Police forces everywhere are looking less like the patrolmen of the past and more like a modern military unit.  Weaponry has increased in scale and technical ability, providing greater protection for officers.  But has this come with equivalent protections for society or greater threats?  How should we feel when the law of the land is enforced through bomb wielding robots, tanks, and surveillance systems imported straight from warzones?

For our New Year’s special, we step up to one of the most common requests we get on the show: Listeners want to get to know Josh and Kelly a bit better!  They answer questions about themselves, the show, and debate as an activity to give you a look into the minds of our hosts.  Will you feel closer to them?  Or just horrified at what Josh named his cat?  You’ll have to decide for yourself!

Have you ever wondered what a dinner conversation with five debaters would look like?  In the first of our two end of the year specials, we invited back some old guests from previous episodes so you can listen in on our “holiday party.”  We talk Christmas Carols, Disney Adults, Aliens and more.  Hope you enjoy and Happy Holidays to all of you!

Josh and Kelly defend the honor of Indubitably and do battle against Crystal and Robby from the podcast “Mind Changers & Great Debaters."  Has the plastic surgery industry become primarily cosmetic in nature or is it an important medical tool?  Are people able to make rational decisions about this kind of procedure or are the risks of abuse and addiction too high? 

With the World Cup in full swing, the drama on the field is rivaled perhaps only by the scandals that run rampant behind the scenes of football (soccer)’s organizing body.  Is the bid process for the selection of host nations legitimate?  If so, how did Qatar’s bid and subsequent preparation for these games hold up to criticisms over migrant worker abuse and human rights violations?

While the debate in American discourse seems to be centered around questioning established science, Josh and Kelly instead judge the arguments that take place after accepting the reality of climate change.  Who and how should we deal with the human threat to the wellbeing of our planet?  Why have we been unable to galvanize action thus far?

In this episode we tackle one of the most famous thought experiments ever.  Should Utilitarian or Deontological ethics inform our decision on how to act when deciding who deserves to live or die?  We also spend some time discussing a different thought experiment: The Prisoner’s Dilemma.  Josh and Kelly match wits to see who emerges victorious and who loses everything!

What should we call it when one group of people consumes the culture of another?  Is it offensive or harmful to dress as, eat like, or create art in a fashion that originates from different ethnicities or nationalities?  Or, is this the natural manner in which culture and society progresses, and something to be celebrated rather than lamented?

With the 2022 Midterm results in (mostly), we look at the election as a whole and the implications it holds for our government.  What does this mean for Biden’s ability to push his agenda in the next two years?  Does it bode well for Trump 2024?  Were some of the propositions on abortion, drug legalization and slavery (?!) potentially trend setting?

Back in July, Twitter’s future was uncertain at best as Elon Musk was taken to court by the company as it attempted to force him to follow through with his original plans to buy the platform.  Now, that takeover is complete, but the company’s future is just as uncertain as ever.  With Musk and Twitter once again dominating as front page news, we are throwing back a few months for listeners who might not have heard this episode previously.