Josh and Ethan welcome Dr. Ben Voth to the show. Dr. Voth directs the Southern Methodist University debate program, and he teaches in their communications department. Dr. Voth is a longtime leader in the debate community, and he is a partner with the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation in running the Coolidge Cup tournament. He is also a scholar of the Civil Rights Movement (here is a link to his Amazon Author page). In this episode, Dr. Voth weighs in with his thoughts about policing, race riots, the 2020-2021 policy resolution, and a comparison between two different frameworks: Afro-pessimism and Afro-idealism. Let us know what you think!

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Dr. Nick Higgins, associate professor and department chair of the department of politics, government, and criminal justice at North Greenville University, joins Josh and Ethan for a discussion about justice, rule of law, and what Aristotle and Plato contribute to our current cultural moment. Along the way, Josh is reminded that Dr. Higgins is a former policy debater, and Dr. Higgins provides his thoughts on the 2020-2021 Policy resolution (Resolved: The United States federal government should enact substantial criminal justice reform in the United States in one or more of the following: forensic science, policing, sentencing).

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Josh and Ethan discuss the death of George Floyd, the protests and their relationship to riots, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s approach to nonviolent protest contrasted with Malcolm X's desire for radical revolution. We also outline the summer series of episodes focusing on race riots, rule of law, and prison reform as related to the 2020-2021 Policy Debate resolution, "Resolved: The United States federal government should enact substantial criminal justice reform in the United States in one or more of the following: forensic science, policing, sentencing."  Enjoy the summer, and use the time well to prep for next season!

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Ethan attended an Institute for Speech and Debate (ISD) webinar with Crawford Leavoy on the NSDA Nats 2020 LD resolution, Resolved: The intergenerational accumulation of wealth is antithetical to democracy. This episode is the high points from that webinar. Good luck to everyone who is competing!

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Josh and Ethan continue their discussion of the LD NSDA Nationals resolution, "Resolved: The intergenerational accumulation of wealth is antithetical to democracy." They cover Aff and Neg arguments, and Josh goes on a rant defending traditional property rights (with shout outs to Russell Kirk, Richard Weaver, and Alex de Toqueville).We also answer a question one debater wrote in to us - feel free to send your thoughts and questions, and we'll respond on a future episode!

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Earlier this year, Josh interviewed Dr. Robert Jackson, Chief Academic Officer for Great Hearts Academies, about the 2020 Nationals PF Resolution, "Resolved: On balance, charter schools are beneficial to the quality of education in the United States." They discuss the nature of charter schools, some of the big charter networks nationwide, and ways charter schools benefit and harm educational quality in the United States. Check it out, and let us know if this episode is helpful as you write your cases!

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Josh interviews Adam Jacobi about his work with Wisconsin Speech and Debate, the NSDA, and the Harvard Debate Council. Their conversation roams across Adam's career, work in Congressional Debate, and contains equal parts advice, event distinctions, and resolution analysis. Enjoy! And let us know what you think!

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Josh and Ethan discuss the 2020 NSDA Nationals LD resolution, "Resolved: The intergenerational accumulation of wealth is antithetical to democracy." They cover terms, values, and the big ideas behind this resolution with reference to several articles on the topic. Next time, they'll cover aff and neg arguments. Enjoy! And let us know if this is helpful for your preparation!

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On January 12, 2020, a giant in contemporary philosophy passed into eternity. This episode is a memorial to the work of Sir Roger Scruton. Josh is a student in the Faulkner University Great Books Honors College doctoral program, and he is joined by two friends in that program, Nick Kennicott and Landon Loftin, as they discuss the philosophy, writings, and significance of Sir Roger Scruton. Nick is a regular co-host on the Wrath and Grace podcast - if you what he says, be sure to check them out here. Enjoy!

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A few months ago, Josh suggested to Ethan and Patrick that we three read Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling, and then have a discussion about it. Here is that conversation! We describe the book, and then launch into a running conversation on thoughts inspired by reading the Danish father of existentialism. Fun times ahead - enjoy! Patrick runs the philosophy memes page Philosophy.Memes on Instagram, and always provides good conversation!

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