As a millennial myself, I know many in my generation struggle to fully understand the ethos, so to speak, of Gen Z. In many ways, it seems they’ve taken work-life balance to a whole new level. Yet while lifestyle is prioritized, it can seem as if financial expectations are still lofty. Many domains of society have become more liberal, and the idea of ‘woke-ism’, which probably has a negative connotation to many, is perhaps embraced by Gen Z. So what actually guides Gen Z? What are the philosophies, ethics, and beliefs that shape their lives?  Stanford's Roberta Katz, co-author of 'Gen Z, Explained: The Art of Living in a Digital Age', joins the podcast.

Check out 'Gen Z Explained' at https://www.amazon.ca/Gen-Explained-Art-Living-Digital/dp/022679153X

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They say people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death. If that's the case, people must be terrified at the notion of performing stand-up comedy, which entails not only public speaking, but relying on people's laughs as validation that you're doing a good job! So what makes a good stand-up comedian? What goes into crafting an effective sketch? And while the well-trained comedian makes it all look 'off-the-cuff', how much of the sketch is prepared down to the exact word? Comedian Jacob Samuel joins the podcast.

Learn more about Jacob at www.jacobsamuelcomedy.com

Watch Jacob's comedy special, 'Horse Power', at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD4l6ODKwCg

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Many people who've had near death experiences speak of similar sensations - a white light, a sense of calm, and a feeling of warmth Many come back from such experiences saying they've had a glimpse into the afterlife. So what exactly is occurring in during these near death experiences? Are people truly getting a glimpse into what happens after we die? Or are the experiences that people report a reflection of a biological process that's occurring? Or are these not mutually exclusive? Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova joins the podcast.

Learn more about Near Death Experiences at University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies -

https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies/our-research/near-death-experiences-ndes/

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Does Alternative Medicine actually work? If it does work, why is it still branded as 'alternative'? And if it doesn't work, why do people invest so much time and money into it? Alternative medicine encompasses many branches, including homeopathy, chiropractic medicine, and acupuncture. So what works, and what doesn't work? What does the evidence show? Dr. Edzard Ernst joins the podcast.

Check out Dr. Ernst's latest book, 'Bizarre Medical Ideas ... And the Strange Men Who Invented Them' at https://www.amazon.ca/Bizarre-Medical-Ideas-Strange-Invented-ebook/dp/B0CY1FZK9T

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It’s hard to think of more devastating news for a parent than hearing that their child is dealing with a serious illness. Cancer is one of those illnesses. So what do you do as a parent when your child is diagnosed with cancer? What do you tell your child? How honest are you with them? And when the cancer has hopefully gone into remission, how does one continue to approach life? Sam Taylor, host of The Deep C Podcast, joins Preconceived.

The Deep C Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-deep-c/id1728343851

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We all know about the potential abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet despite this, alcohol has persisted since the dawn of human societies. Does its persistence suggest that alcohol may actually be an important factor in the history of our civilization? In Edward Slingerland's book, 'Drunk', he explores the social benefits of alcohol and intoxication. He joins the podcast to share his insights. 

Check out 'Drunk' at https://www.amazon.ca/Drunk-Sipped-Danced-Stumbled-Civilization/dp/0316453382

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For many years now, the media and general population has loved making comparisons between Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler. On the one hand, the comparison seems odd – Hitler was a mass murderer and the architect of the most devastating genocide the world has ever seen; Donald Trump has committed no genocide. On the other hand, both are extreme political figures who each galvanized large segments of the population to rise to power. For those who deplore Trump, it is perhaps a political strategy to compare him to Hitler, to scare people into thinking that if he is allowed back into power, he will pose the same risks to humanity as Hitler did. Yet beyond such conjecture, perhaps there are similarities between these two figures that can teach us important lessons, and help guide us moving forward, as America gears up for its next presidential election. Professor Henk de Berg joins the podcast.

Check out Henk's book, 'Trump and Hitler: A Comparative Study in Lying', at 'https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-51833-1

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While wars are still waged today and atrocities still occur, many argue that this is actually the most peaceful period of humankind.  Is this true? And if so, why is this the case?  Is society’s inherent desire for peace higher than it was in ancient and medieval times?  Is the value of peace and protecting human life given a greater premium than it was in the past?  Are our values fundamentally different than they were in prior centuries and millennia?  Were power, dominance and legacy valued more greatly in ancient and medieval times?  Or rather, is it not so much that our values have shifted, but more so that the framework of modern society has more checks and balances to keep power and wars in check? Professor Keith Bradley joins the podcast.

Keith Bradley's latest book on Hadrian - https://www.amazon.ca/Marguerite-Yourcenars-Hadrian-Writing-Emperor/dp/1487548818

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