The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

PEL Presents PvI#117: Mark and Mary in the Triboobal Aftermath

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We are REELING from our REDACTED episode, and so we talk about the lessons we learned from that and start thinking about what it is to be out of one'...

Ep. 391: Habermas Defends Modernity (Part Two)

18 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on on The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity, Ch. 1, 2, and 5 with guest John Ganz. We further discuss Habermas' characterizations of Heg...

PEL Presents PMP#221: Streep Does Prada

15 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the career of Meryl Streep in light of The Devil Wears Prada 2, insofar as we (Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al) have a hold of it; she's b...

Ep. 391: Habermas Defends Modernity (Part One)

11 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On Jürgen Habermas' The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity (1985), featuring guest John Ganz.  Habermas defines modernity as Enlightenment ideals,...

PEL Presents NEM#252: Folk Legend Tom Paxton

09 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Tom was an integral member of the Greenwich Village early '60s folk scene (playing originals regularly before Bob Dylan did). His tunes have been cove...

Ep. 391: Habermas Defends Modernity (Part One for Supporters)

06 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On Jürgen Habermas' The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity (1985), featuring guest John Ganz. Habermas defines modernity as Enlightenment ideals, d...

Ep. 390: Diderot Debates a Cynic (Part Two)

04 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on Rameau's Nephew, getting further into Rameau's philosophy and practices and trying to figure out what this anti-hero can tell us about e...

Ep. 390: Diderot Debates a Cynic (Part One)

27 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On Denis Diderot's Rameau's Nephew, a dialogue written in the 1760s. Is virtue necessary for happiness, or in the real world, is vice necessary to get...

PEL Presents PMP#220: Peaky Blinders: Gangs of Birmingham

26 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Steven Knight's six-seasons-and-a-movie historical crime show Peaky Blinders, featuring Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. Does the show liv...

NEM#251: Dr. Alan Williams (Birdsong at Morning)

25 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Alan released two albums with folk-rock band Knots and Crosses in the early 90s, put out one solo album, then became a recording engineer and earned a...

Ep. 389: Hegel on Wealth and Power (Part Two)

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Concluding on "Culture and its Realm of Actuality," in Hegel's Phenomenology via sections 519-526. We get into some of the ironic psychology here: In ...

PEL Presents PvI#116: Full Bird Mode w/ BJ Lange

18 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

BJ is an LA improviser/actor/TV host (who teaches wounded warriors among others), and he chats with Mark and Mary about migratory patterns, TV shows t...

PEL Presents PMP#219: Weir-ed Sci Fi: Hail Mary and The Martian

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the hard sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, which along with The Martian (2015) was based on a novel by Andy Weir and adapted by Drew Goddard. ...

Ep. 389: Hegel on Wealth and Power (Part One)

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on Hegel's Phenomenology, "Spirit" chapter, now up to sections 511-526, which finishes off the sub-section of "Self-Alienated Spirit" calle...

PEL Presents NEM#250: Bill Pritchard the Tourist

12 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bill is a singer/songwriter who recorded five albums of catchy tunes between 1989 and 1991, then retired but came back a vengeance in 2014. He's now j...

PEL Presents Closereads: Kierkegaard on Subjective Knowledge

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On an excerpt from Soren Kierkegaard's Concluding Unscientific Postscript (1846) that critiques Hegel's idea of logic (dialectic) and then argues for ...

Ep. 388: Hegel on Culture (Part Two)

06 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on the "Spirit" chapter (more specifically. "Culture and its realm of actuality") in Hegel's Phenomenology, now covering sec. 490-510. How ...

PEL Presents PvI#115: Mary and Mark Astro-Logically

05 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this pitched, high-stakes battle, your hosts have it out about astrological biases, doing offensive accents, letting go of control in an improv sce...

Ep. 388: Hegel on Culture (Part One)

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on Hegel's Phenomenology, "Spirit" chapter, now up to sections 484-510, which is the first part of "Self-Alienated Spirit. Culture." In Heg...

PEL Presents NEM#249: Kavus Torabi Now Leads Gong

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kavus began in dual-guitar London math-rock bands in the '90s, joined The Cardiacs for their final lineup. His band Knifeworld released the first of i...

PEL Presents: PMP#218: All the "Scream"-ing

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about the Scream meta-slasher film franchise, from the original Wes Craven /Kevin Williamson 1996 debut starring Neve Campbell, and Courtney C...

Ep. 387: Hegel on Law (Part Two)

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on on sec. 469-483 of Hegel's Phenomenology, finishing the analysis of Antigone and bringing in Oedipus to say why the conflict between typ...

PEL Presents PvI#114: Earning Crazy Town w/ Jenny Hansen

22 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

St. Lawrence philosophy prof Jennifer L. Hansen, one of the most frequent guest on Mark's podcasts and expert in feminist philosophy, here hits it off...

PEL Presents PMP#217: Mel Brooks' Old Comedy

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In light of Judd Apatow's HBO documentary The 99-Year-Old Man, we discuss the films of Mel Brooks, which were to varying degrees formative on us (i.e....

Ep. 387: Hegel on Law (Part One)

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on Hegel's Phenomenology, "Spirit" chapter, now up to sections 464-483, which are under the sub-headings "Ethical Action. Human and Divine ...

PREMIUM-Ep. 386: Hegel on Society (Part Three)

14 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On sec. 451-463 of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit. We get into more detail on these passages about the way the two types of law (human and divine) i...

PEL Presents NEM#248: Lande Hekt: Lucky to Be Indie

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Lande started in the 2010's in the British punk-pop group Muncie Girls, with six releases (mostly EPs), and began her solo career in 2019. We discuss ...

Ep. 386: Hegel on Society (Part Two)

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on the "Spirit" section of The Phenomenology of Spirit, giving a sort of social metaphysics, wherein the ethical life of a society is analy...

PEL Presents PvI#113: Mary and Mark Pick Their Battles

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What is it worth raising an objection over, and how hard do you fight? We hear (and act out) Mary's roommate-searching trauma, plus Mary for President...

PEL Presents PMP#216: Oscars So Black?

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In light of the now-completed black history month and the upcoming Oscars, we consider the "Oscars So White" issue that was a hot topic about a decade...

Ep. 386: Hegel on Society (Part One)

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On. G.W.F. Hegel's The Phenomenology of Spirit (1807), sec. 438-463. What constitutes society?  We're beginning a multi-episode arc here on the "Spir...

PEL Presents NEM#247: John S. Hall (King Missile): Daily Poet

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

John has released at least fifteen albums, more than half of these under the name King Missile, but even this name covers three different bands, since...

Ep. 385: Guest Graham Harman on Object vs. Continuum (Part Two)

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In our continuing Q&A with Graham, we engage him about Kantian Things-In-Themselves, complex things (that if divided, must be cut at the joints) vs. m...

PEL Presents PvI#112: Musical Zoom w/ Jerome Kurtenbach

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jerome is an LA composer/director/screenwriter who is involved in a lot of musical improv, so Mary and Mark interview him about that and about the fun...

PEL Presents PMP#215: Hamnet Dramatizes Shakespeare

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When we don't know much about some genius playwright's life, why not make up some things based on the contents of his plays? Maybe put Shakespearean d...

Ep. 385: Guest Graham Harman on Object vs. Continuum (Part One)

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An interview with Graham in light of his new book, Waves and Stones: On the Ultimate Nature of Reality, which elaborates and adds to issues that the g...

NEM#246: Robert Deeble in His Talking Voice

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Folky singer/songwriter and psychotherapist Robert started in the '80s but considers 1994 his professional debut and has now released his seventh albu...

Ep. 384: Graham Harman's Object-Oriented Ontology (Part Three)

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We consider chapter 2, "Aesthetics Is the Root of All Philosophy," where Harman describes how art can help us see behind the veil to things-in-themsel...

PEL Presents PvI#111: God Smites Elijah Dann

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Vancouver philosophy prof Elijah was an evangelical Christian who turned liberal and then atheistic, and his latest book, "Unbelieving God: A Skeptics...

PEL Presents PMP#214: South Park Resurgence

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We're discussing Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Comedy Central show that premiered in 1997 and has just finished its politically relevant 28th season, f...

Ep. 384: Graham Harman's Object-Oriented Ontology (Part Two)

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on Object-Oriented Ontology: A New Theory of Everything (2018), finishing up ch. 1 (discussing what's so bad about reductionism) and moving...

PEL Presents Closereads: Hegel's "Unhappy Consciousness"

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We're within the Self-Consciousness chapter of The Phenomenology of Spirit, specifically starting at sec. 206 on the Unhappy Consciousness. This comes...

Ep. 384: Graham Harman's Object-Oriented Ontology (Part One)

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On Harman's Object-Oriented Ontology: A New Theory of Everything (2018). What counts as an entity in the world? Harman includes not just physical obje...

PEL Presents PvI#110: Memories of 2026 w/ Mark and Mary

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off 2026, Mark and Mary talk about memory: memory care for the elderly, the relation between things and memories, what professional activities...

Ep. 383: Freud on Love and the Primal Horde (Part Two)

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Finishing up Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego, finally now turning to Freud's anthropological account of group membership. Get more at pa...

NEM#245: Darren Michael Boyd's Guitar Instrumentals Beyond Metal

17 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ontario guitarist Darren has released six albums of concise instrumentals since 2019, often using metal guitar tones and tropes, but with a great rang...

PEL Presents PMP#213: Stranger Things Grown Familiar

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Netflix sci-fi/horror/teen series by the Duffer Brothers that started in 2016 has now finished with its sixth season, attempting to be both epic a...

Ep. 383: Freud on Love and the Primal Horde (Part One)

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On the second half of Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego. We talk about the dual origins of group membership for Freud in personal love and ...

PEL Presents PvI#109: Choose Your Own Failure w/ Rich Baker

10 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rich runs the Dare to Fail improv school and is author of Improv Made Easier. He joins Mark and Mary to discuss contexts of failure, failing to meet y...

PEL 2026 Kickoff Nightcap

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's another year, and this time we each came in with a short bucket list of philosophical works that we'd like to read before this podcast concludes,...

Ep. 382: Freud on Group Psychology (Part Two)

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on the first half of Sigmund Freud's Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego, now getting really into Freud's own type of explanation,...

PEL Presents PvI#108: Guess Who's Coming to Christmas Dinner... Lawrence Ware!

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Philosopher/writer/critic/podcaster Lawrence Ware returns to the show to meet Mary and talk about how Mark is his own personal Leroy Jesus. We act out...

PEL Presents PMP#212: Holiday Romance Films

24 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Hallmark Channel became famous for producing low-budget, formulaic Christmas films, and this has spread to other outlets, sometimes with higher bu...

Ep. 382: Freud on Group Psychology (Part One)

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On the first half of Sigmund Freud's Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego (1921). Why do members of a mob get dumber and less inhibited? Freud...

PEL Presents NEM#244: Year-End Chat with NEM Audio Editor Roger Heathers

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a special holiday episode, we get to meet musician and podcaster Roger Heathers, who edits this show. Together, Roger and I discuss how we make the...

PREMIUM-Ep. 381: Aquinas on Ethical Psychology (Part Three)

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the first six questions from the "Moral Action" section in the Summa Theologica (1268), which we read in Thomas Aquinas: Selected Philosoph...

Bacchic Redemption in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) (Part 1)

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. 381: Aquinas on Ethical Psychology (Part Two)

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing to discuss the virtue and moral action from the Summa Theologica (1268). We discuss the definition of virtue and some subsequent questions...

PEL Presents PvI#107: Mary and Mark Argue About Arguing

13 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is argumentation essential to philosophy? Should you always be open to arguments challenging your beliefs? We act out a few symbiotic scenarios and re...

PEL Presents PMP#211: Slow Horses and Predecessors

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the British spy show based on the novels of Mick Herron, which are in turn firmly in a tradition of anti-007 books by John le Carré. Featu...

Ep. 381: Aquinas on Ethical Psychology (Part Two for Supporters)

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

http://partiallyexaminedlife.com

Ep. 381: Aquinas on Ethical Psychology (Part One)

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

http://partiallyexaminedlife.com

PEL Presents Subtext: Erin's New Book "Avail"

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Erin just published her first book, "Avail," which you can order here: https://www.pauldrybooks.com/products/avail "Avail" features a long prose-poem ...

PEL Presents NEM#243: Corey Ledet's Eclectic Zydeco

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Corey has released many of zydeco music since 2004, and mixes his dedication to tradition (even recording a recent album in Louisiana Creole) with his...

Ep. 380: Josiah Royce on Community (Part Two)

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More on The Problem of Christianity, discussing how communities relate to history, how individuals relate to communities, and what's unique about Royc...

PEL Presents PvI#106: Heart Tchochkes w/ Seth Stephon Brown

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seth is an improviser and aspiring professional "muse," which is a type of life coach that hangs out with you to see where you could be more in touch ...

PEL Presents PMP#210: One Paul Thomas Anderson Film After Another

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In light of One Battle After Another, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al walk through the range of his films from his 1996 crime film Hard Eight through...

Ep. 380: Josiah Royce on Community (Part One)

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On sections of The Problem of Christianity (1913) which establish Royce's concept of a community of interpretation: individuals working together with ...

Ep. 380: Josiah Royce on Community (Part One for Supporters)

22 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

http://partiallyexaminedlife.com

PEL Presents NEM#242: Marshall Crenshaw Subtracts

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Marshall began creating his catchy, harmonically thick rock tunes in the early '80s with six major label albums, but went indie in the '90s to record ...

Ep. 379: Egyptian Philosophy with Chike Jeffers (Part Two)

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on sources from ancient Egypt, finishing up the instructional literature: "The Instruction of Ptahhotep," and "The Instruction Addressed to...

PEL Presents PvI#105: Friendtor Debate Club w/ Scott Gelfand

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Scott, ex-professor at Oklahoma State University and author of "Thinking Ethically: A Handbook for Making Moral Choices," chats with Mark and Mary abo...

PEL Presents PMP#209: Alien Franchised

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In light of Noah Hawley TV show Alien Earth, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al revisit the franchise through its seven canon films beginning with Ridley...

Ep. 379: Egyptian Philosophy with Chike Jeffers (Part One)

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The co-author of the African run of the History of Philosophy Podcast (and new book) joins us to go over philosophical works from 2200-1400 BCE: "The ...

PEL Presents NEM#241: Humor in Music Discussion

09 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mark is joined by returning NEM guest Don Rauf (from Life In a Blender), singer/songwriter/cartoonist David Heatley), and writer/musician Dave "Diggy"...

PREMIUM-Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part Four)

08 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We complete our Aquinas treatment for the moment by considering emotions: categorizing them, asking whether they have opposites, and making them coher...

Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part Three)

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're now moving on to the "mind" portion of our discussion, covering how reason motivates us, how free will is possible, and the degree to which the ...

PEL Presents PvI#104: The Hippie Code w/ Vickie Hayley

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mark and Mary are joined by improvisor-comedian-actress-filmmaker-host Vickie to talk about code switching and authenticity. Can you be authentic and ...

Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part Two)

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on bits of Thomas Aquinas: Selected Philosophical Writings, completing our analysis of his arguments for the existence of God and then turn...

PEL Presents PMP#208: An Ed Gein Halloween

26 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's a special two-hander where Mark and Lawrence reflect on the appeal of horror and how the new Monster: Ed Gein Netflix show has to contribute, giv...

PEL Presents NEM#240: Jonathan Rundman, Multi-Branded

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Jonathan (currently based in Minneapolis) has been putting out indie rock solo albums since 1992, but has also...

Ep. 378: Aquinas on God and Mind (Part One)

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On selections from Thomas Aquinas: Selected Philosophical Writings, mostly taken from the Summa Theologica (1268). Given our flawed, finite human natu...

PEL Presents PvI#103: Post-COVID Mary and Mark

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How does your body talk to you? Your favorite hosts-of-a-philosophy-and-improv-comedy show Mark Linsenmayer and Merry Mary Hynes re-connect after both...

Ep. 377: Emil Cioran's Pessimism (Part Two)

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on "Directions for Decomposition" from A Short History of Decay (1949). What is it that humans are inevitably trying to avoid that seems so...

PEL Presents PMP#207: Spinal Tap and Other Fake Bands

12 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al watched Spinal Tap and its new sequel, and we throw these into a mix with K-Pop Demon Hunters and other films and sho...

PEL Presents NEM#239: Adrian Sherwood's Dub Productions

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Adrian has applied his distinctive, spacey dub mixing techniques to numerous recordings since 1978 including Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Lee "Scratch" ...

Ep. 377: Emil Cioran's Pessimism (Part One)

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On A Short History of Decay (1949), a pessimist/existentialist somewhat text from the most famous Romanian philosopher. Cioran's short essays touch on...

PEL Presents PvI#102: Pit of Despair w/ Seth Paskin

04 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mark's Partially Examined Life co-host Seth joins us (i.e. Mark and Mary) to introduce Seth to improv and continue introducing philosophy to Mary. We ...

Ep. 376: Plato's "Laws" (Part Two)

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on selections from this late Platonic dialogue. Starting in Book 4, Plato's characters are discussing how to create a new state ("Magnesia"...

PEL Presents PMP#206: Abbott Elementary w/o Emmys

28 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For our Emmys/back-to-school episode, we cover the pinnacle of the current network sitcom landscape: The six-time 2025 Emmy nominated 4-year-old sitco...

PEL Presents NEM#238: Eric Andersen Endures

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Eric was a major figure in the 1960s NYC folk scene, and his early tunes have been covered by Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, and many others. He's released ...

Ep. 376: Plato's "Laws" (Part One)

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this later dialogue presenting Plato's ideas about the character of laws in a just state. They should all be aimed at making people virtuous, and s...

PREMIUM-PEL Back-to-School Nightcap 2025

20 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mark, Seth, and Dylan add some more detail and thought to our recent episodes, including more about Steven Pinker and re-litigation of the utility of ...

PEL Presents PvI#101: Co-Hostery: Season Five Premiere with Mark and Mary

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It is a new era! Merry Mary Hynes is now Mark's co-host, and we do some improv related to that and feel our the degree to which Mary has not studied p...

Ep. 375: Luce Irigaray's Feminism (Part Two)

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on "Women on the Market" from The Sex Which Is Not One (1977) and other selections. Irigaray gives a Marxist analysis of the commodificatio...

Ep. 375: Luce Irigaray's Feminism (Part One)

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On The Sex Which Is Not One (1977) and other Irigaray selections from the French Feminism Reader (2000), featuring guest Jenny Hansen (who wrote the i...

Ep. 374: Discussing Liberalism (Lincoln, et al) with Walter Sterling (Part Two)

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing our discussion of the dangers to and weak points of liberal democracy, including consideration of Patrick Deneen's Why Liberalism Failed (2...

Ep. 374: Discussing Liberalism (Lincoln, et al) with Walter Sterling (Part One)

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's the crisis of liberal democracy? Dylan, Wes and Seth are joined by St. John's College President J. Walter Sterling to discuss Abraham Lincoln's...

PEL Presents Closereads: Peter Railton's "Moral Realism" (Wrap Up)

23 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We are concluding our treatment of Peter Railton's "Moral Realism" (1984), and given that you likely haven't listened to the seven preceding parts, th...

Ep. 373: Michael Walzer on Just Wars (Part Two)

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing on on Just and Unjust Wars (1977), ch. 5-6. When might it be morally permissible to strike first? When is it permissible (or obligatory?) t...