Smell has immense power, but why has it been undervalued in philosophy? In episode 66, Ellie and David are joined by philosopher Benjamin Young to discuss the sense and how we perceive smell.

Have you heard? In episode 65 of Overthink, Ellie and David discuss the nature of what we hear and how we hear it. They also discuss how Deaf culture calls upon us to retool our understanding of the importance of hearing for human life.

Vision is historically philosophers’ favorite sense, as visual metaphors for knowledge testify. In episode 64 of Overthink, Ellie and David continue their series on the five senses by considering Greek, Vedic, and phenomenological theories of sight.

Touch, texture, and tickling. In episode 63 of Overthink, Ellie and David begin their series on the five senses with touch. They consider why some ancient philosophers consider touch the primary sense and what we learn about the nature of the self from the phenomenology of touching and being touched.

Curiosity led Pandora to open a box, but what does being curious look like in our everyday lives? Ellie and David talk with the authors of Curious Minds: The Power of Connection, Perry Zurn and Dani S. Bassett, about the philosophy of curiosity.

Know thyself, the inscription at the shrine of Delphi reads. But can we truly know ourselves, like the Ancient Greeks believed? Philosophy professors Ellie and David explore the concept of self-knowledge.

Influencers have taken over the online world, promoting everything from brands to lifestyle changes. But, what does it mean to exert influence over somebody and how has the rise of social media created a whole new category of the influencer?

Film is a baby art form compared to many others (such as theatre, poetry, and painting). Ellie and David dive into what makes film a unique medium, and discuss the nature of movie theaters vs. watching movies at gome.

What’s the status of feminism today in the wake of #metoo, Dobbs, and more? How does feminist philosophy shed light on the nature of sexism and patriarchy? We interview Carol Hay, author of Think Like a Feminist.

What does it feel like to wait? David and Ellie explore the phenomenology and politics of waiting with the philosophy of Walter Benjamin and more.

Ellie and David investigate the history of kitsch as an aesthetic category distinct from art. How does the superficiality and mass-reproducibility of kitsch explain its uses as a tool of propaganda?

Deleuze suggests we’ve moved from a society characterized by Foucault’s panopticon to a society of control. Ellie and David talk TSA, smartphones listening to you, and more.

Cynthia Willett discusses her research on the social lives of animals in episode 54. David and Ellie talk delphiniphilia, elephant mourning, and more!

Episode 53 explains why personhood is a concept broader than humanity, and discusses Peter Singer’s concept of speciesism.

Episode 52 discusses co-host David’s new book When Animals Dream, which makes a fascinating case for the consciousness of animals from octopuses to zebra finches.

What values and habits make Gen Z tick? Ellie and David talk about the philosophy of generations, and speak with Gen Z student assistants Anna Solomon and Sam Hernandez.

Freud’s theory of the unconscious has been deeply influential, as well as frequently vilified. We get into his theory and some challenges to it in this episode.

Overthink spills the tea on why gossip is a crucial form of social bonding, especially for the oppressed.

David and Ellie unpack why capitalist culture is so obsessed with productivity, and how the supposed self-care of leaning into laziness is actually the dark side of this same culture.

Myisha Cherry discusses her revolutionary work on rage with Ellie and David, talking about how her recent book The Case for Rage helps philosophy rethink this emotion.