Preconceived

By Snack LabsSociety & Culture Education Self-Improvement Philosophy

Preconceived episodes

October 28, 2025 Taylor Swift - In a League of Her Own
Taylor Swift is arguably the most famous person in the world – a pop star the likes of whom many of us haven’t seen in our lifetimes. Especially over the past year with the release of her latest album Midnights and her record-breaking The Eras Tour, it’s not crazy to wonder if what we are witnessing right now is somewhat analogous to the Beatlemania of the 1960s. So what exactly is the phenomenon of Taylor Swift? Why has she risen to the heights that she has and captivated so many people like few other artists have before her? Is this truly a special pop culture moment, or is it perhaps being overstated? Music industry veteran Ralph Jaccodine joins the podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
51 min
October 21, 2025 295. Achieving Elite Performance
In this episode of Preconceived, Zale interviews Dr. Cassidy Preston, a high-performance coach who works with professional athletes and surgeons. They discuss the importance of mindset, dealing with stress, and achieving high performance in high-pressure environments. Cassidy shares insights on the inside-out approach to mindset, the role of acceptance, and the significance of routines and preparation.

Learn more about Dr. Cassidy Preston -https://drcassidypreston.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
49 min
October 14, 2025 294. History's Famous Druggies
In this episode, Zale is joined by Sam Kelly, author of 'Human History on Drugs', to explore the complex morality surrounding drug use throughout history. They discuss the historical context of drug perception, the stigmatization of drug use, and the philosophical views on drugs. The conversation delves into notable historical figures such as Freud, Marcus Aurelius, Shakespeare, and Alexander the Great, examining their relationships with drugs and how these experiences shaped their legacies.

Human History on Drugs - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747457/human-history-on-drugs-by-sam-kelly/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
51 min
September 30, 2025 293. The Myths of Modern Love
In this episode, Zale engages with social psychologist Pamela Regan to explore the complexities of modern love, including the romantic ideal, different love styles, and the impact of societal expectations on relationships. They discuss the validity of arranged marriages, the burden of expecting one partner to fulfill all emotional needs, and the importance of recognizing the fluctuations in love and commitment over time. The conversation emphasizes that love is multifaceted and can take many forms, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique experiences in love.

Learn more about Pamela Regan at https://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/dr-pamela-regan

Shownotes

00:00
The Evolution of Love and Marriage
01:24
Modern Love: A Complex Landscape
02:41
The Many Faces of Love
05:20
Passionate vs. Companionate Love
08:30
Expectations in Romantic Relationships
11:33
The Burden of One Partner
14:15
Finding Balance in Love
23:49
Navigating Modern Relationships and Boundaries
25:58
Understanding Arranged Marriages in Contemporary Society
31:15
Findings on Commitment and Satisfaction in Marriages
35:38
The Role of Social Influence in Finding Love
41:50
Defining Love: Beyond Feelings to Choices and Actions
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
51 min
September 16, 2025 292. Titanic - A Tragedy of Hubris?
In this episode of Preconceived, Zale delves into the enduring fascination with the Titanic disaster, exploring themes of hubris, human nature, and historical myth-making. Joined by Professor Stephanie Barczewski, a specialist in modern British history, they unravel the complex narratives surrounding the Titanic's ill-fated voyage, examining the decisions made, the societal norms of the time, and the compelling stories of heroism and tragedy.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr
September 09, 2025 291. Protecting Kids in the Digital Age
In this episode, we explore the multifaceted impact of technology on modern parenting. Our discussion covers a range of topics, including the challenges of limiting technology use, which tech platforms are less harmful than others, and which facets of technology are most detrimental to childhood development. Tune in for practical advice, real-life stories, and a thoughtful examination of how technology is influencing the way we raise our children. Katy Albert joins the podcast.

Katy Albert's Website - https://anchoredfamilies.ca/

Sisters 2 Moms Podcasts - https://anchoredfamilies.ca/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
45 min
September 02, 2025 Christianity - Compelling Truth or Indoctrination?
With over two billion followers worldwide, Christianity is the most popular religion in the world. For some, the preconception is ‘of course Christianity is the correct religious view’, with so many people subscribing to it. For others, the preconception might be, ‘how is it possible that so many people believe in a religion defined by a historical event that nobody can prove?’. Because in contrast to many other religions and worldviews, Christianity is perhaps more predicated than any on a specific historical event – the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So how does one, and two billion people for that matter, come to devote their life to Christianity, despite all the uncertainty that surrounds the nature of this world? John Stackhouse, author of 'Can I Believe?', joins the podcast.

John Stackhouse's Website
https://www.johnstackhouse.com
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48 min
August 26, 2025 290. Born Remembering - When Kids Recall Past Lives
In this episode of Preconceived, Zale discusses the phenomenon of Past Life Memories (PLMs) with Marietta Pehlivanova, a research assistant professor at the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies. The conversation primarily focuses on children who recount having memories of past lives. Marietta explains the research approaches, highlights compelling cases, and discusses the challenges of verifying these memories. The episode delves into specific cases, such as that of a young boy with detailed and verifiable memories of a past life. Are such memories real, and if so, what do they reveal about alternate realities and past lives?

Marietta Pehlivanova - https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies/dops-staff/marieta-pehlivanova/
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50 min
August 19, 2025 289. Genocide in Gaza? (Part 2 - An Argument in Defence Of Israel)
In this second episode of the two-part mini-series on the war in Gaza, Jeffrey Herf shares his point of view on why Israel is NOT committing genocide in Gaza. He provides a historical definition of genocide, contrasting it with the current situation, which he argues is a war rather than an act of genocide. Herf emphasizes the role of Hamas as the aggressor and the complexities of civilian casualties in warfare. He also addresses the moral dilemmas faced by Israel and the need for a stable post-war governance in Gaza.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
40 min
August 12, 2025 288. Genocide in Gaza? (Part 1 - An Argument Against Israel)
In this two part mini-series of Preconceived, we explore the question of whether or not Israel's war with Gaza qualifies as a genocide. We delve into the complex and sensitive topic of genocide, focusing on the role of intent and context in its definition. Joined by Professor Omer Bartov, we explore the historical and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of genocide, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. Bartov, an Israeli historian and former IDF member, shares insights from his recent New York Times article, arguing that the situation in Gaza meets the criteria for genocide. We discuss the importance of intent in distinguishing genocide from other war crimes and the challenges of applying these definitions to real-world conflicts. In the second part of this mini-series, to be published next week, another genocide scholar joins the podcast to explain why he does not believe this war qualifies as a genocide.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hr 7 min

About Preconceived

From the publisher's feed

Preconceived, hosted by Zale Mednick, dives deep into the intricacies of human experience, challenging the assumptions that shape our understanding of the world. In each episode, Zale engages with…