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Dilemma Podcast

Jay Shapiro
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Zionism
Palestine
Israel
Colonialism
Human Rights
History
Hamas
Social Justice
Moral Philosophy
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Collateral Damage
Terrorism
Dehumanization
Gaza
Violence
Holocaust
Consequentialism
Antisemitism
Islamism

Solving the problems of what to do next with some of today's top thinkers and writers. Hosted by Jay Shapiro.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes117Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePhilosophy

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Artwork for Dilemma Podcast

Latest Episodes

I went into this conversation knowing almost nothing about the Roma. Which, as it turns out, is kind of an intentional result.Margareta Matache is a historian, author, and one of the leading voices on Roma history and anti-Roma racism. In this conver... more

YouTube

This conversation with Emily Jashinsky dives into one of the strangest political moments in recent memory — where parts of the left and right are beginning to sound eerily similar. From “America First” to anti-war sentiment, distrust of institutions,... more

YouTube

This conversation started with hesitation — both from my audience and from me. Professor Jiang has become a rapidly growing and deeply controversial figure online, with many warning me not to platform him at all. Accusations, clips, and labels were s... more

YouTube

I sat down again with Peter Beinart to talk through what feels like a rapidly escalating and confusing moment — not just politically, but inside Judaism itself. We start with a question I’ve been asking a lot of people lately: how to talk about the J... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Margareta Matache
Roma scholar, historian, author
Academic and author on Romani studies
Episode: Racism, Memory, and Erasure of the Roma People | The Acceptable Racism in Europe | Margareta Matache
Emily Jashinsky
Conservative commentator and journalist; known for work with Breaking Points and The Hill
Breaking Points, The Hill
Episode: Emily Jashinsky: Conservatives and Leftists | What Remains Unbridgeable in the Horseshoe? | Iran War
Professor Jiang
Controversial online thinker discussing geopolitics, mysticism, and conspiracy narratives
Online persona Professor Jiang
Episode: Professor Jiang on His Painful Personal Path | Truth and Myth | A Search for Reality | Internet Fame
Ward Wilson
Academic and author advocating for a world without nuclear weapons
Episode: The Hiroshima Myth | Israel, Iran Escalation | Why Nukes Are Pointless but Possible - Ward Wilson
Jeffrey Sachs
Economist and author
Episode: Jeffrey Sachs: The Psychotic Iran War | Judaism’s “Chosen People” Problem | This Ends How?
Ilan Pappé
Historian, new historian from Israel, author of Israel on the Brink
University of Exeter (as context from discussion)
Episode: Ilan Pappé on Israel and Epstein and Why Zionism has No Moral Limits
Michael W. Green
Chief strategist at Simplify Asset Management
Simplify Asset Management
Episode: The $140,000 Poverty Line? An Economist Says the Economy Is Lying to You - Michael W Green
Robert Sapolsky
Biologist, author, and speaker known for his work on free will and biology
Stanford University
Episode: DISSECTING Sapolsky’s Incompatibilism: Morality In Biological Machines from Particles to Palestine
Rory Fanning
A former Army Ranger and war resister who writes about his experiences and advocacy against militarism
Author of 'Worth Fighting For'
Episode: From joining the US RANGERS after 9/11 and serving with Pat Tillman to War Resistance - Rory Fanning

Host

Jay Shapiro
Host of the show and lead interviewer known for provocative, analytical conversations on philosophy, politics, and power.

Reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars from 207 ratings
  • Came for philosophy, fleeing from ideology

    I came here in 2022 for interesting philosophy content, but ever since Oct 7th, 2023, the podcast shifted away from philosophy and nearly exclusively toward Marxist faiths. The perspectives became predictable and uninteresting. There’s nothing new here that I can’t find everywhere else.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    mwg32
    United States5 months ago
  • Cringey and untethered

    Jay comes across as smug and dismissive, leaning on bad faith arguments rather than genuine dialogue. Instead of engaging with his guest, he talks over them, unwilling to hear another perspective. His emotional outbursts feel unhinged and unprofessional, making him a poor representative for the cause he claims to support. Even when I agree with his points—which is not uncommon—his delivery weakens the arguments. The result is more embarrassing than enlightening. He seems intelligent, but like ma... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    No Nickname (Not Applicable)
    United States7 months ago
  • It's an OK thought experiment, but I have critiques.

    Susan Wolf advocates for not striving to be a moral saint, but as an idea morals, like charity, start at home. You can be moral to yourself first, and then an expanding sphere of family, friends, acquaintances, strangers. So if making art makes you happy, that is a moral endeavour.

    The Afghan excuse only holds up because of the bias against Afghanis which seems to have affected the hosts to the point their empathy has been eroded.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Magic Chrissile
    9 months ago
  • Refreshing and thoughtful

    He exhibits a lot of courage against a mass of apathy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    zztoptops
    Spaina year ago
  • Well-intentioned but highly troubling conversation with Monica Guzman

    Host is smart and asks good philosophical questions, but is frustratingly centrist at times. Few episodes demonstrate this as clearly as the bromide-filled discussion with Monica Guzman, someone who is herself clearly very intelligent but, at least in this episode, did a terrible job of conveying any rational cause for her Pollyanna-ish view of political polarization. Jay mentioned in that episode that, growing up in a secular liberal Jewish home, he was not accustomed to hearing rational, artic... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mors Invicta
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics note a confrontational style and polarizing viewpoints.
Many praise the show's ability to connect philosophy with current events and real-world impact.
A few listeners feel the format can be dense or provocative to a fault.
Listeners appreciate the rigorous, idea-forward discussions and the depth of guest expertise.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Emily Jashinsky: Conservatives and Leftists | What Remains Unbridgeable in the Horseshoe? | Iran War
Q: Who are you and where are you from?
Emily describes a traditional Midwestern upbringing, a mix of Lutheran and Catholic influences, and a growing interest in history that steered her toward politics and conservatism.
Jeffrey Sachs: The Psychotic Iran War | Judaism’s “Chosen People” Problem | This Ends How?
Q: What is Sachs's stance on the two-state vs one-state debate in Israel/Palestine, and does he have a preference?
Sachs expresses distress at hardline positions and suggests that either a one-state or two-state solution could be viable depending on the political reality, emphasizing coexistence and opposition to apartheid or ethnic cleansing, while criticizing far-right or supremacist approaches on both sides.
Jeffrey Sachs: The Psychotic Iran War | Judaism’s “Chosen People” Problem | This Ends How?
Q: How does Sachs view the idea that globalization requires a balance between open trade and government intervention?
He argues for social democracy that combines market forces with strong government to ensure universal access to health care, education, and environmental protection, while supporting international trade that benefits many rather than concentrating gains for a few.
Jeffrey Sachs: The Psychotic Iran War | Judaism’s “Chosen People” Problem | This Ends How?
Q: Were there inflection points in Sachs's career where he shifted towards being more critical of American foreign policy or 'American bullyism'?
Sachs describes a gradual shift over decades, moving from a belief in US-led reforms and support for globalization to a more nuanced, and often critical, view of US foreign policy and institutions like the CIA, especially after uncovering historical records and observing how policy sometimes diverged from stated aims.
Peter Beinart on Epstein's Religion| Israel’s Iran Influence | Judaism at a Breaking Point
Q: What can be said about the role of power within Judaism when considering figures like Epstein or wealthy individuals?
Power and wealth tempt many regardless of religion; Judaism as a tradition offers universal ethical injunctions, but individual actions aren't dictated by Jewishness alone.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dilemma Podcast

What is Dilemma Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently tackles heavy, controversial ideas at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and global power. Conversations span Zionism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, imperialism, and morality, often connecting historical critique with contemporary media, economics, and elite power structures. A distinguishing trait is the host's willingness to challenge prevailing narratives and seek unlikely alliances to explore justice, human rights, and societal reform. The format tends toward rigorous, ideas-forward discussions with top thinkers and writers, offering listeners a lens into complex global issues and ethical debates.

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Which podcasts are similar to Dilemma Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dilemma Podcast:

1. The Chris Hedges Report
2. Makdisi Street
3. Making Sense with Sam Harris
4. Very Bad Wizards
5. Novara Media

How many episodes of Dilemma Podcast are there?

Dilemma Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 117 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Dilemma Podcast?

Recent guests on Dilemma Podcast include:

1. Margareta Matache
2. Emily Jashinsky
3. Professor Jiang
4. Ward Wilson
5. Jeffrey Sachs
6. Ilan Pappé
7. Michael W. Green
8. Robert Sapolsky

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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