reeducated

In this conversation with Dr. Sachi Edwards, we dive deep into the complexities of how religion shows up seen and unseen in education systems, particularly in the United States. Sachi, a lecturer at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, walks us through the journey that led her to explore religious diversity, from her early experiences in college to her frustration with how religious topics are often excluded or mishandled in diversity discourse. She helps us examine the Christian-normative assumptions that undergird much of Western education, even when overt religious instruction is absent. Together, we unpack how values like individualism, capitalism, and the nuclear family structure have historically been used as tools of assimilation—and how those frameworks still echo in today’s classrooms.

We also explore what a more inclusive and expansive conversation about religion might look like. What does it mean to approach religion not just as a set of beliefs, but as a way of organizing life, community, and one’s relationship with the world? Sachi shares how she fosters spaces in her classroom where students are invited to approach difference with curiosity rather than condemnation, and how she encourages deep listening and reflection over quick judgment. As we imagine a utopian classroom, we reflect on what it would take to create a space where religious literacy, respect, and self-awareness can thrive without slipping into dogma or proselytizing. This episode is for anyone who’s wondered why religion feels both everywhere and nowhere in our schools and how we might begin to change that.

00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Dr. Sachi Edwards
02:00 – Early influences and discovering the study of religion
05:00 – When religion was treated as “off-limits” in school
08:00 – The problem of exoticizing religion in classrooms
12:00 – Expanding how we define religion beyond belief in gods
17:00 – Teaching students to see religion as culture and practice
21:00 – The roots of Christian influence in U.S. education
25:00 – Assimilation, individualism, and the legacy of missionary schools
30:00 – Capitalism, patriarchy, and the moral framework of schooling
35:00 – Modern echoes of Christian values in education today
40:00 – Teaching curiosity instead of condemnation
45:00 – How to create space for difficult conversations
50:00 – Religion as personal and collective identity
55:00 – A vision for a more inclusive, reflective education
1:00:00 – Closing reflections: curiosity, difference, and reimagining diversity

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. SJ Beard, a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, to explore the ethical, philosophical, and deeply human questions behind our most pressing global threats. We begin with SJ’s journey from philosophy to public policy and how a thought experiment called "The Repugnant Conclusion" unexpectedly shaped their career. From there, we dive into how philosophers play a crucial role in public discourse not by offering easy answers, but by helping us ask the harder questions that policy often ignores.

We explore three major theories of well-being: hedonistic, preference-based, and objective list—and their implications for education, economic models, and future planning. Our conversation takes a turn toward AI and technology, where we unpack the acceleration of change, the myth of the unstoppable tech future, and how existential risk isn’t just about doom—it’s also about agency. SJ shares their thoughts on how we measure value, what it means to live a “good life,” and whether humanity’s future is worth fighting for, especially when we don’t even agree on what “better” means.

This episode isn't about fear-mongering or utopian dreaming; it’s about asking the right questions. Questions like: Why should humanity survive? How do we define progress? And what role do education, technology, and philosophy play in shaping a future we actually want to live in?

00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Dr. SJ Beard
02:00 – A journey from philosophy to existential risk
06:00 – Defining the value of future generations
10:00 – How philosophy and policy intersect
15:00 – The philosophical versus political problem of the future
19:00 – Why we struggle to think long-term
23:00 – What philosophers bring to policymaking
28:00 – Poverty, inequality, and unanswerable questions
33:00 – The meaning of well-being: pleasure, desire, and objective value
38:00 – The conflict between wanting, happiness, and fulfillment
43:00 – Defining “the good life” across cultures
47:00 – How economics shapes our understanding of welfare
52:00 – Utopia, education, and the illusion of perfection
56:00 – Fear of technology versus real existential threats
1:00:00 – Heidegger, AI, and the loss of human agency
1:04:00 – The singularity and the limits of prediction
1:08:00 – Existential hope: reclaiming meaning in a technological age
1:11:00 – Teaching mortality, fear, and curiosity in education
1:13:00 – Closing reflections: courage, humility, and open questions

In this episode, I sit down with Adrian Currie, Associate Professor at the University of Exeter, whose work explores the philosophy of historical sciences like paleontology and geology. We dive into what it means to "know" something, particularly when our evidence from the deep past is fragmentary and seemingly impoverished. Adrian unpacks how paleontologists can create rich narratives about ancient life from the tiniest fossils — sometimes just a single molar — and what this reveals about the nature of evidence, imagination, and scientific inquiry.
We also explore the idea that knowledge is not a static collection of facts but an evolving, embodied relationship with the world, more akin to love than to utility. Adrian shares his perspective on why wonder is essential — how awe at the immensity of deep time can reshape our imaginations and free us from the narrowness of the present. Along the way, we discuss the institutional challenges facing disciplines like paleontology, the shifting cultural perceptions of intelligence, and why some of the most important knowledge resists simple instrumental justifications. This conversation left me feeling reconnected to the joy of exploration, and I hope it does the same for you.

00:00 – Introduction: Meeting Dr. Adrian Currie

02:00 – What is paleontology, and what does it mean to study its philosophy?

06:00 – How much can we know from a single fossil?

10:00 – Reconstructing the past from fragments

15:00 – The difference between experiencing and studying a science

20:00 – What does it mean to “know” something?

25:00 – Knowing how versus knowing that

31:00 – Intelligence, culture, and the limits of measurement

36:00 – Learning about ancient cognition through fossils

41:00 – What fossils reveal about aesthetic sense and meaning

46:00 – Why we should care about the deep past

51:00 – Wonder, imagination, and rethinking the present

56:00 – Knowledge as intrinsic value, not utility

1:01:00 – Education, curiosity, and how we learn

1:05:00 – The beauty of not knowing everything

1:08:00 – Closing reflections: curiosity, time, and the infinite pursuit of knowledge

In this episode, I sit down with Anders Sandberg, a researcher, futurist, and transhumanist, to explore the evolving nature of humanity and the future we're actively creating. We dive into how Anders' early curiosity led him into the world of science fiction, philosophy, and long-term future studies, and how what some might call "academic ADHD" actually became a strength in a world that rewards cross-disciplinary thinking. Together, we talk about the need for more imagination when thinking about humanity's future—especially when so many current narratives lean dystopian.

We unpack some profound questions: What does it mean to be human as technology reshapes our lives? How do we balance the rapid pace of innovation with the need for wisdom, ethics, and collective foresight? Anders offers fascinating reflections on how our identities, values, and societal structures could (and should) adapt as we encounter new possibilities like AI, space migration, and life extension. We also wrestle with why utopias are so rare in modern storytelling, and why cultivating bold, positive visions for the future is more important than ever.

Through the conversation, we explore the risks of complacency, the need to actively maintain and evolve our civilizations, and the role each of us can play in shaping a flourishing, meaningful future. It's a hopeful, challenging, and expansive dialogue that invites all of us to dream—and build—beyond the limits we often assume.

00:00 – Growing up curious and interdisciplinary
04:00 – Academic ADHD and the value of generalism
07:00 – The Bay Area, futurism, and chasing dreams
10:00 – AI safety and the problem of governance
13:00 – Humanity’s long-term trajectory and open futures
17:00 – Growth, beauty, and environmental ethics
21:00 – The challenge of imagining distant futures
25:00 – The evolving human condition
29:00 – What it means to be human as technology advances
33:00 – Dependence on systems and the trade-offs of progress
37:00 – The interplay between social and technological change
42:00 – Dystopian versus utopian imagination
47:00 – Moral progress and civic responsibility
52:00 – Transhumanism and the value of life itself
59:00 – Education as participation in the open-endedness of the universe
1:02:00 – The experience of beauty and the drive to learn
1:07:00 – Knowledge, power, and meaning
1:09:00 – Wisdom as solving the right problems
1:12:00 – Beyond the self: thinking for future generations

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Patrick McNamara, a pioneering neuroscientist studying the intersection of religion, mystical experience, and the human brain. We start with the question of why something as central to human history and culture as religion hasn’t traditionally been studied through a scientific lens—and what happens when it is. Patrick walks me through how religious rituals engage specific brain networks, and how our beliefs—whether they open us up to awe or close us off in dogma—are reflected in distinct neurological patterns.

We go deep into the terrain of mystical states, what they feel like, what the brain is doing during those experiences, and how they compare to flow states or psychedelic trips. Patrick shares how these states of intense bliss, self-transcendence, and insight often leave people permanently transformed. We also touch on the relationship between dreaming and religion, exploring how REM sleep, daydreaming, and nightmares are all neural gateways to creativity and meaning-making. Through this conversation, I was left wondering: can greater scientific understanding deepen rather than diminish our sense of mystery?

Whether you're curious about spirituality, skeptical of religion, or just fascinated by the frontiers of neuroscience, this episode offers a rich, layered conversation on how faith, dreams, and the brain intersect—and what that means for how we live, learn, and grow.

00:00 – Introducing Dr. Patrick McNamara and his work
03:00 – Why study religion scientifically?
07:00 – Defining religion as ritual directed at supernatural agents
10:00 – How ritual and signaling shape human behavior
12:00 – Religion, humility, and the infinite
15:00 – The closed and open mind: faith and dogma
19:00 – Neural correlates of belief and group identity
24:00 – Mystical experiences and the brain
27:00 – Are these real insights or illusions?
31:00 – Accessing mystical states safely
34:00 – Religion, psychedelics, and reverence
38:00 – Flow states versus mystical states
42:00 – Dreams, spirituality, and creativity
46:00 – Nightmares, meaning, and emotional learning
50:00 – Dreaming as a tool for education and imagination
54:00 – Children’s natural openness to the supernatural
58:00 – Integrating religion into scientific inquiry
1:02:00 – Mutual enrichment between religions
1:06:00 – The drive for truth and human curiosity
1:10:00 – Awe, mystery, and the purpose of education

What can ancient tools, symbols, and writing systems tell us about the evolution of human thought? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Karenleigh A. Overmann, a cognitive archaeologist, to explore how our ancestors' interactions with the material world fundamentally shaped the way we think. From the earliest stone tools to the development of writing, we discuss how changes in human behavior reflect changes in cognition and how these interactions continue to shape us today.

We dive into fascinating topics, such as how the visual system evolved alongside tool-making, why early scripts became more abstract over time, and how the very concept of numbers and zero took centuries to develop. We also explore the implications of modern technologies, from social media to artificial intelligence, and how they might be reshaping cognition in ways we don’t fully understand yet. If you’ve ever wondered how the mind extends beyond the brain and into the tools we use, this conversation is for you.

00:00 – Introducing Dr. Karenleigh A. Overmann
04:00 – How material culture shapes cognition
08:00 – The invention of counting and numerical thought
12:00 – Objects as extensions of the human mind
16:00 – The transition from tools to symbols
20:00 – Cultural diversity in number systems
25:00 – Writing, abstraction, and literacy
30:00 – How material engagement theory redefines intelligence
35:00 – Evolutionary roots of language and communication
40:00 – The archaeology of mind and meaning
45:00 – How tools shape memory and imagination
50:00 – Rethinking education through cognitive archaeology
55:00 – What ancient cognition reveals about modern life
1:00:00 – The moral and spiritual dimensions of intelligence
1:05:00 – Future humans and the extended mind

In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Keggin to explore her incredible transformation from lawyer to artist and the deep self-reflection that led her there. She shares how societal expectations and the pursuit of success once kept her in the legal profession, despite her underlying passion for creativity. We discuss the fears that held her back—fear of failure, of judgment, of creating something "garbage"—and how she overcame them through faith in herself and the artistic process. Tanya’s story is one of courage, vulnerability, and the rediscovery of a long-buried creative voice.

We also dive into the broader themes of identity, the emotional power of art, and the need for self-reflection in both career and life. Tanya describes how art is more than just expression—it is a way to connect with ourselves and others, to translate emotions into something tangible. We talk about the difficulty of shedding an old identity and stepping into the unknown, the importance of trusting the process, and the role of aesthetics in shaping our experiences. Whether you’re contemplating a career shift, exploring your creative side, or simply searching for deeper meaning, this episode offers an inspiring perspective on transformation, authenticity, and the power of art to change lives.

00:00 – From law to art: an unexpected journey
04:00 – Childhood ambition and early expectations
08:00 – Academic life and first career choices
12:00 – Entering law and searching for identity
17:00 – The extrinsic versus intrinsic self
22:00 – Burnout, motherhood, and rediscovery
27:00 – The courage to create again
33:00 – Fear, failure, and artistic rebirth
38:00 – Flow states and the joy of process
43:00 – Sharing art and finding connection
48:00 – Letting go of certainty and redefining success
53:00 – The spiritual side of creativity
58:00 – Art as language, empathy, and energy
1:04:00 – Connection as the purpose of creation
1:10:00 – Living aesthetically and beginning again

In this episode, I share a deeply personal journey that kicked off my 2025 with an unexpected challenge and plenty of travel adventures. While sitting at a familiar Starbucks in Pattaya, Thailand, I struck up a conversation with a fascinating Canadian businessman that lasted for hours. Our dialogue—filled with reflections on life, the fear of not fully living, and the pursuit of passion—ignited an idea that would reshape my approach for the year. He challenged me to record an episode a day for 2025, and that moment, in the midst of travel and spontaneous connection, made me question my boundaries and the sacrifices I’m willing to make for my craft.

I then take you along through my New Year’s experience in Bangkok, where the vibrant chaos of Khao San Road and the stark contrasts of daily life left me with a mix of awe and introspection. I reflect on the pressures of social expectations during New Year’s celebrations, the beauty of raw, unfiltered moments, and the lessons I’ve learned about celebrating intentionally—without alienating others in the process. From managing a radical shift in my lifestyle to embracing the responsibility of sharing my personal and educational insights, this episode is an honest exploration of how travel, chance encounters, and the courage to push myself can redefine what it means to be re-educated.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Celine Benoit, an assistant professor in sociology at the University of Nottingham, to discuss a topic that often gets overlooked how children themselves perceive education, autonomy, and the systems designed for their growth. We dive into the sociological constructs of childhood, exploring how cultural, historical, and societal norms shape our understanding of what it means to be a child. Dr. Benoit sheds light on why it’s crucial to involve young voices in conversations about their own learning environments and why the traditional distinction between childhood and adulthood might be holding us back from truly transformative education.

We also tackle the intersection of education and religion, examining how various systems approach religious instruction and the often-overlooked autonomy children possess in navigating these experiences. From discussing the innate curiosity of children to questioning how our school systems suppress autonomy, this conversation challenges the norms of what education should look like. Together, we unpack the importance of allowing young people to participate in decisions about their lives, fostering an inclusive space where children aren’t just passive recipients of knowledge but active contributors to their own development.
If you’ve ever questioned the structure of modern education or wondered what it would mean to truly listen to children’s voices, this episode offers a fresh, thought-provoking perspective that might just change the way you view learning, growth, and what it means to "become."

00:00 – Introducing Dr. Céline Benoit and her research
03:00 – Cultural contrasts in religious education
06:00 – Missing voices: children in policy and education
09:00 – Defining what it means to be a child
12:00 – The social construction of childhood
16:00 – The concept of “being” and “becoming”
20:00 – How schools restrict autonomy and imagination
25:00 – The child’s right to participation
30:00 – Montessori, inclusion, and participatory education
35:00 – Rethinking freedom and structure in learning
40:00 – Religion, spirituality, and the classroom
45:00 – Why death and moral questions matter in education
50:00 – Parental control and the fear of exposure
55:00 – Research ethics and children’s consent
1:00:00 – The limits of neoliberal schooling
1:05:00 – Tension between safety, control, and agency
1:10:00 – Listening as the foundation of educational reform
1:15:00 – Closing reflections on voice, vulnerability, and meaning

In this episode, I sit down with Marcel Parent, a lecturer in the Religions and Cultures program at Concordia University, to explore the deep structures that shape how we think about the world. We dive into postcolonial theory, the ways in which colonial history still influences modern knowledge systems, and the biases we unknowingly inherit. Marcel unpacks how Western thought has constructed the idea of "the East" and how these ideological frameworks continue to shape global perspectives on culture, religion, and education.

We also discuss the tension between intellectualizing a subject and actually experiencing it, using examples from travel, academia, and personal transformation. How do our preconceived notions shape the way we engage with the world? Can we ever experience something without the filter of our learned biases? Marcel challenges conventional ways of thinking, revealing how power, history, and discourse dictate what we accept as knowledge. If you’ve ever questioned the foundation of what you know, this episode is for you.

00:00 – Introducing Dr. Marcel Parent and his background
03:00 – The meaning of “lecturer” and academic roles in Canada
05:00 – Postcolonial theory and unlearning Western assumptions
09:00 – Romanticizing the East and the impact of Orientalism
13:00 – Cognitive dissonance and the limits of intellectual knowledge
18:00 – Ideology, bias, and the psychology of knowing
24:00 – Decolonizing epistemology and confronting power structures
30:00 – Rationality, faith, and the colonial roots of Enlightenment thought
36:00 – How reason and religion became political tools
42:00 – Defining colonialism and its modern legacies
47:00 – Postcolonialism versus Marxism: the politics of liberation
52:00 – Global capitalism and the unfinished work of decolonization
58:00 – Solidarity as a foundation for change
1:03:00 – The purpose of higher education and the search for meaning
1:08:00 – Universities as colonial institutions
1:12:00 – Soft vs. hard decolonization in academia
1:17:00 – Alienation, compassion, and rediscovering humanity
1:23:00 – Walking across the world and listening to people
1:27:00 – Hope, realism, and the future of learning