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The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Vox
Democracy
Liberalism
Economic History
Political Philosophy
Neoliberalism
Long 20th Century
Human Nature
Thomas Hobbes
American Politics
The Iliad
Social Democracy
Technological Change
Distribution Of Wealth
Conflict and Order
Anarchism
Globalization
Great Recession
History
Philosophy
Work Ethic

The Gray Area with Sean Illing takes a philosophy-minded look at culture, technology, politics, and the world of ideas. Each week, we invite a guest to explore a question or topic that matters. From the the state of democracy, to the struggle with depression and anxiety, to the nature of identity in the digital age, each episode looks for nuance and honesty in the most important conversations of o... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes737Founded10 years ago
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PoliticsPhilosophySociety & CultureNews

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Latest Episodes

You have to forgive people who wrong you…right? The world is filled with injustice and wrongdoing, and to live in the world — to not be consumed by anger — forgiveness is necessary. At least that’s what we’re told over and over again: By forgiving, w... more

Sean’s guest today is Daniel Kolitz, author of a remarkable Harper’s story on “gooning.”

They talk about this emerging subculture and how it reflects back on the larger world, from the economics of attention to the rise of short-form everything. Kol... more

We’ve never had more wealth, more data, or more ways to be entertained. So why doesn’t it feel like progress?

Sean’s guest today is Brad DeLong, an economic historian at UC Berkeley and author of Slouching Towards Utopia. They talk about the differe... more

We all know what awkwardness feels like. It's that jolt of discomfort when the social script breaks down, and no one knows what to do next. But what if awkwardness isn’t a flaw to fix but a window into how we live together?

Sean’s guest today is Ale... more

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Daniel Kolitz
Writer who reported on The Goonverse for Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine
Episode: The pornification of everything
Brad DeLong
Economic historian at UC Berkeley and author of 'Slouching Towards Utopia'
UC Berkeley
Episode: What counts as progress?
Robert Sapolsky
Professor of biology and neurology at Stanford, author of "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will"
Stanford University
Episode: The case against free will
Barbara Walter
Political scientist at UC San Diego and author of How Civil Wars Start
University of California, San Diego
Episode: America chose violence. Now what?
Charan Ranganath
Neuroscientist and author of the book Why We Remember
Episode: What's worth remembering?
Emily Baker-White
Author of Every Screen on the Planet, The War Over TikTok, who has spent years covering TikTok and the controversies surrounding it.
Episode: Why TikTok matters
Bill McKibben
Influential climate activist and founder of 350.org
Episode: The sun will save us
Fara Dabhoiwala
Historian at Princeton and author of What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea
Princeton University
Episode: How much free speech is too much?
Ingrid Robeyns
Political philosopher and economist at Utrecht University
Utrecht University
Episode: Imagine there's no billionaires

Host

Sean Illing
Host of deep conversations exploring philosophy, culture, and politics with various guests, providing thoughtful insights.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 15.2k ratings
  • Highly recommended!

    Fantastic podcast- insightful, thoughtful, curious, and balanced. Covers a wide variety of interesting topics that are contemporary as well as timeless. Sean is a great interviewer who consistently gets smart and enjoyable guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Morton Feldman
    United States2 months ago
  • Smart, Informative and Engaging

    The Gray Area with Sean Illing is a tremendous podcast. It’s of particular interest to people who enjoy discussions about philosophy, ethics, literature, psychology and just how to live in this world. Sean Illing is down to earth, an excellent interviewer, and a nice guy. I highly recommend the Gray Area.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paul in Hamilton
    Canada2 months ago
  • One of my favorite shows and presenters

    I love how high-brow-intellectual yet accessible Sean is. Every episode is a banger.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    chrispinzippy
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Love The Gray Area

    Love this Podcast. Sean’s conversations/interviews are intelligent, educational, thought provoking, and always on point.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrCarmen
    United States2 months ago
  • Superb as always

    Sean is the best. The Bill McKibben interview is absolutely amazing. Thank you, thank you thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billybill1984
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many find the discussions to be thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating, often leading to deeper reflections on important societal topics.
Some critics have expressed concerns regarding perceived biases in discussions, indicating that certain episodes may not fully explore all viewpoints.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its insightful and balanced approach to complex issues.
The host is praised for his excellent interviewing skills and ability to engage with guests meaningfully.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The pornification of everything
Q: What was so distressing about their normality?
Many gooners were surprisingly normal, not maladjusted but rather sweet-natured individuals who embraced their identities without hatred.
The pornification of everything
Q: Is gooning an identity, hobby, addiction, all of the above?
It's a complicated identity; many see it as a kind of addiction, a kink, while others embrace it as a lifestyle.
The pornification of everything
Q: Why did you think it was worth writing about?
The surface-level absurdity and the complex cultural commentary it seemed to express about society's relationship with porn and addiction.
The pornification of everything
Q: What in the world is gooning?
Gooning is a masturbation practice involving prolonged edging, aiming to reach a euphoric state known as the goon state, often shared in community settings.
What counts as progress?
Q: Are you reasonably hopeful that we'll manage to stabilize our political system and ensure it effectively responds to societal needs?
No, there is skepticism about the current ability of the American political system to adapt and effectively manage the crises it faces.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Gray Area with Sean Illing

What is The Gray Area with Sean Illing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging in thought-provoking discussions, the content encapsulates a blend of philosophy, culture, technology, and contemporary socio-political issues. Each episode features meaningful conversations with guests from diverse fields, tackling topics ranging from democracy and identity to mental health challenges and societal norms. The exploration of complex ideas is paired with a commitment to honesty and nuance, aiming to deepen listeners' understanding of the world around them. This podcast seeks to illuminate critical questions of our time, allowing for accessible yet intellectually stimulating dialogue that resonates with informed audiences.

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How many listeners does The Gray Area with Sean Illing get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Gray Area with Sean Illing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Gray Area with Sean Illing:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Explain It to Me
3. Today, Explained
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. Hard Fork

How many episodes of The Gray Area with Sean Illing are there?

The Gray Area with Sean Illing launched 10 years ago and published 737 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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What guests have appeared on The Gray Area with Sean Illing?

Recent guests on The Gray Area with Sean Illing include:

1. Daniel Kolitz
2. Brad DeLong
3. Robert Sapolsky
4. Barbara Walter
5. Charan Ranganath
6. Emily Baker-White
7. Bill McKibben
8. Fara Dabhoiwala

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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