The Conversation Cabinet

Josh and Ethan

Open the cabinet as we navigate the complexities of world-wide politics, one quintessentially british conversation at a time.

  1. 13 MAR

    Why Modern Life Makes Us Unhappy | The Epicurean Solution

    This episode is sponsored by Suffrago, a polling platform where people can make their voices heard by those in power and where politicians go to listen.Find out more here:https://www.suffrago.orgIn this episode of The Conversation Cabinet, we sit down with writer Johnny Thomson (Philosophy Minis) to explore some of life’s biggest questions: What actually makes us happy? Are humans just driven by pleasure and pain? And why are so many people feeling disconnected despite living in an age of unprecedented comfort?Johnny discusses the ancient philosophical traditions of Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Daoism and explains how these ideas can still guide the way we live today. From the nature of happiness and friendship to the dangers of chasing status, power, and wealth, we unpack how philosophical thinking can help us live more meaningful and contented lives.We also dive into: • Why Johnny believes everything humans do is ultimately driven by pleasure or the avoidance of pain • The difference between hedonic happiness and the deeper idea of eudaimonia • Why friendships may be the most important ingredient for a good life • The rise of Stoicism in modern culture • How social media and status comparison are reshaping our understanding of success • What ancient philosophers can teach us about living well in the modern worldThroughout the conversation, Johnny draws on thinkers from Epicurus and Aristotle to modern psychology, showing how philosophy is a practical toolkit for navigating life.🎙 About Johnny ThomsonJohnny Thomson is a philosopher, writer, and educator best known for the hugely popular Philosophy Minis platform. He writes for Big Think and previously taught philosophy at Oxford, sharing philosophical ideas with millions of people across social media.

    45 min
  2. 7 FEB

    Understanding Consciousness: A conversation with Professor Anil Seth

    What does it mean to be "you"? In this episode, we are joined by Anil Seth, professor of cognitive and computational neuroscience at the University of Sussex and author of the best-selling book “Being You”. As one of the world’s leading researchers into the biological basis of consciousness, we had the privilege to sit down and discuss such pressing topics with him. We dive deep into the philosophical and scientific crossroads where the mind meets the machine. From the ancient debates of dualism and panpsychism to the cutting-edge ethics of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and AI, we explore how our brains construct a stable world from a chaotic stream of sensory data. We had the privilege to discuss the following: The Controlled Hallucination: An exploration of Anil’s landmark theory on how the brain "guesses" reality and what happens when those guesses are radically altered by psychedelics. The Philosophy of Mind: We revisit the "Hard Problem" and discuss why ideas like panpsychism and dualism are seeing a resurgence in modern thought. AI & The Simulation Trap: A look at whether artificial intelligence can truly possess "wetware" consciousness or if it remains a sophisticated "dark intelligence". The Perception Census: Discussing the massive diversity in how humans experience visual reality and what this means for social empathy and shared truth. Animal Sentience: The link between metabolic survival and the "self" and how laws may need to change to preserve the life of animals. The Legacy of Daniel Dennett: A reflection on the influence of one of the 20th century’s greatest philosophers on modern science and on Anil himself. It was incredible to spend this week’s episode with Professor Anil Seth, and this fantastic episode provides a deep dive into what a sense of “self” really is.

    52 min
  3. 31 JAN

    Exposing Green Policy ft Simon Nash

    Most of us overlook how tiny everyday choices and overlooked policies can massively accelerate environmental progress—if only we knew how to push for real change. In this eye-opening episode, Simon Nash—the inventor of the UK’s first biolubricant made from 100% recycled plastics—reveals how capitalism and simple regulations could revolutionise sustainability without costing the earth (or your wallet). Simon shares how a small bike lubricant project in 2010 forgoing harmful chemicals and plastic bottles sparked a wider movement towards eco-friendly products. He discusses concrete strategies like taxing plastics with recycled content and enforcing transparency laws that prevent greenwashing—showing how governments can turn subtle policy tweaks into sweeping environmental wins. You'll discover the surprising ways market incentives and faith-inspired stewardship could unlock a sustainable future, avoiding pollution crises like deforestation and microchip mineral monopolies. This episode breaks down the complex politics behind green policies, exposing how left, right, and even religious values can align on environmental priorities. We explore the power of consumers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers working together to create a closed-loop economy—where waste becomes resource, and greenwash is replaced by genuine action. Simon's insights offer a blueprint for anyone who believes our planet’s future depends on smarter, more ethical innovation. Perfect for entrepreneurs, activists, or anyone eager to understand how real change happens—this conversation proves that with the right policies, small innovations, and collective will, we can build an economy that prioritises the planet’s health while empowering our future generations.

    23 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Open the cabinet as we navigate the complexities of world-wide politics, one quintessentially british conversation at a time.

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