In Lieu of Fun: #DogShirtTV

Wherein Ben and Mike Feinberg welcome Ada Palmer to tell us about a newly uncovered Hittite archive and the death spirals of medieval Italian merchant republics.

Wherein Ben opines on the nature of political prophylaxis, and Holly Berkley Fletcher reports on people who claim to have had visions of hell.

Wherein Ben and Holly Berkley Fletcher discuss the moral contradictions revealed by the failed execution of Christa Pike, and Julia Curlee comes on to discuss the news that a former German spy chief was a double agent.

Wherein Ben, Holly Berkley Fletcher, and Jonathan Rauch discuss the nature of the political realignment that has led to the rise of the far right.

Wherein Ben, Holly Berkley Fletcher, and the Greek Chorus discuss the moral consistency of JD Vance, the runoff election in Brazil, and an app called "Poopie."

Wherein Ben, Holly Berkley Fletcher, Anna Bower, and the Greek Chorus debate which Greek Chorus Foundation goal merits dyeing Ben's hair red and discuss exactly how to do so.

Wherein Holly Berkley Fletcher joins us live from the protest against Trump's arch, and Ben, Anastasiia Lapatina, and the Greek Chorus discuss targeting of civilian infrastructure in wartime.

Wherein Ben, Holly Berkley Fletcher, and Mike Feinberg discuss Jack Smith's decision to testify before Congress about his prosecution of Trump and why other former Biden officials have chosen differently.

Wherein Ben and Andrew Steele welcome Sarah Gruen, a UN speechwriter, to discuss the role of speechwriters in democratic communication.