In this conversation with scholar and author Tom Cooper, we trace the overlapping currents of McLuhan and Innis — how McLuhan’s Catholicism quietly shaped his media theory, and how geography steered Innis’ thinking. Tom shares stories from his time as McLuhan’s teaching assistant, giving us a rare, inside look at the man behind the aphorisms.

We also dig into his new book, a fresh lens on the Toronto School’s history and influence, and how those ideas keep mutating in today’s media environment. It’s a blend of personal memory, intellectual history, and a little bit of myth-busting.

We kick off The Executive Dropout with media theorist, author, and all-around McLuhan troublemaker Paul Levinson. In this hour we dismantle the tired “AI = Terminator” storyline, detour into the true story behind McLuhan’s cameo in Annie Hall (spoiler: he made up his own punchline), and wrestle with how the Tetrad can morph into a chiasmus — yes, it’s worth the listen.

Paul also traces his evolution from author to publisher back in the age of compact discs, and we talk about his latest venture, ConnectED Editions, which is bringing out Tom Cooper’s new book on McLuhan and Innis.

It’s part theory jam session, part media history deep-dive, part shmooze — exactly how we like it.