Chasing Leviathan

CG Productions
  • 5.0 (7)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud. These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop. Every episode is a dialogue, a journey into the depths of a meaningful question explored through the lens of personal experience or professional expertise.

  1. 6H AGO

    Why Read Pascal Today? | Dr. Yuval Avnur

    In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, host PJ Wehry sits down with Dr. Yuval Avnur, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Humanities Institute at Scripps College. They dive into Dr. Avnur's new book, Why Read Pascal Today?, and explore why Blaise Pascal remains one of the most vital voices in the philosophy of religion. Dr. Avnur challenges the traditional understanding of Pascal's Wager. Rather than a cold, calculated bet designed to force belief, Avnur explains that Pascal viewed human nature fundamentally as a "heart with a belief-forming mechanism attached to it." Together, PJ and Dr. Avnur discuss:🔷 Pascal’s Augustinian roots and his skepticism toward "pure reason"🔷 Why the condition of our hearts dictates the evidence we are willing to see🔷 The "crisis of desire": Why endless distraction leaves us unsatisfied What does a 17th-century philosopher have to say about our modern lives? Dr. Avnur breaks down why we can have every comfort at our fingertips yet remain entirely empty, and how a "Pascalian" approach can help us engage with one another more humanely—seeking to understand the heart rather than just winning the argument. Make sure to check out Avnur's book: The Door of No Return: Being-As-Black 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439925577  Check out our website at chasingleviathan.com  Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud.  These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.

    57 min

  2. MAR 3

    The Door of No Return: Being-As-Black | Dr. Michael E. Sawyer

    In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ sits down with Dr. Michael Sawyer, Professor of African American Literature and Culture at the University of Pittsburgh. They dive deep into the philosophy behind Dr. Sawyer's latest book, The Door of No Return: Being as Black. Dr. Sawyer challenges traditional academic boundaries, arguing that Black aesthetic practices—from the novels of Toni Morrison and Ralph Ellison to the musical performances of Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin—are profound philosophical statements in their own right. Together, PJ and Dr. Sawyer discuss:🔷 The limitations of W.E.B. Du Bois's "double consciousness"🔷 How Hegel's dialectic outlines the anti-black world🔷 Toni Morrison's vision of a non-dialectical "third world" of sovereign blackness What does it practically mean to push past the Middle Passage and imagine a world beyond anti-blackness? Dr. Sawyer explains how this speculative philosophy translates to a day-to-day reality where systemic tragedies like the death of Breonna Taylor simply do not happen. Make sure to check out Sawyer's book: The Door of No Return: Being-As-Black 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439925577Use the code: 25FNBK at tupress.temple.edu/books/the-door-of-no-return for a 25% discount! Check out our website at chasingleviathan.com Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud.  These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.

    58 min

  3. FEB 24

    God on Trial: Testing for the Divine with Dr. Paul Moser

    In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ is joined by Dr. Paul Moser to discuss his book, God on Trial: Testing for the Divine. They explore why traditional philosophical arguments often fail to reveal the true nature of God and why the search for the divine requires a shift from intellectual spectacle to moral participation.  Dr. Moser challenges the "spectator" approach to theology, arguing that God is not interested in satisfying human curiosity with miraculous signs or undeniable logic. He contends that God’s primary goal is not merely to be believed in, but to be trusted and partnered with, specifically through the "Gethsemane struggle" of aligning human will with divine love. He advocates for a shift from demanding evidence from God to becoming evidence for God through righteous character.  The conversation also covers the crucial difference between "gift-giver" theology and true relational intimacy, the role of the "fruit of the Spirit" as the tangible personality traits of God, and why effective prayer is less about asking for favors and more about becoming a "fellow worker" in God's redemptive plan. Make sure to check out Moser's book: God on Trial: Testing for the Divine 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DST8MH5Y Check out our website at chasingleviathan.com Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud.  These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.

    52 min

  4. FEB 17

    Generations of Feeling: A History of Emotions, 600–1700 with Dr. Barbara Rosenwein

    In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ is joined by Dr. Barbara Rosenwein to discuss her book, Generations of Feeling: A History of Emotions, 600 to 1700, and the decade-long research process required to bridge the traditional academic silos of the medieval and early modern periods. Dr. Rosenwein introduces her concept of "emotional communities," explaining how groups throughout history, much like modern political parties, have maintained distinct norms and values regarding what is felt and expressed . She challenges the linear view that modern society has reached a "pinnacle" of emotional development , arguing that historians have often "read out" emotions from the past , and advocates for understanding historical figures on their own terms rather than through modern judgment. The conversation also covers the evolution of friendship from the virtue-based models of Aristotle and Cicero to modern romantic ideals , the shifting biological theories of emotion from the heart to the brain , and why expanding our emotional vocabulary is essential to becoming fully human. Make sure to check out Rosenwein's book: Generations of Feeling: A History of Emotions, 600 to 1700 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1107097045 Check out our website at chasingleviathan.com Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud.  These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.

    58 min

  5. FEB 10

    Hegel & Republicanism: Non-Domination, Economics, & Political Participation with Dr. Chris Yeomans

    In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ Wehry is joined once again by political theorist Dr. Chris Yeomans to discuss his recent work on republicanism, political participation, and the legacy of Hegel. The conversation centers on why republicanism has reemerged as a serious framework for political thought and how Yeomans traces its development from contemporary neo-republican theory back through nineteenth century labor republicanism and into the classical civic tradition rooted in Aristotle. Rather than treating political philosophy as an abstract exercise, the episode situates these ideas within lived questions of freedom, agency, and civic responsibility. PJ and Dr. Yeomans explore how modern political discourse often flattens freedom into individual choice or non-interference, while republican traditions emphasize freedom as non-domination and active participation in shared political life. Yeomans explains why Hegel remains a difficult but indispensable figure for understanding these debates, particularly when it comes to the role of institutions, ethical life, and the formation of citizens. The discussion also addresses common misunderstandings of Hegel as either an authoritarian thinker or a simple apologist for the state, offering a more nuanced account of how his philosophy engages republican concerns. Throughout the episode, the conversation returns to questions of work, labor, and political belonging, especially in the context of modern democracies that struggle with disengagement and polarization. This episode will be especially relevant for listeners interested in political theory, republicanism, Hegel, civic participation, and the philosophical foundations of freedom in contemporary society. Make sure to check out Yeomans' book: Hegel and Republicanism: Non-Domination, Economics, and Political Participation 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1009705334 Check out our website at chasingleviathan.com Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud.  These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.

    1h 2m

  6. FEB 3

    Three Pieces of Glass: Why We Feel Lonely in a World Mediated by Screens with Dr. Eric Jacobsen

    In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ is joined by Dr. Eric Jacobsen, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington, to discuss his book Three Pieces of Glass: Why We Feel Lonely in a World Mediated by Screens. Together they explore how modern life, shaped by smartphones, automobiles, and screen-mediated environments, quietly reshapes our relationships, our neighborhoods, and our sense of belonging. Rather than treating loneliness as only a personal or psychological problem, Jacobsen reframes it as a civic and cultural issue rooted in how we build and inhabit our shared spaces. The conversation moves through the hidden costs of car-centered development, the loss of walkable neighborhoods, and the rise of placeless places that fail to hold human stories. Jacobsen explains how habits formed since the mid-twentieth century have trained us to see others as obstacles rather than neighbors, while also hollowing out the everyday relationships that once created social trust and connection. Drawing on urban theory, theology, and lived experience, he makes the case that loneliness is not only about missing close friendships but also about losing meaningful ties to place, community, and civic life. Throughout the episode, PJ and Dr. Jacobsen discuss placemaking, social capital, and the importance of ordinary relationships with neighbors, shopkeepers, and strangers who slowly become acquaintances. They also reflect on how Christian theology, common grace, and the pursuit of the common good can help believers collaborate with their wider communities for the flourishing of shared spaces. This episode will resonate with anyone interested in technology and culture, urban design, Christian theology, or the growing crisis of loneliness in modern society. Make sure to check out Jacobsen's book: Three Pieces of Glass: Why We Feel Lonely in a World Mediated by Screens 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1587434229 Check out our blog on www.candidgoatproductions.com  Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud.  These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.

    56 min

  7. JAN 27

    Foundations of Black Epistemology: Knowledge Discourse in Africana Philosophy with Dr. Adebayo Oluwayomi

    In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ Wehry is joined by philosopher Dr. Adebayo Oluwayomi, assistant professor of philosophy at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, to discuss his book Foundations of Black Epistemology: Knowledge, Discourse, and Africana Philosophy. The conversation examines how philosophical canons are formed, who is recognized as a knower, and how Black thinkers have often been treated as secondary or optional within Western philosophy. Dr. Oluwayomi argues that philosophy is never neutral and that canon formation reflects deeper questions of power, exclusion, and epistemic harm. They discuss major figures such as Immanuel Kant and G. W. F. Hegel, focusing not only on their influence but also on the racial assumptions that are frequently ignored in philosophical education. The episode then turns to Black intellectuals including Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, and Huey P. Newton, showing how their work contributes substantively to epistemology, moral reasoning, political theory, and liberation movements. Dr. Oluwayomi's work challenges inherited assumptions about philosophy, knowledge, and authority, and asks what is lost when entire traditions are treated as peripheral rather than foundational. Make sure to check out Dr. Oluwayomi's book: Foundations of Black Epistemology: Knowledge Discourse in Africana Philosophy 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439925488 Check out our blog on www.candidgoatproductions.com  Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud.  These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.

    49 min

  8. JAN 20

    Hunting for Justice: The Cosmology of Dike in Aeschylus’s Oresteia with Dr. Kalliopi Nikolopoulou

    In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Kalliopi Nikolopoulou discuss the intersection of ancient tragedy, justice, and cosmology. Drawing from Dr. Nikolopoulou’s book Hunting for Justice: The Cosmology of Decay in Aeschylus' Oresteia, the conversation explores how the relationship between nature and justice has been severed by modern political thought. Together, they examine Aeschylus’ Oresteia—the only fully surviving trilogy of Greek tragedy—to trace the move from tribal blood-feuds to the establishment of the Areopagus, the world's first courtroom. The discussion engages the philosophical tension between the "Solar" order of Apollo and the "Chthonic" justice of the Furies, asking whether human reason alone can sustain a civic community. Analyzing the trial of Orestes and its famous hung jury, Dr. Nikolopoulou critiques the Hegelian view of progress, suggesting that when justice is reduced to a mere social construct, it loses its vital alignment with the natural world. The episode explores concepts such as ananke (necessity), the "theological politics" of Athena, and the inherent arbitrariness that persists within even the most rational legal systems. This conversation is essential for those interested in classical philology, legal theory, environmental ethics, and continental philosophy. Rather than viewing the Oresteia as a simple story of legal evolution, Dr. Nikolopoulou reframes it as a warning about the limits of human technology and craft in the face of mortality. Scholarly yet accessible, this episode speaks to the need for a "cosmological" justice that remains open to the biological and existential realities of the human condition. Make sure to check out Dr. Nikolopoulou's book: Hunting for Justice: The Cosmology of Dike in Aeschylus’s Oresteia 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFSSGKL4 Check out our blog on www.candidgoatproductions.com  Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud.  These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop.

    57 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud. These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop. Every episode is a dialogue, a journey into the depths of a meaningful question explored through the lens of personal experience or professional expertise.

Information

  • Creator
    CG Productions
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    206
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Candid Goat Productions

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