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The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Vox
Democracy
Liberalism
Economic History
Political Philosophy
Neoliberalism
Long 20th Century
Human Nature
American Politics
Thomas Hobbes
The Iliad
Social Democracy
Technological Change
Distribution Of Wealth
Conflict and Order
Anarchism
Great Recession
Globalization
History
Philosophy
Work Ethic

The Gray Area with Sean Illing takes a philosophy-minded look at culture, technology, politics, and the world of ideas. Each week, we invite a guest to explore a question or topic that matters. From the the state of democracy, to the struggle with depression and anxiety, to the nature of identity in the digital age, each episode looks for nuance and honesty in the most important conversations of o... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes736Founded10 years ago
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PoliticsPhilosophySociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Latest Episodes

Sean’s guest today is Daniel Kolitz, author of a remarkable Harper’s story on “gooning.”

They talk about this emerging subculture and how it reflects back on the larger world, from the economics of attention to the rise of short-form everything. Kol... more

We’ve never had more wealth, more data, or more ways to be entertained. So why doesn’t it feel like progress?

Sean’s guest today is Brad DeLong, an economic historian at UC Berkeley and author of Slouching Towards Utopia. They talk about the differe... more

We all know what awkwardness feels like. It's that jolt of discomfort when the social script breaks down, and no one knows what to do next. But what if awkwardness isn’t a flaw to fix but a window into how we live together?

Sean’s guest today is Ale... more

We use “Orwellian” to describe everything from campus dust-ups to authoritarian crackdowns. But what did George Orwell actually stand for, what did he get wrong, and what can we learn from him about our age of surveillance capitalism and distraction?... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Robert Sapolsky
Professor of biology and neurology at Stanford, author of "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will"
Stanford University
Episode: The case against free will
Barbara Walter
Political scientist at UC San Diego and author of How Civil Wars Start
University of California, San Diego
Episode: America chose violence. Now what?
Charan Ranganath
Neuroscientist and author of the book Why We Remember
Episode: What's worth remembering?
Emily Baker-White
Author of Every Screen on the Planet, The War Over TikTok, who has spent years covering TikTok and the controversies surrounding it.
Episode: Why TikTok matters
Bill McKibben
Influential climate activist and founder of 350.org
Episode: The sun will save us
Fara Dabhoiwala
Historian at Princeton and author of What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea
Princeton University
Episode: How much free speech is too much?
Ingrid Robeyns
Political philosopher and economist at Utrecht University
Utrecht University
Episode: Imagine there's no billionaires
Dan Wang
Author of 'Breakneck, China's Quest to Engineer the Future'
Episode: America's lawyers vs. China's engineers
Laura Field
Political theorist and author of the upcoming book 'Furious Minds'
Episode: So, what exactly is the “New Right?”

Host

Sean Illing
Host known for insightful questioning and bringing depth to discussions on culture, politics, and philosophy.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 15.2k ratings
  • Highly recommended!

    Fantastic podcast- insightful, thoughtful, curious, and balanced. Covers a wide variety of interesting topics that are contemporary as well as timeless. Sean is a great interviewer who consistently gets smart and enjoyable guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Morton Feldman
    United Statesa month ago
  • Smart, Informative and Engaging

    The Gray Area with Sean Illing is a tremendous podcast. It’s of particular interest to people who enjoy discussions about philosophy, ethics, literature, psychology and just how to live in this world. Sean Illing is down to earth, an excellent interviewer, and a nice guy. I highly recommend the Gray Area.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paul in Hamilton
    Canada2 months ago
  • One of my favorite shows and presenters

    I love how high-brow-intellectual yet accessible Sean is. Every episode is a banger.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    chrispinzippy
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Love The Gray Area

    Love this Podcast. Sean’s conversations/interviews are intelligent, educational, thought provoking, and always on point.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrCarmen
    United States2 months ago
  • Superb as always

    Sean is the best. The Bill McKibben interview is absolutely amazing. Thank you, thank you thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billybill1984
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the engaging and informed guests who bring expertise to the conversations.
The host's style is generally described as calming and insightful, making complex topics accessible.
Listeners praise the in-depth discussions and thought-provoking insights that challenge their perspectives.
Feedback highlights the podcast's ability to provoke thoughtful reflection and discussions on current societal issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What counts as progress?
Q: Are you reasonably hopeful that we'll manage to stabilize our political system and ensure it effectively responds to societal needs?
No, there is skepticism about the current ability of the American political system to adapt and effectively manage the crises it faces.
What counts as progress?
Q: When you look at the last 200 years, do you feel like we are building and progressing in a way that makes sense and is sustainable?
While historical productivity has increased, current societal struggles reflect a disconnect; the essential challenge is addressing those left behind amid rapid economic changes.
What counts as progress?
Q: What do you think progress is for? What are the goals we're pursuing or should be pursuing as a society?
Progress should aim at addressing fears about societal issues, ensuring enough material resources, and focusing on living wisely and well rather than just accumulating wealth.
How to survive awkward encounters
Q: What do you think are the most frequently awkward experiences that people have in their everyday lives?
Clogging up someone's toilet when you're a guest or accidentally sending a message about someone to a group chat.
How to survive awkward encounters
Q: How did you end up writing a book about awkwardness?
I was interested in awkwardness because it reflects our daily discomfort in social interactions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Gray Area with Sean Illing

What is The Gray Area with Sean Illing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful exploration of complex societal questions is at the heart of this podcast, where topics span from the nuances of democracy and personal identity to pressing cultural challenges and technological advancements. Each episode features a guest expert who shares unique insights, contributing to rich, in-depth discussions that are designed to provoke thought and encourage listeners to reconsider common narratives. The format fosters a philosophical approach to contemporary issues, making it appealing to those looking for a deeper understanding of the world around them. Expect engaging dialogues that not only inform but also inspire critical thinking about current affairs, ethics, and the human experience.

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How many listeners does The Gray Area with Sean Illing get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Gray Area with Sean Illing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Gray Area with Sean Illing:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Explain It to Me
3. Today, Explained
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. Unexplainable

How many episodes of The Gray Area with Sean Illing are there?

The Gray Area with Sean Illing launched 10 years ago and published 736 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Gray Area with Sean Illing?

Recent guests on The Gray Area with Sean Illing include:

1. Robert Sapolsky
2. Barbara Walter
3. Charan Ranganath
4. Emily Baker-White
5. Bill McKibben
6. Fara Dabhoiwala
7. Ingrid Robeyns
8. Dan Wang

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