Interintellect Hostcast

In this episode of Hoscast, we talk with Olga Yakimenko, film-maker, writer and of course, Interintellect Host.

Throughout the conversation we talk about how moving around so often shaped her view of the world, why she really enjoys human perception and what is the power of stories.

We also talk about her most recent project: "The User Illusion", which you'll want to know all about.

You can be on the look out for Olga's next salons here:

https://interintellect.com/hosts/olga-yakimenko

Follow Olga on Twitter:

https://x.com/AnalogWhole

Poet, critic, and Interintellect host Paul Franz joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on poetry, reading, and the enduring spirit of Romanticism.

He’s editor of the journal Literary Imagination and Serpent Club, and in our conversation we trace his path into literature—from his early love of books to his life as a poet published in The New York Review of Books and an essayist for The Atlantic and The Nation.

Paul shares why Romanticism matters today, how Romanticon, where he’s an editor, tackles that issue, and what it means to weave together different forms of writing (poetry, criticism, essays) within one creative life.

We dive into the tension between creative writing and academic writing, and how he navigated that space.

Finally, Paul reflects on his approach to salons and the art of conversation itself: an invitation to think, read, and share more deeply.

You can find Paul’s Host Page and check out his salons here:

https://interintellect.com/hosts/paul-franz

You can also check his Substack here:

https://ashesandsparks.substack.com/

Check our website to become a member of our community or attend one of our salons:

https://interintellect.com/

Philosopher and Interintellect host Bryan Kam joins us to preview his upcoming salon, Buddha, Socrates, and Us: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Uncertainties.

Drawing on Stephen Batchelor’s work, he explores how these two ancient thinkers embraced uncertainty, humility, and ethical living. Not only that but also how their insights can guide us through today’s personal and planetary crises.

In this conversation, Bryan shares his approach to hosting salons that blend intellectual depth with lived experience, inviting participants to treat uncertainty not as a threat, but as a practice.

You can sign up for the salon here:

https://interintellect.com/salons/buddha-socrates-and-us-ancient-wisdom-for-modern-uncertainties

You can check Bryan's work here:

• Bryan's writing at Clerestory
• Bryan's talk at London's Philosophy for All
• Intro to Neither/Nor: Thinking and Sensing
• Liminal Learning

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with Susan Abbott, a strategist and researcher of democracy and communication. They talk about the relevance of inquiry into democracy today, the possibilities of deliberative democracy, the future of AI in government, and more. 

Susan’s salon series starting July 2: https://interintellect.com/series/democracy-and-its-discontents

Susan’s website: https://crosspollinateconsulting.com/

Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with startup founder and essayist Anton Troynikov. They talk about Anton’s startup Chroma, the role of grand visions in the San Francisco idea ecosystem, the dialectic of strength and victimhood in contemporary culture, and more. 

Anton’s Interintellect Salon with Casey Handmer on June 7: https://interintellect.com/salons/terraforming-earth-and-beyond-with-casey-handmer

Anton’s Website and Essays: https://www.troynikov.io/

Find Anton on X: https://x.com/atroyn

Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, Ravi Joseph speaks with writer and veteran Sean Hughes. They talk about the resilience of the American system, the contemporary relevance of Fukuyama’s End of History thesis, Sean’s journey from the military to the tech world and professional writing, and more. If you like this episode, be sure to check out Sean’s salon co-hosted with Katherine Stewart on May 26.  

Sean’s Interintellect Salon with Katherine Stewart on May 26: https://interintellect.com/salons/money-lies-and-god-a-discussion-with-author-katherine-steward

Sean’s Substack: https://seanpatrickhughes.substack.com/

Find Sean on X: https://x.com/seanphughes99

Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with philosopher Christophe Porot about the philosophy of religion. They talk about suffering as a path to philosophy, authenticity as a way out of suffering, the possibility of religion after Immanuel Kant’s critique, and more.

Christophe’s first God and Humanity salon on May 9: https://interintellect.com/salons/episode-1-an-introduction-to-philosophy-of-religion

Find Christophe on X: https://x.com/porotchristophe

Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with entrepreneur and engineer Vatsal Kaushik about his upcoming salon on Will Durant’s history books. They talk about why to read about ancient history, the importance of agriculture as a turning point in civilization, his entrepreneurial work building an X curation app with AI, and more. 

Vatsal’s Interintellect Salon on March 15: https://interintellect.com/salons/our-oriental-heritage-exploring-the-foundations-of-civilization⁠

Vatsal’s New Book with Jim O'Shaughnessy: https://www.infinitebooks.com/books/products/two-thoughts

Find Vatsal on X: https://x.com/vtslkshk

Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with author Ian Leslie. First, they talk about his new book John & Paul, the continued relevance of the Beatles, and the need for a new narrative to understand them. Later in the podcast, they discuss recent developments in politics such as the rightward “vibe shift” in the US and worldwide, and Trump’s unconventional communication strategies. 

Ian’s Interintellect Salon on February 26: https://interintellect.com/salons/unraveling-the-creative-process-a-conversation-with-ian-leslie

Ian’s Newsletter: https://ianleslie.substack.com/

Find Ian on X: https://x.com/mrianleslie

Find Ravi on X: https://x.com/rjkarmayogi

In this episode, host Ravi Joseph speaks with scientist and author Samuel Arbesman about his new book, the Magic of Code. They discuss computing as a universal field, the overlaps between computing and biology, the role of wonder in scientific investigation, and more.

Samuel’s Interintellect Salon on February 13:https://interintellect.com/salons/the-magic-of-code

Samuel’s Website:https://arbesman.net/

Find Samuel on X:https://x.com/arbesman

Find Ravi on X:https://x.com/rjkarmayogi