In this extended tenth episode of "Opposite of Neutral,"  Evan and Chris journey through top ten lists of flavors, meals, and life-altering experiences that are anything but neutral.

They dig into the psychology and pedagogy of top 10 lists, which for these two, aren't really about ranking at all. Chris shares his use of this concept to teach American history, turning ranking into an enlightening thought exercise for students. Evan unpacks his top ten savory snacks and top ten sweets, which leads them to discover the surprising origin story of Lucky Charms. Red Vines or Twizzlers? Chris and Evan share where they stand on this controversial issue.

Next, Chris and Evan embark on a culinary memory tour as they share some of their top ten meals. From German chicken and asparagus to surf and turf Thanksgiving, they remind us that food memories are about much more than just the meal. Savor tales of escargot in NYC, green curry in Bangkok, and the best corned beef sandwich ever.

As the hosts recount some of their top ten 'opposite of neutral' life moments, Chris shares a culinary adventure at The Oyster Bar, complete with an unexpected injury. Evan's foray into fluid mechanics, beginning with a high school internship, led to a life-changing summer in a college lab, and a path toward the international life he has today.

And, of course, the episode wouldn't be complete without some sentimental moments. Evan's anticipation of his daughter's birth and Chris's recollection speaking to his newborn daughter for the first time are bound to leave you misty-eyed.

Evan also shares the exciting news - we now have an email address. Send your ideas for episodes, comments, or your own top-ten lists to [email protected].

You can also share topics for future episodes on Spotify through the Q & A below.

In this entertaining episode of Opposite of Neutral, Chris and Evan take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting their escapades in wrestling and other middle school sports. Evan shares his fear of being hit by a baseball and his decision to choose wrestling over swimming in the pool locker room. Chris, meanwhile, offers sage advice on why students should approach their coaches' words with a healthy dose of skepticism. Together, they delve into the physical challenges and valuable lessons they learned from wrestling, as well as the unusual habits wrestlers adopt in preparing for meets.

The conversation pivots towards the significance of "wrestling with ideas" as they reflect on their coaching and teaching experiences. Drawing parallels between wrestling and grappling with new ideas, they emphasize the importance of struggle in the learning process. Chris and Evan also discuss the advantages of wrestling with tough decisions in the presence others to gain perspective and insight along the way.

As the episode draws to a close, the dynamic duo teases the topic for their upcoming installment: Top Ten.

What does Chris teach Evan that he didn't know about Arby's? What is the connection between the writings of Thomas Paine and wrestling? And how does a student call Evan's bluff at the long jump pit? Find out as Chris and Evan wrestle with life's challenges, both on and off the mat, with their usual mix of humor, nostalgia, and insight.

Want to share an idea for future episodes? Leave a voice message at this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/opposite-of-neutral/message

...or just add your idea to the Q&A below.

In this episode of Opposite of Neutral, Chris and Evan embark on a journey through the annals of history, nature, and culture, delving into the essence of what has truly stood the test of time. From ancient lifeforms like horseshoe crabs to delectable, ageless culinary delights, they ponder the factors that have allowed music, literature, and art to persist or fade into obscurity.

Then, in a podcast first, they welcome a guest host - Nolan - to offer a teenager’s perspective on the notion of timelessness in today's world. While Opposite of Neutral may not make it onto Nolan's list of enduring cultural phenomena, Nolan mentions a list of music and books that just might stick around.

Why does Evan talk about being barred from a pub? Which awe-inspiring historical artifact left Chris misty-eyed in London? What does Nolan have to say about fidget spinners? Tune in to find out. 

Finally, a huge thanks to Kattina for suggesting the topic of our next installment: Wrestling!

Want to share an idea for future episodes? Leave a voice message at this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/opposite-of-neutral/message

...or just add your idea to the Q&A below.

In the 'Acceleration' episode, Chris and Evan delve into the acceleration of technology and the delicate balance between speeding up and slowing down in life. Chris shares insights on how to slow down by practicing mindful breathing, spending time in nature, and writing in paper notebooks. Evan discusses Moore's Law and shares an amusing story about acceleration from driving his family in an electric car last week.

There are times when we want to live in the moment, while at other times, we desire to accelerate relationships beyond small talk. When we're young, we eagerly anticipate exploring the world, but as we age, we appreciate that good things take time.

So, how do we skillfully accelerate and decelerate life's processes to live our best lives? Tune in to find out.

As they wrap up their engaging conversation, Chris and Evan tease the topic for their next episode: the test of time.

Want to share an idea for future episodes? Leave a voice message at this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/opposite-of-neutral/message

...or just add your idea to the Q&A below.

Get ready for a wild ride as Chris and Evan dive deep into the world of filters (or the lack thereof), both literal and metaphorical, in their latest podcast episode! 

They explore how filters have played a crucial role in our interactions with others and our understanding of reality. They discuss the critical role journalists serve in helping us make sense of an overwhelming amount of information each and every day. Also should we should all be having conversations with AI chatbots as a way to better understand those with whom we disagree?

Join Chris and Evan as they navigate through the murky waters of biases, conspiracy theories, and how we got to today’s world full of both filtered and unfiltered madness. This episode is jam-packed with humor, thought-provoking discussions, and yet another reference to Tillamook cheese.

Our next episode will be a discussion on acceleration that's sure to get your engines revved up!

Want to share an idea for future episodes? Leave a voice message at this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/opposite-of-neutral/message

...or just add your idea to the Q&A below.

Join Chris and Evan as they untangle the intricate nature of pride and its various shades in this engaging episode. They tackle the age-old debate around pride's positive and negative aspects, sharing personal anecdotes that reveal their own moments of pride and instances where they've celebrated the accomplishments of others.

Chris and Evan question whether the negative side of pride is rooted in a sense of superiority, a view reinforced by texts from the world’s religions. Evan sheds light on the brighter side of pride, emphasizing the joy and satisfaction derived from one's achievements. They delve into the different expressions of pride, the emotions behind it, and the sense of connection we feel with others through pride. How has social media distorted our motivations behind sharing expressions of pride with others online?

Furthermore, they explore the potential pitfalls of pride, touching on tribalism, inclusion and exclusion, and the role that privilege plays when explaining why we are proud of our accomplishments.

Dive into this thought-provoking conversation with Chris and Evan as they navigate the complexities of pride and its influence on our lives. 

Want to share an idea for future episodes? Leave a voice message at this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/opposite-of-neutral/message

...or just add your idea to the Q&A below.

In the fourth episode of Opposite of Neutral, Chris and Evan delve into the captivating world of good intentions with unexpected (or expected) negative consequences. 

We explore the mysteries of China's Great Leap Forward with Chris and learn about the surprising fallout that followed. Evan as he unravels the rocky rollout of Common Core standards in Math and the whirlwind of controversy surrounding election predictions. They then discuss the delicate balance between good intentions and preventing bad execution, and give a sneak peek at next week's intriguing topic: Pride!

Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey through history and modern-day challenges. 

Want to share an idea for future episodes? Leave a voice message at this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/opposite-of-neutral/message

...or just add your idea to the Q&A below.

In this exciting episode, Evan and Chris dive deep into their love of superheroes and how they can offer a unique perspective on real-world issues. From the eternal debate of Batman vs. Superman to exploring the endless "what-if" scenarios of the genre, they offer fascinating insights into why superhero stories have captured our imaginations for decades. Plus, Chris shares how his relationship to these stories has evolved over time, making for a heartfelt and relatable conversation. 

Don't miss out on their intriguing discussion, and if you have an idea for a future episode, submit it through the Q&A on Spotify.

Next week's topic is "Good Intentions, Bad Ideas" from friend of the Podcast Andrew.

Chris and Evan break down their thoughts on the topic of trade. What is one's trade? What does how and what we trade tell us about what we value?

Chris tells a story about three workers and the cathedral, and how this gets him thinking about the big picture of trade in the world. They discuss trading baseball cards and cards from Magic: The Gathering. Evan shares how he better understands the value of art by building it himself and trading it with others using cryptocurrency and the blockchain. They finish by discussing the role of trade as it relates to one's family. 

Have a suggestion for a future topic? Add it below!

In this first episode, Chris and Evan introduce themselves and the origins of the podcast that stretch back to two years ago. 

They then dive straight into their first topic: what does 'Opposite of Neutral' mean? With definitions of what it means to be neutral (and the...um...opposite of it), they touch on mathematics, American history and current events, and Ted Lasso. They also flesh out what neutrality means when living as an expat outside of one's home country. 

As is the trend with many of their conversations, they finish by talking about cheese.

Have a suggestion for a future topic? Add it below!