AmirAli is a philosophy researcher who runs the Persian-language philosophy blog Praxis Publication and tries to make Islamic philosophy speak to and with the West. In this, his first international podcast appearance, we hear about doing philosophy in the "Islamic Republic of Iran," life during wartime, the relationship between play and philosophy, Islamic philosophy in Arabic … [Read more...] about PvI#122: Hello from Iran w/ AmirAli Maleki
PvI#121: Meat Suit Dolls w/ Maddie Mutations
The LA-based clown, multimedia performance artist, and doll stylist (see maddiemutations.com; she also goes by the name Maddie Forrest) joins Mary and Mark to talk about her Doll Court show, clown types and the role of the fool, failing on stage, cities as women, silly villains, and more. Will Carol overcome her anxiety to go into the big meeting? Will Maddie keep all the … [Read more...] about PvI#121: Meat Suit Dolls w/ Maddie Mutations
PvI#120: Mark and Mary in the Struggle Club
Your wise and authoritative hosts explore forms of respectful address, what counts as good philosophy, the holodeck full-contact Fantasy Island experience, status in economic transactions, Trek not War, default improv scenarios, fear of playfulness, philosophy or improv as education vs. doing philosophy or improv, and more. The potential future textbook I suggested at the … [Read more...] about PvI#120: Mark and Mary in the Struggle Club
PvI#119: Ms. Philosophy vs. Improv w/ Mary and Jenny
What would PvI be with zero masculine energy? This episode features your usual co-host Mary Hynes and our frequent guest Jennifer Hansen (philosopher at St. Lawrence University). They have a one-on-one chat about being hot in a hostile world, interacting with AI, fighting with parrots, and they act out scenes involving the f*cks store and the actress who is too perfect. There … [Read more...] about PvI#119: Ms. Philosophy vs. Improv w/ Mary and Jenny
PvI#118: Aphoristically w/ Andrea Roccella
Mark and Mary are joined by Andrea, an Italian teacher with a broad performing background who's written a book of philosophical, poetic aphorisms called Think Town: self-help reflections and directives about fear, ego, happiness, etc. There's a long history of aphorisms in philosophy (Nietzsche, Heraclitus, Confucius, Laozi), and philosophy invented the self-help genre (the … [Read more...] about PvI#118: Aphoristically w/ Andrea Roccella
PvI#117: Mark and Mary in the Triboobal Aftermath
We are REELING from our REDACTED episode, and so we talk about the lessons we learned from that and start thinking about what it is to be out of one's comfort zone: How do fear and ego issues interact? Is playfulness a lack of professionalism? Are both arrogance and humility products of fear? Plus, cutting-edge surgery reality shows, Schrödinger's hostile cat and Dr. … [Read more...] about PvI#117: Mark and Mary in the Triboobal Aftermath
PREVIEW-BONUS EPISODE: Redacted Acting Coach
Every PvI recording is an experiment, and in this case, our guest (a bigwig acting coach in NYC whom I went to high school with) didn't feel great about the episode, so I offered to paywall it. Here you get to hear what you're missing, along with a little pitch about why you should support the show. To respond affirmatively to this pitch and hear (and see!) the whole … [Read more...] about PREVIEW-BONUS EPISODE: Redacted Acting Coach
PvI#116: Full Bird Mode w/ BJ Lange
BJ is an LA improviser/actor/TV host (who teaches wounded warriors among others), and he chats with Mark and Mary about migratory patterns, TV shows that date you, how to draw in students, the realness of birds, and playing unsafe characters. Scenes include a forced-Fargo college experience, improv class on the roof, spying on birds, and keyboard warriors. Plus Marge and … [Read more...] about PvI#116: Full Bird Mode w/ BJ Lange
PvI#115: Mary and Mark Astro-Logically
In this pitched, high-stakes battle, your hosts have it out about astrological biases, doing offensive accents, letting go of control in an improv scene, and group-based restrictions on who you feel you date. OK, actually, it's not a battle, but an illustration of how the dynamics of changing one's mind works: Despite what you might be reading or who might be lecturing at you … [Read more...] about PvI#115: Mary and Mark Astro-Logically
PvI#114: Earning Crazy Town w/ Jenny Hansen
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 at the all-girls clubhouse, and two gals getting pulled over by a cop. Does the "come debate me" style of philosophy include unnecessarily masculine tropes? How … [Read more...] about PvI#114: Earning Crazy Town w/ Jenny Hansen
PvI#113: Mary and Mark Pick Their Battles
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, rationality and religion, dealing with QAnon believers, family Thanksgiving, giving someone else a name, vegetarianism, and the angel of philosophy. Here's that Steve … [Read more...] about PvI#113: Mary and Mark Pick Their Battles
PvI#112: Musical Zoom w/ Jerome Kurtenbach
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 sing all the time, and more. Jerome sticks around for the post-game, which is normally restricted to supporters, but which you get to hear as a sample this time. … [Read more...] about PvI#112: Musical Zoom w/ Jerome Kurtenbach
PvI#111: God Smites Elijah Dann
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 arguments for and against the existence of God, called UnBelieving God: A Skeptic's Guide, Mark and Mary chat with him about his journey and about the degree to which we … [Read more...] about PvI#111: God Smites Elijah Dann
PvI#110: Memories of 2026 w/ Mark and Mary
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 performances?), being the tchotchke, womb nostalgia, puppets and percussion, plus a visit from the future. You can choose to watch the main part of this discussion on unedited … [Read more...] about PvI#110: Memories of 2026 w/ Mark and Mary
PvI#109: Choose Your Own Failure w/ Rich Baker
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 scene to some topic that's too offensive for you, graveyard humor vs. reverence. Featuring Steaks You Deserve, Robo-Carson, cancer torture, interactive cemetery, Sounds … [Read more...] about PvI#109: Choose Your Own Failure w/ Rich Baker
PvI#108: Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas Dinner… Lawrence Ware!
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 vs. writing books, imaginary friends, laugh trumpets, black ice, and is aesthetic judgment (especially of yourself) a mistake? Sponsors: Get the holiday deal (up … [Read more...] about PvI#108: Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas Dinner… Lawrence Ware!
PvI#107: Mary and Mark Argue About Arguing
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 people with some stakes in the issue, and of course the most interesting philosophical issues have to do with how we live our lives, and so what could be more personal … [Read more...] about PvI#107: Mary and Mark Argue About Arguing
PvI#106: Heart Tchotchkes w/ Seth Stephon Brown
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 for your adult life. He discusses with Mary and Mark the conflict between authentic individual humans and a social structure filled with oppressive … [Read more...] about PvI#106: Heart Tchotchkes w/ Seth Stephon Brown
PvI#105: Friendtor Debate Club w/ Scott Gelfand
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 in our age of non-communication for how we can explore and debate varying positions on hot button social issues. So how does debate role-playing jibe with improv … [Read more...] about PvI#105: Friendtor Debate Club w/ Scott Gelfand
PvI#104: The Hippie Code w/ Vickie Hayley
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 restroom schedule? Are authentic hippies really beatniks? Also, displaying comic America on Korean talk shows, ethical pornography, commerce vs. art, granola in your … [Read more...] about PvI#104: The Hippie Code w/ Vickie Hayley
PvI#103: Post-COVID Mary and Mark
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 food-related monsters, experiencing art by disgraced creators, inner homunculi a la "Inside Out," movie talk, Nietzsche's nose fetish, and more. Sponsor: Get 15% … [Read more...] about PvI#103: Post-COVID Mary and Mark
PvI#102: Pit of Despair w/ Seth Paskin
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. We discuss Seth's attraction to depressing texts, act out couples' therapy and monster beauty parlor, and open up a few philosophical cans of worms: Is truth relative? (Hint: no!) Does outer beauty reflect inner beauty? You can … [Read more...] about PvI#102: Pit of Despair w/ Seth Paskin
PvI#101: Co-Hostery: Season Five Premiere with Mark and Mary
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 brilliant but free-from-academic-philosophy-training partner. Sponsor: Get 15% off at MasterClass.com/IMPROV. We start off with some improv to explore the idea of … [Read more...] about PvI#101: Co-Hostery: Season Five Premiere with Mark and Mary
PvI#100: Maximizing Turtle Revenue w/ Tim Sniffen and Anthony LeBlanc
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. We are re-joined by two of our favorite improv guests for a Team Play episode to talk ship of Theseus, philosophy vs. mythology vs. video games, Renaissance contemporaries, long-lived turtles, "realist" morality, … [Read more...] about PvI#100: Maximizing Turtle Revenue w/ Tim Sniffen and Anthony LeBlanc
PvI#99: Philosophy of Humor w/ Nessa Voss
Nessa teaches philosophy at Lone Star Community College and writes on the philosophy of humor. We've amazingly never had an episode specifically about this, so we thought we should get this on the table before we wrap our season (and Bill's regular participation) and reach 100 episodes. We go through the main theories (superiority, incongruity/surprise, unconscious … [Read more...] about PvI#99: Philosophy of Humor w/ Nessa Voss
PvI#98: Ragnarocking
Recorded back in June, posting now as we near the end of our season and Bill's tenure on the show, this episode now bleeds with dramatic irony. Mark and Bill discuss how to give a good speech, AI in academics, and we have a tear-stained visit to Empty Street. Though the Everything is Alive improv podcast has featured many an inanimate object, we do not believe a literal … [Read more...] about PvI#98: Ragnarocking
PvI#97: Peep Dome Pets w/ Merry Mary Hynes
LA comedienne and Second City faculty member Mary (whom you no doubt already met in the Prelude to this episode), joins us to act out a pet sitting job interview, talk about sharing our public spaces with animals, and finally return to Empty Street to see if we can get some animal action going in the convenient mart/Taco Bell/Subway. In the post-game (which we're including … [Read more...] about PvI#97: Peep Dome Pets w/ Merry Mary Hynes
Prelude to PvI#97: Meet Merry Mary Hynes
What do you do when Bill doesn't show up to the recording? You record for a bit anyway and get to know the guest! Meet Mary. Here's her website. … [Read more...] about Prelude to PvI#97: Meet Merry Mary Hynes
PvI#96: We Allege Humor w/ Mark Schiff and Daniel Lobell
Mark Schiff is a legendary stand-up (watch him on Carson) who currently podcasts with friend-of-PEL and philosophy enthusiast, Daniel Lobell (check out his YouTube channel) as We Think It's Funny. These gents join Mark and Bill to talk about stand-up vs. improv (hear our prior treatment of the topic), comedy LPs, waterless urinals, bad press, the path to enlightenment, and … [Read more...] about PvI#96: We Allege Humor w/ Mark Schiff and Daniel Lobell
PvI#95: The Techucational Edge w/ Khafiz and Nicholas from Invasive Thoughts
Khafiz Kerimov (philosophy guy) and Nicholas Bellinson (literature guy) both teach at (and co-commute to) St. John's College in Annapolis, and they channeled the educational style of that school into a new podcast called Invasive Thoughts. They join Mark and Bill to talk about various educational technologies, teacher-student relations, circle-drawing competitions, the … [Read more...] about PvI#95: The Techucational Edge w/ Khafiz and Nicholas from Invasive Thoughts
PvI#94: Storifying Philosophy w/ Kolby Granville
Kolby is the founder/editor of After Dinner Conversations, which curates short stories about philosophy. He's also been a "producer" of improv shows. We talk about what makes a story philosophical, Kolby tells some stories, and we run some scenes about teleporter shenanigans and guidance counseling. Finally, Kolby (fictionally) makes an INDECENT PROPOSAL to the podcast. In … [Read more...] about PvI#94: Storifying Philosophy w/ Kolby Granville
PvI#93: Poetry Stands its Ground w/ Shannon Bass and Audrey Kohler
Shannon the philosopher and Audrey the poet are Seattle improv buddies that form a duo called Closer to Clarity that uses improv to answer audience members' big life questions (BLQs). Through these guests and their BLQs, philosophy and poetry face off and mind meld and do-si-do as we play through two wacky corporate office scenes and return once again to Empty Street™ for an … [Read more...] about PvI#93: Poetry Stands its Ground w/ Shannon Bass and Audrey Kohler
PvI#92: Postale au Naturale w/ Greg McBrayer
Greg teaches philosophy (and is Interim Provost) at Ashland, loves Xenophon, and runs a podcast. We reflect on the dangers of radon and other "natural" things. How might one of our government agencies become more natural, and would we want that? Are fart jokes the most naturally funny kind? Then, Greg the trucker visits Empty Street and embezzles dead mules. Listen to The … [Read more...] about PvI#92: Postale au Naturale w/ Greg McBrayer
PvI#91: Community Breakdown (or Breakdance?) w/ Nick Armstrong
Mark and Bill are joined by the actor/improviser who directs Camp Improv Utopia and is involved in managing improv spaces such as Denver's Rise Comedy. We talk about the notion of community, with a scene about the neighborhood watch and a return to Empty Street to deal seriously in a public-service-announcement/after-school special sort of way with the issue of buying liquor … [Read more...] about PvI#91: Community Breakdown (or Breakdance?) w/ Nick Armstrong
PvI#90: Empty Street
Mark and Bill introduce a new potential setting and some characters for ongoing use in future improvisations. We talk about techniques for doing that and wrap up by getting an update from Bill on his substitute teaching and talking about what makes for a good teacher. You can choose to watch this on unedited video. Hear more PvI. Support the podcast! Check out other … [Read more...] about PvI#90: Empty Street
PvI#89: Improv 4 Change w/ Shawn and Aaron from srsly wrong
Mark and Bill are joined by two north-of-the-border podcasters, Shawn Vulliez and Aaron Moritz, who incorporate both improv and philosophy in their dirty leftist podcast. We simulate conversation as competing knowers-of-the-good-life and talk about using improv for political purposes. Note that this was recorded back in December when we were in the thick of Luigi Mangione … [Read more...] about PvI#89: Improv 4 Change w/ Shawn and Aaron from srsly wrong
PvI#88: The Dark Side of Improv w/ Randy Fertel
Randy is a literature guy who has written a couple of books about improv and here joins Mark and Bill to talk about WINGING IT: Improv's Power and Peril in the Age of Trump, wherein he basically blames improv for giving us the orange man. Can one be an expert about philosophy, or improvisation for that matter? Is the essence of these activities in the historical … [Read more...] about PvI#88: The Dark Side of Improv w/ Randy Fertel
PvI#87: Mystic Toaster with Simon Critchley
Simon is a professor at New York's New School for Social Research and moderates the New York Times' philosophy offering, The Stone. He joins Mark and Bill to discuss his new book, On Mysticism: The Experience of Ecstasy, and we used the occasion to explore how art and mysticism might be connected, including engaging in improv rituals. You can watch this on unedited … [Read more...] about PvI#87: Mystic Toaster with Simon Critchley
PvI#86: Friends with App-Platter Benefits with Sarah Shockey and Tommy Maranges
It's a TEAM PLAY episode just in time for the holiday season! Returning guests improviser and podcaster Sarah and recovering Philosophy Bro Tommy join Mark and Bill to talk AND EXPERIENCE friendship, with our longest single improv scene to date. What is friendship? Is it gendered? Do you know your friends enough to imitate them? Does one friendship or fast-casual … [Read more...] about PvI#86: Friends with App-Platter Benefits with Sarah Shockey and Tommy Maranges
PvI#85: Prototype Protoplasm w/ Mike Gorgone
Mike hosts the Hitchhikers and Appetizers podcast, and we recorded this episode a bit before Halloween, before the election and the consequent mass exodus, as a sort of memo to the future, i.e. you. We blister our way through many topics including discovery, hospital dramas, time travel sex, self-experimentation, ancient aliens, sharkNATO, Flintstone furniture, the first … [Read more...] about PvI#85: Prototype Protoplasm w/ Mike Gorgone
PvI#84: Interesting? w/ Lorraine Besser
Lorraine teaches at Middlebury college and has recently written The Art of the Interesting: What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It. How does "the interesting" fit into human flourishing? How do we know when some attractive stimulation is really in our interest and really good? Can we find something interesting even the most tedious, … [Read more...] about PvI#84: Interesting? w/ Lorraine Besser
PvI#83: Half Philosophizing (Season 4 Premiere)
Welcome to the beginning of a new round of shenanigans on Philosophy vs. Improv. Let the senior slump begin! Your hosts Mark Linsenmayer and Bill Arnett here talk a blazin' stream of consciousness and then have a pretty long improv scene. Are we already always philosophizing? Hear more PvI. Support the podcast! Check out other Evergreen Podcast offerings. Watch the … [Read more...] about PvI#83: Half Philosophizing (Season 4 Premiere)
PvI#82: LIVE in Personability w/ James Whittington
Chicago's iO Theater was graced on August 21 by Mark, Bill, and special guest theater educator James Whittington, who spoke about embodiment (see Maurice Merleau-Ponty), the possible disconnect between meaning and tone, and being in the physical presence of greatness. They acted out scenes (while still sitting!) about an unsuccessful party and Experiences-R-Us. Both audience … [Read more...] about PvI#82: LIVE in Personability w/ James Whittington
PvI#81: Unshelved, Untitled
Our long lost episode. Consider it a mystery box. Hear more PvI. Support the podcast! You'll get all of our post-game discussions and other exclusive bonus content. You can choose to watch this on YouTube. … [Read more...] about PvI#81: Unshelved, Untitled
PvI#80: Brief, Alternative Facts w/ David Shields
Important announcement for Chicago-area listeners: On Wed. 8/21, Mark and Bill will record a live episode of PvI at iO Theater (1501 N Kingsbury St.). Our show runs from 6-7 pm followed by a Bill-hosted regular improv event called The Green Room. Admission is free, parking is plentiful, no reservations required. Come meet us! Internationally best-selling author … [Read more...] about PvI#80: Brief, Alternative Facts w/ David Shields
PvI#79: Edificial Intentions with Danny Mora
Danny was in a sketch troupe called Maximum Party Zone back in the day with your improv host Bill, and they've now revived that trio to create the MPZ Listening Party podcast, which workshops sketch ideas in real time as a fun form of conversation. So we try out some of their tricks, such as combining two properties (in this case nominally The Apprentice and Argyle to … [Read more...] about PvI#79: Edificial Intentions with Danny Mora
PvI#78: We Essence Merge with Tamler Sommers
Tamler teaches philosophy at The University of Houston and hosts the Very Bad Wizards podcast. He joins Mark and Bill to talk about personal identity and whether the "self" is necessarily co-extensive with a particular body. Plus: meditation, Daniel Day Improv's method acting, All of Me vs. Regarding Henry, what does "metaphysics" mean to YOU, dreams as improv, unstuck-in-time … [Read more...] about PvI#78: We Essence Merge with Tamler Sommers
PvI#77: Fashionation with Sheri Flanders
The actor/writer/comedian joins us to talk about the philosophy of fashion, from the ancients to the present: Is clothing a mode of self-expression or something more (or less)? What does retro fashion say about the current state of culture? Should you wear clothes that you have to be sewn into? If you only had one little piece of cloth to wear, where would you put it? Are … [Read more...] about PvI#77: Fashionation with Sheri Flanders
PvI#76: Hello, Larry w/ Lawrence Ware
The philosopher and entertainment journalist direct from Mark's Pretty Much Pop podcast joins PvI for an hour of merriment. We talk parenthood, philosophy of race, the RULES of improv (or the singular answer to a philosophy question), old 9th graders, one black Peggy, using racy improv in a classroom setting, and more. Here's an excerpt from the essay Lawrence refers to … [Read more...] about PvI#76: Hello, Larry w/ Lawrence Ware
PvI#75: The Alien Literally Has Two Faces w/ Bran Peacock
The Hitchhikers and Appetizers co-host joins Mark and Bill to talk about cultural relativism. We talk about foreign-ness, what parts of ethics seem to apply to all cultures, the Museum of Soup, pushing back tactfully in a scene, and more. In my culture, listening to this episode while in a work meeting is polite. Everything you want to know about the torturer … [Read more...] about PvI#75: The Alien Literally Has Two Faces w/ Bran Peacock