The more I listen to Freedomain Radio and the more I read about what other members of FDR suggest, I have started to narrow the 900+ podcasts down into an “essential listening” list. This is not to say that all of the FDR podcasts aren’t great, but I think that if you want a crash course in personal freedom, these are the podcasts to listen to. The podcasts in the feed below are podcasts that helped make my pursuit of personal freedom much more productive. If other FDRers read this list and have any additions, feel free to leave a comment (with the podcast number and/or title) and I’ll add to the list.

MAF’s Essential FDR Listening Feed

Want to create your own filtered feed? I created this one using Yahoo Pipes.

Look what I just found:


From Crackle: Penn Says-Introduction to Penn Says

Here’s the RSS:  http://crackle.com/rss/media/ZnU9MjMzNjA…

‘Penn Says’ Exclusive New Unscripted Web Series From Penn Jillette to Debut on Sony Pictures’ Crackle January 9th

Outspoken Comic’s Videos Showcase Unique Point of View on Issues from Politics to Celebrities to Religion

SAUSALITO, Calif., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ — Crackle, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, announces the premiere of Penn Says, the first unscripted series created specifically for the Internet by outspoken comic, magician and pundit, Penn Jillette. Emblematic of Crackle’s cutting-edge style, Penn Says takes a raw look inside Penn’s life as he records daily rants on subjects ranging from politics to celebrities to the hottest news events of the day. No topic is safe as the larger loquacious half of the comedy-magic team Penn & Teller opens up to audiences with a mic and video camera in hand.

“Big badass Crackle has given me the chance to talk directly to you about anything I want, anytime I want. I mean anything. I mean any time. When something gets my goat, or I want to get someone else’s goat or other farm animal, I’ll flip on my camera and rave about it. Half-cocked, from inside my head, electronically to inside your head in minutes. No script, no thinking, so I might be wrong. I’m counting on you to keep me honest with videos right back to me,” said Jillette.

Beginning January 9, 2008, Penn will deliver his distinctive riffs and rants at least four times each week in new one-to-three minute videos on Crackle. Viewers have the opportunity to respond and to receive Penn’s feedback by posting their video reactions or comments on the site. This series marks the first truly interactive experience Crackle is creating for its audience.

In full cinema verite, Penn will turn on his camera whenever and wherever the inspiration hits him — whether it’s backstage at the Rio in Las Vegas, in a famous friend’s living room, or out on the road. The immediacy of his posts will allow Penn to tackle events as they happen, giving viewers a regular supply of current observations to which to respond.

“Penn Jillette has exactly the type of raw, edgy and honest voice we want to present on Crackle,” said Tony Liano, vice president of content and programming at Crackle. “Crackle is about giving audiences content that pushes the envelope and entertainment they can’t find from other sites or traditional media. Penn will shepherd in a new form of entertainment for our audiences, one that is active and engaged and challenges our audience to respond.”

Penn Says was created by Penn Jillette and is a 10-in-1 Production, distributed by Sony Pictures Television.

For examples of some never-before-seen episodes check out:
 http://crackle.com/c/Penn_Says/Penn_Says…

 http://crackle.com/c/Penn_Says/Penn_Says…

 http://crackle.com/c/Penn_Says/Penn_Says…

Crackle, Inc.,

Crackle, Inc., a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company, is a multi-platform video entertainment network and studio that distributes work from the hottest emerging talent on the web and beyond. Crackle’s addictive channels and shows reach a global audience across the Internet, in the living room, and on devices including a broad range of Sony electronics. Crackle, in on-going collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment and other leading partners, discovers and promotes the stars of today and tomorrow. Visit Crackle’s site at crackle.com.

I had the pleasure of reading The God of Atheists over the holiday break. As you all know, I’m a big fan of anything that Stefan Molyneux writes but I was not sure what to expect in regards to his fiction writing, since I am only familiar with his non-fiction writing. I know that Stefan has a creative mind but I had no idea that he could write such a complicated story in such a fluid, entertaining and enlightening way. At first I was shocked by the number of characters that were introduced. I have admittedly had problems following characters in other fiction, so I was intimidated by how many names I had to remember. I was afraid that there was no possible way I could follow all of the characters and their complicated stories. Fortunately Stefan weaved three or four subplots, with at least three characters per subplot together almost seamlessly. I had a little trouble following each story and found myself becoming very emotionally involved with the characters and relating to each one in some way or another. I also found myself playing a game of “find which character is the author”. I think I figured it out, but as most literature, I think each character had a little bit of the author weaved in.

I don’t like to give away too much about the plot or characters in the literature that I review, because I love reading books without knowing much about them. I think this makes the adventure of reading that much more exciting. So, I will try to give the readers of this blog the same effect and end this review. I think that all you need to know, in order to inspire you to pick up a copy of The God of Atheists, is that this book tackles the issue of moral relativism and its unfortunate embrace on atheists… all with a cast of characters that any atheist (and maybe a few deists or agnostics) can relate to. One more teaser for you Objectivists out there… I enjoyed this book as much as Atlas Shrugged, so that’s saying a ton about my respect for this story.