a relentless 24-hour cycle, the Epstein saga has proven unusually per...

In Episode #241, writer, podcast host, and author Chad Sanders joins Osi to discuss what it takes to break into the entertainment industry in 2025, especially for young artists. They also discuss AI and how it's reshaping the creative landscape, what the future of opportunity might look like in the next 5 to 10 years, and how emerging technologies are transforming the artistic process. Chad Sa...

In Episode #240, Mark Lynas joins Osi to confront one of the most urgent and underdiscussed threats facing humanity today: nuclear war. They discuss why nuclear war poses a far more immediate danger than climate change, the troubling lack of public awareness and political will, and consider what actions can still be taken to pull us back from the brink. Six Minutes To Winter - Bloomsbury.com/us/si...

In Episode #239, historian and human rights lawyer Steve Swerdlow returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the Russia and Ukraine conflict, viewed through the lens of the rising "America First" movement. What role should the United States play on the global stage when it comes to foreign aid and intervention? Is America truly stronger when it focuses inward? Are American...

In Episode #238, comedian and political commentator Davidson Boswell returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Who is Zohran Mamdani, and why does his political ascent matter not just for New Yorkers, but for the nation at large? Why do so many U.S. politicians appear to have an unrelenting appetite for war? And in a time overshadowed by uncertainty, what reasons do we have to hold o...

In Episode #237, award-winning science journalist Chris Berdik joins Osi for a conversation about something we often overlook: noise. They discuss how the sounds that surround us every day, even the ones we barely notice, can disrupt sleep, increase stress, affect heart health, and slow childhood development. They also discuss how noise is transforming ecosystems, from busy city streets to the dep...

In Episode #236, historian Ian Kumekawa joins Osi to trace the hidden history of globalization through an unlikely protagonist: a barge. In his book Empty Vessel , Ian follows a single ship as it morphs from a barracks in the Falklands to a floating jail in New York to worker housing in Germany, changing names and nations with each new economic demand. The ship becomes a powerful symbol of a world...

In Episode #235, journalist and professor Alan Weisman sits down with Osi to talk about why it’s still worth holding on to hope even when the future feels uncertain. They cover issues like mass extinction, climate change, and food insecurity, and take a look at how the oil industry is fueling the crisis. But through it all, they arriive at one central question: Can we innovate our way out of these...

Vauhini Vara began her journalism career as a technology reporter at The Wall Street Journal before helping to launch and lead the business section of The New Yorker ’s website, where she served as editor and writer. Her work has since appeared in The New York Times Magazine , The Atlantic , Businessweek (where she is a contributing writer), and other major publications. Her journalism has receive...

With over 15 years of experience, Hannah Selinger is an accomplished writer whose work spans a wide range of subjects, including food, wine, travel, politics, lifestyle, real estate, and parenting. Her debut memoir, Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly (Little, Brown, 2025), has been praised by The New York Times as “a mix of Joris-Karl Huysmans, M.F.K. Fisher, and Regina George ... a...

Daryl Fairweather is chief economist at Redfin, where she analyzes US housing markets and consumer behavior, and a member of the academic advisory council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. A former senior economist at Amazon, she is a regular contributor to  Forbes , and she has been featured in  60 Minutes, Today,  the  New York Times,  and  Bloomberg , among other outlets.

In Episode #231, philosopher and animal rights activist Dr. Jeff Sebo joins Osi to discuss why we need to expand our moral circle. Are humans truly more important than all other beings? Who deserves moral consideration—and what qualifies a being to "matter"? Jeff and Osi dig into these questions and challenge the way we think about ethics, responsibility, and the future. Jeff Sebo works...

In Episode #230, social psychologist Dr. Kurt Gray joins Osi to unpack the deep divide between liberals and conservatives, and why we so often feel outraged by those who see the world differently. They discuss how our biggest conflicts, whether political, personal, or cultural, stem from one simple question: who do we believe is being harmed? A social psychologist and an award-winning researcher a...

In Episode #229, Dr. Bill von Hippel joins Osi to tackle a big question: Why do so many of us feel unhappy or unfulfilled, even while living in comfort with more freedom, choice, and opportunity than ever before? They discuss the deep evolutionary forces that shape who we are—and how understanding those forces can help us push back against the emptiness and isolation that often come with modern li...

In Episode #228, Dr. Adam Ratner joins Osi to talk about vaccine hesitancy—especially around measles—and how it connects to the recent rise in measles cases in Texas. They dig into the history of measles and how it was once eliminated in the US, why some parents today are choosing not to vaccinate their kids, and the deeper mistrust many Americans feel toward the healthcare system. Adam Ratner is...

In Episode #227, author Mike Pepi joins Osi to talk about the idea that technology is neutral—and why that’s a myth. They dig into the cycle of creating new technologies to solve problems caused by earlier ones, the hidden beliefs built into the platforms we use every day, and how those platforms shape the way we think, act, and connect with others. Mike Pepi writes about art, culture, and technol...

In Episode #226, podcaster and comedian Eddie McGee joins Osi for a wide-ranging conversation covering AI and the potential necessity of Universal Basic Income as millions of jobs face disruption, the recent DEI purge aimed at erasing Black history, the rising cost of living, and more. Comedian and trucker Eddie McGee cohosts A Trucker's Mind Podcast , a show exploring current events and general t...

In Episode #225, humanist and Tech Agnostic author Greg Epstein joins Osi to talk about how we can stay thoughtful and ask the right questions in a world that’s being rapidly shaped by technology. They discuss what it means to think for ourselves instead of blindly trusting every new innovation—asking who really benefits from our faith in tech, how we can hold the industry responsible for its impa...

In Episode #224, writer Adam Chandler joins Osi to dive into some of the most debated questions in American life: Is the belief that "hard work leads to success" a myth? Is success something we earn—or something we’re given? Drawing from his book 99% Perspiration , Adam takes a compelling look at how America’s obsession with hard work is unraveling in the face of growing inequality and e...

In Episode #223, author and Wall Street Journal reporter Mike Colias joins Osi to break down the huge changes happening in the car industry as it shifts from gas-powered engines to electric vehicles (EVs). The question isn’t whether EVs are coming—they’re already here. But how this transition plays out is the real story. They discuss the intense competition among car companies as they race to keep...