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The Gray Area with Sean Illing

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes739Founded10 years ago
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PoliticsPhilosophySociety & CultureNews

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Latest Episodes

Why is it so hard for America to build things?

Bridges take years to construct. Housing costs are soaring. Transit systems are crumbling. And we’re struggling to update our infrastructure to prepare for the climate crisis. Even when there’s broad ag... more

It’s not always the most wonderful time of the year.

Every December, we’re told to be merry and stay positive. But a lot of us don’t feel that way. And when we don’t, the pressure to be happy makes everything worse. Sadness feels like failure. Grief... more

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

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Recent Guests

Myisha Cherry
Philosopher and author of The Failures of Forgiveness.
Episode: Forgiveness is optional
Daniel Kolitz
Writer who reported on The Goonverse for Harper's Magazine
Harper's Magazine
Episode: The pornification of everything
Laura Beers
Historian at American University and author of 'Orwell's Ghosts, Wisdom and Warnings for the 21st Century.'
American University
Episode: Truth in an age of doublethink
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?

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
  • Thoughtful and insightful discussions.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Andrew L
    a month ago
  • The Orwell Episode

    The part where Sean isn’t aware of what a misogynist Orwell is before introducing him as his own hero was hilarious. I read 1984 as a child and could tell from that alone that he doesn’t see women as people, but also looking at Orwell’s basic bio would tell you he was not intersectional.

    Probably should have re read 1984 before this episode, and if you did, then you really do have some work to do on yourself. Could be a great topic for you to lead by example on: we all deal with men not knowin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Gotta_wonder
    Canada2 months ago
  • I don’t understand

    I’m really lost listening nowadays

    Is this just a book club judging people

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    rage550
    United States2 months ago
  • great topics.. Sean needs to drink coffee

    Love the topics. i listen each week.. really good stuff.. a bit over the top, but very entertaining. I’ve recommended to a lot of people.. only down side is Sean seems like he just lost 8 puppies in a fire. Always depressed or woeful. You dont have to be a comedian, but cheer up just a bit. its not a detention center you are working from….

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Fluff e Cat
    Canada2 months ago
  • 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 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

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

It’s okay to not be okay
Q: Is it possible to honor those feelings and seek to transcend them at the same time?
It's complicated under current frameworks as it often leads to self-blame, but finding better ways to talk about emotions could help.
It’s okay to not be okay
Q: Do you think this would be a very different book in the end without that pandemic experience?
The pandemic heightened my experiences of the moods I was writing about, making the concepts more relatable.
Forgiveness is optional
Q: What is the legacy of slavery in America?
The same white supremacy that motivated or allowed people to ignore the suffering of black folks still lives with us today.
Forgiveness is optional
Q: Does it ever make sense to forgive someone who hasn't apologized?
You can forgive in order to get some kind of relief, whether that's a kind of psychological relief or spiritual relief, but reconciliation is different.
Forgiveness is optional
Q: What do you mean when you say that we idolize forgiveness?
To idolize forgiveness is to perceive it as something that can solve all of our problems.

Audience Metrics

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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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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. Unexplainable

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

The Gray Area with Sean Illing launched 10 years ago and published 739 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. Myisha Cherry
2. Daniel Kolitz
3. Laura Beers
4. Robert Sapolsky
5. Barbara Walter
6. Charan Ranganath
7. Emily Baker-White
8. Bill McKibben

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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