Balanced: Recent Episodes
Ben & Steve
Ben leans left. Steve leans right. Join them as they discuss various hot-button topics and examine cultural movements and events to get beyond the noise of today's social and political tribalism.
Ben and Steve discuss the case of Pam Reynolds, who in 1991 reported an out-of-body experience during a brain operation at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, during which she had no brain-wave activity yet claimed to observe and remember details about the procedure and events that occurred in the operating room.
In the final episode of 2023, Ben and Steve discuss Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon, the legitimacy of popular claims, the current state of UAP research and the rise of their legitimacy within government and scientific bodies.
Ben and Steve discuss addiction to and the responsible consumption of porn in the modern age.
Ben and Steve discuss success, examine which qualities most often account for it and question the importance of goals, discipline and commitment in achieving personal success.
Ben and Steve discuss the nature of evil, examine whether it's a motivation for action, a state of being or something else entirely while pondering whether evil is simply the absence of goodness or something more sinister.
Ben and Steve define and discuss the implications of mortality, the limitations of the human lifespan and examine ways to get the most out of life despite the inevitability of death.
Ben and Steve discuss what it means to lead a purposeful life, examine the pursuit of the actualized self and question the importance of purpose on the human experience.
Ben and Steve discuss the assumption of noble intent in professional settings, our personal lives and in nature and ask whether this philosophy results in a net negative or positive outcome on the human experience.
Ben and Steve discuss the American obsession with guns, the second amendment and the realities of living in a society with enough guns for every man woman and child to be armed.
Ben and Steve discuss whether humans need to procreate in order to contribute to the greater good of the species and human society, and examine some of the arguments for and against having kids.
Ben and Steve discuss the role of alcohol in human societies throughout history, examine both the negative and positive effects on our bodies, minds and relationships and talk about ways to ensure alcohol consumption is both responsible and safe.
Ben and Steve discuss the roles and history of animals in human culture and ask why we revere some and eat others.
Ben and Steve discuss god, faith, the nature of belief and whether religion is a force for good or evil in the modern world.
Ben and Steve discuss relationships, co-habitation, the institution of marriage, divorce, the nuclear family, generational trauma and how these things interrelate in the modern age.
Ben and Steve discuss the effects of social media on society, today's youth and modern misinformation and ask whether the net cumulative effect is positive or negative.
Ben and Steve discuss transgender athletes and examine the nature of fairness in sporting competition.
Ben and Steve discuss the legalization of marijuana, compare the outcomes to those of other legal substances like alcohol and examine the disparity between state and federal laws on the subject.
Ben and Steve discuss the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse and examine if and how white privilege played a roll in the outcome.
Ben and Steve discuss the removal of confederate statues, the renaming of public buildings and other changes and the effect these measures have on society and history.