Reason Bound

Ryan Michaels
Reason Bound

Recording from Tokyo, I have on guests to discuss social issues, politics, and what's happening in the world. It's not what people believe, but why they believe it that I find most interesting.

  1. #42: Drag Queen Controversy

    JAN 5

    #42: Drag Queen Controversy

    An Aussie named Ben joins Ryan to discuss the big drag queen issues that have been in the news the last several years seemingly nonstop. On this (weirdly) very heated topic, sober and reason-bound commentary seem sparse. Ben and Ryan discuss what exactly "drag" is, what its components can be and what its components don't have to be. As they say: "context is king", and exploring context is a good way to avoid sounding like a frothing at the mouth lunatic when discussing this issue.

    1h 38m
  2. #41: Balancing On Life's Penny Board

    11/29/2024

    #41: Balancing On Life's Penny Board

    Tej Singh joins Ryan to discuss work life balance and reminisce on their time together in Japan during the global pandemic. Tej worked for years as a career coach and shares suggestions for a good cover letter and resume/cv format in the discussion of critical things to consider when deciding what line of work to enter into for a career. Balancing work and life is one of the healthiest things one can do and as the only one to work with Ryan in both corporate and creative work environments, Tej is the perfect person to discuss how to optimize a lifestyle that deals with both.

    1h 23m

  3. 07/25/2024

    Interlude: My Suicidal Ideation as a result of Progressive Insurance

    This is an update for those who've asked. I've had suicidal ideation from Progressive Insurance deciding to try and milk me for even more money in asking many intrusive questions about my roommate and interpreting my driving to work in a way to take even more money from me than we had agreed when I prepaid 6 months of coverage.  This is a prime example of why I don't put out content as often. The liars and con artists at Progressive Insurance did nothing for me but instill severe suicidal ideation. Stay away.

    12 min
  4. #40: Personality Typecast

    06/29/2024

    #40: Personality Typecast

    The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is probably the most famous personality test in the world. Mari Buljo returns to Reason Bound to discuss this personality test with a skeptical Ryan. How far should people read into the validity of these tests, what is the history of the MBTI creation, and how much of a difference is there between these personality tests and a horoscope? Mari is one of Ryan's favorite guests and they first cover some history of how they met and interacted in class together in Tokyo.

    1h 6m
  5. #39: Latin Xplanations

    04/09/2024

    #39: Latin Xplanations

    Denise Johnson returns to Reason Bound to discuss blending cultural identities centered on what it means to be Latino/a, Chicano/a, Hispanic, and so on. Denise talks with Ryan about connecting with roots, hertiage, and how one's own culture can interact with another. It's a good conversation between long time friends that sparked ideas about what it means to be identity X or Y.

    51 min
  6. #38: Fighting For Fairness: Japan's Tozen Union v.s. Gaba Corporation

    11/06/2023

    #38: Fighting For Fairness: Japan's Tozen Union v.s. Gaba Corporation

    Ryan welcomes a panel from Japan's Tozen union to discuss working conditions at a prominent English school (eikaiwa) in Japan. A slew of bad policy decisions from Gaba Corporation including forcing instructors (treated as independent contractors by the corporation) into a qualified invoice system, has led to union action and recent strikes. Another new horrific policy announcement would see teachers fined per lesson if they become unable to teach, which could even result in a negative paycheck. In addition to demanding an end to the qualified invoice system requirements, Gaba Instructors, who have not received a raise since 2008, are fighting for a modest raise of 200 yen per lesson ($1.33 U.S. as of the currency exchange rate on 11/06/23). Ryan and the panel discuss the importance of unions, past victories Tozen has achieved for workers, and how Gaba instructors as well as counselors can join the union and strengthen bargaining power in the fight for fair working conditions. Tozen union panel guests include the Tozen Union Gaba Workers Union Executive President Musashi Sakazaki, Tozen Union Gaba Workers Union General Secretary Mitch Brown, Tozen Union Gaba Workers Union Member Paul Bowen, and Tozen Union Deputy Finance Officer and Organizer Louis Carlet.

    1h 43m
  7. #37: Culture Mix

    10/31/2023

    #37: Culture Mix

    Returning from overseas ventures, Michael Hubbard returns to the U.S. and Reason Bound to discuss Cultural Appropriation with Ryan. Cultural Appropriation seems to have different meanings to different people. Where is the line between what is acceptable and not in social behaviors that cross cultures. Mike and Ryan on a reason-bound discussion on everything from food to clothing to Halloween costumes.

    47 min
  8. #36: Out Of Style: Truth

    09/02/2023

    #36: Out Of Style: Truth

    Award winning journalist Charles Thomson returns to Reason Bound to discuss reality as people seem to be navigating it. Fake news, false information, and outright lies are inundating the populace more than Charles and Ryan can ever recall. Where can truth be found? How should claims be evaluated? From British politicians lamenting "Oh, we've had enough of experts" to formerly respected journalists jumping on leaving reality-land railroad jobs, truth is now out of style in favor of confirmation bias.

    2h 5m
See All (45)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Recording from Tokyo, I have on guests to discuss social issues, politics, and what's happening in the world. It's not what people believe, but why they believe it that I find most interesting.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Michaels
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2017 Ryan Michaels
  • Show Website
    Reason Bound

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