A Song Called Life

In Episode #213, author and journalist Gwendolyn Bounds joins Osi to explore the art of reinvention, overcoming personal limits, and navigating the challenges along the way. In her book Not Too Late , Gwendolyn recounts her transformative journey from a sedentary office executive to a medal-winning obstacle course racer. She intertwines her own story of conquering physical and mental hurdles with...

In Episode #212, author and public policy advocate Ryan Hampton joins Osi to discuss the policy failures and systemic biases that have fueled the fentanyl crisis, as well as the broader consequences of America's failed War on Drugs. A prominent advocate, speaker, author, and media commentator, Ryan Hampton travels coast-to-coast to add solutions to our national addiction and drug overdose crisis....

In Episode #211, author and public health researcher Sara Gorman joins Osi to explore the growing mistrust in the American healthcare system. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated skepticism toward institutions, the widespread disdain for the pharmaceutical industry, and more. Sara E. Gorman, PhD, MPH, is a public health and behavioral science expert and has written extensively ab...

In Episode #210, sociologist Sarita Srivastava joins Osi to examine the persistent failure of diversity training and anti-racism efforts in corporations, schools, and nonprofit organizations. They discuss the need to move beyond superficial therapeutic and educational exercises, advocating instead for tangible actions that promote genuine racial equity throughout society. Dr. Sarita Srivastava is...

In Episode #209, astrophysicist Avi Loeb joins Osi to explore the possibility of extraterrestrial life in our universe and the profound implications its discovery could have for humanity. ABRAHAM (AVI) LOEB is the Frank B. Baird, Jr., Professor of Science at Harvard University, chair of Harvard’s Department of Astronomy, founding director of Harvard’s Black Hole Initiative, and director of the Ins...

In Episode #208, journalist and cultural critic Kyle Chayka joins Osi to explore how algorithms have quietly permeated every aspect of our lives—shaping the media we consume and the environments we navigate. Additionally, they discuss how these digital forces curate our experiences for effortless consumption, dampening creativity and raising pressing concerns about the erosion of free will. Kyle C...

In Episode #207, technology author and journalist Kashmir Hill joins Osi to explore the rise of Clearview AI, a facial recognition app capable of identifying individuals from a single photo by harvesting billions of online images. They discuss the rapid adoption of this technology by law enforcement and private entities, highlighting the significant privacy and surveillance risks it poses if left...

In Episode #206, author James Muldoon joins Osi to expose the hidden, exploitative labor force behind artificial intelligence. They discuss the precarious conditions faced by data annotators, content moderators, and other workers whose low-paying and dangerous jobs drive the development of A.I. James Muldoon is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Management at the Essex Business School, a Research A...

In Episode #205, author Stephanie Baker joins Osi to explore the world of cults, from doomsday groups to self-help trends and celebrity followings. They discuss why these groups form, how they function, and why they are so pervasive in our interconnected world. Dr Stephanie Alice Baker currently serves as Deputy Head of the Department of Sociology and Criminology at City, University of London. Dr...

In Episode #204, philosopher Hanno Sauer joins Osi to explore how our sense of right and wrong has evolved over millions of years. They discuss how shared moral principles have fostered human cooperation, driven societal progress, and share their thought's on today's moral landscape. Hanno Sauer teaches ethics, metaethics, and political philosophy at Utrecht University and is a member of the Ethic...

In Episode #203, author Brian Reisinger joins Osi to uncover the hidden history behind a looming economic and cultural crisis: the vanishing of the American farmer and its growing threat to our food supply. Brian Reisinger is an award-winning writer and rural policy expert who grew up on a family farm in Sauk County, Wisconsin. Reisinger worked with his father from the time he could walk, before e...

In Episode #202, journalist and author Atossa Abrahamian joins Osi to discuss the questionable tactics employed by the wealthy and corporations to accumulate and shield their wealth. In her latest book, The Hidden Globe: How Wealth Hacks the World, Atossa unveils a countergeography of extraterritorial zones—from free trade zones to offshore detention centers—that operate beyond national sovereignt...

In Episode #201, computer scientist Arvind Narayanan joins Osi to discuss the myths and realities of AI, highlighting its limitations, potential harms, and the dangers of unchecked big tech influence. Arvind Narayanan is a computer scientist and professor at Princeton University, renowned for his pioneering research on the de-anonymization of data. He is the co-author of the book AI Snake Oil: Wha...

In Episode #200, anthropologist Harvey Whitehouse sits down with Osi to discuss how humanity's evolved psychological biases—conformism, religiosity, and tribalism—have shaped our history, driven monumental achievements, and now imperil our future, while offering insights for addressing today’s global crises. Harvey Whitehouse holds a statutory Chair in Social Anthropology at the University of Oxfo...

In Episode #199, philosopher Eric Schwitzgebel joins Osi to explore the bizarre nature of our existence. Are we living in a simulated reality, or is our universe just a pocket within a vast, unknown structure? Is consciousness entirely physical, or does it involve something nonphysical? And why might some of the most fundamental questions about the mind and the cosmos be beyond human understanding...

In Episode #198, economist and author Alex Edmans joins Osi to explore how our biases lead us to fall for misinformation—and how we can fight back. They delve into how misinformation is deliberately crafted to manipulate emotions and exploit our biases, as well as the role of algorithms and echo chambers in amplifying false narratives. Additionally, they examine the critical distinctions between d...

Originally from Michigan, Nick is currently pursuing a career as a Director of Photography (DoP) in the narrative film industry in Los Angeles. With a lifelong passion for cinema since childhood. Movies provided an escape during storytelling, Nick has been captivated by the power of difficult times, offering adventures that were hard to leave behind. As a young creative, Nick began reenacting film...

In Episode #196, author and journalist Casey Michel joins Osi to discuss the United States' foreign lobbying industry and its growing threat to democracy. In his latest book, Foreign Agents , Casey conducts a stunning investigation into how these lobbyists have not only entrenched dictatorships and fueled kleptocratic networks, but have also quietly shaped U.S. policy without the public’s knowledg...

In Episode #195, author and historian Timothy Snyder joins Osi to explore the true meaning of living in a free society. They discuss what freedom really is, how it has been misunderstood, and why it is our only hope for survival. In his latest book, On Freedom , Snyder combines insights from philosophers, political dissidents, and contemporary thinkers, alongside his own experiences growing up dur...

In Episode #194, lawyer and anthropologist Petra Molnar joins Osi to explore the legal and ethical issues surrounding border security technology. They discuss the use of "robot dogs," drones, and surveillance towers at the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting the lack of regulation governing their deployment and the resulting human rights concerns. Additionally, they examine how defense contractors an...

In Episode #193, author and investigative reporter Brody Mullins joins Osi to unpack the rise of modern lobbying in American politics. They trace its origins back to the 1970s, a transformative period when power began shifting from elected officials to private power brokers, setting the stage for corporate dominance in political influence. Additionally, they examine how lobbying has evolved from s...

In Episode #192, labor journalist Hamilton Nolan sits down with Osi to dive into his book The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and the Struggle for the Soul of Labor. They discus the American labor movement’s vital role in society and why organized labor is key to addressing inequality. They also discuss the nation’s most anti-union states, examine the tactics used to undermine union influence, and much...

In Episode #191, author and journalist Kurt Wagner joins Osi to discuss his book Battle for the Bird: Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and the $44 Billion Fight for Twitter's Soul . They look into the evolution of Twitter (now X) from its original vision to the more contentious changes introduced under Musk’s leadership. The conversation navigates the complex challenges of managing a global social network,...

In Episode #190, author and journalist Sarah McCammon joins Osi to discuss her book The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church. They dive into Sarah’s experiences growing up in a strict religious environment, examining how this upbringing led her to grapple with internal conflicts and ultimately reevaluate her beliefs. They also explore the psychological and emotio...

Lisa Callahan and Kari Morin are the hosts of The Things We Know podcast, where they share real, relatable advice for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond. As professional coaches, both married for over 25 years and mothers, Lisa and Kari bring their candid insights and years of life experience to help listeners find direction, connection, and purpose. With six dogs, two husbands, and at least two...