Polite Conversations

Latest Episodes:

Ep 108 - Dawkins & The Claude Delusion May 08, 2026

Show notes

What happens when an EXTREMELY Rational atheist, who scoffs at others for believing in silly things like a magical sky daddy - aka ‘god’ ….

Starts believing that his computer -Or chatbot to be more precise- is ALIVE … and that she also happens to be a girl who is in awe of his brilliance 😍

Well, you’re about to find out … in ‘The Claude Delusion’.

Unlock the extended episode by subscribing via patreon.com/nicemangos

—

My guest for this episode is Matthew Sheffield, who writes about philosophy, politics, cognition, tech & AI. Find his work at https://plus.flux.community

Links:

Matthew’s piece about Dawkins & The Claude Delusion: https://plus.flux.community/p/richard-dawkins-and-the-claude-delusion

Find Dawkins archived posts here:

https://archive.is/6RdK9

https://archive.is/1LugJ

My piece on New Atheist crossover w the Christian right for Flux: https://flux.community/eiynah-mohammed-smith/2022/02/i-never-thought-new-atheism-would-become-tool-christian-right/

Our previous Twitter Space on the IDW/Heterodoxsphere: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DtXZl7TEAcuhthrre1P9U?si=CVEn28JtQCWa7peHW1rctA

Musk’s AI firm forced to delete posts praising Hitler from Grok chatbot https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/09/grok-ai-praised-hitler-antisemitism-x-ntwnfb

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CLIP: The Final Form of New Atheism May 07, 2026

Show notes

A clip from the episode ‘Hating Bill Maher’ with Will Weldon, host of the I Hate Bill Maher Podcast.

Find the full public episodes here:

Pt 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/30CfS6AdYhwbgyOzc7KCih?si=_naBOjzjSiOk2Hr1oTDdsA

Pt 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cLMgUfHSqa46cbZ6cFxJU?si=AE22AAXcRhuseiqibOzLDQ

Extended Patreon episodes:

Pt 1: https://www.patreon.com/posts/148728952

Pt 2: https://www.patreon.com/posts/148729202

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UNLOCKED (Full Ep) Fashademics 3 - Postmodernism, Sokal & The Science Wars May 04, 2026

Show notes

This episode has now been unlocked, as promised!

My guest for this episode is William Gillis (@rechelon.bsky.social), an anarchist author with a background in physics. We covered a broad range of topics in this conversation; From postmodernism vs realism to Alan Sokal, to disturbing undercurrents in segments of the radical/subcultural left, to how different parts of academia have been perceived in different times…. & more!

Links:

Here’s a thread about William’s book:https://bsky.app/profile/rechelon.bsky.social/post/3lvqqiylehk2f

Order the Book here: https://store.c4ss.org/index.php/product/did-the-science-wars-take-place-the-political-ethical-stakes-of-radical-realism-preorder/

French petitions against age of consent laws: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_petitions_against_age-of-consent_laws#:~:text=The%20May%201977%20petition%20was,Paul%20Sartre%2C%20Félix%20Guattari%2C%20Michel

The German Experiment That Placed Foster Children with Pedophiles https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/07/26/the-german-experiment-that-placed-foster-children-with-pedophiles?mbid=social_twitter

NAMBLA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Man/Boy_Love_Association

Peter Lamborn Wilson (‘Hakim Bey’) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Lamborn_Wilson

Sokal Affair https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokal_affair

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 107: The cost of Opposing Genocide in Australia (Ft. Alex McKinnon) Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Australian journalist (@mckinnon_a) Alex McKinnon (from Deepcut News) joins me to discuss the excessive ‘cancellations’ and speech restrictions in Australia, around the topic of Palestine. We also talk about the asymmetry between the warm welcome genocide supporters and Israeli propagandists receive vs. The hostility that is directed towards anyone holding an anti-genocide view. We discuss the downfall of Adelaide Writers Week, the Israeli Ambassador’s horrifying speech at The National Press Club & more.

Find Deepcut News here: https://www.deepcutnews.com

Adelaide Festival apologizes to Dr. Randa Abdul-Fattah for writers week decision https://youtu.be/T3k6l8emzf4?si=610pZxFUaNVDFOv7

Author of ECAJ antisemitism report shared content calling Palestinians “bloodthirsty hyenas”https://www.deepcutnews.com/p/author-of-ecaj-antisemitism-report

Library mascot Pip the Watermelon caught in censorship row:https://www.deepcutnews.com/p/library-mascot-pip-the-watermelon

Melbourne council scrubs teenage volunteer from website over Palestine necklace https://www.deepcutnews.com/p/melbourne-council-scrubs-teenage

National Press Club Disgracefully Platforms Israeli Ambassador https://apan.org.au/national-press-club-disgracefully-platforms-israeli-ambassador/

ABC spent more than $2.5m defending legal action from Antoinette Lattouf https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-08/abc-senate-estimates-hears-cost-of-antoinette-lattouf-case/105868832

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 106: Clearing the Air w/ IDSG Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Good friends of the show Daniel and Jack from the I Don’t Speak German podcast, join me for an important conversation about the state of the world, western anti-fascists, hierarchies of taking bigotry seriously, Israel committing G3n 0Cide, Iran, America, Harry Potter & more.

Links:

Find the Extended version of this episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/155535014

My previous conversation with Daniel on this subject: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0MnmuYJ0U3eBkmganRchMF?si=VPDpgo91TZGmGkJy15yi-w

The New Year’s ep that was mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YBopN5nTYlEpLPxsTsyeo?si=2GuVRoLgREC2v78ZMKLQCA

The recent IDSG episode on Iran: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2JztEiyGJ9wkTfnguyueJs?si=qLUwcpURRwunGthyPMiOlw

Anti-woke Death & Destruction Brought to you by USrael (extended version): https://www.patreon.com/posts/extended-anti-to-152314703?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

LA’s Holocaust Museum Walks Back “Never Again” Statement https://hyperallergic.com/los-angeles-holocaust-museum-walks-back-never-again-statement-sparking-outcry/

Sarah Hurwitz’ comments https://youtu.be/BcRk3sQJbbA?si=IoWeyou9WMPGuTNq

US-Israeli Attacks Have Damaged or Destroyed 600 Schools in Iran, Plus hundreds of medical centres, hospitals and pharmacies. https://novaramedia.com/2026/03/25/us-israeli-attacks-have-damaged-or-destroyed-600-schools-in-iran/

Gen 0cidal board member of US Holocaust Museum https://bsky.app/profile/nicemangos.bsky.social/post/3lheydhnu6s24

Confronting Fascism in it’s Philosemitic form - Em Cohen https://emcohen.medium.com/the-only-way-out-is-through-e9f209d05338

Funding Islamophobia in Europe: University of Bristol https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/192414854/Aked_Jones_Miller_Counterjihad_report_2019.pdf

Twitter Space on Barbie: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Gl481q1JB8qGV0u2xDkQc?si=vxqqlX3QSm6jx7rTAgyD0A

Twitter Space on Halloween: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IZAGE7R0vE4iYsZvBHD3V?si=zEmP6JLeS1ejwB9OTvZIfw

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fashademics 3 - Postmodernism, Sokal & The Science Wars Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Links:

Here’s a thread about William’s book:https://bsky.app/profile/rechelon.bsky.social/post/3lvqqiylehk2f

Order the Book here: https://store.c4ss.org/index.php/product/did-the-science-wars-take-place-the-political-ethical-stakes-of-radical-realism-preorder/

The German Experiment That Placed Foster Children with Pedophiles https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/07/26/the-german-experiment-that-placed-foster-children-with-pedophiles?mbid=social_twitter

NAMBLA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Man/Boy_Love_Association

Peter Lamborn Wilson (‘Hakim Bey’) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Lamborn_Wilson

Sokal Affair https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokal_affair

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UNLOCKED (Full Ep): Fashademics 2 - Haidters Gonna Haidt (Pt 2) Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

This episode has been unlocked, as promised!

This is pt 2 of a 2-part Episode, pls check out pt 1 first.

———

Linguist Dr. Caitlin Green joins me to explore the views and positions of one Jonathan Haidt. We talk IDW/Heterodox stuff, anti-anti racism, transphobia, reactionary centrism, race ‘science’ and mentions in the Epstein files.

If you enjoy the show pls consider supporting via patreon.com/nicemangos and unlock ad-free extended episodes!

***

Polite Conversations is a member of Harbinger Media - subscribe to their weekly newsletter for the latest in new episodes from left & progressive Canadian podcasts via harbingermedianetwork.com

***

Links

Find Caitlin & Trent’s podcast, ‘Half the Answer’ here: https://youtu.be/LFeIRhvEZns?si=L7aDdg4sMGjZ5rKJ

Haidt stands with Israel: https://x.com/jonhaidt/status/1711051817499472328?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

Haidt blames intersectionality for anti-Israel sentiment: https://x.com/jonhaidt/status/1712641827528909266?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

Using Grok CSAM scandal to push for more social media bans instead of accountability: https://x.com/jonhaidt/status/2010345277564334482?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

Haidt’ S Edge.org piece from 2009: Faster Evolution Means More Ethnic Differences https://www.edge.org/response-detail/10376

Kristen Bell Says She and Dax Shepard Let Their Daughters Roam a Danish Amusement Park Alone: 'Didn't See Them for 7 Hours' https://people.com/kristen-bell-says-she-let-kids-roam-danish-amusement-park-alone-8716121

Ezra Klein interview with Haidt: https://youtu.be/RN2GhPal4qA?si=7XY7TFNrf3EAzArd

Haidt Crimes: On Moral Foundations Theory and the Normalization of Fascism

https://www.theflytrapmedia.com/haidt-crimes-on-moral-foundations-theory-and-the-normalization-of-fascism-christian-nationalism/

Thread re: Greenblatt’s awkward intvw with a white identitarian https://bsky.app/profile/nicemangos.bsky.social/post/3m23otynuc22n

If you enjoyed this episode, check out the 2-Part ep on Pinker:

Pt 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UMuX2BkACiuPIhsPKIB5a?si=Ty4Wcd25RQG0hydlTsjR6g

(Ad free Patreon version):

https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-81-pinkers-pt-107973413?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Pt 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LmIYPtWutuaAkD57GCxy7?si=-64nSgmQS-O6tvZMH4c4qg

(Ad free Patreon version):

https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-81-pinkers-pt-107973853?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

And the episode on Richard Dawkins: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uSIJRoF9LxkkNtRYBZvRV?si=sOxTysnMSnWYcPGbz-UHGw

(Ad free Patreon version):

https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-76-dawkins-101893054?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UNLOCKED (Full Ep): Fashademics 2 - Haidters Gonna Haidt (Pt 1) Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

[This episode of Fashademics has now been unlocked as promised!]

If you enjoy the show pls consider supporting via patreon.com/nicemangos and unlock ad-free extended episodes!

***

Polite Conversations is a member of Harbinger Media - subscribe to their weekly newsletter for the latest in new episodes from left & progressive Canadian podcasts via harbingermedianetwork.com

***

Links

Find Caitlin & Trent’s podcast, ‘Half the Answer’ here: https://youtu.be/LFeIRhvEZns?si=L7aDdg4sMGjZ5rKJ

Haidt stands with Israel: https://x.com/jonhaidt/status/1711051817499472328?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

Haidt blames intersectionality for anti-Israel sentiment: https://x.com/jonhaidt/status/1712641827528909266?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

Using Grok CSAM scandal to push for more social media bans instead of accountability: https://x.com/jonhaidt/status/2010345277564334482?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw

Haidt’s Edge.org piece from 2009: Faster Evolution Means More Ethnic Differences https://www.edge.org/response-detail/10376

Ezra Klein interview with Haidt: https://youtu.be/RN2GhPal4qA?si=7XY7TFNrf3EAzArd

Haidt Crimes: On Moral Foundations Theory and the Normalization of Fascism

https://www.theflytrapmedia.com/haidt-crimes-on-moral-foundations-theory-and-the-normalization-of-fascism-christian-nationalism/

Thread re: Greenblatt’s awkward intvw with a white identitarian https://bsky.app/profile/nicemangos.bsky.social/post/3m23otynuc22n

If you enjoyed this episode, check out the 2-Part ep on Pinker:

Pt 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UMuX2BkACiuPIhsPKIB5a?si=Ty4Wcd25RQG0hydlTsjR6g

(Ad free Patreon version):

https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-81-pinkers-pt-107973413?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Pt 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LmIYPtWutuaAkD57GCxy7?si=-64nSgmQS-O6tvZMH4c4qg

(Ad free Patreon version):

https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-81-pinkers-pt-107973853?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

And the episode on Richard Dawkins: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uSIJRoF9LxkkNtRYBZvRV?si=sOxTysnMSnWYcPGbz-UHGw

(Ad free Patreon version):

https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-76-dawkins-101893054?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 105 - Mapping the Manosphere (pt 2) Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

This is pt 2 of a 2 part episode. Check out pt 1 first:

Public version:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4PlQNmDGLZImSzBWe5Szu7?si=31WFEq7zSnSrZspO1AeO0w

Extended Patreon Version:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-105-mapping-1-152979500?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

———

Dr. David S. Smith joins me for an in-depth conversation about the manosphere & inceldom. We discuss different subgroups in the manosphere, (Incels [Involuntary Celibates]. MGTOWs [Men Going Their Own Way], MRAs [Men’s Rights Activists]), incel terminology (Red/Blue/Black pill, Trucels, etc) and more.

We also discuss how these online subcultures are relevant to what we see in the news today (ICE/IDF) as well as how manosphere talking points have been normalized by IDW ‘intellectuals’.

If you enjoy the show pls consider supporting via patreon.com/nicemangos

Find the extended version of this episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/152983072

Find Dr. David Smith’s book - The Incel Mindset here (or request it through your library): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-16385-1

Read more of his findings here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10714421.2024.2383814

Links:

On Alana’s Involuntary Celibacy Project https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45284455

Eliot Rodger: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliot_Rodger

Jordan Peterson Enforced Monogamy - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/18/style/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life.html

Archived version: https://archive.ph/iL02i

Here’s an episode I did in 2018 on the Manosphere with Kevin Logan and a former MGTOW/MRA (pt 1): https://open.spotify.com/episode/25Gd8OXb5It3S87XsQilve?si=Rzw_wK1WQ9yFWxajegVQ2g

(pt 2) : https://open.spotify.com/episode/55gpE6KXENaOGbjX3IGVxE?si=kdMPyTilRbuY61HEML4-Fg

The popular Evopsych episode came up in this episode too. Find it here: (pt 1) https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jSFhcmT6xNJ4JOwbEkscE?si=sBz3iCdPRZKi3aFQZXwDxQ

(Pt 2) : https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gvuP3xLyqKSpJgTjf43A3?si=dFCP469jQwyM4otX24URBQ

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 105 - Mapping the Manosphere (pt 1) Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

We also discuss how these online subcultures are relevant to what we see in the news today (ICE/IDF) as well as how manosphere talking points have been normalized by IDW ‘intellectuals’.

If you enjoy the show pls consider supporting via patreon.com/nicemangos

Find the extended version of the episode here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-105-mapping-1-152979500

Find Dr. David Smith’s book - The Incel Mindset here (or request it through your library): https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-16385-1

Read more of his findings here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10714421.2024.2383814

Links:

On Alana’s Involuntary Celibacy Project https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45284455

Eliot Rodger: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliot_Rodger

Jordan Peterson Enforced Monogamy - https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/18/style/jordan-peterson-12-rules-for-life.html

Archived version: https://archive.ph/iL02i

Here’s an episode I did in 2018 on the Manosphere with Kevin Logan and a former MGTOW/MRA (pt 1): https://open.spotify.com/episode/25Gd8OXb5It3S87XsQilve?si=Rzw_wK1WQ9yFWxajegVQ2g

(pt 2) : https://open.spotify.com/episode/55gpE6KXENaOGbjX3IGVxE?si=kdMPyTilRbuY61HEML4-Fg

The popular Evopsych episode came up in this episode too. Find it here: (pt 1) https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jSFhcmT6xNJ4JOwbEkscE?si=sBz3iCdPRZKi3aFQZXwDxQ

(Pt 2) : https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gvuP3xLyqKSpJgTjf43A3?si=dFCP469jQwyM4otX24URBQ

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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