Philosophy vs. Improv

<p >St. Lawrence philosophy prof Jennifer L. Hansen, one of the most frequent guest on Mark’s podcasts and expert in feminist philosophy, here hits it off with our new host Mary. We act out vegan jerky time, snacktime...

<p >What is it worth raising an objection over, and how hard do you fight? We hear (and act out) Mary’s roommate-searching trauma, plus Mary for President, curiosity about bellicose Twitter, respect vs. reverence...

<p >Jerome is an LA composer/director/screenwriter who is involved in a lot of musical improv, so Mary and Mark interview him about that and about the function of art, plus songs for pets, a support group for people who...

<p >Elijah is a philosophy prof (and PhD theologian) in Vancouver who was a die-hard, evangelical Christian but gradually became liberal and then atheist. In light of his latest book that collects all your favorite...

<p >To kick off the Year of Our Lord 2026, Mark and Mary talk about memory: memory care for the elderly, the relation between things and memories, what professional activities are worth preserving (improv...

<p >Rich runs the Dare to Fail improv school and is author of Improv Made Easier. He joins Mark and Mary to discuss contexts of failure, failing to meet your goals vs. “objective failure,” how to react in an improv...

<p >Philosopher/writer/critic/podcaster Lawrence Ware returns to the show to meet Mary and talk about how Mark is his own personal Leroy Jesus. We act out and/or discuss orphan greeting cards, face-to-face instruction...

<p >Is argumentation essential to philosophy? Should you always be open to arguments challenging your beliefs? An actual argument would not be just two abstract positions being measured against each other, but two...

<p >Seth is an improviser and aspiring professional “muse,” which is a type of life coach that hangs out with you to see where you could be more in touch with your humanity so that you can then work out a coherent plan...

<p >Scott, until lately a philosophy professor at Oklahoma State University, joins Mark and Mary to tout his new book, Thinking Ethically: A Handbook for Making Moral Choices. The point is to provide some helpful tips...

<p >Mark and Mary are joined by improvisor/comedian/actress/filmmaker/host Vickie to talk about code switching and authenticity. Can you be authentic and still work a day job? Can Problem Solvers, Inc. solve the office...

<p >How does your body talk to you? Your favorite hosts-of-a-philosophy-and-improv-comedy show Mark Linsenmayer and Merry Mary Hynes re-connect after both being sick to get a bit Halloweeny so as to talk about various...

<p >Mark’s Partially Examined Life co-host Seth joins us (i.e. Mark and Mary) to introduce Seth to improv and continue introducing philosophy to Mary.</p> <p >We discuss Seth’s attraction to depressing texts, act out...

<p >It is a new era, a new dawn, a new beginning, with a new font of improv wisdom in the form of Merry Mary Hynes, whom you’ve met, and in turn a fresh challenge for Mark to engage in philosophy tutoring with a...

<p >It’s our season finale, and the end of Bill’s regular participation on the show. You may wish to weep, but let your tears be of joy as well as reminiscence.</p> <p >We are re-joined by two of our favorite improv...