Reason Bound

Ryan's childhood friend, Aaron Adair, joins Reason Bound to talk about race relations in the United States and specifically his experiences being viewed as a black man. After the initial recording, events surrounding the death of George Floyd took place which prompted Ryan and Aaron to record an additional hour to add on. Other topics include riots, police encounters, privilege, and marginalized groups.

Holly Wilt returns to Reason Bound to discuss sex and love. Holly and Ryan discuss the throes of love and delve into that which is considered temporary compared with everlasting. A study about how people reignite the passion from earlier times in their relationships, love between friends, and passionate vs compassionate love are topics also discussed. 

Ryan talks with Tej Singh about his time in South Korea and Japan. Tej shares thoughts on the differences in lifestyle, business, relationships, and the point many expats reach where they return to their country of origin. Some, however, seem to wander abroad forever...

Former combat medicine technician, Michael Hubbard, returns to discuss the recent pandemic. Regardless of how bad things become with coronavirus, it's crucial to be prepared for devastating events that have the potential to change people's way of life. Mike and Ryan discuss obvious and not so obvious items to have in the case of an emergency, the state of politics in the US, and people's social awareness as we head into whatever future awaits.

Not all press is good press and these days most of it isn't. Award winning British journalist, Charles Thomson, returns to the Reason Bound podcast to speak with Ryan about media and politics. Topics include figures and movements led by those such as Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, Bernie Sanders, and how the concept of "Fake News" is interpreted and propagated. If you want to change media, this is the prime discussion to get the paper rolling.

Joe Schmitt and Ryan discuss societal issues centered on drinking in the U.S. compared with Japan.

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Evading capture by Dr. Loomis, Holly Wilt returns to the Reason Bound podcast to talk with Ryan about several issues: A place they both worked, religion and a world created with evil, parents with special needs children and how some cope with supernatural reasoning, #blessed, and "locker room talk". On a lighter note, they also talk about Jamie Lee Curtis's return to Halloween, memories of H20 and Josh Hartnett, the difference between Jason X and Freddy v.s. Jason, and a discussion about everyone's favorite neighbor, Mr. Rogers. There's also a bonus story at the end between Ryan and Holly that dates back to over ten years ago and the obvious clues Ryan gave Holly for her to have her epiphany. To anyone who downloads/listens/subscribes, Holly and Ryan think you've made this day a special day by just your being you. There's no person in the whole world like you, and they like you just the way you are. ^_–

Before Reason Bound launched and just prior to the 2016 US elections, Sean Curran recorded what were intended to be the first episodes with Ryan but ultimately were shelved. In this show Sean finally joins Ryan to review movements such as "Bernie Or Bust" and people's mindsets surrounding the election and candidates. As they both remark, we've never seen an election like what went down in 2016, and Sean and Ryan who had seen things differently in 2016 are now able to look back and discuss topics such as reliable information, the feeling of getting caught up in movements, and Sean reveals to Ryan for the first time what he ultimately did with his vote. As a longtime Eugene resident, Sean also discusses events surrounding the LGBT+ community there and why (in part) it's been difficult for a cohesive community to form in a city that thinks of itself as very progressive.

Award winning British journalist, Charles Thomson, returns to the Reason Bound podcast to discuss music from the Heartbreak Hotel. Charles and Ryan talk about Elvis Presley and what he did or didn't contribute to music as well as accusations against the man and movement being racist. Ideas about Elvis from Stevie Wonder to Three 6 Mafia are discussed and provide context of "The King" from contemporaries, people who came after him, and those who knew him before he burst onto the music scene. But first, Charles starts off with some great stories of James Brown including speaking to him at a press conference and the "Godfather of Soul" playing with him during a live performance from the stage. Other topics include Prince and Under The Cherry Moon, The Wiz, Michael Jackson and his discography, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, and how artists will be remembered through history. 

Michael Hubbard served as a combat medicine technician in the United States Army. In this episode he discusses his time in the Army including what basic training was like, his drill sergeant, low stress v.s. high stress platoons, how guys would solve their issues with each other, his time in India with the Indian soldiers, issues living in a compound with Iraqi soldiers, his recognition for improving security perimeters and the private dinner he had with higher-ups including now Sergeant Major of the Army, Daniel A. Dailey as a result. Mike and Ryan then discuss the controversial topic of women serving in combat roles in which Mike gives his view into what types of problems could arise, things he saw while serving, and in which situations he would be for or against it. Thanks to Mike, this is an often hilarious and insightful podcast between two friends of nearly 17 years. 

Manny Militello, whose speciality is in international consulting related to the middle east, rejoins Ryan in the second part of their War and Peace series to discuss the increasing isolationism of the United States in today's world. They discuss the country's isolationism historically from colonial days until the start of the second World War and its seeming return in a new way in modern times. Manny shares his thoughts on isolationism v.s. interventionism and the consequences of going too far in either direction. Another discussed resurgence from a past era is the "America First" narrative we've seen again under Trump. Other topics covered include progress made in U.S. society over the years, a unilateral foreign policy, a Brit's perspective on Hillary Clinton, what countries act as global and regional hegemons, and the League of Nations.

Joe Schmitt discusses an article in Psychology Today with Ryan about the effects of violent media on behavior. By age 9 Joe had been exposed to and consumed media with violent content in the form of video games and films such as Saving Private Ryan. It was also at this young age he was told the combination to his household's gun safe. We discuss the environment Joe grew up in, what he was taught about guns, his school's reaction to a creative writing paper, and being careful about jumping to single variables as the major factor in trying to explain the cause of violent behavior. Other topics include the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas and the difference in gun ownership in the U.S. compared with Japan. Ending on a lighter note and with Halloween approaching, they discuss Joe's top 5 most terrifying games to play.

The Red Pill documentary by Cassie Jaye is one of the more controversial documentary films to be recently released. It's caused such an uproar that Netflix has refused to carry it. From theredpillmovie.com the official synopsis reads: "When a feminist filmmaker sets out to document the mysterious and polarizing world of the Men’s Rights Movement, she begins to question her own beliefs. The Red Pill chronicles Cassie Jaye’s journey exploring an alternate perspective on gender equality, power and privilege." At Holly's request, Ryan watched the documentary so they could discuss the contents of the film. In this episode they cover The Red Pill documentary, the decision Holly made in whether or not to circumcise her infant, as well as the strange reasons people will give for defending barbaric practices such as the genital mutilation of girls and boys, amongst other topics. 

Kai McFarlane joins Ryan to talk about felons owning firearms and having the right to vote. They also discuss Trump's Tweets, The Rock running for President, and a classic scenario dealing with how people view morality. The show starts off with Kai sharing his latest venture into studying "gay reincarnation" which leads to a spirited discussion between the two.

Raqib Hameed Naik spent most of his life in Kashmir before moving to India where he works as a journalist writing on human conflict and human rights related issues. He speaks with Ryan in this episode about the Indian administered regions of Kashmir: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh, which are in the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent. Control of this part of the world remains a contentious issue between India and Pakistan. Recent developments have included the possibility of the U.S. or China stepping in to act as an arbiter in an attempt to solve this geopolitical issue that is affecting the lives of many Indians, Pakistanis, and Kashmiris. Now, as of June 26th 2017, the U.S. Department of State has named Syed Salahudeen (also known as Syed Mohammed Yusuf Shah), who is the head of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (a Kashmiri separatist and designated Islamic terrorist group by India, the United States, and the European Union), as a specially designated global terrorist. Ryan asks Raqib about Syed Salahudeen'

Holly and Ryan debate Disneyland's decision to remove the "wench auction" from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. They then discuss Ryan learning gun safety and who he was aiming at during the process. Most importantly, and as a mother, Holly talks with Ryan about the importance of nonviolent parenting and reasoning with children instead of inflicting abuse that will continue to take a toll on them later in life. Other topics in this episode include forced vaccinations and a discussion about when NPR recently tweeted the Declaration of Independence for the Fourth of July and the furious response from certain people. 

Award winning British journalist and court reporter, Charles Thomson, returns to the Reason Bound podcast to talk with Ryan for the anniversary of the Michael Jackson trial verdict. Charles has written articles on the enigmatic superstar for news outlets such as Huffington Post and has been quoted in books about the iconic performer's life. For the first time ever, from start to finish, Charles talks with Ryan about the most controversial aspect of the pop icon's life in a three hour show beginning with the allegations from 1993 and going through the end of his 2005 trial. This is a podcast about recognizing good and bad arguments as well as a discussion between Ryan and Charles about the Jackson trial being the first time both realized how recklessly dishonest and lazy the media could be in reporting on certain events.

Addendeum to episode #9

Stephanie Drury who runs the popular Facebook page "Stuff Christian Culture Likes" talks with Ryan in this episode about "Christian Culture". Topics include the love affair with so-called "Daddy-Daughter Dates" as well as MANLY evangelical leaders such as Marc Driscoll and Eric Dykstra and the messages they deliver to their congregants. Most importantly, they talk about what it felt like to question everything they thought they knew about their once held theology and where they ended up as a result.