Why Theory
Why TheoryWhy Theory brings continental philosophy and psychoanalytic theory together to examine cultural phenomena.
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 222 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | TV & Film | |||
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Latest Episodes
On this episode, Ryan and Todd complete their Sartre inflected trifecta of episodes by engaging his 1947 essay series What Is Literature? The hosts begin by talking about how much Sartre's method has meant to them respectively before moving on to eng... more
On this episode, Ryan and Todd cover writer-director Tony Gilroy's 2007 political thriller masterpiece, Michael Clayton. The hosts weave in Sartre's notion of committing oneself to a project from the previous episode and work through the narrative an... more
On this episode, Ryan and Todd discuss Jean-Paul Sartre's 1945 lecture titled "Existentialism is a Humanism." In it, Sartre answers criticism that existentialism has received from lay people, concerned Christians, and Marxists, and clarifies what exi... more
On this episode, Ryan and Todd discuss Freud's idea of the "impossible professions." First articulated in 1925, Freud is drawn to the idea that psychoanalysis is like government and education in that it proposes a necessary function without end. The ... more
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Reviews
- Michael Clayton
Ryan, that was a fantastic break down of Michael Clayton, thank you both for your insights and efforts, what a great movie, what a great episide.
Apple Podcasts5Tconlon71
United Kingdom15 days ago - Love it!
Fantastic show! Can’t stop listening and learning. As someone with misophonia, soooo many loud swallowing sounds ahhhhh lol
Apple Podcasts5spyvsspyro
United Statesa month ago - A treat!
Always look forward to new episodes and have been listening to past ones — even the ones that seemingly are irrelevant to me or my interests like sports or Christmas movie end up generating questions and ideas for me that I wish I would earnestly pursue.
Apple Podcasts5Juliette9619United Statesa month ago - My Favorite Podcast
Why Theory is, without question, my favorite podcast.
Todd and Ryan have that rare kind of chemistry that makes even the most difficult philosophical and psychoanalytic ideas feel alive, engaging, and surprisingly accessible without ever dumbing them down. There’s a rhythm between them—intellectually sharp, genuinely funny, and deeply human—that makes each episode feel less like a lecture and more like being invited into an ongoing conversation you can’t wait to keep listening to.
What continu... more
Apple Podcasts5Quique AutreyUnited Statesa month ago - Why brilliance
Ever wondered how does cultural analysis sounds like? Listen to Ryan and Todd and make your day!
Apple Podcasts5ZorbrkUnited States3 months ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #190 | United States/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #69 | United Kingdom/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #181 |  Canada/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #48 |  Germany/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #99 |  Italy/TV & Film |
Apple Podcasts | #121 |  Australia/TV & Film |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Why Theory
What is Why Theory about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Two regular hosts fuse continental philosophy and psychoanalytic theory to examine cultural phenomena, with frequent forays into film, TV, and literature to illustrate dense ideas. Episodes center on existentialism, psychoanalysis, Kantian epistemology, and social theory, all unpacked through lively dialogue, contemporary pop culture references, and personal anecdotes. The show tends to favor rigorous analysis and cross-disciplinary connections, making abstract concepts accessible for listeners who enjoy theory-heavy discussions that still connect to everyday culture. Noteworthy traits include a strong emphasis on philosophy of mind, political critique, and the way media shapes perception, often cycling through classic texts and film refere... more
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How many listeners does Why Theory get?
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What are the audience demographics for Why Theory?
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How many subscribers and views does Why Theory have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Why Theory?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Why Theory:
1. Acid Horizon
2. Ordinary Unhappiness
3. Hermitix
4. What's Left of Philosophy
5. New Books in Psychoanalysis
How many episodes of Why Theory are there?
Why Theory launched 9 years ago and published 222 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 Why Theory?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Why Theory?
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What guests have appeared on Why Theory?
Recent guests on Why Theory include:
1. Richard Boothby
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