Curiosity Porn

25 - Are most of our societal fears unfounded? w/Joel Best

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Sociologist Joel Best--Mr. Halloween, himself!--joins James and Guy to calm our worst societal fears! Kids aren't getting dumber, crime is not getting worse, psychotic neighbors are not poisoning your children's Halloween candy, and "social construction" is not a bad word. We are, however, generally pretty bad at math.

24 - How should we think about AI? w/Michael Hanegan

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Artificial Intelligence Professor, Michael Hanegan, joins James and Guy to discuss how AI will affect work, learning, medicine, education, and more!

23 - How Bad Is Your Memory? w/Elizabeth Loftus

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus joins Guy and special guest co-host Jerry Green to talk about misremembering, rich false memories, the Satanic Panic, deep fakes, lifetime movies, and getting swatted with a magazine by a woman on an airplane.

22 - What is subversive humor?

Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Political scientist Emily Stacey and historian Aaron Bachhoffer discuss the history of subversive humor concerning race and sexual orientation.

Also, check out Dr. Stacey's podcast Not My Generation: https://notmygeneration.captivate.fm/

21 - What is a secular guru? w/Matt Browne and Chris Kavanagh

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0600

The hosts of the podcast Decoding the Gurus join James and Guy to talk about galaxy brain, pseudo-profound bullshit, and Jordan Peterson.

20 - Benny Goldman's Surprising Findings on Economic Mobility

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Guy and James visit with Dr. Benjamin Goldman, assistant professor of economics at Cornell University, regarding his research into economic mobility. In addition to his position at Cornell, Dr. Goldman is a research affiliate with Opportunity Insights, the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities and EdRedesign. Their conversation focuses on research Dr. Goldman conducted with several other researchers at Opportunity Insights on the changing nature of economic mobility in the U.S.

Along the way, they also discuss Dr. Goldman's research into changing marriage rates for both college- and non-college educated individuals, and what those rates have meant for family formation and economic prospects.

To learn more about Dr. Benjamin Goldman, click here: https://www.benjamindgoldman.com/

To review the research he and his research partners at Opportunity Insights conducted on economic mobility, click here: https://opportunityinsights.org/paper/changingopportunity/

To review Dr. Goldman's paper on the changes in married rates among the college-educated and non-college educated, click here: https://benjamindgoldman.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/papers/education_marriage/education_marriage.pdf

To learn more about Dr. Guy Crain, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

To learn more about Professor James Davenport, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

Contact us at curprn@gmail.com with suggestions for guests, comments on this episode, or questions you'd like us to ask or answer.

You can follow Curiosity Porn on X (Twitter) at @curprn_podcast and on Facebook.

Although Guy and James are both professors at Rose State College, the views expressed on this podcast are solely the views of Guy & James and their guests, and do not represent the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty or students.

19 - How's Curiosity Porn Going?

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

James and Guy look back on the episodes they've done so far--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Find out who their dream guests would be, what they're still curious about, and their favorite guest answer to their special question.

18 - Bryan Caplan Makes a Case Against Education

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Dr. Bryan Caplan, economist at George Mason University, discusses his book, The Case Against Education, with Guy & James. Caplan explains why he thinks most of the gains from education are from signaling rather than human capital development, and how this distorts the education process.

Along the way, we also discuss Caplan's views on immigration and why he has developed a preference for graphic novels as a means of communicating his ideas.

To learn more about Dr. Bryan Caplan, go here: https://economics.gmu.edu/people/bcaplan; and here: http://www.bcaplan.com/

To check out his book, The Case Against Education, go here: https://www.amazon.com/Case-against-Education-System-Waste/dp/0691174652/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=bryacaplwebp-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=2a0c58e873ed68d8abd86c1449dd0968&creativeASIN=0691174652

To follow his blog, "Bet on It," go here: https://www.betonit.ai/

To learn more about Dr. Guy Crain, go here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

To learn more about Professor James Davenport: go here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

Contact us at curprn@gmail.com with suggestions for guests, comments on this episode, or questions you'd like us to ask or answer.

You can follow Curiosity Porn on X (Twitter) at curprn_podcast and on Facebook.

17 - What is Testimonial Withdrawal? w/Dr. Emily McWilliams

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Have you ever hesitated to share something because you were afraid people wouldn't understand? Or, worse, that they would understand but would punish you for it? This is episode is for you! Philosopher Emily McWilliams from the University of Dayton joins James and Guy to discuss a variety of ways that people can suffer communicative injustices.

16 - Robert Litan Discusses Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism, and Better Capitalism

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Dr. Robert Litan, co-Author of "Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism" and "Better Capitalism," discusses why economic growth remains an important priority, why not all forms of capitalism are created equal, and why we need a continuous entrepreneurial revolution.

Along the way, Dr. Litan shares his thoughts on the role immigration plays in spurring innovation and economic growth, the importance of AI, and the ability of entrepreneurship to help overcome the challenges of climate change.

Since Guy was away at a conference, James was joined by Dr. Sue Lynn Sasser, professor of economics (Emeritus) at the University of Central Oklahoma for this conversation.

To learn more about Dr. Robert Litan, go here: https://www.brookings.edu/people/robert-e-litan/

To know more about Professor James Davenport, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

To learn more about Dr. Guy Crain, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

Contact us at curprn@gmail.com with suggestions for guests, comments on this episode, or questions you'd like us to ask or answer.

You can follow curiosity porn on X (Twitter) at @curprn_podcast and on Facebook.

Although Guy and James are both professors at Rose State College, the views expressed on this podcast are solely the views of Guy and James and their guests and do not represent the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty, or students.

15 - What is a Conspiracy Theory? - with Dr. Jerry Green

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Philosopher Jerry Green joins us to talk about how hard it is to define conspiracy theories, what attracts people to conspiracy theories, and whether James and Guy should start producing children's programming.

14 - Dylan Pahman Discusses the Intersection of Religion and Liberty

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0600

Dylan Pahman is the Executive Editor of the Journal of Markets & Morality and a research fellow at the Acton Institute. He joins us to discuss the the work of the Acton Institute in exploring and promoting the relationship between religion and liberty. Along the way we learn why he thinks St. John of Damascus is the greatest theologian and why Adam Smith gets misunderstood. He and Guy also have a discussion about what ethical lessons we can learn from the television series Parks & Recreation.

To learn more about Dylan Pahman, go here: https://www.acton.org/about/staff/dylan-pahman

To learn more about the Acton Institute, go here: https://www.acton.org/about/mission

To review the Journal of Markets & Morality, go here: https://www.marketsandmorality.com/index.php/mandm

To learn more about Dr. Guy Crain, go here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

To learn more about Prof. James Davenport, go here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

You can follow Curiosity Porn on X (Twitter) at @curprn_podcast and on Facebook.

Although Guy and James are both professors at Rose State College, the views expressed on this podcast are the views of Guy and James and their guests and do not reflect the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty, or students.

13 - The Tyranny of Metrics with Dr. Jerry Muller

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Part 2 of our discussion with Jerry Muller. Dr. Muller tells us a variety of ways that obsessing over measuring things leads to very bad outcomes - for schools, for healthcare, for policing, and more! Dr. Muller also tells us how metrics ruined Jordan Peterson (kind of).

12 - A Conversation with Jerry Muller: Part I - The Mind and the Market

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0600

This is the first of a two-part episode in which Guy and James visit with Dr. Jerry Muller, professor emeritus of history at the Catholic University of America, regarding two of his books. In this episode, Dr. Muller explores some of the themes and ideas in his book "The Mind and the Market" - an intellectual history of capitalism. We discuss the criticisms leveled at capitalism by thinkers on both the left and the right as well as the defenses of capitalism. Dr. Muller also puts some of the modern criticisms of capitalism in a historical context.

To learn more about Dr. Jerry Muller, go here: https://history.catholic.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/muller-jerry/index.html

To find out more about Dr. Muller's books, go here: https://www.jerryzmuller.com/

To learn more about Dr. Guy Crain, go here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

To learn more about Professor James Davenport, go here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

You can follow Curiosity Porn on X (Twitter) at @curprn_podcast and on Facebook

11 - Dr. Christopher Freiman: Is Most Political Conventional Wisdom Wrong?

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Christopher Freiman, Professor of General Business at West Virginia University, joins us to discuss several political ideas people think are just obviously true, but are they? We discuss selling votes, selling citizenship rights, billionaires, paying attention to politics, and a universal basic income.

10 - James Davenport Wants Us to Stop Hating Each Other

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0600

James and Guy Discuss James' article, We Hate Each Other.

Link to James' article: https://nondoc.com/2023/08/21/we-hate-each-other-growing-incivility-undermines-the-values-of-our-democracy/

Perry Bacon - Democrats are Wrong about Republicans. Republicans are Wrong about Democrats: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/democrats-are-wrong-about-republicans-republicans-are-wrong-about-democrats/

Mernyk et al - Correcting Inaccurate Metaperceptions Reduces American's Support for Partisan Violence: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2116851119

Iyengar, Sood, & Lelkes - Affect, not ideology: https://pcl.sites.stanford.edu/sites/g/files/sbiybj22066/files/media/file/iyengar-poq-affect-not-ideology.pdf

Lynn Vavreck - Are you wedded to your party?: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/31/upshot/are-you-married-to-your-party.html

Cass Sunstein - Partyism: https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1543&context=uclf

Chris Wilson - How Liberal is Your Burger?: https://time.com/3572348/republican-democrat-stores/

Christopher Freiman - Why It's OK to Ignore Politics: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Its-OK-Ignore-Politics/dp/1138389005

09 - What's wrong with being Rude? with Dr. Amy Olberding

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0600

The philosopher Amy Olberding joins us to discuss her book The Wrong of Rudeness and explains why some ancient Chinese philosophers had a much better handle on the importance of manners than we in the West do now.

08 - Micah Leydorf Wants You to be Aware of the Unseen Battle

Tue, 07 May 2024 08:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Guy and James visit with author Micah Leydorf about her new book, "The Unseen Battle: An Unexpected Love Story." We find out what led her to become an author, the misperceptions of authors getting rich off their books, and some of her criticisms of the American Church. We also discuss the resurgence of interest in marriage and family in the U.S.

Along the way, we discover why Micah believes in the power of story to convey important ideas, about her recent conversion to Catholicism, and why she thinks the family is the foundation of society. She also shares insights from having what she calls a "religiously and politically diverse family."

To learn more about Micah Leydorf and about her book, the "Unseen Battle," click here: https://micahleydorf.com/

For some more information on some of the academic research on marriage and family that Guy and James reference click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8cjYEbyXnA&t=34s and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgKz6Uzq6pM

For more information about Guy Crain, you can go here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

For more information about James Davenport, you can go here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

Email us with questions, suggestions for guests or show topics, or with your compliments or complaints about this episode at curprn@gmail.com.

If you like our podcast, please give us a 5-star rating and share it with others.

The views expressed here are solely the views of the hosts and their guests and do not reflect the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty, or staff.

07 - Are Your Values & Goals Aligned with Your Employer's? Does it Matter?

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0600

In this episode Guy and James break down a report issued by Slack Technologies a few years ago discussing the importance of having "aligned workers." While the report makes the argument that aligned workers are more productive, more satisfied with their work, and are better for the bottom line, Guy and James aren't sure it actually demonstrates all of this. They also compare it to a Gallup Survey regarding employee engagement.

Along the way they also discuss some of their own employment experiences and James expresses some skepticism about the need for alignment.

Here is a link to the report by Slack Technologies: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:89006b54-f526-4bd5-9d77-4d29d6443163

Here is the employment engagement survey conducted by Gallup that Guy and James reference: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/608675/new-workplace-employee-engagement-stagnates.aspx

To learn more about Guy Crain, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

To learn more about James Davenport, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

Email us with questions, suggestions for guests or show topics, or with your compliments or complaints about this episode at curnprn@gmail.com.

If you like our podcast, give us a rating and tell others about it.

The views expressed here are solely the views of the hosts and their guests and do not reflect the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty, or staff.

06 - Even more Satanic Panic! - EI Podcast Crossover episode

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0600

James and Guy are joined by former law enforcement officers, Kyle and Gary Eastridge. Kyle and Gary share what it was like to be police officers during the height of the Satanic Panic hysteria when the public was convinced that Satanists were sacrificing babies by the thousands. For more of Gary's and Kyle's fantastic stories, check out the Eastridge Family Cop Tales & True Crime Podcast.

To learn more about the Satanic Panic you can click here: https://www.cbc.ca/arts/satan-wants-you-filmmakers-q-a-sean-horlor-steve-j-adams-1.6822213

and here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/31/us/satanic-panic.html

and here: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3270557

To learn more about Guy Crain, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

To learn more about James Davenport, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

Have suggestions about guests or show topics, contact us at curprn@gmail.com

The views expressed here are the views of the hosts and their guests and do not reflect the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty, or students.

05 - The Devil Made Me Do It: Guy and James Explore the Satanic Panic

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0600

In this episode, Guy and James discuss Guy's recently accepted paper on the Satanic Panic. The panic was a moral panic that extended from the 1970's to the early 1990's. During this conversation, Guy explains what moral panics are, how they emerge, and how motivated reasoning contributes to them.

They then look at the Satanic Panic in particular - something both have direct experience with (yes they're that old!). Whether it was backwards masking, satanic ritual abuse, or secretly satanic corporate logos, Satan seemed to be everywhere and causing mass mayhem. But what was really going on, and why were people's fears driving them to believe some truly outlandish things? Guy helps walk us through those questions.

Along the way, we find out how Guy figured out a life in ministry was not for him and why he isn't a political activist.

To learn more about the Satanic Panic you can click here: https://www.cbc.ca/arts/satan-wants-you-filmmakers-q-a-sean-horlor-steve-j-adams-1.6822213

and here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/31/us/satanic-panic.html

and here: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3270557

To learn more about Guy Crain, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

To learn more about James Davenport, click here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

Have suggestions about guests or show topics, contact us at curprn@gmail.com

The views expressed here are the views of the hosts and their guests and do not reflect the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty, or students.

04 - Exploring Capitalism, Transaction Costs, and the Sharing Economy with Dr. Mike Munger

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0600

Co-Hosts Guy and James have a fun Conversation with Dr. Michael Munger. Dr. Munger is the director of the Politics, Philosophy & Economics program at Duke University, the author of multiple books (including "Is Capitalism Sustainable" and "Tomorrow 3.0" which we discuss in this episode), and the host of the podcast "The Answer is Transaction Costs."

We discuss how capitalism tends to deteriorate into cronyism within democratic societies, why it's still better than socialism, why the answer to so many economics problems really is transaction costs, and what a future sharing economy might look like. Along the way we learn about the ugly pig contest, Dr. Munger's commitment to brushing his teeth, and why Dr. Munger thinks "rules matter more than they should."

Learn more about Dr. Michael Munger here: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/michael.munger and here: http://www.michaelmunger.com/

Check out "The Answer is Transaction Costs" podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-answer-is-transaction-costs/id1687215430

Learn more about Dr. Guy Crain here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

Learn more about Prof. James Davenport here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

If you have suggestions for guests, comments on this episode or questions you'd like to ask, you can email us at curprn@gmail.com.

03 - Curiosity Porn: Should Americans be Forced to Vote? Anthony Fowler Says "Yes!"

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0600

Dr. Anthony Fowler is a Professor in the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. His Research interests include unequal political participation, electoral selection and incentives, political polarization, and the credibility of empirical research. He is the author of "Thinking Clearly with Data" and co-host of "Not Another Politics Podcast."

In this episode, Guy and Crain interview Anthony over a report he participated in creating that urges the adoption of "Civic Duty Voting" (aka, Mandatory Voting Laws). We want to know why he thinks Americans should be forced to participate in voting, how it would work, what he thinks the benefits would be, and how he responds to criticisms of such a proposal.

Along the way, we find out who are some of Anthony's favorite political scientists, what he's currently reading, and, most importantly, whether he favors Seinfeld or 30-Rock.

You can learn more about Dr. Anthony Fowler's work here: https://voices.uchicago.edu/fowler/

You can learn more about Dr. Guy Crain here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

You can learn more about Professor James Davenport here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

If you have suggestions for guests, comments on the program you would like to share, or questions you'd like to ask, you can email us at curprn@gmail.com

02 - Curiosity Porn: Understanding Christian Nationalism

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0600

Hosts Guy Crain and James Davenport interview Dr. Samuel Perry, professor of sociology, at the University of Oklahoma regarding Christian Nationalism. Dr. Perry has written two books on the topic: Taking American Back for God (co-authored with Andrew Whitehead) and The Flag & the Cross (co-authored with Phillip Gorski). Guy and James dig into how Dr. Perry defines Christian Nationalism, how he measures it, and his perspective on its impact on American political society.

In addition to his multiple books, Dr. Perry has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and has been a contributor to media outlets such as The Washington Post, NBC News, and The Dallas Morning News.

You can learn more about Dr. Samuel Perry here: https://www.ou.edu/cas/soc/people/faculty/samuel-perry

You can learn more about Dr. Guy Crain here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

You can learn more about Professor James Davenport here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

Although Guy and James are both professors at Rose State College, the views expressed here are their own and those of their guests and do not reflect the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty, or students.

01 - Curiosity Porn: What is Curiosity Porn?

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0600

Hosts Guy Crain (Professor of Philosophy and James Davenport (Professor of Political Science) want to turn you on - intellectually speaking, that is. In this pilot episode of curiosity porn, we'll explain what that is, what we'll be exploring in this show, and how the word "porn" has been applied to much more than just sex.

This show is about satisfying your intellectual curiosity. So join us as we discuss some of the most interesting ideas, interview though leaders from academia, business, and the nonprofit sectors, and review some of the most interesting research being conducted today.

Learn more about Dr. Guy Crain here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/humanities-department/crain-guy/

Learn more about Professor James Davenport here: https://www.rose.edu/staff/social-sciences-department/davenport-james/

While Guy and James are both professors at Rose State College, the views expressed on this program are their own and those of their guests and do not reflect the views of Rose State College, its administration, faculty, or students.