Vernacular

In part one of this special Father's Day episode from 3rd String Podcast, Zac (@ZacCrippen), Pete Laclede (@Pete_Laclede), and Josh Goldman (@GoldmanStandard) talk about the defining biography of Tiger Woods and the lessons that fathers everywhere can draw from it. Also be sure to check out Zac's longform piece on Tiger Woods, Golfing in the Dark

Don't miss the Vernacular Podcast Network's newest show, The Popped Cast, launching later this month! Josh and Maureen Goldman host this pop culture addition to the Vernacular lexicon.

Why is suffering important for our understanding of what it means to be human? Would a life devoid of suffering be a life without meaning? Can our suffering be redeemed? In the latest episode, we examine all of these questions and more, arguing that suffering--just like mortality--is essential to being human. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support

In the latest episode of Vernacular, Zac and Sally talk to Catherine (@ashortblonde) and Jordan (@JordanDShort) Short about season two of The Crown, why it's the best show on television today, its portrayal of marriage, and the power of its wordless scenes. To hear our season one discussion from last year, "it's not easy being queen," head here. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support

In this episode of Vernacular, we take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to talk to contributor/listener/Patreon supporter Joshua de Gastyne and put him through the paces of our lightning round. Then we talk about what books, movies, podcasts, and food that we've been enjoying lately. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support

In this episode, we discuss the attraction and hope of immortality: a life without death and possibly a life without aging and the suffering that accompanies aging. For the sake of this conversation, we assume that eventually medical technology will make immortality an option for people. So we ask and answer Leon Kass' question: why not immortality? The costs of immorality (the Justice Cost, Personal Cost, and Intergenerational Cost) are such that an immortal life is no longer a truly human life. Ultimately, we conclude that immortality is not compatible with a truly human life, would instead rob us of our humanity, and would not fulfill our deepest human desires. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support

In episode 82, we discuss the stages and span of a human life. What are those stages? Do we see and experience them as discrete units on a timeline? Or is there an overall shape to the human lifecycle that all people share and that gives it meaning as a whole? We argue for the latter view and also share our favorite/least favorite life stages. Finally, we address possible objections to the shape view. Stay tuned for the next episode when we take this conversation a step further and discuss aging, death, and immortality. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support

In this episode of Vernacular, we discuss the question: what is a human person? Are we pure soul? Spirit? Mind? Just a body? We describe the human person as a union of soul and body--an embodied soul and an ensouled body--in which both elements are good. Then we identify competing ideas and misconceptions about the nature of the human person. Finally we explore our experience of embodiment and how embodiment should impact how we treat ourselves and others. If you enjoyed this discussion, we recommend Gilbert Meilaender's book "Neither Beast Nor God." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support

In this episode, we chat with Tsh Oxenreider about mental health and how travel can help us be more fully human. Tsh is an Austin, TX native, podcaster (creator and host of The Simple Show and Women's Work), author, entrepreneur, wife, and mom who traveled with her family of five around the world to 30 countries in 9 months. We end the show with a lightning round and Tsh gives us her take on Austin. If you enjoy this conversation, we recommend you check out The Simple Show archives for more travel tips, especially episodes 117-120, 68-72, and 34-37. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support

In this third installment of our series on the art of being human, we discuss the end (or purpose) of medicine. What should medicine aim to do? What does it mean to be a healthy human person? We also answer a listener question about science and the space race, and talk about why we're not gnostic. If you like this episode, be sure to read Leon Kass' 1975 article, "Regarding the End of Medicine and the Pursuit of Health." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support

In episode 78, the second in our series on the art of being human, we discuss the relationship between science or scientific pursuits and what it means to be human. Instead, we spend this episode answering two questions: what are the possible aims of a scientific project and which of those aims comport with what it means to be human--which of them are "truly human" aims? Once again, all in under 20 minutes! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/vernacular/support