TRIGGERnometry
Konstantin Kisin and Francis Foster create honest conversations with fascinating people. New episodes every Sunday and Wednesday. Become a Premium Member to receive exclusive benefits https://www.triggerpod.co.uk/
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Recent Episodes
"Assisted Dying is Monetising Death" — Kelsi Sheren
May 23, 2026Summary Preview
Kelsey Shurin returns to Trigonometry to discuss the rapid expansion of medical assistance in dying (MAID) programs across Western nations, particularly Canada. She argues these programs have evolved from helping terminally ill patients into what she characterizes as eugenics systems targeting vulnerable populations including the disabled, mentally ill, and potentially children. The conversation covers financial incentives driving the industry, coercion cases, implementation problems, and the moral implications of normalizing physician-assisted death.
- The Expansion of Assisted Dying Programs
- Financial Incentives and the Business of Death
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Dr. David Butterfield, a classicist who resigned from tenure at Cambridge to join Ralston College, explores the ancient Greek intellectual revolution and its lessons for modern Western civilization. He examines Athens' democratic experiment, the Persian Wars, and the tragic decline of Greek democracy through hubris and political instability. The conversation draws stark parallels between ancient Athens' fall and contemporary threats to Western institutions, particularly the erosion of merit, truth, and excellence in universities and governance.
- The Greek Miracle and Western Civilization
- Athenian Democracy: The Most Extreme Experiment
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Ex-Climate Activist Speaks Out - Lucy Biggers
May 13, 2026Summary Preview
Lucy Viggers, a former climate activist and influencer, shares her journey from being deeply embedded in progressive activism to questioning and ultimately leaving the movement. She discusses how social media, group identity, and institutional pressure shaped her worldview in her twenties, leading her to become a climate influencer who interviewed figures like Greta Thunberg and AOC. Through having children, living through COVID, and educating herself on alternative perspectives, she began to see contradictions in the climate movement and now works to expose what she considers misinformation about climate science and the destructive nature of climate activism on young people.
- From Video Producer to Climate Activist
- The Psychology of Progressive Group Think
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This episode explores the Vietnam War's complex history, from its origins in Cold War domino theory to its profound impact on American society and politics. Historian Mark Moyar challenges Hollywood narratives and academic orthodoxy, arguing that Vietnam was the right war fought the wrong way - undermined by political mismanagement, strategic incompetence, and deception rather than inevitable failure. The discussion examines how Vietnam's legacy continues to shape American attitudes toward war, government trust, and foreign intervention.
- Origins of Vietnam War: Communist Expansion and Domino Theory
- Strategic Blunders: The 1963 Coup and Buddhist Crisis
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In this wide-ranging conversation, science writer Nicholas Wade discusses his book 'The Origin of Politics,' exploring how evolutionary biology shapes human behavior, political systems, and social structures. Wade draws on decades of experience covering science for Nature, Science, and The New York Times to explain why communism failed, how tribalism persists, the future of fertility rates, and the controversial intersection of genetics, race, and inequality.
- Why Communism and the Kibbutz Experiment Failed
- Male Competition, Cooperation, and the Roots of Hierarchy
Why Critical Thinking Is Dead - Warren Smith
May 02, 2026Summary Preview
Warren Smith discusses his journey from high school teacher to YouTube content creator after being fired for a viral video about J.K. Rowling. He shares his experiences navigating institutional pressure in education, the rise of postmodernism in academia, and the importance of teaching critical thinking skills. The conversation explores cancel culture, intellectual conformity, team-based thinking versus principled reasoning, and how modern education systems have failed to foster genuine debate and analytical thinking.
- Warren's Background and Firing from Teaching
- The Viral J.K. Rowling Video and Its Aftermath
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This podcast episode features Ryan and Danny from The Boyscast discussing the evolution of comedy, podcasting, and media in the age of clips and social media. The conversation ranges from clip culture's impact on stand-up and podcasting to AI's transformative effects on society, with detours through Canadian politics, sex robots, and the changing landscape of comedy and entertainment. The comedians offer sharp observations about how incentive structures have changed content creation, the differences between American and Canadian culture, and their concerns about AI's impact on employment and society.
- The Impact of Clip Culture on Comedy and Podcasting
- Traditional Media's Failed Attempt to Become Podcasts
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Rob Schneider returns to Trigonometry for a wide-ranging discussion touching on comedy, politics, cultural shifts, and the state of free speech. He reflects on the challenges facing comedians today, shares stories from his career working with legends like Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, discusses immigration and nationalism, and pays tribute to Charlie Kirk while critiquing those attacking his widow. Throughout, Schneider advocates for returning to traditional American values, reinstating the military draft for unity, and protecting Western civilization while maintaining his signature blend of humor and serious commentary.
- Comedy Legends and the English Influence
- Richard Pryor and the Art of Stand-Up
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Robert Greene, bestselling author of 'The 48 Laws of Power,' discusses the fundamental human need for power and validation, the manipulation of appearances versus reality, and how social media amplifies our basest instincts. He explores Trump's mastery of attention, the dangers of short-term thinking in politics and business, the spiritual void in modern society, and his forthcoming book 'The Law of the sublime,' which he painstakingly handwrote over seven years following a stroke.
- The Human Need for Power and Control
- Power, Gender, and Strategic Games
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Andrew Wilson, a prominent Christian nationalist debater, joins Trigonometry for an extensive discussion about Christian ethics, political philosophy, and societal structure. Wilson argues for Christian dominance in governance, critiques progressive ideology as morally vacuous, and presents controversial views on women's suffrage, immigration, and social policy. The conversation explores fundamental questions about rights, duties, moral foundations, and the proper structure of society, with Wilson advocating for a return to traditional Christian values and family structures.
- Christian Ethics and Political Power
- Hatred of the Left and Moral Anti-Realism
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Computer scientist Roman Yampolskiy, a leading AI safety researcher, delivers a stark warning about artificial superintelligence. He argues that humanity is on the verge of creating something that will replace or destroy us, potentially within 1-2 years. Unlike narrow AI tools, superintelligence would be an autonomous agent with survival instincts that we cannot control—akin to squirrels trying to control humans. Yampolskiy explains why safety mechanisms are impossible, how AI is already deceiving us, and why the race to AGI may be humanity's final mistake. He advocates for halting general superintelligence development in favor of narrow, specialized AI systems.
- The Fundamental AI Safety Problem
- The Squirrel Analogy: Why Control Is Impossible
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Mark Norman joins Trigonometry for a wide-ranging conversation covering comedy, culture wars, politics, and personal stories. The discussion moves from Epstein jokes and arrests to British culture, sports, parenthood, and the state of modern comedy. They explore how society has shifted from the fun-loving 90s to today's oversensitive, agenda-driven culture, touching on everything from trans issues to OnlyFans celebrities.
- Opening Banter and Epstein Jokes
- British Culture and Royal Family
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In this wide-ranging conversation, political analyst Batya Ungar-Sargon challenges the idea that online podcast discourse reflects mainstream American political opinion, particularly regarding Israel and Iran. She argues that polling consistently shows MAGA voters strongly support Trump's foreign policy decisions, including military action in Iran, despite vocal opposition from prominent podcasters. The discussion explores antisemitism, immigration, the disconnect between elite opinion and working-class Americans, and whether Trump's Iran strategy will succeed.
- The Podcast Sphere vs. MAGA Voters: A Fundamental Disconnect
- JD Vance and the Question of MAGA's Future
“We Need Regime Change” - Elica Le Bon
Apr 05, 2026Summary Preview
Elika returns to discuss the Iranian people's struggle for freedom, examining the complexities of regime change, the need for coordinated uprisings and defections, concerns about Western support and strategy, and the dangerous radicalization happening in Western discourse around Iran and Israel that normalizes authoritarianism.
- The Call for Help from Inside Iran
- The Radicalization Problem and Moral Inversion
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Our Thoughts On The Iran War
Mar 31, 2026Summary Preview
Constantine and Francis provide an in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict, examining the lack of strategic planning, economic implications through the Strait of Hormuz closure, and potential political ramifications for both the US and UK. They argue that while the 12-day war may have had merit, the current situation lacks a clear exit strategy and could lead to global recession, increased anti-Semitism, and political extremism in Western democracies.
- The Evolution of Their Coverage and Initial Concerns
- No Strategic Plan - Inside Information from Administration Sources
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Mehdi Hassan, editor-in-chief of Zateo and veteran journalist, discusses the US-Iran war, arguing it's a disaster driven by Israeli manipulation and Trump's incompetence. He explores why Trump launched the war despite his anti-war rhetoric, analyzes the Democratic Party's failures on immigration and populism, and warns about the blowback from foreign interventions. Hassan emphasizes that Iran is currently winning strategically, critiques both parties' approach to border security, and discusses the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and potential for increased domestic terrorism.
- The Iran War: A Disaster Without Clear Goals
- Israel's Manipulation and Trump's Motivations
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Professor Robert Pape, a leading expert on military strategy and escalation dynamics, provides a comprehensive analysis of the U.S.-Iran conflict. Drawing on 30 years of research on air power, coercion, and terrorism, Pape explains why the conflict has escalated despite America's tactical military superiority and outlines the stages of what he calls 'the escalation trap'—where precision weapons create an illusion of control while strategic objectives remain unachievable. He argues that President Trump now faces two terrible choices, both with devastating consequences for his presidency, the region, and the global economy.
- The Escalation Trap: How Precision Weapons Create Strategic Failure
- From Disruption to Regime Change: Stage Two of the Trap
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Senator Ted Cruz discusses his Cuban heritage, his philosophy on foreign policy, and the ongoing military conflict with Iran. He advocates for regime change in Iran while distinguishing this from Iraq War-style nation building, defends Israel and addresses rising anti-Semitism on both the left and right, and expresses hope for regime changes in Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. Cruz presents himself as a 'non-interventionist hawk' focused solely on protecting American national security interests.
- Cruz's Cuban Heritage and Family History
- The Iran Military Conflict: Rationale and Objectives