Cross Examined Life
65 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 30 ratingsCross Examined Life improves the way we disagree with one another. Each week, my guests advances and defends their position on a controversial topic. Then together, we exemplify thoughtful and respectful disagreement. I’m Chris – I love challenging assumptions. I encourage you to Ask More Questions.
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Episodes
014 - Should Babies be Born at Home?
May 06, 2017 02:00 - 47.7 MBMary Kate defends: In 9 out of 10 cases, a mother and her baby would be safer giving birth in a home vs hospital setting. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS 1. Be bold and direct when your position second-guesses or questions the wisdom of experts or professionals. 2. If you’ve lost track of someone’s question you’re trying to answer, just ask them to restate it. 3. Call people out on their misconceptions. Get in touch! call or text (+1) 307-240-9190 [email protected] crossexaminedlif...
013 - Is Attending College a Right?
April 28, 2017 21:53 - 49.1 MBRich defends: A four-year bachelor degree is a right and should be paid for by the government. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS 1. If you are arguing that something is a right, try to be precise about where that right comes from. 2. Mirror the language your opponent uses back at them. 3. Identify and mention larger problems that need to be solved on the way to implementing your solution.
012 - Should Cars Have Drivers?
April 22, 2017 01:22 - 65.3 MBMark defends: Driverless cars should not be widely implemented. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS 1. When there’s no way for either speaker can be factually right or wrong, just let go of the point and shift gears to a new point. 2. Try to identify before your disagreement or early on during the conversation what some of the biggest fundamental questions and issues are. 3. Do you best to be present to your opponent so you can actively listen and soak up their words. 4. Ask for clarification of the qu...
011 - Should We Stop Using the word 'Terrorism'?
April 14, 2017 23:13 - 70.8 MBTeresa defends: The likelihood of misusing the words terrorist/terrorism is so great that these words should not be used. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS 1. When you’re at a loss for words, try to return to the arguments laid out by your opponent and choose the next one to address. 2. Don’t let someone avoid giving their real opinion by crediting someone else with a statement. 3. Always mentally review whether your response answered the question asked. 4. When you’re talking to someone who wants ...
010 - Is there an Urgent Need to Colonize Other Planets?
April 08, 2017 00:46 - 49 MBChristine defends: We should prioritize the advancement of space travel, with the goal of becoming an interplanetary species. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS 1. Explain your choice of words used to state your position, early on. 2. Figure out if the future you are arguing for is inevitable – if it is, help your opponent see that inevitability and then dare them to argue that we should fight the inevitable. 3. Number your reasons, for organization and future reference. 4. Before a controversial di...
009 - Does Voting for the Independent Candidate Ever Make Sense?
April 01, 2017 16:55 - 94.1 MBMark defends: A vote, even for a candidate you expect to lose, is not a throw-away vote. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS 1. Don’t just knock out the competing options to your idea, but give reasons why your opponent should affirmatively support your idea. 2. Recognize when you’ve used words or phrases that are likely unfamiliar to your opponent, then just explain them in a respectful way. 3. Try to limit or avoid saying that phrase you frequently drop, intended to short-circuit the conversation or...
008 - Is Traveling the World Essential?
March 25, 2017 09:00 - 36.8 MBFaith defends: World travel is an essential; not an expensive luxury. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS 1. Present alternatives when you think someone is wrong. 2. Unpack the explanation of your opponent in the smallest chunks possible. 3. Ask for specifics before calling a claim that sounds wild or crazy, false. 4. Don’t offer answers to questions you’re asking – just ask them. Suggesting answers makes you seem smug or like you’re asking a rhetorical question. 5. Re-engage until you have recei...
007 - Does the Way We Draw Voting Maps Really Matter?
March 18, 2017 02:00 - 70.5 MBJohn defends: Excessive gerrymandering is bad for the health of the American polity. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY TIPS 1. Point out where things are going well or show promise, as you outline a problem. 2. Be willing to point out that the problem isn’t 100% true all the time, even if it means walking back a previous allegation. 3. Ask for more details in areas you see you lack knowledge. 4. Acknowledge when your opponent makes a point that, in even in a small fraction of instances, could prove yo...
006 - Is Government Really Necessary?
March 11, 2017 00:48 - 148 MBAnthony defends: Anarchy/Privatizing government functions is smarter. 1. Clarify what you’re not talking about. 2. Note when you’re limiting a word’s definition for the purposes of this conversation. 3. Suggest an example you and your opponent can walk through, to avoid muddying the waters. 4. Don’t frame something as definite when it’s really just a likelihood or not even. 5. Answer the question asked before arguing with the point it’s making. 6. Verify you are correct when you say yo...
005 - Is a College Degree Obsolete?
March 04, 2017 04:33 - 68.7 MB(call or text 307-240-9190 to let Chris know your thoughts!) Liam defends the position: In this day and age, a college degree is obsolete. Ten Takeaway Tips: 1. Keep your explanations brief. 2. Challenge the foundational definition. 3. Don’t be afraid to flip an assumed advantage on its head. 4. Re-frame and re-ask your question when your opponent doesn’t see what you are getting at. 5. Agree with a goal, but challenge the way to get there. 6. Propose new solutions when you reject a tr...
004 - Are Sanctuary Cities a Good Idea?
February 25, 2017 05:57 - 107 MB(call or text 1-307-240-9190 to let Chris know your thoughts!) Ep 004's Ten Takeaway Tips 1. Have examples that demonstrate the truth of your position ready to go. 2. Draw precise distinctions between two similar things for clarity. 3. Ask your opponent to specify how much they agree or disagree with an example of what you’re talking about. 4. Refocus your opponent on your question, generously. 5. Give your opponent the benefit of the doubt on factual matters that are new to you, if th...
003 - Is Health Care a Human Right?
February 18, 2017 01:27 - 75.2 MB(call or text 1-307-240-9190 to let Chris know your thoughts!) Robert defends the position: Healthcare can be and should be a fundamental human right. Ep 003's Ten Takeaway Tips 1. Number your points to help you and your opponent keep track of multiple issues. 2. Highlight where you agree, then reframe the argument about where there’s actual disagreement. 3. When you’re advocating that a fundamental right be recognized, link it back to specific language in a document or other agreement t...
002 - Is Every Word of the Bible from God?
February 18, 2017 01:20 - 120 MB(call or text 307-240-9190 to let Chris know your thoughts!) Sunil defends the position: We can reasonably know that the Bible is God’s word and not just the opinions of men. Ep 002's Ten Takeaway Tips 1. Choose as a starting point or foundational principle for your position some statement or fact that you and your opponent can both agree on. 2. Always return to the question or issue at hand. 3. To redirect the concersation towards the relevant issue, answer the question first, then sugge...
001 - Should All Drugs Be Legalized?
February 18, 2017 01:14 - 71 MB(call or text 307-240-9190 to let Chris know your thoughts!) Jonathan defends the position: Controlled substances should be legalized and deregulated. Ep 000's Ten Takeaway Tips 1. Make sure you and your opponent are defining importants words the same way. 2. If you’re unclear about the position the other is taking, repeat it back to them and let them re-phrase. 3. Address your opponent’s first argument, first. It’s probably the one they care most about. 4. When someone explains how somet...
000 - What is Cross Examined Life?
February 14, 2017 18:22 - 4.5 MBEp 000 is just the introduction to the all new series that gives you a front row seat to an exciting clash of ideas that improves the way we disagree with one another, over the beliefs we hold most strongly. We publish new cross-exams each Saturday morning (in the U.S.), starting Feb 18, 2017. Ask More Questions. Length: 3 min. Call or text Chris at (+1) 307-240-9190 Get in touch! [email protected] www.crossexaminedlife.com www.facebook.com/crossexaminedlife Tweet us:@CEL...