Solutions From The Multiverse

Hosted by Adam Braus & Scot Maupin

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119

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Professor Adam Braus (Elton University) and comedian Scot Maupin (@scotmaupin) meet up each week where Adam brings a new idea to help the world and Scot picks and prods at it with jokes and questions. The result is an informative and entertaining podcast that always gets you thinking.

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October 15, 2026Episode 951 min

A Test for Female Psychopaths?

Psychopaths, Gender, and Why a Female Test Might Matter Adam Braus and Scot Maupin explore the idea of a gender-specific psychopathy test. Adam argues that because the classic Hare-based test was developed from male prison populations, it may not capture how psychopathic traits could present differently in women. They also discuss the challenges of distinguishing those traits from other conditions, and whether some traits may be rewarded in high-pressure roles. Timestamps 00:00 - Show intro and the episode’s premise 04:04 - Why the current psychopathy test may be male-centered 05:02 - ADHD and autism as examples of differences in presentation 07:41 - The possibility that some forms of psychopathy go underrecognized 09:09 - Traits a future test might examine 10:37 - Psychopathic traits and high-pressure professions 12:09 - Utilitarian thinking and emotional distance 13:01 - Psychopathy as a spectrum 14:10 - The proposed test as a public-awareness tool 15:52 - Where research could begin 17:11 - Possible changes to the test’s criteria 18:59 - Social awareness and masking 20:04 - Debating whether separate tests are needed 21:20 - The challenge of distinguishing psychopathy from borderline personality disorder 24:44 - What identification might be used for 25:04 - How narcissism entered everyday conversation 27:11 - Questions about women in business and leadership 29:57 - Nonviolent expressions of extreme traits 31:55 - Reviewing examples of psychopathy criteria 34:17 - Psychopathy versus narcissism 35:35 - Public figures as debated examples 37:53 - Beauty pageants and other possible research questions 39:28 - Prevalence estimates and the challenge of setting a cutoff 40:42 - Treatment, coping, and awareness 43:48 - Recognizing traits and choosing environments 45:43 - Recapping the episode’s main idea 47:11 - Possible book titles and a debate about a provocative clip 50:09 - Closing remarks

October 8, 2026Episode 848 min

Can Sex Parties Save the World? with Misha Bonaventura

Connect with our Guest: https://mishabonaventura.com/ https://www.soulplay.co/ This episode is a lively, idea-driven conversation about how consent-focused sex parties could function as more than entertainment and instead become a tool for education, connection, and cultural change. Adam Braus and Scot Maupin are joined by sex and relationship coach and consent culture pioneer Misha Bonaventura, who argues that these spaces can help people practice consent, reduce loneliness, and unlearn shame around pleasure. We discuss what a consent-forward sex party actually looks like, why Misha sees it as a response to toxic sex culture, and how smaller entry points like cuddle parties and PG-13 events can help more people participate safely. The conversation also touches on jealousy, non-monogamy, community norms, and why learning how to say yes and no clearly matters far beyond sex. Misha Bonaventura ( mishabonaventura.com ) is a sex & relationship coach ( bonaventura-coaching.shinepages.com ), consent culture pioneer and producer of transformational play spaces. She's been a leader in the sex positive scene of the Bay Area for over a decade. Now leading SoulPlay Festival ( soulplay.co ) as Executive Producer, she is deeply passionate about helping people and communities build a pleasure based life through deeper understandings of consent, trusting that conflict is a path to intimacy, and leading the way to pleasure based living. She brings years of experience producing sexy parties, Somatica Coaching, Co-Active Coaching, Light Dark Institute, and Nonviolent Communication to helping you love, connect and repair with more courage and less armor. Timestamps 00:00 — Misha’s big idea: sex parties could save the world 01:10 — What a consent-forward space looks like 02:27 — Why toxic sex culture makes this conversation necessary 04:59 — Consent as explicit, collaborative communication 06:08 — Curation, boundaries, and who attends 08:30 — Bodies, beauty, and why anonymity isn’t the point 09:26 — Community-based relating at Bonobo Network 11:01 — Festivals and colleges as spaces with unspoken sexual dynamics 12:31 — Relationship styles and who attends 14:27 — From small gatherings to 200-person parties 15:03 — PG-13 parties as a more accessible entry point 20:04 — Cuddle parties, Soul Play Festival, and consent education 22:18 — Consent, choice, and resisting authoritarian habits 23:48 — How safer spaces can support sexual expression 24:46 — Why “don’t be creepy” needs clearer guidance 26:18 — A consent scene from The Night of the Iguana 27:55 — The Invite and the ethics of group sexual dynamics 29:40 — What happens at a PG-13 party 31:37 — Foucault, sexual repression, and cultural norms 33:29 — Jealousy, admiration, and connection 36:48 — De-escalation and staying in community after breakups 38:47 — A compatibility framework: fantasy, chemistry, availability, and core expression 40:35 — Designing accessible entry points—and acknowledging potential downsides 43:45 — Balancing security, freedom, and novelty in relationships 46:49 — Where to find Misha Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

October 5, 20261 hr 10 min

Solutions FM x The Perfect Show - Gradient Puzzle Summer - Special Presentation

This week Adam Braus is away, so we are sharing ' Gradient Puzzle Summer ,' a cross-publication of Scot's solo podcast - The Perfect Show . We will return on 10/8 with the next regular episode of Solutions From the Multiverse. ----- Webpage with Transcript, Pictures, Videos, and more: https://perfectshowpodcast.com/23-gradient-puzzle-summer/ ----- TPS023 Gradient Puzzle Summer NOTES Is there a type of jigsaw puzzle you’ve never heard of but might be really into? This episode Scot talks all about his love for and fascination with gradient jigsaw puzzles, a thing new to many people. He goes into his love of puzzling, and where it probably originated, as well as connecting with other puzzlers through Assemble Puzzlery and their events. Scot searches for another puzzler who will have the same experience with gradient puzzles that he had, and manages to stir up a little drama with inadvertently picking the worst gradient puzzles there are at a crucial point. So grab a puzzle, pour yourself a drink, and sit back for a story told, piece by piece. Assemble Puzzlery: AssemblePuzzlery.com Thank you to Jen Thompson, Erica Elms, Vicki Davis, Brian Earle, Sarah Busing, Norah Molina, Vera, Stephanie, Ben Reburn, Peggy Lervold, Lois Lervold, and Amelia Maupin for helping me with this quest. ---- Chapter Timestamps: (00:00) Solutions From the Multiverse Intro (02:00) Pre-Introduction (02:27) Introduction (02:58) History with Puzzles (04:54) First Gradient Puzzle (08:35) My Wrong Prediction (13:15) The Episode Quest (14:55) Jen and Erica (20:19) Assemble Puzzlery Event (21:57) Sarah (24:02) Brian (26:57) Who is Karen Puzzles? (32:35) My Big Mistake (37:24) Brian - Blue Kazoo (39:52) Vicki - Ravensburger Krypt (42:48) Vicki - MasterPieces (48:36) Puzzling All Summer Long (56:38) Lois and Peggy - Kansas (1:04:26) Sandra Maupin Tribute (1:05:25) Perfectorium Entry (1:06:08) Pictures (1:07:20) Thank Yous (1:08:20) Solutions From the Multiverse (1:09:40) Ending

September 24, 2026Episode 751 min

Solving Parking: Rethinking Driveway Curb Cuts- Owen Raisch | s04 e07

You can reach Owen Raisch on X (nee Twitter) here: https://twitter.com/owenraisch Right to Park: Reclaiming unused curb cuts for public parking Adam Braus and guest Owen Raisch discuss a San Francisco specific urbanist proposal that would charge homeowners to reserve driveway curb cuts for car access, while returning unused driveway frontage to the public as street parking. The idea is framed as a practical way to add parking, reduce congestion, and reset how cities think about public right of way.They also dig into the broader implications for density, transit funding, bike infrastructure, and how self-driving cars may change the parking equation over time. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com (mailto:solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com) Adam: @ajbraus (https://twitter.com/ajbraus) - braus@hey.com (mailto:braus@hey.com) Scot: @scotmaupin (https://www.twitter.com/@scotmaupin) adambraus.com (https://www.adambraus.com) (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-perfect-show/id1579838291) (Scot's solo podcast) The Numey (https://www.paywithnumey.com) (inflation-free currency) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music. Key topics In this episode, Adam Braus presents a “right to park” proposal for San Francisco: if a homeowner wants their driveway curb cut protected for car access, they pay an annual fee. Owen Raisch helps test the idea from an urbanist angle, emphasizing how the built environment shapes quality of life and transportation choices. Adam argues the policy would convert unused curb cuts into public street parking, potentially adding about 90,000 spaces in San Francisco. The discussion centers on the idea that the default should be public access to the curb unless someone pays for the private exemption. Adam says the proposal is less about raising revenue and more about efficiency, since many curb cuts are unused much of the time. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro and Owen’s return as guest 03:05 - The core idea: pay to protect a driveway curb cut 04:23 - How much parking this could add 05:09 - The parking problem this solves 06:18 - Why curb cuts are effectively private use of public space 07:11 - What homeowners already pay versus what the curb cut would cost 11:17 - Comparing the fee to existing street and commercial parking costs 12:39 - Why this creates car-on-car incentives, not just anti-car politics 13:31 - The stat about cars circulating while looking for parking 15:22 - The real yearly cost of car ownership 17:01 - What else that money could be used for instead 18:10 - Why this is not anti-car, but pro-efficiency 19:38 - Where the revenue could go 20:20 - Why San Francisco already considered a similar idea 22:08 - Existing red curb protections and how this could scale them 24:13 - Self-driving cars and whether they change the parking calculus 26:11 - How car ownership changes how people think about transportation 28:00 - This is a driveway tax, not a car tax 29:08 - Why the proposal matches the city that actually exists today 31:24 - Why San Francisco is different from other cities 34:52 - How more parking could unlock more housing density 39:24 - The bike highway idea and removing some parking for protected corridors 41:33 - Why car drivers may benefit from fewer cars overall 44:41 - Bikes, danger, and the asymmetry with cars 46:23 - Naming the proposal “Right to Park” 48:52 - Why the reform is a paradigm shift, not a total fix 51:34 - Wrap-up and closing

September 18, 2026Episode 642 min

Solving Alternative Facts with 'Begs the Question' | s04 e06

Video of episode: https://youtu.be/nDhTnWu7RGo Begs the Question: Bring Back the Real Meaning Adam Braus and Scot Maupin unpack one of the most misused phrases in modern argument, explaining what “begs the question” actually means and why getting it right matters. This episode is a lively defense of logic, careful language, and evidence-based thinking, with plenty of examples from politics, culture, parenting, and current tech hype. In this episode, Adam and Scot focus on restoring “begs the question” to its original meaning: circular reasoning. They also trace how the phrase gets misused as “invites the question,” and why that confusion weakens everyday arguments. Key topics Adam defines “begs the question” as circular reasoning, not “raises a question” Examples of the fallacy from stealing, religion, politics, and everyday speech Why logical fallacies are ways of sounding reasonable while actually being irrational The difference between saying something is “circular” versus simply “invites the question” How people misuse the phrase constantly, often without realizing it Why clearer logic terms can help identify weak arguments and bad beliefs faster How circular reasoning shows up in anti-vaccine claims, flat-earth reasoning, and nationalism Timestamps (00:00) - Opening banter and the setup for today’s solution (00:49) - Adam introduces the case for restoring “begs the question” (02:12) - The actual definition: a logical fallacy and circular reasoning (03:58) - Ad hominem as an example of a logical fallacy (04:36) - Straw man arguments and why distortion replaces real rebuttal (05:06) - Slippery slope reasoning and exaggerated consequences (05:22) - “Begs the question” explained as circular proof (06:18) - Familiar examples: stealing, the Bible, and self-justifying beliefs (06:55) - More circular examples, including free speech and trustworthiness (07:40) - Defining a word with itself and why that fails as reasoning (08:00) - Why people keep using the phrase wrong (09:29) - The modern misuse: “invites the question” (10:35) - How to correctly use the phrase in conversation (11:25) - Flat-earth reasoning as a circular argument (12:19) - “America is the greatest” and other self-referential claims (13:11) - Why calling out a fallacy can instantly lower trust in a claim (14:03) - “Invites the question” versus “begs the question” (15:35) - Alternative facts and why Adam sees circular reasoning underneath them (16:33) - Real facts versus claims that collapse into self-reference (17:17) - Scot’s point about evidence-based thinking versus vibes (18:01) - Feelings are valid, but false objectivity is the problem (19:17) - Why people should be more honest about discomfort and bias (19:40) - Crypto, Bitcoin, and other bubble logic (22:21) - AI hype, apocalyptic claims, and circular reasoning around innovation (25:26) - The “if we don’t do it, China will” argument (28:29) - Parenting, sleep deprivation, and a brief equipment detour (31:02) - How to insert the phrase into pop culture and social media (33:50) - Teaching logic in school and saving people time and frustration (35:06) - Bringing “begs the question” back as a cultural correction (36:15) - Technically correct people and the idea of an “International Begs the Question Day” (37:12) - White supremacy as a circular argument (39:20) - Left-wing examples: rent, housing scarcity, and vague explanations (40:33) - Final tech check and wrap-up

November 8, 2023Episode 1341 min

Solving Emotions: How to Feel All Your Feelings | S02 E13

Send us Fan Mail Strap in as we navigate the complex landscape of emotions. Feelings – good, bad, and ugly, they're all essential. We're shining a light on the importance of understanding and expressing emotions, and the contrasting ways different cultures and genders approach this. Let's not forget the intriguing twins paradox – two doctors in one family. And, the cherry on top - the prospect of earning a PhD by publication. You'll never look at your feelings the same way again. Lastly, we'll set sail on the pursuit of happiness. Often linked to our emotional state, happiness isn't always about material wealth. We're revealing how the harmony of our feelings, rather than our bank balance, plays a significant role in our joy. Whether you are rich or poor, mastering your emotional seascape might just be the key to unlocking happiness. So, come aboard with us on this enlightening journey and don't forget to check out our YouTube channel for more. Note: The technique used in the first two sentences is 'posing a provocative question'. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam : @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot : @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

December 12, 2023Episode 1737 min

Solving Podcasting: A Foray into Asynchronous Podcasting | S02 E17

Send us Fan Mail What if the future of podcasting isn't live and synchronized, but rather recorded at your convenience? We’re pioneering into the uncharted territory of asynchronous podcasting and believe us, it’s been quite a ride! We'll share the highs and lows, the convenience versus the occasional disconnect, and the interesting parallels with other forms of asynchronous communication. Tune in to find out if we think this could be the modality that changes the podcasting landscape forever! However, not all that glitters is gold. We faced some critical challenges with asynchronous podcasting that left us a tad bit disappointed. From disjointed energy to the tedious editing process, we’ll share the bittersweet truth of our experience. We'll also discuss an intriguing YouTube channel that merges two personas into one seamless conversation, and a quirky radio show where the host argues with himself in multiple voices. Through all the trials and tribulations, we believe every experiment, even those that don't pan out, adds to our understanding and informs our future path. So, let’s hop onto this rollercoaster ride of innovative parties, pizza toppings, and podcasting experiments! Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam : @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot : @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

August 1, 2023Episode 5353 min

Solving Economic Development: Urban Import Replacement | SFM E53

Send us Fan Mail You probably know that buying local is good to do, but what if there were a full theory of economic development based on the idea? There is a near-universal consensus that countries should do the opposite of buying local—the theory of "export-oriented development" says countries should maximize their exports and then import everything they need from elsewhere. But this causes the major problems of globalization: economic imperialism, exploitation, unsustainable growth, and ecological destruction. In this episode, Braus and Scot will discuss a little-known, but very promising alternative theory to export-oriented development called Urban Import Substitution . The concept was first proposed by Jane Jacobs in her book Cities and The Wealth of Nations . Simply put it says that economic growth is more sustainable and resilient when cities focus on replacing their imports with local production. Side solution: * Writing English in Korean script (Hangul) * Braus's cousin's organic flour: Meadowlark Organics Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam : @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot : @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

January 24, 2023Episode 2633 min

Solving Economic Growth: Introducing Gross Domestic Misery (GDM) | SFM E26

Send us Fan Mail Most people agree that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a pretty stupid way to measure the growth of a society's economy because it ignores critical aspects of human welfare and happiness. However, Gross Domestic Happiness, an alternative to GDP, has proven to be difficult to measure and highly subjective. What makes people happy differs across cultures and individuals. In this episode, Braus proposes (and Scot disposes of) the idea of using a new metric: Gross Domestic Misery (GDM) , to measure a country's economic development. GDM is less subjective since what makes us miserable is more objective than what makes us happy. It is also easier to measure from some widely gathered statistics, such as poverty and unemployment rates. The Future of Good - tinyurl.com/the-future-of-good What would the World Bank or the IMF recommend differently if they were trying to minimize Gross Domestic Misery instead of trying maximize Gross Domestic Product? Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam : @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot : @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.

November 1, 2022Episode 1510 min

Solving Art: The Color of Things Far Away | SFM E15 MINI EPISODE

Send us Fan Mail What color are things in the distance? How does the atmosphere make things look far away? In this mini episode, Braus and Scot take a little jaunt and talk about a common misconception among artists and everyday people about the planet we live on. Support the show Help these new solutions spread by ... Subscribing wherever you listen to podcasts Leaving a 5-star review Sharing your favorite solution with your friends and network (this makes a BIG difference) Comments? Feedback? Questions? Solutions? Message us! We will do a mailbag episode. Email: solutionsfromthemultiverse@gmail.com Adam : @ajbraus - braus@hey.com Scot : @scotmaupin adambraus.com (Link to Adam's projects and books) The Perfect Show (Scot's solo podcast) Thanks to Jonah Burns for the SFM music.