We like to think we’re rational beings, but the truth is, our brains are wired for shortcuts—and those shortcuts can make us dangerously susceptible to disinformation.

In this episode of Scenic Route, Dr. Brie Kara breaks down the cognitive blind spots that shape how we absorb (and spread) information. From confirmation bias to the illusion of explanatory depth, we explore why even the smartest among us fall for falsehoods—and what it really takes to think critically in today’s noise-saturated world.

Get ready to challenge your own assumptions, question your mental defaults, and reclaim your capacity for deep, independent thought.

For years, we’ve been told that empathy is the key to connection—but what if it’s also the very thing draining you? In this episode of The Scenic Route Podcast, we dive deep into the hidden cost of empathy, exploring how it can lead to burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion if left unchecked.

Join us on the Scenic Route.

Discover why vegans are "viewed more negatively than atheists" and how reframing the conversation from restriction to flourishing can transform our relationship with food, animals, and each other. Halteman shares insights from his book "Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan," challenging the idea that veganism must be an all-or-nothing identity defined by perfectionism and rule-following.

This conversation delves into profound philosophical questions about joy as resistance, the power of self-knowledge, and how our food choices connect to larger issues of climate justice, worker rights, and personal well-being. Learn why "people who have joy are very difficult to control" and how embracing a more abundant perspective can create harmony in what Halteman calls our "inner family."