A Song Called Life

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...

In Episode #188, sociologist Dr. Dinur Blum joins Osi to delve into the social causes behind mass shootings. They discuss the complex role of mental health in these incidents and examine the difficulties in identifying and providing treatment for potential perpetrators. Dr. Blum also sheds light on how America’s distinctive gun culture and the ease of access to firearms contribute to the frequency...

In Episode #187, philosopher Dr. Holly Lawford-Smith joins Osi to discuss her book Is It Wrong to Buy Sex? (Little Debates about Big Questions) . They explore whether purchasing sex is inherently wrong, examining the ethical frameworks that shape differing views on the subject. The discussion also addresses the societal impact of legalizing or prohibiting sex work, weighing how each approach influ...

In Episode #186, geologist Dr. Paul Bierman joins Osi to discuss his groundbreaking research on Greenland's ice sheet, featured in his new book, When the Ice Is Gone: What a Greenland Ice Core Reveals about Earth's Tumultuous History and Perilous Future . They explore the historical significance of Greenland’s ice sheet melting naturally in the distant past, challenging long-held beliefs about its...

In Episode #185, sociologist Dr. Joanna Kempner joins Osi to discuss her groundbreaking book Psychedelic Outlaws: The Movement Revolutionizing Modern Medicine . They explore the use of psilocybin mushrooms as a treatment for severe headaches, examining what this breakthrough means for the future of psychedelic medicine. The conversation covers the regulatory challenges that drive patients to creat...

In Episode #184, philosopher Dr. Nick Bostrom joins Osi to explore his latest book Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World . Together, they delve into thought-provoking questions about the future of humanity. What new sources of meaning and fulfillment could arise in a world where human labor is no longer necessary? How might superintelligence reshape our self-perception and sense of ident...

In Episode #183, psychologist Dr. Wendy Grolnick, author of Motivation Myth Busters , joins Osi to discuss the psychology of motivation. They explore common but inaccurate beliefs about motivation, why these myths persist, and how motivation is shaped by interests and environment—not just personality. Wendy also dispels the misconception that competition always enhances motivation, offering insigh...

In Episode #182, historian Dr. Richard Overy sits down with Osi to explore why war has been such a consistent presence throughout human history. They discuss the role of innate psychological drives in fueling conflict, the influence of power struggles among leaders on major wars, and the evolution of warfare from ancient times to today's global conflicts, including the ongoing situations in Ukrain...

In Episode #181, science writer Amorina Kingdon joins Osi to discuss the crucial role of sound in underwater animal communication, highlighting how marine species use it for survival and interaction. They also explore the disruptive effects of human activities, such as shipping and sonar, on marine soundscapes and their impact on ocean life. The conversation draws on insights from Kingdon's book,...

In Episode #180, author Michael Finkel joins Osi to discuss his captivating book, The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession. They explore the extraordinary life of Stéphane Bréitwieser, the most prolific art thief in history, who executed more than 200 daring heists. Michael Finkel is a journalist and memoirist, who has written the books  True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea...

In Episode #179, author and podcast host Nicola Twilley joins Osi to explore her book Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves . They discuss how refrigeration revolutionized global food systems and reshaped dietary habits, the pivotal role it plays in international trade and culinary traditions, and its complex contribution to climate change and sustainability chal...

In Episode #178, author Andrea Freeman joins Osi to discuss her book Ruin Their Crops on the Ground: The Politics of Food in the United States, from the Trail of Tears to School Lunch . They examine how U.S. food laws and policies have perpetuated racial and social inequalities from the colonial era to the present, and how the government and food industries have collaborated to maintain these disp...

In Episode #177, philosopher Todd May joins Osi to discuss his thought-provoking book Should We Go Extinct?: A Philosophical Dilemma for Our Unbearable Times . Together, they grapple with the profound question, "Should humanity face extinction?" and examine the far-reaching implications of this dilemma. The conversation delves into the immense suffering humans inflict on nature and the n...

In Episode #176, Brea joins Osi to discuss her book Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership. They discuss the profound impact of land theft and violent displacement on racial wealth gaps, how these injustices have shaped Black communities across generations, and more. Brea Baker is a freedom fighter and writer (in that order) who has been working...

What happens to our data after we die? In Episode #175, Carl Öhman joins Osi to explore his book The Afterlife of Data: What Happens to Your Information When You Die and Why You Should Care. Together, they discuss the implications of our digital identities persisting beyond death, who should have control over our digital remnants, and the profound impact these digital legacies can have on the live...

Andrea de Lancellotti is an entrepreneur, interior designer, and real estate agent based in Santa Monica, California. As the founder and owner of Ardor Home Lifestyle and Design, a thriving women-owned interior design firm, Andrea has built a reputation for delivering exceptional design services with a strategic, ROI-based focus. Her firm specializes in real estate, staging, and custom furniture d...

In Episode #173, Hyeseung Song joins Osi to discuss her memoir, Docile: Memoirs of a Not-So-Perfect Asian Girl . They explore the challenges of balancing cultural identity with the pressure to assimilate into American society, the complexities of relationships within immigrant families—especially between ambitious parents and their children—and how the model minority stereotype affects Asian Ameri...