Rephonic
Artwork for Very Bad Wizards
Philosophy
Burning
Effective Altruism
The Masque Of the Red Death
Zoophilia
Jorge Luis Borges
Social Movements
AI Apocalypse
Decadence
Existentialism
Edgar Allan Poe
Culture
Climate Change
Kidney Donation
Global Health
Literary Criticism
William James
Repression
Society
Death

Very Bad Wizards is a podcast featuring a philosopher (Tamler Sommers) and a psychologist (David Pizarro), who share a love for ethics, pop culture, and cognitive science, and who have a marked inability to distinguish sacred from profane. Each podcast includes discussions of moral philosophy, recent work on moral psychology and neuroscience, and the overlap between the two.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes321Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Very Bad Wizards

Latest Episodes

David and Tamler go big game hunting and explore their first Hemingway short story “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber.” We dig into his characteristic themes of courage, cowardice, shifting power dynamics in marriages, and what it truly means ... more

YouTube

David and Tamler tackle the topic chosen by our beloved Patreon supporters in the first VBW madness tournament – Schopenhauer. We discuss his essays “On the Sufferings of the World” and “The Vanity of Existence,” their strikingly modern perspectives ... more

YouTube

David and Tamler go long on McDonagh’s 2008 masterpiece "In Bruges." We talk about the terrific performances and all the weighty themes - sin, guilt, redemption, honor, language, and very inappropriate jokes. Plus philosophers talk about “sex within ... more

YouTube

David and Tamler try to wrap their heads around the metaphysics of past and future via the Borges essay(s) “A New Refutation of Time.” What does it mean to be a time skeptic or a time realist for that matter? If you’re a Berkeleyan idealist and Humea... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Philosophize This!Stephen West

Recent Guests

Barry Lam
Philosopher and author of 'Fewer Rules, Better People'
Norton Press
Episode: Episode 306: What to Expect When You're Expecting (David Lynch's "Eraserhead" with Barry Lam)
Paul Bloom
Psychologist and author
Episode: Episode 305: Emile Is the Name of the Goat (with Paul Bloom)
C. Thi Nguyen
Interesting philosopher who wrote about metrics question
N/A
Episode: Episode 303: Measure This
David Shoemaker
A good friend of both hosts and a philosopher
Cornell University
Episode: Episode 291: Shoe Shining
J.F. Martel
Co-host of the Weird Studies podcast, discussing topics related to weird fiction and the occult
Weird Studies Podcast
Episode: Episode 280: Mad Masque (with Phil Ford and J.F. Martel)
Phil Ford
Co-host of the Weird Studies podcast, focusing on themes of weirdness in fiction
Weird Studies Podcast
Episode: Episode 280: Mad Masque (with Phil Ford and J.F. Martel)
Vlad Chituc
Philosopher and ethics scholar
Episode: Episode 274: Can I Get a Kidney Voucher? (with Vlad Chituc)

Hosts

Tamler Sommers
Philosopher and co-host, known for his engaging insights into ethics and pop culture, often blending humor with serious discussions.
David Pizarro
Psychologist and co-host, offering expert perspectives on moral psychology and ethical dilemmas, engaging listeners with critical analyses and a touch of humor.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 6k ratings
  • Fabulous

    Love this podcast. Reminds me of long conversations I had with my smartest friend(s), with interludes of great music.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Noodles115
    United Statesa month ago
  • 11/10

    So cool, so smart, so interesting. Juicy, as opposed to dry, academics with great taste.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aleksandra_mOr
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Only about 50 episodes in, but this reminds me a lot of the golden age of the internet. Very funny and informative, the jibes and banter is paced nicely. No annoying ad breaks or tangents. No narcisstic spiel. Just two dudes having fun with a twinge of melancholy sometimes. Hope it doesn't fall off. David is my fav

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Steel
    2 months ago
  • Absolutely worth it

    Rings all my bells. I’m getting to the point in life where it’s very hard to stay interested in most podcasts, but this one is a winner. Wide and varied interests, smart banter, and about the things I want to hear about. Culture high and low. Love it and will definitely be tuning in.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mlynnjohnson72
    United States3 months ago
  • It’s A Cool Show

    It’s a cool show. The one guy says he doesn’t think. The other guy is way into ghosts. They both like Twin Peaks. Oh, and the one looks like the other sounds and vice versa. How weird.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ThinThreeFeather
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners find the hosts' takes on certain subjects polarizing, especially when they venture into contemporary cultural critiques.
The blend of philosophy and pop culture resonates well with audiences who enjoy thoughtful yet accessible content.
The discussions frequently touch on complex philosophical topics, making the podcast both challenging and entertaining.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and humorous banter between the hosts, comparing it to intelligent conversations with knowledgeable friends.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 297: No Pleasure in Meanness (Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find")
Q: What do you make of the grandmother's transformation at the end of the story?
The grandmother recognizes the humanity in the misfit, touching him and despite the situation expresses love, suggesting a moment of grace. However, the misfit recoils from this genuine gesture, indicating his inability to accept such humanity.
Episode 280: Mad Masque (with Phil Ford and J.F. Martel)
Q: How does the character of Prospero reflect societal blindness to suffering?
Prospero embodies the elite who tries to isolate themselves from the turmoil outside, ultimately failing to escape death.
Episode 280: Mad Masque (with Phil Ford and J.F. Martel)
Q: What are the central themes of The Masque of the Red Death?
The themes include the inevitability of death, societal decadence, and the futility of trying to escape reality.
Episode 288: The Despised Foot (The Denial of Death Pt. 2)
Q: What do you think would happen if Biden stepped down?
Harris would probably have a better chance if she were the candidate, but there are concerns about her electability.
Episode 288: The Despised Foot (The Denial of Death Pt. 2)
Q: So are you proud to be an American these days?
No, it's hard to feel that pride right now with the current atmosphere and division in politics.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Very Bad Wizards

What is Very Bad Wizards about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging in thought-provoking discussions, this podcast explores the intersections of ethics, pop culture, and cognitive science. The hosts, a philosopher and a psychologist, tackle a wide array of topics such as moral philosophy, recent developments in moral psychology and neuroscience, and their applications to everyday life. Each episode typically features lively banter and deep analysis, providing listeners with insights into complex moral dilemmas and contemporary cultural phenomena. The unique blend of humor and rigorous commentary makes it appealing for those interested in philosophical inquiries framed in an accessible and often entertaining manner.

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How many listeners does Very Bad Wizards get?

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How many subscribers and views does Very Bad Wizards have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Very Bad Wizards has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Very Bad Wizards?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Very Bad Wizards:

1. Decoding the Gurus
2. Robert Wright's Nonzero
3. The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
4. Philosophize This!
5. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

How many episodes of Very Bad Wizards are there?

Very Bad Wizards launched 13 years ago and published 321 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Very Bad Wizards?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Very Bad Wizards?

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What guests have appeared on Very Bad Wizards?

Recent guests on Very Bad Wizards include:

1. Barry Lam
2. Paul Bloom
3. C. Thi Nguyen
4. David Shoemaker
5. J.F. Martel
6. Phil Ford
7. Vlad Chituc

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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