In the sixteenth episode, Robert and guest Lewis Woolston discuss the theory of absolute retention rates, a chemistry concept detailing the potential energy required for reactant molecules to attain a critical transition state. The conversation moves fluidly from the quasi-alchemical abstractions of molecular transformation to the gritty reality of Lewis’s harrowing past, escaping a Jehovah's Witness cult and navigating a subsequent heroin addiction. They examine the roots of Australian literature, from early pioneers like Banjo Patterson to modern debates over cultural appropriation, alongside the dark history of the segregation of Aboriginal communities. Topics range from Lewis’s liberating, solitary years working at remote roadhouses on the desolate Nullarbor Plain to Robert’s intense personal anecdotes regarding his parents' fatal battles with addiction and an aborted suicide trip to Egypt, and they explore the shared cultural touchstones between America and Australia by swapping memorable stories about an early AC/DC pub riot and an enraged Mel Gibson storming out of a Hollywood AA meeting.

Woolston's books can be found: HERE

Woolston's Substack can be found: HERE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON CROSS THEORY, EMAIL crosstheorypod@gmail.com.

ALL ARE WELCOME. I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU’RE SELLING.

In the fifteenth episode, Robert and guest F. Gardner (Frank) discuss absolute pitch theory, the ability to recognize and define the pitch of a tone without the use of a reference tone. The conversation moves fluidly from Gardner's controversial horror novels—such as Kaballah of the Crocodile predicting the synagogue tunnel news events—to deep dives into geopolitical prophecies, conspiracy theories, and Zionism. They examine the historical origins and overlap of religious mysticism, tracing concepts from Canaanite rituals and the Epic of Gilgamesh to Gardner's own spiritual transition from a Catholic seminarian to a Buddhist. Topics range from the esoteric lore of Tartaria, the flat earth, and the "Samson option" to personal anecdotes of encountering shape-shifting reptilian entities at a YMCA and a college campus. They also explore the performative nature of mainstream media as a tool for distraction and "predictive programming"—discussing video games like Shadowrun and the 1990s Super Mario Bros. movie—while examining the necessity of separating the art from the artist through the lens of authors like Stephen King and J.K. Rowling.

Gardner's Horror's Call Novels can be found: HERE

Gardner's Rumble Show "F. Gardner's Penthouse" can be found: HERE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON CROSS THEORY, EMAIL crosstheorypod@gmail.com.

ALL ARE WELCOME. I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU’RE SELLING.

In this episode, Robert and guest Austin Train (a stand-up comedian and longtime friend) discuss Absolute Advantage, an economic theory concerning the superior productivity of individuals or nations in specific industries. The conversation shifts rapidly from Adam Smith’s "invisible hand" to the "mortal jealousy" inherent in the comedy world, exploring the dynamics of "fairy godmother" mentors and the struggle of the "door guy" hierarchy at The Comedy Store. They traverse the "grimy" underbelly of Los Angeles, recounting visceral memories ranging from Robert’s childhood walk past the scene of River Phoenix’s overdose to the surreal isolation of Austin’s pandemic lockdown, where he watched a homeless neighbor smoke meth in a recliner on Christmas Day. Topics range from the "performative" nature of Oscar-bait films like The Post and the decline of Joe Rogan from a supportive peer to a "gullible" cog in the "propaganda machine", to the personal toll of addiction, highlighted by Robert’s "sombrero" phase of cocaine use. They conclude by examining the "diminishing returns" of drug use and the tension between the "solitary" nature of the creative process and the demands of parenthood.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON CROSS THEORY, EMAIL crosstheorypod@gmail.com.

ALL ARE WELCOME. I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU’RE SELLING.