Thecuriousmanspodcast

Today's episode looks at the economy through a lens that's too often ignored—and wildly underestimated.

My guest is Misty Heggeness, economist at the University of Kansas and author of Swiftynomics: How Women Mastermind and Redefine the Economy. In this eye-opening book, Misty challenges traditional economic assumptions by showing how women—through spending, caregiving, community-building, and collective action—are reshaping markets and redefining what economic power actually looks like.

This is a conversation about data, culture, and why the future of economics may already be here—we just haven't been measuring it correctly.

Today's episode celebrates a woman who refused to behave—and changed American culture because of it.

My guest is Carla Kaplan, Davis Distinguished Professor of American Literature at Northeastern University and author of Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford. In this rich and revelatory biography, Carla traces the extraordinary journey of Jessica Mitford—from British aristocrat to American radical, investigative journalist, and one of the most irreverent truth-tellers of the twentieth century.

This is a conversation about dissent, wit, class, feminism, and what it means to live a life guided by conviction rather than convention.

Today's conversation explores one of the darkest and least examined chapters of modern history—and why it still matters.

My guest is Susanne Antonetta, author of The Devil's Castle: Nazi Eugenics, Euthanasia, and How Psychiatry's Troubled History Reverberates. In this powerful and deeply researched book, Susan examines how psychiatric institutions and medical authority were used to justify eugenics and mass murder under the Nazi regime—and how the echoes of that history continue to shape mental health care today.

This is not just a story about the past. It's a conversation about ethics, power, language, and what happens when care becomes control.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Allen Saxon, a veteran general surgeon and now debut novelist, to discuss his new book Training in Charity. Drawing from decades of surgical experience, Dr. Saxon offers a rare glimpse into the world of medical training — not just the technical rigor, but also the emotional, ethical, and human challenges that define life inside an operating room.

We explore the inspiration behind the novel, how fiction can reveal truths that memoirs sometimes can't, and what it means to practice medicine with both skill and compassion. Dr. Saxon shares stories from his surgical career, reflects on the mentors who shaped him, and talks about the evolution of surgery over time. We also discuss the writing process, his transition from medicine to storytelling, and what readers can learn from the characters and conflicts within the book.

Whether you're fascinated by medicine, drawn to character-driven fiction, or curious about the intersections between science and art, this conversation shines light on the humanity at the core of surgical training.

Today's guest is Chester L. Richards — a retired rocket scientist, inventor, author, and co-writer of one of Star Trek's most iconic episodes, "The Tholian Web."

Chester's life has unfolded at the crossroads of imagination and engineering. From working on advanced aerospace projects to helping bring bold science fiction ideas to television screens, his career reflects a lifelong belief in curiosity, creativity, and possibility.

In his memoir, The Trek Continues, Chester looks back on a life shaped by science, storytelling, and exploration — and reminds us that discovery doesn't end with retirement. In this conversation, we talk about rockets, Star Trek, invention, and what it means to keep moving forward long after the credits roll.

Today's guest is Leokadia George, a mental health therapist, Wolf Center volunteer, and the author of the children's book Trumpet Becomes a Mom.

Blending her love for wildlife with her professional understanding of emotional development, Leokadia has created a story that gently introduces young readers to themes of nurturing, responsibility, and change — all through the eyes of a wolf named Trumpet.

In this conversation, we talk about the inspiration behind the book, how animal stories help children process big feelings, and why empathy for both others and the natural world matters so deeply, especially at a young age.

I welcome Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio back on the show to discuss her newest book, Building A Thriving Future: Metaverse and Multiverse.

We discuss what the terms Metverse and Multiverse mean. How steeped they are in our everyday life (even though we may not realize it), and how we can be early adopters and evolve with the times.

The 1970s are often remembered as a decade of protest, liberation, and social change — but they were also marked by violence, fear, and political extremism.

Today's guest Jason Burke is an international security correspondent for The Guardian and the author of The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s. In this book, he traces how radical groups across the globe turned revolutionary ideals into campaigns of terror — and how their actions reshaped politics, policing, and public life in ways we're still living with today.

This is a conversation about how extremism takes hold, how societies respond, and why the lessons of the 1970s matter now more than ever.

In this episode, we sit down with renowned cardiologist, researcher, and author Dr. Peter Kowey to talk more about his eye-opening book, Failure to Treat. Drawing from decades of experience in medicine, Dr. Kowey exposes the systemic flaws that are failing both patients and the professionals who care for them. We discuss what we think can be done to change the system and how most of us would probably agree, if not for the divisive political climate and social medis bytes. Please join us and hopefully this will spark your own deep discussions.

Grief has a way of stopping time — but it can also open unexpected doors.

Today's guests are Bob and Tammy Cranston, authors of The Blank Journal, a deeply personal story about loss, faith, and what can happen when two grieving people meet at exactly the right moment. Their journey — which they describe as guided by divine intervention — led not only to love and marriage, but to a shared commitment to living with intention and purpose.

This conversation is about grief, healing, faith, and what it means to begin again when life hands you a blank page.