In Search of Sanity

Are you tired of the toxic nonsense of today’s ‘we’re right and anyone who disagrees with us is wrong’ conversation? Our conversations and observations are for you. An irreverent, light-hearted yet thoughtful non-partisan current affairs Podcast that considers some of the most challenging issues facing our society and communities.

The Algorithm Wants You Angry. Here's How You Steal It Back. 07/17/2026

The Algorithm Wants You Angry. Here's How You Steal It Back. You already know the algorithm is playing you. What nobody tells you is you can play it right back. This week on iSoS, we dig into the actual science of why outrage spreads faster than good news online. Then we discuss some concrete moves that flip the script and start feeding you content that makes you feel like a person again, not a gladiator. Discussed: Media Literacy, Social Media, Politics, Bipartisanship, Online Discourse. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/42125090

How the Fourth-Largest Economy on the Planet Became a One-Party State 07/10/2026

How the Fourth-Largest Economy on the Planet Became a One-Party State This month on ‘iSoS in Conversation’, we sit down for a jovial hour with Jordan Cunningham — former California Assemblyman, ex-prosecutor, and now a political consultant— for an unflinching look at how The Democrats took over California and what's left of the California GOP. We discuss: How The Democrats became a super majority. Reagan. Schwarzenegger. Now this. What neutered the California GOP? Britain manages fifteen parties in one Parliament. California can barely manage two. What's the fix? CA has the worst scorecard in the country: Health, poverty, homelessness, affordability, red tape. Highest taxes to pay for it. Yet the Democrats keep winning. How? Is MAGA a help or a hindrance and The GOP’s own civil war. How Steve Hilton went from running Downing Street's strategy under David Cameron to being the last Republican standing in California. Trump's guy in a state that can't stand Trump. Plan, or last gasp? Plus Jordan takes on Mark in a ‘Quick Fire’ round of revealing Q&A. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/42031255

How Do We Know What's True? 07/02/2026

How Do We Know What's True? Fake news. Alternative facts. My truth. Post-truth. We have plenty of names for the problem. What we don’t have is an honest account of where it came from. In this episode, Clive and Mark trace the crisis of truth from the French philosophy departments of the 1960s to your social media feed in 2025. Along the way? The academic hoax that got a feminist reinterpretation of Mein Kampf accepted by a peer-reviewed journal. The brain imaging study that shows facts literally activate our self-defence systems. The Gallup numbers that show trust in American media has fallen from 70% to 28% in fifty years. And then there’s AI. A billion people are now using it as their primary source of information. It hallucinates false claims on news topics at a rate that doubled in a single year. MIT research shows it uses more confident language when it’s wrong than when it’s right. So where do you go for the truth? Clive and Mark have some answers and a few uncomfortable questions about whether the institutions we used to trust to provide it were ever quite as reliable as we thought. Tags: Politics, Current Events, Misinformation, Media Literacy, Nonpartisan, Critical Thinking /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/41914705

The Trillionaire Nobody Elected 06/24/2026

The Trillionaire Nobody Elected History gave us kings, emperors, and robber barons, and none of them quite prepared us for Elon Musk. Worth a trillion dollars as of this week, more powerful than most presidents and richer than most countries, he remains accountable to no electorate, no regulator with real teeth, and no shareholder brave enough to challenge him. Mark and Clive take on the Elon question. Subscribe and share if you like the show! /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/41790020

Why Can't We Build Things Anymore? 06/17/2026

Why Can't We Build Things Anymore? California's high-speed rail has spent $126 billion and laid zero miles of track. HS2, the UK’s high-speed rail project has been under construction since before the iPhone 6. Meanwhile SpaceX is launching rockets for a fraction of the cost of a NASA coffee break. The problem isn't that we can't build things. It's who's holding the shovel. In this episode, Clive and Mark go transatlantic on the great infrastructure disaster of our time. Two countries. Two doomed rail projects. One disease: public sector procurement. Plus what California’s housing crisis, Britain’s planning paralysis, and the NASA vs SpaceX numbers tell us about incentives, accountability — and why nobody ever gets fired for a cost overrun. They just get a committee. If you enjoyed the show, consider subscribing to our free Substack at insearchofsanity.substack.com. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/41673065

The American Dream On Trial 06/06/2026

The American Dream On Trial Republicans say it’s alive. Democrats say it’s dead. Mark & Clive suggest that reality and history say something more interesting. Your weekly dose of 15 minutes In Search of Sanity. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/41559295

Episode #2 With Steve Hilton, Canidate for CA Governor 05/30/2026

Episode #2 With Steve Hilton, Canidate for CA Governor In Search of Sanity is back. We’ve started with a guest California’s political class would rather we hadn’t found. Steve Hilton is Oxford-educated, the son of Hungarian refugees, the man who made the Conservative Party in the UK electable again. Today he is the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Governor of California. Which is, by any measure, quite a journey. We sit down with Steve for 60 minutes of biography, contradiction, and the question California’s political establishment would rather not hear. Can the man who detoxified the Conservatives in Britain do the same for the GOP in America’s most progressive state? Joe Tarica, editor of The San Luis Obispo Tribune, joins Mark and Clive. Three people. One conversation. No sacred cows. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/41475360

Episode 1: A Reinvigorated Push For Media Literacy 05/27/2026

Episode 1: A Reinvigorated Push For Media Literacy In this episode, Clive and Mark discuss their plans for the re-launch of In Search of Sanity. The current media landscape necessitates a big push towards literacy and reason. Let’s be the push! /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/41442965

15 Mins iSoS: Let We The People Decide. 02/25/2022

15 Mins iSoS: Let We The People Decide. Mark and Clive dive into two local issues - redistricting (aka gerrymandering) and allowing voters to choose vacant elected positions. It seems that more and more the body politic want to adjudicate issues in the courts or in the chamber and view the idea of voting as inconvenient and unnecessary. Their commentary wont surprise you as they advocate for the supremacy of voters, but the origin of the term 'gerrymandering' might! /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/22256306

Niel Young Wants To Cancel Joe Rogan! Really? 01/28/2022

Niel Young Wants To Cancel Joe Rogan! Really? Mark & Clive are scratching their heads that Neil Young, an icon of freedom and anti-establishment protests, appears to have become infected with cancel culture complex and a victim of the outrage industrial complex. This is not the behavior of sane or reasonable people. At least let's hope not because we love Neil and respect Joe even if we don't always agree with everything they sing or say. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21935414

15 Mins iSoS: The State of Freedom in America 01/12/2022

15 Mins iSoS: The State of Freedom in America Mark & Clive take a brief look at the recent Cato Institute annual report: 'Freedom in the 50 States' and how California fares. No prizes for guessing where it ranks, although the 'most free' State might surprise you. It's hard not to be partisan when those adjudged to be 'most free' are all governed by Republicans, while those 'least free' by Democrats. Perhaps it all depends on what freedom means to you! /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21754214

15 mins iSoS. Moving on From January 6th 2021. 01/07/2022

15 mins iSoS. Moving on From January 6th 2021. While President Biden & President Trump continue their slanging match, Mark & Clive look forward and ponder what we can learn from the seismic events of 6/1/21. Whatever your political leanings there is something in this podcast for everyone. Unless you are a member of the body politic, in which case there are some questions to be asked and opportunities to be grasped. It's time to move on. Can someone tell the politicians that? /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21708155

15 mins iSoS: The Politician's Gravy Train. 01/05/2022

15 mins iSoS: The Politician's Gravy Train. When Mark & Clive applaud AOC, you know you're in for a thought provoking and entertaining 15 minutes. Today they take a closer look at the profiteering politicians who make money from buying and selling stock while privy to information not easily available to us mere mortals. As always, they have a few choice words for those on the gravy train and suggest some reasonable and pragmatic solutions to solve the problem. Don't expect any of them to be adopted anytime soon! /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21684530

What Kept Mark & Clive Sane in 2021? 12/31/2021

What Kept Mark & Clive Sane in 2021? It would be a sorry state of affairs if the architects, producers and presenters of a show whose sole purpose is a search of sanity failed to find any themselves. To cap off 2021 Mark & Clive share what three things kept them sane in this most insane year. Some of them might even surprise you! /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21644612

We Just Don't Trust Media Anymore. 12/29/2021

We Just Don't Trust Media Anymore. Mark & Clive kvetch about the demise of media's reputation. Why do 58% of Americans believe that “most news organisations are more concerned with supporting an ideology or political position than with informing the public”? What can be done about it? It's hard to find a silver lining but there are signs of hope. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21628073

15 Minutes In Search of Sanity 12/24/2021

15 Minutes In Search of Sanity Mark and Clive explore the issues around the progressive policy of forgiving all student debt. Looking at the numbers, the implication is that the cohort who will benefit most are white graduates from the elite universities. Is that 'progressive' or just another form of 'white privilege'? On face value it does seem hypocritical. Is there a fairer way or is it unfair to future graduates and the nation as a whole to forgive debt in the first place? /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21595709

15 Minutes In Search of Sanity 12/13/2021

15 Minutes In Search of Sanity With Roe v Wade being challenged in The SCOTUS, Mark & Clive take on the touchy subject of abortion and come up with a controversial compromise. You cant please all the people all the time. That's where democracy can make a difference. Please invest 15 minutes to hear their idea and tell us what you think. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21464897

15 Mins In Search of Sanity 12/06/2021

15 Mins In Search of Sanity Mark & Clive consider the words of Ronald Reagan, "Trust, but verify" and Abraham Lincoln "The people when rightly and fully trusted will return the trust", question why only 32% of people trust mainstream media and discuss ideas to solve the problem. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21396014

15 Minutes iSoS 11/30/2021

15 Minutes iSoS A light-hearted yet fact laden and considered review of the 'When Harry Kissed Santa Claus' ad from Norway's Post Office that went viral. Woke smoke or a valuable cultural contribution? It all depends. Find out where our sleigh lands on this issue........ /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21326423

15 Mins In Search of Sanity (Make That 30!) 11/25/2021

15 Mins In Search of Sanity (Make That 30!) After Mark explains Thanksgiving to Clive, they look at the ambition and actions of the newly formed Paso Robles Diversity Panel. Clive reports back on his participation in a public workshop. They look at the elephant in the room. Think about how you celebrate a history and a culture that is both a force for good and sometimes part of the problem and discuss some practical ideas to help everyone feel like they belong, /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21285986

15 Minutes In Search of Sanity 11/19/2021

15 Minutes In Search of Sanity Mark and Clive question who, if anyone, wins in the latest show trial caused by violent protests resulting from another police shooting. As usual, no person or agency involved comes out smelling of roses as once again partisan politics taints the whole tragic episode. Listen to find out who deserves the least amount of credit and sympathy and what, if any, sanity can be found in other example of a trail where it seems the only winners are unreasonable people. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21222179

15 Mins In Search of Sanity in LaLa Land 11/15/2021

15 Mins In Search of Sanity in LaLa Land With Clive reporting from a rare visit to Los Angeles to see the last Monkees Concert, Mark wonders if bands where half the original members are dead should still be billed as The Monkees, Chicago or The Who. Clive thinks they should. They also look at Mask compliance in LaLa Land (Hint: there doesn't seem to be any), Lockdowns in Austria and dog poop on Hollywood Boulevard. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21168110

15 Minutes iSoS - Transgenderism in High Schools. 11/12/2021

15 Minutes iSoS - Transgenderism in High Schools. Nobody at the local high school comes out smelling of roses in the latest controversy. Not the teacher, not the students nor The Administration. Where does equity end and politics/virtue signaling takeover? Who should be taking the lead in issues relating to beliefs and lifetsyles? Teachers or Parents? Is 'safetyism' "coddling" the next generation? They conclude that to support a cohesive and vibrant community, we should be accepting of different beliefs and lifestyles, even if we don't approve of them. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21144881

15 Minutes In Search of Sanity 11/10/2021

15 Minutes In Search of Sanity Mark & Clive introduce a new In Search of Sanity series. A 15 minute look at a recent news story or community issue through a non-partisan lens. Today they cover COP26, the climate change conference in Glasgow and wonder why our political and corporate leaders ask us to 'do as they say, not as they do'. Most reasonable people want to do what they can to tackle climate related issues, so why do the elites treat us like children? /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/21123578

TMWS ThoughtCast Ep 21 02/05/2021

TMWS ThoughtCast Ep 21 Mark scratches his head as President Biden reneges on his pre-election promise not to rely on Executive Orders to make policy and wonders what happened to his commitment to work with both parties. He takes a closer look at some of those Executive Orders and wonders what 'reasonable people' will think of them. While on the issue of what is on the mind of reasonable people, Mark looks at the demands of Teachers' Unions and their catastrophic impact on children's education. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/17829308

TMWS ThoughtCast Ep 20 01/30/2021

TMWS ThoughtCast Ep 20 Mark gives us his own unique view on the Inauguration and nobody is spared. Flexing his 'equal opportunity offender' muscles Mark takes aim at both sides of the body politic and then shares his ideas on how politicians and the media may start to serve us, the 'reasonable people'. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/17751578

TMWS ThoughtCast Episode 19 Part Two 01/19/2021

TMWS ThoughtCast Episode 19 Part Two This might be Mark's best ThoughtCast so far. You decide! In Part Two, in a search for ideas and not ideology, Mark makes a Hail Mary attempt to find some suggestions on how we might navigate our way out of this "nice mess we've gotten ourselves into". He calls a Brit. Clive. They know all about revolutions! As Sun Tzu said "There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare." It's time to stop the fighting and start rebuilding the 'United' in The United States of America. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/17601212

TMWS ThoughtCast Ep 19 Part One. 01/18/2021

TMWS ThoughtCast Ep 19 Part One. This might be Mark's best ThoughtCast so far. You decide! Just as we thought we could look forward to a new year, the insanity went ballistic. In Part One Mark looks at the tragic actions of the last week through multiple lenses. Nobody comes out smelling of roses, least of all the body politic. Mark finds some more odorous than others. In Part Two, Mark looks for ideas not ideology to navigate our way out of this partisan mess. He calls a Brit. Clive. They know all about revolutions! /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/17593565

Ceasefire Episode 1 01/06/2021

Ceasefire Episode 1 In Search of Sanity presents a new ThoughtCast that brings two protagonists with opposing views together in search of sanity and common ground. We aim to explore 'ideas not ideology'. The first episode looks at the claims that the American people were cheated because the US Presidential election was tainted by wide scale material election fraud. Sanity prevailed in that two reasonable people were able to agree to disagree while still reaching a consensus on the best way forward. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/17448305

MW ThoughtCast Ep. 17 01/06/2021

MW ThoughtCast Ep. 17 Mark starts the new year by throwing cold water over lots of subjects, including himself. Sometimes its invigorating, and sometimes he gives his subjects a good soaking. Warning us all against being victims of the hysterical response of Main Stream Media, Mark reminds us that our democracy is not in danger and that nothing is new in our world. Including the fact that both parties have a history of trying to influence the electoral college and invalidate votes and attempts to defeat the virus. /episode/index/show/insearchofsanity/id/17439974

In Search of Sanity

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