Tik Tik
In this experimental bonus episode the Gang of Four attempts to do a shorter version of a podcast episode by recording only the Top of Mind segment as a stand-alone feature. In order to keep the episode shorter and sweeter they try to follow a more orderly protocol when it comes to speaking and not interrupting each other. The results are predictably chaotic.
The Space Between Us All
One episode after Peggy Bennett used her rapier sharp wit to mock the world of Star Trek, she expresses her curmudgeonly opposition to actual government–funded space exploration. In other words if we search for an argument we should only do on earth. Shelly joins Peggy in advocating for other priorities over space exploration while Jim favors increased government support for all types of pure research including space research. John’s position is impossibly opaque. In the balance is the question of whether or not the world will ever be able to deploy a spinning Triscuit into space.
Where No Podcast Has Gone Before
In this episode the Podcast Mind Meld honors the late Leonard Nimoy by group watching an episode of the original Star Trek television series. In the manner of another old series, Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K), we do not sit passively and observe but rather demonstrate what we laughingly call our wits by providing running commentary. You are encouraged to listen to this episode while watching Star Trek, season2, episode 10, “Journey To Babel” (with or without the captions).
Happy days are here again?
Family Matters
John, Jim, Peggy, and Shelly discuss the future of families as portrayed in a New York Times article by Debora Spar. The article and the conversation cover the various societal and biomedical changes that have enabled non-traditional family units to have and raise children. As a new father in a two-father home, John brings his personal experience to bear on the discussion. He explains how his thinking about the meaning and importance of family has continued to evolve.
You Never Give Me Your Money
The gang of four tackles the subject of personal bankruptcy in the United States and how the federal law was rewritten in 2005 to make it more difficult for individuals to be released from their obligations. The surprisingly lively – at times, heated - discussion uncovers deep divisions among the group as to how the very subject should be approached. Peggy and Shelly focus more on the desirability of fostering personal responsibility and accountability for financial obligations while Jim is concerned almost exclusively with the societal economic benefits to be gained by making personal bankruptcy easier to achieve. John comes down somewhere in the middle between those two opposing viewpoints.
Working Hard Playing Hard
Beth Shannon joins the gang for a discussion about how to achieve that elusive balance between work and play. Beth and John and Peggy and Shelly relate tales of their various adventures in traveling and how they balanced that with the practical needs of supporting themselves (That is the working hard part, folks.) They also discuss how Jim’s inability to play hard has made him such a very dull boy - or not.
Fear is the Mind Killer
Introduced as usual by the stentorian intonations of Mr. Spock himself, this episode appropriately addresses all things science fiction, which our returning guest, Nikki Brake-Silla, loves wholeheartedly. John would love the genre of science fiction also, if he did not hate the concept of “genre” more.
I’m Gonna Be/Overkill
In this episode Dr. Richard Tobin, a politically engaged polyglot immigrant, joins the gang to discuss life in Western Australia, where the pandemic experience has been relatively mild and life is basically back to normal. Richard employs his engaging Scottish burr to talk about how his experiences down under differ from Europe, the UK and the US.
Looking for Love
Janine from Downers Grove returns to join Peggy and Shelly (no men allowed) for a special episode to discuss their various experiences in the murky world of online dating. Peggy is retired (never say never) from the field due to her marriage but Janine and Shelly are still out there chasing the dream!
Don’t Worry, Be Happy (Trump’s Gonna Lose)
In this episode (perhaps emboldened by the absence of Peggy Bennett and her usual calming effect on everyone) Jim doubles down on his January prediction that Trump not be re-elected in November.
For purposes of (literal) devil’s advocacy only, Shelly takes the opposite position. John, meanwhile, whines and worries and complains about the state of politics in the U.S. and the decline of western civilization generally.
This episode is our layperson version of a FiveThirtyEight podcast. Our one advantage over them is that we are not professionals and are unburdened by actually knowing what we are talking about.
Loss
This is a relatively serious episode in which we are joined by Gwenn Danet-Desnoyers to discuss our personal experiences of losing individuals close to us. Among other moments, Gwen discusses the death of his mother. Peggy talks about losing her father suddenly, Shelly reminisces about the tragic death of her very first boyfriend, Jim remembers one of his former debaters who died very young, and John discusses those people he knew who died from AIDS.
The Janina Dialogues
Janine from Downers Grove joins the gang to discuss her work at the University of Chicago and, most notably, to delve into certain intimate aspects of her life for which she is well known among her circle of friends - take that Anna Sale!
Cold Opening
In their first episode under the new title, the Gang of Four demonstrate that they are not quite in synch. That becomes obvious in the cold open. After John explains about the new title, they have a wide-ranging discussion about “opinion” v. “facts”, trust in government, comparisons of the current epidemic to the influenza outbreak of 1918 as well as personal updates and recommendations.
Who we used to be
We used to be Two Guys in Search of an Argument. Check out our history.
Welcome
The Gang of Four welcomes you to the site - and the podcast.
