This week we have a wide-ranging conversation on the malaise of modern relationships, the nature of commitment, happiness vs immediate satisfaction, and how luck plays a role in all of this.

This week we discuss the decline of deviance and what it means for cultural stagnation. Are the kids even cool anymore?

Inspired by Adam Mastroianni’s piece here.

This week we pardon some turkeys and delve deeper into the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein drama and its ever-growing facets: More emails! Establishing back channels between foreign leaders and arms dealers! Honeypots! How much more can our trust in institutions be eroded? Is nothing surprising anymore?

Plus, how to navigate politics at the Thanksgiving table. And our favorite holiday dishes.

This week we discuss the newest Ken Burns documentary, “The American Revolution”, loyalists vs patriots, and the perception of “history” in 2025

This week, we interview Julie Behling, a filmmaker, blogger, and education activist. We discuss the years she spent in post-Soviet 1990s Russia, her work as a Christian missionary, and her fears and analysis of what she feels are insidious trends towards Communism in American society today.

This week, we discuss the Democratic sweep of the recent elections in New York City, Virginia, New Jersey, California and others. Is this surprising? How should the Republicans take these developments? We also hone in on Zohran Mamdani and the hype surrounding him. Is he a true rising superstar in the Democratic Party or a flash in the pan? Are his socialist ideas feasible to implement in NYC? We break all of it down.

What could be spookier than the utter futility of consciousness? What if it’s an “error” in our wiring?

Today, Johnny is the teacher and Jess is the student as we do a deep dive into the work of Peter Wessel Zapffe, a Norwegian philosopher. His work was forged in the aftermath of the first and second world wars, a time of mechanized violence never seen before in human history. Is this what inspired his beliefs? What led him to become such a proponent of antinatalism? Are there parallels to today?

Enjoy this nihilistic journey and Happy Halloween from the Cooler Heads!

This week, we take a wild ride through the NYC mayoral race, Katie Porter’s behavior toward reporters and staffers, the national guard in blue cities, and the feigned humility of Karine Jean-Pierre’s new book, “Independent”.