A weekly podcast exploring philosophy, ethics and culture with a humorous touch. The hosts analyse the confusing, contradictory and often irrational aspects of the world, examining the moral frameworks that shape our decisions and lives. Expect jokes and thoughtful commentary as they try to make sense of the senseless.
Episodes
The Philosophy of Humanism pt1
Humanism sounds great, but today we dissect its several flaws and question how suitable it is for our time. After all, is emphasising human rationality wise when we are deeply irrational beings? And can purely scientific rationale truly explain life's deepest spiritual questions?Humanism is an intellectual and political framework that emphasises human rationality, dignity and agency and reject
The Politics of Music (w/ Ella Eyre)
Music is the soundtrack of the soul and the spice of life. But the music industry can be treacherous. Many of our favourite artists can't release music without navigating a predatory system with limited support and finances. Why is it like this? And has it always been this way? This week, we are joined by the award winning artist Ella Eyre to breakdown the politics of music. Ella draws on her
The Philosophy of Clubbing (w/ Ahadadream)
You know what it feels like to be at a good party. You're surrounded by beautiful people, drinks are flowing, your favourite music is blaring... you feel euphoric. And that nourishes your soul. But why is it difficult to replicate that feeling in every day life?In this week's episode we are joined by the talented musician and DJ Ahadadream to figure out why partying can feel magical, and w
The Philosophy of Buddhism
What if our world view was fundamentally wrong? What if viewing ourselves as isolated individuals is actually causing us unnecessary suffering? This week's exploration of Buddhism forces us to rethink our understanding of ourselves and our relation to the universe.To help us navigate Buddhism's philosophical roots, practices and real world impact, we are joined by David Woodger, a Nicheria
The Philosophy of Hope ft kamal
This week we have our very first return guest!We are joined by the brilliant musician kamal to discuss hope, meaning and mental health. In our chaotic world where large systems dictate our everyday lives, it can seem like we don't have the agency to make positive political change. So what do you do? Stand up and fight systemic injustice anyway? Charge it to the game and try to make do for your
The Philosophy of Leisure
Think Twice are back with a new season!We missed you all very dearly- but we needed our summer holidays and some down time. It's own right that we come back with an episode that gets us back up to speed on the summer's biggest news stories and (for the first time ever) a life update from us both.The new stories we cover include the tragic passing of Professor Jason Arday, the controversy around Ed
Season 6 Wrap up
Thinkers!Sorry that we couldn't release our season finale today- our guest has had some issues come up that prevent us from releasing our episode at the moment.BUT thank you for supporting us this season, we've had a lot of fun. Drop a comment telling us your favourite episode from season 6!Make sure that you hit the bell so you are notified when we drop season 7 and sign up to our Patreon
The Politics of Storytelling ft Kelechi Okafor
Around 65,000 years ago, our ancestors painted an everyday scene on the wall of a cave in Indonesia. It tells the story of 3 human beings surrounding a pig, possibly on hunt.In 2026, the tools, customs and cultural references might have changed, but human beings are still doing the same thing in their art- telling stories.The stories we tell each other are so powerful- they help us understand the
The Philosophy of Parenthood
“It starts at home.” It’s where we first feel love, where we say our first words and crucially, where our parents raise us.And our parents’ choices mould us into the adults we are today.Today we have a special guest to explore both sides of the parent/ child relationship- Guvna BIn segment one, we explore the morality of our parents’ influence on us. Yes, they moulded us the best they can, but was
The Philosophy of Judgement
It feels natural to judge people based on what we see.After all, we experienced the world through our senses- our sight, smell and touch. And we analyse what we experience, including the people we meet and speak to. But is judging people morally acceptable. After all, you shouldn't never judge a book by his cover.Today we tackle the issue of judgement. Our conversation addresses judgement of o
The Politics of Violence
The story of humanity has always been a violent one. For millenia, empires have risen and fallen based on conquest, and war has been an ever present feature of modern politics.In 2026, nothing seems to have changed- the US has most recently started a war with Iran and every missile dropped is causing untold human suffering. In this net positive or not episode, we analyse the phenomena of violence
The Philosophy of Sustainability
Humanity is facing an existential crisis and we aren't taking it seriously enough.Planet Earth is facing climate change at an alarming rate and the place we all call home is set to change forever. Experts are forecasting that by 2100, up to 1 billion people could be forced out of their homes due to increases to sea levels, extreme weather events and mass crop failure.Who is to blame for this?T
The Politics of Childhood
What are the next generation concerned about? What excites them? And how different are their childhoods from ours? Today we head into a school to try to answer these important questions with London's finest teenagers.Back when we were children, the world was a very different place- but perhaps some things never change. We asked our secondary school stars two simple questions:- What are you mos
The Philosophy of Absurdism
What is the meaning of life?One of the most famous Europeans to tackle this question was Albert Camus, a French writer and thinker who is often accredited with being the founder of Absurdism. In his book The Myth of Sisyphus he outlines how he sees the human condition. As inquisitive and curious creatures, we want meaning. The universe is indifferent to us and will never give us meaning. This tens
The Morality of Media
Media has always been a fundamental part of modern society. Before social media and smartphones, news shows dominated televisions around the world. Before TV, radio and newspapers were widely distributed and consumed. Ultimately, distributing information is always a good thing for the people. But the distribution of media has never been neutral, often used as a tool to control and manipulate the c
The Morality of Fame ft Gary Lineker
You might not be as recognisable as our guest this week, but you do have people in your life who look up to you- a younger sibling, a friend or a loved one. When you voice your opinion, they are listening carefully and your words have a real impact. And with that power, comes responsibility.This week we consider the impact of your opinions, what being perceived by others does to you psychologicall
The Politics of Revolution ft Fiona Lali
If we have an ineffective political system, is voting ever going to set you free? Class tensions, economic instability and a distrust of politics are at an all time high. Perhaps the scene is set for a revolution.‘It easier to imagine the end of the world, than the end of capitalism’ Slavoj ŽižekA fundamental transformation of our society may seem highly unlikely, maybe even a chaotic, undesirable
The Philosophy of Consciousness ft Bel Cobain
We usually assume consciousness is something our brains produce- something happening inside us as we move through the world. But what if that is wrong?What if, the universe itself was conscious and we unknowingly 'tap in' to its frequencies and wavelengths which shape our lived experiences? Or perhaps consciousness is a fundamental property of matter, living in subatomic particles that com
The Philosophy of Hedonism
Hedonism has a bad reputation, but maybe it's just misunderstood as a moral philosophy. At its core, it judges actions based on how much they maximise pleasure and minimise pain. The more they do this, the better they are. So in reality, you might be more of a Hedonist than you think. After all, your brain is hardwired to seek pleasure in it's many forms. Today we assess Hedonism in both an ancien
The Morality of Landlords
Everyone needs shelter. Under international law, it's a human right.Unfortunately, like many other essential utilities, homes have turned into an investment asset class for people to buy, sell and own for profit. Without new affordable homes being built, the price of existing homes and the cost of rent has sky rocketed. Add stagnant wages and a rising cost of living into the mix- everyone is b
The Philosophy of Feminism ft Jameela Jamil
For women all over the world, the struggle for liberation has been a long fought battle.Today we are joined by the brilliant and outspoken actress, Jameela Jamil to discuss feminism. Together we look at the progress of feminism, subjugation of women (and men) under patriarchy and the landscape of gender issues in 2026.We start off by asking a very important question- “Can Feminism achieve its goal
The Politics of Love
Valentine’s Day is all about sweet sweet love. Every year we see the same picture perfect image: man and woman in love, some children, a perfect nuclear family.But where does that idea of partnership come from, and why do people (us included) keep picking it? And what about the kids? Surely they would benefit from being raised by a ‘village’, like they are in many non Western cultures?Let’s say yo
The Philosophy of Ambition
"Dream big", "Go get the bag", "Money haffi mek"These are all sayings that you have been familiar with since your childhood. Maybe you know to take them with a pinch of salt, but let's discuss what they mean on a deeper level.In the context of our economic system, is having personal ambition for wealth and success a noble, moral endeavour? And if it is, where is t
The Philosophy of Fascism
In today's episode, we try to understand why fascism has always been popular in modern European political history. Across the continent, and in the US, political parties like Reform UK and MAGA have been able to gain massive popularity in recent years with Fascist rhetoric. Whenever inequality rises and poverty takes hold, fascist politicians always seem to be able to manipulate the people and
The Philosophy of Music ft Kwaku Asante
Music is one of life's greatest joys.The right song can inspire you, unlock your emotions or even touch you on a spiritual level. So who better than Kwaku Asante, RnB and Neo Soul PHENOM, to join us in the studio this week.We discuss how RnB has changed over the years, going from a polished, curated musical genre, to a raw and moody one. Has this change been driven by society's honesty or
The Morality of Representation
Your identity is a complex issue, but one thing is certain- representation matters. Through the media you watch, you are told a certain story of who you are. Naturally, you find personalities who you can relate to, athletes that inspire you and institutions that connect with your lived experiences. But what happens when those characters deviate from your own self image? What happens when the peopl
The Philosophy of Dialectical Materialism
Marxism is many things to many people.For some, it’s a buzzword used by the right-wing to denigrate their political opponents.For others, it's a comprehensive political ideology that has important and timely critiques of capitalism.However, ‘Marxism’ makes you feel, today we dig below the surface and look at the philosophy of Karl Marx that came before the politics- Dialectical Materialism. Th
The Philosophy of Wellness ft Savannah Blake
You know how important your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing is, but sometimes staying on top of it all can seem like an endless list of tasks. Will finishing your self improvement to do list ever help you find you wellbeing? Or is a list of fool's errands that just keeps you busy?Today we are joined by Savannah Blake, founder of Sol (wellness community), to help us answer discuss some
The Philosophy of Influence
It's obvious that our environments and relationships shape us, but to what extent can we resist or negotiate these influences? In segment one, today’s discussion tries to uncover the influences that change and mould our personalities. We touch on Social Identity Theory and the work of Stuart Hall (Jamaican sociologist) to navigate our thoughts.In segment two, we shift the focus towards how we
The Philosophy of Pan-Africanism
Benz and Tef explore the modern pulse of Pan-Africanism, tracing its roots through the visions of Nkrumah, Garvey, and Du Bois. They unpack the tension between global influence and local control, and the responsibility of those abroad in shaping Africa’s path forward. The episode ends with a difficult choice: quick progress through outside help, or slow, steady growth led from within. Enjoy!Credit
The Ethics of the Workplace ft Fola Evans-Akingbola
In today's episode, we are joined by the talented actress Fola Evans-Akingbola to explore morality in the workplace. We all have to work to make a living, but we still have moral agency as employees. We kick off the episode discussing our place (as individuals) within systems and where our moral responsibility starts and ends.We extend the conversation on individual moral responsibility to touch o
The Philosophy of Anarchism
Benz and Tef dive into anarchism, questioning whether a world without rulers can truly work, especially at scale. They unpack the tension between human nature and the ideals of total freedom, pushing listeners to consider what happens when power creeps back in. The episode ends with a gripping dilemma: do you resist tyranny by building force, or stay true to your principles and risk chaos?Enjoy!Su
The Morality of Storytelling ft Precious Mustapha
Stories have always been an important mode of informational exchange and self discovery for humanity. So who better than the highly talented actress Precious Mustapha to discuss the way modern stories run our lives?!In this episode we focus on the stories told through the medium of film and television and explore the way they impact our daily lives and our perception of ourselves.In our moral dile
The Philosophy of Intersectionality
In this episode of we dive into Intersectionality, an important idea in modern culture. Coined by Dr Kimberley Crenshaw in 1989, it has grown in to prominence in the last 20 years. We discuss the real world implications of taking an intersectional approach towards activism and social issues and give our opinions on Kimberley Crenshaw's famous theories (incl. Critical Race Theory).In segment tw
The Morality of Pop Culture
In this episode of Net Positive or Not, we take on the morality of pop culture with a spotlight on the Cannes Film Festival and the Met Gala. From glamorising excess to celebrating art, we ask: are these events elevating creativity and conversation or just masking inequality with glamour? We finish our discussion by looking at TV, and debating how popular shows like Black Mirror and Severance impa
The Politics of Childhood (ft Year 8 students)
What are the next generation thinking about? What concerns them? What excites them? How different are their childhoods from ours? These are the questions we try to answer in the Think Twice Season 4 premiere- The Politics of Childhood.At the end of last year, a secondary school reached out to us to show their appreciation for our channel and invite us in to talk to their students. We jumped at the
The Second Thought (BONUS FOOTAGE) ft Special Guests
Think Twice celebrates its 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY with a bonus episode packed full of season 3 bonus footage and bloopers. Some of the funniest moments of the season never made it into the episodes we released, so we've put together a super edit for you to enjoy. We talk to Dan Whitlam about being single vs in a relationship, Eni Aluko about black relationships and dating, Jordan Stephens about homoph
The Morality of Foreign Aid
Benz and Tef return to discuss the involvement of the West in African affairs, with their "Net Positive or Not" format. In this season 3 finale, they take on two big names: First up, one of the most powerful financial institutions in the world, the International Monetary Fund (aka IMF). The IMF is a an agency of the UN, funded by 191 member countries, originally created to help governmen
The Philosophy of Love ft Dan Whitlam
Benz and Tef are joined by Dan Whitlam for a Valentine’s special that goes beyond the clichés. They explore the way love is portrayed in popular culture and ask each other if unconditional devotion is possible. Dan gives us a unique insight from the perspective of a poet who tackles unrequited love and relationships, which makes this a thoughtful and refreshing take on modern romance, connection,
The Politics of Black Britain ft Eni Aluko
Benz and Tef are joined by Eni Aluko for a deep dive into the politics of Black Britain. They explore the shifting social and economic landscape, the evolving dynamics of modern relationships, and the role of media in shaping Black progress. A rich and thought-provoking discussion on identity, power, and the future of Black Britain.Subscribe to our channels:YoutubeTiktokInstagram
The Ethics of Reality TV
Benz and Tef launch their new “Net Positive or Not” format with a look at Reality TV and its ethical impact, questioning whether this cultural phenomena inspires growth or promotes toxic values. They look at popular TV programmes that they watch, including modern relationships shows like Love Island and competitive business shows like The Apprentice and Dragon's Den. A light, fun thought-provo
The Philosophy of Epicureanism
Benz and Tef dive into Epicureanism, reflecting on the nature of resilience and the pursuit of personal peace. They begin by breaking down the key components of the Ancient Greek philosophy and describing Epicurus' life. In this week's segments, the discussion explores where friendship, romance and familial relationships all rank and. In segment 2, the guys look at whether the Epicurean desire to
The Philosophy of Fatalism ft Kamal
Benz and Tef are joined by the wonderfully brilliant Kamal to take on the big questions about fatalism and Gen-Z. They explore whether art can bring meaning to life and how young people can stay engaged with social issues without feeling overwhelmed. A thoughtful and engaging conversation about finding direction in a complex world.
NY Special- The Philosophy of Self-Improvement
Happy New Year! In this NY special, Benz and Tef dive into the spirit of reinvention. As the clock resets and everyone considers their 2025 resolutions, they explore what it really means to start fresh and whether self-improvement brings us closer to our true selves.
A reflective look at the pursuit of growth and authenticity as we step into a new year.
0:00 Intro
1:27 Are we truly free to reinv
Christmas Time: The Politics of Family
In this Christmas special, Benz and Tef unwrap the complexities of family during the festive season. From the quirks and pressures of big holiday gatherings to the deeper questions of loyalty and sacrifice, they explore what it really means to connect with loved ones. A heartfelt and thought-provoking take on the joys and challenges of family at Christmas.
The Philosophy of Masculinity ft Jordan Stephens
Benz and Tef are joined by Jordan Stephens for a thoughtful exploration of masculinity and its place in a changing world. Through honest conversation and fresh perspectives, they examine the subtle forces that shape identity and challenge long-held ideas. An engaging and nuanced look at the evolving meaning of modern manhood.
The Morality of Kindness
What is true kindness?
Is an act kind, if it also serves you?
Are you born with kindness or is it something you learn?
This week Benz and Tef grapple with kindness, morality and tough love.
They start by discussing how to judge the moral virtue of an action through the lenses of consequentialism, deontology and virtue ethics. The conversation then addresses how much of kindness arises in humans
The Morality of Art
Benz and Tef tackle the morality of art, discussing artists use of others suffering for their art and its moral implications. They also discuss whether culture and upbringing can absolve artists and if listeners and should they consider an artist's behaviour before they can enjoy their work.
The Morality of Fashion
Benz and Tef dive into the complexities of fashion choices, examining the ethical implications of supporting brands tied to unfair labor practices. They also explore what drives our clothing decisions—whether it's self-expression or the influence of trends—challenging listeners to think critically about the impact of their wardrobe on both personal identity and global issues
The Philosophy of Existentialism
Benz and Tef are back this week with existentialism. They explore how to find meaning, whether suffering fuels growth, and the clash between authenticity and societal pressures. The episode ends with a tough question: would you sacrifice success to stay true to your values?
The Morality of Sport
Benz and Tef tackle elite sports ethics: the drive to win, performance-enhancing drugs, sportswashing, and off-pitch behaviour. They challenge listeners to rethink competition and wrap up with a tough choice regarding the development of young athletes.
The Philosophy of Egalitarianism
Benz and Tef tackle egalitarianism: Can it build a just society without sacrificing individual achievement? They invite listeners to rethink equality and merit. The episode wraps up with a hiring dilemma: Who do you choose for a crucial job—your close relative or a more experienced stranger?
The Ethics of Competition
Benz and Tef kick dive into the nature of competition. Are we born competitors, or is it something we learn? Does it fuel progress? This discussion will challenge listeners to reflect on how competition shapes our lives and society as they both address the essence and impact of competition. Finishing with a scenario that places Benz and Tef between a rock and a hard place.
The Ethics of Relativism
Benz and Tef discuss ethical relativism, a philosophy that argues moral principles are not universal and can vary based on cultural or individual perspectives. They explore whether the account of history from the perspective of losers is as important as that of winners and also whether statues of slave owners should be removed from public spaces. Whilst finishing with another intriguing dilemma.
The Philosophy of Stoicism
After a brief hiatus, Benz and Tef return for an exciting second season and begin with Stoicism. They provide a comprehensive overview of Stoic philosophy and its modern day use. Whilst also discussing its relevance to human experiences and whether it promotes effective leadership. The episode concludes with another thought-provoking dilemma that challenges listeners to apply Stoic principles in r
The Philosophy of Utilitarianism
In the season finale Benz and Tef explore utilitarianism, analysing the pursuit of the greatest happiness for the greatest number. They discuss the maximising of well-being for people from different communities whilst factoring in the environment. Finishing with the famous Trolley Problem
The Philosophy of Post-Modernism
Benz and Tef discuss Post-Modernism which is a philosophy that questions universal truths and overarching statements. They explore whether you should alter speech at work and also how reality should be perceived.
The Philosophy of Virtue Ethics
Benz and Tef explore virtue ethics, examining the cultivation of character and the quest for moral excellence. They grapple with the nuances of virtuous behavior, debating the balance between personal growth and societal expectations through the responsibilities of celebrities and politicians.
The Ethics of Punishment and Justice
Benz and Tef explore punishment and justice, they discuss its purpose and limits. They wrestle with the thin line between retribution and righteousness, facing tough questions about the true essence of justice. Finishing with the trickiest dilemma yet.
The Philosophy of Epistemology
Benz and Tef explore epistemology, they discuss the importance of scientific consensus versus personal experiences, and dive into the age-old debate about certainty and doubt in knowledge. Finishing with a dilemma about decision making when the information is conflicting.
The Philosophy of Hedonism
Benz and Tef explore hedonism, questioning if chasing pleasure could stunt personal growth and whether prioritising it leads to lasting happiness and self-care. Their discussion wraps up with a dilemma, shedding light on the potential drawbacks of solely focusing on pleasure.
The Morality of Violence
Benz and Tef address violence through the lens of pacifism. They discuss whether nonviolence is a valuable strategy and whether it indicates strength of character. They finish with a dilemma about what they would do if their child was being bullied.
The Philosophy of Deontology
Benz and Tef dive into deontology questioning whether the rules of morality are fixed or dependant on the situation. They also discuss whether good intentions are enough irrespective of outcome. Their discussion gets even more interesting when they explore the real-world implications of conflicting principles within deontology.
The Philosophy of Essentialism
Benz and Tef explore essentialism. They discuss whether brand identities are developed from what they're made of or how the world sees them. They also discuss whether our personal identities stem from what we're born with or what we experience whilst finishing with the famous Theseus’ Paradox.
The Morality of Capitalism
Benz and Tef discuss the impact capitalism can have on people’s values. They take a closer look at the moral consequence of pursuing profit and the relationship between capitalism and discrimination.
