El Podcast

El Podcast Media
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In El Podcast, anything and everything is up for discussion. Grab a drink and join us in this epic virtual happy hour!

  1. 8h ago

    Everything You Know About Sleep Is Wrong (E211)

    Humans aren't suffering from a sleep epidemic—we're suffering from a circadian rhythm epidemic, and understanding the difference could transform how we think about sleep, health, and human evolution. Guest Bio Dr. David Samson is an Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Toronto, Director of the Sleep & Human Evolution Lab, and author of The Sleepless Ape. His research explores how sleep evolved, why humans sleep less than any other primate, and how modern environments have fundamentally changed our relationship with sleep and circadian rhythms. Topics Discussed Why the "sleep epidemic" may be the wrong diagnosis Hunter-gatherer vs. modern sleep patterns The difference between sleep quality and circadian health Why humans sleep less than any other primate The evolutionary purpose of sleep Why scientists still debate why we sleep The myth of needing exactly eight hours How fire transformed human sleep and evolution The five biological rules that determine how much animals sleep Why elephants sleep only two hours while bats sleep twenty Evolutionary mismatch and modern sleep problems The role of sunlight, temperature, and circadian rhythms Why waking during the night may be perfectly normal Why teenagers naturally stay up later Dogs, fire, and the evolution of safer human sleep How humans built a "sleep shell" that changed evolution Could humans evolve to need even less sleep? Practical strategies for improving sleep naturally Main Points Modern societies actually sleep longer and more efficiently than hunter-gatherer societies. The real modern problem is weakened circadian rhythms, not simply insufficient sleep. The average human sleeps about 7 hours, not the commonly cited eight hours. Humans evolved to become the shortest-sleeping primate, gaining more waking hours for learning, socializing, innovation, and cooperation. Fire dramatically reshaped human evolution by reducing chewing time, extending waking hours, and creating safer sleeping environments. Human sleep evolved alongside shelters, fire, social groups, and eventually dogs to create safer, more restorative sleep. Most sleep advice should focus on strengthening circadian rhythms through natural light exposure rather than obsessing over sleep duration. Evolution optimizes reproduction—not perfect health—creating tradeoffs between social life, survival, and optimal sleep. Best 3 Quotes "Humans are the shortest-sleeping primate on the planet. That's the paradox that changed everything I thought about sleep." "We've spent decades worrying about a sleep epidemic, when the real epidemic may be a circadian rhythm epidemic." "Evolution doesn't care if you live a long life. It cares that you survive, reproduce, and that your children reproduce." Misc. Podcast Info Guest: Dr. David Samson Title: Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Toronto Books: The Sleepless Ape: The Story of Sleep in Human Evolution Our Tribal Future Key Research Findings Industrial societies average 7.1 hours of sleep versus 6.4 hours in small-scale societies. Sleep efficiency averages 88% in industrial societies versus 74% in small-scale societies. Humans average approximately 6 hours 47 minutes of sleep globally (about 7 hours in practice). Humans sleep less than every other known primate but possess one of the most successful evolutionary adaptations for survival. Morning sunlight and strong circadian rhythms may be more important than chasing eight hours of sleep. 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.  Thanks for listening!

    Everything You Know About Sleep Is Wrong (E211)

  2. 6d ago

    I Asked a Mexico Real Estate Expert About Retiring in Mexico (E210)

    Guest Bio Greg Gunter is the Founder and Broker/Owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Mexico. A 17-year resident of San Miguel de Allende, he specializes in helping Americans and Canadians relocate, retire, and invest in one of Mexico's most popular expat destinations. Topics Discussed Why Americans are retiring in Mexico San Miguel de Allende vs. beach destinations Cost of living and purchasing power The "Four C's": Cost, Climate, Culture & Community Renting before buying Buying property as a foreigner Coast vs. inland property ownership Safety, crime and cartel misconceptions Healthcare and Medicare in Mexico Residency and visa requirements Bringing pets across the border Investment properties and rental income Real estate appreciation in San Miguel Why retirees move back to the U.S. Common mistakes first-time buyers make Main Points San Miguel offers a spring-like climate year-round without the humidity of coastal Mexico. The city combines lower living costs with a vibrant cultural scene and a large English-speaking expat community. Foreigners can own property directly (fee simple) in central Mexico, unlike many coastal areas that require a bank trust. Most buyers are Americans purchasing second homes for retirement or seasonal living. Healthcare is high quality and significantly less expensive than in the U.S. Property taxes, utilities, and household help are dramatically cheaper than in the United States. Greg recommends renting in different neighborhoods before buying to find the best fit. Safety concerns about Mexico are often generalized; San Miguel has a longstanding reputation as one of the country's safest cities. Many retirees eventually return to the U.S. primarily because of grandchildren or age-related health needs. Long-term appreciation and lifestyle are often bigger draws than rental income alone. Top 3 Quotes "We always talk about the four C's: cost, climate, culture, and community." "I'm selling the lifestyle down here—it's not really sticks and bricks." "They're going to carry me out in an urn. I'm never leaving." How to Find Greg Website: Dream Pro Homes Luxury – dreamprohomesluxury.com Email: greg@gregorygunter.com Phone: +1 (877) 878-4141 Company: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Mexico (San Miguel de Allende) 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.  Thanks for listening!

    I Asked a Mexico Real Estate Expert About Retiring in Mexico (E210)

  3. Jul 7

    Britain's Collapse Is Happening Faster Than You Think (E209)

    Dr. Ben Jones explains how mass migration, multiculturalism, and declining free speech are reshaping Britain—and why he believes the country's future is at a turning point. Guest Bio Dr. Ben Jones is Case Management Director at the Free Speech Union and author of Island of Strangers, where he examines how mass migration, multiculturalism, and restrictions on free expression are reshaping Britain and other Western democracies. Topics Discussed Why Britain has "stopped being a society" Mass migration and hyper-diversity The decline of Christianity as Britain's social glue Free speech and self-censorship in modern Britain The role of the Free Speech Union Police investigations over online speech Arrests and prosecutions for social media posts Two-tier policing claims Immigration and demographic change Islam, multiculturalism, and integration The influence of American identity politics on Britain Woke ideology and institutional capture The trans rights debate and free speech Historical comparisons with the Roman Empire Britain's political future and civil unrest Singapore's multicultural model Elite decision-making and immigration policy Solutions for Britain's future Main Points Britain has shifted from a culturally unified nation into what Jones describes as "a nation of strangers." Large-scale immigration combined with declining national identity has weakened social cohesion. Free speech restrictions have expanded significantly, with growing numbers of people investigated or disciplined over lawful opinions. Institutions increasingly prioritize social harmony and identity politics over traditional liberal freedoms. Jones argues multicultural societies naturally create more speech restrictions because governments attempt to manage competing cultural sensitivities. Britain has moved from encouraging assimilation toward accepting permanent parallel communities. Political elites have largely ignored public concerns over immigration despite repeated electoral signals. Demographic change, according to Jones, will continue reshaping Britain even if immigration stopped immediately. Unless major political changes occur, he believes Britain faces increasing instability during the coming decade. Despite his pessimism, Jones encourages citizens to remain engaged and continue defending liberal democratic values. Top 3 Quotes "Britain has become a nation populated by strangers." "We've gone from a society where you knew what you couldn't say to one where every conversation feels like walking through a minefield." "Keep buggering on. Don't give up." — quoting Winston 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.  Thanks for listening!

    Britain's Collapse Is Happening Faster Than You Think (E209)

  4. Jun 30

    The Education System Is Still Trapped in 1893 (E208)

    Former venture capitalist and education reformer Ted Dintersmith explains why America's 19th-century education system is failing students in the AI era—and how schools can better prepare young people for the future. Guest Bio Ted Dintersmith is a bestselling author, award-winning filmmaker, former top-performing venture capitalist, and one of America's leading education innovators. He has spent more than 15 years visiting schools across all 50 states researching how education can better prepare students for a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Topics Discussed Why today's education system still resembles the factory model created in 1893 How AI is making traditional education increasingly obsolete The unintended consequences of standardized testing Why creativity, curiosity, and agency matter more than memorization Goodhart's Law and how education optimizes the wrong metrics The declining value of many college degrees Why statistics is more valuable than calculus for most careers Finland's education model versus the U.S. system Entrepreneurship, skilled trades, and career-based learning Why schools fail to teach financial literacy, probability, and real-world math AI's impact on college graduates and knowledge work Why boys increasingly struggle in the education system How internships and apprenticeships could transform high school What an AI-ready education system should look like Main Points America's education system was designed for factory jobs—not today's knowledge economy. Standardized testing has become the goal rather than a useful measurement of learning. Schools reward memorization while undervaluing creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. College should be one option—not the default path for every student. High school math emphasizes topics that few adults ever use while neglecting statistics and probability. AI is rapidly replacing routine knowledge work, making traditional academic preparation less valuable. Career education, entrepreneurship, internships, and apprenticeships deserve equal status with college preparation. Teachers are often prevented from innovating because schools prioritize test scores. Finland demonstrates that trusting teachers and reducing standardized testing can improve educational outcomes. Education should prepare students to create value, solve problems, and adapt—not simply pass exams. Books Talked About What School Could Be Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math They Never Taught You Most Likely to Succeed (referenced through discussion of the documentary and education reforms) The End of Average (referenced conceptually through individualized learning themes) Top 3 Quotes "Rote schools for rote jobs made sense. Today, rote jobs are disappearing—but our schools haven't changed." "We're measuring what is easy to test instead of what is important to learn." "The people who change the world are the ones with the confidence to ignore convention and create their own path." 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.  Thanks for listening!

    The Education System Is Still Trapped in 1893 (E208)

  5. Jun 23

    Why Pickleball Is Growing Faster Than Any Other Sport (E207)

    Former world No. 1 pickleball player Zane Navratil explains why pickleball is exploding globally, how pro players actually make money, and what the future of the sport looks like. Guest Bio Zane Navratil is a professional pickleball player, former world No. 1 in men's singles, creator of the now-banned spin serve, content creator, coach, and host of a popular pickleball podcast. He competes on the PPA and MLP tours while producing instructional and news content that helps grow the sport worldwide. Topics Discussed Why pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in America International growth in Asia and worldwide Whether pickleball could follow racquetball's boom-and-bust trajectory How much professional pickleball players actually earn PPA, MLP, APP, and the economics of pro pickleball The impact of billionaire investors and private equity Why most elite players come from tennis backgrounds Future generations of pickleball-first athletes DUPR ratings and their limitations Training, drilling, and practice habits of top pros Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters, and the future of dominance in the sport Gender differences at the professional level Officiating, line calls, and technology in pro pickleball The controversy around the banned spin serve Advice for aspiring professional players The future of professional pickleball and Olympic aspirations. Main Points 1. Pickleball's Growth Is Far From Over While participation in the United States continues to grow, Navratil believes the biggest opportunity is international expansion, particularly in Southeast Asia, China, and other emerging markets. 2. The Sport Has Avoided Racquetball's Mistakes Unlike racquetball, pickleball still has more demand than available court space, making its infrastructure growth more sustainable. 3. Professional Pickleball Can Be Financially Viable Top players earn substantial incomes through contracts, sponsorships, prize money, and content creation. The top tier can make well into six or seven figures, though lower-tier professionals often struggle financially. 4. Tennis Is Still the Main Pipeline Most elite players have tennis backgrounds, but Navratil expects future generations of pickleball-first athletes to dominate as the sport matures. 5. Video Analysis Is The Most Underrated Training Tool For recreational players, filming matches and reviewing mistakes may provide more improvement than almost any other practice method. 6. Ben Johns Isn't Finished Despite speculation about his decline, Navratil argues that Ben Johns continues adapting his game and remains the standard in men's pickleball. 7. Anna Leigh Waters Is A Unicorn Navratil believes Waters could compete with many top male professionals and is likely to remain dominant for years. 8. Pro Pickleball Still Has Growing Pains Issues such as line calls, officiating, and league profitability remain unresolved, but Navratil views them as normal challenges for a young sport. 9. The Gap Between Good Amateurs And Pros Is Massive Many recreational players underestimate how large the skill gap is between a strong 5.0 player and a touring professional. 10. The Ultimate Goal Is Mainstream Legitimacy Navratil hopes pickleball continues growing into a globally recognized sport with Olympic aspirations and long-term professional opportunities. Top 3 Quotes "It looks slow until all of a sudden it is extremely fast." "Worry about getting better at pickleball and your DUPR will get better." "When I came into pickleball in 2013, pro pickleball did not exist. It's so cool to see that it's a legit career path now." Episode Takeaway Pickleball has moved far beyond being a retirement-community pastime. With international growth, major investment, rising viewership, and increasing professional opportunities, Navratil argues the sport is still in the early innings of a much larger global expansion. 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.  Thanks for listening!

    Why Pickleball Is Growing Faster Than Any Other Sport (E207)

  6. Jun 16

    AI Slop Is Flooding Science

    An AI developer and researcher argues that large language models are accelerating the collapse of academic gatekeeping, flooding science with low-quality research, and creating a potential "epistemic dark age." Guest Bio @haversine.substack.com is a computer scientist, AI developer, programmer, and mathematics educator who has worked on language models, healthcare AI systems, and education research. His work focuses on how humans learn, how language shapes cognition, and the growing impact of AI on academia and society. Topics Discussed AI-generated academic fraud LLM hallucinations in scientific journals The replication crisis in science Peer review and AI-generated referee reports Academic incentives and "publish or perish" Dead Internet Theory Stanford research fraud scandal AI's impact on truth and knowledge College, credentials, and declining academic standards Cognitive decline and education Silicon Valley incentives AI hype versus reality Dating, social media, and Gen Z The future of work and higher education Robert Gordon's innovation thesis Why society may be entering an "epistemic dark age" Main Points AI-generated content is increasingly appearing in academic journals, including top-tier publications. Peer review itself is becoming automated, creating a system where AI-generated papers are reviewed by AI-assisted reviewers. Academic incentives reward publication volume rather than truth-seeking, making AI misuse almost inevitable. Language models risk contaminating future knowledge because they are trained on previous outputs, including errors and hallucinations. The guest argues society is losing its ability to distinguish expertise, competence, and genuine understanding from AI-generated text. Many AI companies overstate the capabilities of their systems while underplaying their limitations and risks. Higher education is suffering from credential inflation, declining standards, and growing dependence on AI tools. Social media and smartphones have fundamentally altered how younger generations form relationships, learn, and engage with the world. The decline in friction, boredom, and real-world challenges may be reducing resilience and critical thinking among young people. The biggest risk of AI may not be superintelligence but the gradual erosion of humanity's ability to know what is true. Top 3 Quotes "We're just in real time losing our ability to interrogate information." "Everyone is asleep at the wheel, and I don't see how this gets fixed." "The scary thing with language models is that they're going to calcify bad information, bad epistemics, and carry that forward forever."   🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.  Thanks for listening!

    AI Slop Is Flooding Science

  7. Jun 12

    AI Is Replacing Hollywood (E205)

    A Hollywood veteran with 56 years in the industry explains why AI, streaming, and changing audience habits are disrupting the traditional film business and what comes next for creators. Guest Bio Christian is a veteran cinematographer, camera operator, and filmmaker who has worked in Hollywood for over five decades, from childhood appearances on Little House on the Prairie to a long career in film and television production. Topics Discussed Hollywood job losses and studio vacancies AI-generated filmmaking and virtual production The future of actors, directors, and crew members Streaming's impact on Hollywood economics Offshoring film production and tax incentives YouTube vs traditional entertainment The collapse of Hollywood's middle class AI's impact on creative careers Why 80% of his industry friends are struggling to find work Adapting careers in the AI era The future of content creation Advice for young people considering Hollywood careers Main Points Hollywood is experiencing a severe contraction, with many studios sitting empty and jobs disappearing. AI is compressing entire production teams into workflows that can be handled by a handful of people. Roughly 80% of Christian's friends in the industry are actively looking for work. Traditional filmmaking's hierarchy of specialists is being disrupted by tools like Sora, Runway, Midjourney, and Kling. Streaming weakened the residual-based income model that supported many entertainment workers. Younger audiences increasingly prefer YouTube and creator-driven content over traditional Hollywood productions. AI may create a future where a single creator can produce content once requiring dozens or hundreds of workers. The biggest winners may be established stars who can license their image and likeness. Success in the future will require constant adaptation and learning new technologies. Christian believes many traditional Hollywood jobs may never return. Top 3 Quotes "The business model that was the movie industry is gone." "I would say 80% are looking for gigs." "Directors aren't directors anymore. They're prompters 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.  Thanks for listening!

    AI Is Replacing Hollywood (E205)

  8. Jun 9

    I Thought I Was Studying Literature. I Was Wrong (E204)

    Writer and Columbia English graduate Liza Libes argues that modern English departments and publishing houses have replaced the study of literature with ideology, leaving classic works filtered through political theories rather than literary analysis. Guest Bio Liza Libes is a writer, entrepreneur, and creator of the Substack Pens and Poison, where she explores literature, culture, publishing, higher education, and the political forces shaping the humanities. A Columbia University English graduate, she writes extensively about the decline of literary education and the future of reading and writing. Topics Discussed Columbia University's English department Shakespeare and ideological literary criticism Pronouns, identity politics, and campus culture Marxism in literature curricula Why college turns students toward socialism The role of Karl Marx, Judith Butler, and Edward Said in English departments The decline of the Western literary canon The modern publishing industry's ideological capture Why many contemporary novels fail commercially Self-publishing vs traditional publishing AI, ChatGPT, and the future of writing Favorite books, authors, and poets The value of studying English in the AI age Main Points English departments increasingly teach theory rather than literature. Students are often taught Marxist, post-colonial, gender, and identity theories before engaging deeply with the texts themselves. Literary interpretation has become ideologically constrained. Libes argues students are rewarded for repeating approved interpretations rather than developing their own. Marxist and critical theory dominate many humanities programs. Marx, Judith Butler, and Edward Said occupy a central place in many literature courses. Universities create self-reinforcing ideological systems. Professors train students who later become professors, editors, agents, and publishing gatekeepers. Publishing mirrors academia. The same ideological preferences found in English departments often determine which books get published and promoted. Many award-winning contemporary novels have little cultural impact. Literary prestige increasingly comes from institutional approval rather than broad readership. The publishing industry misunderstands its audience. Publishers focus heavily on narrow demographic trends while ignoring many serious readers. AI is making writing more important, not less important. Strong writing will become a premium skill because it reflects clear thinking and original thought. Reading great literature remains essential. Literature connects readers to enduring human experiences that transcend politics. There is still hope for the English major. The solution is not abandoning literature but reclaiming it from ideological capture. Top 3 Quotes 1. "English departments teach ideology rather than literature." 2. "The only way to become a great writer was to read great literature." 3. "If you can write substantially better than the AI, you will be a rare commodity on the job market." Books Discussed Literature & Fiction A Midsummer Night's Dream Twelfth Night The Merchant of Venice The Taming of the Shrew Metamorphoses Pale Fire Lolita The Unbearable Lightness of Being Anna Karenina The Brothers Karamazov Giovanni's Room Beloved Catch-22 Nonfiction / Theory The Communist Manifesto Das Kapital The Strange Death of Europe Recommended by Liza The World of Yesterday Poets Discussed T. S. Eliot John Keats Samuel Taylor Coleridge Philip Larkin Sylvia Plath William Ernest Henley Podcast Theme in One Sentence A wide-ranging conversation about how ideology transformed literature departments, reshaped publishing, and why reading and writing may become even more valuable in the age of 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us.  Thanks for listening!

    I Thought I Was Studying Literature. I Was Wrong (E204)
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About

In El Podcast, anything and everything is up for discussion. Grab a drink and join us in this epic virtual happy hour!

Information

  • Creator
    El Podcast Media
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    210
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022 El Podcast Media
  • Show Website
    El Podcast

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