Chasing Leviathan

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Jin Park explore the idea of marginality and why it matters for understanding power, identity, and social change. Their conversation is grounded in Dr. Park’s book, Marginality: Solidarity, and the Fight for Social Change , which brings together philosophy, Buddhist thought, ethics, and lived experience to examine how societies organize themselves a...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan , PJ and Dr. Harris Bechtol discuss the death of the other—and why Western philosophy has largely failed to take it seriously. Drawing from Bechtol’s book A Death of the World: Surviving the Death of the Other , the conversation explores how grief, mourning, and loss are not merely private emotions but world-altering events that rupture time, memory, and meanin...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ talks with Dr. Jens Zimmermann about Christian humanism and what it means to understand humanity through Christ. Their conversation explores the dualism that often divides faith and reason, how Neoplatonism shaped Christian thought, and why Bonhoeffer saw the incarnation as the key to recovering a truly human life. Zimmermann examines the limits of modern s...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, host PJ Wehry sits down with Rev. Andrea Ferrari—Reformed pastor, theologian, and author of The Fall and Redemption of Conscience: A Reformed Biblical Theology —to explore one of the most neglected yet foundational topics in Christian thought: the nature of the human conscience. From John Calvin’s sensus divinitatis to Thomas Aquinas’ intellectual approach to...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Lambert Zuidervaart discuss his book, Adorno, Heidegger, and the Politics of Truth, tracing how his decades of work on Adorno led to a deep exploration of truth, art, and society. Dr. Zuidervaart explains why Adorno believed art reveals forms of truth that science and philosophy often miss—and how these insights expose what is “untrue” in modern cap...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ Wehry sits down with Dr. David Bather Woods to explore the remarkable life behind one of history’s most influential—and misunderstood—thinkers: Arthur Schopenhauer. Drawing from his new book, Arthur Schopenhauer: The Life and Thought of Philosophy’s Greatest Pessimist, Dr. Bather Woods reveals how Schopenhauer’s turbulent biography shaped his philosophy, wh...

Can knowing ever be neutral, or are we always shaped by history and culture? PJ and Dr. Carolyn Culbertson explore how Hans-Georg Gadamer’s hermeneutics challenges both Enlightenment objectivity and postmodern relativism, showing that understanding itself is an event of truth. Their discussion weaves through Gadamer’s critique of neutrality, the fusion of horizons, and the relevance of feminist an...

In this episode, PJ sits down with Dr. Rebecca Tukachinsky-Forster to explore parasocial relationships—the one-sided connections people form with media figures. They discuss how these relationships have evolved since the 1950s, their role in emotional support, and how social media has reshaped the way we connect with content creators. Learn about common misconceptions, the benefits and dangers of...

In this episode, Dr. Matthew LaPine joins PJ to discuss The Logic of the Body: Retrieving Theological Psychology —a groundbreaking exploration of how theology and psychology intersect. Drawing from his own experiences with mental health, Dr. LaPine examines how emotions, embodiment, and reason work together in shaping our spiritual lives. He unpacks the historical divide between theology and psych...

In this episode, Dr. Jarvis McInnis, author of Afterlives of the Plantation, joins PJ to explore the deep cultural, intellectual, and historical legacy of Black life in the American South. Focusing on the Tuskegee Institute and the complex legacy of Booker T. Washington, McInnis reveals how Black communities transformed the plantation’s afterlives into spaces of creativity, education, and empowerm...

Join us as Dr. Roosevelt Montás, author of Rescuing Socrates, explores the transformative power of a liberal education. In this conversation, Montás critiques the current state of American higher education and advocates for a holistic approach that fosters self-reflection, empathy, civic engagement, and character development. He shares insights from his personal journey, highlighting how great lit...

In this episode, Ray Madoff, author of The Second Estate, breaks down how the U.S. tax code has enabled the wealthiest Americans to avoid paying their fair share, creating a modern aristocracy. She explains why understanding taxes is essential for every citizen and highlights the strategies the wealthy use to minimize their tax burden.  The conversation explores the role of inheritance, the shortc...

What makes music more than sound? Glenn McDonald, data engineer, author of You Have Not Yet Heard Your Favorite Song , and former Spotify “genre taxonomist,” joins host PJ Wehry to explore the transformative power of music. From shaping Spotify’s genre mapping system to creating the interactive discovery project Every Noise at Once, Glenn reveals how algorithms, data, and human curiosity come toge...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ sits down with Dr. Roger Chickering, Professor Emeritus of History at Georgetown University and author of The German Empire, 1871–1918. Together they unpack the rise of modern Germany, the role of Bismarck and Wilhelm II, and how debates around the Sonderweg thesis shape our understanding of the First World War and the path to WWII. Dr. Chickering explores...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Alexander Rosenthal-Pubul discuss his book 'Crown under Law: Richard Hooker, John Locke, and the Ascent of Modern Constitutionalism.' Dr. Rosenthal-Pubul contrasts Hooker's views with those of Hobbes, delves into the historical context of Elizabethan England, and examines how Hooker's ideas influenced Locke's political philosophy. The discussion hig...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Santiago Zabala discuss his book, 'Signs from the Future: A Philosophy of Warnings.' They explore the intriguing concept of warnings as philosophical tools, discussing how they address the absence of emergencies and the role of philosophy in society. The conversation touches on the importance of listening and interpretation in tackling global challe...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Christopher F. Jones discuss his book, 'The Invention of Infinite Growth,' exploring the historical and intellectual evolution of economic growth theories. Dr. Jones highlights the tension between economists and environmentalists, the historical context of growth, and the implications of our current obsession with growth. Dr. Jones argues for a reth...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Nicolas Cornell discuss his book 'Wrongs and Rights Come Apart,' exploring the complex relationship between rights and wrongs in moral philosophy. Dr. Cornell delves into real-life and literary examples to illustrate how rights and wrongs can diverge, emphasizing the importance of understanding these concepts in a nuanced way. The discussion also to...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Michael B. Gill discuss his book on Shaftesbury's philosophy of beauty, exploring the historical context, the artistic nature of Shaftesbury's writing, and his influence on moral philosophy. The discussion delves into the concepts of integrity, human motivation, and the importance of positivity in philosophy. Dr. Gill also contrasts Shaftesbury's vi...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Graham McAleer discuss his book Security Ethics: Commerce and Crime in a Polycentric World, which explores the complex interplay between organized crime, business ethics, and philosophical perspectives on security. Dr. McAleer emphasizes the often-overlooked role of non-state actors in maintaining order and the ethical dilemmas posed by the intersec...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Eric Nelson discuss his book 'Heidegger and Dao,' exploring the intersections between Heidegger's philosophy and Daoist thought. Dr. Nelson emphasizes the importance of charitable reading and intercultural hermeneutics, critiques the influence of technology on philosophical discourse, and highlights new documentation that reveals Heidegger's deeper...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Linda Zagzebski discuss her book "Omnisubjectivity: An Essay on God and Subjectivity." Together they explore the concept of divine knowledge and its implications for understanding God. Dr. Zagzebski introduces the idea of omnisubjectivity, which posits that for God to be truly omniscient, He must have a complete grasp of the conscious states of all...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Mark Usher discuss his book 'Following Nature's Lead,' and explore the intrinsic connection between humanity and nature. Together they explore the importance of living in harmony with the environment, the false dualism that separates humans from nature, and the need to respect natural limits. Dr. Usher draws on classical literature and indigenous wi...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Nathaniel Adishian discuss his book 'Josef Pieper on the Spiritual Life.' Together they discuss Pieper's accessible writing style, his engagement with philosophical and theological concepts, and his influence on understanding the relationship between leisure, labor, and virtues. The conversation also touches on the role of universities, the shift in...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek discuss her book 'Loving to Know' and her concept of Covenant Epistemology. They explore the nature of knowing, the importance of philosophy in everyday life, and the journey of understanding through half understanding and discovery. Dr. Meek emphasizes the need for philosophy to engage with the ordinary world and discusses the...