Thecuriousmanspodcast

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Stephen Aronson about his book, The Search for Meaning and the Mystery of Consciousness. This book asks the important questions that will stir a most important conversation, the one inside ourselves. What is consciousness? Why do we limit the possibilities in our own minds with dogmatic ideals that we don't even subscribe to? Aronson and I ask these questions and more, I hope you will listen to this conversation, read the book and start a conversation of your own.

Matt Crawford speaks with author, Kathy Forti about her book series, Stacks: Library of Truth Series.

My interview with author Dr. Troy Urdahl about his book, Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life, is now posted. Coaches are an often-overlooked influence on the life trajectory of our youth and with almost twice as many coaches than teachers, that is a very important resource that needs guidance. Urdahl steps into the fore to do just that and give any budding leaders the tools to be successful and impactful. With a unique delivery device, Urdahl compiles inspirational stories in a book that is hard to put down. 

My interview with author M.R O'Connor about her book, Ignition: Lighting Fires in a Burning World is now posted. In a riveting investigation of the science and ecology of wildfires, journalist M.R. O'Connor ventures into some of the oldest, most beautiful, and remote forests in North America to explore the powerful and ancient relationship between trees, fires, and humans. She also writes about her experience working the fire line, the ecological balance of building and the need to purge the forest with “good fires.” A prescient read in our times that I hope you all will pick up.

My interview with Julie Silverbrook about National Civics Day is now posted. We are in a crisis of dissolution in government today. So many people do not know what our government is responsible for and what their responsibilities to that system should be. Silverbrook and I talk about National Civics Day, what it means and how we should celebrate it. We also discuss the other civic holidays on the calendar and how we can educate ourselves and our youth better.

My interview with author Dr. Angela Sutton about her book, Pirates of the Slave Trade: The Battle of Cape Lopez and the Birth of an American Institution, is now posted. Pirates of the Slave Trade follows three fascinating figures whose fates would violently converge: John Conny, a charismatic leader of the Akan people; the infamous pirate Black Bart, who worked his way from an anonymous navigator to one of the British Empire’s most notorious enemies in the region; and naval captain Chaloner Ogle, tasked by the Crown with hunting down and killing Black Bart at all costs. At the Battle of Cape Lopez, these three men and the massive historical forces at their backs would finally find each other—and the world would be transformed forever. This book highlights the root of societies' greatest evil, Chattel Slavery. To discuss slavery and where it started is impossible without reading this book. I hope all will.

My interview with author Charles Derber about his book, Dying for Capitalism: How Big Money Fuels Extinction and What We Can Do About It, is now posted. This is an accessible book for scholars, students, activists, and the general public on the greatest crisis the world has faced. Capitalism has long been touted as the reason for U.S supremacy but Derber lifts the veil for us and shows how it is at the root of all that ails us. A primer on how to shift away from and heal the wounds that capitalism has created this is a necessary read if ever there has been one.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author David Curchio about his book, Smash Hit: Race, Crime, and Culture in Boxing Films. Boxing and film have been inextricably linked since silent movies, Curchio delves into our cultural fascination and highlights 20 movies that hold up the mirror to our culture of the time. A great exploration into film boxing that we can all appreciate and discuss.

Matt Crawford speaks to Judge Thomas Moukawsher about his book, The Common Flaw: Needless Complexity in the Courts and 50 Ways to Reduce It. Americans are losing faith in our governmental institutions and the courts are at the top of that list. Extreme delays force judges to drop cases or force litigants to settle instead of getting the justice they believe they deserve. This creates a cycle or ineffective and unjust law practices that all parties, including the judges and lawyers fail to understand. The Common Flaw steps into the fray to try and show us what needs to happen and why. With an approach that the layperson can understand Judge Moukawsher lays out a simple blueprint for us to fix and gain trust in our justice system again.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Amanda Chay about her book,The Girlfriend's Guide to Lupus: Hot to Control Your Shitty Diagnosis. While many of us have heard of Lupus very few of us, including those in the medical community understand it. With so many affected, and a vast array of symptoms and heath issues, how can we start to understand and help those diagnosed and their families? Chay has written this book for that reason and shared what it has been like for her and her family dealing with this disease. A funny, no holds barred memoir that tells it straight. I hope you will pick up this book and share it with a friend.