“You are what you read.” That’s one bit of wisdom that’s stayed with me over the decades, as I learned it from my high school AP English teacher. Interestingly, I can’t even remember his name, but I do remember that pearl of wisdom he imprinted on my psyche. And it is so true that we are what we read. But these days, we are also what we listen to, as the popularity of audiobooks and podcasts has created a revolution of sorts in the way we consume information.
Now, while I’m still a bibliophile, over the past decade I’ve become an audiophile of the podcast variety, as I can consume this content while doing chores around the ranch, while driving, hiking, grocery shopping or just relaxing with a glass of wine by the pool. And though I love listening to audiobooks, especially if they are narrated by the author, I find myself listening mostly to podcasts, as they are often topical deep dives that combine current events with a historical context.
So, what are some of the podcasts that I like most, and what’s on my current playlist?
I know you want to know, and I know this because the reason I decided to write on this subject is because my friends are always asking me what books and podcasts I recommend. Perhaps soon I will go to my current recommended reading list, but today, let’s do a rundown of my current podcast playlist, as I think you’ll discover a bit more about my mind than you did prior to this article. Because as my teacher said, “you are what you read,” and you are what you listen to.
So, let’s get to it, right now.
Reason Podcast
The Reason podcast is a production of Reason magazine, and the podcast is often hosted by Reason editor at large, the great Nick Gillespie. I’ve known Nick for some time, as he is a fixture at FreedomFest each year. He’s also been a robust voice for libertarian and free market thought, and he is definitely an advocate of wearing all-black clothes. In fact, I was at a party a few years ago at Dr. Mark Skousen’s home. Nick was there with his son (who happened to be one of Mark’s students at Chapman University). I asked Nick’s son if he had ever seen his father in anything other than black clothes, and the answer was… “never.” Now that’s commitment.
In the latest episode of the Reason podcast, Nick interviews historian John Lisle, who uncovers how Cold War paranoia, LSD and unchecked power led the CIA to fund torture, deception and mind control experiments on unwitting Americans. This is, I suspect, going to be a very juicy episode filled with the kind of government malfeasance that’s hard to believe, but that is nevertheless completely true.
The Michael Shermer Show
My friend, founder and publisher of Skeptic Magazine, Michael Shermer, has long been an advocate of reason, rational thought and scientific inquiry. If you believe weird things, then Michael can tell you why, and he’ll tell you where your thinking went wrong. But the best part here is that he will do so in a jovial and informative way that’s eminently respectful and always thoughtful. Michael is also a fixture at FreedomFest, and he’s also a friend of Mark Skousen, as Michael also used to teach at Chapman University.
In the latest episode of The Michael Shermer Show, Michael speaks with author and scholar Steven Sloman of Brown University. Sloman’s new book, “The Cost of Conviction: How Our Deepest Values Lead Us Astray,” is all about what he calls the two primary strategies for making decisions: consequentialism and prioritizing one’s sacred values.
Sloman argues that, while both modes of decision making are necessary tools for a good decision maker, people err by deploying sacred values more often than they should, especially when it comes to sociopolitical issues. The result, according to Sloman, is that we tend to oversimplify, grow disgusted and angry and act in ways that contribute to social polarization.
I don’t know about you, but anything that can help us to better understand polarization is going to be of major benefit to everyone.
Your editor at his home studio listening to podcasts.
The Yaron Brook Show
Yaron Brook is the former executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, an author, public speaker and investor with a PhD in finance from the University of Texas at Austin. Brook is a prolific podcaster, delivering his “Objectivist” perspective on current events of the day, a perspective that you won’t find nearly anywhere else, and certainly not with the force and clarity of thought that Brook puts into it.
From tariffs to armed conflicts, immigration to the culture wars, Brook delivers razor-sharp analysis replete with moral clarity — the sort very difficult to find. What I like most about the show is that Brook eschews the partisan echo chambers by confronting and dissecting politics, economics and culture with an objective, and objectivist, lens.
Whether challenging progressive orthodoxy or conservative dogma, Brook’s insights cut straight to fundamental truths other commentators miss or are unwilling to consider. In today’s episode, Brook talks about a variety of topics including the new Syria/Israel bombings, the Jeffrey Epstein saga, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, the minimum wage, and tariffs among other issues.
If you want a unique and challenging perspective on the issues of the day, then you need to check out The Yaron Brook Show.
Hairspring
The final podcast on my playlist right now involves one of my hobbies, high horology. High horology is the study of time, and specifically the study and love of high-quality, luxury watches. In this podcast, Erik Gustafson, founder of luxury watch seller Hairspring, and fellow watch enthusiast Max Braun talk all things high horology.
The Hairspring podcast discusses topics ranging from the varieties of mechanical movements to the intricacies and eccentricities of various brands, to the coverage of the biggest watch shows, to the differences between enthusiasts, collectors and professionals.
I’ve learned a lot about the watch world from listening to the Hairspring podcast, although I was just recently introduced to the show by my friend, fellow watch enthusiast and rare coin dealer extraordinaire Van Simmons of David Hall Rare Coins. If you are in the market for rare precious metal coins, then Van should be your go-to source.
Oh, and in case you were wondering why they call it “Hairspring,” it’s because in mechanical watches, the hairspring is a tiny, coiled spring that, along with the balance wheel, acts as the heart of the watch’s timekeeping mechanism. It oscillates back and forth, controlling the speed at which the wheels of the watch turn, and thus, the movement of the hands.
Thus ends your first lesson in high horology, and with that, I will conclude my current list of favorite podcasts.
Do you have a list of favorite podcasts? If so, please send me an email and let me know what they are, as I am always looking to expand my consciousness.
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That’s Gonna Leave a Mark
I know, I know I’ll regret it later
But you’re so, you’re so
Good in all the bad ways
Don’t try to fix it when you break my heart
Knew when you hit me with your poison dart
That’s gonna leave a mark
That’s gonna leave a mark
–Molly Tuttle, “That’s Gonna Leave a Mark”
Allow me to introduce you to my new musical obsession, bluegrass guitar virtuoso and singer/songwriter Molly Tuttle. Tuttle has long been a force on the bluegrass music scene. Now, however, she is out with new music that explores her singer/songwriter side, a side that comes with the well-placed guitar voicing she’s become so justly praised for. If you want to hear something new and excellent, Molly Tuttle is sure to leave her mark on your musical soul.
Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote that you’d like me to share with your fellow readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my newsletters, seminars or anything else. Click here to ask Jim.
In the name of the best within us,
Jim Woods
