Optimisticality

By Sarah Jayne

Business, success creation, Philosophy, identity and the whole crazy buzz of being a human on planet Earth.

I'm an eclectic sort, formerly with the British military, and more latterly a self employe... more

· Society & Culture

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FAQs about Optimisticality:

How many episodes does Optimisticality have?

The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.

Optimisticality episodes:

March 31, 2019 Episode #23 LGBT a visible conversation. (transgender Day of visibility)
Hello! In this episode we discuss a topical issue . Teaching LGBTQI+ issues in schools .

I'm joined by Emma Aggar, a fellow researcher, writer and all round thinker of thoughts on the issue of gender and inclusion.
We met up on a sunny day and recorded a chat on location. Have listen and as wever let me, (or Emma) know what you think, its all about the conversation people.

You can read Emma's work here And the blog I mention on a the naked backlash here

You can read about Anne Fausto sterling's five sexes here and the link to the terminology of "heterosexual" here

If you or any one you know have questions, queries and or thoughts on the issues that Emma and I raise then please do get in touch at:

[email protected]
...more
42min
March 20, 2019 Episode#22 The Gettier Problem .
In this episode we add to the conversation from Ep 21, so it might make sense to listen not that one first, where I ask "what does it mean to be educated?"

How do we define knowledge? Some might say to know is to have a "true justified belief", but Gettier problems are a challenge to that definition. First posited by Edmund Gettier and published in 1963, they have kept epistemologists busy for a while. So in this episode I attempt to pick apart the mechanisms that make a gettier problem and give my interpretation of why they may appear to fit the JTB definition, but rarely count as knowledge.

And yes, I do relate this to gender at the end.... as ever!

if you have any thoughts or ideas as ever email me at
[email protected]
😄

Edmund Gettier
https://www.iep.utm.edu/gettier/

If you would like to watch the full version of Oliver Thorns video that I link in the show you can find that at this link:
https://youtu.be/TXlqJvHxVdM

The article I reference from Dr Rachel McKinnon, Professor of Philosophy is:
"It’s Better to be Lucky Than Good: Luck and Norms"
Rachel McKinnon
Routledge Handbook on Luck
https://www.rachelmckinnon.com
https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Handbook-of-the-Philosophy-and-Psychology-of-Luck/Church-Hartman/p/book/9780815366591
...more
21min
March 03, 2019 Episode #21 What does it mean to be educated? - Apples and Oranges.
After a brief interruption to our normal bi weekly schedule, whilst I worked on another project, we return to "da internets" with this episode, and begin a new round of shows by asking a question:

"What exactly does it mean to be truly educated?"

I got a bit technical and philosophical in the unpicking of this question, so I hope it's all interesting and thought provoking. Does education mean qualifications? being right? or perhaps reasoning? or is it something else? And even more oddly what does it mean to say we "know" something?

Stuff I mention in the episode can be found at the following links ..

Optimisticality works blog:
My thoughts on education:
https://www.optimisticality.works/blog/what-does-it-means-to-be-educated

My replies to Dr Debra Soh's work and arguments on the transgender phenomenon:
https://www.optimisticality.works/blog/gender-2020-sex-gender-and-the-false-dilemma-argument
https://www.optimisticality.works/blog/not-seeing-the-wood-for-the-trees-g2020
https://www.optimisticality.works/blog/examining-apples-whilst-hiding-oranges

I owe a huge shout out of thanks to Oliver stone of philosophy tube for the heads up on much of these concepts. you can find Oliver's take on all things philosophical @
https://www.youtube.com/user/thephilosophytube
I thoroughly recommend you subscribe and donate if able.

Sarah
;-)
...more
34min
January 20, 2019 Episode #20: The paradox of depressed identity.
Hi,
Todays episode is a bit of an open window into that area many of us chose to keep firmly shut. Mental health care is a part of over all health. Yet still, it is a cinderella service, and social attitudes, whilst changing, remain sceptical of mental health validity, variance and volume amongst us humans.
So I invite you to climb through my open window, into the dusty and unseen parts of one mind, mine, so that you may better understand the thoughts behind the thoughts. Those wheels that are inside wheels, the turning of which forms this thing we call "depression"
The Andrew soloman Ted talk I reference on the show can be found here
https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_depression_the_secret_we_share#t-62537
I also heartily recommend this video from philosophy tube, by Olly. Which covers some stuff that I didn't touch on myself. (CW - very poignant discussion of self harms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNw2FBdpyE
As ever you can email me your feedback and thoughts: [email protected]
...more
30min
January 20, 2019 Episode #20: The Paradox of Depressed Identity
Hi,

Todays episode is a bit of an open window into that area many of us chose to keep firmly shut. Mental health care is a part of over all health. Yet still, it is a cinderella service, and social attitudes whilst changing, remain sceptical of it's validity.

So I invite you to climb through my open window, into the dusty and unseen parts of one mind, mine, so that you may better understand the thoughts behind the thoughts. Those wheels that are inside wheels, the turning of which forms this thing we call "depression"

The Andrew soloman Ted talk can be found here
https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_depression_the_secret_we_share#t-62537

I also heartily recommend this video from philosophy tube, by Olly. Which covers some stuff that I didn't touch on myself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNw2FBdpyE

As ever you can email me your feedback and thoughts: [email protected]
...more
28min
January 06, 2019 Ep #19 New Years Revolutions Part One.
Ushering in the new calendar and celebrating the year past with some thoughts from myself and the loquacious linguist himself Ant Loughlin, joining once again with hilarious effect. So have a listen as we each pin down three specific endeavours for 2019, and have a few giggles along the way.
Happy new year to all the stubborn optimists out there, and may your efforts allow you to reach the opportunities life places in your path.

Sarah.

Email: [email protected]
Blog: http://stubbornlyoptimisitic.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-ooo-tree.html
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Acorn_2_oak
...more
58min
December 25, 2018 Episode 17 part 2. My Christmas top three
Ok, so you've had your turkey, you're full of Christmas pud. Grandma is asleep in the corner and you escaped the dishes. Why not grab a glass of something festive, fizzy or both and join me for the top three In my personal list of influencers?

Can you guess? we have three very distinct areas of thought represented, but if you want find out who then you're just gonna have to listen
Have great holiday season and I'll be back in the new year with the first episode of 2019 - "How not to do you New Years resolutions!"

Much love and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

xSarahx

...more
25min
December 23, 2018 Episode #17 Twelve gifts of Christmas.
Hi all.

Well its almost here. The 2018 festive season is upon us. So in honour of the "12 days of Christmas" and as something of a thanks for listening and sharing your time etc over the last few months, here are 12 Little gifts for you all. Some of my "go to" comments and thoughts from people well known and not.

I'll not write details of who is feature in the show here, since, like all presents this one comes wrapped. Wanna know who they are? You'll have to listen,.

Merry Christmas people!

XSarahx

...more
28min
December 02, 2018 Episode #16. A letter from Gender Dysphoria.- Living with the noise.
What's your thoughts on the recent spotlight on Gender, and its various effects?
Whether you agree or disagree, have listen to this episode, in which i pull apart my own experience of what living with Cognitive dissonance, and GD can be like, and hopefully give some context on issues that all too often get lost in translation.
as ever any comments you can find me at
e: [email protected]
t: @Acorns_2_oak
Enjoy!
...more
36min
November 18, 2018 Ep #15 Language, linguistics and Lamp-shading: The mechanics of Storytelling.
This episode is brought to you by Pizza, and Shredded duck. Plus coke and the result is a really rather fun chat with Ant Loughlin.
Ant is a writer, and I would suggest "a student of language" We had been planning to record one of our many conversations about his journey with linguistic learning, academia and retaining the love for a subject when plans to study it don't quite go as... well.... planned.
Have a listen to our meandering musing and as ever send ideas and feedback to:
[email protected]
have fun out out there people.
xx
...more
1h 4min

FAQs about Optimisticality:

How many episodes does Optimisticality have?

The podcast currently has 24 episodes available.