Tom and Don chat about some books and shows, including Robert Musil, Orhan Pamuk's The White Castle, Karamustafa, J.M. Coetzee, Joan Robinson, Wolf Hall, Copenhagen Cowboy and The Last of Us.    Mentioned:  The Confusions of Young Törless by Robert Musil The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk God's Unruly Friends by Ahmet T. Karamustafa The Childhood of Jesus by J.M. Coetzee Economic Philosophy by Joan Robinson

Episode 153 - Tom and Don Go to White Castle

Tom tells the history of the Crusades, the Mongol invasions, and the rise of the Mamluks in part 3 of a series on Muslim history. The full series is available on Patreon.

Tom tells the history of the Crusades, the Mongol invasions, and the rise of the Mamluks in part 3 of a series on Muslim history. The full series is available on Patreon.

Premium Episode 183 - Muslim History, pt 3 UNLOCKED

An excerpt from a premium episode available through a Patreon subscription, in which Tom provides a history of the rise and fall of the original Islamic state, and a description of the Muslim world's social structure at the time, including the institution of slavery and transformations that came about as a result of the Islamic movement. (re-uploaded to fix some audio issues)

An excerpt from a premium episode available through a Patreon subscription, in which Tom provides a history of the rise and fall of the original Islamic state, and a description of the Muslim world's social structure at the time, including the institution of slavery and transformations that came about as a result of the Islamic movement. (re-uploaded to fix some audio issues)

Premium Episode 179 SNEAK PEEK - Muslim History, pt 1

A quick and casual Q&amp;A in which we field questions from the Discord about Russia/Ukraine, our military vehicles of choice, UFOs, the future of VR, and our astrological signs.

A quick and casual Q&amp;A in which we field questions from the Discord about Russia/Ukraine, our military vehicles of choice, UFOs, the future of VR, and our astrological signs.

Episode 152 - Evil Russia Q&A

We chat about our reactions to Tom's series on the Franklin Scandal, from the plausibility of the crimes to the political implications. What sorts of evidence should we focus on? How do we account for average people's reactions to such crimes? We sum up our feelings on the case as we prepare for future episodes on related topics.

We chat about our reactions to Tom's series on the Franklin Scandal, from the plausibility of the crimes to the political implications. What sorts of evidence should we focus on? How do we account for average people's reactions to such crimes? We sum up our feelings on the case as we prepare for future episodes on related topics.

Episode 151 - The Franklin Scandal recap

In the conclusion to our series on the Franklin Scandal, Tom tells the fate of the investigation and lead investigator Caradori, and the results of the grand jury trial. He then takes a look at the life of one of King's associates, Craig Spence, a CIA-connected blackmailer who paid visits to the White House. Source: The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant

In the conclusion to our series on the Franklin Scandal, Tom tells the fate of the investigation and lead investigator Caradori, and the results of the grand jury trial. He then takes a look at the life of one of King's associates, Craig Spence, a CIA-connected blackmailer who paid visits to the White House. Source: The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant

Episode 150 - The Franklin Scandal pt VI

A continuation of Tom's telling of the Franklin Scandal as part of our ongoing PTK (Programmed to Kill) series. In this episode, Tom describes the backlash the investigation suffers after producing videotaped statements of the victims.

A continuation of Tom's telling of the Franklin Scandal as part of our ongoing PTK (Programmed to Kill) series. In this episode, Tom describes the backlash the investigation suffers after producing videotaped statements of the victims.

Episode 149 - The Franklin Scandal pt V

We begin with a short chat about Don's burgeoning interest in bicycling before we dive into Tom's extended review of Olga Tokarczuk's The Books of Jacob.

We begin with a short chat about Don's burgeoning interest in bicycling before we dive into Tom's extended review of Olga Tokarczuk's The Books of Jacob.

Episode 148 - The Bikes of Jacob

In this episode, Tom introduces the Franklin Committee's replacement investigator Gary Caradori and the testimony of Alisha Owen. Source: The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant

In this episode, Tom introduces the Franklin Committee's replacement investigator Gary Caradori and the testimony of Alisha Owen. Source: The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant

Episode 147 - The Franklin Scandal Pt IV

In this episode, Tom continues covering the Franklin Scandal, focusing on the tensions between the investigatory committee and law enforcement.

In this episode, Tom continues covering the Franklin Scandal, focusing on the tensions between the investigatory committee and law enforcement.

Episode 146 - The Franklin Scandal Pt III

We're Tom and Donald. We are two trolls that are trying to make sense of the world through conversations about the traps and scams that surround us.

Tom continues the tale of the Franklin Credit Union scandal, this time taking a look at the initial investigations into Larry King after reports begin to emerge about his alleged criminal activities. Source: The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant

Tom continues the tale of the Franklin Credit Union scandal, this time taking a look at the initial investigations into Larry King after reports begin to emerge about his alleged criminal activities. Source: The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant

Episode 145 - The Franklin Scandal Pt II

A new episode in our PTK series where Tom sketches out some details of the Franklin Scandal, a case with many mysterious connections. Source: The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant.

A new episode in our PTK series where Tom sketches out some details of the Franklin Scandal, a case with many mysterious connections. Source: The Franklin Scandal by Nick Bryant.

Episode 144 - The Franklin Scandal Pt I

We continue our PTK series by closely examining the Dutroux Affair, a notorious criminal case involving kidnapping, child abuse and sex trafficking that implicated the Belgian government and high society.

We continue our PTK series by closely examining the Dutroux Affair, a notorious criminal case involving kidnapping, child abuse and sex trafficking that implicated the Belgian government and high society.

Episode 143 - Dutroux Affair Deep Dive ft. "Ghost Stories" Matt

Our friend Matt from the Ghost Stories for the End of the World podcast joins us to discuss Belgium in this first part of a series on the Dutroux Affair and similar cases. We discuss the place of Belgium in great power struggles and the associated political culture that developed. Matt's Twitter account is @GhostStoriesEnd

Our friend Matt from the Ghost Stories for the End of the World podcast joins us to discuss Belgium in this first part of a series on the Dutroux Affair and similar cases. We discuss the place of Belgium in great power struggles and the associated political culture that developed. Matt's Twitter account is @GhostStoriesEnd

Episode 142 - Bad Bad Belgium ft. "Ghost Stories" Matt

Sean Moorhead

Our friend Sean joins us to discuss the history and practices of Shinto and related Japanese beliefs. We work through some common misconceptions about Shinto and the difficulties of easy comparisons to Western ideas of religion. Also Sean wanted us to note that he misspoke and meant to say "Horii Mitsuoshi," not "Horii Mitsuo". Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Our friend Sean joins us to discuss the history and practices of Shinto and related Japanese beliefs. We work through some common misconceptions about Shinto and the difficulties of easy comparisons to Western ideas of religion. Also Sean wanted us to note that he misspoke and meant to say "Horii Mitsuoshi," not "Horii Mitsuo". Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Episode 141 - The Mystic Orient ft. Sean Moorhead

After a State of the Pod update of where we're at and where we hope to go, we work through your questions. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

After a State of the Pod update of where we're at and where we hope to go, we work through your questions. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Episode 140 - State of the Pod Update + Q&A

Four hour episode about the Eternals! All Eternals! All the time! Okay so in reality we chat about content for a bit and then settle some controversies for you. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Four hour episode about the Eternals! All Eternals! All the time! Okay so in reality we chat about content for a bit and then settle some controversies for you. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Episode 130 - Fly Into the Sun

Tom, Don and AgileTablet give you the Dune opinions you asked for, mostly focused on the new movie but also about the saga as a whole and the future of humanity. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Tom, Don and AgileTablet give you the Dune opinions you asked for, mostly focused on the new movie but also about the saga as a whole and the future of humanity. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Episode 138 - Dune ft. AgileTablet

We open with our mixed feelings about the new Dave Chappelle special and related issues. Then we dive into your questions for the remainder. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

We open with our mixed feelings about the new Dave Chappelle special and related issues. Then we dive into your questions for the remainder. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Episode 137 - Clifford

Tom introduces Don to the book "All is Clouded by Desire" by Alan Block and Clarence Weaver, which discusses transnational crime networks and financial flows. We discuss how crime often seems to dwarf the traditional economy in importance and how it can overwhelm surface political institutions. We also get into some of the operators who seem to facilitate these enormous flows. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Tom introduces Don to the book "All is Clouded by Desire" by Alan Block and Clarence Weaver, which discusses transnational crime networks and financial flows. We discuss how crime often seems to dwarf the traditional economy in importance and how it can overwhelm surface political institutions. We also get into some of the operators who seem to facilitate these enormous flows. Intro by auntie004. Outro by reiyashi.

Episode 136 - All is Clouded by Desire

Hard to explain why I like this podcast but I do

It’s good

One could not meet a finer pair. What luck to stumble onto this podcast!

An Intellectual, a humorist, and their lively debate

You Can't Win

The best podcast episodes on romantic relationships. Episodes talk about the 5 love languages, intimacy, and the taboo topics of sexual desires and infidelity. This topic is a deep dive into the science and complexities that face us in our relationships with others. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Relationships & Love

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