Conversations with Peter Boghossian

Iraqi-American Faisal Al Mutar is a human rights activist and the founder of Ideas Beyond Borders, a non-profit organization countering extremism and misinformation through global access to new ideas. He came to the U.S. as a refugee in 2013 and received the President's Volunteer Service Award in 2016 for his commitment to education. This year, Ideas Beyond Borders won Atlas Network's Middle East & North Africa Liberty Award. Peter and Faisal are close friends. In this conversation, they discuss the persistent attack on enlightenment values in the U.S. and how this affects young people. Peter and Faisal are both atheists and they consider how the decline of religious belief has opened doors to alternative manifestations of tribal and authoritarian impulses, including in groups of supposed heterodox thinkers. Faisal also shares his views on the role religion plays in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This podcast was filmed October 30, 2023 at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference in London, England. More from Faisal:

• "Are Western Values Worth Defending?" Peter Boghossian & Faisal Al Mutar with Freethinkers of PSU (2017)
• Follow Faisal on X and Facebook.

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Psychiatrist Miriam Grossman has been exposing falsehoods in the sex and gender industry since 2006. Miriam has been a featured expert in many documentaries, including The Daily Wire's "What is a Woman?" and Fox Nation's "The Miseducation of America." She has testified in Congress, lectured at the British House of Lords, and spoken before the United Nations. Her expert psychiatric opinion is frequently sought for witness testimony and court reports. Jordan Peterson wrote the foreword to Miriam's recent publication, "Lost in Trans Nation: A Child Psychiatrist's Guide Out of the Madness." Her book offers practical advice to manage and prevent psychological and medical harm in the transgender assembly line. In 2009, Miriam published "You're Teaching My Child What?," an exposé on ideological sex education curriculum used in public schools. A paperback edition with a new preface will be released on September 26, 2023. Follow Miriam on Twitter Watch this episode on YouTube.

In 2018, Turkish-Swedish political scientist and author Umut Özkırımlı became the target of a state-supported cancelation campaign in Turkey and at Lund University in Sweden. He was finally vindicated after five years of harassment. He lost his young son to cancer during that time. Umut describes himself as a left-wing progressive, a democratic socialist, and a critic of right-wing censorship. But the ordeal he went through gave him a new perspective on left-wing extremism. The result is Umut's new book, "Cancelled: How the Left Can Make Its Way Back from Woke." He explores the similarities between right-wing populism and radical identity politics, suggesting a path for the left to return to liberal values. Umut Özkırımlı is a senior research fellow at Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals, a professor at Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, and a senior research associate at Barcelona Centre for International Affairs. He is the author of "Theories of Nationalism," "Contemporary Debates on Nationalism: A Critical Engagement," and the editor of "The Making of a Protest Movement in Turkey," among other books. His articles appear in many publications, including the Guardian, openDemocracy, Times Higher Education, and Huffington Post. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Peter Boghossian engaged Billboard Chris, Francis Aaron, and Digital Gnosis in a conversation at Speakers' Corner, London. Peter presented a number of claims on the topic of gender transition, beginning with the statement on Chris' billboard: "Children cannot consent to puberty blockers." Chris and a self-described "woke" participant find some points of agreement, but the discussion becomes heated on the topic of transwomen in female sports. "Billboard Chris" Elston is an activist for public awareness of child sex "transitions" and children's safety. Watch Peter's recent interview with Billboard Chris here. Billboard Chris is on X and Instagram. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Chris Elston became an activist for the public awareness of child sex "transitions" more than three years ago. He's been harassed, attacked, and even suffered a broken arm for the message on his billboard: "Children cannot consent to puberty blockers." In this conversation with Peter Boghossian, Chris explains how the public reception of his message has changed alongside increasing awareness about the myths promoted by gender ideologues. Peter and Chris compare notes on their techniques for engaging strangers in controversial discussions in the public square. Chris shares various arguments he frequently hears from gender activists and how he addresses them. Peter highlights his use of the "real reason check" in Spectrum Street Epistemology to get to the foundation of a belief. They also discuss the difficulty people have changing their minds in real time, the coercive influence of tribal thinking, and who will be held accountable for medical malpractice on children. Chris briefly mentions the new Dutch documentary about the history of the Dutch Protocol for gender transition. This podcast was filmed October 30, 2023 at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference in London, England.

• Billboard Chris on X and Instagram
• Previous discussions with Billboard Chris: "Moving the Needle on Gender Ideology" (Billboard Chris, Andy Ngo, and others) "Nearly Impossible Conversations" (Billboard Chris & James Klug)
• Law firm for Detransitioners

This is one of Peter's favorite conversations. Pastor Paul VanderKlay is incredibly thoughtful, sincere, and open. He brings meaningful conversation beyond the walls of his church in California. Paul became a well-known YouTuber for his faith-based commentary on the philosophy of Jordan Peterson. Paul's interest in sharing ideas among people who come from diverse backgrounds and beliefs inspired him to develop a conversation strategy called "Estuary" with his colleague, Pastor John Van Donk. Estuary groups now exist online and at locations around the world.

Paul joined Peter Boghossian for a Spectrum Street Epistemology conversation in London. They explore topics related to the curiosities each has about the limits of the other's beliefs. Peter, an atheist, aims to understand Paul's perception of heaven, the value of non-Christian religions, and the importance of spiritual health. Paul is curious about the fissure in the atheist community, how an atheist would respond to a question from God, and if atheism would be necessary in a world without pain. Various claims provide moments of reflection for both gentlemen in this profoundly honest conversation.

Pastor Paul VanderKlay serves the Living Stones CRC (Christian Reformed Church) in Sacramento, California. His podcast is available on YouTube and in audio format on various podcast platforms.

Follow Paul:

• Podcast
• Twitter/X

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Longtime friends Peter Boghossian and Dave Rubin met in London for a game of Spectrum Street Epistemology. They each presented claims of personal and global significance, ranging from the best states in the US to potential threats to gay rights. Several pointed claims were discussed regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and associated issues. Dave provides insight into his beliefs about anti-Semitism and the limits of free speech. Dave Rubin is the host of The Rubin Report, which was originally a segment on the progressive Young Turks Network (TYT). He co-founded the community platform Locals in response to censorship on Patreon. As a comedian, Dave interned on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and co-founded several comedy clubs in New York City. He is the bestselling author of "Don't Burn This Book: Thinking for Yourself in an Age of Unreason" and "Don't Burn This Country: Surviving and Thriving in Our Woke Dystopia." Watch this episode on YouTube.

Debbie Hayton is a British physics teacher, trade unionist, and transgender person who rejects the concept of "gender identity." Debbie has written extensively about transgenderism and personal experience with autogynephilia in The Spectator, UnHerd, The Times, Daily Mail, Economist, Quillette and elsewhere. Debbie's belief that trans people can be accommodated "without compromising the rights of other vulnerable groups" has been met with accusations of transphobia. You can read Debbie's evidence submitted to the UK Parliament regarding gender accommodations below. Forum Press will release Debbie's memoir, "Transsexual Apostate: My Journey Back to Reality," in February 2024.

• Debbie Hayton's evidence submitted to Parliament
• Follow Debbie Hayton on X

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Author and journalist Alexander Beiner cofounded the media platform Rebel Wisdom and serves as one of the executive directors of Breaking Convention, Europe's largest conference on psychedelic medicine and culture. His new book, "The Bigger Picture: How Psychedelics Can Help Us Make Sense of the World," is an exploration of the transformative possibility of psychedelics beyond Big Pharma's aim of profitable mental health care. He also produced "The Rise of Psychedelic Capitalism," a short documentary about the ramifications of hallucinogens hitting the mainstream marketplace. Alexander facilitates courses, retreats, and events to foster inner development and human connectedness. His writing is published on Medium, UnHerd, Psyche Magazine, and Substack. Follow Alexander on X. Watch this episode on YouTube.

British author and journalist Louise Perry rejects the notion that social change over time indicates "progress." Instead, she says history is a series of trade-offs that does not guarantee improvements for humanity. In her book, "The Case Against the Sexual Revolution," Louise proposes that increased sexual freedom has caused harm due to the lack of sexual restraint. Louise writes for the New Statesmen, The Daily Mail, and UnHerd. She is the press officer for "We Can't Consent to This," an organization addressing increasing incidents of women killed by sexual violence described as consensual. Louise hosts "Maiden Mother Matriarch," a podcast about sexual politics. She studied anthropology and women's studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies and the University of Oxford. Watch this episode on YouTube.