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. Our “careful” thoughts On J.D. Vance, the Pope and expertise.

    1D AGO

    Our “careful” thoughts On J.D. Vance, the Pope and expertise.

    After a week in which J.D. Vance told Pope Leo XIV to be “careful” with his theology, Timothy Cordes and John Boland spend time on the Vice-president.   John acknowledges that evil happens when others enable it and is frustrated with otherwise highly capable people like Vance who perform that role.   Tim notes that Vance has been committed to his ambition throughout and swapping ideologies in service to that may be no conversion at all.   The Buddies talk about Tom Nichols piece in the Washington Post as an example of America’s no longer respecting expertise. Both concede that the experts have given up much of their authority through their choices.   John’s whack-jobs are the sports organizations who somehow thought they could welcome gambling in without consequences for the game or their fans.   Tim’s hero of the week is Catholic Charities of Miami -Support Our Mission Who have been threatened by funding cuts from the current administration. Please, consider giving.   Referred to: Trump yanks millions from Catholic Charities amid Pope feud Pope James David Vance the First - The Atlantic 13 things to know about J.D. Vance’s Catholic journey - Catholic Telegraph Higher education’s frozen yogurt moment by the Washington Post Guardians' Clase, Ortiz plead not guilty in pitch-rigging case George's Life Hack  We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment here or send questions to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTAC.COM.   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

    43 min
  2. Why we love sports, as individuals and communities

    APR 13

    Why we love sports, as individuals and communities

    We first review the University of Wisconsin Board of Regent’s recent firing of their president and John explains the fundamental nature of academia We launch into understanding why we like sports and the sports we like hitting on growth, excellence, violence, and group cohesion. , John shares why he likes Baseball as a simultaneously individual and group effort. They both muse on the draw of golf. Tim outlines what he appreciates about football while highlighting the absurdity of the obsession with the draft. In doing so, he explains why the NFL is like a McRib sandwich. John’s whack-job is smart enough to know better. Tim’s heroes acted quickly, at personal risk, to save a stranger. Referred to: Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by : Lewis, Michael on Amazon Men at Work : The Craft of Baseball by George F. Will (1991, Paperback, Reprint) | eBay George will book Columbia men receive Carnegie Medal for heroic Duck River rescue - Main Street Media of Tennessee James Earl Jones baseball speech from Field of Dreams on YouTube We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment here or send show ideas, questions, or suggestions to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. 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

    41 min
  3. News Items that caught our eye or ear

    APR 9

    News Items that caught our eye or ear

    After trivia where Tim gets a sports question right, John Boland and Timothy Cordes launch into quick hits from the news. The Buddies review the Idaho bill limiting bathroom access to one’s biological gender. John comments on the Supreme Court’s recent trend of carving out religious exemptions while the Buddies address the recent SCOTUS decision on Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy.” Tim connects that ruling to Kristi Noem’s husband’s case and why someone might want to change “gender-related behaviors.” John asserts that the Republican party has given up its claim to the moral high ground. Tim gives an update on China, which in a recent poll was considered mor trustworthy than the U.S. Both consider George Will’s opinion on the recent jury ruling against Meta and YouTube. The buddies highlight how the ubiquity of technology may change the calculus. John’s whack-job has made no compelling case for action in Iran with myriad consequences to follow. Tim’s whack-job is the Board of Regents of the Universities of Wisconsin, who eventually did carry out their threat to fire the system president after our recording time. Let the discovery begin … Buckle up folks, there’s a lot here. Referred to: ‘Conversion Therapy’ and the Constitution - WSJ The sinister verdict in Meta and Google social media addiction case - The Washington Post FBI: Chinese national, two Americans accused of conspiring to smuggle AI tech to China Satellite Photos Show China’s Massive Manmade Island in Disputed Waters - Newsweek Gallup poll finds world views China better than United States | The Star Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents votes to fire Jay Rothman We would love to hear from you. Send show ideas, comments or questions to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. We’re also tooling up for another exciting season. If you have tweaks or suggestions, let us know. 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

    38 min
  4. recent legal rulings against Meta and Youtube

    MAR 29

    recent legal rulings against Meta and Youtube

    After trivia, the buddies begin with a re-imagining of A Few Good Men with a tech executive on the stand. They review two key adverse rulings against social media companies in New Mexico and Los Angeles. John asserts the primacy of individual choice and responsibility. Tim points out that there should be a higher standard for children. Tim reviews what addiction is and whether people can be addicted to social media. John points to the new suit against on-line gambling companies, and they speculate about what will happen next and how things could be improved. John’s whack-job spent three years in law school so that he could be fined for using AI to write his brief. Tim’s hero is a proponent of girl’s sport in Minnesota and a proud Gopher fan. Referred to: New Mexico social media lawsuit ends in $375-million verdict against Meta Verdicts against social platforms validate concerns long raised by parents, whistleblowers | AP News Meta had a 17-strike policy for sex trafficking, former safety leader claims | The Verge Broken Code by Jeff Horwitz Attorney Hit with Historic Fine for Citing AI-Generated Cases Meet the Blanket Lady, a Gophers Basketball Superfan Who Blazed Trails for Women’s Hoops - Racket We would love to hear from you. Send comments to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. 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

    44 min
  5. In memory of Lou Holtz

    MAR 20

    In memory of Lou Holtz

    We welcome University of Notre Dame football players Frank Stams and Wes Pritchett, members of the 1988 National Championship team, to the show to reminisce and share their thoughts on Coach Lou Holtz. The two expand on Lou’s leadership, vision, attention to detail, and consistency. Wes explains how he came to appreciate Lou more as he grew into a man with his own family. He recounts Lou’s Three Rules for Life. Frank and Wes share anecdotes and talk about the team’s chemistry. Our apologies, some of the audio is rough. I’d encourage you to stick with it. Referred to: Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography. Inside Lou Holtz’s impact on his Notre Dame players: Aaron Taylor A Confession of the Legendary Lou Holtz - Word on Fire Ten things about former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz you might not know We would love to hear from you. Send comments, suggestions, or show ideas to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. Please, share this podcast 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

    32 min
  6. Lauren Zelt on the problem of lawsuit abuse

    MAR 10

    Lauren Zelt on the problem of lawsuit abuse

    John Boland and Timothy Cordes welcome Lauren Zelt of Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) to Bald, Blind, and Buddies. Lauren expands on the hidden costs of lawsuit abuse highlighting staged accidents and unnecessary medical procedures as examples. She reviews state successes in beginning to address these problems. Tim and John wonder if there are ways to hold the lawyers who perpetrate fraud accountable. Tim reminds us how much the fear of legal action drags on healthcare providers and indirectly raises costs. Lauren reviews warning signs for people who need to engage legal help after an accident. Lauren’s hero is Governor Brian Kemp who signed a lawsuit reform bill in Georgia. Referred to: Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) 2025-2026 Executive Summary - Judicial Hellholes New U.S. Chamber Study: Lawsuit System Costs Reach Over $4,200 Per Household - ILR Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signs off on sweeping new limits on lawsuits | AP News We would love to hear from you. If you have an alternate opinion, comments, suggestions, or non-AI-crafted show pitch send them to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM Please, share, like or subscribe to the podcast. 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

    46 min
  7. Dr. Louis Schlesinger on Forensic psychology and serial killers

    MAR 2

    Dr. Louis Schlesinger on Forensic psychology and serial killers

    This episode has mature topics including sexual violence. Dr. Schlesinger, a forensic psychologist and expert in criminal behavior, explains what we know, don’t know, and how we know what we do about serial killers. He reviews the role the Silence of the Lambs played in sparking interest in the topic and who is drawn to media on true crime. We speculate on why that may be. Dr. Schlesinger dispels common myths like serial killers are typically intelligent and shares ideas on whether rehabilitation is possible. We discuss the challenges in trying to study this topic and consider whether people need to fear serial killers in their daily lives. Dr. Schlesinger shares his hero, Dr. Eugene Revitch, a pioneer in understanding criminal behavior. Referred to: “He’s not the murderer” scene from “Seinfeld” The Masseuse (TV Episode 1993) Psychiatric Aspects of Criminal Behavior: Collected Papers of Eugene Revitch on Amazon Sexual Murder: Catathymic and Compulsive Homicides: Amazon We would love to hear from you. Tell us why you like ‘true crime.” Send show ideas, comments, or advice to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM. If you want to do one thing to help the podcast, share it with a friend, acquaintance, or stranger. 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

    52 min
  8. A Million Ring Doorbells to Watch them all

    FEB 23

    A Million Ring Doorbells to Watch them all

    John Boland and Timothy Cordes address the Ring Doorbell Super Bowl ad, privacy controversy, and fallout. The Buddies begin with NFL trivia and Tim take prides in his “dumb” home. John and Tim discussed how the Ring Doorbell ad was supposed to warm hearts, but it had a chilling effect. Tim reviews history of Ring’s troubles. John explores tradeoffs between convenience and privacy. John uses the Nancy Guthrie case to illustrate how somehow video doorbells retained images from a device that was supposedly “off.” Tim applauds people who are thinking about these privacy-related decisions and making their own choices about whether they can just answer the door. John’s whack-jobs are two Supreme Court justices guilty of partisanship. Tim highlights Sweden as his hero, for putting books back in students’ hands after realizing the catastrophe of screens in classrooms. Referred to: Ring’s Super Bowl ad for dog-tracking cameras stirs controversy Ring’s privacy failures led to spying and harassment through home security cameras | Consumer Advice Security Companies Could Give Video to Police Without Consent - Consumer Reports Ring’s smart doorbell is a cautionary tale for China sourcing | Global Sources Swedish schools said they didn’t need books. Pupils proved them wrong The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr | Goodreads OpenAI considered alerting Canadian police about school shooting suspect months ago | Tumbler Ridge school shooting | The Guardian We would love to hear from you. Send comments, suggestions, or questions to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTAC.COM. The one thing you can do to help the podcast is to share it with someone. 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

    41 min
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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
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Timothy Cordes
  • Show Website
    Bald, Blind, and Buddies

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