Veridical

Recent episodes

1. EP49: Duncan Pritchard: Can We Really Know Anything (Knowledge, Luck, and Morality) from Veridical

   Jul 28, 2026

   In this episode, I speak with Dr. Duncan Pritchard. We discuss the philosophical debates around knowledge acquisition and knowledge definitions. We explore his book, Epistemic Luck , and how it has shaped the conversation regarding epistemology and morality. Duncan's website: https://www.duncanpritchard.org/ My Substack: https://substack.com/@jacksezer

2. EP48: Aliens, Abductions, and Philosophy with Dr. Michael E. Zimmerman from Veridical

   Jun 25, 2026

   In this episode, I speak with Dr. Michael E. Zimmerman on alien abductions, the philosophy of morality encompassing aliens, anthropocentric views in moral theories, and more. Dr. Z's profile: https://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/people/michael-zimmerman My Substack: https://substack.com/@jacksezer

3. EP47: The Philosophy of Wonder with Mark Legg from Veridical

   Jun 16, 2026

   In this episode, I speak with Mark Legg about his current research and interests in the philosophy of wonder. We explore the mechanics and functions of phenomenological experiences as well as the implications for social and political life. Mark's Substack: https://substack.com/@agapesophia My Substack: https://substack.com/@jacksezer My YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jacksezer9434?si=VDO1t6IQghPUBUR9

4. EP46: Political Division is Good (My time with John Cuturilo and the Your Listener Podcast) from Veridical

   Apr 27, 2026

   I was invited onto John Cuturilo's podcast, Your Listener, to speak on some of my gut reactions to the political landscape in America. We avoided (or tried to avoid) specific references to accommodate potential speech law violations. Reach John at: https://www.yourlistener.com.au/

5. EP45: Dr. Neil Levy: You Are Not Responsible For Anything (How Luck Runs the World) from Veridical

   Apr 9, 2026

   In this episode, I speak with Dr. Neil Levy about how luck influences nearly everything in our lives. We explore his thesis developed in his work, Hard Luck , and the moral and political implications his arguments have for our lives. Dr. Neil Levy's page: https://www.uehiro.ox.ac.uk/people/professor-neil-levy

6. EP44: Rafael Holmberg: Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, Existentialism, and You from Veridical

   Mar 24, 2026

   In this episode, I speak with Dr. Rafael Holmberg on the antagonistic relationship between philosophy and psychoanalysis. Although this podcast might be dense for those unfamiliar with the fields explored, it might serve as a useful perspective of the interdisciplinary relationship between philosophy and psychology. We also discuss Holmberg's back and forth with the famous philosopher, Slavoj Zizek. Holmberg's Substack: https://substack.com/@rafaelholmberg

7. EP43: David Edmonds on Derek Parfit, his life, and normative ethics from Veridical

   Jan 24, 2026

   In this episode I speak with Dr. David Edmonds regarding his biography of Derek Parfit, my philosophical hero. Parfit lived a fascinating life marked by massive success, but also tragedy. We explore these finer points and explore Parfit's approach to ethics. David Edmonds' Philosophy Bites: https://philosophybites.com/about/ David Edmonds' profile: https://www.ox.ac.uk/research/research-in-conversation/our-place-world/david-edmonds

8. EP42: What Matters? Speaking With an Epicurean (Jonny Thomson) from Veridical

   Sep 19, 2025

   In this episode, I speak with Jonny Thomson, a former Oxford philosophy professor who now hosts PhilosophyMinis on social media and writes for BigThinkers. Jonny is a philosopher interested in an array of topics, particularly Epicureanism. We speak on a variety of topics but morality and meaning in particular. Follow Jonny here: https://bigthink.com/people/jonnythomson/

9. EP41: UnFu*king America with Zee Cohen-Sanchez from Veridical

   Aug 17, 2025

   In this episode, I speak with Zee Cohen-Sanchez about politics, organizations, mobilization, Trump, and more. Support the UnFuck America tour: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/unfuckamericatour?refcode=web Follow Zee and Sole Strategies: https://www.sole-strategies.com/team/zee-cohen-sanchez

10. EP40: Minor Spats(1) w/ Drew Mills fighting about Christian Ethics and Politics from Veridical

    Jul 27, 2025

    I begin a new series, Minor Spats, where I engage with individuals on their beliefs that I find repugnant, undemocratic, or blatantly immoral. In this episode, I speak with Drew Mills, a former political campaign worker and now ideological opponent.

11. EP39: Fixing the Message w/ Notsoerudite politics, rhetoric, philosophy, and more from Veridical

    Jul 23, 2025

    In this episode, I speak with political streamer Notsoerudite (Kyla Turner). We discuss the state of the two parties, the effective or ineffective messaging of both parties, the issue of male loneliness, and conspiracy theories. Follow Kyla on her platforms here: https://linktr.ee/notsoerudite My Substack: https://substack.com/@jacksezer

12. EP38: Inventing the Suicide Pod: Dr. Nitschke and Voluntary Euthanasia from Veridical

    Jun 18, 2025

    In this episode I speak with Dr. Philip Nitschke about his work at Exit International, the Sarco Pod, and the philosophical arguments around voluntary euthanasia. You can support and learn more about Exit International here: https://www.exitinternational.net/ Subscribe to my Substack for Free: https://substack.com/@jacksezer

13. EP37: Philosophy and Abortion with Luke Roelofs from Veridical

    May 19, 2025

    In this episode I speak with Dr. Luke Roelofs about abortion, identity, continuity, ethics, and politics. Support Luke and his work: https://www.lukeroelofs.com/ Subscribe to my Substack: https://substack.com/@jacksezer

14. EP36: Alec MacGillis: Private Schools, Vouchers, Taxpayer Dollars, and Chaos from Veridical

    May 16, 2025

    I speak with Alec MacGillis regarding his recent writing at ProPublica. We discuss private schools, taxpayer dollars, private vouchers, the education system, and more. Support Alec MacGillis' writing here: https://www.propublica.org/people/alec-macgillis

15. EP35: Tim Whitaker: What the Heck is Going On With Christian Nationalism from Veridical

    Mar 17, 2025

    In this episode I speak with Tim Whitaker from The New Evangelicals. We talk about the current state of U.S. politics, the rise of Christian Nationalism, Donald Trump, and other topics. Support Tim and TNE below. Website: https://www.thenewevangelicals.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenewevangelicals/?hl=en This episode was recorded before the GRACE investigations. Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, Tim demonstrated valuable knowledge and a critical perspective on the topics at hand. Recording this podcast does not bear any connection to the matters of investigation.

16. EP34: Ukrainian Ana: The Ukrainian War and the Information Battlefield from Veridical

    Feb 17, 2025

    In this belated episode, I speak with Ukrainian Ana regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, the role of the United States on the world stage, the personalities of Putin and Trump, and how we should view democracy in the context of war. Ana's X account: https://x.com/UkrainianAna Ana on Piers Morgan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ5pYYve_HY&t=1571s My Essay: https://jacksezer.substack.com/p/my-thoughts-so-far-on-russia-and?r=27zkbv

17. EP33: Anthony Graves: 18 Years on Death Row from Veridical

    Jan 30, 2025

    In this episode I speak with Anthony Graves, who was on death row for 18 years before being found innocent. We explore the ideas behind the death penalty, his experience, and the road ahead. Anthony's Page: https://www.aclu.org/bio/anthony-graves Peer Navigator: https://peernavigatorproject.org/ My Capital Punishment Lecture (password is SZ@rNEI8): https://www.philosophersforum.org/Archives.html My Substack Article on the Death Penalty: https://jacksezer.substack.com/p/on-the-death-penalty?r=27zkbv

18. EP32: Richard Rothstein- How we can fight current de facto racism: Redlining, taxes, and community from Veridical

    Jan 13, 2025

    In this episode I speak with Richard Rothstein, author of Color of Law and Just Action. We speak about redlining, the history of de facto and de jure racism, and the current effects of institutionalized racism. Richard Rothstein: https://www.justactionbook.org/ My Substack: https://jacksezer.substack.com/

19. EP31: End of Year Debrief: The Middle East, Donald Trump, and You! from Veridical

    Dec 31, 2024

    I look back at some of the major touch points of this year and the optics of 2025. I discuss normative ethics, applied ethics, just war theory, and Donald Trump. I also discuss Trumpism as an ideology and how to combat it. My Substack: https://jacksezer.substack.com/

20. EP30: Post Election Debrief with Dr. Michael Lundie from Veridical

    Dec 11, 2024

    In this episode I discuss the results of the 2024 election with Dr. Michael Lundie, the first return guest. We remark on Trump's campaign, the effect it had on others, the political discourse today, and looking forward. My Substack: https://jacksezer.substack.com/publish/home?utm_source=menu Keep up with Michael Lundie: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael-Lundie