PODCAST · science
Converging Dialogues
by Converging Dialogues
Converging Dialogues is a podcast that is designed to have honest and authentic conversations with a diversity of thoughts and opinions. Wide-ranging topics include philosophy, psychology, politics, and social commentary. A spirit of civility, respect, and open-mindedness is the guiding compass. convergingdialogues.substack.com
Episodes
-
#509 - The Life and Reign of Maria Theresa: A Dialogue with Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger about the life and reign of Maria Theresa. They provide an overview of Maria Theresa, her upbringing, arranged marriage, the idea of “gynocracy,” succession, and her reign. They talk about her policies, modern...
-
#508 - The Continuing Crisis of Boyhood: A Dialogue with Leonard Sax
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Leonard Sax about the continued crisis of boyhood. They discuss the current state of boys in education and in the workplace, why girls are doing better in these domains, impact on pair bonding, limited options for boys, why influencing and...
-
#507 - Demagogues and Democracies: A Dialogue with John Keane
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with John Keane about demagogues and despots. They talk about the rise of demagogues in the modern era, why democracies have been infiltrated with demagogues, despots, tools that demagogues use, demagogues in the future, and many more topics. John...
-
#506 - Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: A Dialogue with Robin Waterfield & John Sellars
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Robin Waterfield and John Sellars on their new translation of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. They discuss translating Aristotle’s ethics for a modern audience, Aristotelian Greek vs. other forms of Greek, different works of ethics, Aristotle’s...
-
#505 - The Brain Is Not A Machine: A Dialogue with Romain Brette
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Romain Brette about the brain and various theoretical concepts in neuroscience. They talk about the idea of the brain as a computer, memory and reality, functionalism, connectionism, and computational theory of mind, and the extended mind. They...
-
#504 - Global Perspectives of the American Revolution: A Dialogue with Sarah Pearsall
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Sarah Pearsall about the global perspectives of the American Revolution. They discuss American independence in a global context, freedom, Indigenous nations pushing for revolution, Canada not joining the colonies, Hessians, Six indigenous…
more -
#503 - Gerrymandering: Our Insidious Downfall?: A Dialogue with David Daley
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with David Daley about gerrymandering and political redistricting in the United States. They discuss political redistricting in the modern era, defining redistricting, how states redraw the political map, 2026 midterms, gerrymandering in 2028, 2030...
-
#502 - Freud and the Neuroscience of Mental Healing: A Dialogue with Mark Solms
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Mark Solms on Freud and the curative power of psychoanalysis. They discuss how he edited the complete psychological works of Freud, translation differences, and Lacan on Freud. They talk about how Freud developed his theory, subjective…
more -
#501 - The Origin of Sex: A Dialogue with Lixing Sun
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Lixing Sun about the origins of sex in many species. They discuss the origins of sex, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, and “flip-flopping.” They discuss large and small gametes, varieties of biological sex, Dawkins and the selfish…
more -
#500 - Gerontocracy In America: A Dialogue with Samuel Moyn
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Samuel Moyn about gerontocracy in America. They discuss how we live in a gerontocracy, coalitions, older institutions, avoiding ageism, oligarchies, elites and democracy, long term view, abundance, and many more topics. Samuel Moyn is Chancellor...
-
#499 - Why Nothing Works: A Dialogue with Marc Dunkelman
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Marc Dunkelman about progressives and policy ideas for growth. They discuss shared interests of collective and individual interests, progressives on big ideas, Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian progressive styles, pragmatic institutionalism, new…
more -
#498 - The Invention of Yesterday: A Dialogue with Tamim Ansary
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Tamim Ansary about a global history of humans through time. They discuss the main theme of interconnectedness, language, symbols, and culture, origins and nomadic peoples, early trading, rise of city states, religion and belief systems, the...
-
#497 - The Sleepless Ape: A Dialogue with David Samson
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Davis Samson on the evolution of sleep. They discuss various sleep misconceptions, why we need sleep, stages of sleep, and the physiological and social aspects of sleep. They also talk about the evolution of circadian rhythms, napping,...
-
#496 - The Weimar Republic: A Dialogue with Katja Hoyer
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Katja Hoyer about the Weimar Republic. They give an overview of the Weimar Republic, voting and role of economics, major figures, how Hitler won his election, Nazi rule under Weimar Republic, negative views against Jews, Weimar after World War…
more -
#495 - Rumination and Rumblings of the Mind: A Dialogue with Donna Jackson Nakazawa
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Donna Jackson Nakazawa about rumination. They define rumination, talk about belonging, the Default Mode Network, MIST framework, therapy, various techniques, and many more topics. Donna Jackson Nakazawa is the author and writer of many books…
more -
#494 - Contested Continent: A Dialogue with Peter C. Mancall
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Peter Mancall about the early years of North America. They discuss what is America, importance of Maize and landscape of pre-Columbian America, Native Peoples in the middle of the 15th century, Norse discoveries, Columbus, French in Canada…
more -
#493 - Athens & Sparta: A Dialgoue with Adrian Goldsworthy
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Adrian Goldsworthy about the history of Athens and Sparta. They provide an overview of Athens and Sparta, Aegean history, and city-states in Ancient Greece. They talk about why tyranny did not work in these early city-states, Persian War with...
-
#492 - The Life of George Washington: A Dialogue with H.W. Brands
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with H.W. Brands about the life of George Washington. They discuss Washington as an enigma, his social and political statue, his upbringing and temperament, and his relationship with his wife and his relationship with slavery. They also talk about...
-
#491 - Boundaries of Belonging in the Ottoman Empire: A Dialogue with Ayşe Baltacıoğlu-Brammer
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Ayşe Baltacıoğlu-Brammer about belonging among various ethnic and religious groups in the early and middle Ottoman period. They discuss the landscape of religious and sectarian divides in the early Ottoman Empire, Turkic origins of the Safavids...
-
#490 - A New History of Europe: A dialogue with Roderick Beaton
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Roderick Beaton about the history of Europe. They discuss how Europe is defined, origins of Europe from ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, Turkey, European history as Christian history, Europe during WWI and WWII, the European Union, and the…
more -
#489 - Four Billion Years of Life on Earth: A Dialogue with Andrew Knoll
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Andrew Knoll about the four billion years of life on earth. They discuss geobiology, carbon and the carbon cycle, nitrogen and phosphorus, sulfur, and metals in the human body. They also talk about plate tectonics, habitability, minerals…
more -
#488 - A New History of the Ancient Maya: A Dialogue with David Stuart
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with David Stuart about the ancient Maya. They provide an overview of the Maya, Mayan language, beginnings of the Mayan civilization, Mayan creation myth, early collapse of the ancient Maya, dynasties in the classic Mayan period, Teotihuacán, the…
more -
#487 - In Praise of Addiction: A Dialogue with Elizabeth F. S. Roberts
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Elizabeth F. S. Roberts talk about different ways of thinking about addiction. They define addiction, substance and control, considerations on whether dependency is maladaptive, individual decisions, cultural distinctions, loneliness and...
-
#486 - Adventures in the Louvre: A Dialogue with Elaine Sciolino
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Elaine Sciolino about the Louvre. They discuss the allure of the Louvre, history of the Louvre, the Mona Lisa, Nike, and stolen artifacts. They discuss Persian art, Pyramid of the Louvre, the Louvre at night, sexism in the Louvre, first time and...
-
#485 - Augustus: The First Emperor of Rome: A Dialogue with Adrian Goldsworthy
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Adrian Goldsworthy about Augustus. They provide an overview of Augustus, his upbringing, his rise to power, early rule, transition from Republic to Empire, his rule as emperor, his legacy, and many more topics. Adrian Goldsworthy is a historian...
-
#484 - Borderlands of Bukovina: A Dialogue with Cristina Florea
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Cristina Florea about Bukovina. they provide an overview of Bukovina, ethnic makeup, Hapsburgs and Austrian-Hungarian Empire. They also talk about Moldova, the Orthodox Church, Jewish population, identity, Romania during World War II, Communism…
more -
#483 - The Paradox of the Organism: A Dialogue with Arvid Ågren & Manus Patten
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Arvid Ågren and Manus Patten about internal conflicts within organisms. They provide an overview of the paradox of the organism, clinical examples of cancer and pregnancy, direct, indirect, and inclusive fitness. They talk about cooperation…
more -
#482 - Gender/Sex and Sexual Configurations Theory: A Dialogue with Sari van Anders
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Sari van Anders about gender/sex and sexual configurations theory. They talk about the sex binary and understanding a wider landscape, gender/sex, sexual configurations theory, endocrine system and hormones, neural correlates of hormones, mental...
-
#481 - The Ottoman Empire and the Supernatural: A Dialogue with Marinos Sariyannis
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Marinos Sariyannis about the Supernatural in the Early and Middle Ottoman periods. They discuss the differences between the natural, supernatural, and preternatural, Islam and the supernatural, magic, occult, and divination. They talk about the...
-
#480 - Deconstructing the American West Frontier Myth: A Dialogue with Megan Kate Nelson
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Megan Kate Nelson about the American West. They discuss the frontier myth, Sacajawea, shared history in the Southwest, Maria Gertrudis Barcelo and her wealth, Jim Beckwourth and shifting stories. They also talk about the 1862 Homestead Act…
more -
#479 - Executive Functioning in Psychotherapy: A Dialogue with Chloe Drulis & Carly Trissler
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Chloe Drulis & Carly Trissler about the neurobiology of executive functioning in therapy. They talk about the importance of understanding executive functioning, interpersonal neurobiology framework, three system model of executive functioning,...
-
#478 - Five Partitions of Modern Asia: A Dialogue with Sam Dalrymple
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Sam Dalrymple about the five partitions of modern Asia. They provide an overview of the five partitions, Pakistan as a Muslim state, the first partition of Burma, the 2nd partition of the Arabian Peninsula, the 3rd partition of Pakistan, the 4th...
-
#477 - Can Schools Save Democracy?: A Dialogue with James Traub
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with James Traub about education and democracy. They talk about the distinctness of American education, history evolving into social studies, the Classical model, and charter schools. They discuss the 1619 Project, “Wokeness” in schools,...
-
#476 - The Genetics of Original Sin: A Dialogue with Kathryn Paige Harden
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Kathryn Paige Harden about the genetics of human behavior. They discuss how genetics research can helps us understand human behavior, responsibility, human reason and moral responsibilities, therapeutic relationships, and cooperation. They talk...
-
#475 - Genocides and Syrian Gulags: A Dialogue with Uğur Ümit Üngör
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Uğur Ümit Üngör about genocides and the recent Syrian Civil War. They define genocide, buildup to genocide, and the Armenian genocide. They also talk about the Syrian gulags, different types of Syrian intelligence agencies and prisons, Tadamon...
-
#474 - A Modern History of Syria: A Dialogue with Daniel Neep
Ini this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Daniel Neep about a modern history of Syria. They discuss internal and external divisions in Syria, various ethnic and religious communities in Syria, Bilad al-Sham, Tanzimat reforms, Kingdom of Syria, and French rule. They discuss military…
more -
#473 - Native America and First Peoples: A Dialogue with Kenneth Feder
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Ken Feder about Native America and First Peoples. They talk about the various labels for Native Americans, land acknowledgements and Columbus Day. They discuss the earliest origin date for First Peoples coming to America, White Sands, human...
-
#472 - Consciousness and the Human Experience: A Dialogue with Christof Koch
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Christof Koch on the nature of consciousness. They talk about why consciousness is important to study, differences with subjective experiences and phenomenology, selfhood, thinking beyond interoceptive perceptions, and Cartesian dualism. They...
-
#471- Elites and Democracy: A dialogue with Hugo Drochon
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Hugo Drochon about elites and democracy. They discuss how elites always rule in democracies, why we need elites, dynamic democracy, social movements, distrust of elites, Nietzsche’s eternal return and circulation of elites, elites in...
-
#470 - The Case for American Power: A Dialogue with Shadi Hamid
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Shadi Hamid about why American power is still needed. They discuss American power, American success globally, American idealism, democracy in the world, benevolent authoritarianism, future of American power, and many more topics. Shadi Hamid is…
more -
#469 - From Natural Philosophy to Modern Science: A Dialogue with Peter Dear
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Peter Dear about the history of modern science from natural philosophy. They discuss natural philosophy and modern science, Newton and theology, different ways of doing science, pure and mixed mathematics, Linnaeus and taxonomy, German pedagogy...
-
#468 - How Progress Ends: A Dialogue with Carl Benedikt Frey
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Carl Benedikt Frey about technology and economics throughout history. They discuss why decentralized systems create an environment for innovation, Ancient China’s centralized efforts, Europe’s competitive state during the enlightenment, U.S. and...
-
#467 - McNamara At War: A Dialogue with William Taubman
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with William Taubman about the complex life and career of Robert McNamara. They provide an overview of McNamara, his upbringing, temperament, and evolution. They discuss his work with the Ford Motor Company, how he organized the Defense Department…
more -
#466 - A Global History of Islam: A Dialogue with James McDougall
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with James McDougall about a global history of Islam. They discuss the global spread and diversity of Islam, Arabia before Muhammad, succession after Muhammad, the five pillars of Islam, emphasis on law and doctrine within Islam, Hadiths, the Ottoman...
-
#465 - Diogenes: The Original Cynic: A Dialogue with Inger N. I. Kuin
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Inger Kuin about the philosopher Diogenes. They discuss the impact of Diogenes, his personal development, embodied philosophy, human reason, interactions with Plato, suffering, pleasure, desire, and how we apply his philosophy in the modern…
more -
#464 - Thought Experiments, Morals, and Effective Altruism: A Dialogue with David Edmonds
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with David Edmonds about thought experiments and effective altruism. They talk about the shallow pond, why thought experiments are important, the trolley problem, critiques of the shallow pond, effective altruism, charities, and many more topics.…
more -
#463 - Remaking America's Constitution: A Dialogue with Akhil Reed Amar
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Akhil Reed Amar about the history of the U.S. Constitution from 1840-1920. They discuss America as an idea, Madison’s notes on the constitution, 3/5s rule, electoral college, slavery, Taney and Dred Scott ruling, Emancipation Proclamation, 13…
more -
#462 - 250 Years of the United States: A Dialogue with Richard Bell
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Richard Bell about the American Revolution on the international stage. They discuss the American Revolution in a global context, Boston Tea Party, East India Tea Company, British citizens opinions of the American Revolution, and the Irish...
-
#461 - World Enemy #1: A Dialogue with Jochen Hellbeck
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Jochen Hellbeck about Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, and the Jews. They discuss Soviet communism and anti-semitism as unified opposition for the Nazis, anti-communism fueling public agreement, western views of anti-communism and anti-semitism, and...
-
#460 - What A Liberal Society Could Be: A Dialogue with Alex Zakaras
In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Alex Zakaras about liberalism. They discuss aiming for liberal values, defining liberalism, radical liberalism, libertarianism, freedom and choice, tyranny and autocracy, liberal pluralism, wage and labor exploitation, and many other topics.…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Converging Dialogues is a podcast that is designed to have honest and authentic conversations with a diversity of thoughts and opinions. Wide-ranging topics include philosophy, psychology, politics, and social commentary. A spirit of civility, respect, and open-mindedness is the guiding compass.
convergingdialogues.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Converging Dialogues
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Converging Dialogues have?
Converging Dialogues currently has 508 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Converging Dialogues about?
Converging Dialogues is a podcast that is designed to have honest and authentic conversations with a diversity of thoughts and opinions. Wide-ranging topics include philosophy, psychology, politics, and social commentary. A spirit of civility, respect, and open-mindedness is the guiding compass....
How often does Converging Dialogues release new episodes?
Converging Dialogues releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 508 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Converging Dialogues?
You can listen to Converging Dialogues on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Converging Dialogues?
Converging Dialogues is created and hosted by Converging Dialogues.
URL copied to clipboard!