http://www.thehubforimportantideas.comenSociety & CultureCopyright Stephen Jameshttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/995b31cff30471734f454a697d459e02.jpghttp://www.thehubforimportantideas.comThu, 22 Sep 2022 12:25:06 +0000Stephen JamesStephen Jamesfeeds@spreaker.comThe Hub for Important Ideas is a podcast about the issues of our time. Hosted by cultural critics Steve James and Ken Swain, it challenges conventional thinking about contemporary problems in conversations with thought leaders in various disciplines....cleanepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/legacy-featuring-bruce-hirshfield-episode-48-the-hub-for-important-ideas--50913370e040f43e-aaf5-4f41-acf9-b00f84bb9996Sun, 14 Aug 2022 18:46:54 +0000Stephen JamesWhat is the psychological importance of leaving a legacy? This episode looks for explanations for some seemingly ordinary aspects of our society that appear strange when examined more closely from a social psychological perspective.3905cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/temperament-and-type-episode-47-the-hub-for-important-ideas--504622880e63a00d-6d00-4e76-af78-480105eeb04dMon, 04 Jul 2022 18:40:17 +0000Stephen JamesWhat is temperament and how can it help us to better navigate our lives? This episode features a kitchen table conversation about understanding temperament and psychological type, a useful tool for people to understand how the world is laid out, our...4306cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-house-divided-part-2-featuring-sheldon-solomon-episode-46-the-hub-for-important-ideas--50005207d534bb24-bb5a-42ef-b40d-3ce0c3ca8838Tue, 31 May 2022 02:06:33 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we go beyond the divisions in our society? This episode features part two of a conversation with social psychologist Sheldon Solomon who offers a unique perspective on our polarized country that goes beyond the standard political, social,...6918cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-house-divided-featuring-sheldon-solomon-episode-45-the-hub-for-important-ideas--49590528381d8f6b-3c50-490b-8f85-efc13f94006eThu, 28 Apr 2022 23:41:25 +0000Stephen JamesHow can we get a better understanding of the divisions in our society? This episode features a conversation with social psychologist Sheldon Solomon who offers a unique perspective on our polarized country that goes beyond the standard political,...4222cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ukraine-war-episode-44-the-hub-for-important-ideas--4927504390c7d4a4-cb98-4661-a574-ad3e09ccb949Thu, 31 Mar 2022 22:05:52 +0000Stephen JamesWhat does the War in Ukraine mean to us in America? This episode discusses the war in Ukraine from a different perspective, its implications, and the most difficult aspects for us Americans.2561cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mortality-in-this-diverse-culture-featuring-dan-liechty-episode-43-the-hub-for-important-ideas--491893120371a8ed-dcd0-4a29-a602-b2168422f0fcThu, 24 Mar 2022 18:39:13 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we face up to our Mortality in this Diverse Culture? This episode discusses mortality and human flourishing in a diverse culture from a religious perspective. We talk with Dan Liechty, an expert on the works of Ernest Becker and interreligious...5119cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/free-speech-episode-42-the-hub-for-important-ideas--48865754ba9bbf48-c9fb-4704-a162-f41a68407c5fFri, 25 Feb 2022 01:59:03 +0000Stephen JamesFree speech in America3161cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-abortion-issue-featuring-miriam-piven-cotler-episode-41--48490999625d97a2-4c75-469b-bc3a-cdf08547de8cSat, 29 Jan 2022 01:31:58 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we get a handle on the complex issue of abortion? This episode discusses the abortion issue, pro-choice, anti-abortion, and the ethical problem from the discerning standpoint of clinical bioethicist Miriam Piven Cotler.4158cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/beyond-a-recap--482955689219c0d7-1e1a-42eb-8155-9029663d820cFri, 14 Jan 2022 14:57:50 +0000Stephen JamesWhat were some of the important ideas from 2021? This episode, sums up some of the most thought-provoking ideas from our guests, who included Jack Moscou, Lyla Rothschild, Henry Richards, Jerry Piven, Pelin Kesebir, Dan Liechty, Sheldon Solomon,...2893cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/critical-race-theory-featuring-henry-richards-episode-39--48004254ef8a31e5-d01b-4bcf-bde5-c770b6d2b9cbMon, 20 Dec 2021 23:07:54 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we understand the problematic reaction to Critical Race Theory in America? This episode discusses Critical Race Theory, wokeism, racial prejudice and discrimination in our society and internationally from the perceptive standpoint of...4460cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-psychology-of-war-featuring-jerry-piven-episode-38-the-hub-for-important-ideas--476694750d9d8386-5072-42dc-bc00-de02794335ccFri, 26 Nov 2021 16:48:33 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we understand the complex psychology of war? This episode wrestles with a distinction between the realistic danger and the fantastical nature of war from the insightful perspective of psychologist Jerry Piven.4325cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/war-and-violence-featuring-jack-moscou--47237267bd874613-f348-4587-8b6a-82f218f129faSat, 30 Oct 2021 22:09:09 +0000Stephen JamesIs there more war and wholesale violence in our future? This episode considers the prospect for war in our future from the unique perspective of author Jack Mosscou.4420cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/feminist-existentialism-featuring-tomi-ann-roberts-episode-36-the-hub-for-important-ideas--46619533f03c66fc-9df3-4706-96a0-fa59c8d0c778Tue, 21 Sep 2021 14:59:42 +0000Stephen JamesWhat is feminist existentialism, and how does it impact the lives of both men and women? This episode discusses objectification theory, and related psychological and legal issues. It features an interview with Dr. Tomi-Ann Roberts, professor of...4827cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/feminist-existentialism-featuring-tomi-ann-roberts-episode-36-the-hub-for-important-ideas--46618257https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46618257Tue, 21 Sep 2021 13:47:10 +0000Stephen JamesWhat is feminist existentialism, and how does it impact the lives of both men and women? This episode discusses objectification theory, and related psychological and legal issues. It features an interview with Dr. Tomi-Ann Roberts, professor of...4827anxiety,becker,body,culture,death,ernest,existentialism,feminist,goldenberg,hope,james,jamie,ken,objectification,roberts,society,steve,swain,theory,tomi-anncleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/immersion-featuring-merlyn-mowrey-episode-35-the-hub-for-important-ideas--46618810be6fe9fc-a5d4-4fa7-ae04-194d09181357Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:20:14 +0000Stephen JamesWhat is immersion and how does it help us understand our lives? This episode explores the notion of immersion, how it helps us defend against death anxiety, and the many related ideas that notion leads us to. It features an interview with Dr. Merlyn...4428cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/death-positive-featuring-sheldon-solomon-episode-34-the-hub-for-important-ideas--46618807ca9640f4-5226-4d9e-8dde-b7a6a043f737Fri, 23 Jul 2021 00:47:47 +0000Stephen JamesHow can focusing on death improve our lives and the world around us? This episode discusses death reflection, mindfulness, meditation, what is called the death-positive movement, and related topics. It features an interview with Dr. Sheldon Solomon...3564anxiety,contemporary heroism initiativ,culture,death,death reflection,ernest becker,hope,human behavior,ken swain,meditation,mindfulness,mortality,sheldon solomon,steve james,terror management theory,unconsciouscleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/examining-important-ideas-featuring-dan-liechty-episode-33--46618805389fc289-41aa-4d2f-a4c7-caaae38e9631Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:41:24 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we use important ideas to help change ourselves for the better? This episode examines the intrinsic value in some important ideas that can improve our functioning in the world and convey genuine self-knowledge. It features an interview with Dr....2100cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-quiet-ego-featuring-pelin-kesebir-episode-32--4661880898bf1d0e-328d-4542-bf51-a9efebeb8173Thu, 27 May 2021 16:08:16 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we improve our lives and our society by practicing humility? This episode discusses humility: its many aspects, and ways it offers hope for the future. It features an interview with social psychologist Pelin Kesebir honorary fellow at the...3809anxiety,culture,death,donald trump,ernest becker,happiness,humility,ken swain,narcissism,pelin kesebir,quiet ego,religion,self-confidence,self-esteem,sheldon solomon,social psychologist,society,steve james,terror management theory resea,wisdomcleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/political-fantasy-and-illusion-featuring-jerry-piven-episode-31--4661880948505ec2-52a8-4cfd-bab0-dc39f651f2a7Thu, 29 Apr 2021 22:21:02 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we improve our lives and our society through a better understanding of political fantasy and illusion? This episode discusses rationalization, decision making, our society, and possibilities for hope. It features an interview with...4164anxiety,culture,death,donald trump,ernest becker,fantasy,humanity,humility,ideology,illusion,jerry piven,ken swain,patriotic,politics,psychologist,rational,religion,sheldon solomon,society,steve jamescleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-year-anniversary-episode-30--46618806http://www.thehubforimportantideas.com/ ]]>17a92653-7fb7-4749-bb07-83b945c84ed9Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:26:02 +0000Stephen JamesThis episode discusses a sense of history, gun violence, and celebrates the one-year anniversary of The Hub for Important Ideas podcast. http://www.thehubforimportantideas.com/ http://www.thehubforimportantideas.com/ ]]>2089cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mental-health-featuring-jerry-piven-episode-29--44241156df1aa431-3769-42ee-a421-bf26a4eb5e79Wed, 07 Apr 2021 14:28:37 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we understand mental health in America? This episode discusses sanity, psychopathology, our society, and possibilities for hope. It features an interview with psychologist Jerry Piven who teaches in the Department of Philosophy atRutgers...4481cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/unconscious-bias-featuring-henry-richards-episode-28--44091224280a95cd-75c3-413c-9004-16cd06414eacSun, 28 Mar 2021 21:38:16 +0000Stephen JamesWhat role does unconscious bias play in our society? Psychologist Henry Richards discusses the unconscious basis of racial bias and what it means to our understanding of our society.  3577cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/social-media-featuring-lyla-rothschild-episode-27--4367818386bc1536-484e-4248-8257-e65424545269Sun, 28 Feb 2021 22:52:45 +0000Stephen JamesWhat is the impact of social media on our existential concerns? This episode discusses social media and the less than obvious effect it has on our society.  3766cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/upheaval--43158629422735c8-11a9-41cf-bd4b-cb778ad5ab19Tue, 19 Jan 2021 22:27:04 +0000Stephen JamesIn America today, is our goal to be right, or to make a better country? This episode responds to the January 6 upheaval in Washington, DC. It works toward a perspective on what’s been happening and how to move forward. 4425cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/important-ideas-from-2020--42912332www.thehubforimportantideas.com]]>c90876f2-8839-485f-affa-fe3e891ea6b1Fri, 08 Jan 2021 17:51:20 +0000Stephen JamesThis episode sums up our first season and recalls some of the seminal ideas from our guests. Our intention is to bring into public discourse the most inspiring ideas we’ve got, in an attempt to find the best way forward for humanity....www.thehubforimportantideas.com]]>1774cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/unity-featuring-dan-liechty-episode-24--4271182107e39ac1-a250-47d3-8b04-8d481aedec3aTue, 29 Dec 2020 21:42:55 +0000Stephen JamesHow do we unite our divided country? This episode looksat the differences between the liberal and conservative alignments in ourculture and explores ways to unite our fractured society.  4354cleanfull