I’m becoming addicted to Russell Brand’s manic podcasts. His rapid-fire machinegun delivery examines and enunciates what many left of center people are thinking but are afraid to say out loud. All the intellectual ferment lately seems to be coming from independent, free-thinking liberals…

With Logic and Love

I have also come to love and greatly appreciate philosopher, progressive political activist, and outspoken social critic Dr. Cornel West. He is a fascinating intersection of Christian charity and deep intellect. His cultural insights are trenchant and positive, never aimed as knives and spears against those he disagrees with. When he ‘attacks,’ he does so with logic and love. If more people would follow Dr. West’s example and argue with charity, candor and clear logic, we might actually advance this human project.

Comedy and Curiosity

Russell Brand is a liberal comedian and actor who “examines what’s beneath the surface—of the people we admire, the ideas that define our time, and the history we’re told. Speaking with guests from the worlds of academia, popular culture, and the arts, Russell seeks to uncover the ulterior truth behind our constructed reality. And have a laugh.” (Russell Brand Podcasts)

Fusion Jazz for the Mind

I commend to you a fabulous and mind-blowing conversation between Russell Brand and Cornel West. Much of the 58-minute conversation revolves around Dr. West’s enduring thesis that powerful forces pit right against left when actually, the working classes have more in common and should be opposing the powerful forces that deliberately and cynically divide us.

If you’re listening from a partisan ideological position, smugly nodding your head–“Um hum! Those dummies need to get on my left/right, Republican/Democrat bandwagon!”–congratulations, you’ve completely missed the point.

Please find time to listen and provide comments. I hope this sparks some interesting thoughts and comments.