PEL Presents PvI#112: Musical Zoom w/ Jerome Kurtenbach

PEL Presents PvI#112: Musical Zoom w/ Jerome Kurtenbach

Author: Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, Dylan Casey February 22, 2026 Duration: 1:03:42

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.

Hear more PvI. Jerome sticks around for the post-game, shared with you non-supporters just this once. Support the podcast to get this for most episodes, plus an ad free experience.

Sponsor: Visit squarespace.com/LINSENMAYER (code LINSENMAYER) for a free trial and 10% off your first website or domain.


What if philosophy wasn't an intimidating subject reserved for academics, but a lively, accessible, and sometimes messy conversation among friends? That's the space occupied by The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast. Hosted by Mark Linsenmayer, Wes Alwan, Seth Paskin, and Dylan Casey-a group who once pursued philosophy professionally before taking a different path-this podcast approaches big ideas with a rare blend of genuine curiosity and informal camaraderie. Their discussions are grounded in actual philosophical texts, which they break down in each episode, but you absolutely don't need a degree or even prior reading to jump in. The charm lies in hearing their real-time reactions, debates, and occasional tangents as they wrestle with concepts that shape our society and culture. Listening feels like pulling up a chair at a pub with remarkably well-read friends who are just as likely to crack a joke as they are to land a profound insight. This isn't a lecture; it's an invitation to a collective, partially examined life, where the journey through a thinker's argument is often more revealing than any polished conclusion. You'll find yourself thinking along with them, questioning your own assumptions, and discovering how centuries-old ideas pulse through our modern dilemmas. Tune in for a uniquely human and engaging take on the discipline that asks the biggest questions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 782

The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast
Podcast Episodes
PEL Presents Closereads: Kierkegaard on Subjective Knowledge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:21
On an excerpt from Soren Kierkegaard's Concluding Unscientific Postscript (1846) that critiques Hegel's idea of logic (dialectic) and then argues for his own conception of "truth as subjectivity." Subscribe to Closereads…
Ep. 388: Hegel on Culture (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:01
Continuing on the "Spirit" chapter (more specifically. "Culture and its realm of actuality") in Hegel's Phenomenology, now covering sec. 490-510. How exactly does the process of acculturation work? Get more at partiallye…
PEL Presents PvI#115: Mary and Mark Astro-Logically [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:41
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. Does Jesus…
PEL Presents: PMP#218: All the "Scream"-ing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:56
We talk about the Scream meta-slasher film franchise, from the original Wes Craven /Kevin Williamson 1996 debut starring Neve Campbell, and Courtney Cox to the new one (#7), still with three out of four of those particip…
Ep. 388: Hegel on Culture (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:23
Continuing on Hegel's Phenomenology, "Spirit" chapter, now up to sections 484-510, which is the first part of "Self-Alienated Spirit. Culture." In Hegel's ongoing semi-mythical story about the development of the modern s…
PEL Presents NEM#249: Kavus Torabi Now Leads Gong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:57
Kavus began in dual-guitar London math-rock bands in the '90s, joined The Cardiacs for their final lineup. His band Knifeworld released the first of its four albums in 2009, he released solo albums in 2020 and 2024, and…
Ep. 387: Hegel on Law (Part Two) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:32
Continuing on on sec. 469-483 of Hegel's Phenomenology, finishing the analysis of Antigone and bringing in Oedipus to say why the conflict between types of law is both criminal and destined. We then turn to the aftermath…
PEL Presents PvI#114: Earning Crazy Town w/ Jenny Hansen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:38
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…
PEL Presents PMP#217: Mel Brooks' Old Comedy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:35
In light of Judd Apatow's HBO documentary The 99-Year-Old Man, we discuss the films of Mel Brooks, which were to varying degrees formative on us (i.e. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al). Get more at prettymuchpop.com. Get…
Ep. 387: Hegel on Law (Part One) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:08
Continuing on Hegel's Phenomenology, "Spirit" chapter, now up to sections 464-483, which are under the sub-headings "Ethical Action. Human and Divine Knowledge. Guilt and Destiny" and "Legal Status." After anticipating i…