Ted and Patrick kick off with fatherhood, vasectomies, and the chaos of modern life before diving into social media radicalization and how to raise better men. They unpack how algorithms weaponize outrage, why politics feels broken, and what empathy and curiosity can still save. Then it’s on to Taylor Swift's new album, the burnout, and why joy might be her only way forward. Enjoy!

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00:00 – Intro: Taylor Swift’s album and unexpected politics

00:36 – Patrick’s vasectomy waitlist story

01:10 – Ted’s “50% emissions” joke and pregnancy talk

02:17 – SlutCon, fertility, and age gaps in parenting

03:35 – Miscarriage, exhaustion, and parenting at 30+

05:21 – The mental load of fatherhood

06:20 – Patrick’s parenting stories and “Hungry Caterpillar” moment

07:20 – Simple explanations as a superpower

07:55 – Anxiety, media, and radicalization begins

09:10 – The YouTube funnel and algorithmic outrage

10:49 – How right-wing influencers hook young men

12:44 – Why creators drift toward divisive content

14:49 – Jordan Peterson and the pull of extremism

17:13 – Boris, Trump, and populism’s moral void

18:57 – Radicalization and real-world violence

19:53 – Why platforms won’t shut down hate speech

21:10 – The collapse of consequence and fake morality

22:16 – Raising boys in the algorithm era

23:16 – The endless scroll and “slop content” culture

24:13 – Creating positive role models

25:12 – Housing, inequality, and political drift

27:07 – Media narratives vs. real voter concerns

31:23 – Local government and reform myths

33:37 – Depression, vulnerability, and radicalization

35:11 – Escaping social media doom loops

36:08 – Touching grass and finding purpose offline

37:41 – Why the world isn’t as bad as it seems

39:41 – Community and connection

40:15 – Education, critical thinking, and curiosity

43:52 – Raising resilient boys and men

45:45 – Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, and modern fame

47:09 – Taylor’s new album: where’s the fun?

49:27 – Lyrical fatigue and self-parody

51:36 – When success kills creativity

53:10 – Sally Rooney and artistic stagnation

54:10 – What Taylor needs next

56:07 – Cowboy boots and Copenhagen fashion detour

57:28 – Outro: podcast reflections and upcoming break

59:03 – What Man Down meant to Ted and Patrick

1:01:06 – Final thanks, Patreon shoutouts, and goodbye