PODCAST · society
Fools and Sages
by Fools and Sages Podcast
Welcome to the Fools and Sages Podcast, where deep conversations intersect with practical wisdom. Hosted by Brian Lee and Boaz Soifer, this show invites listeners into thought-provoking conversations that illuminate the transformative insights Boaz gained from nearly three decades of dialogue with Brian.
Episodes
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Our Self, Our Reality and Waking Up to The Ground of Being: Dr. Fred Cooper
In this episode, The Fools talk with Dr. Fred Cooper, a theoretical physicist (and Fellow at The Santa Fe Institute), and advanced practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Together they explore the intersections of quantum physics, consciousness, and spiritual practice. Dr. Cooper shares insights on...
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Riding Backwards on an Ox One May Enter the Buddha Hall
In this episode, The Fools explore Brian's unusual personal journey. Rejecting academia as well as the conventional approaches to life and career, he built his world from the ground up. The discussion unfolds the interplay of theory and practice, the limitations of language, and the importance of...
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Wheel Within Wheels and The Deep Breath of The Universe
In this episode, The Fools explore the deep connections between seasons, place, consciousness, and the cycles of nature. They discuss how our environment influences our experience and meaning-making, and delve into the metaphysical aspects of reality, cycles, and consciousness. seasons, place,...
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Your Very Own Mind/Body Problem: A Philosophical Analysis of Exercise
In this episode, The Fools explore the complex relationship between mind and body, the philosophy of exercise, and how internal practices like Tai Chi and internal martial arts promote holistic health. They discuss the historical, philosophical, and practical aspects of exercise as a means of...
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Waking Up From History with Raj Dev: Africa, AI and the Way Forward
In this episode, The Fools talk with Raj Dev, polymath and entrepreneur, who shares his diverse background, his work in sustainable development, and his insights on trust, culture, and the potential of AI to transform organizations and societies. Join us for a deep conversation on how technology...
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I Saw Three Ships Come Sailin' In
In this episode, The Fools explore the nuances of apprenticeship, mentorship, leadership, and the transmission of knowledge and values across generations. They discuss how relationships evolve, the importance of internal mastery, and the parallels between mentorship and parenting. Chapters00:00...
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Old Farmers Never Die, They Just Go To Seed
In this episode, The Fools explore Wendell Berry's life, work, and philosophy, emphasizing the importance of deep connection to land, discipline, and the American relationship with nature. They discuss how living closer to nature fosters a dispositional mindset that influences long-term…
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Resenting The Benefactor or How Brian Became An Old Korean Man
In this episode, The Fools explore the themes of easy times, individuation, moral force, and the importance of discipline and moral character in personal development and societal health.
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How can we be two places at once when we're not anywhere at all?
In this episode, The Fools explore the complex dynamics of organizational collective psychology, the importance of dialogue and synthesis in decision-making, and the influence of American pragmatism on collective behavior. They delve into how ideas live within us, the role of polarities, and the...
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When Bad Therapy Happens to Good People
In this episode, The Fools explore the nature of therapy, mental health, and the importance of internal dispositions and choices in personal growth. They discuss the risks of dependency on external solutions and the value of embodied wisdom and apprenticeship.They also explore the complexities of...
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The Mother Ditch of The Common Good
In this episode, The Fools explore the concept of the common good, its historical roots, (from Aristotle and after) and its implications for modern society and governance. They discuss the not popularly known "repartimiento" system of community water management, traditional in the small fertile...
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Soulmates or Cellmates? The Enigma of Intimate Relationships
Soulmates or Cellmates? The Enigma of Intimate Relationships 106, In which The Fools explore the complex layers of intimate partnership, archetypes, metaphysical perspectives, and the myth of the Fisher King, delving into how relationships reflect deeper psychological and spiritual truths.
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Whispers from The Universe and The Pachenko Machine of Souls
In this episode, The Fools explore the nature of reality, consciousness, and the interpretive process of meaning. They delve into ontological concepts, the universe's messaging, and how our perceptions shape our understanding of existence.
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Take Your Time: Deconstructing Patience 104
In this episode, The Fools explore the complex nature of patience, impatience, and their relationship with mortality, suffering, and inner peace. They delve into philosophical and psychological insights, offering a nuanced view of how we relate to time, expectations, and...
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Who Are You? All About Character Typing
In this riveting episode The Fools take a look at different systems for typing personalities, looking at their differing assumptions, goals, strengths and weaknesses. They also put them in historical and philosophical contexts that plug into other F & S topics and episodes. Who are You anyway?…
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Fanning the Flames of Philosophy's Hearth
In this episode The Fools have the pleasure of speaking with Joshua Beneventi, an anthropologist, philosopher, and the North American Ambassador for Logos Publishing. In this episode, Joshua shares his unique journey of seeking wisdom across various cultures and traditions, and how these...
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Speaking the Tao With Kenneth Leong
In this episode, Ken shares his deep insights into Eastern philosophies like Taoism and Buddhism, exploring their relevance in modern life, the nature of the self, and the importance of a dispositional shift for spiritual growth.From Ken... My book is "The Zen Teachings of Jesus," published by...
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Happy Happy Joy Joy 100
In this episode, Happy Happy Joy Joy 100, The Fools explore the multifaceted nature of joy, its associations, and its role in human experience. They delve into philosophical, psychological, and spiritual perspectives, examining how feelings, perceptions, and inner states influence our…
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Thinking About Thinking, with an INTP
In this episode, The Fools explore the importance of breadth versus depth in thinking, organizational evolution, and navigating a rapidly changing world. They discuss mental models, the value of polymathy, and how to adapt to hyper-novelty in society.
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Between the Beasts and The Gods
Exploring the metaphysics of ethics, karma, and the nature of good and evil through a deep philosophical conversation. The discussion covers concepts like quantum potential, moral responsibility, and the evolution of consciousness .00:00Exploring Ethics and Karma 01:46The Grounding Problem of...
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One Elephant Theory and The Conscious Middle
Is consciousness limited to the "Zone of Middle Dimensions"? or are we limited by our personal viewpoint? Can we escape to higher consciousness? a look at various answers from different times and traditions...
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Thinking about The Odyssey
Wherein The Fools discuss the current and persistent kerfluffle surrounding the soon to be released production of Homer's Odyssey, from an hermeneutical viewpoint, with the predictable Fool's "few stones left unturned" treatment.
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Erez Levin: Taboos and Hacking The Body Politic
Erez Levin: Taboos and Hacking The Body Politic 95, wherein The Fools welcome guest, Erez Levin, an advertising technologist who's trying to engineer big pro-social norm shifting changes in that industry. He's an outspoken critic of his former employer, Google. He's now focused on restoring...
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Speaking the Tao with Dr. David Marshall 94
Join the Fools as they explore the depths of the Tao Te Ching with Dr. David Marshall, a China scholar and expert in world religions. We discuss translation challenges, the metaphysical nature of the Tao, and its relevance to modern life and spirituality.
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Mental Health, Materialism and Tripping Balls
In this episode The Fools explore the complex relationship between psychedelics, traditional knowledge, and modern science. It emphasizes the importance of humility, tradition, and responsible use in integrating psychedelics into mainstream medicine and society.
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Slicing Up The Pepperoni Of Time
Slicing Up The Pepperoni of Time 92, in which the Fools explore time, how humans relate to it and some of the famous debates about its nature, like that between Albert Einstein and Henri Bergson in the early 20th century. They explore its connection to questions around identity, being and the...
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Pornographic Playing Cards, Philosophy and Nietzsche 91
In this discussion The Fools Explore the metaphor of explicit playing cards to understand philosophy, self-identity, and the process of individuation. A deep dive into Nietzsche, Heidegger, and the stages of personal development through metaphorical imagery. And an explanation of the Fools and...
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Dr, Stephen Hicks: Science, Objectivity, Truth and the Whole She-bang
In this insightful interview with the Fools, Dr. Stephen Hicks explores the complex relationship between philosophy, consciousness, and reality, delving into the historical development of ideas from ancient philosophy to postmodernism. Discover how different philosophical positions influence our...
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Who's Your Daddy? Orphans Discuss Fatherhood
Who's Your Daddy? Orphans Discuss Fatherhood 89 , Wherein The Fools explore the archetype of the father, its psychological significance, and its role in personal and cultural development. The conversation delves into the transition from mother to father archetypes, the internalization of…
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Money, money, money and a bit about Magic Spells 88
This episode explores the complex relationship between money, freedom, and consciousness. The Fools discuss personal experiences, cultural influences, and philosophical insights into how money acts as an intermediary between the internal and external worlds, and how language and societal…
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What About Eating Animals? 87
In this conversation, the Fools explore the themes of raising poultry, the ethics of animal slaughter, and the consciousness involved in food production. They discuss the cycle of life, the morality of killing animals for food, and the cultural perspectives surrounding these practices. The...
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Krishnan Venkatesh: Sauntering into the Unknown: Thoreau & Basho
Krishnan Venkatesh: Sauntering Into The Unknown: Thoreau and Basho 85 wherein The Fools explore the profound connections between walking, nature, and mortality through a rich dialogue on philosophy, culture, and spiritual practice with Guest, Tutor, Author, Krishnan Venkatesh. Discover how…
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James Hartree: Philosophy For Screenagers 85
In this episode of the Fools and Sages podcast, The Fools welcome James Hartree, an educational innovator and director of the Institute for Classical Dialogue. They discuss the current crisis in education, the importance of classical education, and how it can address modern challenges. James…
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Allowing Being To Be: Gelassenheit 84
This conversation delves into the complexities of Judeo-Christian values, the relationship between different religions, and the philosophical implications of existence. The Fools explore the utility of religion, the nature of care and concern, and the influence of cultural contexts on values.…
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Mountaintops, Views, and More Heidegger 83
This conversation delves into the exploration of various spiritual paths, examining the differences and similarities among them. The discussion highlights the importance of both heart and mind in spiritual practices, the nature of aloneness versus community, and the role of ceremonies in...
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Can Philosophy Repair The World? Shaking Off The Still-Life 82
In this engaging conversation, the Fools delve into the intricate relationship between narratives, self-awareness, and the dynamics of dialogue. The discussion also touches on the archetypal nature of these narratives, linking them to stages of personal development, suggesting that our stories...
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Gadamer, Levinas and a Magical Kind of Ping Pong 81
This conversation explores the concept of organizations as living systems, emphasizing their dependence on language and meaning transfer. The discussion delves into the nature of free will, consciousness, and cognitive models, highlighting the importance of dialogue in expanding understanding.…
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Heidegger and The Ontological Goo 80
Heidegger and The Ontological Goo 80 wherein the Fools explore the themes of New Year's resolutions, personal growth, and philosophical insights on human existence. They discuss the nature of Being, the role of language in shaping reality, and the importance of dialogue in self-discovery. The...
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Is Heaven All Up In Our Head? 79
This conversation delves into the intricate relationships between liberty, democracy, and cognitive models shaped by religious beliefs. It explores how different religions interpret spiritual experiences and the role of narrative in creating meaning. The discussion also touches on the physicality...
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Rich Rubino 2025 Retrospective 78
The Fools talk with the encyclopedic political and presidential historian Rich Rubino about the past year in National and Global politics from an historical, non-partisan perspective.
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Paul Fenn: Liberty, Democracy, Localism and The Bloody Rhinoceros Head
Paul Fenn: Liberty, Democracy, Localism and The Bloody Rhinoceros Head 77 wherein The Fools discuss, with author, activist, political philosopher Paul Fenn, his latest work, The Localist Manifesto. In 1995 Paul co-authored the nation's landmark municipal aggregation legislation in Massachusetts…
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Frogs in The Maelstrom and The Big We 76
In this conversation, Brian and Boaz explore various themes including the challenges of climate change, the complexities of infrastructure development, the role of authority in collective action, and the balance between individual desires and the suffering of others. They delve into philosophical...
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Category Confusion and The Slippery Fish of The Self 75
We discuss the idea of "combating hate " and the dangers of generalities, evolving into a discussion of aspects of Marxism, materialism and finally a discussion of ideas of The Self and their connection to our lives, our self-understanding and ultimately our self-fulfillment. And the tricky...
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The Rabbi and The Atom: Fusing Torah and Physics
Us fools talk with physicist rabbi Jack Shlacter about bridging the gulf between the material and the spiritual, free will, determinism, antisemitism and the Judaic traditions thru time.
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The Missing Piece: The One Thing Books Can't Teach You 73
We discuss the wisdom that Aristotle called the "Charioteer of the virtues" without which all our other virtues would be "blind"...what it is, how it comes about and more...plus we touch on rationality in daily life and that slipperiest of all fishes, happiness...
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#72 The Dance of The Plover and The Chronosynclastic Infundibulum
Life in the Dangerous Middle....in the liminal zones are found both life and creativity, the space between light and dark, between order and chaos, between waking life and the world of dreams....join us to explore the secrets of dancing on that line...
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#71: Larry Shapiro: Why Science Needs Philosophy
Larry Shapiro, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at University of Wisconsin, joins these Fools to talk about why it’s essential for philosophy to play a central role in other disciplines. In particular, as science attempts to answer some of the “big questions of philosophy” - free will,...
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#70: Implications of Forgiveness
When you think about it, forgiveness is pretty weird, and these Fools have some questions: What does it really mean to forgive? What happens inside of us when we forgive? Can we show someone kindness without forgiving them? Does forgiving make us better? Must the other person have a role, i.e.,...
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#69: On Belonging, Oedipus, and the Psychopomp
How much is it our choice to belong, versus the situation being right? An interesting topic, especially for two Fools who, growing up, didn’t feel they belonged. A discussion of fate, destiny, karma, and the story of Oedipus Rex follow as we explore aspects of belonging, autonomy, the…
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#68: Michael Wolfe: Polish the Heart
Dr. Michael Wolfe, tutor at St. John’s College and leader of the Middle Eastern studies program there, joins these Fools for a great discussion. Since discovering him in graduate school, Dr. Wolfe was and remains captivated by the great 12th-century Sufi mystic Ibn-al-Arabi, and we go pretty deep...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to the Fools and Sages Podcast, where deep conversations intersect with practical wisdom. Hosted by Brian Lee and Boaz Soifer, this show invites listeners into thought-provoking conversations that illuminate the transformative insights Boaz gained from nearly three decades of dialogue with Brian.
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Fools and Sages Podcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Fools and Sages have?
Fools and Sages currently has 119 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Fools and Sages about?
Welcome to the Fools and Sages Podcast, where deep conversations intersect with practical wisdom. Hosted by Brian Lee and Boaz Soifer, this show invites listeners into thought-provoking conversations that illuminate the transformative insights Boaz gained from nearly three decades of dialogue with...
How often does Fools and Sages release new episodes?
Fools and Sages publishes regularly with 119 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Fools and Sages?
You can listen to Fools and Sages 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 Fools and Sages?
Fools and Sages is created and hosted by Fools and Sages Podcast.
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