Menowercogitatus; A Month of Thursdays Thinking

Hello, darlings. Do I have something a little different for you this month? Oh yes, I do! Each Thursday, I have decided, you will be introduced to a podcast on my playlist. These posts will carry an embedded episode but also links to other listening platforms for those who prefer not to use, for example, Spotify. All the podcasts are free-to-air, so no subscriptions or enrolling is required (unless you wish to do so for ad-free access). It will be - as you may have come to expect from me! - an eclectic mix. The five I have selected are ones I have been listening to for at least three months... there are a couple of new ones that intrigue me, but I need to hear more of them to make recommendations. All of them encourage ponderment, discussion, and self-reflection... and I know that not all will be to everyone's taste, but that is fine too!

Let us begin with one which only went out yesterday. My UK readers will be familiar with the presenters. Two gents from opposite sides of the political spectrum and neither of whom I would favour politically. This does not prevent me from enjoying their repartee. While I disagree with them on many points, I honour and appreciate their intellectual integrity. Their ability to explore current affairs without raising voices or resorting to abuses and tantrums, as well as bringing valuable insider understanding to matters that are very much bristling in the moment, is not only delightful but surprisingly entertaining. Importantly, the ethos of Rory and Alistair's approach is based upon the saying from last week's NF offering over at MY TAKE... as they practice the art of disagreeing agreeably.

As a small preface to this episode, I had also read the article referred to within it the day before and offer this link for those interested. And in case my US readers think it may be worth skipping, be assured, much of what is covered is of international and, indeed, American interest. The podcast has only been going since March, and I have appreciated every episode... it's worth your time checking back if you are interested in erudite and knowledgable insights on political matters. 

In this episode, we hear about the effect on the mental health of being in the political spotlight; the difference direct action in charity can make on the poorer economies of the world, and how Rory has become involved; how it seems that the devastating floods in Bangladesh are getting virtually no media coverage here and whether this is compassion fatigue or a case of 'charity starts at home'; which leads into matters pertaining to our impending energy poverty and cost of living crisis; and how Biden is actually faring better as things in the US hold steady and improve in this regard, by comparison. (Please click through to Acast for this episode to listen without log-on.)