In this episode #41, we explore the key events that led to World War I, from a shocking assassination to rising militarism and secret alliances. We dive into misconceptions, social ideologies like Social Darwinism, and the rapid escalation that plunged the world into chaos. Discover how nations mobilized for battle, and how Europe’s power struggles turned into a global conflict.

(00:00) - The Spark That Ignited War

(02:51) - The Scale of the Conflict

(04:04) - Assassination That Changed Everything

(11:38) - Tensions in the Balkans

(16:21) - Balance of Power

(18:16) - Germany's Rise to Power

(29:54) - Militarism

(31:39) - Social Darwinism

(32:08) - Conscription

(32:51) - The Morocco Crisis

(33:42) - A Ballerina's Perspective

(34:27) - Shifting Dynamics of Power

(37:04) - Misconceptions of War

(40:00) - The Concept of Übermensch

(40:49) - Predicting the War

(42:10) - Berlin to Baghdad: A Hidden Agenda

(42:31) - The Role of Fatalism

(43:40) - France-Great Britain

(47:36) - Alliances That Shaped the War

(48:14) - Conflicts in Southeastern Europe

(1:06:02) - How War Escalated Rapidly

(1:09:20) - Schlieffen Plan

(1:12:50) - Too Late

(1:14:52) - Secret Meeting

(1:16:22) - Mobilization Begins

(1:17:49) - Brink of Madness

(1:29:29) - Discovering the Root Cause

(1:33:46) - Key Recommendations for Understanding

The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman - https://amzn.to/48ij0S7

A World Undone by G. J. Meyer - https://amzn.to/3NvCPMe

The Sleepwalkers by Christopher Clark - https://amzn.to/3YsU6M8

The Great Illusion by Sir Norman Angell - https://amzn.to/4dPt6ej

They Shall Not Grow Old - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7905466/

In episode #40, we’re diving into the story of the most fearless tribe in American history—the Comanche. Known for their unmatched horsemanship and ruthless warfare, they ruled the Southern Plains with an iron grip, striking terror into anyone who crossed their path. We’ll uncover how they became a force that even the U.S. military struggled to contain, explore their legendary raids, and look at pivotal moments like the Sand Creek Massacre and their battles against the Spanish and Apache. But what led to their downfall?

00:00 - Origin Of American Tribes

In episode #39, We explore the hidden challenges of Hollywood that are rarely discussed. From the extreme demands placed on actors to the high-pressure environment of the industry, we’ll uncover how fame, method-acting and success can come with serious personal and ethical dilemmas. We’ll also look into some of the most talked-about controversies.

In episode #38, We explore the remarkable journey of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the visionary leader who transformed fragmented territories into a powerful Sikh Empire. Known as the "Sher-e- Punjab," Ranjit Singh not only built a formidable military but also fostered a culture of inclusivity, diplomacy, and innovation. Discover how his leadership, foresight, and unique approach to governance reshaped the subcontinent, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.

00:00 – Early Life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

17:01 – Golden Age of Punjab

01:18:16 – End of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Golden Rule

1. ​Empire of the Sikhs: The Life and Times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh by Patwant Singh and Jyoti M. Rai - https://amzn.to/4e8PobY
2. ​The Court and Camp of Runjeet Singh by The Hon. W. G. Osborne - https://archive.org/details/courtcampofrunje00osboiala/page/n1/mode/2up
3. ​Maharaja Ranjit Singh : politics, society, and economy by Fauja Singh & A.C Arora - https://archive.org/details/maharajaranjitsi0000unse
4. ​A History of the Sikhs by Joseph Davey Cunningham - https://archive.org/details/cunninghamshisto00cunnuoft
5. ​Maharaja Ranjit Singh by Sir Lepel Griffin - https://archive.org/details/ranjitsingh00grif
6. ​The Real Maharaja: Ranjit Singh by Fakir Syed Waheeduddin - https://amzn.to/4eqil2W

In episode #37, we dive into the world of the Vikings — fierce warriors, skilled navigators, and masterful traders who reshaped the course of European history. Discover their brutal raids, groundbreaking shipbuilding techniques, and the lasting impact of their conquests across England and beyond. Explore the truth behind Viking legends and uncover what made these Norsemen such a formidable force in the medieval world.

In Episode #36, we uncover the harsh realities of most famous pirates beyond the myths and legends. From ancient sea raiders to the infamous privateers of the 17th and 18th centuries, we explore the true stories of pirates who defied empires, sought fortune on the high seas, and lived by a brutal code in a world of adventure and danger.

00:00 - Origins of Sea Raiders

08:27 - Privateers

11:32 - Colonial Expansion

24:28 - Francis Drake

26:05 - Hernán Cortés

27:37 - False Flagging

28:31 - The Pirate Code

30:19 - Port Royal

31:51 - Most Ruthless Pirates

34:06 - Sugar & Tobacco

34:45 - Pirate Weapons

37:54 - Buccaneers

39:28 - Blackbeard: Legendary Pirate

44:25 - Marooning

45:56 - Royal Navy vs. Pirates

47:11 - Captain Kidd

50:05 - Pirate Queens

57:10 - Pirates and Culture

58:13 - Henry Morgan

01:01:11 - Aurangzeb’s Treasure Ship

01:02:52 - Black Bart

01:03:04 - Decline of Piracy

01:08:57 - Pirate Myths Debunked

01:12:33 - Maritime Courts

01:13:12 - Modern Piracy

01:15:28 - Ching Shih

01:16:31 - The Gentleman Pirate

01:17:31 - Final Thoughts

In this episode #35, we dive into the fascinating world of Cognitive Biases, the mental shortcuts/Mental traps that often lead us to poor conclusions and decision making. We explore biases like the Spotlight Effect, where we believe others are more focused on us than they really are, and the Halo Effect, which causes us to judge someone’s whole character based on one positive trait. Understanding these cognitive biases help to improve critical thinking and eliminate thinking errors.

00:00 - Cognitive Biases

03:53 - Spotlight Effect

06:51 - Halo Effect 

10:44 - Anchoring Effect 

11:04 - Peltzman Effect

11:40 - Rosy Retrospection 

12:28 - Peak End Bias

13:17 - Negativity Bias

13:57 - Hindsight Bias

15:01 - Dunning–Kruger Effect / Authority Bias

17:32 - Confirmation Bias

20:00 - Survivorship Bias

21:46 - Forer Effect

23:45 - Framing Effect

24:41 - Contrast Effect

25:20 - Decoy Effect 

26:34 - Zeigarnik Effect

29:13 - Sunk Cost Fallacy

31:24 - Self-Justification Bias

33:00 - Bandwagon Effect

34:12 - Availability Cascade

36:31 - Gambler's Fallacy

37:11 - Clustering Illusion 

38:06 - Bystander Effect

39:42 - Illusion of Truth

41:37 - Focusing Effect

42:41 - Extension Neglect

43:18 - Hyperbolic Discounting

44:05 - Diagnosis Momentum

44:46 - Misinformation Effect

46:16 - Ostrich Effect

47:18 - Therapeutic Nihilism

48:02 - Black Swan Fallacy 

49:57 - Environment Amnesia

50:35 - Functional Fixedness

51:11 - False Consensus Effect

52:09 - Declinism 

54:52 - Familiarity Bias

55:36 - Affinity Bias

56:30 - Mere Exposure Effect

57:44 - Benjamin Franklin Effect

58:57 - Law of Triviality

01:00:03 - Fundamental Attribution Error

01:01:33 - Egocentric Bias

01:02:23 -The Knowledge Curse

01:03:12 - Positive side of Cognitive Biases 

01:04:41 - IKEA Effect

01:06:03 - Hoarding Disorder

01:06:24 - G. I. Joe Fallacy

01:08:30 - Tourism Optimism Bias

01:09:44 - Peak End Bias

01:11:38 - Serial Position Effect

In episode #34, we explore Marcus Aurelius' life, philosophy and his journals. From his role as a philosopher-king and the origins of Stoicism to the wisdom in Meditations and his lasting legacy, we delve into key lessons, Stoicism, Nietzsche’s criticism of Stoics, and lasting impact of one of history's greatest philosopher-king.

00:00 - Marcus Aurelius: Philosopher King

06:34 - Stoicism Origins: Zeno to Aurelius

12:19 - Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations

15:06 - Becoming Roman Emperor

22:37 - Stoic Lessons & Wisdom

29:53 - Core of Stoicism

39:06 - Stoicism Misinterpretations

43:10 - Stoic Determination

44:23 - Nietzsche vs. Stoicism

49:53 - Last Years of Marcus Aurelius

58:53 - Marcus Aurelius' Imperfections

01:01:37 - Stoic Action in Life

01:04:05 - Self-Help Addiction

01:06:04 - Pragmatic & Virtuous King

01:13:47 - Final Thoughts

In this episode #33 of the Unconventionals Podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of occult practices and uncover the real truths behind them. Join us as we explore the psychology that drives individuals to seek out the mysterious and the unknown, unravel the rituals that have been passed down through generations, and examine the influence of secret societies throughout history. We’ll also discuss esoteric knowledge and its role in shaping spiritual and cultural movements. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this episode offers a balanced perspective on the hidden aspects of human belief and tradition.


00:00 - Occult, Bohemian Grove

In this Episode #32, We delve into the fascinating story of human evolution, tracing our journey from single-celled organisms to the complex beings we are today. Starting 6-7 million years ago, when our lineage split from a common ancestor with chimpanzees, we explore key milestones like the rise of early hominins such as Australopithecus and the emergence of Homo habilis and Homo erectus. These species laid the groundwork for traits like bipedalism, tool use, and larger brain size. We'll also discuss the evolutionary forces that shaped us, including natural selection, genetic drift, and climate change. Beyond mainstream science, we explore unconventional theories like the Stoned Ape Theory, which suggests psychedelics may have played a role in our cognitive evolution and much more.

(00:00) - Primitive Life