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The Iron Fist and the Velvet Glove

The Iron Fist and the Velvet Glove

By: The Iron Fist and the Velvet Glove
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A small independent Australian podcast about news, politics, sex and religion. An easy and entertaining way to keep up to date with the weekly news.Xenor Pty Ltd Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 490 - Exploring Morality
    Dec 29 2025

    This episode is a repeat of episode 301.

    In this episode, Trevor delves into a rich tapestry of moral philosophy and practical ethics. The discussion begins with a panel reflecting on the origins of morals, referencing an earlier episode that featured a conversation with Peter, The 12th Man, and Hugh Harris. The talk revisits various perspectives on morality, including the implications of the Judeo-Christian ethic and its historical development. Franz Mair's views on societal constructs and spirituality, as well as debates on contentious figures like Jordan Peterson, are examined. The second part features an in-depth book review of 'Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?' by Michael J. Sandel. The host explores different moral frameworks, such as utilitarianism, libertarianism, and Aristotle's perspectives on justice. Through various analogies and case studies, including price gouging, military honours, and historical instances of societal dilemmas, the host elucidates the nuanced approaches to justice and moral reasoning advocated by Sandel. The episode concludes with reflections on community responsibility, individual freedom, and the role of moral judgment in creating a just society.

    00:00 Introduction to the Book Review

    00:47 Recap of Episode 238: Origins of Morals

    01:56 Discussion on Judeo-Christian Ethic

    04:53 Jordan Peterson's Views on Morality

    07:53 The Golden Rule Across Cultures

    12:30 Greek Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

    25:41 Stoicism and Its Influence on Christianity

    28:07 The Ten Commandments and Mosaic Law

    30:04 The Story of Muhammad's Negotiation

    31:41 The Ark of the Covenant and the Babylonian Exile

    32:47 The Return and Rigid Rules of the Jews

    34:14 The Evolution of Jewish Law and Morality

    35:27 The Bible as a Collection of Historical Stories

    39:22 The Concept of Heaven and the Evolution of Jewish Thought

    49:03 The Domestication of Humans and Evolution of Morality

    01:00:23 The Good Samaritan and Inherent Altruism

    01:01:22 Exploring the Trolley Problem

    01:02:15 The Organ Donation Dilemma

    01:03:02 Nuclear Codes and Moral Reasoning

    01:03:47 Utilitarianism vs. Deontological Ethics

    01:05:23 Inaction Bias and Moral Dilemmas

    01:07:47 Community Standards and Legal Theory

    01:09:39 Alpha Males and Wealth Tax

    01:11:33 Foundations of Morality

    01:12:27 The Ultimatum Game and Fairness

    01:14:39 Objective Moral Values and Reasoning

    01:25:57 Neanderthals and Social Cooperation

    01:29:20 Michael J. Sandel's Justice Course

    01:32:12 Free Markets and Human Flourishing

    01:33:05 Libertarian and Utilitarian Counterarguments

    01:34:41 The Third Way: Aristotle's Perspective

    01:36:21 Examples of Moral Dilemmas

    01:39:30 CEO Pay and Economic Disparities

    01:42:36 The Trolley Problem and Moral Reasoning

    01:51:26 Libertarianism and Its Limits

    01:56:53 The Role of Meritocracy

    02:01:07 Aristotle's View on Justice and Virtue

    02:13:42 The Purpose of Politics and Community Responsibility

    02:15:49 Moral Education and Practical Wisdom

    02:31:40 The Importance of Community in Human Nature

    02:36:02 Technological Revolution and Future Societies

    To financially support the Podcast you can make:

    • a per-episode donation via Patreon or
    • one-off donation via credit card; or
    • one-off or regular donations via Paypal or
    • if you are into Cryptocurrency you can send...
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    2 hrs and 39 mins
  • Episode 489 - Bondi
    Dec 22 2025

    Topics:

    In episode 489 of the Iron Fist and the Velvet Glove Podcast, host Trevor, a.k.a. the Iron Fist, dives into the recent Bondi Beach shooting and its aftermath. He discusses the prevailing narratives, the media's role in shaping public opinion, and the political reactions from both the Australian government and various Jewish and pro-Israel groups. Trevor critically analyses the response to the incident, including calls for new hate speech and antisemitism laws, and highlights the importance of maintaining free speech and rational discourse in the face of tragedy. He also touches on the dangers of using events like these for political gain and the need for a balanced understanding of global issues.

    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup

    01:13 Discussing Bondi Incident

    03:10 Media and Political Reactions

    06:32 Propaganda and Public Perception

    09:54 Moral Clarity and Hypocrisy

    16:58 Shock Doctrine and Exploitation

    19:46 Bravery and Public Response

    23:29 Criticism of Media and Politicians

    37:49 Religion and Radicalization

    56:29 Urgent Call to Action for the Australian Government

    57:19 Prime Minister's Response and New Laws

    57:37 Hate Speech and Radical Preachers

    58:54 Jewish Community's Outcry and Media Criticism

    01:02:09 Victims' Perspectives and Public Reactions

    01:06:34 Political Exploitation of the Tragedy

    01:08:21 Historical Context and Media Narratives

    01:11:03 Controversial Figures and Statements

    01:28:13 Protests and Public Sentiment

    01:48:22 Concluding Thoughts on Free Speech and Genocide

    To financially support the Podcast you can make:

    • a per-episode donation via Patreon or
    • one-off donation via credit card; or
    • one-off or regular donations via Paypal or
    • if you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis.

    We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room.

    We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

    You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au



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    1 hr and 51 mins
  • Episode 488 - A Time of Monsters
    Dec 8 2025

    This episode features a wide-ranging discussion on global and political issues. The hosts review Australian public opinion on climate change, the declining societal morals as argued by historian Ruter Bregman, and the controversial award of a peace prize to Donald Trump by FIFA. They delve into Australia’s gas policies, the financial impact of holding onto technology, and Trump's harsh stance on Venezuela. Critiques of the U.S. military actions and reflections on the state of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) are also discussed. The episode closes with insights on the enduring conflict in Ukraine and its wider implications.

    00:00 Introduction and Greetings

    01:06 Climate Change Polling Insights

    06:53 Political Reactions and Opinions

    10:28 Barnaby Joyce's Political Moves

    14:36 E-Bikes and Public Safety Concerns

    23:14 Rutger Bregman and Societal Critiques

    36:11 FIFA's Peace Prize and Trump's Nobel Ambitions

    37:45 Debating Ukraine's War and Peace Prospects

    42:21 Russian Economy Amidst War

    50:32 National Anti-Corruption Commission Controversies

    52:12 Gas Exports and Government Policies

    55:12 Device Hoarding and Economic Impact

    57:17 US Sanctions and International Relations

    01:10:04 Concluding Thoughts and Future Speculations

    To financially support the Podcast you can make:

    • a per-episode donation via Patreon or
    • one-off donation via credit card; or
    • one-off or regular donations via Paypal or
    • if you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis.

    We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room.

    We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

    You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au



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    1 hr and 16 mins
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