Good Is In The Details

GIID
  • 4.9 (137)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Good Is In The Details is a Philosophy podcast hosted by Gwendolyn Dolske, Ph.D and Rudy Salo. We believe that being curious and satisfying your curiosity is a pillar of happiness. Every episode features a discussion with an expert in Ethics, History, Culture, Epistemology, Sociology and more. Learn what you didn't know you didn't know, engage your Critical Thinking skills, and addi a philosophical lens to everyday topics . Join us in gaining a bit of wisdom, question the ordinary, thrive in areas of self-improvement, and laugh in between.

  1. 4D AGO

    Everyday Philosophy and Wisdom from the Aztecs

    What did the Aztecs believe about ethics, virtue, and the good life? How does Aztec philosophy compare to Aristotle's ethics? And what can Aztec moral thought teach us about community, responsibility, and flourishing today? In this episode of Good Is In The Details, we explore the philosophy and ethics of the Aztecs with philosophy professor Sebastian Purcell, author of The Wisdom of the Aztecs and The Outward Path. Together, we examine how Aztec moral philosophy challenges modern assumptions about individualism, happiness, and success. Rather than grounding ethics in individual achievement or rational perfection, Aztec philosophy emphasizes balance, struggle, and communal responsibility. Purcell explains how Aztec thinkers understood human life as inherently fragile and why moral excellence was cultivated through shared practices, rituals, and social roles. We place Aztec ethics in dialogue with Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, contrasting Aristotle's focus on individual virtue and rational activity with the Aztec view that flourishing emerges from belonging, contribution, and endurance within a community. Listeners will learn: What is Aztec philosophy and how did the Aztecs understand ethics? How does Aztec ethics differ from Greek philosophy and Aristotle? What does Aztec moral thought say about happiness, struggle, and meaning? How can Aztec ethical ideas be practiced in everyday life today? This conversation offers concrete examples of how Aztec ethics can inform modern life, especially in times of uncertainty, by shifting our focus from individual success to mutual support, resilience, and shared responsibility. If you're searching for Aztec philosophy explained, ethics in Aztec culture, or comparative philosophy between Aristotle and Indigenous traditions, this episode offers a thoughtful, accessible introduction grounded in scholarship and lived application. Learn more about Professor Purcell: https://sebastianpurcell.com Get in touch for media inquiries and links to our publications: https://www.goodisinthedetails.com Get more Good Is In The Details content and support the pod: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails

    47 min

  2. 12/29/2025

    Socrates, Wisdom, and Thinking Critically: Philosophy for Everyday Life

    Who was Socrates, and why does he still matter today? In this short episode of Good Is In The Details, Gwendolyn explore Socrates' understanding of wisdom and virtue through Plato's Apology, and why philosophy sees critical thinking as a path toward the good life. Gwendolyn gives an accessible introduction of what critical thinking is, why it matters beyond the classroom, and how we've practiced public philosophy throughout 2025 with our guests. This episode is perfect for listeners searching for philosophy podcasts, educational podcasts, public philosophy, or a deeper understanding of how learning to think well can shape a meaningful life. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails Get our latest publication: Interview With Intention Get discussion questions and classroom ideas for more in depth analysis of Philosophy and thinking well in a noisy world: Philosophy Unplugged Let's connect: https://www.goodisinthedetails.com.

    15 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    Arts Education, Community, and Creativity

    Gwendolyn and Rudy welcome founder/president of Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center, Dr. Dermell Brunson.  In this episode we focus on the importance of the arts in education, how it contributes to creative skills, connection with community, and self-esteem. Dr. Brunson debunks the myth that the arts are tangential to a good education.  Quite the opposite!  Students learn the value of discipline through the process of artistic expression and this paves the way for improved mental health and career opportunities.    We address several common questions like: How does arts education benefit children? Is arts education linked to academic success?  What skills do students learn from arts?  How do the arts support social and emotional learning? Learn more about Dermell's work: https://www.ltyc.net/our-history Get your copy of Philosophy Unplugged:  Classroom Guide to Good Is In The Details. Philosophy Podcast Discussion Questions Get in touch: https://www.goodisinthedetails.com Join our Book Club on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails Get your copy of Interview with Intention.

    47 min

  4. 11/30/2025

    The Problem With Self-Help: Critical Psychology, Philosophy, and the Real Causes of Distress

    Gwendolyn Dolske and Rudy Salo welcome Psychology Professor Dr. Bruno De Oliveira to unpack the real problems with the modern self-help industry. Why does self-help culture thrive despite offering oversimplified advice? How does it ignore the structural forces that shape mental distress? And what does evidence-based psychology actually say about wellbeing? We discuss the rise of pseudo-psychology, the limits of mindset-based advice, and how institutional practices, social inequality, and lived experiences contribute to mental distress. A thoughtful conversation for listeners interested in critical psychology, philosophy, ethics, and the science behind wellbeing. Drawing from critical community psychology, critical realism, and interdisciplinary research, Dr. De Oliveira explores how institutional practices, social inequality, and lived experiences, especially among those facing homelessness or welfare systems, challenge the myth that personal mindset alone determines success. We examine:  limits of positive thinking, pseudo-psychology in the self-help space, the wellness industry vs. scientific psychology, how social economics shape mental distress, and why individualistic advice often fails marginalized communities. Learn more about Dr. Bruno: https://www.chi.ac.uk/people/dr-bruno-de-oliveira/ Get Dr. Bruno's Book: The Self Help Industry: Is The Self-Help Industry Really Helping or Are We Being Mislead?  Interview like a Pro! Get Dr. Dolske's book for podcasters: Interview With Intention Join our Patreon and get extra GIID + a copy of Philosophy Unplugged when you join the 2nd tier Get in touch: https://www.goodisinthedetails.com.

    52 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    Biography, History, and Philosophy: Iris Murdoch, Elizabeth Anscombe, Philippa Foot, & Mary Midgley

    Gwendolyn Dolske interviews Philosophy Professor Benjamin Libscomb (The Women Are Up To Something). How did four women philosophers, Murdoch, Anscombe, Foot, and Midgley shape Ethical Theory?  What was the historical context of their work?  How did they uniquely engage in philosophical discourse and contribute to exploring concrete ethical dilemmas? Get your dose of Philosophy and History with this discussion about these incredible thinkers.  Learn more about Professor Libscomb's work: https://www.houghton.edu/staff-members/benjamin-lipscomb/ Support the pod and get extra content: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails Get in touch: https://www.goodisinthedetails.com

    33 min

  6. 10/28/2025

    Encore: The Ethics of Sexbots

    Gwendolyn Dolske and Rudy Salo talk with Professor Neil McArthur (University of Manitoba) about his work on the ethics of sexbots. Are sexbots the future of human connection or a threat to it? Explore the fascinating intersection of ethics, technology, and intimacy. Together, they unpack cultural anxieties, philosophical implications, and the surprising ways AI companions might actually be good for society. From the film Ex Machina to real-world robotics, this conversation examines what it means to be human when machines start to mimic love, emotion, and desire. Whether you're curious about AI ethics, the philosophy of technology, or how innovation challenges our moral compass, this episode invites you to think deeper.  What you'll learn: Why fears around sexbots may be misplaced, how technology redefines intimacy and autonomy, and what philosophy teaches us about love, consent, and machine ethics. Follow GIID on Instagram: @GoodIsInTheDetailsPod Join our Patreon & support the pod: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails

    51 min

  7. 10/16/2025

    Artificial Intelligence, Free Will, and Consciousness

    Gwendolyn Dolske and Rudy Salo invite Physicist Samir Varma (The Science of Free Will) to discuss how AI reveals our understanding of the classical philosophical debate: Free Will vs Determinism.  What are the possibilities with AI and how can it be useful without disrupting our humanity?  Are we purely material beings interacting with an "alien" intelligence?  If all of our actions and thoughts are caused does that necessarily mean we are not free? Critical Thinking + Practical Philosophy + Science.  Get Samir's book: The Science of Free Will. Join our Patreon for more Good Is In The Details and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails Subscribe to our Substack: https://giitd.substack.com Check out the pod's Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/GoodIsInTheDetails Pod music by Rich Balling.

    44 min

  8. 09/29/2025

    The Human Experience and AI

    Gwendolyn and Rudy welcome author of Human is the New Vinyl, Micah Voraritskul.  How can the metaphor of vinyl help us understand our humanity? What can humans do that leave AI underwhelming?  How should we interact with AI and keep our humanity in tact? Practical Philosophy and Critical Thinking is employed to appreciate the uniqueness of our being and the role of AI in our lives.   Learn more about Micah and get his book: https://www.micahvoraritskul.com Thank you to Rich Balling for the pod music! Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails Follow us on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/GoodIsInTheDetails

    48 min
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About

Good Is In The Details is a Philosophy podcast hosted by Gwendolyn Dolske, Ph.D and Rudy Salo. We believe that being curious and satisfying your curiosity is a pillar of happiness. Every episode features a discussion with an expert in Ethics, History, Culture, Epistemology, Sociology and more. Learn what you didn't know you didn't know, engage your Critical Thinking skills, and addi a philosophical lens to everyday topics . Join us in gaining a bit of wisdom, question the ordinary, thrive in areas of self-improvement, and laugh in between.

Information

  • Creator
    GIID
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    184
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gwendolyn Dolske 2019
  • Show Website
    Good Is In The Details