Sheepland

Why is war so attractive? What drives people to take up arms? And why does violence shape nations, memory, and identity long after the fighting ends? In this conversation, Dr. Hilary Matfess breaks down war and violence through the lenses of status, citizenship, masculinity, power, and human experience. This isn’t a lesson in battles, dusty maps, and old dates. It’s a deeper look at what war means...

Ukraine and Russia have been at war for the past four years, or has it been twelve years? Or has it been longer? Discussing the topic of the Russo-Ukrainian War is Dr. Rachel Epstein, a professor of international relations. During our conversation, Dr. Epstein unfolds why Ukraine’s political direction matters, how the war is viewed around the world, and what shows the conflict may last years inste...

Did the Cold War really end? What does it mean that humanity continues to live under the shadow of nuclear weapons—and is it possible to manage tools capable of our own destruction? This is a long-form interview on nuclear weapons, deterrence, ethics, and international security with Dr. Debak Das, Assistant Professor of Peace and Security. We discuss how nuclear weapons shape global politics, the...

To kickstart this podcast, Lindsey and John introduce themselves and the purpose of the show through a short, reflective conversation. They discuss why difficult global issues — including politics, security, ethics, and human responsibility — deserve long-form, thoughtful discussion. This episode outlines the podcast’s format, approach, and what it means to create a serious, listener-worthy space...