Rescuing Reason Thu, 05 Mar 2026 04:56:56 -0500 https://www.spartanspirit.au en-us © 2026 Rescuing Reason yes 80adde88-c7ef-5e8e-8c22-1790050d2f80 spartan.spirit@yahoo.com Bill Kourelakos episodic false Welcome to Spartan Spirit - Rescuing Reason. This podcast examines critical political and socioeconomic topics affecting Western cultures, particularly Australia, Canada, and the US. The point being to ground-truth the issues and bring reason back to the discussion.


The podcast will do it through a logical, scientific, and most importantly, a Spartan lens, i.e., through a tough-minded view that considers the nation and the planet above the individual.


The podcast will be published on the 1st and 15th of each month. You can send comments and suggestions to spartan.spirit@yahoo.com



]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Government, society, Western, Culture, Policy, Politics, Spartan, Misinformation, News, Commentary Bill Kourelakos spartan.spirit@yahoo.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/d3yz4r1lxqmbuljq80tzesrb9v21?.jpg Rescuing Reason https://www.spartanspirit.au Rescuing Reason - E11 - Gender in Sports Pt 2 Rescuing Reason - E11 - Gender in Sports Pt 2 The 2026 Winter Olympics are over and only one openly transgender athlete competed - Elis Lundholm. Elis was born as a female, identifies as a man, and competed in women's skiing (finishing 25th). Thus, the recent winter Olympics did not have to deal with criticism over biological males identifying as women and competing in women's categories. However, this issue remains a feature of many sports and will certainly feature in the next summer Olympics. This podcast episode concludes a two-part series looking at the issues around gender in sports. 

]]> The 2026 Winter Olympics are over and only one openly transgender athlete competed - Elis Lundholm. Elis was born as a female, identifies as a man, and competed in women's skiing (finishing 25th). Thus, the recent winter Olympics did not have to deal with criticism over biological males identifying as women and competing in women's categories. However, this issue remains a feature of many sports and will certainly feature in the next summer Olympics. This podcast episode concludes a two-part series looking at the issues around gender in sports. 

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-18759838 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0500 1313 Society, Politics, sports, gender in sports, male athletes, female athletes, testosterone, performance enhancing drugs 3 11 full false Rescuing Reason - E10 - Gender in Sports Pt 1 Rescuing Reason - E10 - Gender in Sports Pt 1 The 2026 Winter Olympics are starting shortly after this episode is published, and that means there will, yet again, be controversy over gender classification. This episode is part one of a two-part series exploring the issues related to sex vs gender in organized sports.

]]> The 2026 Winter Olympics are starting shortly after this episode is published, and that means there will, yet again, be controversy over gender classification. This episode is part one of a two-part series exploring the issues related to sex vs gender in organized sports.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-18393325 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500 2016 Society, Politics, Gender, sports, Olympics 10 full false Rescuing Reason - E9 - Taiwanese Microchips Rescuing Reason - E9 - Taiwanese Microchips Microchips are essential components of almost everything we humans make today. Yet, about 90% of the world's microchips come from one country: Taiwan. Given how essential these components are to global manufacturing and trade, the West should be concerned about its reliance on an island that is under threat of invasion from China. This episode explores the history of microchips; how they ended up being almost entirely produced in Taiwan, and what the West should consider doing to protect its supply chain.

]]> Microchips are essential components of almost everything we humans make today. Yet, about 90% of the world's microchips come from one country: Taiwan. Given how essential these components are to global manufacturing and trade, the West should be concerned about its reliance on an island that is under threat of invasion from China. This episode explores the history of microchips; how they ended up being almost entirely produced in Taiwan, and what the West should consider doing to protect its supply chain.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-18354404 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 1775 Society, Microchips, Taiwan, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, TSMC, ASML, lithography, China, Western democracy, computers 9 full false Rescuing Reason - E8 - Rare Earth Elements Rescuing Reason - E8 - Rare Earth Elements Rare earth elements are essential to our world's manufacturing sectors; particularly hi-tech defense equipment, green technologies, and anything that uses a battery or magnet (which is a lot of stuff). Yet, China cornered the market on rare earth element processing, leaving Western democracies vulnerable to trade disruptions. This episode explores the history of rare earth elements and how the West needs to regain market share in rare earth element processing.

]]> Rare earth elements are essential to our world's manufacturing sectors; particularly hi-tech defense equipment, green technologies, and anything that uses a battery or magnet (which is a lot of stuff). Yet, China cornered the market on rare earth element processing, leaving Western democracies vulnerable to trade disruptions. This episode explores the history of rare earth elements and how the West needs to regain market share in rare earth element processing.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-18354429 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 02:00:00 -0500 2330 Society, china, usa, australia, canada, rare earth elements, rare earth minerals, rare earths, trade, 8 full false Rescuing Reason - E7 - Rules Based Order Rescuing Reason - E7 - Rules Based Order The Global Rules Based Order is fracturing. This episode examines its history, relevance to Western liberal democracies, the threats coming from autocratic states, and thoughts on the way forward.

]]> The Global Rules Based Order is fracturing. This episode examines its history, relevance to Western liberal democracies, the threats coming from autocratic states, and thoughts on the way forward.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-18265045 Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:00:00 -0500 2160 Society, Politics, Rules Based Order, USA, Australia, Canada, CRINK, BRICS, China, Russia, Western democracy 7 full false Rescuing Reason - E6 - Military Spending Pt 2 Rescuing Reason - E6 - Military Spending Pt 2 In this episode we examine Australia's military spending - which has not matched NATO increases in % GDP on military spending. With war raging in the Ukraine and the Middle East, and a growing Chinese military threat, many states have substantially increased their military budgets in recent months. Most NATO countries pledged 5% GDP on military spending, and the US is urging its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to do the same. Part 1 of this two-part podcast explored the history of military spending and the reasons for increasing military spending. In this episode (Part 2), we examine Australia's reasons for retaining military spending at 2% GDP.

]]> In this episode we examine Australia's military spending - which has not matched NATO increases in % GDP on military spending. With war raging in the Ukraine and the Middle East, and a growing Chinese military threat, many states have substantially increased their military budgets in recent months. Most NATO countries pledged 5% GDP on military spending, and the US is urging its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to do the same. Part 1 of this two-part podcast explored the history of military spending and the reasons for increasing military spending. In this episode (Part 2), we examine Australia's reasons for retaining military spending at 2% GDP.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-18189133 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 23:00:00 -0500 1568 Society, Politics, Australia, GDP, defence spending, military spending, defense spending, NATO, ADF, Marles, Albanese 6 full false Rescuing Reason - E5 - Military Spending Pt 1 Rescuing Reason - E5 - Military Spending Pt 1 With war raging in the Ukraine and the Middle East, and a growing Chinese military, many states have substantially increased their military budgets in recent months. Most NATO countries pledged 5% GDP on military spending, and the US is urging its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to do the same. This podcast explores the history of military spending, the reasons for increasing military spending, and in Part 2 (coming out mid-Nov 2025), we will look at the case of Australia - which has not matched NATO increases in % GDP on military spending.

]]> With war raging in the Ukraine and the Middle East, and a growing Chinese military, many states have substantially increased their military budgets in recent months. Most NATO countries pledged 5% GDP on military spending, and the US is urging its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to do the same. This podcast explores the history of military spending, the reasons for increasing military spending, and in Part 2 (coming out mid-Nov 2025), we will look at the case of Australia - which has not matched NATO increases in % GDP on military spending.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-18107198 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0400 2185 Society, Politics, Defence, Defense, military spending, GDP, gross domestic product, USA, China, Russia, Israel, Australia, Canada 5 full false Rescuing Reason - E4 - Shanghai Cooperation Organization Rescuing Reason - E4 - Shanghai Cooperation Organization The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is seeking to counter Western global influence through mutual economic, political and security agreements between its member states. Those states include China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan and Belarus. Some are going so far as to call the Shanghai Cooperation Organization the Global South's NATO. It behooves westerners to understand what the Global South is, and how this loose alliance affects the West - This episode tells you all about it. 

]]> The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is seeking to counter Western global influence through mutual economic, political and security agreements between its member states. Those states include China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan and Belarus. Some are going so far as to call the Shanghai Cooperation Organization the Global South's NATO. It behooves westerners to understand what the Global South is, and how this loose alliance affects the West - This episode tells you all about it. 

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-18005677 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400 2550 Society, Politics, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Russia, China, Iran, security, alliance, NATO, Western society, Global South 4 full false Rescuing Reason - E3 - Laws of War Part 2 Rescuing Reason - E3 - Laws of War Part 2 Many modern Western governments are taking the moral absolutist view when interpreting the Laws of War in relation to Gaza - but is this realistic? Their narrow view is likely to be cast aside if they ever find themselves in an existential conflict. This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series exploring International Humanitarian Law (also known as the Laws of War) in light of the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

]]> Many modern Western governments are taking the moral absolutist view when interpreting the Laws of War in relation to Gaza - but is this realistic? Their narrow view is likely to be cast aside if they ever find themselves in an existential conflict. This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series exploring International Humanitarian Law (also known as the Laws of War) in light of the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-17927460 Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:00:00 -0400 2138 Society, Politics, Gaza, Israel, International Humanitarian Law, Laws of War, Laws of Armed Conflict, Australia, Canada, USA 3 full false Rescuing Reason - Laws of War Part 1 Rescuing Reason - Laws of War Part 1 Western leaders are calling out Israel for breaches of International Humanitarian Law. Yet, some of their claims demonstrate a misunderstanding of International Humanitarian Law.  This episode dives into the history of the International Humanitarian Law - also known as the Laws of War, and we consider how Western societies interpret these laws in the modern era; particularly in Gaza. Part 2 will be published 1 Oct 2025, and it will discuss a pragmatic view of the Laws of War in modern conflicts. Episode 2 also discusses how the West's moral absolutism is a narrow interpretation that is not suitable for existential conflict.

]]> Western leaders are calling out Israel for breaches of International Humanitarian Law. Yet, some of their claims demonstrate a misunderstanding of International Humanitarian Law.  This episode dives into the history of the International Humanitarian Law - also known as the Laws of War, and we consider how Western societies interpret these laws in the modern era; particularly in Gaza. Part 2 will be published 1 Oct 2025, and it will discuss a pragmatic view of the Laws of War in modern conflicts. Episode 2 also discusses how the West's moral absolutism is a narrow interpretation that is not suitable for existential conflict.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-17838938 Sat, 13 Sep 2025 19:00:00 -0400 1486 Society, Politics, Gaza, Israel, Laws of War, International Humanitarian Law, Australia, Canada, United States 3 2 full false Rescuing Reason - Gaza Rescuing Reason - Gaza This episode details:

  • The history of Palestine.
  • The Hamas attack on Israel of 7 Oct 2023 and Israel's response.
  • Why Western nations are supporting recognition of Palestine. Reasons for why this is not the time to recognize Palestine.
  • The requirements for recognition of states.
  • An alternative view of what needs to happen in Gaza.
]]> This episode details:

  • The history of Palestine.
  • The Hamas attack on Israel of 7 Oct 2023 and Israel's response.
  • Why Western nations are supporting recognition of Palestine. Reasons for why this is not the time to recognize Palestine.
  • The requirements for recognition of states.
  • An alternative view of what needs to happen in Gaza.
]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-17722904 Sun, 24 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400 2244 Society, Politics, Gaza, Montevideo Protocol, Israel 3 1 full false Rescuing Reason - Introduction Rescuing Reason - Introduction The third season of the Spartan Spirit podcast series is called Rescuing Reason. This episode introduces the podcast 'Rescuing Reason'.

]]> The third season of the Spartan Spirit podcast series is called Rescuing Reason. This episode introduces the podcast 'Rescuing Reason'.

]]> Bill Kourelakos Buzzsprout-17722894 Sun, 24 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400 151 Society, Politics, Gaza, Montevideo Protocol, Israel 3 1 full false