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PODCAST

Doomer Optimism

Doomer Optimism

Doomer Optimism is a podcast dedicated to discovering regenerative paths forward, highlighting the people working for a better world, and connecting seekers to doers. Beyond that, it"s pretty much a $hitshow. Enjoy!

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All Episodes

01:31:46

DO 274 - Kentucky, Catholicism, and Agrarian Revival

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/08/05

The Shire We Call HomeJason sits down with Tom Ruby and Alan Cornett to explore the profound influence of Wendell Berry on modern agrarianism, the surprising revival of Catholicism in America, and why the future might belong to those willing to get their hands dirty.From the rolling hills of Kentucky, which echo Tolkien's Shire, to the intellectual journey from secular academia to Catholic agrarianism, Tom and Alan share their personal stories of finding meaning through land stewardship and

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01:04:17

DO 273 - The Future of DO with Ashley, Jason, and James

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/07/29

In this episode, Ashley asks her two closest collaborators on Doomer Optimism – Jason on the podcast, and James on events – to think through what drew them to the project, lessons from what we’ve done so far, and where we could go from here.

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01:22:34

DO 272 - James, Basel, and The New Deal

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/07/16

Monopoly Power, New Deal Legacies, and the Fight for Real Economic DemocracyJames and Basel unpack the legacy of the New Deal, the tangled history of regulation, and the roots of today’s anti-monopoly movement. From egg prices and avian flu to Big Tech and corporate control of agriculture, they explore how concentrated power distorts markets, erodes democracy, and shapes both domestic and foreign policy. Grounded in history but focused on the future, the episode explores what real economic democracy

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01:06:16

DO 271 - The Machine with Paul Kingsnorth and...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/07/02

Paul Kingsnorth and Leighton Woodhouse in conversation for the Third Annual Doomer Optimism Campout at The Wagon Box.

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01:39:31

DO 270 - Leaving the 20th century w/ James, Donald...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/06/25

Ashley, Donald, and James cover a lot of ground in this episode. They kick things off with the story of Leslie Peltier, a self-taught stargazer from Ohio, before diving into a deeper conversation about environmentalism. Donald raises concerns about how today’s climate discourse can feel paralyzing, especially for young people, and argues that instead of backing away from nature, we need to find ways to work with it.The conversation broadens into bigger questions about collapse — not dramatic

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01:53:29

DO 269 – Engineering, education, empathy, and memetic...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/06/10

DO 269 – Engineering, education, empathy, and mimetic warfare? Dr. Chuck Pezeshki & JoshDr. Chuck is an engineering professor at Washington State University. He runs an engineering design studio for student projects and blogs on an exorbitantly wide range of topics at https://empathy.guru.Dr. Chuck is hard to characterize other than “someone Doomer Optimists ought to be paying attention to.”

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01:49:30

DO 268 - Matt P on DO

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/05/28

Can Humanity Keep Pace with the Technologies It Creates?Matthew Pirkowski joins Ashley Fitzgerald to unpack the complicated relationship between technology and humanity. They dive into the worlds of AI and cryptocurrency, exploring how these tools work—and how they shape our minds, societies, and futures.Drawing from his background in evolutionary psychology, Matthew reflects on how our instincts and behaviors interact with fast-moving technologies. He and Ashley wrestle with big questions: How does

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01:19:08

DO 267 - Doomer Optimism w/ Matt Smith + Graham...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/05/14

Dr. Chris Ellis hosts Graham Summers and Matt, discussing various economic topics including market dynamics, investment strategies, and the role of metals in the current financial landscape. They explore the implications of monetary policy, the significance of gold and silver, and the potential for a monetary reset amidst inflationary pressures. The conversation covers the complexities of the global economy, the impact of tariffs, and the challenges of understanding value in a fluctuating market

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01:16:52

DO 266 - Ashley, Chris, and Jason

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/05/01

Chris Smaje and Jason Snyder make their triumphant return to DO to join Ashley to explore the concepts of 'strong gods' and 'weak gods' as articulated by NS Lyons, examining the historical context, implications of nationalism's resurgence, critiques of the strong gods argument, and the importance of localism and community in navigating societal changes. The discussion also dives into the need for a moral framework in a diverse society and the role of community in fostering

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01:51:59

DO 265 - Transition Engineering with Susan Krumdieck...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/04/25

Transition Engineering with Susan Krumdieck and Josh Susan Krumdieck (PhD, mechanical engineering) is a Professor at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and is the foremost global proponent of the emergent discipline of Transition Engineering. Susan figured out “Doomer Optimism” before it was a thing and asked herself, “What can I do as an engineer?” The answer was to elaborate a novel approach to tackling wicked challenges, dismantling the unsustainable systems that modernity depends on, and

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01:53:34

DO264 - Natural Law w/ PlasmaRob and Ashley

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/04/15

Ashley and Robert bounce through a wide range of topics — everything from the tug-of-war between natural law and man-made law to how postmodernism has shaped (and maybe warped) the way we see truth and art. They look at how Western values were shaped, especially through Christianity, and wonder what gets lost when those foundations are ignored. There’s also a back-and-forth on the psychological strain of modern life — what some might call derangement syndrome — and how media and politics often feed

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00:45:46

DO 263 - What's the matter with Texas? w/ Casey...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/04/08

Casey Spinks joins Mayor James Decker to discuss Texas's complex political and cultural landscape, focusing on the tensions between urban, suburban, and rural areas.The discussion highlights the historical shifts in Texas politics, the influence of suburbanites, the rise of weekend ranches, and the ecological changes resulting from privatization and the introduction of exotic species. The speakers also address the implications of these trends for public access to land and the historical context

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01:19:01

DO 262 - Ontology, or On Sunscreen w/ Olek Pisera and...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/04/01

Understanding Risk in a Modern SocietyAshley interviews Olek Pisera, a recent PhD graduate in biomedical engineering. They discuss various topics, including the importance of independent thinking in science, the complexities of public health recommendations, and the societal implications of risk perception during the COVID-19 pandemic. Olek shares insights from his research on sunscreen and car seats, highlighting the contradictions in public health messaging and the challenges of scientific

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01:49:36

DO 261 - John Lechner and James Pogue

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/03/25

James Pogue interviews John Lechner, a journalist and author who has extensively covered the Wagner Group and its influence in Africa, particularly in the Central African Republic. They discuss John's unique path to journalism through language learning, the historical context of the Central African Republic, ethnic divisions within the country, the civil war, and the role of external powers. John's new book is called Death is Our Business, the shocking inside story of how the Wagner Group

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01:16:59

DO 260 - Hannah's Children w/ Catherine Pakaluk,...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/03/18

Roxanne Ahern and Katherine Pakalak, join Ashley to discuss the pressing issue of declining birth rates and the cultural implications of antinatalism. They explore the grim trends in population decline, the societal and technological factors influencing family dynamics, and the potential future of family structures. The conversation emphasizes the need for a cultural shift to support larger families and the importance of articulating the desirability of children in modern society. Roxanne,

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01:08:51

DO 259 - Anti-Monopoly

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/03/11

Where do we go from here?Antitrust lawyer Basel Musharbash joins Ashley and Nate to explore anti-monopoly advocacy's historical and contemporary landscape. They discuss the evolution of antitrust laws, the impact of the Reagan administration, and the resurgence of antitrust efforts under Lina Khan. They discuss the intersection of populism and antitrust, the role of government in regulating corporate power, and the future of antitrust enforcement in the Biden administration. Musharbash emphasizes

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00:57:26

DO 258 - Enchantment, Magic, & Supernatural...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/03/04

Enchantment, Magic, & Supernatural Technologies w/ Historian Dr. Francis Young"Is magic real? Does magic work?""It's a question that is worth asking.""The world is full of spirits."Enchantment is fast entering the mainstream conversation. More people doubt mechanical materialism; there is something out there. Scholars, however, have hesitated. Stories of flying friars and encounters with spirits are considered as more than a cultural myth but as testimonies to reality. What is the history of

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00:56:20

DO 257 - Building the Benedict Option w/ Leah...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/02/25

Community in a Fragmented WorldIn this episode of the Doomer Optimism podcast, host Ashley and guest Leah Sargent discuss the importance of building community in today's world. Leah shares insights from her book, 'Building the Benedict Option,' emphasizing practical steps individuals can take to foster deeper connections with others. They explore the challenges of hosting, the impact of perfectionism, and the role of faith in creating meaningful gatherings. The conversation highlights

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00:57:24

DO 256 - Political Agency with Marie Gluesenkamp...

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/02/18

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joins DO to discuss her unique perspective as a Congresswoman from a rural background, covering environmentalism, localism, and the importance of agency in politics. She critiques the disconnect between policymakers and the communities they represent, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and grounded approach to policy-making. The discussion also delves into the challenges the timber industry faces, the impact of regulations, and the importance of listening to

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01:25:45

DO 255 - Post Woke Synthesis

Doomer Optimism ·

2025/02/11

Ashley, Gabe (@VividVoid) and Rich (@RichDecibels) discuss what an integrated, post-woke synthesis might look like. In this episode, we all discuss times and places where we have seen a functional pluralistic social environment – from public school to the Marines to Occupy. We discuss how you might take lessons from those examples into the present divisive social and political moment.

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