Thecuriousmanspodcast

What if honesty — one of our most basic values — is quietly eroding all around us? In this episode, I'm joined by ethics professor and author Christian B. Miller to discuss his book The Honesty Crisis: Preserving Our Most Treasured Virtue in an Increasingly Dishonest World . From deepfakes and AI-assisted cheating to misinformation and everyday deception, we're living in a time where truth can fee...

What happens when economic power, political influence, and public frustration collide? In this episode, I'm joined by acclaimed sociologist and author Charles Derber to discuss his book Fighting Oligarchy: How Positive Populism Can Reclaim America . Derber argues that America is facing a growing crisis of concentrated power — and that the answer may lie in building a broad, democratic populist mov...

When we think about the American Revolution, names like Washington and Lafayette often take center stage—but what if one of the most critical players in the final victory has been largely overlooked? Today's guest is historian and author James Giesler , who brings to light a fascinating and underappreciated story in his book, Francisco De Saavedra's American Revolutionary War: The Spanish Contribu...

Why do certain stories stay with us long after we've finished reading them? In this episode, I'm joined by author and literary scholar Caroline Bicks , the inaugural Stephen E. King Chair in Literature at the University of Maine , to discuss her fascinating new book, Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King . As the first scholar granted extended access to Stephen King 's privat...

Few figures loom larger in American history than George Washington — but how well do we really know the man behind the legend? In this episode, I'm joined by Pulitzer Prize finalist and bestselling historian H. W. Brands to discuss his new biography, American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington . This is Brands' first major presidential biography since Reagan: The Life , and here he turns his...

Sometimes, the most powerful acts of courage come from the youngest voices. In this episode, I'm joined by author María Dolores Águila to discuss her middle grade novel in verse, A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez . Inspired by the real-life Lemon Grove Incident , the book tells the story of a young boy who finds the courage to stand up against injustice — and the community that...

In this episode, I'm joined by author Alexa Morris to discuss the powerful memoir The Courtyard , co-written with her father-in-law, Benjamin Parket . Set during the Nazi occupation of Paris , the book tells the extraordinary true story of how a group of neighbors came together to hide Benjamin and his family for two years — risking everything in an act of quiet, collective courage. This is a conv...

What if the nation-state — the system that has shaped global politics for centuries — is no longer the dominant force in our world? In this episode, I'm joined by internationally acclaimed novelist and essayist Rana Dasgupta , winner of the Windham-Campbell Prize , to discuss his ambitious and thought-provoking book, After Nations: The Making and Unmaking of a World Order . We explore how globaliz...

What if the most powerful way to fight cancer… isn't treatment — but prevention? In this episode, I'm joined by physician and medical researcher Adam Barsouk to discuss his book Outsmarting Cancer: Risk Reduction and the Power of Prevention . Rather than focusing only on cures, Dr. Barsouk takes a broader view — exploring the many factors that contribute to cancer risk, from biology and environmen...

What happens when ambition meets deception… inside one of the most elite institutions in the world? In this episode, I'm joined by author J. R. Thornton to discuss his literary thriller Lucien . Set against the backdrop of Harvard University , the novel follows a gifted artist on a full scholarship who becomes entangled with a wealthy, enigmatic roommate — a relationship that spirals into manipula...

Why does it feel like Congress can't get anything done — even when the stakes are so high? In this episode, I'm joined by political scientist and senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice , Maya L. Kornberg , to discuss her book Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress . Drawing on congressional records and interviews with lawmakers, Maya reveals a system under strain...

What does it mean to create something by hand in a world that's increasingly digital? In this episode, I'm joined by visual artist and educator Robynn Smith , Professor Emeritus at Monterey Peninsula College and founder of Print Day in May . Robynn has spent decades teaching, creating, and building community through printmaking — a medium that blends craft, experimentation, and collaboration. Thro...

History is often told through battles, dates, and strategy — but sometimes, the most powerful stories are found in something far more personal… letters . In this episode, I'm joined by author Jan Cress Dondi to discuss her deeply moving book, The Navigator's Letter: The True Story of Two WWII Airmen, a Doomed Mission, and the Woman Who Bound Them Together . Set against the backdrop of World War II...

What happens when history, danger, and the open sea collide? In this episode, I'm joined by career merchant mariner and award-winning writer Bill C. Wilson to discuss his debut novel, Course Over Ground . Set during the height of the American Civil War , the story unfolds in Mobile, Alabama , where Mobile Bay became a critical hub for blockade running and smuggling. Drawing from his real-life mari...

What if the way we think about the Earth is part of the problem? In this episode, I'm joined by award-winning Dene activist and writer Katłı̨̀ą to discuss her powerful book Mother Earth Is Our Elder: A Northern Indigenous Perspective on the Climate Crisis . Drawing from Indigenous knowledge and lived experience, Katłı̨̀ą challenges modern perspectives on the environment — inviting us to see the Ea...

What does it mean to deliver the news… when you're living through history in real time? In this episode, I'm joined by groundbreaking journalist and former ABC News and CNN anchor Carol Lin , whose voice helped guide millions through some of the most defining moments of the 21st century — including her historic live coverage during the September 11 attacks . In her memoir, When News Breaks: A Memo...

History isn't just found in textbooks — sometimes, it's written in stone. In this episode, I'm joined by author and historian Joe Lex to discuss his book All Bones Considered: 52 Laurel Hill Women . Set in the historic Laurel Hill Cemetery , the book brings to life the stories of 52 remarkable women whose lives helped shape Philadelphia — and in many cases, the nation itself. From reformers and pi...

What if your memory, focus, and problem-solving skills weren't fixed traits… but abilities you could train like a muscle ? In this episode, I'm joined by six-time U.S. Memory Champion and two-time Guinness World Record holder Nelson Dellis , author of Everyday Genius: Hacks to Boost Your Memory, Focus, Problem-Solving, and Much More . Nelson has dedicated his life to mastering memory — not just as...

In this episode, I'm joined by wellness advocate, nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, and author Deena Morris to discuss her book Lessons From the Future: STORM the Empowered Empath . Drawing from her experience in special education, communication, and emotional insight, Deena explores what it means to be an empath in today's world — and how to transform overwhelm into empower...

In this episode, I'm joined by lifelong mountaineer, cross-country skier, and author Tom French to discuss his memoir, The Gap Years: Climbing, Skiing, and the Journey Back . A senior partner emeritus of McKinsey & Company , Tom has spent decades operating at the highest levels of business leadership — while also pursuing a deep connection to the outdoors. In this book, he reflects on a profound p...

In this episode, I'm joined by medieval historian Peter Jones , author of Self-Help from the Middle Ages: What the Seven Deadly Sins Can Teach Us About Living . We explore how medieval thinkers used the idea of the Seven Deadly Sins not just as religious warnings, but as a surprisingly practical guide to understanding human habits, desires, and flaws. From pride and envy to greed and sloth, these...

In this episode I speak with lead singer, guitarist, writer and producer of The Quarantined. A former Army Airborne Infantryman who served in Iraq, Sean now channels his experiences into raw, unfiltered music that confronts mental health, identity and purpose head-on. We discuss transitioning from the service to civilian life, the lack of facilities for service members and what got Sean through hi...

In this episode, I talk with Kory Stamper , author of True Color: The Strange and Spectacular Quest to Define Color—from Azure to Zine Pink . We explore the strange, funny, and complex history of color — from dictionary definitions and scientific standards to branding, fashion, art, and human perception. Why do color names change? Who decides what a color "really" is? And why is it so hard to pin...

French cuisine is often seen as timeless, elegant, and untouchable—but what if its rise was anything but inevitable? My guest is  Luke Barr , a James Beard Foundation Book Award nominee and acclaimed writer whose work has appeared in Travel + Leisure , Food & Wine , GQ , and more. In his fascinating book, The Secret History of French Cooking , Barr uncovers the dramatic, messy, and often political...

In this episode, I speak with Gil Bashe , author of Healing the Sick Care System , about the urgent need to transform healthcare. From his early experience as a combat medic to his leadership in health communications, Gil shares a powerful perspective on why the system is broken — and what it will take to fix it. We explore prevention, patient empowerment, trust, innovation, and the human side of...