Grey Matter with Michael Krasny

Latest Episodes:

Abraham Verghese - Humanizing Healthcare Nov 20, 2023

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Best-selling author and Stanford Professor of Medicine Abraham Verghese joined us to talk about his widely acclaimed and best-selling memoirs and novels, and look at the ways medicine can be practiced as a more patient centered, empathic and caring two way relationship. We discussed, too, the value of bedside medicine and the physical exam. Join us.

Tenshin Reb Anderson - The Power of Conversation Nov 14, 2023

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Our conversation with Tenshin Reb Anderson, one of the most prominent contemporary Zen Buddhist teachers and scholars, author, dharma leader and former abbot, included a deep dive into the belief and practice of Buddhism, with a focus on the wisdom in it for us all, along with your questions and comments.

Larry Smith & Melanie Abrams - Inhibitions Down. Connections Up. Nov 08, 2023

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Our interview with Larry Smith and Melanie Abrams challenged our assumptions as we explored the many conceptions and misconceptions of cannabis use. Their new book, The Joy of Cannabis, is an attempt to clear up misunderstanding and describe the how and why of safely availing ourselves of the benefits. In the 1930s with the wane of Prohibition the commissioner of the Federal Bureau Narcotics, Harry Anslinger, attempted to retain personal relevance with racist and xenophobic fear mongering and criminalizing marijuana. Now, with no personal financial interests in a dispensary, Smith and Abrams hope to reset perceptions and normalize the discussion by reassessing the merits. They know the research and call for more. They discourage use before the age of 25 to allow full development of our frontal lobes. Not all weed is created equal, so they are pragmatic about finding what's right for you. With much greater safety and effectiveness than alcohol, most importantly they point to how small amounts responsibly administered deliver outsized benefits of pain management, focus, flow, creativity, connection and even orgasm. The tidal wave of legalization is based on reclaiming the virtues. Join us to find out what you might not know.

Lee Child - The Business of Revenge Oct 23, 2023

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We met with Lee Child on the eve of his retirement as the author of the Jack Reacher book series. The premier proxy for millions of readers who yearn for revenge in lives where revenge is impractical or out of reach, the character of Jack Reacher is a figure who metes out justice against bullies in a way that ironically is equitable and fair. We reflect on Child's illustrious career, the Reacher movie and TV franchises, the handoff to his younger brother, his "one-draft" writing and research process, his love of guitars and cannabis, and what he thinks he might miss in retirement. Whether you're curious about Jack Reacher's motivations and worries, want to know about the inspiration behind the villains in The Secret, are curious about writing in general, or simply wonder what the future holds for storytelling in a world with AI, this conversation holds something for you. Join us for a thoroughly entertaining hour.

Amichai Magen - Defeating an Ideology Oct 16, 2023

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In the wake of Hamas' unprecedented attack across Israel's southern border with Gaza, we met with Amichai Magen, Visiting Fellow in Israeli Studies at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies to take stock of the humanitarian and geopolitical dynamics in Israel, Gaza, the Middle East, and the globe writ large. As the chess pieces of this conflict continue to move, the central question is whether pragmatic Islamic states can establish stability by resisting the seeds of chaos sewn by the "Axis of Resistance." The irony of jihadist terrorism is that Muslims disproportionately bear the brunt. Tectonic plates are shifting. Will Hatikva (The Hope) prevail? Listen for what phoenix might rise from these ashes. Magen quotes Israel's first prime minister David Ben Guron to say, "If you don't believe in miracles, you're not a realist." Join us.

Iain McCaig - Storytelling from the Chocolate Box Oct 09, 2023

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Why are some of us drawn to scary stories? "Because we want to believe that we are strong enough to survive being scared." In peeking into that dark side, we cultivate empathy. Few have had a bigger role in constructing imaginary worlds than renowned concept artist Iain McCaig. His work is truly the stuff of legend. We found his zest for illustration, telling stories, the creative process and living a creative life to be nothing short of infectious. Accountable only to his own validation, McCaig is an exemplar of living fully and illuminating a path for the rest of us to follow. We spoke of his illustrious career and his esteemed colleagues, as well as his myriad creative projects past, present and future. Unencumbered by a quest for truth, McCaig cannot NOT tell stories that make people smile. Despite, or perhaps because of, being left to live alone at 14 and surviving a heart attack, he is only afraid of being afraid. He left us with an irrepressible urge to draw our own stories - a skill, he insists, that we all possess. Join us to catch that itch.

Norman Solomon - Shining Light on Inconvenient Truths Oct 03, 2023

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We met with Norman Solomon, co-founder of RootsAction.org and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, to shed light on what we are NOT told about our military involvement around the globe. One cannot fathom the human toll of 4.5 million lives lost directly and indirectly from US military action since 9/11. Solomon implicates corporate media and Hollywood in obfuscating the real human cost, especially of innocent non-combatants. To illustrate this point, he explains that for every innocent US life lost in the World Trade Center attack, the US killed 100 innocents in Afghanistan. Why do we value one human life more than another? While hopeful of a time when humanity can rise above violent conflict, Solomon principally advocates for more truthful and accurate disclosure in place of the terrifyingly efficient propaganda machine that erases this awareness from the public consciousness. The glorification of war and the absence of rigorous discourse before military action all contribute to this. Decentralized non-corporate journalism may hold a key. Newsrooms themselves have become an endangered species. Can we build movements and sensibilities that say "war first" is unacceptable? To quote Antonio Gramsci, "It is time for pessimism of the intellect, and optimism of the will." Join us.

Geraldo Rivera - For the Record Sep 27, 2023

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We talked to Geraldo Rivera about a range of topics, including much that is in the news and on Fox News, where he was for twenty-three years until recently. Leadership there is soon to change from Rupert Murdoch to his son Lachlan. What does Geraldo think about that shift and what are his thoughts on the so-called "fair and balanced" news network? We talked to him about his career and his politics and his long-time friendship with Donald Trump. All of that and more were up for discussion as were his many feuds and controversies. Join us!

Avi Loeb - The Infinite Sum Game Sep 18, 2023

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In the same week that NASA announced Mark McInerney as its new Director of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Research - known to the rest of us as UFOs - we met with Harvard Professor of Science Avi Loeb, dubbed one of the 25 most influential people on the topic of Space. We discuss his recent expedition to the ocean near Papua New Guinea where their team collected and analyzed material from an interstellar "package" that could provide physical evidence of intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe. While Loeb points out that the ocean is an "excellent museum" where we can conduct cost-effective research, he is under fire for his engagement of the public and for proposals that some think are outlandish. In his own defense, he is collecting the physical evidence, using the scientific process to validate his claims, and staying true to the spirit of academia. Tenure was designed to encourage researchers and thinkers to deviate from the beaten path in order to achieve breakthroughs. Loeb believes that finding an intergalactic "partner" would give humanity vast inspiration and greater purpose than the common cross-border squabbles that currently consume most of our resources in defense spending. Listen for a glimpse into how we all can contribute to the "Infinite Sum Game" that is the nature of science. Join us.

Sean Walsh - We Must Do Better Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

We met with Sean Walsh, premier political analysts and former advisor to Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Regan, to glean his perspectives on the GOP, its future, pressing political issues, and what is unfolding in the run up to the 2024 elections. A classical conservative and a leading thinker, Walsh shined piercing light on the challenges for both parties and the country as a whole. Geopolitically he views the U.S. as very vulnerable. He sounded a clarion call for taking a sober look in the mirror. We should be preparing for an emboldened China, and tackling the collapse of manufacturing, its workforce, and its supply chains. The American Dream appears to have changed, and seemingly not for the better. Mourning the loss of serious discourse in an age of soundbites and the rise of government and prosecutorial overreach, Walsh sees that we have much catching up to do to become commercially and militarily competitive again. Irrespective of your politics, we think you'll find that our conversation was the "serious discourse" of which we need more. Join us.

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