Why is war so attractive? What drives people to take up arms? And why does violence shape nations, memory, and identity long after the fighting ends? In this conversation, Dr. Hilary Matfess breaks down war and violence through the lenses of status, citizenship, masculinity, power, and human experience. This isn’t a lesson in battles, dusty maps, and old dates. It’s a deeper look at what war means, why it endures, and why it still defines so much of our world.

Ukraine and Russia have been at war for the past four years, or has it been twelve years? Or has it been longer? Discussing the topic of the Russo-Ukrainian War is Dr. Rachel Epstein, a professor of international relations. During our conversation, Dr. Epstein unfolds why Ukraine’s political direction matters, how the war is viewed around the world, and what shows the conflict may last years instead of than months.

In the debut episode of Sheepland, hosts Lindsey and John speak with Dr. Debak Das, Assistant Professor of Peace and Security at the Josef Korbel School, about nuclear weapons, deterrence, and the myths that still shape our modern world. From the moral questions behind proliferation to the global dangers of escalation, this conversation explores how humanity continues to live under the shadow of the bomb—and why understanding it matters now more than ever.