Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, and author known for his research on language, the mind, and human nature, as well as his books arguing that humanity is becoming less violent over time. Pinker is frequently cited as one of the most influential thinkers of his time. Pinker discusses the role of nuclear weapons in maintaining global peace, and the moral and ethical implications of technological advancements like AI.

Learn more about Steven Pinker and read his books!

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Audio Producer: Stuart Buckland

Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi and Hendrik Dahlmeier

Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!

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Charlie Bresler is an American former business executive and co‑founder of the nonprofit The Life You Can Save, where he helps promote effective philanthropy and efforts to alleviate extreme global poverty.

If you are interested in donating this giving season, consider these nonprofits:

Development Media International (The Life You Can Save)

Unlimit Health (end parasitic disease)

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi and Hendrik Dahlmeier

Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!

Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our volunteer researchers Hendrik Dahlmeier and Mihika Chechi

If you are enjoying this podcast, consider supporting us over at PATREON

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Joyce Carol Oates is an American author and professor known for her prolific and versatile writing, including novels, short stories, and essays that often explore themes of identity, violence, and the darker aspects of American life, and she has been a finalist for the Pulitzer for Fiction five times. Joyce presents a unique view and challenges the core themes of this podcast, noting her focus on literary output over emotional introspection.

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Audio Producer: Stuart Buckland

Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi and Hendrik Dahlmeier

Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!

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Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist, psychologist, and author known for her groundbreaking research on how emotions are created by the brain rather than simply triggered by external events. She has challenged traditional views of emotion and helped establish new ways of understanding the construction of emotional experiences.

Lisa talks about how the brain's processes can help overcome anxiety related to public speaking, and the construction of social reality.

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

special thanks to Suzi Jamil!

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Murali Doraiswamy is a prominent Indian‑trained physician and neuroscientist who is a professor of psychiatry and medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, in his work he advises governments, biotech companies, and global health organisations on neuroscience and aging research. Murali explores the complex definitions and criteria for diagnosing mental illness and its prevalence worldwide, alongside the ethics and challenges of treating terminal illnesses and the quality of life in dementia patients.

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Audio Producer: Stuart Buckland

Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi and Hendrik Dahlmeier

Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!

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Sam Harris is an American philosopher, neuroscientist, author, and host of Making Sense. Sam discusses his profound ethical realisations under the effects of MDMA, the illusion of self, and the ethical implications of free will.

Learn more about Sam Harris

Listen to Sam's Podcast MAKING SENSE

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi and Hendrik Dahlmeier

Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Bloom is a Canadian psychologist and author known for his research on human morality, empathy, and how pleasure and suffering shape our lives. Paul gets into the intricacies of morality, and debates the importance of reason over emotion in making moral decisions, he argues for the power of reason to help distinguish between rational and irrational reactions.

Learn more about Paul Bloom

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi and Hendrik Dahlmeier

Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!

Thanks to our volunteer researchers!

Mihika Chechi

Hendrik Dahlmeier

Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!

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Ximena Abogabir is a Chilean journalist, environmentalist, and social activist. Ximena discusses how society needs to reshape its cultural perceptions, and overcome stereotypes around ageing.

Learn more about Ximena!

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi and Hendrik Dahlmeier

Special Thanks to Suzi Jamil!

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Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and author of New York Times bestsellers 'The Righteous Mind', and 'The Coddling of the American Mind'. His latest book 'The Anxious Generation', argues that the rise of smartphones and overprotective parenting have led to a "rewiring" of childhood and a rise in mental illness. Haidt discusses legislative accountability of the social media companies, and proposes social norms that are needed to overcome the mental health challenges of the younger generation.

Learn more about Jonathan and read THE ANXIOUS GENERATION

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

Thanks to our volunteer researchers! Mihika Chechi, and Hendrik Dahlmeier

special thanks to Suzi Jamil!

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A.J. Jacobs is an author, humourist and journalist, who has written four New York Times bestsellers. Jacobs discusses his unique life as a 'human guinea pig,' exploring different ways of living through immersive year-long experiments such as living according to all biblical rules, and living like America's Founding Fathers. A.J. discusses his motivations behind these experiments, and recounts his experiences with radical honesty, and biblical literalism.

Learn more about A.J Jacobs and read his latest book The Year of Living Constitutionally

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Executive Producer: Rachel Barrett

special thanks to Suzi Jamil!

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