Bald, Blind, and Buddies

Timothy Cordes and John Boland
  • 5.0 (21)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Liberal v. conservative, right, left, or libertarian. Join a thoughtful discussion with Timothy Cordes, a blind psychiatrist, and John Boland, a bald alum of the London School of Economics, who don't agree on much, but always agree to serve up their ideas with friendship and humor. ideasfirst.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    Democrats lose on culture when economics could win.

    Timothy Cordes and John Boland dive into why the Democrat Party loses on culture but might win on economics. The Buddies review the national budget as a statement of priorities as Dr. King described. Tim asserts that “tax the rich” is an example of the deadly sin of envy, and thus, repellent to some. John has trouble reconciling why people seem to care about culture and yet elected the current president. Tim asserts that certain democratic stances on culture are fixed dogmas and out of touch with America. The Buddies use the recent WNBA controversy as a case in point. They also review the recent triumph of a moderate over a socialist in Wisconsin’s governor’s primary. John’s whack-job tried to force the sale of a chunk of FIFA. Tim’s hero was a physician who advanced science and cared for his community. Referred to: The Democrats’ dilemma is how to talk about culture war issues - The Wash Post “Lie to People Who Want to be Lied to”: How to Make a Political Fortune as a Far-Left Democrat – JONATHAN TURLEY How Colleges Produce Socialists - WSJ How the WNBA Season Spiraled into Absolute Chaos - WSJ FIFA president nixes idea to sell stakes in World Cup to private equity investors Dr. Theodore Louis Goodfriend Obituary - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel We’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or email us (we are Gen Xers after all) at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, share, comment, review, rate, post about, tell your aunt, get a related tattoo, … Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com

    Democrats lose on culture when economics could win.

  2. Aug 11

    Seven letters you can’t use on your Vanity plate

    John Boland and Timothy Cordes review a recent case which may go to the Supreme Court, asking is a vanity license plate “free speech,” “government speech” or something else entirely. Tim examines the human dimension of the case in Virginia which centers on feeling offended or “hate speech.” John explains that regional variation may matter in enforcement as it does in other areas. John worries about political motives that might drive SCOTUS to hear this case. Tim’s whack-jobs are those who have bought into Gentle Parenting surrendering their own power and authority as adults in the room, leading to canceled flights and more. John’s hero saved a life with CPR. Please consider donating to Turks Head Trail - Facebook, which is a local restoration project. Referred to: Fourth Circuit defines anti-cop license plate as protected private speech | Courthouse News Service Edgy Vanity Plates Test Limits of Free Speech - The New York Times Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles rejects 1,300+ custom license plates in 2025 | WFRV Flight canceled after toddler refused to buckle seatbelt Online CPR Certification | Red Cross We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or send an email to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. Please rate us, write a review, and share. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com

    Seven letters you can’t use on your Vanity plate

  3. Aug 6

    what is the fascination and power of being around water?

    John Boland and Timothy Cordes, after both visiting the shore, muse on humans and water. They explore the historical and political impacts of navigable waterways as well as the human preoccupation with dihydrogen monoxide. The Buddies also discuss parking etiquette and access for service animals. John’s hero this week is a group promoting organ donation. Referred to: 15% of People Live Near Coasts – And the Number Keeps Rising - North American Community Hub Donate Life - Coleman Sweeney | Hand-picked by Good Ads Matter - YouTube Service Animals | US Department of Transportation We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment, like and subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com

    what is the fascination and power of being around water?

  4. Jul 27

    Interview with David Berkoff, an Olympian, who defeated the goliaths of swimming.

    John Boland and Timothy Cordes welcome David Berkoff, Olympic champion, and world record-setting swimmer to the podcast. He discusses how he developed the Berkoff blastoff, which revolutionized competitive swimming. We discussed changes in the sport and being a father of an athlete. David regales us with tales of getting to know Soviets during the Cold War as well as his desire to focus on the positive, recognizing we are all imperfect. David admires Pablo Morales for embodying persistence, and he gives Paul Newman praise for living life his own way. Referred to: When Backstroke Went Rogue: David Berkoff Changed the Event BERKOFF BLASTOFF on YouTube Pablo Morales and a Great Feel-Good Stories in the Sport’s History We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or send us your thoughts at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. Do not forget to share, like or subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com

    Interview with David Berkoff, an Olympian, who defeated the goliaths of swimming.

  5. Jul 21

    “It’s not you, it’s me, or maybe it’s you,” fading faith in institutions.

    John Boland and Timothy Cordes address the breakdown between people and their institutions. Tim uses the Ship of Thesus analogy to describe organizational drift. Tim recounts recent news on how Amnesty International (AI), which defended political prisoners now set its sites on a women’s rape crisis center. He also reviews how the Southern Poverty Law Center has lost the plot. John asserts that the atomization of information makes institutions more superfluous, and it is harder to hide their flaws, using the Catholic Church as an example. The Buddies acknowledge the institutional blinders of academia. They discuss how preemptive claims of eelection fraud destroy faith in democracy. John’s whack-job is a strict constructionist when its convenient while Tim’s hero uses her position to unabashedly advocate for women. Referred to: The interview that exposed academia’s cluelessness Traditionalist Catholics face a difficult choice after Vatican cuts off breakaway group - AP The death of the stick shift is almost here - Washington Post Home - Save The Manuals! JK Rowling rape support centre brands Amnesty’s anti-rights accusation ‘deeply offensive’ | Daily Mail Online SPLC funded racism just so they could fight it | Columnists | thedesertreview.com Video: Justice Jackson can’t define woman in confirmation hearing We’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or send an email to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. Don’t forget to share, like and subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com

    “It’s not you, it’s me, or maybe it’s you,” fading faith in institutions.

  6. Jul 13

    Professor Andrea Clements on exploring social connections to treat addictive disorders

    John Boland and Timothy Cordes welcome experimental psychologist Dr. “Andi” Clements from East Tennessee State University to discuss her struggles to publish questions which threaten the “medication first” dogma for treatment of opioid use disorder. Professor Clements describes her experiences in teaching about trauma to churches. She explains how opioid medications interfere with natural reinforcement from social connection, and her question whether medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) reduces individuals’ ability to form social connections that would drive natural recovery. She indicates that the Church could be one place offering strong community support to those in recovery. The group reflects on the trajectory of heroin addicts after Vietnam, the success of AA, how to consider vulnerability to addiction, and what a study testing Professor Clements’ hypothesis would look like Dr. Clements shares her hero, John Swinton from the University of Aberdeen. Referred to: What a Questioning Medication-First Addiction Treatment Made Me a Heretic Interpersonal connection and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD): Does the endogenous opioid system inform the etiology and treatment of addiction? Intrinsically Motivated: An Uplift Appalachia Podcast on Apple Podcasts Raging with Compassion: Pastoral Responses to the Problem of Evil: Swinton, John on Amazon We’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or send us an email at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. If there’s one thing you can do for the podcast, share it with a friend. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com

    Professor Andrea Clements on exploring social connections to treat addictive disorders

  7. Jul 7

    Celebrating America: the idea, the progress, and the reasons for hope

    John Boland and Timothy Cordes are joined by Peter Cordes this week to discuss America’s Semiquincentennial. The Buddies consider America as a meta-political idea, grounded in equality and liberty which transcends factions like political parties. Peter shares his thoughts on the First Amendment and the primary goal of the framers while Tim and John consider how successful they were. John also shares his favorite amendment. John reviews facts which demonstrate how special America is, and Tim ads that it is also the fundamental elements like immigrants seeking freedom and freedom of religion and speech which make the highlights possible. Peter’s hero is a delegate who was essential for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Referred to Opinion | 25 reasons to be optimistic about America’s future - Washington Post Caesar Rodney: The Ride That Secured Independence ;’ We’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or send an email to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. Don’t forget to share, like or subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com

    Celebrating America: the idea, the progress, and the reasons for hope

  8. Jun 29

    Interview with Ramesh Ponnuru,Editor of National Review

    Ramesh Ponnuru the Editor of the National Review joins John Boland and Tim Cordes to address democrats and socialism, to the race to the moral bottom, and January 6. Ramesh and the Buddies review issues raised by vice-presidents, namely J.D. Vance’s change of heart and Dick Cheney’s inability to relinquish his principled stance. They touch on healthcare and affordability, and Ramesh Ponnuru offers reasons for hope. Ramesh shares his whack-job who wants to abolish prisons and will likely end up in Congress. Referred to: Ramesh Ponnuru | National Review N.Y. Socialist Called for Eliminating Police, Prisons, and Israel. Now, She’s Likely Headed to Congress | National Review Opinion | Dick Cheney never forgave Trump for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot - The Washington Post We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or send us an email at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. Do not forget to like and subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com

    Interview with Ramesh Ponnuru,Editor of National Review
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About

Liberal v. conservative, right, left, or libertarian. Join a thoughtful discussion with Timothy Cordes, a blind psychiatrist, and John Boland, a bald alum of the London School of Economics, who don't agree on much, but always agree to serve up their ideas with friendship and humor. ideasfirst.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Timothy Cordes and John Boland
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Timothy Cordes
  • Show Website
    Bald, Blind, and Buddies

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