Chasing Leviathan

What happens when we blindly accept the monuments in our built world, treating them as permanent fixtures of history rather than invitations to critique the traditions they represent? 

The University of West Georgia's Emerita Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Janet Donohoe, joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the overlooked dynamism of our built environment and how we interact with public memory. 

Dr. Donohoe explores the complex ties between physical spaces and tradition in her book, Remembering Places: A Phenomenological Study of the Relationship between Memory and Place. They examine how th...

Why is it that an ephemeral arrangement of sounds can move us to tears, while the exact same sequence might sound like chaotic noise to someone from another culture?

Reader in Cognitive Science at Queen Mary University of London and Honorary Professor of Neuroscience at Aarhus University, Dr. Marcus Pearce joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the overlooked significance of our brain's probabilistic predictions.

Dr. Pearce explores the computational mysteries of how we process sound in his book, Learning to Listen, Listening to Learn: Music Perception and the Psychology...

What happens when we assume our modern educational institutions and traditions of debate sprung from a vacuum, dismissing the Middle Ages as an uncritical era blinded by faith? 

Kenyon College's Assistant Professor of History, Dr. Alex Novikoff, joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the overlooked intellectual vibrancy and argumentative spirit of the medieval world. 

Dr. Novikoff explores the history and impact of these practices in his book, The Medieval Culture of Disputation: Pedagogy, Practice and Performance. They examine how the scholastic love of debate wasn't just confined to the ivory tower, but became a performative, pu...

What happens when our modern visual culture, which demands we constantly observe global atrocities on our phones, actually leads to apathy instead of a meaningful moral response? 

The University of Chicago's Associate Professor of English Language and Literature, Dr. Ben Saltzman, joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the overlooked significance of a common, deeply human reaction.

Dr. Saltzman explores the history and meaning of this physical act in his book, Turning Away, The Poetics of an Ancient Gesture. They examine how looking away is frequently not a sign of disengagement, but rather an indication of d...

What happens when history remembers a brilliant young philosopher for his eccentric interests rather than the intellectual foundations he laid for the modern world?

Maynooth University's lecturer and assistant professor, Dr. Amos Edelheit , joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the misunderstood legacy of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and his book, A Philosopher at the Crossroads: Giovanni Pico della Mirandola's Encounter with Scholastic Philosophy. 

Dr. Edelheit explores Pico's unique position bridging Renaissance humanism and Renaissance scholasticism. They examine how modern scholars have fundamentally distorted Pico's legacy by fixating on his fascination with Jewish Kabbalah, while neglecting h...

What happens when a society's pursuit of pure rationality and radical individualism actually threatens to dissolve the trust that holds it together? 

Notre Dame University's Paul G. Kimball Professor of Arts and Letters, Dr. Vittorio Hösle, joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the overlooked genius of Giambattista Vico and the hidden dangers of modern rationalism. 

Dr. Hösle explores the philosophical foundations of the human sciences through his book Vico's New Science of the Intersubjective World. They examine why projecting modern thought onto ancient history fundamentally distorts our understanding of the past, and how reco...

What happens when secular culture does a better job of shaping our desires and beliefs than the church?

Trinity Anglican Seminary theology professor Dr. Alex Fogelman joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the decline of discipleship and how modern culture invisibly catechizes us.

Dr. Fogelman explores the historical roots of foundational instruction and his book Making Disciples: Catechesis in History, Theology, and Practice. They examine why pragmatic approaches to church growth fail and how a comprehensive introduction to the faith can deeply root believers against the shifting winds of...

What happens when we stop treating therapy as a search for a hidden "inner life" and instead use it to explore our shared, lived world?

Seattle University Senior Adjunct Professor of Philosophy and Psychology and Licensed Therapist Dr. Jerome Veith joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the intersection of hermeneutics and clinical practice.

Dr. Veith explores the themes of his book Gadamer and the Transmission of History and his personal journey from academic theory to doing philosophy every day with his clients. They examine how philosophical concepts like historicity...

This episode was recorded before the tragic news of Dr. Habermas' death. We deeply mourn his passing. Dr Habermas was a man who carefully and passionately pursued the truth, and so we hope that today's episode, in that spirit, we'll pay a small tribute to his legacy.

What happens to our democracy when the "written word" is replaced by the "viral image," and reasoned debate is drowned out by the hunt for clicks? 

University of Groningen professor Dr. Peter Verovšek joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the legacy of Jürgen Hab...

What happens to our character when being dishonest becomes easier and more rewarding than ever before? 

Wake Forest University philosophy professor Dr. Christian Miller joins host PJ Wehry to discuss the "honesty crisis" and how modern technology reshapes our most fundamental virtue. 

Dr. Miller explores the findings of The Honesty Project and his book The Honesty Crisis: Preserving Our Most Treasured Virtue in an Increasingly Dishonest World. They examine the psychological and philosophical boundaries of honesty to reveal how motivation is just as important as truth-telling. 

How does recognizing our deep physical and social connections change the way we understand human nature?

University of Cincinnati philosophy and psychology professor Dr. Anthony Chemero joins host PJ Weary to challenge traditional Western philosophy and explore the embodied nature of cognition.

Dr. Chemero unpacks his book Intertwined Creatures: The Embodied Cognitive Science of Self and Other. Together they discuss the intersection of cognitive science and feminist theory to show how deeply our environments and social circles shape who we are.

In this conversation they explore: 

Are we powerless against the march of modern technology, or can we reclaim our agency to foster true human connection? 

Writer, cultural historian, and photographer Dr. Dan Turello joins host PJ Wehry to rethink our relationship with technology and explore its potential to improve the human condition. Turello, a technology and humanity fellow at the Center for Future of Mind, AI, and Society at Florida Atlantic University, unpacks his book, Connection: How Technology Can Make Us Better Humans. 

Together they discuss moving past tech-pessimism and determinism to understand how our tools and social structures shape ou...

What comes after the endless critiques of postmodernism? 

Williams College professor Dr. Jason Ananda Josephson Storm joins host PJ Wehry to rethink the trajectory of the human sciences and chart a course for the future of academic theory. 

Dr. Storm, the Francis Christopher Oakley Third Century Professor of Religion and Chair of Science and Technology Studies, unpacks his book, Metamodernism: The Future of Theory. Together they discuss how scholars can move past deconstruction and begin building again. 

In this conversation they explore:

🔷 Why starting with critique is necessary but terminating in critiq...

What do Hegel and Heidegger have to do with the struggles faced by liberalism today? 

Duke political philosopher Dr. Michael Allen Gillespie joins host PJ Wehry to rethink the philosophical foundations of modern history and the crisis we're living through now.

Dr. Gillespie, Professor of Political Science at Duke University, revisits his landmark book, Hegel, Heidegger, and the Ground of History, to examine what these two towering figures reveal about the trajectory of Western civilization.

In this conversation they explore:

Can beauty actually reveal God? Oxford theologian Dr. Mark McInroy joins host PJ Wehry to explore Hans Urs von Balthasar's radical claim that beauty is not decoration, but the very structure of divine revelation.

Dr. McInroy, Associate Professor of Contemporary and Systematic Theology at the University of Oxford, unpacks his book Balthasar on the Spiritual Senses: Perceiving Splendor, a guide to one of the most important (and most difficult) Catholic thinkers of the 20th century.

In this conversation they discuss:

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, host PJ Wehry sits down with Dr. Yuval Avnur, Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Humanities Institute at Scripps College. They dive into Dr. Avnur's new book, Why Read Pascal Today?, and explore why Blaise Pascal remains one of the most vital voices in the philosophy of religion.

Dr. Avnur challenges the traditional understanding of Pascal's Wager. Rather than a cold, calculated bet designed to force belief, Avnur explains that Pascal viewed human nature fundamentally as a "heart with a belief-forming mechanism attached to it."

Together, PJ and...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ sits down with Dr. Michael Sawyer, Professor of African American Literature and Culture at the University of Pittsburgh. They dive deep into the philosophy behind Dr. Sawyer's latest book, The Door of No Return: Being as Black.

Dr. Sawyer challenges traditional academic boundaries, arguing that Black aesthetic practices—from the novels of Toni Morrison and Ralph Ellison to the musical performances of Bob Marley and Aretha Franklin—are profound philosophical statements in their own right.

Together, PJ and Dr. Sawyer discuss:
🔷 The limitations of W.E.B. Du Bois...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ is joined by Dr. Paul Moser to discuss his book, God on Trial: Testing for the Divine. They explore why traditional philosophical arguments often fail to reveal the true nature of God and why the search for the divine requires a shift from intellectual spectacle to moral participation. 

Dr. Moser challenges the "spectator" approach to theology, arguing that God is not interested in satisfying human curiosity with miraculous signs or undeniable logic. He contends that God’s primary goal is not merely to be believed in, but to be trusted and...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ is joined by Dr. Barbara Rosenwein to discuss her book, Generations of Feeling: A History of Emotions, 600 to 1700, and the decade-long research process required to bridge the traditional academic silos of the medieval and early modern periods.

Dr. Rosenwein introduces her concept of "emotional communities," explaining how groups throughout history, much like modern political parties, have maintained distinct norms and values regarding what is felt and expressed . She challenges the linear view that modern society has reached a "pinnacle" of emotional development , arguing that historians have often "read out" emotions...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ Wehry is joined once again by political theorist Dr. Chris Yeomans to discuss his recent work on republicanism, political participation, and the legacy of Hegel. The conversation centers on why republicanism has reemerged as a serious framework for political thought and how Yeomans traces its development from contemporary neo-republican theory back through nineteenth century labor republicanism and into the classical civic tradition rooted in Aristotle. Rather than treating political philosophy as an abstract exercise, the episode situates these ideas within lived questions of freedom, agency, and civic responsibility.

PJ and...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ is joined by Dr. Eric Jacobsen, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington, to discuss his book Three Pieces of Glass: Why We Feel Lonely in a World Mediated by Screens. Together they explore how modern life, shaped by smartphones, automobiles, and screen-mediated environments, quietly reshapes our relationships, our neighborhoods, and our sense of belonging. Rather than treating loneliness as only a personal or psychological problem, Jacobsen reframes it as a civic and cultural issue rooted in how we build and inhabit our shared spaces.

The conversation moves...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ Wehry is joined by philosopher Dr. Adebayo Oluwayomi, assistant professor of philosophy at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, to discuss his book Foundations of Black Epistemology: Knowledge, Discourse, and Africana Philosophy.

The conversation examines how philosophical canons are formed, who is recognized as a knower, and how Black thinkers have often been treated as secondary or optional within Western philosophy. Dr. Oluwayomi argues that philosophy is never neutral and that canon formation reflects deeper questions of power, exclusion, and epistemic harm.

They discuss major figures such as Immanuel...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Kalliopi Nikolopoulou discuss the intersection of ancient tragedy, justice, and cosmology. Drawing from Dr. Nikolopoulou’s book Hunting for Justice: The Cosmology of Decay in Aeschylus' Oresteia, the conversation explores how the relationship between nature and justice has been severed by modern political thought. Together, they examine Aeschylus’ Oresteia—the only fully surviving trilogy of Greek tragedy—to trace the move from tribal blood-feuds to the establishment of the Areopagus, the world's first courtroom.

The discussion engages the philosophical tension between the "Solar" order of Apollo and the "Chthonic...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Jin Park explore the idea of marginality and why it matters for understanding power, identity, and social change. Their conversation is grounded in Dr. Park’s book, Marginality: Solidarity, and the Fight for Social Change, which brings together philosophy, Buddhist thought, ethics, and lived experience to examine how societies organize themselves around centers and margins—and what that means for those who live at the edges.

Dr. Park reflects on her own journey from Korea to the United States, showing how questions of gender, race, class, and institutional auth...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Harris Bechtol discuss the death of the other—and why Western philosophy has largely failed to take it seriously. Drawing from Bechtol’s book A Death of the World: Surviving the Death of the Other, the conversation explores how grief, mourning, and loss are not merely private emotions but world-altering events that rupture time, memory, and meaning itself.

Together, they examine Martin Heidegger’s famous claim that when someone dies we are “merely nearby,” asking whether that view can really account for the lived reality of grief. Engaging thinkers l...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ talks with Dr. Jens Zimmermann about Christian humanism and what it means to understand humanity through Christ.

Their conversation explores the dualism that often divides faith and reason, how Neoplatonism shaped Christian thought, and why Bonhoeffer saw the incarnation as the key to recovering a truly human life. Zimmermann examines the limits of modern science and technology, the tension between individual freedom and the common good, and how education can better reflect the embodied, holistic nature of human existence. He also highlights the church’s role in embodying the new hu...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, host PJ Wehry sits down with Rev. Andrea Ferrari—Reformed pastor, theologian, and author of The Fall and Redemption of Conscience: A Reformed Biblical Theology—to explore one of the most neglected yet foundational topics in Christian thought: the nature of the human conscience. From John Calvin’s sensus divinitatis to Thomas Aquinas’ intellectual approach to moral reasoning, Rev. Ferrari uncovers how Scripture, church history, and theological tradition shape our understanding of what it means to be human before God.

Together, PJ and Rev. Ferrari discuss how conscience functions not merely as a mor...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Lambert Zuidervaart discuss his book, Adorno, Heidegger, and the Politics of Truth, tracing how his decades of work on Adorno led to a deep exploration of truth, art, and society. Dr. Zuidervaart explains why Adorno believed art reveals forms of truth that science and philosophy often miss—and how these insights expose what is “untrue” in modern capitalist culture.

They unpack Adorno’s critique of Hegel’s idea that “the true is the whole,” his early engagement with Kierkegaard, and his fierce opposition to Heidegger’s language of authenticity. Th...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ Wehry sits down with Dr. David Bather Woods to explore the remarkable life behind one of history’s most influential—and misunderstood—thinkers: Arthur Schopenhauer.

Drawing from his new book, Arthur Schopenhauer: The Life and Thought of Philosophy’s Greatest Pessimist, Dr. Bather Woods reveals how Schopenhauer’s turbulent biography shaped his philosophy, why his ideas resonated so late in life, and how a man famous for pessimism became a surprising influence on artists, feminists, early advocates for animal welfare, and even modern conversations about compassion.

Whether you’re new to Sc...

Can knowing ever be neutral, or are we always shaped by history and culture? PJ and Dr. Carolyn Culbertson explore how Hans-Georg Gadamer’s hermeneutics challenges both Enlightenment objectivity and postmodern relativism, showing that understanding itself is an event of truth. Their discussion weaves through Gadamer’s critique of neutrality, the fusion of horizons, and the relevance of feminist and virtue epistemology in rethinking how knowledge, truth, and dialogue emerge through our shared world.

Make sure to check out Dr. Culbertson's book: Gadamer and the Social Turn in Epistemology 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1438498160

Check out our...

In this episode, PJ sits down with Dr. Rebecca Tukachinsky-Forster to explore parasocial relationships—the one-sided connections people form with media figures. They discuss how these relationships have evolved since the 1950s, their role in emotional support, and how social media has reshaped the way we connect with content creators.

Learn about common misconceptions, the benefits and dangers of parasocial connections, and the psychological and cultural factors that shape them. Dr. Forster also highlights the importance of self-awareness in understanding your own media relationships and how fandom and media consumption influence emotional well-being.

Make sure to...

In this episode, Dr. Matthew LaPine joins PJ to discuss The Logic of the Body: Retrieving Theological Psychology—a groundbreaking exploration of how theology and psychology intersect. Drawing from his own experiences with mental health, Dr. LaPine examines how emotions, embodiment, and reason work together in shaping our spiritual lives. He unpacks the historical divide between theology and psychology, the insights of dual process theory, and the role of virtue ethics in cultivating a healthy mind and soul.

Make sure to check out Dr. LaPine's book: The Logic of the Body: Retrieving Theological Psychology 👉 https://www.amazon.com/d...

In this episode, Dr. Jarvis McInnis, author of Afterlives of the Plantation, joins PJ to explore the deep cultural, intellectual, and historical legacy of Black life in the American South. Focusing on the Tuskegee Institute and the complex legacy of Booker T. Washington, McInnis reveals how Black communities transformed the plantation’s afterlives into spaces of creativity, education, and empowerment.

In this episode, Dr. Jarvis McInnis, author of Afterlives of the Plantation, joins PJ to explore the deep cultural, intellectual, and historical legacy of Black life in the American South. Focusing on the Tuskegee Institute and the co...

Join us as Dr. Roosevelt Montás, author of Rescuing Socrates, explores the transformative power of a liberal education. In this conversation, Montás critiques the current state of American higher education and advocates for a holistic approach that fosters self-reflection, empathy, civic engagement, and character development. He shares insights from his personal journey, highlighting how great literature, philosophy, and dialogue can shape individuals for a meaningful life.

Learn why liberal education matters for human flourishing, how exposure to diverse perspectives builds empathy, and why preparing for democratic citizenship goes beyond vocational skills. This episode is essential li...

In this episode, Ray Madoff, author of The Second Estate, breaks down how the U.S. tax code has enabled the wealthiest Americans to avoid paying their fair share, creating a modern aristocracy. She explains why understanding taxes is essential for every citizen and highlights the strategies the wealthy use to minimize their tax burden. 

The conversation explores the role of inheritance, the shortcomings of the estate tax, and how complex tax rules disproportionately benefit the rich. Madoff also discusses potential reforms aimed at creating a fairer system, including treating inheritances as ordinary income. 

This ep...

What makes music more than sound? Glenn McDonald, data engineer, author of You Have Not Yet Heard Your Favorite Song, and former Spotify “genre taxonomist,” joins host PJ Wehry to explore the transformative power of music. From shaping Spotify’s genre mapping system to creating the interactive discovery project Every Noise at Once, Glenn reveals how algorithms, data, and human curiosity come together to influence the way we find and connect with music.

In this episode, dive into the hidden world of streaming, the evolution of genres as communities, and the emotional and cultural impact of the songs...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ sits down with Dr. Roger Chickering, Professor Emeritus of History at Georgetown University and author of The German Empire, 1871–1918. Together they unpack the rise of modern Germany, the role of Bismarck and Wilhelm II, and how debates around the Sonderweg thesis shape our understanding of the First World War and the path to WWII.

Dr. Chickering explores the political dynamics of the German Empire, from the struggles between liberals, conservatives, Catholics, and socialists, to Germany’s ambitious welfare programs and colonial pursuits. He also reflects on what lessons Germany’s histor...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Alexander Rosenthal-Pubul discuss his book 'Crown under Law: Richard Hooker, John Locke, and the Ascent of Modern Constitutionalism.' Dr. Rosenthal-Pubul contrasts Hooker's views with those of Hobbes, delves into the historical context of Elizabethan England, and examines how Hooker's ideas influenced Locke's political philosophy. The discussion highlights the relevance of these thinkers in understanding modern governance and the foundations of political obligation.

Make sure to check out Dr. Rosenthal-Pubul's book: Crown under Law: Richard Hooker, John Locke, and the Ascent of Modern Constitutionalism 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Santiago Zabala discuss his book, 'Signs from the Future: A Philosophy of Warnings.' They explore the intriguing concept of warnings as philosophical tools, discussing how they address the absence of emergencies and the role of philosophy in society. The conversation touches on the importance of listening and interpretation in tackling global challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence. 

Join us for an engaging discussion that challenges conventional thinking and highlights the urgent need for community engagement and philosophical insight.

Make sure to check out Dr. Z...

In this episode of Chasing Leviathan, PJ and Dr. Christopher F. Jones discuss his book, 'The Invention of Infinite Growth,' exploring the historical and intellectual evolution of economic growth theories. Dr. Jones highlights the tension between economists and environmentalists, the historical context of growth, and the implications of our current obsession with growth. Dr. Jones argues for a rethinking of growth in light of sustainability and well-being, emphasizing the need for a societal shift away from infinite growth towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

Make sure to check out Dr. Jones' book: The Invention of...