Sometimes our convictions can be so indoctrinated that it’s tough to separate them from reality and the facts in front of us. One such example is the Salem Witch Trials from 1692-1693, where an episode of mass hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts led to over 200 people being put on trial for witchcraft, culminating in nineteen executions. So how did this happen? How was it possible that people in one of the most educated societies of the time, not far from Harvard, became so convinced that witchcraft was real, to the point that they killed 14 women and 5 men for being witches? World-renowned Salem expert, Marilynne Roach, joins the podcast.

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At its core, sex is supposed to be pleasurable. It’s typically considered much easier for a male to reach orgasm than a female, and although orgasm is not the only way to experience pleasure from sex, it’s certainly a more defined and easily measurable endpoint. So with that said, how frequently and to what degree do women experience sexual pleasure when compared to men? Does it often take more time for women to understand their own bodies and what makes them sexually aroused? And how could men learn to be better sexual partners to women, by having a greater understanding of the way they experience sex? Dr. Debby Herbenick, a sexual and reproductive health professor, joins the podcast.

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With the advent of botox and fillers, cosmetic procedures have become much quicker to administer and more accessible to the masses. In many ways, one could argue this is a good thing – it offers a service to people who want it in a more available way than ever before. But in other ways, has the obsession with a certain definition of beauty and staying younger only further stigmatized getting older and aging naturally? Has the world of cosmetic surgery perhaps gone too far and fostered a certain type of ‘addiction’ to looking younger? And how exactly do botox and fillers work? Plastic surgeon Dr. Harmeet Gill joins the podcast.

Learn more about Dr. Harmeet Gill
https://www.eyefaceinstitute.com/our-doctors

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Napoleon Bonaparte is considered one of the greatest military leaders of all time. He is often mentioned alongside names such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, but whereas they existed thousands of years ago, he died only 200 years ago. And as such, his legacy is perhaps still being shaped more so than other comparatively more ancient figures. So what is the legacy of Napoleon? What are some of the preconceptions that have permeated into modern thought? Beyond his military achievement, what made Napoleon such a memorable figure? World-famous historian Andrew Roberts joins the podcast.

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Choosing a baby name can be stressful. While a name is just a name, it will follow your child around for the rest of their life. What are some of the factors that go into this decision, and what are some newer trends that are being witnessed? The preconception might be that picking a baby name is as simple as googling lists online, but how can the process be more targeted and simplified? Name consultant Steph Coffield joins the podcast.

Learn more about Steph Coffield
Website - NamesWithSteph.com

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We often hear American politicians recite lines like, ‘The United States is the greatest country in the world’. Especially when it comes to US presidential elections, the notion that the United States is somehow different than the rest of the world is on full display. There’s an idea of American exceptionalism that persists, the thought that the United States is a fundamentally unique and special country, based on ethical pillars that are rare to find in other countries. So how did this idea originate, and is there indeed truth in it? Renowned historian Andrew O'Shaugnessy joins the podcast.

Learn more about Andrew O'Shaughnessy here:
https://www.andrewjoshaughnessy.com/home

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One of the most significant preconceptions that governs our lives revolves around our career trajectory. For the most part, the status quo typically involves us choosing a general career path in our twenties and sticking with it for the duration of working years. But not for all of us. Robert Markowitz was a practicing criminal lawyer who gave it all up and became a clown. He joins the podcast.

Robert's book 'Clown Shoes' -
https://www.amazon.ca/Clown-Shoes-Robert-Markowitz/dp/1956474307

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The terms ‘wellness’ and ‘mental health’ have been around for many years, but over the last decade, it’s taken on a life of its own. And while most of us would agree that looking after our wellness and self-care is a very important thing, one might also wonder, has this movement gone too far in some regards? And while it might seem that such a focus on wellness would naturally reduce stigma regarding actual psychiatric illness, is that necessarily the case? Psychologist Huw Green joins the podcast.

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On October 7th, Israel experienced its bloodiest day since its founding in 1948. In the immediate aftermath of these crimes, anti-Israel and anti-Semitic protests erupted around the world, coinciding with Hamas's "Day of Rage" to "attack Israelis and Jews". In this episode, we try to understand the events that transpired and equally try and comprehend the world's response. Risa Epstein, an educator on Judaism and Israel, joins the podcast.

To learn more about the conflict in Israel and Palestine, listen to this other Preconceived episode that reviews the conflict in detail, at the link below:

https://link.chtbl.com/IsraelPalestine

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We live in a world in which we have easy access to almost anything we want. We see something online that we want, and we can have it delivered to our home that same day. And while increased access and availability can be a good thing, it can also be a dangerous one. With limitless access to more seemingly benign pastimes such as shopping and social media, as well as more obviously concerning pastimes such as drugs, gambling, and porn, the predilection to addiction is perhaps stronger than ever. Dr. Anna Lembke, Stanford Psychiatrist and author of Dopamine Nation, joins the podcast.

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