Feeding Curiosity

Today on the podcast, we dive into the intricate world of "Pluribus" – a show that has captured our fascination with its unique blend of science fiction and philosophical exploration. As fans of deep, thought-provoking narratives, we dissect the layers within "Pluribus" to uncover the underlying messages it conveys about individuality, unity, and the human condition. At the hea...

In our latest podcast episode, we embarked on an introspective journey through the complexities of modern societal expectations, focusing on how hustle culture, meaning, and trust interweave into the fabric of our daily lives. Joe and Erich explored these themes through candid dialogue, delving into the effects of extreme productivity demands and how these pressures shape personal identity and soc...

Today on the podcast, we are back with a deep dive into "Everything Everywhere All At Once." This film has captivated audiences with its complex narrative that explores the intricacies of purpose within an infinite array of possibilities. Our discussion aims to unpack the story's thematic layers and understand what resonates so deeply with viewers. In these podcasts, we strive to con...

This episode delves into the timeless story of Frankenstein through the lens of Guillermo del Toro's cinematic adaptation, emphasizing the symbolic and philosophical depth of Mary Shelley's original work. The discussion highlights parallels between Victor Frankenstein's rationalist worldview and contemporary issues surrounding artificial intelligence and technological advancements. The...

Chainsaw Man looks like chaos—but beneath the blood and devils lies a mythic story about fear, control, and the cost of desire. In this episode, we break down the symbolism, archetypes, and psychological journey that turn Chainsaw Man into one of the most compelling modern anime narratives. Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction and Setup 00:17 Diving into Chainsaw Man 02:30 Understanding the Devils 05:35...

In this episode of Feeding Curiosity, the hosts explore the implications of AI technology, discussing concerns about AI replacing human productivity; they debate the potential and limitations of AI tools like ChatGPT. The conversation covers corporate automation, the dangers of over-reliance on AI, and its inability to generate original thought or creativity. They examine how AI's capacity to...

In this episode of Feeding Curiosity, we start the year by exploring Robert Eggers' rendition of Nosferatu. We delve into the film's alchemical symbolism and how it reinvigorates old-school horror storytelling for a metamodern audience. We also break down the film's rich narrative layers, from the intricate character dynamics to the underlying mythological themes. Join us as we discuss...

In this episode of Feeding Curiosity, the hosts discuss topics ranging from personal updates, such as Joe's application to PhD positions, to the significance of interdisciplinary thinking in academia. They delve into the podcast of Andrew Huberman and his father, exploring their differing graduate school experiences. The conversation roams through biopsychology, cognition, awe, and the dynamic nat...

In this episode of Feeding Curiosity, host Erich Wenzel reflects on the journey and insights from training for and completing two marathons. He discusses the challenges and sacrifices involved, including balancing marathon training with a full-time job and transitioning to a new career. Erich emphasizes the importance of building new experiences, pushing personal limits, and the mental and physica...

In this in-depth discussion of Act 3 of Arcane Season 2, the hosts analyze the central theme of transformation for each character, particularly the core 'good' characters who evolve into different versions of themselves. They elaborate on the positive and negative transformations, using characters like Vander and Victor as primary examples. The conversation deepens into the narrative, symbolism, a...

We discuss 'Arcane' in Season 2, Act 2 in this episode. They explore the breathing room provided in this segment, examining Jinx's transformation and symbolic role in the undercity. The discussion covers character arcs, including the intricate relationship between Jinx, Vi, and Isha, with Isha representing Jinx's inner child. Further, they analyze Vander's metamorphosis into Warwick and Victor's r...

In this podcast episode, the hosts return after a hiatus to discuss the highly anticipated second season of 'Arcane.' They explore the show's unique release format while reflecting on its first season. The conversation delves into first impressions of the new episodes, analyzing the animation, plot developments, and thematic elements. Key points include the portrayal of masculine and feminine arch...

Today on the podcast, we are back with a film deep dive discussing Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse! In these podcasts, we try to cover different aspects of the film and story to understand more deeply what worked or didn't from as many angles as possible. This podcast is a bit special for Erich, as Spider-Man has been his favorite super for as long as he can remember. As far as Feeding Curiosi...

Today on the podcast, we are joined by Joe Jackowski. Joe is a Marine Corps veteran and current graduate student at Vanderbilt University in the Cognitive Psychology in Context program. His primary interest is meaning in life, which broadly extends to problems in ethics, A.I., and culture. In this episode, we sit down to discuss his first long-form article on his new sub stack, Apotheosis: A Philo...

"Everybody wants to eat, but Few Will Hunt." Today on the podcast with Joey Bowen and Drew Beech, co-founders of the apparel brand and community Few Will Hunt. Joey and Drew spent their daily commutes through the gritty streets of Philadelphia on the phone for a year straight. On these calls, they talked about business and life — especially the trends of self-entitlement and shortcut-see...

On this podcast episode, Jordan Criss returns for a long-overdue discussion on Life and Fulfillment. We start the conversation with the idea that most people are actively disengaged with what they spend most of their time. From there, we cover imposter syndrome, healthy habits, procrastination, and focusing on what matters most to you regardless of the current outcome. Life is about playing a long...

Coach Karlee is a movement coach who teaches her athletes to move their bodies as nature designed: strong, secure, pain-free, and forward. Utilizing slow-motion video assessment, she can assess, address, and correct pattern errors that are causing pain and/or hindering performance goals. With a background in soccer, endurance running, and strength and conditioning, Karlee takes an intense passion...

Finally, we come to the season finale of The Last of Us, season 1. Since starting our breakdowns, we have been excited about this very conversation. Would viewers of the show be challenged with the ending as much as the game challenged audiences over a decade ago? Would audiences be given enough to connect with to feel for Joel's position in the story? Ultimately, the story of The Last of Us b...

Gina Iaffaldano is a legal operations professional, writer, and everyday athlete. She has recently relocated back to the Chicagoland area. She is working on her first book, Little Gifts, which covers much of her experience with overcoming Guillain-Barré syndrome - a rare autoimmune syndrome that caused her to be neurologically paralyzed. Gina is two years in remission and is in training for her se...

Today's podcast continues our breakdown of The Last of Us on HBO with episodes seven and eight. Episode seven dives into more of Ellie's past and gives the audience a view of what Ellie said when it wasn't the first time she had used a gun. Living in this world is harsh for even the youngest people. There isn't much hope to spare. Picking up with episode 8 drops us right back into...

ZACHARY WAGNER is a writer, researcher, ordained minister––thinker of thoughts and feeler of feelings. Originally from the Chicagoland area, he now lives in Oxford, England, where he is pursuing a DPhil (PhD) in New Testament studies at Keble College, University of Oxford. He also serves as the editorial director of the Center for Pastor Theologians , where he co-hosts the CPT Podcast . His resear...

Today's podcast continues our breakdown of The Last of Us on HBO with episode six. Episode six continues the journey of Ellie and Joel, but they have moved much further west with a time jump of three months. We find them in the snowy mountains as they are nearing where Tommy's last location. Ellie and Joel are stopped on the road by a group of people with horses, but they are not immediate...

James Calmese Jr. Is a WIU graduate who works in financing and in shipping. Being the founder of Good Vibes, M.I. Edition LLC, a live entertainment entity involved in the underground music scene, the early stages of the music business process, and sports is what keeps him going in the day-to-day. His artist has amassed streams of 15,000 or more. Worked behind the scenes as an artist partner to Joe...

Today's podcast continues our breakdown of The Last of Us on HBO with episode five. Episode five continues by giving us the backstory on Sam and Henry shortly after the FEDRA are overthrown in the city. From that, we catch up to the present, where the previous episode left off with Joel and Ellie. From there, we are given more information on Kathleen and the group. Much of our contention in this e...

Matt Vincent is a strength athlete, two-time Highland Games World Champion, and founder of HVIII Brand Goods, now rebranded to Not Dead Yet. Through his travels, Matt was lucky enough to spend time with exceptional people chasing strength, fulfillment, and personal growth in every imaginable way. In Matt's first book, Training Lab, he spelled out the philosophy of "The HVIII," and tried to capture...